Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Vers. 11. And have also made a ditch between the two walls for the waters of the old pool, and have not looked to the maker thereof, neither had respect unto him that formed it.^*

Vers. 11. And haue also made a ditch betweene the two walles for the waters of the old poole, and haue not looked to the maker thereof, neither had respect vnto him that formed it.^*

1. *Or, long ago.Or, long agoe.

The first part of this verse is conjoined §1with that which hath been expounded heretofore; for his meaning is that they were put to their plunges, and so frighted with imminent danger, that they were driven to use all means possible to fortify themselves against the enemy. In the second part of the §2verse he taxeth their senselessness, in being so taken up with seeking after worldly helps, that they forsook that which was the principal. For whereas they should first have had their recourse unto God, they neglected it, in contriving of ditches, ramparts, walls, and other defences of war, and yet did their chief defence all this while rest in God. Now then it appears that that which I said in the beginning is true, to wit, that he foretells not here the destruction of the Jews, but only puts them in mind of that they had felt in former time: that from thence he might take occasion to show how justly the Lord was angry with them, because no chastisement nor correction whatsoever could amend them. For their extreme dangers into which they were fallen, ought to have admonished them of their impiety and contempt of God, but they became so much the more ⟨p. 214⟩hardened. And yet there is scarcely any man