John Trapp on Isaiah 1:20

Ver. 20. But if ye refuſe and rebel] The Romans ſent the Carthaginians caduceum & haſtam, that they might take their choice of Peace upon ſubmiſſion, or war upon refuſal ſo to do. Semblably dealeth the Lord by this people here; See Deut. 30.19.

Yet ſhall be devoured with the ſword] War is threatned, which is, ſaith One, the Slaughter-houſe of mankind, and the Hell of this preſent world; and that we may not think that theſe are but big words, brute thunder-bolts, it is added for confirmation.

For the mouth of the Lord hath ſpoken it] Now whatſoever he hath ſpoken with his mouth, he will ſurely make good with his hand, as Solomon phraſeth it in his prayer. The Original hath it, For the mouth of the Lord hath ſpoken, q. d. let his Word ſtand for a Law with you. Juſtinian telleth us in his Inſtitutes, that it was a Prerogative belonging to the Roman Emperour, Quicquid principi placuirit, legis habet vigorem, whatſoever he pleaſed to bid be done was a Law. And the French Kings Edicts or Proclamations alwayes end with theſe binding words, Car bel eſt noſtre plaſir, for ſuch is our pleaſure, and we look to be obeyed. May not the King of Kings ſay ſo much more?