Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

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;¹ because he is at perpetual war against them: Jam. 4.6.

He takes the fruit by way of similitude, because the wicked thinke themselues blessed when they are swollen with pride and outrage, euen as if they gathered some fruit. He placeth the heart first, which is the seate of pride, which being stuffed with arrogancie, vomits nothing but iniuries and crueltie. Afterwards hee addes the eyes, wherein the inward affection of the heart manifests it selfe, which by the eye-lids lifted vp, are messengers of the vice which is secret. Although then that the Assyrian lifts vp his crests, yet God declares, that hee hath meanes in his hand suddenly to conuert the glorie of this King into dishonour and shame. Wherefore hee heere comprehends the contempt, disdaine, pride, and other arrogant behauiours and signes of vaine glory; all which are to be seene in the proud. Now he brings in God speaking: for that which God pronounceth with his mouth, hath greater vehemencie then if hee should haue spoken by the voyce of the Prophet. From hence we are to draw a generall doctrine; namely, that God cannot indure the insolencie of the proud, but hee must needes downe with it;¹ because hee is at perpetuall warre against them: