Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Because Gods chastisements which had begun to seize upon them, and were afterward to be finished in their captivity, were very grievous, therefore the Prophet sets forth the vehemency of them by these similitudes. For he saith, that the Lord will pour out his wrath: as if some thunder-clap should fall upon their heads with great violence; or as if the waters should overflow, and make great breaches throughout a whole Country; as the waters gushed forth hastily in the deluge, after the windows of heaven were broken, and that the bottles thereof were set open: Gen. 6.11. In the next place he useth an other figure, saying, that God will gather together his forces to fight with this people, and to assail them to the utmost. If any understand this of the enemies which the Lord raised up against the Jews, I gainsay him not: for it is certain that they came forth by Gods just judgement. For what was Nebuchadnezzar but Gods rod? Yet I rather think it should be taken by way of similitude; to wit, that God entered by violence as an enemy armed, and poured out his fierce wrath upon them.

BEcause Gods chastisements which had begun to seize vpon them, and were afterward to be finished in their captiuitie, were very grieuous, therefore the Prophet sets forth the vehemencie of them by these similitudes. For he saith, that the Lord will powre out his vvrath: as if some thunder-clap should fall vpon their heads with great violence; or as if the vvaters should ouerflow, and make great breaches thorowout a whole Country; as the waters gushed forth hastily in the deluge, after the windowes of heauen were broken, and that the bottels thereof were set open: Gen. 6.11. In the next place he vseth an other figure, saying, that God will gather together his forces to fight vvith this people, and to assaile them to the vtmost. If any vnderstand this of the enemies which the Lord raised vp against the Iewes, I gainsay him not: for it is certaine that they came forth by Gods iust iudgement. For what was Nebuchadnezzer but Gods rod? Yet I rather thinke it should bee taken by way of similitude; to wit, that God entred by violence as an enemie armed, and powred out his fierce vvrath vpon them.