Annotations Upon Isaiah, Chapter 60
CHAP. LX.
VERSE. 1. ARISE, &c.] This is ſpoken to Zion, to whom, Ver. 20. of the foregoing Chapter, God had promiſed the Redeemer ſhould come; and conſequently, according to what is there noted, in the Type it is ſpoken to the Jews in the Babylonian Captivity; but in the Antitype to the Primitive Church of the Jews; as is evident, becauſe afterward, Ver. 3. it is ſaid the Gentiles ſhould joyn themſelves to her. Ariſe, to wit, (taking it as ſpoken to the Jews in Babylon) out of the Duſt, that low and ſad condition, wherein thou haſt lain for a long time; rouſe up thy ſelf, and enter into that happy change and advancement which thy God will now bring thee into; ſee the Note, Chap. 51.17. Shine, be thou now, or thou ſhalt be now in a joyful, proſperous, and glorious condition: For the Light is come, and the Glory of the Lord is riſen upon thee; That is, the Night of thine Adverſity being at an end, the Day of thy Proſperity begins to dawn, and the Lord is beginning to ſhew forth his Glory, as the Sun doth where it riſeth, in delivering thee out of thy Captivity, to ſettle thee again in thine own Land, or to make thee renowned and glorious. But indeed the expreſſion here uſed ſeems to allude to thoſe Times, when the Glory of the Lord uſed to appear upon the Tabernacle and in the Temple. But now under this Type, the great bliſs of the Primitive Church of Chriſt is here principally intended; in regard whereof the Church of the Jews is here ſtirred up to ariſe and ſhine, or, to be enlightened, as it is in the Margin; namely, with reſpect to that Spiritual Happineſs and Glory, whereto ſhe ſhould be raiſed from an eſtate of Sin and Miſery under the Meſſiah; which is ſet forth in the following words, for the Light is come, or, as it is in the Margin, thy Light cometh, and the Glory of the Lord is riſen upon thee; that is, Chriſt, Joh. 8.12. long ſince promiſed to them, and in whom they had in many reſpects a ſpecial Intereſt; Or, the Goſpel which was to ſucceed in the ſtead of the abrogated Law, called, the light of the Glorious Goſpel of Chriſt; 2 Cor. 4.4. Or, that bleſſed and joyful eſtate whereto the Church of the Jews was then advanced.
Ver. 2. For behold the Darkneſs ſhall cover the Earth, and groſs Darkneſs the People, &c] To wit, you the whilſt enjoying great and marvellous light, as it followes in the next words: But the Lord ſhall ariſe upon thee, and his Glory ſhall be ſeen upon thee: And this is added, the better to ſet forth the greatneſs of their approaching happineſs, that whilſt other Nations ſhould be overwhelmed with thick darkneſs, as the Egyptians were in Egypt, they ſhould be as the Iſraelites that were in Goſhen, that had Light in their Dwellings. Now though this (in the Type) was accompliſhed, when the Jews were in a lightſome comfortable condition at their deliverance out of Babylon, the Lord then appearing graciouſly amongſt them, and ſhining favourably upon them, and cauſing his Glory to be clearly diſcovered upon them in that their wonderful deliverance; whilſt the Babylonians and other Neighbour Nations were under the diſmal darkneſs of ſore tribulations, being ſubdued and waſted by Cyrus, who ſet them free: Yet queſtioneleſs it is principally meant of the happineſs of the Church of the Jews, when Chriſt ſhould come to them, above all the Nations of the World beſides, in that whilſt this Sun of Righteouſneſs; Mal. 4.2. ſhould ariſe and ſhine upon them, and diſpel all the Darkneſs of their blindneſs and miſery, by the light of the Goſpel, whilſt all the World beſides ſhould lye in darkneſs and the ſhadow of Death.
