Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Go ye swift posts.] This place is obscure; yet will I follow that interpretation which I take to be most probable. The Prophet shows the end of his prophecy; that is to say, why he foretold the destruction of this people; to wit, (if we take them for the sworn enemies ⟨p. 183⟩of the Jews) to bring some consolation to the faithful, which were miserably scattered and dispersed, that by receiving this good tidings, they might rejoice and give thanks unto God. But if any had rather say that the Jews were drawn by this nation to an unlawful league, then this exhortation is by way of deriding them, so as he rebukes the folly of the elect people, who forsook God to depend upon vain and frivolous succours. For whereas some attribute these words unto God, as if he should command these nations inhabiting near the sea to hasten to the destruction of the Jews: I see not how it should agree to the sense of the text. Neither is there any more appearance in that which others think, to wit, that by the words following the Prophet s•te forth the destruction of this obscure and unknown people, because that by the spoiled people he means the Jews, which should be vexed and scattered after a strange manner, so as no part amongst them whatsoever should remain safe.

Goe yee swift postes.] This place is obscure; yet will I follow that interpretation which I take to be most probable. The Prophet shews the end of his prophecie; that is to say, why he foretold the destruction of this people; to wit, (if we take them for the sworne enemies ⟨p. 183⟩of the Iewes) to bring some consolation to the faithfull, which were miserablie scattered and dispersed, that by receiuing this good tidings, they might reioyce and giue thanks vnto God. But if any had rather say that the Iewes were drawne by this nation to an vnlawfull league, then this exhortation is by way of deriding them, so as he rebukes the follie of the elect people, who forsooke God to depend vpon vaine and friuolous succors. For whereas some attribute these words vnto God, as if he should command these nations inhabiting neere the sea to hasten to the destruction of the Iewes: I see not how it should agree to the sense of the text. Neither is there any more appearance in that which others thinke, to wit, that by the words following the Prophet s•te forth the destruction of this obscure and vnknowne people, because that by the spoiled people hee meanes the Iews, which should be vexed and scattered after a strange maner, so as no part amongst them whatsoeuer should remaine safe.