Isaiah 40

Isaiah 40:1

SAith] the Italian, shall say, namely, to the Preachers of his Gospell, in the Messias his time.

Isaiah 40:2

Speakeye, &c.] the Italian, Speake to the heart of; an Hebrew phrase, which signifieth as much as comfort and ease the mind of, &c Genesis 34:3. Her warfare] the Italian, her appointed time; namely, the lme set down by the Lord for the Churches punishments; and for the straight discipline to which she hath been tied under the Law, before she came to the fruition of Christe spirituall Kingdome Is pardoned] that is to say, it hath been sufficiently chastised, according to the just measure of Gods fatherly severity, for her correction: for he speakes not hre of the true and perfect satisfaction for sins, which is onely the blood of Christ Double] that is to say, in a large measure, and abundantly.

Isaiah 40:3

Of him] namely, John Baptist, whose ministery, in preparing the hearts of men to entertaine Christ Comming into the world, is here described by figures, and termes taken from a custome observed at the comming in of Princes and Kings, see Psal. 68. 4. In the Wildernesse] hereby is meant the world, voyd of Gods grace, barren in all vertue, having no pleasing abode, nor sure direction of any good way in it, being full of horror, and accursed.

Isaiah 40:4

Every valley] he seems to referre and bring the foresaid preparation to these three heads, namely, to have all depth of despaire, and basenesse of worldly thoughts raised up, all fleshly pride humbled, and all obliquity of fraud, and hypocrisie amended.

Isaiah 40:5

The glory] that is to say, Jesus Christ the King of glory shall appeare in the flesh, to make knowne, and effectually to shew Gods Soveraigne power and glory in the Gospel, see Iohn1. 14.

Isaiah 40:6

The voyce] the Italian, There is a voyce] namely, Christ shall command, and inspire his servants to set before mens eyes their naturall corruption, their death in sinne, and their inability to doe any good, here described and set down under the similitude of withered and scorched Hay All flesh] namely, every man, in his own naturall being, excluded from the grace and regeneration of the Holy Ghost All the goodlinesse] Heb. all his goodnesse. Or according to others, his grace; that is to say, all that seems in him worth any estimation or raise.

Isaiah 40:7

Because the] the Italian, When the] namely, when God entreth into judgement with man, all this seeming beauty is presently brought to nothing, like unto grasse that is withered by a scorching winde, Psal 39. 11. & 103. 15 The people] even Gods people of their owne nature have no advantage, more then ther men, but all proceeds from Gods grace Rm 3 9.

Isaiah 40:8

But the word the Gospel only, received with a lively fath, regenerates the beleever, in a spirituall, incorruptible, and immortall life.

Isaiah 40:9

O Zion] namely, O thou Jewish Nation, to whom the preaching of the Gospell shall be commited by Christ, to carry it to all other Nations, perform thou thy duty therein with all manner of freedom, and confidence.

Isaiah 40:10

The Lord] the Sonne of God shall come into the World, to fight with the divell and all his Kingdome, and to gaine, and communicate to his Church the fruits of his victory, seeMatth. 12. 29.

Isaiah 40:12

bo hath] prouerbiall examples of things altogether impossible to man, as Proverbs 30:4. to shew that as these effects, are quite beyond mans power, so likewise in the worke of grace, and mystery of the Gospell, man of himselfe can contribute nothing.

Isaiah 40:15

Are as a drop] as a thing of no account, or vertue, even as a drop in a Bucket makes it neither the fuller nor the emptier; nor a small dust in a ballance addes no weight unto it.

Isaiah 40:16

Lebanon] namely, if men would undertake to appease God with a Sacrifice befitting his greatnesse and Majesty. Figurative termes to shew the infinite inequality that is between God and man, in regard of any means to satisfie his justice, which is the subject of the Gospell.

Isaiah 40:18

To whom] as all mens knowledge, is uncapable of my secrets, and counsels, and all their power unable to contribute any thing to my worke of grace: so is their invention insufficient to represent my essence. He seemes thus covertly to shew the power of the Gospell, in redarguing and annihilating idolatry.

Isaiah 40:19

The workman] Idols have nothing in them but their stuffe, wrought according to mens fancies, by their art; for that Godhead which idolaters doe attribute unto them, is but a meere fiction, and vaine imagination Chaines] he seems to mean the riches, grates, chappels, and railes which are made about idols.

Isaiah 40:20

He that] as much as to say, all have not meanes to make their idols of precious stuffe. The common sort of people are content to make them of wood. All this is spoken in contempt and scorne of idolatry.

Isaiah 40:21

Have ye not] that is to say, O thou my people which at all times hast been instructed concerning the nature and true service of God, and concerning the vanity and abomination of Idols, how canst thou so easily runne astray? From the] namely, that God alone is the Creator of all things, and that worship is due to him onely.

Isaiah 40:22

That sitteth] as supreame Lord, and Governour of the world.

Isaiah 40:24

Yea, they shall not] the Italian, As if they were not; though Princes seeme to be great Trees, grown to a perfect height, and deeply rooted; yet God destroyeth them, as if they had never been.

Isaiah 40:26

These things] namely, the heavens, and all that is seen therein Bringeth out] like a Captaine that bringeth forth his Souldiers, which he hath set down in his muster rolles.

Isaiah 40:27

Why saiest thou] that is to say, O Church, doe not enter into any mistrust of God, as if thy state were unknowne to him, or hidden from him, or as if he did not take care of it, or would not right thee, for the injuries, which thine enemies doe thee.

Isaiah 40:28

Fainteth not] not onely in respect of his strength, which never decreaseth, but also in respect of his will, which never alters towards his children.

Isaiah 40:31

Mount up] that is to say, Gods Spirit, by a power which never faileth, carrieth them, as it were flying up to Heaven, to the marke of the supernall vocation. Others understand it, that their wings grow like unto Eagles wings, they grow young, and renew in spirituall vigor, Psalms 103:5.