John Trapp on Isaiah 9:6

Ver. 6. For unto us a child is born] That Child foretold of, chap. 7.14. Chriſt ſhall be born in the fulneſs of time, as ſure as if he were born already. This was good tidings of great joy to all people, Luke 2.10. The Hebrew Beſher for good tidings, cometh of Baſhar for Fleſh: becauſe (ſay ſome Criticks) there ſhauld be a taking of Fleſh, God manifeſted in the fleſh, which ſhould be the beſt tidings. Angels firſt brought it, and were glad of ſuch an Errand. Still they pry into this Myſterie, prono capite & propenſo collo, 1 Pet. 1.12. and can never ſufficiently wonder to ſee that [non-Latin text not transcribed] ſhould be [non-Latin text not transcribed], the great God, a little child; regens ſidera, ſugens ubera; that He who Ruleth the ſtars, ſhould be ſucking at the breaſt: that the Eternal Word ſhould not be able to ſpeak a word: that He that ſhould come in the Clouds, ſhould appear in clouts, Luke 2.12. in vilibus & veteribus indumentis, [non-Latin text not transcribed]. Induit ſordes noſtras; He condeſcended to our rags. ſaith Ladolphus, in old tattered rags, in ſuch clouts as we cover wounds, and beggars ſores with all, ſay others. Well might Syneſius call Chriſt viſcerum ingentium partum, the birth of huge Bowels. For the time of his birth, Chriſt living juſt thirty two years and an half, (ſaith One) and dying at Eaſter, it muſt needs follow that he was born about the middle of the moneth Tiſri which anſwereth to part of our September, at the Feaſt of Tabernacles, &c. to which Feaſt the word [non-Latin text not transcribed], John 1.14. probably alludeth.

Ʋnto us a ſon is given] That only begotten Son of God, John 3.16. begotten of the ſubſtance of his Father before all beginnings, after an unſpeakable manner. The Scripture ſpeaketh of it uſually by way of circumlocution, Col. 1.15. Rev. 19.12. or giveth us only ſome glimpſe by way of ſimilitude, as Heb. 1.3. This Eternal Son of God, the ſecond Perſon in Trinity, aſſumed our Nature, Heb. 2.17. He overtook it (as the Greek word ſignifieth) as the Shepherd doth his ſheep that's run aſtray. A Shepherd with a ſheep upon his ſhoulder engraved upon the Communion-Cup in the Primitive times of the Goſpel, imported the ſame Notion.

And the Government ſhall be upon his ſhoulders] The Power and Majeſtie of the Kingdom is committed to him by his Father, chap. 22.22. with Matth. 28.18. and he hath ſtrength enough to manage it. Princeps eſt hajulus Reip. The Hebrews call a Prince Naſſi, becauſe Atlas-like, he is to bear up the Common-wealth, and not to overload his Subjects. Chriſt, both as Prince of his Church, and as High-Prieſt alſo, beareth up and beareth out his people, helping their infirmities, Rom. 8.26. See the Note.

And his Name ſhall be called] Heb. He ſhall call his Name. 1. God his Father ſhall: or every true Believer ſhall call him and count him all this. And ſure it is, had we but skill to ſpell all the Letters in this Name of Chriſt,Prov. 18.10. it would be a ſtrong Tower unto us, better then that of David builded for an Armoury, and compleatly furniſhed, Cant. 4.4. Compare this Text with 1 Cor. 1.30. and ſee all our doubts anſwered. Are we perplexed? He is our wonderful Counſellour, and made unto us of God Wiſdom. Are we in depths of diſtreſs? He is the mighty God, our Redemption. Want we Grace and his Image? He is the Everlaſting Father, our Sanctification. Doth the guilt of ſin ſting us? He is the Prince of peace, our Righteouſneſs.

Wonderful] Heb. A Miracle or Wonder, viz. in all his Counſels and Courſes, [non-Latin text not transcribed]. Symmach. Ipſa admirabilitas. A Lap. eſpecially for his: Glorious in holineſs, fearful in praiſes, doing wonders, Exod. 15.11.

Counſellour] The Septuagint here calleth Him the Angel of the great Counſel, Rev. 1.13. He is ſet forth as cloathed with a garment down to the foot, which is the Habit of Counſellors at Law, who are therehence called Gentlemen of the long Robe. See Rev. 3.17. Prov. 8.14. Jer. 32.19. But becauſe Counſellors are but Subjects, it is added in Chriſts ſtile

The mighty God] Able to effect his own Counſels for the behoof of his Subjects. Saint Paul calleth him the great God, Tit. 2.13. and God above all to be bleſſed for ever, Rom. 9.5. God the Potentate; ſo the Sept. render this Text: God the Giant; ſo Oecolampadius.

The Everlaſting Father] The Father of Eternity: the King Eternal, Immortal, 1 Tim. 1.17. Ferdinand the Emperour on his death bed would not acknowledge the Title Invictiſſimus, but commanded his Counſellour to call him Ferdinand without more addition. Chriſt is alſo the Author of Eternity to all his people whom he hath begotten again to an Inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reſerved in Heaven for them, 1 Pet. 1.3, 4.

The Prince of peace] Pacis omnimodae, of all kinds of peace, outward, inward, of countrey and of conſcience, temporal and eternal. Of all theſe he is the Prince, as having full power to beſtow them: for he is ſon to the God of peace, Rom. 16.20. He was brought from Heaven with that ſong of peace, Luc. 2.14. He himſelf purged our ſins, and made our peace, Heb. 1.3. Eph. 2.14. Returned up to Heaven with that farewel of peace, Joh. 14.27. Left to the world the Goſpel of peace, Eph. 2.17. Whoſe Miniſters are meſſengers of peace, Rom. 10.15. Whoſe followers are the children of peace, Luk. 10.6, &c. Wherefore Chriſt doth far better deſerve then our Hen. 7. did, to be ſtiled the Prince of peace. Eſpecially ſince