Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Lastly, he signifies, that the Isles should be astonished at Gods invincible power, when he should afterwards deliver his people. And whilst the wicked shall hear tell of it, they will not cease still to be perplexed, because they therein feel that God is their enemy.

Lastly, he signifies, that the Iles should bee astonished at Gods inuincible power, when he should afterwards deliuer his people. And whilest the wicked shall heare tell of it, they will not cease still to bee perplexed, because they therein feele that God is their enemie.

Drew near.] By this, some understand, that the unbelievers took a narrow view of Gods works. For we use to draw near when we would be more certainly informed of any new thing: others refer it to the King of Sodom, who met Abraham: Gen. 14.17. but these things, as I think, savour not, neither come they near the mark. The words of the text will be easily understood, if we join this latter member to the verse following, thus;¹ They drew near and came: every man helped his neighbour: and so the sense will be; Although the Isles saw and knew my works, so as they stood abashed, yet they assembled by heaps to make conspiracies. But to what end? Even to hearten on one another to make new gods, and to confirm themselves more and more in their blindness.

Drew neere.] By this, some vnderstand, that the vnbeleeuers tooke a narrow view of Gods works. For we vse to draw neere when we would be more certainly informed of any new thing: others referre it to the King of Sodome, who met Abraham: Gen. 14.17. but these things, as I thinke, sauor not, neither come they neere the marke. The words of the text will be easilie vnderstood, if we ioine this latter member to the verse following, thus;¹