Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Now he turns his speech against the enemies of the Church, which vainly and foolishly exalt themselves: for when God should once begin in wonderful manner to utter forth his power, they should then have trial of the vanity of their enterprises, and should be able to bring nothing to pass, although by great troops they assembled themselves together, to put their plots in execution. For the Lord scorns their rage, in regard they imagined they were Lords of the world; whereas he in a moment can cut them off, notwithstanding all their preparations. Now it is an usual manner of speech in Scripture,¹ to call mens deliberations and enterprises conceptions. The similitude is taken from women with child. And therefore it is said, that men conceive & bring forth, when they imagine and put some wicked thing in execution: but our Prophet tells them, that such conceptions shall turn to nothing, and ⟨p. 334⟩that the birth also shall vanish into smoke, so as they shall not prosper in any thing which they take in hand. What need we then to fear all these goodly and gay shows which our enemies make? For say, that God suffers them for a time to consult, to imagine, and rage again us, yet in the end he will scatter all that they have rashly, and proudly done, as chaff before the wind. Let us also know that this which Isaiah hath prophesied against Sennacherib, doth likewise appertain to all the enemies of the Church and faithful people.