Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

¹HE confirms the former sentence, and shows that God neither approves nor condemns fasting in it self further then when it is applied to the right end. Now his meaning was not utterly to abolish it, but the wicked abuse of it, to wit, when men put holiness in it, and either in despising or neglecting true godliness, they think that the bodily exercise alone sufficeth. For hypocrites are ever wont to make the most they can of their external ceremonies, and that no less, then if they were satisfactions to appease God withal. Now in regard that men according to their headiness dare of themselves define what Gods service is, he therefore brings us back expressly to his own definition of it, to the end our reason may not give sentence that a thing is right, unless we be first assured that he approves of it: for howsoever men please themselves, and be highly conceited of their own understandings, and malapertly vaunt thereof, yet the Lord rejects and abhors such pride; for he reserves it in his own power to make choice of that which he likes best, neither doth it belong to any other.

¹HE confirmes the former sentence, and shewes that God neither approues nor condemnes fasting in it selfe further then when it is applied to the right end. Now his meaning was not vtterly to abolish it, but the wicked abuse of it, to wit, when men put holines in it, and either in despising or neglecting true godlines, they thinke that the bodilie exercise alone sufficeth. For hypocrites are euer wont to make the most they can of their externall ceremonies, and that no lesse, then if they were satisfactions to appease God withall. Now in regard that men accor•ing to their headines dare of themselues define what Gods seruice is, he therfore brings vs backe expreslie to his own difinition of it, to the end our reason may not giue sentence that a thing is right, vnlesse we be first assured that he approues of it: for howsoeuer men please themselues, and be highly conceited of their owne vnderstandings, and malepertlie vaunt thereof, yet the Lord reiects and abhorres such pride; for he reserues it in his owne power to make choice of that which he likes best, neither doth it belong to any other.

1. 1A confirmation of the confirmation.