Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Thus they waxed proud, taking themselves to be no more men; and that they might utterly free themselves from yielding obedience unto God. For this cause we are often admonished in the holy Scriptures, not to trust in man, because nothing is more vain than he: Psa. 146.3. Cursed be he (saith Jeremiah) that trusts in man, and makes flesh his arm: Jer. 17.5. Yet we see that all, none excepted, determine and conclude of matters in themselves, as if they were able to bring their designs to pass an hundred years after, which they have plotted in their brain: yea, as if they could rule both heaven,¹ earth, and seas, and could govern all things even as they listed. Seeing there is such pride in all of us, let us not marvel that the Prophet proclaims, that the Egyptians are not God, but men. For the Jews attributed that unto them, which appertained unto God. What is that? Even the protection and safeguard of the Church; which he so reserves to himself, that he will have none to meddle with this office. Isaiah doth therefore tauntingly tax the Jews in this place with the contempt of God, and their false confidence wherewith they were puffed up.

Thus they waxed proud, taking themselues to be no more men; and that they might vtterly free themselues from yeelding obedience vnto God. For this cause we are often admonished in the holy Scriptures, not to trust in man, because nothing is more vain thē he: Psa. 146.3. Cursed be he (saith Ieremiah) that trusts in man, and makes flesh his arme: Ier. 17.5. Yet we see that all, none excepted, determine and conclude of matters in themselues, as if they were able to bring their designes to passe an hundred yeeres after, which they haue plotted in their braine: yea, as if they could rule both heauen,¹ earth, and seas, and could gouerne all things euen as they listed. Seeing there is such pride in all of vs, let vs not maruell that the Prophet proclaimes, that the Egyptians are not God, but men. For the Iewes attributed that vnto them, which appertained vnto God. What is that? Euen the protection and safegard of the Church; which he so reserues to himselfe, that he will haue none to meddle with this office. Isaiah doth therefore tauntingly taxe the Iewes in this place with the contempt of God, and their false confidence wherewith they were puffed vp.