Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

When in the end of the verse he saith, yea, or, in truth; the place may be translated two ways: because the relative may agree as well to the Gentiles, as to the Jews, namely, that the Jews had mingled & entangled themselves in the idolatries of the Gentiles: or that they followed their own inventions. The first exposition is not much amiss, were it not constrained; for he spake not of the Gentiles before. And the height of the Jews impiety consisted in this, that besides the abuse of Gods pure worship, and contempt of the law, they had profaned the Temple, and all other places with wicked and cursed superstitions. They set up Altars, they planted groves, they set forth plays, and sights: so as they walked after every thing that was set up to corrupt their minds. Thus there was a mingle mangle of all superstitions between them and the heathen: such as is at this day to be seen in the papacy: Where we behold many fragments patched together of all sorts of superstitions, not only Jewish and heathinesse, ¹but also newly invented by the devil himself: that by means thereof they might under such goodly shows, the more easily cozen and deceive the world.

When in the end of the verse he saith, yea, or, in truth; the place may be translated two waies: because ye relatiue may agree as well to the Gentiles, as to the Iewes, namely, that the Iewes had mingled & intangled themselues in the idolatries of the Gentiles: or that they followed theit owne inuentions. The first exposition is not much amisse, were it not constrained; for he spake not of the Gentiles before. And the height of the Iewes impietie consisted in this, that besides the abuse of Gods pure worship, and contempt of the law, they had prophaned the Temple, and all other places with wicked and cursed superstitions. They set vp Altars, they planted groues, they set foorth plaies, and sights: so as they walked after euery thing that was set vp to corrupt their minds. Thus there was a mingle mangle of all superstions betweene them and the heathen: such as is at this day to bee seene in the papacie: Where wee behold many fragments patched together of all sorts of superstitions, not only Jewish and heathinesse, ¹but also newly inuented by the diuell himselfe: that by meanes thereof they might vnder such goodlie shewes, the more easily cosen and deceiue the world.