Vers. 18. I haue seene his waies and will heale him: I will leade him also and restore comfort vnto him, and to those that lament him.
THe Lord here on the contrarie magnifies his mercie,* 1.1 in regard that he is fauorable to this so obstinate and rebellious a people, and in preuenting them of his meere boun∣tie and compassion. As if he should say, I haue indeuored to bring them to repentance by my rods and chastisements, euen whilest they pursued their lusts: but they haue shewed themselues obstinate and incorrigible, so as I haue spent all my labour in vaine. I might therefore (if I would) iustly destroy them, yet had I rather heale and saue them. But this can not be effected vnlesse I manifest my great and infinite mercie. Well, I will there∣fore withdraw my corrections. You see then that our Prophet by degrees amplifies and sets forth Gods mercie, whom he brings in as a careful Physition, be thinking himself of the aptest and fittest medicines to cure this peo∣ples maladies. But they are incurable, vnlesse the Lord preuent vs for his owne mercie and truths sake. Let his rods be neuer so sharp and biting, yet can they not draw vs to re∣pentance, vnlesse the Lord worke it in vs by his holy Spirit. Alas! without it wee are in danger to grow the more obstinate and hard hearted.* 1.2 In this people therefore we may be∣hold the image of mans corrupted nature, therein the better to take knowledge of our owne obstinacie and rebellion against God; as also what remedies are the meetest to heale our spirituall sicknesses: so as being sick, nay halfe dead, yet wee may recouer health, and be brought into the right way, and therein remaine.
Our Prophet shewes herewithall,* 1.3 that per∣seuerance in a good course is the only worke of God, whereupon followes a great consola∣tion, which yet wee can not haue, nor faith neither, if repentance be wanting: for such as are not at oddes with themselues in regard of their sinnes, can neuer conceiue ought but Gods wrath, terrors, and despaire. Wee are carefullie to obserue the order then which Isaiah keepes heere; for he doth not rashly adde a consolation to the healing, because such as recouer their health, do therewithall reco∣uer ioy of heart, whereof they were before depriued.
When he addes, and to those that lament him; he seemes especiallie to note out the faith∣full who were few in number, as it appeares by the Prophets complaints, who make sharp and bitter inuectiues against the drouzines wherewith this people was whollie possessed. He speakes to those then who being guiltie of common offences, were constrained to weepe in regard of the griefe which pressed them neere: and lamented not only the cala∣mities of the people, but also in pitifull sort mourned vnder the sense of Gods wrath, whilest others plunged themselues in their voluptuousnes.