Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Vers. 18. All the Kings of the Nations, even they all sleep in glory, every one in his own house. 19. But thou art cast out of the grave like an abominable branch: like the raiment of those that are slain, and thrust through with a sword, which go down to the stones of the pit, as a carcass trodden under feet.

Vers. 18. All the Kings of the Nations, euen they all sleepe in glorie, euerie one in his owne house. 19. But thou art cast out of the graue like an abominable branch: like the rayment of those that are slaine, and thrust thorow with a sword, which goe downe to the stones of the pit, as a carkase troden vnder feete.

He opposeth the King of Babylon against other Kings; to show that he shall be more wretched after his death, then they all. And thus he amplifies the judgement of God (who should execute vengeance upon the cruelties done to his Church) by comparison. This place is the cause why I dare not restrain that which Isaiah speaks here of the King of Babylon, to the only person of Nebuchadnezzar: because we find not by histories, that he was deprived of burial. Although the Jews tell, how Evil-Merodach commanded he should be taken out of his sepulchre, because the great Lords of his kingdom durst not do him homage, till they were certain of the death of his father. But S. Jerome, howsoever he be credulous enough in other things, yet holds this as a fable. He speaks not then of one man particularly,¹ but of the whole Kingdom: even as when the Scripture speaks of Antichrist, it comprehends the estate of all the Popes. And therefore he scorns the pride of all Tyrants, under the person of one, testifying what their issue shall be; to wit, that they shall fall into such misery, that not so much as a small handful of dust shall be given them for their burial: howsoever in times past they were like insatiable gulfs, whom all the wealth in the world was not able to satisfy. Those which have scarce one foot of land, have notwithstanding the honour of burial; and this was esteemed sacred and inviolable above all things among the Patriarchs: for it was a great dishonour to be deprived of this privilege. Yet he shows that the Kings of Babylon should receive such an opprobie, that being cast out of the sepulchre of their fathers, they should be a spectacle of disdain unto all. Quest. But some may ask, whether it were so great a matter in Gods sight, to be buried with a mans predecessors, that it should be esteemed as a punishment and curse to be deprived of it? I answer, Ans. he speaks not of the sepulchre here, as of a thing necessary to salvation: and yet that it was reputed a great shame for this Tyrant to want burial.