Isaiah 61

Isaiah 61:1

IS upon me] Christs words Anointed me] in my humane nature God the Father hath endowed me with the gifts of his Spirit above measure, John 3:34. and in my whole person hath consecrated me to be King, Prophet, and Priest of his Church, for the ancient holy unction was applied to these three offices Good tidings] namely, the Gospel of grace, which hath a reference to his Office of Prophet Unto the meeke] the ordinary title of true beleevers, for this quality is required in true faith, and is a true token of the Spirit of regeneration To bind up]to heale those soules that are afflicted by the feeling of their sinnes, and contrite through repentance, which belongeth to the Office of Priest Liberty] from the bondage of the divell, sinne, and death John 8:36. Which belongeth to the Kingdome, and Kingly Office of Christ.

Isaiah 61:2

The acceptable yeere] namely, the new and happy age of Gods grace, answerable to the ancient yeere of Jubile, where in all bondages, and morgages of Lands were freed, see Isaiah 49:8. and Titus 3:4. Of vengeance] upon the Churches enemies. This seemes to be added, to shew that the spirituall jubile hath a great advantage of benefit, over the ancient ceremoniall jubile; for in the old jubile, a man had no way to complaine, or have right of a master that had abused his servant during the time of his bondage. But here Christ punisheth the divell and all his ministers.

Isaiah 61:3

For ashes] which they were wonted to cast upon their heads in time of mourning, Job 2:12. Lamentations 2:10. The Oyle] according to the fashion of the times, wherein they used to anoint their faces with Oile in the time of rejoycing The garment] namely festivall garments, which were worne onely in those daies that they offered Sacrifices of praise, and solemne thankesgiving, Psal 30. 11. & 132. 16. Ecclesiastes 9:8. Be called] they shall be like unto faire great Trees, well rooted by faith in Christ, firme, and abounding in fruits of good workes.

Isaiah 61:5

And strangers] namely, those that shall joyne themselves to the Church, only by an outward profession, and shall not be incorporate into it in Spirit, and truth, like unto the Gibeonites, Joshua 9:21. and they shall also doe service in Gods Church, in secular businesses.

Isaiah 61:6

Ye shall be] all true beleevers shall attend upon the spirituall service. Offering up through Jesus Christ, their owne bodies and persons, their goods, praises, and thankesgivings, &c.Romans 12:5. Hebrews 13:15. 1 Peter 2:5.

Isaiah 61:7

Double] that is to say, extreame, as Isaiah 40:2. Jeremiah 17:18. Or, full of misery within themselves, and subject to contempt from others Their portion] namely, the beleevers The double] that is to say, the fulnesse of goods and glory, Zechariah 9:12.

Isaiah 61:8

For I] that is to say, I will doe all beleevers this good, because I will have them by reason that they shall be truely converted to me, renouncing all manner of hypocrifie, for which they were heretofore abominable unto me Robbery for] that is to say, all outward profession and exercise of religion, which is not joyned with inward righteousnesse and justice, Matth.23. 25.

Isaiah 61:9

Shall be knowne] by its vertue and good workes, and also by Gods singular blessings upon them.

Isaiah 61:10

I will] the Churches words, acknowleding Gods benefits Hath clathed me] he hath compassed me round about with glory, by the deliverance which he hath sent me, and by the effects of his righteousnesse and grace, see Psalms 132:9; Psalms 132:16. Decketh himselfe, &c. the Italian, decked with a Crown] the Hebrew word signifieth a Priestly garment for peradventure a bridegrooms head ornaments, had some resemblance to the Priests ornaments.

Isaiah 61:11

Cause righteousnesse] namely, the effects of his grace and bounty, followed by the Churches acknowledgements, and thankesgivings.