Notwithstanding, this might seem ridiculous, that the Prophet should here lay a commandment upon the creatures, as upon his subjects; were it not that he was taught to do so of God, and was furnished as it were with his authority. For a private man here commands the Medes and Persians; he calls armies, he bids them display the banner, sound the trumpet to prepare unto battle. In this place then we have to consider the Majesty of God, in whose name he speaks; Doctrine. and also the virtue and efficacy which is always joined to his word. We often meet with these ⟨p. 144⟩kinds of speech in the Prophets, to the end we might know that God threatens nothing by his servants, the execution whereof is not at hand. Isaiah might have spoken more simply, and in plainer terms might have told them, that the Medes and Persians shall come, and break open the gates of Babylon, how strong and invincible soever they seemed to be. But these exclamations have much greater vehemency in them, when he not only threatens war, as taking to himself the person of an Herald; but with sovereign authority, commands the Medes and Persians to come, as if they were soldiers under his pay. Besides, he not only teacheth that they shall be ready when God shall only make a sign unto them, because they shall be pricked forward by his secret instinct: but being sent of God to denounce the ruin of Babylon, he attributes the effect of so incredible a thing to his own voice. The sum is, that when God hath once spoken, we need make no doubt but that his word shall be accomplished.
Notwithstanding, this might seeme ridiculous, that the Prophet should heere lay a commandement vpon the creatures, as vpon his subiects; were it not that he was taught to doe so of God, and was furnished as it were with his authoritie. For a priuate man heere commands the Medes and Persians; hee calles armies, he bids them display the banner, sound the trumpet to prepare vnto battel. In this place then wee haue to consider the Maiestie of God, in whose name he speakes; Doctrine. and also the vertue and efficacie which is alwaies ioyned to his word. Wee often meete with these ⟨p. 144⟩kindes of speech in the Prophets, to the end we might know that God threatens nothing by his seruants, the execution whereof is not at hand. Isaiah might haue spoken more simply, and in plainer tearmes might haue told them, that the Medes and Persians shall come, and breake open the gates of Babylon, how strong and inuincible soeuer they seemed to be. But these exclamations haue much greater vehemencie in them, when hee not onely threatens war, as taking to himselfe the person of an Herald; but with soueraigne authoritie, commands the Medes and Persians to come, as if they were souldiers vnder his pay. Besides, he not onely teacheth that they shall bee readie when God shall onely make a signe vnto them, because they shall be pricked forward by his secret instinct: but being sent of God to denounce the ruine of Babylon, he attributes the effect of so incredible a thing to his owne voice. The summe is, that when God hath once spoken, we neede make no doubt but that his word shall be accomplished.
