Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

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.

He speakes here of wine and strong drinke, by way of similitude: for I vnderstand not this place of the common sinne of drunkennesse, against which he spake in the first verse; but I rather thinke hee meanes they were become like vnto drunkerds, in regard they were depriued of common sense and vnderstanding. If the word As, therefore be supplied to wine and strong drinke, then the sense will be the more plaine and euident. I deny not but men wax worse then beasts, by the excesse of taking in meates and drinkes: nay, questionlesse their excesse therein had sore dazeled the spirits of the Iewes: but if we consider well of the whole course of the text, it will bee easie to see, that he condemnes their iniquitie vnder a similitude.

Where he adds, the Priest and the Prophet; he continues the amplification of their sin whereof we spake before: so that the common people were not only drunk, but even the Priests themselves, who should have been lights to have given direction unto others: for they are compared to the salt of the earth, as Christ teacheth: now if they grow unsavoury and graceless, what shall become of the multitude? if the eye be dark, what shall become of the parts of the whole body? Mat. 5. 13. and 6.23.