Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Now he turns his speech towards Jerusalem, and to all the kingdom of Judah. ⟨p. 45⟩Having therefore showed, that the whole body is infected and corrupt, and that there is no part free from contagion, & hath not spared so much as the very women, he returns unto a general doctrine. Now ye know it were not convenient that there should be given to every woman many husbands. Besides, that which follows in the next place did not appertain to this people only. Now he sets before them the manner of their chastisement, in telling them that all the strength of the people shall be brought down by wars. And from thence follows the mourning of the gates, which he foretells shall come to pass when these discomfitures shall fall out. We know that in that time they kept their assemblies in the gates. So then even as the gates did (as you would say) rejoice in the multitude of the Citizens: so they are said also to mourn when there should be such an horrible wast and consumption of them. Notwithstanding, I deny not but that he compares Jerusalem to a desolate woman bewailing her widowhood. For it was the manner of those that mourned, to sit upon the ground: as also this people were addicted to many more ceremonies, then our manner of life will bear. The sum notwithstanding of his speech is, that the city shall remain without inhabitants.