Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

But he speaks in the person of his Master, ⟨p. 362⟩who had obtained great victories over many mighty nations, which indeed had their gods; under whose protection they thought themselves safe. Sennacherib having subdued these, thought also that he had overcome their gods, upon whose help they rested. Thence it comes that he puffs up himself so far in pride, that he dares jostle against the living God: yea, he is carried away with such madness, that he fears not to oppose his strength against the power of the Almighty.

But he speakes in the person of his Master, ⟨p. 362⟩who had obtained great victories ouer many mightie nations, which indeede had their gods; vnder whose protection they thought themselues safe. Sennacherib hauing subdued these, thought also that he had ouercome their gods, vpon whose help they rested. Thence it comes that he puffes vp himselfe so farre in pride, that he dares iustle against the liuing God: yea, he is caried away with such madnes, that he feares not to oppose his strength against the power of the Almightie.

You see then, that albeit the wicked seem at the first to be far from the contempt of Gods majesty, yet in the end they manifest that they attribute all to themselves, and utterly exclude him. In words I grant they will give the praise of their victories unto their gods, but forthwith they sacrifice unto their own nets, and offer incense to their yarn, as Habakkuk saith, 1.16. which practise our hypocrites imitate at this day. For if they obtain any victory, they by and by run and thank their Idols: but when that is done, they also thank their own counsels, policies, manhood, and their forces: so as a man may well perceive that upon the matter they attribute all their success unto themselves, and not unto their Idols. In this his proud boasting then, he shows himself to be a liar, when he acknowledged God the author of his victories.