Ver. 3. And the Gentiles ſhall come to thy Light, &c.] In the Type this may be meant of the great reſpect that ſhould be ſhewn to the Jews in their wondrous and glorious return out of Babylon by Forreign Nations and Kings; See the Notes, Chap. 49.6, 7. But with reſpect of the Antitype, it is principally doubtleſs meant of the Converſion of the Gentiles, and their being enlightened by the Goſpel, firſt Preached amongſt the Jews; ſee the Note, Chap. 2.3. Even theſe Nations ſhould be ſo far from being Enemies to the Jews, as formerly they had been, that they ſhould joyn themſelves to them, and profeſs the ſame Faith, and be one People with them; and Kings to the brightneſs of thy riſing; that is, Heathen Kings ſhall come in to thee, becauſe of the brightneſs that ſhall riſe upon thee; or becauſe of thy brightneſs when thou ſhalt ariſe in great Glory from a low condition; ſee the Note, Chap. 49.23.
Ver. 4. Lift up thine Eyes round about, and ſee, all they gather themſelves together, they come to thee, &c.] This is ſpoken to ſet forth, as by way of admiration, the Multitude of the Gentiles, mentioned in the foregoing Verſe, that ſhould from all Countries round about come flocking in, and joyn themſelves to the Primitive Church of the Jews; ſee the Notes, Chap. 2.3. and 14.1. and 43.5. but eſpecially Chap. 49.22. though they were of ſeveral Nations, and formerly at great enmity amongſt themſelves, yet ſhould come in willingly together, and joyn themſelves to be one Church with the Chriſtian Jews. Some I know underſtand this of the Jews flocking home from all Countries, whither they had fled, or were carried Captives. But if this ſhould be intended in the Type, yet certainly it is chiefly meant of the Converſion of the Gentiles, as the relation the words have to the foregoing Verſe doth clearly ſhew. And ſo I underſtand alſo the following words; Thy Sons ſhall come from far, and thy Daughters ſhall be nurſed at thy ſide; that is, carried in thine Arms and Boſom; namely, that the Children of the Gentiles ſhould be brought into the Church of Chriſt, as their Mother.
Ver. 5. Then thou ſhalt ſee, &c.] That is, thou ſhalt feed thine Eyes with this pleaſing ſight of the Multitude of the Gentiles that ſhall come in to thee, (it is ſpoken with reference to that in the foregoing Verſe, Lift up thine Eyes round about, and ſee) and flow together, that is, flock together to behold ſuch a joyful ſight; and thine Heart ſhall fear; to wit, with admiration, at the unexpectedneſs of the thing done, and the conſideration of the High and Glorious Eſtate, whereto God had ſuddenly raiſed them, eſpecially by the acceſs of the Gentiles. And indeed wonderful and unexpected joys do uſually work a kind of fear and trembling of Heart in Men; ſee Gen. 45.26, 27. Whence is that they ſhall fear and tremble for all the Goodneſs, and for all the Proſperity, that I procure unto it. Jer. 33.9. And therefore are theſe here joyned together, and thine Heart ſhall fear and be inlarged; to wit, with joy; See the Note, Pſal. 119.32. And indeed though the believing Jews did at firſt grudge at the admitting of the Gentiles into the Church, before they underſtood the will of God herein, yet afterward they did greatly rejoice in it; ſee Acts 10.45. and 11.18. Becauſe the abundance of the Sea, &c. It is in the Margin, becauſe the noiſe of the Sea ſhall be turned toward thee; that is, a Multitude of People ſhall come in like a Sea upon thee. But reading it, as it is in our Bibles: Becauſe the abundance of the Sea ſhall be Converted unto thee; the meaning is, that the Church of the Chriſtian Jews ſhould be affected, as is before ſaid, becauſe ſuch Multitudes of Forreign Nations ſhould embrace their Religion, and be kindly affected to them, whom they hated before, bountifully imparting of their Riches for the ſervice of Chriſt, and his Church and People: The Forces of the Gentiles ſhall come unto thee; that is, whole Armies or Troops of them ſhall come in to thee: This alſo (in the Type) many underſtand of the forwardneſs of the Nations to help the Jews at their return out of Babylon; and ſome would have the meaning to be, that Judea ſhould become a great Mart for Merchants by Sea: But the foregoing Expoſition doth moſt clearly ſuit with the whole current of this Propheſie.
