Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

¹From this Chapter unto the 24. the Prophet foretells the grievous and horrible calamities which should befall the Nations and Countries then known to the Jews; either because they were neighbours unto them, or else in regard that they had traffic or leagues with them.

¹FRom this Chapter vnto the 24. the Prophet foretelles the grieuous and horrible calamities which should befall the Nations and Countries then knowne to the Iewes; either because they were neighbours vnto them, or else in regard that they had traffique or leagues with them.

1. 1Seven reasons showing the cause why God caused the ruin of the Churches enemies to be foretold.Seuen reasons shewing the cause why God caused the ruine of the Churches enemies to be foretold.

And this he doth upon good reasons: for §1when divers changes happened, some thought that God did sport himself as it were, and took pleasure to bring base things §2to confusion: others thought that all things were guided by a blind violence of fortune; of which profane histories give sufficient testimony: and very few there were who could be resolved that these casual mishaps were ordained and governed by the counsel of God. For no one thing is so hardly beaten into mens heads as this; namely, that the world is governed by the providence of God. Many indeed will confess this with their mouth, but the number of them is very small which have it truly engraven in their hearts. We need but one little puff of wind to trouble us, and behold we are undone: then fall we to searching the causes of it, as if this depended upon the will of men. What will we do then, when all the world is in an uproar, and that all things are so changed in divers places, that it seems they must needs shiver into pieces? Well, we see then it is very profitable that Isaiah and the rest of the Prophets should speak of such calamities, to the end that all might understand, that they come not to pass but by the secret and wonderful counsel of God.