Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

The Prophet told us the same thing before, which he now repeats again, that he might engrave this doctrine the more deeply in our minds: for superstition hath taken such rooting in our hearts, that it cannot be plucked up, unless God wholly alter and change our nature. All that we have heard against the folly of Idolaters, will by and by slip out of our memories, because we always retain in us some seeds of superstition, there being nothing to which we are more inclined, then to file ourselves in this dunghill. He saith then that to forge Idols, one provides stuff, another employs his art and skill to fashion it: & thus there must be two fathers of whom these Idols are begotten: first,¹ the rich churl, who disburseth the gold, or silver: secondly, the Goldsmith, who gives a form unto them. And now behold a new forged god.

THe Prophet told vs the same thing before, which he now repeates againe, that hee might ingraue this doctrine the more deepelie in our mindes: for superstition hath taken such rooting in our hearts, that it cannot bee plucked vp, vnlesse God wholly alter and change our nature. All that we haue heard against the folly of Idolaters, will by and by slip out of our memories, because we alwaies retaine in vs some seedes of superstition, there being nothing to which we are more inclined, then to file ourselues in this dunghill. Hee saith then that to forge Idols, one prouides stuffe, another imploies his art and skill to fashion it: & thus there must be two fathers of whom these Idols are begotten: first,¹ the rich churle, who disburseth the gold, or siluer: secondly, the Goldsmith, who giues a forme vnto them. And now behold a new forged god.

1. 1Two fathers of whom Idols are begotten.

Wherein he plainly taxeth the senselessness of those that seek a godhead in their purses, and in the hands of the artificer. For who would imagine that from so sudden a change, men would prostrate themselves before a piece of metal,