Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Vers. 23. Thy Princes are rebellions and companions of thieves: every one loveth gifts, and followeth after rewards, they judge not the fatherless, neither doth […] ⟨p. 17⟩doth the widows cause come before them.

Vers. 23. Thy Princes are rebellions and companions of theeues: euery one loueth gifts, and followeth after rewards, they iudge not the fatherles, neither doth 〈…〉 ⟨p. 17⟩doth the widowes cause come before them.

There is an allusion and meeting together of words in this place, which hath a very good grace; as if he should say, Thy Princes are pincers. Neither speaks he so of the princes as if the people were holy and blameless, but he toucheth the wellspring of the mischief: for even as no evil is more hurtful, then that which comes from the head, and disperseth it self into all the members; so also is there nothing more pernicious in a commonwealth, then a corrupt and wicked Prince, who spreadeth abroad his corruptions over all the body, as well by example, as by giving liberty thereunto: Prou. 29.12. From whence also came the proverb, Such a master such a man. It is all one then as if the Prophet should have said, that it was no particular vice that reigned among the common people, but that the Princes, and great Lords had let loose the reins to all wickedness. Also there is a close amplification in the word Princes; because it is a thing much to be lamented, that the evil should come from thence, where remedy should be sought. He joins one particular, which •s, that they are companions of thieves: by which words he signifies, that they were so far off from endeavouring themselves to repress thieveries and wrongs, that on the contrary, they drew gain and profit from thence: and he calls them thieves justly, who in taking part of the pray, gave licence to others to steal. Neither can it be avoided when a Judge suffereth himself to be corrupted by bribes, that disorders should not reign: for it is all one, as if he himself should consent with thieves.