Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

The Jews were in great danger of falling from God in regard of another temptation: for it is certain that the Assyrians and Chaldeans obtained not so many victories without the assistance of other nations: thence the Jews might conclude; What avails it us to have a service of God apart from other nations, seeing our enemies in fighting have victory from heaven; and our God in the mean while succours not us at all? Neither is it to be doubted but the infidels also mocked these poor captives, as it appears by other places.

THe Iewes were in great danger of falling from God in regard of another temptation: for it is certaine that the Assyrians and Caldeans obteined not so many victories without ye assistance of other nations: thence the Iewes might conclude; What auailes it vs to haue a seruice of God apart from other nations, seeing our enemies in fighting haue victorie from heauen; and our God in the meane while succors not vs at all? Neither is it to be doubted but the infidels also mocked these poore captiues, as it appeares by other places.

That this calamity then might not cause the Jews to forget the true religion; God riseth up and saith, that a greater wrong can not be done unto him, then if the faithful being wrung by afflictions, should therefore conform themselves to the idolatries and superstitions of the Gentiles. Thus then he confirms them in the truth of his promises, lest they should faint under the burdens which they were to sustain.

That this calamitie then might not cause the Iewes to forget the true religion; God riseth vp and saith, that a greater wrong can not be done vnto him, then if the faithfull being wrung by afflictions, should therefore conforme themselues to the idolatries and superstitions of the Gentiles. Thus then he confirmes them in the truth of his promises, lest they should faint vnder the burthens which they were to susteine.