Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Vers. 23. For the Lord God of hosts will make a Consumption, and shall place the bounds in the midst of the earth.

Vers. 23. For the Lord God of hostes will make a Consumption, and shall place the bounds in the midst of the earth.

This repetition doth again pluck away the means from these proud contemners of God wherein they flattered themselves. For it was a thing almost incredible that the Jews should perish as it were in a moment,¹ who had so many promises made them, and with whom God had contracted a perpetual covenant: it also seemed to be repugnant to the nature of God, which is immutable. The Prophet threateneth then, that the Lord is the author of this Consumption, to the end he might beat down the pride of the wicked, who trusting in their present felicity, thought themselves out of all danger, and being puffed up with this vain confidence, laughed at all admonitions and warnings. God, saith he, shall bring your land to a desert, so as in the most flourishing part thereof shall be seen a consumption most like unto a wilderness. For he takes the midst of the earth for the heart of it, that is to say, for the places most strong and best fortified. Many think the word Consumption should be an adjective: but I had rather affirm that it is a substantive, according to which sense it is taken in Daniel, ²and in other places.

THis repetition doth againe pluck away the meanes from these proud contemners of God wherein they flattered themselues. For it was a thing almost incredible that the Iewes should perish as it were in a moment,¹ who had so many promises made them, and with whom God had contracted a perpetuall couenant: it also seemed to be repugnant to the nature of God, which is immutable. The Prophet threatneth then, that the Lord is the author of this Consumption, to the end he might beate downe the pride of the wicked, who trusting in their present felicitie, thought themselues out of all danger, and being puffed vp with this vaine confidence, laughed at all admonitions and warnings. God, saith he, shall bring your land to a desert, so as in the most florishing part thereof shall be seene a consumption most like vnto a wildernes. For he takes the midst of the earth for the heart of it, that is to say, for the places most strong and best fortified. Many thinke the word Consumption should be an adiectiue: but I had rather affirme that it is a substantiue, according to which sense it is taken in Daniel,