Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

The reason added in the latter member of the verse, is not to lessen their fault, but to show how odious and hateful their sin is: for men would never become so senseless, unless God in his just judgement had given them up into a reprobate sense. Some supply God here: others, the false Prophets: §1affirming that the people were blinded, §2because they were seduced by their impostures; otherwise they had never bin plunged into such gross errors: for false doctrines blind the eyes.¹ There are others who take it in another sense, and they refer it to Satan. But because the first exposition is most used in the Scriptures, I rather allow of that; to wit, that God blinded them justly. Unless any had rather refer it to the Idolaters themselves, who wittingly are wont to put out the eyes of their own reason: and in this sense there must be a change of the number; to wit, they: a thing much frequented among the Hebrews: But I have set down that which seemed fittest. You may also add, that it is very usual in the Hebrew tongue, to conceal the name of God, when it mentions him.

The reason added in the latter member of the verse, is not to lessen their fault, but to shew how odious and hatefull their sinne is: for men would neuer become so senselesse, vnlesse God in his iust iudgement had giuen them vp into a reprobate sense. Some supplie God heere: others, the false Prophets: §1affirming that the people were blinded, §2because they were seduced by their impostures; otherwise they had neuer bin plunged into such grosse errors: for false doctrines blind the eies.¹ There are others who take it in another sense, and they refer it to Satan. But because the first exposition is most vsed in the Scriptures, I rather allow of that; to wit, that God blinded them iustly. Vnlesse any had rather referre it to the Idolaters themselues, who wittingly are wont to put out the eies of their owne reason: and in this sense there must bee a change of the number; to wit, they: a thing much frequented among the Hebrewes: But I haue set downe that which seemed fittest. You may also adde, that it is verie vsuall in the Hebrew tongue, to conceale the name of God, when it mentions him.