Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Vers. 9. ¹The Lord of hosts hath decreed this, to^* stain the pride of all glory, and to bring to contempt, all them that be glorious in the earth.

Vers. 9. ¹The Lord of hostes hath decreed this, to^* staine the pride of all glory, and to bring to contempt, all them that be glorious in the earth.

1. 1Ans.
2. *Or, profane

The pride.] Or, the haughtiness:¹ for we may read it both ways, because haughtiness begets pride; for it is very rare to find humility of spirit in a haughty mind. Notwithstanding it is better to read it pride, which is enough of it self to provoke God to take vengeance, when men under pretence of their excellency, advance themselves above measure. To profane, and dishonour, are taken for one and the same thing: because those who are exalted to honour, seem to be as men consecrate and set apart, conceiting I wot not what greatness of themselves; as if they were now quite exempt out of the common rank of men.² But God no sooner strips such of their dignity, and brings them down, but he forthwith makes them vile and contemptible. Let us therefore learn from this place, so to consider of Gods providence, that we give that praise to his infinite power, which belongs unto it for his so just a government. So then, albeit the justice whereby it pleaseth God to moderate his actions always appears not unto us; yet ought we not therefore to separate his power from his justice. In the mean while, for as much as the Scriptures plainly show, and often set before us the end why God doth this or that; we ought to be wise in observing the causes of his works.