Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Now some read this verse by an interrogation thus, Shall the wicked obtain favour? or, Wherefore should the wicked obtain favour? As if the Prophet meant to say, that they were unworthy to taste of Gods mercy. But for mine own part I rather think that the wicked will never be taught to do well, albeit God should allure them thereunto by pouring out all his benefits upon them. The Prophet therefore here restrains that which he said before in general terms. And when he saith that they do wickedly in the land of uprightness, he therein further amplifies the unworthiness of this ingratitude. It was enough and too much that they had already abused Gods benefits, and made themselves more obstinate thereby: but they made their sin above measure sinful when they dealt thus wickedly in the land which God had hallowed. Now he speaks only of Judea; albeit we may also apply it to other Countries wherein God is now worshipped: But at that time Isaiah could give this title to none other, because there was no knowledge of God but in Judea. For this cause he calls Judea the land of uprightness: and thus I interpret it, because the Prophet useth the word Necochoth, which is of the feminine gender, and can no way be referred to men.

Now some reade this verse by an interrogation thus, Shall the wicked obteine fauor? or, Wherefore should the wicked obteine fauor? As if the Prophet meant to say, that they were vnworthie to taste of Gods mercie. But for mine owne part I rather thinke that the wicked will neuer be taught to do well, albeit God should allure them thereunto by powring out all his benefits vpon them. The Prophet therefore here restraines that which he said before in generall termes. And when he saith that they do wickedlie in the land of vprightnes, he therein further amplifies the vnworthines of this ingratitude. It was enough and too much that they had alreadie abused Gods benefits, and made themselues more obstinate thereby: but they made their sinne aboue measure sinfull when they dealt thus wickedlie in the land which God had hallowed. Now he speakes only of Iudea; albeit wee may also applie it to other Countries wherein God is now worshipped: But at that time Isaiah could giue this title to none other, because there was no knowledge of God but in Iudea. For this cause he calles Iudea the land of vprightnes: and thus I interpret it, because the Prophet vseth the word Necochoth, which is of the femenin gender, and can no way be referred to men.