Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Vers. 7. And thou saidst, I shall be a Lady for ever, so that thou didst not set thy mind to these things, neither didst thou remember the latter end.

Vers. 7. And thou saydst, I shall be a Lady for euer, so that thou didst not set thy minde to these things, neither didst thou remember the latter end.

Here he taxeth the pride of the Babylonians, who promised unto themselves a perpetual domination, and never thought of any falling from their greatness by any inconvenience that might happen. See how the children of this world are bewitched with their prosperity, contemning all others in respect of themselves. But Isaiah scorns such pride, and shows, that there is nothing more abominable in the sight of God. To say, is taken here to conclude in a mans self of a thing: which will better appear anon. For the proud are not wont to utter such words in public before every one, but these high conceits are boiling evermore within them, although they make no show thereof outwardly. Now this is a folly insupportable, that men will so far forget their own fragility as thus to exempt themselves from the common rank of others, for in so doing they think not of what mould themselves be made of, to wit, dust and ashes. I grant the faithful may be secure, in regard they are prepared with patience to expect and look for the worst that may befall them, because they are covered under the wings of Gods protection, and yet they are not free from the consideration of those evils to which they are subject,¹ in regard that there is no estate ⟨p. 499⟩permanent in this world. The profane then lift up their crests against God, as oft as by their fond imaginations, they promise to themselves some rest in the midst of the continual tempests wherewith this world is tossed.

HEre he taxeth the pride of the Babylonians, who promised vnto themselues a perpetuall domination, and neuer thought of any falling from their greatnes by any inconuenience that might happen. See how the childrē of this world are bewitched with their prosperitie, contemning all others in respect of themselues. But Isaiah scornes such pride, and shewes, that there is nothing more abominable in the sight of God. To say, is taken heere to conclude in a mans selfe of a thing: which will better appeare anon. For the proud are not wont to vtter such words in publique before euery one, but these high conceits are boiling euermore within them, although they make no shew thereof outwardly. Now this is a follie insupportable, that men will so farre forget their owne fragilitie as thus to exempt themselues from the common ranke of others, for in so doing they thinke not of what mould themselues bee made of, to wit, dust and ashes. I grant the faithfull may be secure, in regard they are prepared with patience to expect and looke for the worst that may befall them, because they are couered vnder the wings of Gods protection, and yet they are not free from the cōsideration of those euils to which they are subiect,