Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

A people laden] &c. We must note the force of the similitude; for he not only means that they were plunged in their iniquities, as in a deep miry pit; but also reproacheth them that they sinned not so much of ignorance or infirmity (as the weak often do) but that they followed on and continued in their rebellion of set purpose. As if he should have said, They are given up to all injustice, and have wholly sold over themselves to commit evil. Where he adds, Seed of the wicked; it is as much, as mischievous seed. Some expounding it more wittily, say, that they declared themselves unworthy to hold any place among the children of Abraham: because they were become bastards, and degenerate. As in other places they are called a seed of Canaan; yea they are reproached with the name of uncircumcised; even as though they had bin begotten of profane or a strange people. But it is an usual manner of speech among the Hebrews; which the Greeks also observed in their speech, when they say, sons of the good, for good children.

A people laden] &c. We must note the force of the similitude; for hee not onely meanes that they were plunged in their iniquities, as in a deepe mirie pit; but also reprocheth them that they sinned not so much of ignorance or infirmitie (as the weak often do) but that they followed on and continued in their rebellion of set purpose. As if he should haue said, They are giuen vp to all iniustice, and haue wholly sold ouer themselues to commit euill. Where he addes, Seede of the wicked; it is as much, as mischieuous seede. Some expounding it more wittily, say, that they declared themselues vnworthie to hold any place among the children ef Abraham: because they were become bastards, and degenerate. As in other places they are called a seede of Canaan; yea they are reproched with the name of vncircumcised; euen as though they had bin begottten of prophane or a strange people. But it is an vsuall manner of speech among ye Hebrews; which the Greekes also obserued in their speech, when they say, sonnes of the good, for good children.

Corrupt children.] It is word for word, corrupting: and therefore the expositors supply, Themselves, or, their ways. But me thinks bastard, or degenerate agrees better. For his meaning is that they are so depraved, that they resemble their fathers nothing at all. Moreover, he adorns his nation here with four titles, which are not very seemly: And Such indeed as were far remote from the good conceit which they had of themselves. But thus must hypocrites be dealt withal, to awaken them: and the more they sooth up themselves in casting off the fear of God, so much the more must they be thundered against. For a milder and a more gentle doctrine would not have prevailed with such a kind of people any thing at all: neither would a slight manner of reproof have moved them. The false persuasion therefore of their righteousness and wisdom was to be plucked away from them; for therewith they masked and disguised themselves, and often made their brags thereof in vain.