Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

¹HE confirms his former speech, namely, that the people did ill in accusing God of cruelty, and that they did not rather acknowledge that they received the just recompense of their sins, the heaps whereof reached up to the heavens. And in this sense it is that the Prophet saith, they were multiplied. Also this particle before thee, hath great weight: for the Prophet descends into himself, and acknowledgeth the just judgement of God, which was hidden from mens eyes. His meaning is then to note out a close opposition, which is between mens judgement & Gods, Men flatter themselves, and think not of their sins; but God who is the Judge, leaves not to condemn them for all that, neither cares he for all the vain and idle excuses, wherewith they would fain daub them over. And therefore he contents not himself simply to condemn this people; but he ads, that they had multiplied their iniquities: that is to say, they were guilty before God many ways. He acknowledgeth then that God is just, and executes the office of a good Judge, seeing among men there is not to be found so much as a drop or grain of justice or equity. And therefore it is he adds,