Ver. 6. The multitude of Camels ſhall cover thee, &c.] That is, thy Land; the Dromedaries of Midian and Ephah; that is, the Midianites (for Ephah was alſo of the Poſterity of Midian, Gen. 25.4.) who inhabited Arabia; ſee the Note, Gen. 37.28. The meaning is, that the Converted Gentiles ſhould honour the Lord with their Subſtance, and Conſecrate themſelves, and all that they had, to the Service of Chriſt and his Church. And accordingly the ſeveral Nations are here ſaid to bring in thoſe things, that were the choiceſt Commodities of their ſeveral Countries. The meaning here cannot be, that theſe Midianites, Embracing the Faith of Chriſt, ſhould ride to Jeruſalem upon Camels and Dromedaries, but becauſe in thoſe Eaſtern Countries, they uſed to ride and to carry great Burdens of Wares upon this kind of Cattel, and becauſe in thoſe days Men uſed not to come empty handed to the Houſe of God, therefore the Coming in of the Gentiles, their ſubmitting themſelves, and all they had to the Lords diſpoſing, and their contributing of their Wealth in abundance, to the Church of Chriſt, is thus figuratively expreſſed, that the Land of Gods People ſhould be covered with their Camels and Dromedaries. And to the ſame purpoſe is that which follows, all they from Sheba ſhall come; ſee the Note, Pſal. 72.10. They ſhall bring Gold and Incenſe; that is, they ſhall alſo Conſecrate their Wealth to the Lord; yea, and ſome would have it, that under theſe, Figuratively, the dedicating of their Learning, and Eloquence, their Arts and Sciences to the ſervice of Chriſt and his Church, is alſo comprehended; and they ſhall ſhew forth the praiſes of the Lord; that is, they ſhall worſhip God. And indeed, this laſt clauſe ſheweth plainly, that the mention made in the foregoing Words of their bringing Gold and Incenſe with them, was not with reſpect to Trading, as ſome have thought, but with reſpect to the worſhip and ſervice of God.
Ver. 7. All the Flocks of Kedar, ſhall be gathered together unto thee: The Rams of Nebaioth ſhall Miniſter unto thee, &c.] Becauſe the Kedarens and Nabathaeans, Iſhmaelites of the Poſterity of Kedar and Nebaioth, dwelling in Arabia, abounded in Flocks of Sheep, therefore it is ſaid, that from them multitudes of theſe ſhall be brought in to Gods People. And though (in the Type) this again may be meant of theſe Nations, ſupplying the Jews that were come out of Babylon, abundantly with Cattel for Sacrifices: But certainly it is principally meant of the Converted Gentiles; and accordingly we muſt underſtand it, either that they ſhould zealouſly promote the Church of Chriſt, and the worſhip of God therein, by contributing abundantly of their Subſtance thereto, or that they ſhould offer up Spiritual Sacrifices unto God: for it is uſual with the Prophets in ſpeaking to the Jews, to ſet forth the Worſhip of the Goſpel under Figurative tearms taken from their Legal Service; they ſhall come up with acceptance upon mine Altar; that is, their Services ſhall be as Sacrifices acceptable to God through Jeſus Chriſt; and I will glorify the houſe of my Glory; that is, in the Type, his glorious Houſe, the Temple built for his Glory, and wherein he had appeared often with great Glory, now trodden down by the Gentiles, but to be raiſed up again gloriouſly at the Jews return from Babylon: or rather, the Church of Chriſt; the Houſe of God, 1 Tim. 3.15. which God did many ways Glorifie; but the acceſs of the Gentiles is principally here intended; ſee the Note, ver. 9.
