Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Now he shows what should befall th• Egyptians being once deprived of understanding, and their courages being quailed, to wit, they were to expect nothing but bondage and slavery. For a people being once destituted of understanding and magnanimity, needs must they become their own overthrow, although no enemy else should assail them. So that the Lord is wont after this manner to revenge himself upon his enemies, depriving them of all means whereby to defend their liberties. I grant that the Prophet threatens a thing more grievous, to wit, that the dominion whereof the Egyptians proudly bragged, should not only fall to the ground, but that they themselves also should be subdued under a sore slavery & bondage. Now howsoever the word cruel be put in the singular number, yet notwithstanding he saith in the plural number that they shall be in subjection to Lords, which is much more cumbersome to bear, then if they should only obey one.

NOw he shewes what should befall th• Egyptians being once depriued of vnderstanding, and their courages being quailed, to wit, they were to expect nothing but bondage and slauerie. For a people being once destituted of vnderstanding and magnanimitie, needs must they become their owne ouerthrow, although no enemie else should assaile them. So that the Lord is wont after this maner to reuenge himselfe vpon his enemies, depriuing them of all meanes whereby to defend their liberties. I grant that the Prophet threatens a thing more grieuous, to wit, that the dominion whereof the Egyptians proudly bragged, should not only fall to the ground, but that they themselues also should be subdued vnder a sore slauerie & bondage. Now howsoeuer the word cruell be put in the singular number, yet notwithstanding hee saith in the plurall number that they shall be in subiection to Lords, which is much more combersome to beare, then if they should only obey one.