Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

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.

Where hee addes, the Priest and the Prophet; he continues the amplification of their sinne whereof wee spake before: so that the common people were not onely drunke, but euen the Priests themselues, who should haue been lights to haue giuen direction vnto others: for they are compared to the salt of the earth, as Christ teacheth: now if they grow vnsauorie and gracelesse, what shall become of the multitude? if the eye be darke, what shall become of the parts of the whole body? Mat. 5. 13. and 6.23.

But the worst of all was, that they erred not only in open wickednesses, but in vision and judgement also: whence we may gather; that the state of the Jews was very desperate. And here have we a fair looking glass, wherein we may take a thorough view of our selves. Is it not strange, that after so many miseries and afflictions, which God hath used to purge out our corruptions, that the Church should yet notwithstanding be so impure? But such is our frowardness, that we kick against the pricks: so that howsoever the Lord endeavours by all means to correct our vices, yet we not only frustrate the same by our rebellions, but daily gather new defilements to the former, wherewith we were spotted before. It is no marvel then if men now adays are so hardened and wax worse and worse, notwithstanding the Church hath been so many ways humbled: for Isaiah affirms, that the people in old time did the like.