Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

I Make no question but this which follows happened to the Prophet in vision to seal up the former prophecy. It seemed then to Isaiah, that he had the company of his wife; and that by this copulation he begat a son upon whom this name is imposed. There were no absurdity if we should confess that the Prophet had the company of his wife; and that he did indeed beget a child, to whom this name was given: neither would I much contend with him which should be of such an opinion. But because it is not very likely that this name was imposed upon any man, there being no testimony of it: I rather incline this way, to think that this vision was offered to the Prophet, as a confirmation of the former prophecy. He calls not his wife a Prophetess, as the wives of Kings are called Queens, by way of honour: but because she was a public person in this vision. Isaiah therefore out of doubt, doth of set purpose turn away the minds of the faithful from thought of any carnal copulation; that they might so much the more attend to this sacred mystery. For howsoever it be a thing lawful in it self to beget children in marriage; yet notwithstanding nature it self teacheth, that the act is a matter of blushing, or shamefastness, which seeketh to do it secretly.

I Make no question but this which followes happened to the Prophet in vision to seale vp the former prophecie. It seemed then to Isaiah, that he had the company of his wife; and that by this copulation he begat a son vpon whom this name is imposed. There were no absurditie if we should confesse that the Prophet had the company of his wife; and that hee did indeed beget a child, to whom this name was giuen: neither would I much contend with him which should be of such an opinion. But because it is not very likely that this name was imposed vpon any man, there being no testimony of it: I rather incline this way, to think that this visiō was offred to the Prophet, as a confirmation of the former prophecie. He calles not his wife a Prophetesse, as the wiues of Kings are called Queenes, by way of honour: but because she was a publike person in this vision. Isaiah therefore out of doubt, doth of set purpose turne away the mindes of the faithfull from thought of any carnall copulation; that they might so much the more attend to this sacred mystery. For howsoeuer it be a thing lawfull in it selfe to beget children in mariage; yet notwithstanding nature it selfe teacheth, that the act is a matter of blushing, or shamefastnes, which seeketh to do it secretly.