Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Vers. 32. And in every place that the staff shall pass, it shall cleave fast, which the Lord shall lay upon him with tabrets and harps: and with battles, and lifting up of hands shall he fight against it.

Vers. 32. And in euerie place that the staffe shall passe, it shall cleaue fast, which the Lord shall lay vpon him with tabrets and harpes: and with battels, and lifting vp of hands shall hee fight against it.

His meaning is, that the Assyrians will try all means to fly from Gods hand, but all in vain; for it shall pursue them whithersoever they shall turn them, be it forwards or backward. Touching these words of the staff digging; I willingly consent to their opinion, who think it to be a similitude taken from those that have laid on so long, till the traces and prints thereof appear a great while after: as if a whip or staff had been let into the flesh. Unless any had rather understand that the plague should cleave fast to the backs of the Assyrian, even as a foundation is laid fast into the earth. For that which is not rooted in the ground, may be taken away and transported to another place: but he shows that this staff shall cleave so fast, that there shall be no removing of it; neither shall any be able to pluck it away. For God suffers the weight of his wrath to fall upon the reprobates which utterly overchargeth them: and lest they might dream of any starting holes, the Prophet cuts off all hope thereof in this word every place. For so ought the text to be resolved; to wit, wheresoever the staff shall light, it shall cleave fast.

HIs meaning is, that the Assyrians will trie all meanes to flie from Gods hand, but all in vaine; for it shall pursue them whithersoeuer they shall turne them, bee it forwards or backward. Touching these words of the staffe digging; I willingly cōsent to their opiniō, who thinke it to bee a similitude taken from those that haue laid on so long, till the traces and prints thereof appeare a great while after: as if a whip or staffe had been let into the flesh. Vnlesse any had rather vnderstand that the plague should cleaue fast to the backs of the Assyrian, euen as a foundatiō is laid fast into the earth. For that which is not rooted in the ground, may be taken away and transported to another place: but hee shewes that this staffe shall cleaue so fast, that there shall bee no remouing of it; neither shall any be able to plucke it away. For God suffers the weight of his wrath to fall vpō the reprobates which vtterly ouerchargeth them: and lest they might dreame of any starting holes, the Prophet cuts off al hope thereof in this word euery place. For so ought the text to be resolued; to wit, wheresoeuer the staffe shall light, it shall cleaue fast.