Vers. 16. Hee that shall blesse him∣selfe in the earth, shall blesse himselfe in the true God; and he that sweareth in the earth, shall sweare by the true God: for the former troubles are forgotten, and shall surely hide themselues.
THe whole world is heere opposed to this litttle corner of Iudeah, where Gods ser∣uice was in a manner included and shut vp. But since God hath manifested himselfe vnto all: he is not now serued in any particular re∣gion, but in euery place alike. Which Christ also himselfe teacheth, in Iohn 4.21. saying; The houre is come, and now is, when ye shall neither in this mountaine, nor in Ierusalem, worship the Father. And Saint Paul wils that men in euery place doe lift vp pure hands vnto heauen, without wrath or doubting: 1. Tim. 2.8. He opposeth the word, Earth, heere then, which signifies all the world, vnto the land of Iudeah.
To blesse and sweare, is taken for the whole seruice of God. Swearing is one branch of this seruice, as we haue seene in Chap. 19.18. and 48.1. For thereby we leaue all iudgement vnto God, and acknowledge him the true witnesse of whatsoeuer is done or spoken. We are said to blesse, when we looke for all prospe∣ritie frō his hand, & giue him thankes after we haue receiued the same. In a word, when we acknowledge that all benefits flow in vnto vs from his meere liberalitie.
By the true God.] That is to say, by him vvho is faithfull in his promises, and stedfast in his counsell. Though I denie not but there may bee a close opposition vnderstood betweene the true God, and the false gods of the Gen∣tiles.
The troubles are forgotten and past.] This pro∣mise appertaines onely to the faithfull. Gods meaning is, that he will put an end to the an∣guishes & afflictions, that the Church might know her calamities should not indure for e∣uer. Now this promise began to take effect, when the people returned from Babylon: for howsoeuer they were troubled as well in the way, as in their Country, yet their afflictions were neuer so sharp, but God kept a measure in them, because at their returne home, the reedifying of the Temple, and the restoring of the politike estate, asswaged the sorrow, and cheered vp their hearts in good hope, vntill the comming of Christ.