Isaie the sonne of Amos, and nephew (as S. Ierom insinuateth) to king Amasias, prophecied in the times of Osias, Ioathan, Achaz, Ezechias, and in the beginning of Manasses, Kinges of Iuda; in al aboue three score

yeares and was cruelly put to death, sawed into partes by commandment of Manasses. ^{note note} He is commonly called the Euangelical Prophet, for his ample and particular speaches of Christ, more large and more plaine then in anie other of the old Prophetes. His stile is high and eloquent, according to his liberal education being of the royal bloud. For so it pleaseth the Holie Ghost, to vtter his diuine prophecies diuersly according to the qualities, and conditions of the persons, by whom he speaketh: by Isaie in a loftie, and by Amos in a meane stile: as a musitian soundeth the same songue, by a simple pipe, & by a cornet, trumpet or other musical instrument. which S. Paul also witnesseth, saying, Diuersly and by diuers meanes, God spake to the fathers in the Prophetes. ^note Isaie therfore conuersing in the kingdom of Iuda, especially in the Emperial and Metropolitan citie of Ierusalem, preached & prophecied manie thinges perteyning to the Tribes of Iuda and Beniamin, as also to the tribe of Leui. which after the schisme of Ieroboam, repayred in maner al to the kingdom of Iuda, where God was rightly serued. He prophecied also of the tenne Tribes, the kingdom of Israel: & of the future captiuities of them both, and of the reduction of Iuda. Also he prophecied of other nations, and peoples, with whom the Iewes had either emnitie, or freindlie conuersation: and of al the world. But most especially of the coming of Christ, to redeme, and deliuer mankind from captiuitie of sinne.

The whole prophecie conteyneth two general partes. ^note First more principally the Prophet admonisheth, and threatneth the people, that they shal be punished for their manifold sinnes, in the 39. former chapters. In the other 27. he comforteth them, signifying that God of his mercie, wil after chatisment, & their repentance, deliuer them from their aduersaries. Yet so that ech part participateth of the principal contents with the other. More particularly the whole booke may be diuided into eight partes. In the twelue first chapters, the Prophet admonisheth al sortes in the kingdom of Iuda, of their ingratitude towards God, with manie other sinnes and of iust punishment, but mixt with consolation of Gods mercie, and thanksegeuing for the same. In eleuen chapters folowing, he directeth his speach to other Nations, aduersaries to the Iewes. In foure more he extendeth his admonitions to al the world, stil intermixing some consolations. In other foure he reprehendeth both the kingdoms, of Israel and Iuda, for seeking helpe of strange nations. In the next eight chapters he prophecieth of diuers dangers immin&ebar;t to the kingdom of Iuda, of their captiuitie in Babylon, of Gods benignitie deliuering them, & very much in euerie part of Christ, and his Church. Then in fiue chapters he prophecieth very particularly of the comfortable deliuerie from sinne by Christ. In other foure from temporal captiuitie by Cyrus King of Assirians. And finally in the last eightene chapters, he prophecieth largely of the perfect deliuerie by Christ, conuersion of al Nations, reiection of the Iewes, til nere the end of the world, when they shal also returne to Christ.

THE PROPHECIE OF ISAIE

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