Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Some think this is spoken of the host of Sennacherib, ¹which was destroyed by the Angel, whilst the siege was before Jerusalem. If we shall receive this interpretation, the sense will be thus; to wit, The Lord will shortly show some evident proof of this ruin, wherewith he threatened the Babylonians. For those which heard the prophecies, might ask, What shall the ruin of Babel profit us, when she hath destroyed us first? were it not better for us to remain in our own land, & that she might continue safe? What consolation can we take in her destruction, seeing with her our selves must also perish? And truly I make no question but Isaiah sets before them a proof of Gods favour in the destruction of their enemies; which was either come to pass already, or should shortly happen. I dare not affirm in what time the Prophet foretold this,² unless there be some probable conjecture, that the discomfiture of the host of Sennacherib, made by the Angel, was already accomplished. According to this sense the Prophet should take this famous example, to give them good hope of the deliverance to come: as if he had said; You have heretofore felt how miraculously God assisteth his people in time of need. And this is the reason which makes me think the army of Sennacherib was already destroyed. It was needful then that there should be some use of this doctrine.

SOme thinke this is spoken of the host of Senacherib, ¹which was destroyed by the Angell, whilest the siege was before Ierusalem. If wee shall receiue this interpretation, the sense will be thus; to wit, The Lord will shortly shew some euident proofe of this ruine, wherewith hee threatned the Babylonians. For those which heard the prophecies, might aske, What shall the ruine of Babel profit vs, when she hath destroyed vs first? were it not better for vs to remain in our own lād, & that she might continue safe? What consolation can we take in her destruction, seeing with her our selues must also perish? And truely I make no question but Isaiah sets before them a proofe of Gods fauour in the destruction of their enemies; which was either come to passe already, or should shortly happen. I dare not affirme in what time the Prophet foretold this,²