Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Isaiah before condemned all men of blindness, but the Jews especially, because they §1enjoyed those means whereby they might §2have a clearer sight then any others:¹ for they had not only that glimmering, which was common to all nations, but had also the word ⟨p. 442⟩sounding in their ears, by which the Lord fully manifested himself unto them. Though the whole world besides then was blind, yet these should have had eyes to see and know the Lord, in regard they had the doctrine, as a burning lamp to give light unto them. Besides, he speaks to these afterwards in the sixty Chapter, Rise up Jerusalem, and be bright, for the darkness shall cover the whole earth, but the Lord shall give thee light. Because the Jews then were blind in so clear light, therefore he taxeth them by this particular reprehension. As if he should say; I strive but in vain against those which are far off from me, neither do I much marvel at their blindness; but this is strange, that such a thing should befall my servants, who have the clear light shining before their eyes. I am as one astonished to see them deaf, who have the word continually sounding in their ears. The things I teach them are so plain and evident, that the very blind and deaf may in a manner understand them: but alas! I speak to them in vain; for I think there is not a more brutish and sottish people to be found. To be short, whereas they should have had the quickest sense of hearing and seeing, they were the worst of all.

Isaiah before condemned all men of blindnes, but the Iewes especiallie, because they §1inioyed those meanes whereby they might §2haue a clearer sight then any others:¹ for they had not only that glimmering, which was cō mon to all nations, but had also the word ⟨p. 442⟩sounding in their eares, by which the Lord fully manifested himselfe vnto them. Though the whole world besides then was blind, yet these should haue had eies to see and know the Lord, in regard they had the doctrine, as a burning lampe to giue light vnto them. Besides, hee speakes to these afterwards in the sixtie Chapter, Rise vp Ierusalem, and bee bright, for the darknes shall couer the whole earth, but the Lord shall giue thee light. Because the Iewes then were blind in so cleere light, therefore he taxeth them by this particular reprehension. As if hee should say; I striue but in vaine against those which are far off from mee, neither doe I much maruell at their blindnesse; but this is strange, that such a thing should befall my seruants, who haue the cleere light shining before their eies. I am as one astonished to see them deafe, who haue the word continually sounding in their eares. The things I teach them are so plaine and euident, that the very blind and deafe may in a manner vnderstand them: but alas! I speake to them in vaine; for I thinke there is not a more brutish and sottish people to bee found. To be short, whereas they should haue had the quickest sense of hearing and seeing, they were the worst of all.