Westminster Annotations, Isaiah · Chapter 55
CHAP. LV.
Vers. 1. HO, every one, &c.] Christs gracious invitation, so calling all to spirituall grace and comfort; as that yet he exempteth, epicures and worldlings, that rest satisfied with worldly contentments and sinfull delights, Psal. 17. 14. and justiciaries, that relie upon their owne righteousnesse. Rom. 10. 3. Luke 1. 53.
that thirsteth] That findeth and feeleth in himself a want of true grace and found comfort, and desireth a supply of it. Matth. 5. 6. & 11. 28. John 7. 37. Rev. 21. 6. & 22. 17.
come ye to the waters] The living waters of saving grace, and spirituall comfort. Chap. 12. 3. Ezek. 47. 1, 2. John 4. 10, 14. & 7. 37, 38.
he that hath no money] Implying, that Gods grace cannot be bought with money; Acts 8. 20. or rather that it is freely given. Matth. 10. 8. Rom. 3. 24. Eph. 2. 8.
buy] Matth. 13. 44. Rev. 3. 18.
wine and milk without money] By water, wine, milk, are meant all things needfull unto spirituall sustentation and refreshing; as are these unto corporall. Chap. 12. 3. Prov. 9. 2. Cant. 5. 1.
money] Heb. silver; and so vers. 2. Chap. 52. 3.
without price] Any valuable or considerable expence; as Chap. 45. 13.
V. 2. do ye spend] Heb. weigh. Jer. 39. 9, 10.
for that, &c.] He reproveth their folly; who take so much pains, sparing no cost, about unprofitable vanities; when they may have that, that would do them good, freely. John 6. 26, 27.
which is not bread] That that will not feed, or nourish and strengthen, as bread doth. Psal. 104. 15.
eat ye that which is good] Ye shall be, both assuredly, and abundantly, fed. Psal. 36. 8. & 37. 3, 4.
V. 3. come unto me] Matth. 11. 28. John 6. 35. & 5. 40.
I will make an everlasting covenant] Chap. 61. 35. Heb. cut out (See Jer. 34. 8, 18.) a covenant of eternitie. Chap. 24. 5.
the sure mercies of David] Act. 13. 34. So called, because promised unto David; and to him ratified, to stand for ever. 2 Sam. 7. 13-17. Psalm. 89. 35-37, 49. & 132. 11, 12. fulfilled in Christ. Luke 1. 32, 33.
V. 4. I have given him] Christ; of whom David was a type. Ezek. 34. 24.
a witnesse to the people] A witnesse of the truth of my promises; and a teacher of my will. Chap. 43. 10. John 7. 16, 17. & 12. 49, 50. & 18. 37.
V. 5. thou shalt call a nation that thou knowest not] Whom thou tookest no notice of, nor didst in former times regard. Psal. 18. 43. & 147. 20. Acts 14. 16. & 17. 30. Ephes. 2. 11, 12.
nations that knew not thee] The Gentiles; who had no notice of thee before. Rom. 15. 20. & 16. 25, 26. Eph. 3. 5. 6. Chap. 65. 1.
shall runne unto thee] Shall with all readinesse and speed betake themselves unto thee, so soon as they hear of thee by the preaching of the Gospell. Psal. 18. 44.
for] Or, because. Chap. 60. 9.
V. 6. while he may be found] While he offereth himself unto you, in the ministerie of his Word. Psal. 27. 8. & 32. 6. & 95. 7, 8. 2 Cor. 6. 13. Hebr. 3. 7.
V. 7. Let the wicked forsake, &c.] Faith, and repentance, testified by found and serious reformation both of heart and life, must go together. Matth. 3. 8. Mark 1. 15. Act. 20. 21. nor can we call upon God aright without either. Rom. 10. 14. John 9. 31. 2 Tim. 2. 19.
his way] His evill course of life. Jer. 7. 3. & 18. 11. & 25. 5. & 26. 3.
the unrighteous man] Heb. the man of iniquitie. Pro. 6. 12.
his thoughts] His evill imaginations, devises and purposes. Jer. 4. 14. Zech. 8. 17.
he will abundantly pardon] Heb. he will multiplie to pardon: as Psal. 51. 2. Amos 4. 4.
V. 8. neither are your wayes my wayes] Though ye be not so soon reconciled one to another; and judge of me therefore by your selves: yet am I easily reconciled, where it is sincerely sought; yea, I offer my self in mercy, to be reconciled to you Jer. 3. 1, 12. Jam. 3. 17. 2 Cor. 5. 19, 20.
V. 9. For] Or, But, as Psal. 118. 17.
as the heavens are higher then the earth] Psal. 103. 11.
my thoughts then your thoughts] Jer. 29. 11.
V. 10. as the rain cometh down, and the snow, &c.] If these small things, through my blessing upon them, attam their intended effect: how much more shall my word of promise, without fail, be effected, which I have made unto you concerning my mercy and your delivery? Chap. 57 19.
it may give seed to the sower, &c.] 2 Cor. 9. 10.
V. 11. shall my word be, &c.] Ezek. 12. 25.
it shall not return unto me voi… ] Chap. 45. 23.
V. 12. go out with joy] Chap. 35. 10. & 51. 11.
be led forth with peace] Chap. 52 12.
the mountains and the hills, &c.] The very senselesse creatures shall seem sensible of the delivery and return of my people. Psal. 96. 11, 12. & 98 7, 8. Chap. 35. 1. & 44. 23. & 49. 13.
V. 13. In stead of the thorn shall come up the firre-tree, &c.] Where was nothing but thorns and briers before, there shall usefull trees grow: Chap. 41. 19. the former face and state of things shall be much altered for the better. Chap. 60. 17.
it shall be to the LORD for a name] This strange change shall be a means to set forth his glory. Chap. 44. 11. & 60. 21. Jerem. 33. 9.
for an everlasting sign] Heb. a signe of eternitie. An everlasting signe of Gods deliverance; that shall never be forgotten by his people. Jer. 50. 5. Or, that God will never forsake his Church. Chap. 48. 19. & 54. 8-10.
that shall not be cut off] Or, that it shall not b…e cutoff. Chap. 6. 5.