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CHAP. LXII.
FOr Zions sake I will not keep silence, Hebr. For Zion I will not. That is, * 1.1 for the exceeding great love which I bear to the Church, I will not, I cannot hold my peace, nor cease from speaking of her Saviour, saith the Pro∣phet over and over, if any man should ask, why, having already spoken so much of him, he still went on to speak more till her just one cometh as brightnesse: * 1.2 thus the Hebrew and Vulgar, but Calvin, Till her righteousnesse, but it com∣eth all to one, for Christ is hereby meant, as Jerom saith, although others ex∣pound it as meant of actually declaring Zion to be righteous in Gods accepta∣tion, which was when the Jews were delivered out of their long Captivity, in the time whereof no such thing appeared, but then it came forth, as it were, as is here said, and was as manifestly seen by all men, as the brightness of a burning Lamp. But Marlorat resteth not here without adding Christ, as chiefly hereby meant, as there is great reason he should be, sith the joy for Zion in respect of her deliverance by Cyrus, was nothing to her justification and salvation by Christ. But how is it said, that he would not be silent, till he came, who••e coming was not till many hundred years after? Answ. Isaiah continued speaking by his writings, which by Gods providence were preser∣ved till Christs coming, and since to this day.
And the Gentiles shall see thy righteous one. That is, Christ, who came of the * 1.3 Jews, which they did, when he being preached unto them, was believed in. And thou shalt be called by a new name. Most of the ancients agree, that this new name, is the Church of Christ. Whereas before the faithfull were called Israel, Zion or Jerusalem; some unaptly say, The new name here meant is Jesus, as if it had been spoken to Christ, when as it is spoken to Zion. But some more rightly will have by this new name meant that which is set down by way of ex∣plication of this, Hephzibah, My delight in her, vers. 4. Calvin seems to think * 1.4 nothing else to be meant, but that the Church shall be spoken of as renewed, which was before so greatly decayed; so that as a City new built out of the ruines, hath a new name by the builder given it, in like manner the Church being re-built by the Lord, hath by his mouth a new name; and forsomuch as he hath expressed what it is, why should we doubt what it is? and not rest in the name before expressed, a Church dearly beloved of God, as a woman new married of her husband: for that the Church is so now, see Ephes. 5. 30. And the name Ecclesia or Church, is not found given to the faithfull, till the N. T. and this name implieth a calling out from all parts of the world, a company peculiar to God and precious for holiness, in regard whereof this company is otherwise set forth by the name of Saints. Wherefore think upon this [Note.] (all Christians) which is also another most excellent new name, whereby ye are called, and be ashamed to bear a new name, and yet live after the old man in all manner of vile lusts, for whilst ye do thus, ye have a name from Christ, but none other benefit by him, as being still out of him, sith he that is in Christ is a new creature.
Thou shalt be called Hephzibah, and thy Land Beulah. Vulg. My will or plea∣sure * 1.5 in her, according to the signification of the word, for Chephtsi is my plea∣sure or complacency, and bah in her, as it was said of Christ the head of the Church, so through him of her, In whom I am well pleased, or if it be rendred by his will, the meaning is, My will is done in her, because she prayeth daily for this, Thy will be done in earth, as in heaven; and every true member of the Church desires from his heart to be continually doing of it, and doth it so, that he is not in the course of his life like the wicked, there being betwixt him and them this manifest difference, He that is born of God sinneth not, but he that committeth sinne is of the devil, 1 Joh. 3. 9, 10. And for Beulah, the Vulgar hath inhabited, but Pagnin and Vatablus, married; the word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 of which it com∣eth, signifieth to possesse or to hold, as a Lord or Master Land; and therefore