Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

How say ye &c.] He reproves Pharaohs counsellors for flattering of him, as parasites are wont to do now adays to get the favour of Princes: for all their flatteries tend to none other end; because they find that the only ready ⟨p. 191⟩way to get their suites, and to creep into favour. And thus among so many flatteries and lies, trueth can find no place at all among them. Now howsoever this is an ordinary fault in the Courts of great Lords, yet bare it the sway, especially among the Egyptians at that time: for they stood upon their antiquity, as being the most ancient of all nations besides, boasting, that they found out the arts and liberal sciences. Now, if the common people had this good conceit of themselves, how much more were their Kings infected therewith in respect of them?

How say ye &c.] He reproues Pharaoes counsellers for flattering of him, as parasites are wont to do now adaies to get ye fauor of Princes: for all their flatteries tend to none other end; because they finde that the only readie ⟨p. 191⟩way to get their suites, and to creepe into fauour. And thus among so many flatteries and lies, trueth can finde no place at all among them. Now howsoeuer this is an ordinarie fault in the Courts of great Lords, yet bare it the sway, especially among the Egyptians at that time: for they stood vpon their antiquitie, as being the most antient of all nations besides, boasting, that they found out the arts and liberall sciences. Now, if the common people had this good conceit of themselues, how much more were their Kings infected therewith in respect of them?

There was a double boasting then; that is to say, of antiquity and knowledge; both which Isaiah reproves; and tells them, that neither of them shall do them any good. Pharaoh gloried much of the antiquity and wisdom of his Nation, which was the peoples fault also as well as his; but he speaks of the King especially, as of the head, in whom this pride was more plainly perceived, then in the common people. But let us beware how we brag of our ancestors, as if we were borne to it by inheritance: no, let us go to heaven to find wisdom;