Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

This is added that we might yet better conceive in what a woeful case Judea was: for this good King having but weak means left, is constrained to put up all wrongs, and to let his enemy have the last word. He had sent his Ambassadors to appease his fury: when this prevailed not, he forbids them to commune with him, that they might no further incense this cruel wolf, who was but too much enraged before. Yet it is not easily discerned whether the Prophet speaks here of the Ambassadors, or of the people, to whom Rabshekeh uttered these blasphemies. It is most likely that it should be referred rather to those which kept the walls, who notwithstanding stood still without tumult, albeit the enemy galled them to the quick by his reproaches; because they obeyed the commandment of their King.¹ Whence we gather, that it is a singular grace of God to see a peaceable and an obedient people, especially when all things are confused and at the last cast.

THis is added that wee might yet better conceiue in what a wofull case Iudea was: for this good King hauing but weake meanes left, is constrained to put vp all wrongs, and to let his enemie haue the last word. He had sent his Ambassadors to appease his furie: when this preuailed not, hee forbids them to commune with him, that they might no further insense this cruell woolfe, who was but too much inraged before. Yet it is not easilie discerned whether the Prophet speakes here of the Ambassadors, or of the people, to whom Rabshekeh vttered these blasphemies. It is most likely that it should be referred rather to those which kept the walles, who notwithstanding stood still without tumult, albeit the enemie gaulled them to the quicke by his reproches; because they obeied the commandement of their King.¹ Whence we gather, that it is a singular grace of God to see a peaceable and an obedient people, especially when all things are confused and at the last cast.

1. 1A pattern for true subjects.A paterne for true subiects.