Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

IN this Chapter, and in that which follows, the Prophet recites an excellent §1history, which is set as a seal unto the doctrine of the prophesies before going, touching the afflictions of his people: in which also, God promised to show them mercy by repulsing the Assyrians, that so he might deliver Jerusalem and the holy land out of their hands. By this so manifest an effect then, the people perceived that the Prophet had not foretold these things in vain. Furthermore, God had also a §2purpose to inform the posterity to come, albeit those, which then lived had no less need of such a spectacle then their predecessors. Our Prophet hath often threatened that Gods vengeance was at hand; that the Assyrians tarried but till God gave them a sign to employ themselves as his scourges in his service: on the other side, he published promises of consolation touching the Jews; to wit, that God would succour them when all things should be brought to an after deal. And these things were all fulfilled, but the greatest part of the people closed their eyes, when they should have beheld these famous judgements of God: nay, which was worse, they shamefully despised the succour which God offered them. By all which circumstances, their sottishness was altogether inexcusable.

IN this Chapter, and in that which followes, the Prophet recites an excellent