Isaiah 41:22

Let them; either the idols; or, which is all one, the idolaters in the name and by the help of their idols. What shall happen; all future events; which he divides into two sorts in the following clause, the former and the latter, as we shall see. Let them show the former things; which is not to be understood of such things as are past, for such things might easily be known by men from history, much more by the devils who possessed and acted in their idols; but of such things as should shortly come to pass, which may be better discerned than those things which are yet at a great distance. So he propounds the easiest part first. Let us try whether they can foretell those things which are even at the door, and if so we will try them further. Let them tell us what things shall happen, and in what order, which first, and which last. That we may consider them, Heb. and we will set our heart to it; we will allow the argument its due weight, and either fairly answer it, or give up our cause against idols. And know; that we may know, or let us know by their information. The latter end of them; the consequence of them, whether the events did answer to their predictions, or what things happened next after those former things. Declare us things for to come, to wit, hereafter, or after a long time; which limitation may be easily gathered, both from the opposition of this clause to the former, and from the next following clause, where it is so limited and explained.