That which follows, to wit, and she shall return, should be read, But she shall return: for the meaning is, that Tyre shall not become the better nor the wiser by such a tedious chastisement, but shall by and by return to her old bias again, for in these words he taxeth her ingratitude. We every day behold such examples, for there is almost no corner in the world in which the Lord hath not set the print of his judgements. Sometimes he gives those whom he hath corrected a breathing time; but do they become ever the better? No, the Prophet saith then that Tyre shall be such a one, she shall be never a whit reformed, but shall rather return to her vomit again; she shall play the harlot as she was wont to do. It is not to be doubted but he speaks of her merchandizing, but he continues on his similitude which he had taken up before, not meaning thereby utterly to condemn the trade of Merchants, as we have said, but because amongst so many corruptions as men have mingled therewith, it very fitly resembles the pranks of harlots, for it is replenished with so much cunning, secret packing,1 and such subtle conveyances (as we may now see in the world) that it seems it was only devised to snare and beguile the simple. How many new and unknown practises do they invent every day to gain and take up on Usury? Usury. which yet none can perceive unless of long time he hath frequented the Schools of the Merchants. We need not marvel then if the ⟨p. 229⟩Prophet hath taken up such a similitude; whereby he meant to show, that Tyre should be no less deceitful in the trade of merchandise, then she was before.
That which followes, to wit, and she shall returne, should be read, But she shall returne: for the meaning is, that Tyrus shall not become the better nor the wiser by such a tedious chastisement, but shall by and by returne to her old bias againe, for in these words he taxeth her ingratitude. We euery day behold such examples, for there is almost no corner in the world in which the Lord hath not set the print of his iudgements. Sometimes he giues those whom he hath corrected a breathing time; but doe they become euer the better? No, the Prophet saith then that Tyre shall be such a one, she shall be neuer a whit reformed, but shall rather returne to her vomit againe; she shall play the harlot as she was wont to doe. It is not to be doubted but he speakes of her merchandizing, but he continues on his similitude which he had taken vp before, not meaning thereby vtterlie to cōdemne the trade of Merchants, as we haue said, but because amongst so many corruptions as men haue mingled therewith, it very fitlie resembles the prancks of harlots, for it is replenished with so much cunning, secret packing,1 and such subtle conueyances (as wee may now see in the world) that it seemes it was only deuised to snare and beguile the simple. How many new and vnknowne practises doe they inuent euery day to gaine and take vp on Vsurie? Vsurie. which yet none can perceiue vnlesse of long time he hath frequented the Schooles of the Merchants. Wee neede not maruell then if the ⟨p. 229⟩Prophet hath taken vp such a similitude; whereby he meant to shew, that Tyrus should be no lesse deceitful in the trade of merchandise, then she was before.
- 1Subtle conveyances among Merchants.Subtle conueiances among Merchants.
