Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Because I have called.] He amplifies the greatness and heinousness of this revolt, in regard the Jews sinned of a set malice, and rather against knowledge, then of ignorance. For they had been often taught and instructed, but they insolently rejected all admonitions. In which respect, they were much less excusable then those to whom the Prophets were not sent. For as no man alive can pretend any cause of ignorance;¹ so yet the Jews much less, and those to whom the word of the Lord hath been published: who for this cause shall have a sharper sentence of condemnation pronounced against them then, and shall be more severely punished then any other.

Because I haue called.] He amplifies the greatnesse and hainousnesse of this reuolt, in regard the Iewes sinned of a set malice, and rather against knowledge, then of ignorance. For they had been often taught and instructed, but they insolently reiected all admonitions. In which respect, they were much lesse excusable then those to whom the Prophets were not sent. For as no man aliue can pretend any cause of ignorance;¹ so yet the Iewes much lesse, and those to whom the word of the Lord hath been published: who for this cause shall haue a sharper sentence of condemnation pronounced against them then, and shall be more seuerely punished then any other.

1. 1No man can pretend ignorance.

He sets down the means of this call; namely, that he had exhorted them by his Prophets. For by the clause, I spake; he repeats one and the same thing twice, according to the custom of the Hebrews, as we noted before.

Hee sets downe the meanes of this call; namely, that hee had exhorted them by his Prophets. For by the clause, I spake; hee repeates one and the same thing twice, according to the custome of the Hebrewes, as wee noted before.