Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

These things are conjoined with the former, and have bin ill divided from them by some. For after he hath with threatenings proclaimed the judgements of God, he exhorts the wicked to cease from beguiling themselves by a vain confidence: as if he should say, I see you are blinded and drunk with vain hope, so as there is no reason at all which can prevail with you; which comes to pass, because you ascribe too much to your selves; and yet man is nothing: for you have to do with God, who with his only look is able to bring the whole world to confusion. This place is expounded diversly: For some interpret it of Christ, & take breath, for consuming;¹ as also the Scripture is wont elsewhere to use this similitude. They take nostril for wrath, because the sign of anger appears in the nostrils: and so gather this sense; Take heed you move not Christ to wrath against you. But if all be well weighed, we shall find this exposition to be far off from the scope of the text. Others, although they expound it of men in general, yet notwithstanding they refer it to this sentence; Fear not them that can kill the body, Mat. 10.28. But this opinion is no more fitting with the text then the other. For it should be from the purpose and would not agree to the time: because there was then no occasion to dissuade them from the fear of men. But as I have said, the coherence of the text, clears us easily from all doubts. For the beginning of the chapter following expounds this plainly, and confirms it: and he which divided these things did ill to separate that which should have been joined together: for he will there add; The Lord will take from you the things which so much puffs up your hearts, and begets such high spirits in you: This confidence which you have is vain and foolish. And thereupon dependeth that which he now saith, Cease from man then

THese things are conioyned with the former, and haue bin ill diuided from them by some. For after he hath with threatnings proclamed the iudgements of God, he exhortes the wicked to cease from beguiling themselues by a vaine confidence: as if he should say, I see you are blinded and drunke with vaine hope, so as there is no reason at all which can preuaile with you; which coms to passe, because you ascribe too much to your selues; and yet man is nothing: for you haue to doe with God, who with his onely looke is able to bring the whole world to confusion. This place is expounded diuersly: For some interpret it of Christ, & take breath, for consuming;