Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

HE reckons up some particulars, by which it appears that the poor were proudly dealt withal by them; yea cruelly, and with all oppression and wrong. It was not needful that the Prophet should recite by piecemeal all things which were to be reproved in the Princes: because by this little, it sufficiently appears how unjust and tyrannical their government was. But where shall the poor find refuge, if not at the hands of the Magistrate, who ought to be the father of the country, and to be an help to miserable persons? Therefore he useth an interrogation with a kind of vehemency, What? as if he should say, What boldness is this? What barbarism and cruelty is it thus to abuse the wretched estate of the poor, and to spare them nothing at all? So also by the two similitudes, he sets forth their pride, joined with cruelty.

HE reckons vp some particulars, by which it appeares that the poore were proudly dealt withall by them; yea cruelly, and with all oppression and wrong. It was not needfull that the Prophet should recite by peecemeale al things which were to be reprooued in the Princes: because by this little, it sufficiently appeares how vniust and tyrannicall their gouernment was. But where shall the poore finde refuge, if not at the hands of the Magistrate, who ought to be the father of the countrie, and to be an helpe to miserable persons? Therefore hee vseth an interrogation with a kind of vehemencie, What? as if he should say, What boldnes is this? What barbarisme and crueltie is it thus to abuse the wretched estate of the poore, and to spare them nothing at all? So also by the two similitudes, he sets forth their pride, ioyned with crueltie.