Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Hitherto the Prophet hath showed us what the pride of the Assyrian should be, after he had overcome Israel: but now he declares what should befall the Assyrian himself, and what the counsel of the Lord shall be against him. The unbelievers do all things as if God were not in heaven, or were not able to break all their enterprises. For what mean these haughty and proud words else; My hand hath found the kingdoms of the idols; but that he thought to exalt himself above all gods? But God opposeth himself here against his endeavours; so that having once served his turn of him, he will also punish him. This sentence contains two members: first, Isaiah shows that God will frame a punishment for this wicked and infidel King. Secondly, he shows that the time thereof is not yet come; to the end the faithful might wait for it with patience.

HItherto the Prophet hath shewed vs what the pride of the Assyrian should be, after he had ouercome Israel: but now he declares what should befall the Assyrian himselfe, and what the counsell of the Lord shall be against him. The vnbeleeuers doe all things as if God were not in heauen, or were not able to breake all their enterprises. For what meane these hauty and proud wordes else; My hand hath found the kingdomes of the idols; but that he thought to exalt himselfe aboue all gods? But God opposeth himselfe here against his indeuours; so that hauing once serued his turne of him, hee will also punish him. This sentence containes two members: first, Isaiah shewes that God will frame a punishment for this wicked and infidell King. Secondly, he shewes that the time thereof is not yet come; to the end the faithfull might wait for it with patience.

Now he testifies, that the fit time to bring this to pass is, after God shall have chastised the sins of his Church: as if the Father of a family would first quiet the stirs which are bred in his own house. This is the drift of §1this counsel; to wit, that the faithful should not wax out of heart, though they saw this cursed tyrant to triumph in this sort, neither yet to despair of their deliverance, as if there were no means at all to bridle his fury. In a word, God promiseth, that after he shall have permitted the Assyrian to exalt himself beyond measure, yet that he will execute justice