Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

The Prophet in naming so many kinds of heights in the former verses, declares that he spake of men. For the high mountains and great Cedars displeased not God, as they were his creatures: but he signifies that all the mischief rests in the hearts and lives of men, who do too much trust in high and great things. But some may object; Object. It oft times falls out that the wicked are so far off from coming to amendment or being humbled by the afflictions which they suffer, that they rather become the more obstinate and rebellious: as it appears in Pharaoh, ¹whose hardness could not be softened by any plagues whatsoever. Wherefore it seems that that which the Prophet saith here, comes not always to pass. I answer, Ans. that the effect of the chastisement is not expressed: as if God should bow rebels to his obedience. But the sense of the place is this, to wit, that although the reprobates be hardened, that the Lord will not therefore finish his chastisements, wherewith he will chastise them, till such time as their pride and haughtiness be brought to the ground. For whilst they rest upon their riches and fortifications, thinking (as they say) to be safe there; they neither fear nor honour God. But although they be fortified never so much, the Lord will subdue and bring them down easily; not by a plague or two, but so many ways, that being brought low, and shut up, they shall cease to lift up their horns against him, and shall prove by experience that it is in vain for them to be obstinate and rebellious. That which is added, and the Lord only shall be exalted, hath been expounded before.