in whom it receiued the full accomplishment. The Church then conceiued, when the people returned home: for at that time the body of the people was gathered, of whom Christ should be borne; that so the pure worship of God, and his true religion might againe be planted amongst them. I grant this fruitfulnes did not then appeare; for the conception was hid as it were within the mothers wombe, which outwardly could not be any whit dis∣cerned. But after the people multiplied; and [ 1] after the birth, they were at the first like a [ 2] child: then they grew to mans estate, euen till the publishing of the Gospel. Which time indeed, was the true infancie of the Church. Afterwards, she grew to womans estate, and shall so continue euen till Christs last com∣ming, when all things shall be set in their per∣fect estate. Wee must therefore comprehend all these things together, if we wil attaine to the true meaning of the Prophets words. And in this sense it is that Zacharie, Malachi, and Haggai doe incourage the people touching the hope of their estate to come, whilest they thought they lost so much time in reedifying the Temple: Zach. 2.5. Hag. 2.7. Mal. 4.2. For they promised that the glory of the second Temple should bee more glorious then the first: but yet this was not perceiued. And therefore they extended these promises to Christ: for it was needfull they should be su∣stained with the expectation of him, and with the assurance of his comming, in the building of the Temple. This consolation then was common both to the Iewes that liued vnder the Law, and to vs, who now see this restaura∣tion of the Church in Christ more euidently.
Of thy tents.] This is a similitude taken from Tabernacles which were commonly vsed in that country. The Church then is compared to pauilions, because she hath no setled habi∣tation in this world: for she seemes to be flee∣ting, and a pilgrime, in regard she is subiect to be often transported hetner and thether, by reason of her diuers changes. And yet I doubt not but he aimes at that first deliuerance, (ac∣cording to the custome of the Prophets) at which time, the Israelites dwelt vnder tents the space of fortie yeeres: for which cause, they euery yeere celebrated a solemne feast of Tabernacles by the commandement of God: Leuit. 23. from 33. verse, to 43.
[Obiect.] But some will obiect, that the building which the Ministers of the word do reare vp, is so firme, that it ought not to be compared to tents. [Ans.] I answere, that this similitude of Ta∣bernacles is rather to be referred to the out∣ward estate of the Church, then to her spiri∣tuall or inward estate: for the true building of the Church, is the very kingdome of God, which is not vnstable, nor like vnto pauilions. And yet the Church ceaseth not for all that, to be transported hether and thether, in re∣gard she can find no sure resting place in this world. But she is more firme then a rocke tou∣ching her inward estate: for in respect she is vpheld by the impregnable power & strength of God, shee boldly contemnes as dangers. Shee resembles tents also, because she is not built vpon riches nor earthly forces.
In the next place the Prophet addes the reason why he commands her to spread abroad the cords, to inlarge her pauilions; namely, be∣cause a little place would not containe that great multitude of people which God would gather together in one, from all parts. Now in as much as Iudeah was wasted with ruines and desolations which had befallen it: there∣fore hee saith, that the desolate Cities shall bee inhabited.