Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Hence we may easily judge, what estimation the religion of popery ought to have amongst us, who put all their service of God in ringing,¹ piping, singing, mumblings, in setting up candles, in copes, censings, crossings, and a thousand such fooleries: for we see that God not only rejects these things, but also detesteth them.

Hence we may easilie iudge, what estimation the religion of poperie ought to haue amongst vs, who put all their seruice of God in ringing,¹ piping, singing, mumblings, in setting vp candles, in copes, censings, crossings, and a thousand such fooleries: for we see that God not onely reiects these things, but also detesteth them.

1. 1With what trumperies the Papists would seem to honour God.With what trūpe•ies the Papists wold seeme to honor God.

Now for the second point: when God is served according to mens inventions, he condemns this superstitious fear, albeit men endeavour to cover the same with a fair pretext of religion, devotion, and fear. He gives a reason why this is in vain; to wit, because this people was taught it by the precepts of man. For I read the word Melummadah, (which signifies taught) passively; because the Prophets meaning is, that all order is overthrown, if mens precepts (and not the rules of Gods word) be taken for the right manner of his service. For the Lord would have our fear, and the honour which we give him, to be squared according to the rules of his word, and demands nothing but a sound obedience, by which we dispose of our selves and all our actions, according to this rule, without turning either to the right hand or unto the left. Whence it sufficiently appears, that all those who are taught to serve God after mens traditions, are not only senseless, but do also weary themselves in a pernicious labour: for what do they else but provoke Gods wrath against them, who cannot more plainly discover how much he hates these will-worships, then by this so heavy a punishment?