Isaiah 1

Isaiah 1:1

THe vision] that is to say, the epitome and summe of Isaiah his prophecies, which God had sent unto him in a vision, or rapture of the Spirit, see Numbers 12:6.

Isaiah 1:4

Children that are corrupters] the Italian, lost children; who are desperate and incorrigible in their wickednesse. Or destroyers, who were like unto these evill children, that dissipate their parents goods, and destroy their house.

Isaiah 1:5

Be stricken] with blowes of correction, whereof you make your selves uneapable, Jer. 2. 30. & 5. 3. The whole head] the Italian, every Head; that is to say, the evils wherewith I have punished you, are universall and extreame, yet they have produced no amendment by reason of your obstinate rebellion.

Isaiah 1:8

The daughter] namely, the communalty and people of Jerusalem. He seems to meane especially the desolation of the Land by Sacherib, which Jerusalem was free from; though in a most miserable estate all the Country besides being laid waste, Cottage] see Job 27. 28.

Isaiah 1:10

Of Sodom] that is to say, extreamely corrupted, even as those wicked Cities were, see Deuteronomy 32:32 Ezekiel 16:46.

Isaiah 1:11

Sacrifices] offered without any faith, repentance or devotion, without which things all outward service is meere hypocrisie and illusion.

Isaiah 1:12

To tread] a phrase picked out a purpose to shew that these false appearances, were rather acts of prophane contempt, then of Religion.

Isaiah 1:13

New moones] feast daies, and daies of devotion appointed by the Law The calling of] for all solemne feasts were publiquely proclaimed, that every one might devoutly prepare himselfe thereunto, see Leviticus 23:2; Leviticus 23:4. Numbers 10:10. It is iniquity] the Italian, I cannot beare iniquity, and solemne feasts together] that is to say, inward wickednesse, cloacked with externall devotion, see Isaiah 61:8. Others, I cannot endure the trouble of new Moones, &c. nor of solemne feasts.

Isaiah 1:15

When ye spread forth] according to the ancient manner of praying with their Armes spread abroad, and their hands opened and held up towards Heaven.

Isaiah 1:18

Let us reason] if you can reply anything against mine accusations, or if you can alleadge any thing for your own discharge, or can any way complain of me, alleadge it now. I call your own conscience to be judge and witnesse therein, see Jeremiah 2:5; Jeremiah 2:31. Micah 6:2. Though your sinnes] if convinced in your owne consciences, you give glory to God by a pure confession and flie to his mercy, by faith and a lively conversion, he shall quickly cause you to feele the effect of the forgivenesse of your sins, let them be never so grievous As wooll] which naturally is exceeding White in those Countries Psal. 147. 16.

Isaiah 1:21

An harlot] apostatizing from her Gods Covenant, through idolatry, and corrupted behaviour, see Numbers 15:30. Psal. 73. 27. Now murtherers, the Italian, Now they are all murtherers, namely, all the inhabitants, where of he is full.

Isaiah 1:22

The silver] namely, thy life and conversation, which before were pure and sincere, are now altogether corrupted and degenerate. A proverbiall kind of speech, as Psal. 14. 1. Jer. 28. 30. Ezekiel 22. 18, 0 Hosea 4:18.

Isaiah 1:25

Turne my hand] after I have laid my just punishments upon you, I will remember the residue of my Church, which I will undertake to purisie by the power of my word, and spirit, especially under the Gospell Tinne] which as it is a deadly enemy to Gold and Silver, making them hard and brittle. So it is also a tyrant over them, and will hardly be separated from them. Hereby are figured your most noted, rooted, and inveterated sinnes.

Isaiah 1:27

With judgement] namely by a singular effect of his just vengeance upon his enemies, who have abused the power which he gave them to punish his Church, and also of his equity in tempering his punishments in a certaine measure, that they may correct, but not ruine: and also of his loyalty in his promises, which are two of Gods vertues, oftentimes expressed by the word righteousnesse used afterwards in this verse Her converts] the Italian, They that returne of her] namely, after they have been first scattered and driven out. Or those which shall be converted in her.

Isaiah 1:29

The Oakes] which were consecrated by the heathens, and according to their example by the Jewes, a cause of their frequent idolatry, Isai. 57. 5. see the likeliest originall of this abuse, Genesis 21:33. Joshua 24:26. The gardens] he seems to mean the little groves which the Idolaters did use to plant, about the Chappels, or Temples of their idols, Isai 65. 3. & 66. 17. seeExod. 34. 13. Deuteronomy 16:21. Judg. 3. 7. 1 King. 16. 33. Ye have chosen] you have applied, and dedicated them to these prophane uses, of your owne Proper motion and authority, without Gods consent or approbation.

Isaiah 1:31

The strong] the strongest and mightiest that are amongst you, shall be consumed, in an instant, by reason of their wicked workes, which shall perish also like the workers thereof, even as Tow to the fire.