Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Where he calls Cyrus, the man of his counsel, it is a repetition much used amongst the Hebrews, whereby also it appears, that the word Aait is put in the first member for thought, or decree. Now he calls him a man of his counsel, because he shall be the executioner of this judgement. Notwithstanding if any had rather retain the word Bird, I will not gainsay him, in regard of the near affinity that is between the similitudes: for Cyrus his coming was so sudden and unexpected, as that he seemed to come string as a Bird. He besieged and took Babylon whilst the Chaldeans thought all passages were shut against him. Also, if this interpretation be better liked, we may say that Isaiah alludes to those divinations which they made from the flying of Birds, whereunto the Chaldeans were exceedingly given: for as they practised judicial Astronomy,¹ so observed they the flying & chirping of Birds, thinking that herein consisted a certain knowledge of things to come, but the Lord tells them he will send a bird which they could not foresee. Notwithstanding, the first exposition contents me best, to wit, that he hath respect to the swift passage of Cyrus, signifying, that the ways can not be so shut up, nor the fortresses so strong, that they should hinder him from approaching suddenly unto Babylon.

Where he calles Cyrus, the man of his counsell, it is a repetition much vsed amongst the Hebrues, whereby also it appeares, that the word Aait is put in ye first member for thought, or decree. Now he calles him a man of his counsell, because he shal be the executioner of this iudgement. Notwithstanding if any had rather retaine the word Bird, I will not gainesay him, in regard of the neere affinitie that is betweene the similitudes: for Cyrus his comming was so sudden and vnexpected, as that he seemed to come string as a Bird. He besieged and tooke Babylon whilest the Chaldeans thought all passages were shut against him. Also, if this interpretation be better liked, we may say that Isaiah alludes to those diuinations which they made from the flying of Birds, whereunto the Chaldeans were exceedingly giuen: for as they practised iudiciall Astronomie,¹ so obserued they the flying & chirping of Birds, thinking that herein consisted a certaine knowledge of things to come, but the Lord tels them he will send a bird which they could not foresee. Notwithstanding, the first exposition contents me best, to wit, that he hath respect to the swift passage of Cyrus, signifying, that the waies can not be so shut vp, nor the fortresses so strong, that they should hinder him frō approching suddenly vnto Babylon.