Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Vers. 31. Howl ô gate, cry ô City, thou whole land of Palestine art dissolved, for there shall come from the North a smoke, and none shall be alone, at his time appointed.

Vers. 31. Howle ô gate, crie ô Citie, thou whole land of Palestina art dissolued, for there shall come from the North a smoke, and none shalbe alone, at his time appointed.

Here the Prophet useth amplifications to seal up the truth of his prophesies in the hearts of the faithful, and the more effectually to imprint those things therein which without these would hardly have been believed. It hath been said elsewhere, that the gates signifies the places most frequented, in which they kept their meetings. He threatens then that all the Cities shall lament, yea and that extraordinarily, because the most honourable assemblies should make it. That which is added touching the smoke, may be taken for the fire, so as the thing it self should be showed by the sign, because the smoke appears before the fire burns forth. By North we may understand as well the Assyrians as the Jews, seeing both of them were situated on this side of the Philistines: yet had I rather refer it to the Jews: I mean not now to stand refuting of the contrary opinion. As we have said heretofore then, the Philistines thought themselves great gainers by that which the Jews lost, when the Assyrians had done them any scathe. Which also happened not long since to many nations, who took pleasure to see their enemies destroyed by the Turks: for they knew well enough that such victories brought heaviness and damage unto them. So as when they whose ruin they thirsted after were vanquished, the way by that means was laid open for such as in the end subdued them.

HEre the Prophet vseth amplifications to seale vp the truth of his prophesies in the hearts of the faithfull, and the more effectuallie to imprint those things therein which without these would hardlie haue beene beleeued. It hath been said elsewhere, that the gates signifies the places most frequented, in which they kept their meetings. He threatens then that all the Cities shall lament, yea and that extraordinarily, because the most honorable assemblies should make it. That which is added touching the smoke, may be taken for the fire, so as the thing it selfe should be shewed by the signe, because the smoke appeares before the fire burnes forth. By North we may vnderstand as well the Assyrians as the Iewes, seeing both of them were situated on this side of the Philistims: yet had I rather referre it to the Iewes: I meane not now to stand refuting of the contrarie opinion. As we haue said heretofore then, the Philistims thought themselues great gayners by that which the Iewes lost, when the Assyrians had done them any scathe. Which also happened not long since to many nations, who tooke pleasure to see their enemies destroyed by the Turks: for they knew well inough that such victories brought heauines and damage vnto them. So as when they whose ruin they thirsted after were vanquished, the way by that meanes was laid open for such as in the end subdued them.