Ver. 8. Who are theſe, &c.] The Prophet (ſome think, in the name of the Church, who above, ver. 4. in this regard, was called upon to lift up her Eyes, and look about) breaks forth here into an admiration at the multitudes of thoſe that ſhould come flocking into Zion. And though ſome underſtand it of the Jews returning to their own Country, at their deliverance out of Babylon, as they do a like expreſſion, Chap. 49.21. (of which ſee the Note there) yet indeed the very words ſeem to hint, that he ſpeaks of the Gentiles coming in to the Chriſtian Church of the Jews, becauſe he ſpeaks of them, as a People unknown, ſuch as were Aliens and Strangers from the Common-Wealth of Iſrael: Who are theſe that fly as a Cloud, and as the Doves to their Windows? that is, the Lockers, where they make their ſeveral Neſts, and breed their Young ones; or rather the loover-holes in the Turrets or tops of the Dove-houſe, whereby they fly into it. Now the coming in of the Gentiles to the Church may be compared to the flying of a Cloud, to imply their coming in from remote Countries, becauſe Clouds do many times ariſe in the fartheſt parts of the Sky; and to the flying in of Doves to their windows, becauſe as Doves do uſually fly home, when they ſee a ſtorm coming, or are in danger of ſome Bird of prey, ſo it ſhould be the fear of wrath to come, that ſhould bring in the Gentiles to the Church, as to a place of refuge and ſafety. But queſtionleſs, the main intent of both Similitudes, is to ſet forth with what eagerneſs, chearfulneſs, and ſpeed, (ſee the Note, Chap. 19.1.) and likewiſe, in what multitudes they ſhould come in, like a huge flight of Doves, that cover the Air like a Cloud, or like a Cloud that ſometimes will ſpread and cover the whole face of the Heavens.
Ver. 9. Surely the Iſles, &c.] That is, ſuch as dwell in remote Iſlands, or elſewhere on the Sea-Coaſt; ſee the Note, Chap. 41.1. This ſeems to be ſpoken in the Perſon of God, or Chriſt, in anſwer to the wonder of the Prophet, or Church, in the foregoing Verſe; Surely the Iſles wait for me; that is, being convinced of the danger of their natural condition, by the Preaching of the Goſpel, they ſhall earneſtly long to be brought home, and reconciled with me; and therefore it is no wonder, though they come in flocking to me. But ſee the Notes alſo, Chap. 42.4. and 51.5. and the Ships of Tarſhiſh (ſee the Notes, 1 Kings 10.22. and Pſal. 48.7.) firſt; that is, the Men of Tarſhiſh, famous above others for Shipping and Navigation, ſhall be of the firſt and forwardeſt, that ſhall be ready to come in to me, and ſerve me; to bring thy Sons from far; that is, thy Children, O my Church; ſee the Notes above, ver. 4. and Chap. 49.22. their Silver and their Gold with them; ſee the Note above, ver. 6. unto the name of the Lord thy God; that is, to be conſecrated to God, or for the Service of his Church, or Temple; ſee the Note, Deut. 12.4. and to the Holy one of Iſrael; ſee the Note, Chap. 12.6. becauſe he hath glorified thee; to wit, by the great things he hath done for thee, and particularly by enlarging thy Church by the acceſs of the Gentiles; But ſee the Notes before, ver. 5, 6, 7.
Ver. 10. And the Sons of Strangers ſhall build up thy Walls, &c.] This in the type was accompliſhed, when at the Jews return from Babylon, the forreign Nations did afford them Free-will-offerings towards the building of their City Jeruſalem and the Temple, being encouraged thereunto, by the Proclamation of Cyrus▪ ſee the Note, Ezra 1.4. (notwithſtanding the oppoſition that was made againſt them herein, by the Samaritans at their return home; yet thus far by the help afforded them by ſtrangers this Prophecy was fulfilled) and likewiſe when the Proſelytes of other Nations returning with them, did join with them in repairing both their City and Temple; and the like may be ſaid of the following words, and their Kings ſhall miniſter unto thee; that was accompliſhed in the favour afforded the Jews by Cyrus, and ſome of his Succeſſors. But now in the Antitype this was clearly fulfilled, when God raiſed up, even amongſt the Gentiles, Learned Men, that by their preaching and writing, and Princes that by their bounty and favour, ſhould much promote the Edification of the Church, and advance her ſtrength and glory; ſee the Note, Chap. 49.23. for in my wroth I ſmote thee, but in my favour have I had mercy on thee. This was ſpoken of the Jewiſh Church, whom for their ſins God did often ſorely afflict for a time, but afterward of his Free-grace ſhewed favour to them, both in their deliverance out of Babylon, and in that greater Mercy of their Redemption by Chriſt.
