Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Vers. 20. And at that day shall man cast away his silver Idols, and his golden Idols (which they had made themselves to worship them) to^* the moles, and to the backs.

Vers. 20. And at that day shall man cast away his siluer Idols, and his golden Idols (which they had made themselues to worship them) to^* the moules, and to the backs.

1. *Or, into the holes of the, &c.

Idolaters do please themselves wonderfully in their superstitions and wicked service. For although they be full of crimes, and naughtiness, yet behold their refuge, namely, they think to appease God by their goodly services. As if we at this day should set forth the wickedness, and villainies wherewith the Papists overflow, they were not able to deny them: but will flatter themselves under this pretext forsooth, that they perform a goodly service unto God, and will think that all their vices should be sufficiently covered under this cloak. The Prophet therefore plucks away this visor from Idolaters, and denounceth against them that they shall no more have ought wherewith to cover their filthiness. For the Lord will constrain them to cast away their idols, to the end they may know it was in vain for them to have put their trust in them. Lastly, they should be ashamed of their vanity. Because in prosperity they thought that God was favourable unto them, as if he had taken delight in their service: and could not otherwise persuade themselves, till such time as it was manifested unto them by effect, that he abhorred them. It is in adversity then that they began to acknowledge their filthiness as the Prophet Hoseas very well teacheth, when he compares them to harlots,¹ who perceive not their uncleanness all the while they gain well; and enjoy their pleasures. But when they have lost these things and are forsaken of their lovers, then they begin to bethink themselves of their poverty and shame, and to enter into the way of repentance; of the which they would never once have thought, whilst they were lulled asleep in their wantonness. And so falls it out with all idolaters who are never so ashamed of their beastliness as to cast away their Idols from them, till being pressed with extreme calamity, they think themselves somewhat low brought.