Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Here the Prophet adds the reason wherefore he called them mockers; namely, because they had cast off all fear of God. And he shows how they made themselves believe, that (of all men) they should never be punished for their transgressions, so as they grew the more brazen faced. And as if this had been a sufficient warrant for them, they gave themselves the more freely to do evil, and without any fear, pursued whatsoever their lusts led them unto. And this is it that he means by their covenant with hell and with death: for they audaciously scorned all the threatenings and plagues of God; because they took themselves to be out of his gunshot.

HEre the Prophet addes the reason wherefore he called them mockers; namely, because they had cast off all feare of God. And hee shewes how they made themselues beleeue, that (of all men) they should neuer be punished for their transgressions, so as they grew the more brasen faced. And as if this had been a sufficient warrant for them, they gaue themselues the more freely to doe euill, and without any feare, pursued whatsoeuer their lusts led them vnto. And this is it that he meanes by their couenant with hell and with death: for they audaciously scorned all the threatnings and plagues of God; because they tooke themselues to be out of his gunshot.

By the word Kozeh, he signifies that which he said touching the word Berith, which signifies a covenant: for he repeats one thing twice. This word Kozeh, which signifies vision, is as much as we use to say, To understand: and it seems there is a secret opposition in this place between the visions of the Prophets, and those cunning devices which these wily ellowes delighted in. But yet in the mean while it is certain, that these fine heads never came so far as to brag thus, and to utter such words indeed; for that had been too ridiculous, and little children might have laughed at them. Moreover, they always studied doubtless how to get themselves all the credit they could among the people, albeit they despised God, & rejected all wholesome admonitions; they would not be so gross then to confess that they made falsehood their refuge. ⟨p. 276⟩