Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

To choose, is as much as to like or allow of: but he protests that this is not acceptable unto him to see one continue a day without meat, and to go sorrowfully with his head hanging down. ¹The Prophet hath used a very fit similitude: for as the bulrush bows it self easily, notwithstanding it stands bolt upright, so hypocrites have skill to bow and hang down the head, as if they were brought low with faintness, or to signify some vain appearance of humility. His meaning was therefore to tax these superstitious gestures wherein hypocrites are wont to place a kind of holiness.

To chuse, is as much as to like or allow of: but he protests that this is not acceptable vnto him to see one continue a day without meate, and to goe sorrowfullie with his head hanging downe. ¹The Prophet hath vsed a very fit similitude: for as the bulrush bowes it selfe easily, notwithstanding it stands bolt vpright, so hypocrites haue skill to bow and hang downe the head, as if they were brought low with faintnes, or to signifie some vaine appearance of humilitie. His meaning was therefore to taxe these superstitious gestures wherein hypocrites are wont to place a kind of holinesse.

1. 1Simile.

Sackcloth and ashes were added to fasting then chiefly,¹ when they made solemn profession of their repentance: for they covered themselves with sackcloth, and laid ashes upon their heads. God approved this as an holy and laudable exercise. And we also see that the Prophets summoning the people to repentance, have called them to sackcloth and ashes, Joel. 1.13. But as we have formerly said that fasting is not here condemned in it self, no more doth Isaiah condemn these external rites; only he rebukes hypocrites for separating the truth from the signs.