Ver. 11. Therefore thy Gates ſhall be open continually, they ſhall not be ſhut day nor night, &c.] To wit, that the Gentiles may from every ſide come in and join themſelves in one Church with thee; (none being excluded that ſhall in a right manner tender themſelves) and that they may, by night as well as by day, bring in their Wealth to thee. And indeed that this is intended, appears by the following words, which are added to explain that which went before; that men may bring unto thee the forces (or wealth) of the Gentiles; ſee the Note above, ver. 5. and that their Kings may be brought; that is, that not only the common ſort of People, but even their Kings alſo, who are uſually fierce, and not eaſily won this way; or that, to do any thing contrary to their own Wills, may be brought in to thee, to ſtoop to the Goſpel and Scepter of Chriſt: And indeed the word here uſed in the Original may be underſtood, either of their being brought in to the Church in the State, and with the attendance of Kings; or of their being brought in as Captives, ſubdued by the Preaching of the Goſpel, to ſtoop to the yoke of Chriſt; ſee the Note, Pſal. 149.8. Even this alſo indeed ſome underſtand of the Type: As namely, that it is ſaid that the Gates of Jeruſalem ſhould ſtand open continually, &c. to imply the great confluence of the Nations round about thither, upon the Jews return thither from Babylon, and of the readineſs both of the People and their Kings, to contribute liberally to their help. But we may eaſily ſee how much more clearly this ſuits with the coming in of the Gentiles, upon the Preaching of the Goſpel. And as for the Evangeliſt St. John's citing this place, Rev. 21.25. to ſet forth the peace of the Church triumphant in Heaven, the ground of that is only, becauſe the Apoſtle knew that the Prophet ſpeaks here of that Glory of the Church of Chriſt, which ſhall be perfected in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Ver. 12. For the Nation, &c.] As if he had ſaid, nor ſhall theſe thy open Gates endanger thee, by letting in thine Enemies upon thee; for the Nation and Kingdom, that will not ſerve thee; that is, all People that will not ſubmit to the Goſpel and Scepter of Chriſt, erected in thee; ſhall periſh, &c. that is, ſhall everlaſtingly periſh. Nor can this indeed be any way well underſtood of the Church of the Jews returning out of Babylon, but with reſpect to what ſhe ſhould come afterward to be in the days of the Goſpel.
Ver. 13. The Glory of Lebanon ſhall come unto thee, &c.] That is, that all Cedars, and other goodly Trees, which make Lebanon look ſo Gloriouſly, ſhall be brought in to thee; the Firre-tree, and the Pine-tree, and the Box together; ſee Chap. 41.19. to beautifie the place of my Sanctuary; to wit, the Temple at Jeruſalem; ſee Ezra. 7.27. and I will make the place of my Feet glorious; that is, my Foot-ſtool, my Temple, as is before ſaid; for though the Ark is in ſome places more eſpecially called Gods Foot-ſtool; for which ſee the Notes, 1 Chron. 28.2. and Pſal. 99.5. yet the Temple is elſe-where alſo called Gods Foot-ſtool, as in Lam. 2.1. where the deſtruction of the Temple is thus ſet forth; That the Lord remembred not his Foot-ſtool in the day of his anger; and ſo likewiſe, Ezek. 43.7. So that in the Type, the rebuilding and beautifying of the Temple, after their return from Babylon, is clearly here meant; ſee Ezra 3.7. But in the Antitype, it is certainly meant of the edifying of the Church of Chriſt, his Spiritual Temple and Foot-ſtool, his ſetled dwelling-place; and God here promiſeth a continual ſupply of whatever might tend to the ſtrengthening and adorning of it.
