Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

He now directs his speech unto the profane despisers of God, who were Jews only in name; and sets forth their ingratitude §1to the full: for albeit they had so evident a testimony of Gods wrath before their eyes, and saw their brethren severely chastised in §2their sight; yea, albeit they had good experience of his mercy & patience towards them, yet could they not be brought into the right way, by this so fearful an example of severity: neither could they be brought to any amendment by so lively a taste of Gods goodness in sparing of them.

HEe now directs his speech vnto the profane despisers of God, who were Iewes onely in name; and sets forth their ingratitude §1to the full: for albeit they had so euident a testimonie of Gods wrath before their eyes, and saw their brethren seuerely chastised in §2their sight; yea, albeit they had good experience of his mercie & patience towards them, yet could they not be brought into the right way, by this so fearefull an example of seueritie: neither could they be brought to anie amendment by so liuely a taste of Gods goodnesse in sparing of them.

He speaks here of wine and strong drink, by way of similitude: for I understand not this place of the common sin of drunkenness, against which he spake in the first verse; but I rather think he means they were become like unto drunkards, in regard they were deprived of common sense and understanding. If the word As, therefore be supplied to wine and strong drink, then the sense will be the more plain and evident. I deny not but men wax worse then beasts, by the excess of taking in meats and drinks: nay, questionless their excess therein had sore dazzled the spirits of the Jews: but if we consider well of the whole course of the text, it will be easy to see, that he condemns their iniquity under a similitude.