Isaiah 57

Isaiah 57:1

THe righteous] it is likely that in the time of these Prophecies God did take out of the world divers persons, noted for piety and vertue, which was a presage of great approaching evils, from which God would exempt those his faithfull servants, see 2 Kings 22:20.

Isaiah 57:2

In their beds] as the death of the faithfull is called a sleep, so is their grave like unto a bed; in which they expect the great day of the blessed resurrection.

Isaiah 57:3

Ye sonnes] that is to say, a generation given to all manner of impiety, even to sorcee and devillish arts, Isaiah 2:6. And of] meaning both corporall and spirituall fornication by idolatry.

Isaiah 57:4

Against whom] are not your prophane scoffes against me?

Isaiah 57:5

Inflaming] namely, by spiritull lust of the soule With idols] the Italian, among the oaks; which were dedicated to idolatry, Isaiah 1:29.

Isaiah 57:6

Thy portion] that is to say, Thou hast chosen stones to make thine idols with, or for to build Altars and Chappels, rather then mee who am thy God, see Psal. 16. 4.

Isaiah 57:7

Hast thouset] phrases taken from the ordinary custom of common whores, that is to say, Thou hast made thy Chappels, Churches, and Altars neer to the high places, according to the custome of idolaters, for to joyn thy selfe to idols through idolatry.

Isaiah 57:8

Hast thou set up] thou hast contemned and refused my Law which I had commanded thee to write upon thy doors and posts for a remembrance, Deut. 6. 9. and 11. 20 With them]namely, with idolatrous people, tying thy selfe to their idolatry, see 2 King. 16. 10. Thou lovedst] in every place, and upon every occasion that hath presented it self, hast thou used thine idolatry, a terme taken from unchaste women.

Isaiah 57:9

To the King] namely, of those prophane Nations with which thou didst joyn in idolatry Debase thyselfe] by a servile and base submission to their wils.

Isaiah 57:10

Saist thou not] thou hast no fainted for all the difficulties which thou hast found in the obtaining of these prophane leagues, neither hast thou been weary untill thou hast finished it The life] the means to strengthen thy self in this practice, that thoo thou mightest not bee forced to leave it.

Isaiah 57:11

And of whom] thou hast pretended that the cause of thine entring into these wicked Covenants, hath been forear of those mighty Kings that were thine enemies: and so for fear of men, thou hast not beene affraid of mee, who was alone able to deliver thee Hast lied] in that thou hast thus disloyally broken my Covenant Have not] have I not used a great deale of patience towards thee, suspending my judgements?

Isaiah 57:12

Thy righteousnesse] an ironiciall terme, signifying that which is quite the contrary, unlesse he means the false shews of externall piety, Isa.8. 2.

Isaiah 57:13

Let thy] namely, those prophane Nations which thou hast called in great troops to aid thee But he that] namely, mine Elect, though they were carried into captivity with the rest, they shall at the length be brought back, and re-established in the place of my habitation and service. A figure of the most assured bringing of beleevers into the Kingdom of Heaven, out of the captivitie of the world.

Isaiah 57:14

And shall say] all things that may hinder this return shall be taken away, Isal. 62. 10. Micah 2:13.

Isaiah 57:15

The high] namely, the great and soveraign God I dwell] as in my glory I dwell in Heaven, so am I present in grace with mine humble, timorous, and afflicted beleevers, to comfort and free them from all their afflictions, see Isaiah 66:2.

Isaiah 57:17

I hid me] that is to say, I have for a time kept back from them the effects of my grace, Isaiah 45:15.

Isaiah 57:19

I create] that is to say, I will effect that indeed which I promise by my word, see 1 Kings 8:15. Romans 4:21. That is far off] that is to say, By the Messias I will impart my peace and grace, as well to the Gentiles, who are strangers and farre from me, as to the Jews who are my neighburs by knowledge and Covenant, Psal. 148. 14.