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. 10. I will greatly reioyce in the Lord, and my soule shall be ioyfull in my God: for hee hath clothed me with the garments of saluation; and couered mee with the robe of righteousnesse: he hath decked mee like a bridegrome, and as a bride tireth her selfe with Iewels.

THe Prophet here brings in the Church giuing of thankes vnto God, the better to perswade them of the truth of that which he hath said heretofore. And it is a liuely de∣scription, as it were, wherein he paints out the thing done in a table, and placeth it be∣fore their eies, that hee might remooue all scruples. For naturally wee are inclined to distrust: and withall so inconstant, that wee will rather giue credit vnto mens dreames, then to the word of God. But touching this kind of confirmation wee haue discoursed both in Chap. 12.1. and 26.1. as also in other places.

For he hath clothed me.] Surely these things were yet very farre off. But it was necessarie they should be seene and comprehended by faith. Yea, it is very needfull that wee lift vp our eies to heauen, when the Prophet prea∣cheth to vs the doctrine of righteousnes and saluation. There is nothing visible here, and much lesse can we apprehend so great a feli∣citie: seeing all things are still bending to∣wards a dissolution. But in regard that euen at this day such a beauty, as this appeares not in the Church, which (for the most part) on the contrarie is vnder the horror of the crosse, and therefore contemptible to all the world: it is needfull here that faith should come betweene, which comprehends celesti∣all and inuisible things.

Justice is ioyned with saluation, in regard the one cannot be separated from the other. These similitudes of garments & robes, are well enough knowne: and it is as much as if the Church should haue said, that iustice and sal∣uation were giuen her together. Seeing it is the Lord then who distributes these benefits, let vs conclude in our selues, that it is onelie he, of whom we must aske them, and none but he, from whom we must expect them. In these words, he hath decked me, there is a figu∣ratiue kind of speech, which they think to be taken from the Priests garments: for which cause some haue descanted here vpon the

priesthood of Christ. But as I thinke, the Pro∣phet meant not to speake so subtilly, in vsing the similitudes of the bride & bridegroome. The Church was in miserable plight before, and euery one contemned her as a vvise di∣uorced from her husband. But he hauing recei∣ued her into fauour againe, shee shines vvith vvonderfull beautie. And the place in Hosea, 2.20. answers vnto this. Such an ornament was giuen at the comming of Christ, and we also receiue it daily, when the Lord clothes vs with righteousnesse and saluation. But all these things shall bee fully accomplished at Christs last comming, as we haue often said.

Notes

• To what men are naturally inclined.