Ver. 14. The Sons alſo of them that afflicted thee, ſhall come bending unto thee; and all they that deſpiſed thee ſhall bow themſelves down at the ſoles of thy Feet, &c.] Though there was ſome dark ſhadow of the accompliſhment of this in the great reſpect and honour, which was yielded to the Jews after their return from Babylon, by many Nations with their Kings, that had formerly been their bitter Enemies; yet the full and clear accompliſhment of it was in the great honour which the Gentiles and their Kings ſhould yield to Chriſt and his Church; ſee the Note, Chap. 49.23. and they ſhall call thee the City of the Lord, &c. that is, they ſhall own the ſpecial intereſt which thou haſt in God, being convinced by his appearing ſo wonderfully for thee.
Ver. 15. Whereas thou haſt been forſaken and hated, ſo that no man went through thee, &c.] That is, diſregarded and in a deſolate condtion; ſee the Notes, Chap. 3.26. and 3.11, 12. I will make thee an eternal excellency; or, a laſting excellency; that is, I will bring thee into a moſt excellent and glorious eſtate; and this, I conceive, muſt be underſtood of the Jewiſh Church, from the time of her deliverance out of Babylon, till ſhe came to be made glorious by becoming the Spouſe of Chriſt, and ſo on forward unto the end of Chriſts Kingdom. It is meant of the Spiritual excellency of the Church here, and of her incomprehenſible Glory in Heaven hereafter. And are to the ſame purpoſe, the following Words, a joy of many Generations; namely, that the exceeding happineſs of the Church, ſhould be the joy of Gods People, from generation to generation.
Ver. 16. Thou ſhalt alſo ſuck the milk of the Gentiles, and ſhalt ſuck the Breaſt of Kings, &c.] That is, the Heathens, with their Kings, that before ſought to devour thee, ſhall then with much tender love, nouriſh and ſupport and defend thee; ſee the the Note, Chap 49.23. As likewiſe for the following Clauſe, And thou ſhalt know that I the Lord am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty one of Jacob. And ſee alſo the Note, Pſal. 132.2.
Ver. 17. For Braſs I will bring Gold, and for Iron I will bring Silver, and for Wood Braſs, and for Stones Iron, &c.] That is, thou ſhalt be brought into a far more happy excellent and glorious condition, than ever thou enjoyedſt formerly; we cannot ſay that this was ſo with the Church of the Jews that returned out of Babylon; and therefore it muſt be extended to this Church, when ſhe became Chriſtian; when her condition was indeed tranſcendently bettered, becauſe then inſtead of Carnal Ceremonies, they had more Noble Spiritual Ordinances, whereby Remiſſion of Sins, Adoption, Sanctification and Life Eternal, were tendered and conveyed to them, and becauſe theſe the gifts of the Holy Ghoſt ſhould be more abundantly than ever, and in a more glorious manner poured forth upon them; I will make thy Officers Peace, and thine Exacters Righteouſneſs; That is, whereas in former days thou wert diſturbed and oppreſſed by thy Governours and their Officers; or, whereas in Babylon thou wert miſerably cruſhed by cruel Task-maſters, then thou ſhalt have ſuch Righteous Rulers and Officers, that thou ſhalt live Peaceably and Comfortably under them. And this was partyl accompliſhed in thoſe juſt and peaceable Governours, that God ſet over them after their return out of Babylon, Ezra, Nehemiah, and others, that did indeed ſolely ſtudy and ſeek the Proſperity and Welfare of the Nation. But eſpecially I conceive it is meant of thoſe Church Officers and Rulers in the days of the Goſpel, that ſhould pacifie the Conſciences of Men, by Preaching Peace and Righteouſneſs to them through Jeſus Chriſt, and of thoſe Chriſtian-Magiſtrates, that ſhould Govern the Church with great Juſtice and Peace; ſee the Note, Chap. ….26.
