Whereas thou hast been forsaken and hated, so that no man went through [thee], I will make thee an eternal excellency, a joy of many generations.
Ver. 15. Whereas thou hast been forsaken and hated.] The primitive Christians suffered Odio humani generis, saith Tacitus, a through the general hatred conceived against them; and non tam crimen quam nomen puniebatur, saith another, their very name was odious.
I will make thee an eternal excellency.] Here in part, but hereafter in all perfection. God so favoured the first orthodox Christian emperors, ut cum illorum pietate, Dei liberalitas certare videretur, That God's liberality might seem to strive with their piety.
a Lib. xv.