Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Here is a coupling of things together, in stead of a particle that renders the cause. For he denounceth, that seeing they cannot be amended neither by gentle admonitions, nor by any words; that the Lord will proceed otherwise with them, because he will no more use sharpness and rigour of speech, but will come upon them in great displeasure and with his arm out stretched to take vengeance upon them. And therefore even as they had showed their rebellion from the head unto the feet, so he also gives them to understand, that the Lord will show the signs of his vengeance upon all the parts of their bodies. Wherefore he begins with the head, where the principal decking is; and afterwards descends to the other parts. Now we are to observe that the Prophet reproves not the excessive pomp of these women with this sharpness & vehemency without cause: for above all other vices,¹ wherewith they are stained, they naturally burn with a fond desire to deck and trim themselves bravely. And although they are prone enough by nature to covetousness; yet will they spare no cost to make themselves fine: yea, they will pinch their bellies, and offer violence to nature it self, that they may have wherewith to attire themselves the more costly & sumptuously: so greatly are they corrupted with this vice, that it surmounts all others.

HEre is a coupling of things together, in stead of a particle that renders the cause. For he denounceth, that seeing they cannot be amended neither by gentle admonitions, nor by any words; that the Lord will proceede otherwise with them, because hee will no more vse sharpenes and rigor of speech, but will come vpon them in great displeasure and with his arme out strethed to take vengeance vpon them. And therefore euen as they had shewed their rebellion from the head vnto the feete, so he also giues them to vnderstand, that the Lord wil shew the signes of his vengeance vpon all the parts of their bodies. Wherefore he begins with the head, where the principall decking is; and afterwards descends to the other parts. Now we are to obserue that the Prophet reprooues not the excessiue pompe of these women with this sharpenes & vehemency without cause: for aboue all other vices,¹ wherewith they are stained, they naturally burne with a fond desire to decke and trim themselues brauely. And although they are prone enough by nature to couetousnes; yet will they spare no cost to make themselues fine: yea, they wil pinch their bellies, and offer violence to nature it selfe, that they may haue wherewith to attire themselues the more costly & sumptuously: so greatly are they corrupted with this vice, that it surmountes all others.