Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Afterward by the word, to covet, he taxeth the furious affection wherewith the wicked are set on fire in their superstitions. God requires that the whole heart be dedicated unto him: but they violently plunged themselves in a blind pursuing of their new devised services, as if they were carried away with a beastly and brutish affection And to say the trueth,¹ this sickness is rooted almost in the understandings of all men, that having once forsaken the true God, they run a madding after their Idols. Therefore it is, that the Scripture often compares this fury to the loves of harlots, who not only cast off all reason, but likewise all shame. Although it further appears by the second member, that he not only taxeth their intemperance, but also their boldness to violate the service of God, when he saith they chose gardens: which word is opposed to that which was commanded in the law. For with what flourishes soever the unbelievers seek to shadow their superstitions withal, yet notwithstanding this sentence remains sure, that obedience is better then sacrifice, 1. Sam. 15.22. And therefore S. Paul Col. 2.23. under the word superstition, comprehends all those corrupt worships, which men forge to themselves without the commandment of God. God then complains, that the Jews having despised his word, pleased themselves in their own inventions: as if he should say, It was your duties to have ⟨p. 21⟩obeyed me, but you have liked better to follow your own fantasy, or rather a frantic liberty.

Afterward by the word, to couet, he taxeth the furious affection wherewith the wicked are set on fire in their superstitions. God requires that the whole heart be dedicated vnto him: but they violently plunged themselues in a blind pursuing of their new deuised seruices, as if they were carried away with a beastly and brutish affection And to say the trueth,¹ this sicknes is rooted almost in the vnderstandings of all men, that hauing once forsaken the true God, they runne a madding after their Idols. Therefore it is, that the Scripture often compares this fury to ye loues of harlots, who not only cast off al reason, but likewise all shame. Although it further appeares by the second member, that hee not onely taxeth their intemperancie, but also their boldnes to violate the seruice of God, when he saith they chose gardens: which word is opposed to that which was commanded in the law. For with what flourishes soeuer the vnbeleeuers seeke to shadow their superstitions withal, yet notwithstanding this sentence remaines sure, that obedience is better then sacrifice,