_THE PROMULGATION OF THE GOSPEL. THE PREACHING OF JOHN BAPTIST. THE PREACHING OF THE APOSTLES. THE PROPHET, BY THE OMNIPOTENCE OF GOD, AND BY HIS INCOMPARABLENESS, COMFORTETH THE PEOPLE._ _Before Christ 712._ THE fourth part of the prophesies of Isaiah extends from this to the 49th chapter; the p... [ Continue Reading ]
COMFORT YE, &C.— These are the words of the prophet, relating what he saw, or what he heard, in this scene of the manifestation of the kingdom of God, with its signs and concomitants. He relates, that he heard the voice of Jehovah directed to certain ministers of his, commanding them to comfort his... [ Continue Reading ]
THE VOICE OF HIM THAT CRIETH— It is manifest to every reader of this passage, that it exhibits to us the voice of a public herald or harbinger, who, at the approach of an illustrious king, commands the ways to be levelled, and made fit for his reception, easy and commodious for his passage. The meta... [ Continue Reading ]
THE VOICE SAID, CRY— The beginning of the kingdom of God is presented to the prophet's view in extatic vision, together with its progress through various scenes, one succeeding the other. The prophet had now heard two voices of harbingers or forerunners. A third succeeds, which is finely introduced.... [ Continue Reading ]
O ZION, &C.— We have here the fourth voice, directed to the evangelists, to whom it is given in command, to promulgate the true presence of their redeeming God, and the king of his church, among all people. It is true, the words _the voice said_ are to be understood before this period. _The divine v... [ Continue Reading ]
WHO HATH MEASURED THE WATERS, &C.— The prophet here, in the most sublime manner, celebrates the divine majesty and greatness, but particularly his wisdom. Rapt into an extacy, after he had described the beginning and the nature of the new oeconomy, he sees that there would be many men of worldly pru... [ Continue Reading ]
TO WHOM THEN WILL YE LIKEN GOD?— _To whom,_ &c. or _what resemblance will ye contrive for him?_ Isaiah 40:19. _The workman casts an image; and the goldsmith overlays it with gold, and worketh silver chains:_ Isaiah 40:20. _He who is thrifty in his oblation, chooses wood that will not rot; he seeketh... [ Continue Reading ]
WHY SAYEST THOU, &C.— The _third,_ or _consolatory_ part of this discourse begins at this verse, wherein the foregoing doctrine and prophesy are applied to the comfort of the church; who, in her various afflictions, complained that she had been neglected of the Lord. This complaint makes the basis o... [ Continue Reading ]