Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Vers. 3. He that killeth a bullock, is as if he slew a man: he that sacrificeth a sheep, as if he cut off a dogs neck: he that offereth an oblation, as if he offered swines blood: he that remembereth incense, as if he blessed an Idol: yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations.

Vers. 3. Hee that killeth a bullocke, is as if he slew a man: hee that sacrificeth a sheepe, as if he cut off a dogges necke: he that offereth an oblation, as if he offered swines blood: he that remembreth incense, as if he blessed an Idoll: yea, they haue chosen their owne waies, and their soule deliteth in their abominations.

This present verse contains two members. In the first, Isaiah plainly manifests, §1that God rejects all the sacrifices of his nation, yea, which more is, that he abhorred them. In the second, he notes out an horrible §2abuse, wherein they had mingled the ceremonies of the Gentiles, among the sacrifices of the law: and by this means had perverted and corrupted all. Many think that by these words, the sacrifices ordained in the law are abolished. But they deceive themselves; because Isaiah handleth that doctrine now, which he touched before in the first, and in the fifty eight chapters. But Isaiah doth not precisely condemn the sacrifices, but rather the vices & corruptions which were mingled with them;¹ namely, in that the Jews thought that God contented himself with vain appearances: and themselves in the mean while neglected his fear, and the having of a good conscience. He speaks not of the thing it self then, but taxeth the persons who abused the sacrifices. For in thus doing, they offered him no better then the empty shells. His meaning briefly is to say, That God approves of none other sacrifices, but such as proceed from a pure heart and a sincere affection.

THis present verse containes two members. In the first, Jsaiah plainelie manifests,