In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not: [and to] Zion, Let not thine hands be slack.
Ver. 16. Fear thou not] Why shouldest thou while the King of Israel is in the midst of thee? Be of good cheer, said Caesar to the ferryman in a storm, thou canst not miscarry: Casarem enim fers et fortunam Caesaris, for you carry Caesar and luck of Caesar, so long as Caesar is in the same bottom with thee. May not the Church much more gather comfort, having God in her company; and so many of his servants to say to her, Fear thou not? True faith quelleth and killeth distrustful fear; but awful dread it breedeth, feedeth, fostereth, and cherisheth.
And to Zion, Let not thine hands be slack] Remollescant. Let not thy fears weaken, but rather waken thy diligence in well doing; lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, Hebrews 12:12. Up and be active; pluck up your good hearts, and buckle close to your business; your task is long, your time short; your master urgent, your wages inconceivable. It troubled a martyr at the stake, that he should then go to a place where he should ever be receiving wages, and do no more work. Up, therefore, and be doing. "Be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises," Hebrews 6:12. Spontaneae lassitudines morbos loquuntur, faithlessness argueth a diseased soul.