But we are all as an unclean [thing], and all our righteousnesses [are] as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
Ver. 6. But we are all as an unclean thing.] Both our persons and our actions are so; for "who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean?" What a mercy is it then that God should look upon such walking dunghills as we are, and accept the work of our hands?
And all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags.] a Or, As a coat of patches, a beggar's coat, vestis centonum, vestis e vilibus paniculis consuta. Heb. A cloth of separations, a matury rag, a menstruous clout, nauseous and odious, such as a man would loathe to touch, much more to take up. Such are our best works as they proceed from us; when there springeth up any sweet fountain of grace within us, our hearts closely cast in their filthy dirt, as the Philistines dealt by Isaac; they drop down from their impure hands some filth upon that pure web the Spirit weaveth, and make it a menstruous cloth. Where, then, are justiciaries, our merit mongers? &c. Those that seek to be saved by their works, Luther fitly calleth the devil's martyrs; they suffer much, and take great pains to go to hell. We are all apt to weave a web of righteousness of our own, to spin a thread of our own to climb up to heaven by, but that cannot be. We must do all righteousnesses, rest in none but Christ's, disclaiming our own best as spotted and imperfect.
And we all fade as a leaf.] That falleth to the ground in autumn. The poet could say,
“ Oιηπερ φυλλων γενεη, τοιηδε και ανδρων .” - Hom.
And our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.] Out of thy presence; and will hurry us to hell, if thou forefend not.
a Panno ancumulentae. - Scultet.