Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Vers. 17. Fear, and the pit, and the snare are upon thee, ô Inhabitant of the earth. 18. And he that fleeth from the noise of the fear shall fall into the pit, and he that cometh up out of the pit shall be taken in the snare: for the windows from an high are open, and the foundations of the earth do shake.

Vers. 17. Feare, and the pit, and the snare are vpon thee, ô Inhabitant of the earth. 18. And he that fleeth from the noyse of the feare shall fall into the pit, and he that commeth vp out of the pit shall be taken in the snare: for the windowes from an high are open, and the foundations of the earth do shake.

The Prophet here expostulates with the people because of their sins.¹ Before he said, that not one, but many nations far remote, should have cause to sing; now he comes to doctrine: for I think this should be severed from the former, because Isaiah threatens the wicked again, to the end they might know that in the greatest felicity of the Church they should continue to be accursed. For such are wont falsely to challenge unto themselves the promises of God, when as they appertain nothing at all unto them: this is the cause why the Prophets are wont to mingle threatenings with consolations. It may be for ought we know that the Prophet made this sermon apart, upon some other occasion. For neither did the Prophets themselves, nor other learned men for them distinguish the Chapters: we have divers times seen sundry sentences joined together which should be separate; & many separated which should be joined. What was the cause thereof but ignorance? Be it as you will; the Prophet directs his speech again to the wicked, and threatens them with an horrible judgement.

THe Prophet heere expostulates with the people because of their sinnes.¹ Before he said, that not one, but many nations farre remote, should haue cause to sing; now hee comes to doctrine: for I thinke this should be seuered from the former, because Isaiah threatens the wicked againe, to the end they might know that in the greatest felicitie of the Church they should continue to be accursed. For such are wont falsly to challenge vnto themselues the promises of God, when as they appertaine nothing at all vnto them: this is the cause why the Prophets are wont to mingle threatnings with consolations. It may be for ought we know that the Prophet made this sermon apart, vpon some other occasion. For neither did the Prophets themselues, nor other learned men for them distinguish the Chapters: we haue diuers times seene sundrie sentēces ioined together which should be separate; & many separated which should be ioined. What was the cause thereof but ignorance? Be it as you will; the Prophet directs his speech againe to the wicked, and threatens them with an horrible iudgement.