Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Now the Prophet concludes that which he had said before, to wit, that the chastisement whereof he spake should be profitable to the Egyptians, because it should be as a preparative to bring them to repentance: as if he should say, The affliction wherewith the Lord shall smite Egypt, shall turn to the singular benefit and good thereof. Those who read, He shall smite with an incurable wound, do interpret this place amiss, and do much diminish the Prophets meaning: for he shows that the wounds shall be profitable, because God will use them as a means to bring them home. Whence we are to gather, that we should never refuse to be chastised of the Lord, seeing he doth it for our great good; in regard that impunity engenders a greater licence to commit sin. And because men are wonderfully prone in giving themselves the reins whilst God spares them; therefore he himself, is fain to prevent the mischief as we say: which he doth by chastisements and afflictions, that he might thereby provoke and prick us forward to repentance and amendment of life. Lo here an excellent example set before us in Egypt, who found grace and mercy at Gods hands, ⟨p. 199⟩although she was stuffed with superstitions and impiety, and surmounted all other nations in idolatry.

NOw the Prophet concludes that which he had said before, to wit, that the chastisement whereof he spake should be profitable to the Egyptians, because it should be as a preparatiue to bring thē to repentance: as if he should say, The affliction wherewith the Lord shall smite Egypt, shall turne to the singular benefit and good thereof. Those who reade, He shall smite with an incurable wound, do interpret this place amisse, and do much diminish the Prophets meaning: for he shewes that the wounds shall be profitable, because God will vse them as a meanes to bring them home. Whence we are to gather, that we should neuer refuse to be chastised of the Lord, seeing he doth it for our great good; in regard that impunitie ingenders a greater licence to commit sinne. And because men are wonderfullie prone in giuing themselues the raines whilst God spares them; therefore he himselfe, is faine to preuent the mischiefe as we say: which he doth by chastisements and afflictions, that he might thereby prouoke and prick vs forward to repentance and amendment of life. Loe heere an excellent example set before vs in Egypt, who found grace and mercie at Gods hands,