Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Vers. 21. And with thy garments will I clothe him, and with thy girdle will I strengthen him: thy power also will I commit into his hand, and he shall be a father of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and of the house of Judah.

Vers. 21. And with thy garments will I clothe him, and with thy girdle will I strengthen him: thy power also will I commit into his hand, and he shall be a father of the inhabitants of Ierusalem, and of the house of Iudah.

He now more plainly expounds that which he had set down briefly in the former verse; to wit, that Shebna shall be deposed by Gods just judgement, to the end Eliakim may succeed him. Doubtless God by his ⟨p. 220⟩providence disposeth of all the changes which happen in the world: for as Job saith, he girds the loins of Kings with a girdle, and looseth it again when it pleaseth him: Job 12.18. It was pleasantly said in old time of the Emperors of Rome; That it was the tragedy of Kings: for as players that represent some great personage upon the stage, having ended their part, in stead of Kings become poor snakes, as they were before: so these being dejected from their high estate, are now and then led to shameful deaths. And yet is it most certain, that things were not then thus confused by hap hazard, neither yet by mens devices only, nor by the violence of men of war; but by the counsel of God which overruleth all. The Prophet affirms then, that men shall see a special note of Gods §1judgement in the banishment of this same §2Shebna: and on the other side a right form of government in the restoring of Eliakim.

HEe now more plainely expounds that which hee had set downe briefly in the former verse; to wit, that Shebna shall be deposed by Gods iust iudgement, to the end Eliakim may succeede him. Doubtlesse God by his