Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Vers. 7. For the^* weapons of the ⟨p. 322⟩churl are wicked: he deviseth wicked counsels to undo the poor with lying words, and to speak against the poor in judgement.

Vers. 7. For the^* weapons of the ⟨p. 322⟩churle are wicked: hee deuiseth wicked counsels to vndoe the poore with lying words, and to speake against the poore in iudgement.

1. *Instruments or measures.

We must always retain the future tense, because he disputes not so much what covetous men are, as what they will be, when Christ by the light of his Gospel shall discover their hypocrisy, lest they should deceive any. For he speaks of that heavenly light which should break forth to cause secret wickednesses appear; as we have said. Christ then manifests the venom that is hid in the covetous, and shows with what unlawful weapons they fence themselves. If any will interpret the word Kelai, Measures; I hinder him not: but the word weapons agrees best, and hath a larger sense; for under it are comprehended all sorts of instruments. He means then by a metaphor to set forth the cunning practises and subtle jugglings, wherewith the covetous beguile the simple, and snare them in their gins.

WEe must alwaies retaine the future tence, because he disputes not so much what couetous men are, as what they will be, when Christ by the light of his Gospell shall discouer their hypocrisie, lest they should deceiue any. For hee speakes of that heauenlie light which should breake forth to cause secret wickednesses appeare; as wee haue said. Christ then manifests the venome that is hid in the couetous, and shewes with what vnlawfull weapons they fence themselues. If any will interpret the word Kelai, Measures; I hinder him not: but the word weapons agrees best, and hath a larger sense; for vnder it are comprehended all sorts of instruments. He means then by a metaphor to set forth the cunning practises and subtile iuglings, wherewith the couetous beguile the simple, and snare them in their ginnes.