Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

The Medes and Persians also subdued not the Chaldeans by their own power, further forth then as they were led and directed by the same hand of the Lord. In this place therefore he sets forth the greatness of Gods ⟨p. 430⟩power, and that so plainly, that he proves Kings and Princes to be but dung and dirt in comparison of him.

The Medes and Persians also subdued not the Caldeans by their owne power, further forth then as they were led and directed by the same hand of the Lord. In this place therfore hee sets forth the greatnesse of Gods ⟨p. 430⟩power, and that so plainly, that hee proues Kings and Princes to be but dung and dirt in comparison of him.

And thus we may yet better perceive, that the Prophet not only respected those of his own time, but those also which should come after him: for they which then lived, could hardly discern what this meant; but their successors which saw it, and had experience of it, understood it much better. The end was, that all might know how there was but one God, before whose eyes all things are naked and manifest, and who governs all things according to his good pleasure. You may perceive then what an excellent text this is, in that it shows the perfection and certainty of Gods oracles.¹ For the Jews forged not these prophecies whilst they were prisoners §1in Babylon; but their fathers having heard and received them long time before, their successors §2at last acknowledged Gods just judgement, whereof they had been forewarned before: and in the second place, they also embraced the mercy offered, in that they saw God would in due time send them deliverance: who as he is the preserver of his Church, so they felt him faithful in his promises, by good trial and experience.