Ver. 18. Violence ſhall no more be heard in thy Land, waſting nor deſtruction within thy Borders:] Having foretold in the foregoing Verſe, how juſtly and peaceably their Governours ſhould Rule over them, this is added as the effect hereof; to wit, that there ſhould not any more be heard in their Land the Outcries and Complaints of the poor People, either becauſe of the Violence and Oppreſſion of their Rulers, or becauſe of the waſting of their Land, by Forreign Enemies breaking in upon them. But now if this be underſtood of the Land of Judea after their return out of Babylon, it muſt be taken as ſpoken Comparatively, that there ſhould be no more ſuch complaint of their oppreſſions, as was at preſent amongſt them, or as was when Jeruſalem was beſieged and deſtroyed, or as when they were Captives in Babylon: Yea if we underſtand it (as I conceive it is principally intended) of the Church of Chriſt, either it muſt be underſtood of ſuch a violence and deſtruction, whereby the Church ſhould be utterly Ruined and Deſtroyed; which all the powers of Hell ſhall never be able to effect: Or elſe it muſt be extended to the perfect Peace and Safety of the Church Triumphant in Heaven; (which ſeems the more probable, becauſe of that which is added in the following Verſes) for indeed, though the Goſpel teacheth Chriſtians Peace and Righteouſneſs, yet it cannot be denyed, but that there is too much Violence and Oppreſſion amongſt them. And beſides it is evident, that Enemies do often break in upon them, waſte and deſtroy them.
But thou ſhalt call thy Walls Salvation, and thy Gates Praiſe.] The meaning is, that the Walls and Gates of Jeruſalem, ſhould through the Bleſſing of God, be a means of ſure preſervation to them, and give them occaſion of frequent bleſſing God in their Gates; ſee the Note, Pſal. 4.14. though ſome would have it, that Praiſe is promiſed in their Gates, to imply, that the Juſtice adminiſtred in their Gates, ſhould be the great cauſe of their praiſing God. And the Words may alſo be underſtood, as if they had been expreſſed thus, that Gods Salvation ſhould be inſtead of Walls and Gates to them, and ſhould yield them continual occaſion of praiſing God. But for this ſee the Notes, Chap. 26.1.
Ver. 19. The Sun ſhall be no more thy light by day, neither for brightneſs ſhall the Moon give Light unto thee, &c.] It cannot be thought that the People of God ſhould ever here in this World live without the Light of the Sun and Moon; but the meaning is, that they ſhould have a Light ſo tranſcendently greater and more lightſom than thoſe, that Comparatively they ſhould not mind, nor eſteem them; namely, the Light of Gods gracious favour ſhining into their hearts in and through the Lord Chriſt, the Sun of Righteouſneſs, who ſhould enlighten their Minds with the knowledge of his Grace, by his Word and Spirit, and thereby fill their heart with exceeding great Joy. And ſo we find this explained in the following Words; but the Lord ſhall be unto thee an everlaſting Light; where alſo in thoſe Words, an everlaſting Light; that tranſcendent excellency of this Light is hinted (which is more fully ſet forth in the following Verſe) to wit, that this Light ſhould conſtantly and continually ſhine upon them, without any variation or change, until they were brought at laſt to the Eternal enjoyment of his Preſence in Heavenly Glory. And indeed many there are that hold, that of this laſt, the Glorious and Beatifical preſence of God which the Saints ſhall enjoy in the Life that it to come, this place is principally, if not ſolely, to be underſtood; when they ſhall need no outward ordinary means for their Joy and Bliſs, but God ſhall be all in all to them. But ſee the Notes alſo, Chap. 24.23. And thy God thy Glory; that is, thine Intereſt in this great and glorious God through Jeſus Chriſt, and the great things he ſhall do for thee, ſhall be a great honour to thee.
Ver. 20. Thy Sun ſhall no more go down, neither ſhall thy Moon withdraw it ſelf, &c.] As if he had ſaid, whereas men do not always conſtantly enjoy the light of the Sun and Moon, becauſe when they have ſhined their appointed time, they Set again, and are hidden under the Earth; thy Sun and thy Moon, the Light promiſed in the foregoing Verſe, tranſcendently ſurpaſſing the Light of the Sun and Moon, ſhall ſhine upon thee perpetually without any viciſſitude and interruption, it ſhall never be withdrawn, but ſhall be thy Light, by Night as well as by Day, in the darkneſs of Adverſity, as well as in Proſperity; yea in Heaven unto all Eternity.
