Thus saith the LORD to me; Make thee bonds and yokes, and put them upon thy neck,
Ver. 2. Make thee bonds and yokes,] i.e., Yokes with bonds, such as they are wont to be fastened with.
And put them upon thy neck.] This was to the prophet, saith the Jesuit, molesta et probrosa poenitentia, a a troublesome and disgraceful penance. But this was no will worship, say we; and much handsomer than the penances they put the people to in Italy, where you may see them go along the streets, saith mine author, b with a great rope about their necks, as if they were dropped down from the gallows. And sometimes they wear a sausage or a swine's pudding in place of a silver or gold chain, for a sign of their mortification, and that they may merit.
a A Lapide.
b Bee Hive of Rome.