Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

HE confirms that which he said before of the judgement of God against the Assyrians, and describes it under a figure, as he and the rest of the Prophets are wont to do. For whilst God seems to hold his peace, and plagues not the wicked forthwith, either we think he sleeps, or that he wants sufficient power: and thus we are distracted with divers and doubtful thoughts. And albeit he shows us some one example of his judgement, yet by reason of this sottishness, or rather unthankfulness, which naturally possesseth us, we wittingly put a veil between, by one device or other, to darken the glory of God. For either we attribute it unto fortune, or to the policies and subtle inventions of mans brain: so as we will never in good earnest ascribe the same wholly unto God, unless he constrains us unto it by force. This is the cause why the Prophet contents not himself to have once affirmed, that Gods vengeance should fall upon the Assyrians, but also in this place is diligent to paint out the same in lively colours, repeating the same thing with greater vehemency.

HE confirmes that which he said before of the iudgement of God against the Assyrians, and describes it vnder a figure, as hee and the rest of the Prophets are wont to do. For whilest God seemes to hold his peace, and plagues not the wicked forthwith, either we thinke he sleepes, or that he wants sufficient power: and thus wee are distracted with diuers and doubtfull thoughts. And albeit he shewes vs some one example of his iudgement, yet by reason of this sottishnesse, or rather vnthankfulnesse, which naturally possesseth vs, we wittingly put a vaile betweene, by one deuice or other, to darken the glory of God. For either we attribute it vnto fortune, or to the policies and subtile inuentions of mans braine: so as we will neuer in good earnest ascribe the same wholly vnto God, vnlesse he constraines vs vnto it by force. This is the cause why the Prophet contents not himselfe to haue once affirmed, that Gods vengeance should fall vpon the Assyrians, but also in this place is diligent to paint out the same in liuely colours, repeating the same thing with greater vehemencie.

His meaning is then, that this destruction of the enemy shall be so famous, that men shall be constrained to hear the voice of God: that is to say, to acknowledge his judgments, and to confess that this desolation indeed was from his hand, even as if himself had uttered the same from heaven with his lively voice in all mens hearing. The sum is then, that the matter shall be so evident, that all shall confess this destruction came from the mouth of God; to wit, from his ordinance.