the house of Israel, &c.] Isaiah 1:22. Jer. 28. 29, 30. It is quite degenerate, like to good silver turned to drosse. are brasse] They have some appearance of goodnesse and holinesse, but in effect they are wicked, like to a masse of base silver, mixed with all manner of base metals. in the midst of the furnace] Namely, in Jerusalem, where I will melt and consume them by the fire of my judgements, as in a furnace. See Chap. 24. 10. drosse] Heb. drosses.