A commentary vpon the prophecie of Isaiah. By Mr. Iohn Caluin. Whereunto are added foure tables ... Translated out of French into English: by C.C.

Vers. 7. For a little while haue I for∣saken thee: but with great compassion will I gather thee.

8. For a moment in mine anger I hid my face from thee for a little season: but with euerlasting mercy haue I had com∣passion on thee, saith the Lord thy re∣deemer.

THe Prophet now expounds the former sentence at large, and shewes the maner of this diuorce; to wit, that the Church shall be shortly restored to her first estate. Now he sets forth this mercy of God very excellent∣ly, and thereby asswageth the dolour which might presse downe the hearts of the faith∣full: for it was not enough to put them in hope of some kinde of restauration, vnlesse they were therewithall assured that God would also be quickly appeased. We are out of heart by and by, and quaile, if so bee the Lord be not neer presently to reach forth his hand vnto vs. And therefore after Isaiah hath mentioned the Churches restauration, hee forthwith addes, that her reiection shall not long indure, but that God will haue compas∣sion [ 1] on her vvith euerlasting mercy. [ 2]

When he saith, he forsooke his people: it is as much as if he had confessed it to bee so: for God hath in such wise adopted vs, that mens disloialtie cannot frustrate the same. Why so? Because he is faithfull, and will neuer there∣fore finally reiect or forsake his elect. This re∣iection then, must bee referred to our appre∣hension, and to our seeming in outward ap∣pearance: for vvee thinke God hath cast vs off, vvhen vve neither feele his presence, nor protecti∣on. And yet it is necessary we should taste the bitternesse of Gods wrath, (as the wife whom her husband hath put away, laments her e∣state) that we may know he hath iust cause to deale so seuerely with vs. But on the other side, it is as needfull that we forthwith should drinke a deepe draught of his mercy, which being infinite and euerlasting, will make all our afflictions seeme light; yea, and of short continuance, in respect of that. As often then as calamities doe presse vs downe, let vs haue our recourse to this consolation.

We may also note that this was said, and that truly, of the whole body of this people, who had made this diuorce by their iniqui∣ties: Chap. 50.1. And howsoeuer God did not indifferently receiue them all to grace, but that remnant which he had chosen; yet there is no absurditie nor inconuenience at all in it, that he directs his speech vnto all. Hee re∣peates

the same thing againe in the next verse, that it might take the deeper impressi∣on in the hearts of the faithfull: as also, that no aduersitie might too much dismay them. And had he iust cause to doe so? Yea doubt∣lesse: for in this horrible darknesse, the poore captiues could not easilie behold the louing countenance of the Lord. And howsoeuer that which is heere said, for a moment in mine indignation, is properly to be vnderstood, that God in fit season brought his banished home againe into Iudeah: yet thence wee may ga∣ther a generall doctrine, namely, that the af∣flictions, of the Church are but for a short space, when we lift vp the eies of our mindes to the eternall & blessed life. For we must re∣member the admonition of Saint Paul, to wit, that all the afflictions of the faithfull, are light to beare, and ought to be esteemed very short, if wee looke to that eternall waight of glory which is laid vp for vs in heauen: 2. Cor. 4.17. Rom. 8.18. And if this comparison come not betweene; daies will seeme vnto vs as long as yeeres. Neither were there any rea∣son to compare seuentie yeeres captiuitie to a moment, if the continuall progresse of Gods fauour were not opposed vnto it.

Notes

• An exposi∣tion of the preuention.
• God neuer forsakes his people: See 1. Sam. 12.22. Lam. 3.31.32.
• If we set not the eternall weight of glory against our momen∣tany afflicti∣ons, daies will seeme to vs as long as yeeres.