Ver. 21. Thy People alſo ſhall be all righteous, &c.] That is, thoſe that are truly ſuch, true Members of the Church, even all of them, whether Jews or Gentiles, ſhall be righteous; to wit, perfectly, by the imputed righteouſneſs of Chriſt; and really alſo, by inherent righteouſneſs wrought in them, which ſhall be perfected in Heaven. But ſee the Notes alſo, Chap. 4.3. and 59.20. they ſhall inherit the Land for ever; that is, as it hath reſpect to the Jews returning from Babylon, they ſhall poſſeſs the Land of Canaan again for many Generations; ſee the Note, Pſal. 37.18. Leſt that poor Remnant that were brought back from thence ſhould fear, that they ſhould preſently be driven out again, therefore is this promiſe added. But now as this is ſpoken with reſpect to the Church of Chriſt, the meaning of this Inheriting the Land for ever muſt needs be, that they ſhould for ever continue in the World, as Gods peculiar Church and People, the new World (ſay our Divines in their large Annotations) by Chriſt renewed and reſtored in a ſpecial manner here, in full perfection hereafter; whereof Gods giving Canaan to the Iſraelites for their peculiar Inheritance, that they might therein abide by themſelves, ſeparated from all the World, was a notable Type. As for the following Words, the Branch of my planting, the Work of mine hands, that I may be glorified; they are added, as a reaſon why thoſe things muſt needs be ſo which he had here foretold concerning Gods People, namely, becauſe a Graft planted by the great God muſt needs thrive and proſper; the rather, becauſe of the great delight he muſt needs take in them, even as Men are wont highly to eſteem thoſe Trees that are of their own planting, and eſpecially becauſe his aim in planting them was, that they might be to his glory. But ſee the Note, Chap. 29.23.
Ver. 22. A little One ſhall become a thouſand, and a ſmall one a ſtrong Nation, &c.] This is a prediction of the miraculous multiplication of Gods People; to wit, that it ſhould be ſuch, that one Man that had but a little ſmall Family ſhould have ſuch a numerous Poſterity, that his Family ſhould in a ſhort time become like a great Nation. And this may be underſtood as ſpoken, in the Type, of the Jews that ſhould return from Babylon, that though they were but a ſmall Remnant to ſpeak of, yet they ſhould ſoon become again a very numerous People; yet I conceive it is principally meant, in the Antitype of the Church of Chriſt, that though that was very little at firſt, yet it ſhould ſuddenly encreaſe, even to admiration. And ſo indeed it was; ſee the Note, Pſal. 110.3. The Apoſtles were but a few: Yet how ſoon had they ſpread the Goſpel to the utmoſt parts of the Earth? One Peter, by one Sermon, won three thouſand to the Chriſtian Faith, Acts 2.41. And the Apoſtle Paul, that terms himſelf, the leaſt of the Apoſtles, how many Churches were planted by him alone, even in remote Countries. Some would have the firſt branch underſtood of a few growing to great multitudes; A little one ſhall become a thouſand; and then the ſecond branch; and a ſmall one a ſtrong nation, of Men of mean condition growing up to be potent and mighty Men. But I rather think, that in both branches the ſame thing is intended; for the word rendered ſtrong, is ſometimes uſed for numerous; ſee the Note, Chap. 16.14. Again, ſome would have the Spiritual ſenſe of theſe expreſſions to be, that Men even of mean parts, and ſmall gifts of grace, ſhould bring in multitudes to believe in Chriſt. But the firſt Expoſition ſeems to me the cleareſt; I the Lord will haſten it in his time; that is, however impoſſible this may ſeem to be, yet when the time comes, that is appointed for the doing of it; I the Lord, who have all things under my command, will not defer it, but ſpeedily diſpatch it.