Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

The Prophet speaks by a figure: and under two similitudes, shows here, how that although things were not wholly overturned in appearance, yet that their estate notwithstanding was changed and corrupted in such wise, as it was far from that which it was wont to be. For he saith, that dross shined in stead of Silver: and that there was nothing in their wine but colour, without any savour: as if he should have said, Howsoever thou makest a fair show of goodness, yet there is nothing that is pure to be found in thee. Thy wine which was wont to be of it self, is now mixed; and howsoever it deceives them that look upon it, yet by the taste one may know it is corrupted. Now all this is to none other end, but that the Jews, having once purged themselves from all dissimulation, should begin to confess their sins, and not to please themselves any longer in them, as hypocrites are wont to do. To which purpose these Similitudes which he here useth, are very apt and fitting: for the dross of silver hath some resemblance with silver; also the water that is mixed with the wine, hath some show of the colour of the wine it self: and yet notwithstanding they are far off from the purity of the things, which they resemble. So the hypocrites paint themselves with the colour of false silver, although indeed they deserve no more commendations then dross: yea they are more detestable therein, then if they were openly wicked. Yet notwithstanding, they oppose themselves against God and men, and no less disloyally then wickedly paint over themselves with vanity and vain shows to cover their malice withal.

THe Prophet speaks by a figure: and vnder two similitudes, shewes here, how that although things were not wholly ouerturned in appearance, yet that their estate notwithstanding was changed and corrupted in such wise, as it was far from that which it was wont to be. For he saith, that drosse shined in stead of Siluer: and that there was nothing in their wine but colour, without any sauour: as if he should haue said, Howsoeuer thou makest a faire shew of goodnes, yet there is nothing that is pure to bee found in thee. Thy wine which was wont to be of it selfe, is now mixed; and howsoeuer it deceiues them that looke vpon it, yet by the taste one may know it is corrupted. Now all this is to none other end, but that the Iewes, hauing once purged themselues from all dissimulation, should begin to confesse their sinnes, and not to please themselues any longer in them, as hypocrites are wont to doe. To which purpose these Similitudes which he here vseth, are very apt and fitting: for the drosse of siluer hath some resemblance with siluer; also the water that is mixed with the wine, hath some shew of the colour of the wine it selfe: and yet notwithstanding they are farre off from the puritie of the things, which they resemble. So the hypocrits paint themselues with the colour of false siluer, although indeed they deserue no more commendations then drosse: yea they are more detestable therein, then if they were openly wicked. Yet notwithstanding, they oppose themselues against God and men, and no lesse disloyally then wickedlie paint ouer themselues with vanitie and vaine shewes to couer their malice withall.