Isaiah 65

Isaiah 65:1

IAm sought] that is to say, I am called upon by the Gentiles, which are converted by my grace, whereas before they were altogether strangers unto me, Ephes. 2. 12. Others expound it, I have caused my selfe to be found, or I have proffered my selfe.

Isaiah 65:2

I have] that is to say, the Jews have hardned themselves against the Gospel preached by the Prophets and Apostles, and by Christ himself.

Isaiah 65:3

In gardens] according to the custome and manner of idolaters. Now these impieties which reigned in Isaiahs time, are here set downe for an example of the peoples revolt in Christs time; for otherwise, at Christs comming, and afterwards, they were very free from any outward idolatrie Upon altars of brick] the Italian, upon bricks; he seems to meane the house tops, which were made like terraces paved with bricks, upon which the idolaters did use to burne incense to the host of Heaven, Jeremiah 19:13. setting up little altars of brick for that purpose, 2 Kings 23:12. Zephaniah 1:5.

Isaiah 65:4

Which remain] which use necromancy, and raising up of the spirits of dead men, and other devilish arts, Deuteronomy 18:11. Isaiah 8:19. In the monuments] the Italian, in remote places; that is to say, in solitary and unhabited places, where the Devil useth to appeare to his ministers Swines flesh] which was forbidden by the Law as unclean, Leviticus 11:7. Deuteronomy 14:8.

Isaiah 65:5

Which say] which use prophane Ceremonies and Devotions that are taught by the Devil, to purifie themselves above the common sort of people, Isaiah 66:17. Smoak] that is to say, the cause and object of mine anger, signified by the smoak, and by the fire of the nostrils.

Isaiah 65:6

It is written] that is to say, I doe remember it, Deuter. 32. 34. Malachi 3:16. Into their bosome] that is to say, abundantly and fully, see Psal. 79. 12.

Isaiah 65:7

Your iniquities] that is to say, since you will imitate your idolatrous fathers, and heap up their measure, I will make as it were a bundle of your sinnes and theirs, to send a generall and finall punishment upon the whole body of the people for them, see Matthew 23:32.

Isaiah 65:8

As the new wine] that is to say, I will neverthelesse moderate my judgements towards you for mine Elects sake, who will bear good fruits of justice and holinesse, as if one had resolved to pull up a barren vineyard quite, yet should neverthelesse refraine in part, by reason of some good fruitfull vine-plants that were in it, see Jeremiah 8:13.

Isaiah 65:9

I will] a description of the return from Babylon, and the re-inhabing of the land, under the figure of which is understood the last conversion of the Jews to Christ, Rom. 11. 25. 26.

Isaiah 65:10

Sharon] names of Countries that were exceeding fruitfull, Isaiah 35:2. Hosea 2:15. the meaning is, I will feed my Church abundantly with my graces, Psal. 23. 1.

Isaiah 65:11

Prepare] according to the custom of idolaters, who set tables furnished with food before idols, or in honour of them, made great feasts with the flesh of their sacrifices. Others will have this to have a speciall relation to a certain custome which was in Egypt, where on the last day of the yeere the Idolaters did use to set tables furnished in that manner with meat before their idols to thank them for the plenty of the yeer that was past, and to pray unto them for the fruitfulnesse of the next yeere For that troup] the Italian, for the planet Gad; many thinke it means the planet called Jupiter, held to be happy and fortunate Number] the Italian, Meni; this they hold to signifie Mercury, which is held to bee favourable to Merchants, and men that keepe accompts, with which opinions the signification of the Hebrew words doe seeme to concur.

Isaiah 65:12

Number you] to the end that none of you may escape, he makes an allusion to Meni, the planet of numbers.

Isaiah 65:15

Ye shall leave] that is to say, after your death your memory shall be accursed, and of your name shall be made a formulary of curse and execration, which is to this day seen in the name of Jew And call] instead of Jews, according to the flesh, he shall call his Elect the children of God in Christ, or Christians.

Isaiah 65:16

That he] all true content and peace of Spirit and Conscience shall be grounded upon God, and the truth of the promises of his grace: Or men shall direct their prayers onely to the true God The former troubles] I shall pour out my graces by the Messias to the remission of sins, and delivering of men from all evils.

Isaiah 65:17

I create] in Christ I will re-establish the world in a new state: not in respect of the materiall substance of it, but in regard of the qualities, order, and government of the intellectuall world, which is the Church, as well in this life as in the eternall life, whereunto shall be added the change of the forme of the universe at Christs last comming, Psal. 102. 26. Romans 8:21. 2 Peter 3:10.

Isaiah 65:18

I create] through Christ I will cause my Church to enjoy perfect and eternall happinesse.

Isaiah 65:20

There shall] figurative sayings, whereof the meaning is, That true beleevers, members of the Church, shall grow on in their spirituall life, untill they come to the age of perfect man,Ephes. 4. 13. in which state, without decaying or varying, they shall continue for ever Shall die] a continuation of the same sence; namely, of the eternity of spirituall life, described by the figure of long life amongst men, as if so be that humane age were so long that he that died at a hundred yeers of age, should be accounted as a childe, or had provoked Gods curse by some grievous sin, see Zechariah 8:4.

Isaiah 65:22

They shall not] a spirituall promise opposite to the temporall curse of the Law, Levit. 26. 16. Deuteronomy 28:30. Of a tree] namely, of such trees as live long, as oaks and the like, this reason hath a relation to vers. 20 Sha’l long enjoy] the Italian, Shall case to grow aged; that is to say, they shall persevere unto the end of their vocation, to bear the true fruits of the spirit, Psal 92. 14. for which they shall receive the reward of everlasting life.

Isaiah 65:23

They shall not labour] this reason hath a relation to vers. 21 Trouble] namely, of children who by chance of war might be slain or taken prisoners, Deuteronomy 28:41. Hosea 9:12. or for whom the fathers may stand in continuall fear in the time of publike calamities With them] the Italian addeth, and they shall have their off-spring with them; which is opposite to the carrying away of children from their parets in the time of war.

Isaiah 65:25

Dust] that is to say, He shall be held to his first condemnation, which was to lick the dust, Genesis 3:14. without touching either plants or beasts; a figure of the Devil, whose power is limited within the world and the children thereof, Ephes. 2. 2. and cannot exercise it to the ruine of Gods children, who are citizens of Heaven, Luke 10:17-18. 1 John 5:18.