Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

That which now follows hath such reference to the denunciation of punishment, that yet there is also mingled therewithal some consolation to sweeten the troubles of the faithful: yea, the special drift of the speech is to show, that all the evil which the Assyrians shall do them is but a scourge sent of God for a time only: and yet after the wicked shall have triumphed with joy above measure, it must needs come to pass that they shall be tamed in the end. The Hebrew word Hoi, sometimes signifies a bitter exclamation. Sometimes it is taken as an adverb of calling; and sometimes also it signifies a woe, as indeed the old translator hath turned it: yet it may not be otherwise expounded here, but as if the Lord called the Assyrians; or speaks as a man sighing in ⟨p. 116⟩himself, that he is constrained to chastise his people by them.

THat which now followes hath such reference to the denunciation of punishment, that yet there is also mingled therewithall some consolation to sweeten the troubles of the faithfull: yea, the speciall drift of the speech is to shew, that all the euil which the Assyrians shall do them is but a scourge sent of God for a time only: and yet after the wicked shall haue triumphed with ioy aboue measure, it must needs come to passe that they shall be tamed in the end. The Hebrew word Hoi, sometimes signifies a bitter exclamation. Sometimes it is taken as an aduerb of calling; and sometimes also it signifies a woe, as indeed the old translator hath turned it: yet it may not be otherwise expounded heere, but as if the Lord called the Assyrians; or speakes as a man sighing in ⟨p. 116⟩himselfe, that he is constrained to chastise his people by them.

And yet whilst I consider better of every circumstance, I rather condescend to this opinion; namely, that the Lord calls the Assyrians here, as if he armed them by his edict to make war. He told the Jews before that they should come: but hypocrites are so senseless, that they are never touched with any fear of God, but when they see his plagues; or rather indeed till they feel them. This is the cause therefore why he now saith, Come: as if the Judge should call for the executioner, and command him to bind the malefactor; or rather to cut off his head. Thus the Lord calls the Assyrians, to the end he might execute his vengeance by their hands.