Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Vers. 11. O Lord, they will not behold thine high hand: but they shall see it, and be confounded with the zeal of thy people; and the fire of thine enemies shall devour them.

Vers. 11. O Lord, they will not behold thine high hand: but they shall see it, and be confounded with the zeale of thy people; and the fire of thine enemies shall deuoure them.

This is an exposition of the former sentence: for he enters into no new discourse, but expounds that at large, which he had said before in few words. He said in the other verse, that the wicked would not behold the majesty of the Lord: now he shows that this magnificence of the Lord is the same which appears in his works. For the Prophet sends us not to the hidden majesty of God, which we cannot behold with our eyes; but brings us to his works, which he here represents by a figure, under this word hand. Well, he accuseth the wicked once again, showing that they have nothing to allege for their defence; neither can they cover themselves under any pretence of ignorance: for albeit they were stark blind, yet was the hand of God made manifest enough; so as nothing could hinder them from seeing of it, but their own gross unthankfulness, or rather wilful sottishness. For many have skill enough to plead ignorance, affirming that they perceive not these works: but he tells such, that God, hand is stretched forth; not only in such wise that it may be discerned of a small number, but also far and near.

THis is an exposition of the former sentence: for hee enters into no new discourse, but expounds that at large, which he had said before in few words. He said in the other verse, that the wicked would not behold the maiestie of the Lord: now he shewes that this magnificence of the Lord is the same which appeares in his workes. For the Prophet sends vs not to the hidden maiestie of God, which wee cannot behold with our eyes; but brings vs to his workes, which hee here represents by a figure, vnder this word hand. Well, he accuseth the wicked once againe, shewing that they haue nothing to alleage for their defence; neither can they couer themselues vnder any pretence of ignorance: for albeit they were starke blind, yet was the hand of God made manifest enough; so as nothing could hinder them from seeing of it, but their owne grosse vnthankfulnesse, or rather wilfull sottishnesse. For many haue skill enough to pleade ignorance, affirming that they perceiue not these workes: but hee telles such, that God, hand is stretched forth; not onely in such wise that it may be discerned of a small number, but also farre and neere.