Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

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 §2in the end. Secondly, that it is his office to abate the pride of flesh, which is joined with such an execrable sacrilege. And therefore the particle Sur, hath great weight; as if he should say, that the haughtiness whereinto the Assyrian is exalted, shall be no let why the Lord should not pull it down well enough.

Now hee testifies, that the fit time to bring this to passe is, after God shall haue chastised the sinnes of his Church: as if the Father of a familie would first quiet the sturres which are bred in his owne house. This is the drift of §1this counsell; to wit, that the faithfull should not waxe out of heart, though they saw this cursed tyrant to triumph in this sort, neither yet to despaire of their deliuerāce, as if there were no meanes at all to bridle his furie. In a word, God promiseth, that after he shall haue permitted the Assyrian to exalt himselfe beyond measure, yet that he will execute iustice §2in the end. Secondly, that it is his office to abate the pride of flesh, which is ioyned with such an execrable sacrilege. And therefore the particle Sur, hath great weight; as if hee should say, that the haughtinesse whereinto the Assyrian is exalted, shall bee no let why the Lord should not pull it downe well enough.

He takes the fruit by way of similitude, because the wicked think themselves blessed when they are swollen with pride and outrage, even as if they gathered some fruit. He placeth the heart first, which is the seat of pride, which being stuffed with arrogance, vomits nothing but injuries and cruelty. Afterwards he adds the eyes, wherein the inward affection of the heart manifests it self, which by the eye-lids lifted up, are messengers of the vice which is secret. Although then that the Assyrian lifts up his crests, yet God declares, that he hath means in his hand suddenly to convert the glory of this King into dishonour and shame. Wherefore he here comprehends the contempt, disdain, pride, and other arrogant behaviours and signs of vain glory; all which are to be seen in the proud. Now he brings in God speaking: for that which God pronounceth with his mouth, hath greater vehemency then if he should have spoken by the voice of the Prophet. From hence we are to draw a general doctrine; namely, that God cannot endure the insolence of the proud, but he must needs down with it;