Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Vers. 8. Their land also was full of idols:^* they worshipped the works of their own hands, before that which their own fingers had made.

Vers. 8. Their land also was full of idols:^* they worshipped the workes of their owne hands, before that which their owne fingers had made.

1. *Or, bowed before.

HE repeats that which he ear while touched concerning idolatry; but more clearly. §1And in the first place he sets down the matter: afterwards §2the use, which in a manner is wont always to follow thereupon. For it is a very rare thing to entertain idols amongst us; but we shall by and by abuse our selves with them.¹ Because it is all one, as if a man should pile up wood, and another should put fire to it: will there not be a fire by and by? it is unpossible it should be otherwise, the fire is not more ready to burn the wood, then we are inclined to superstitions, and idolatry. Therefore the word Elilim, which the Prophet here useth, is very fitly imposed upon the idols by the Hebrews: because they are things of nothing; and but vanity. Neither is it to be doubted, but the holy Ghost by this word would reprove the rage of men, who by means of such vanities thought to draw the nearer unto God: as the Papists at this day; who to the end they might the more easily snare men with their idols: brag that they are lay mens books. But it is more safe for us to give credit to that which the holy Ghost speaks. The trial it self also shows clearly what fruit the people gather by these books. For being deceived by such gross imaginations, they frame unto themselves earthly and fleshly gods: of whom Jeremiah justly saith, that the idol is not only a vain thing, but also a teacher of falsehood and lies: