Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Now it usually falls out that after this bitterness against the word, in the next place they fall to hate the Prophets that have bin §2the Ministers of it: and not only that, but to lay snares, and to vex them with persecutions, banishments, and oft times with death it self. By means whereof, they think utterly to root out & race from off the earth, both the doctrine, and Doctors also that teach it. For men had rather hear dreams and fables, then to be faithfully taught.

Now it vsually falles out that after this bitternes against the word, in the next place they fall to hate the Prophets that haue bin §2the Ministers of it: and not onely that, but to lay snares, and to vex them with persecutions, banishments, and oft times with death it selfe. By meanes whereof, they thinke vtterly to roote out & race from off the earth, both the doctrine, and Doctors also that teach it. For men had rather heare dreames and fables, then to bee faithfullie taught.

The Prophet sets not down here the very words which they spake; to wit, as if they had openly pronounced them; but he shows what was in their hearts: for he had not to deal with such fools as would go blaze their impieties to the whole world: no, they were grown to the height of hypocrisy. For they made the world believe, they were such as served God devoutly, and therefore complained as if the Prophets did them great wrong, so to defame them. But Isaiah plucks off this visard wherewith they covered themselves, and lets the world see what they were indeed; seeing they would not be brought to give place to the trueth. For whence (I pray you) proceeded their murmurings against the Prophets, but that they neither could nor would hearken to the voice of God?

The Prophet sets not down here the verie words which they spake; to wit, as if they had openly pronounced them; but hee shewes what was in their hearts: for hee had not to deale with such fooles as would goe blaze their impieties to the whole world: no, they were growne to the height of hypocrisie. For they made the world beleeue, they were such as serued God deuoutly, and therefore complained as if the Prophets did them great wrong, so to diffame them. But Isaiah pluckes off this visard wherewith they couered themselues, and lets the world see what they were indeed; seeing they would not be brought to giue place to the trueth. For whence (I pray you) proceeded their murmurings against the Prophets, but that they neither could nor would hearken to the voice of God?