Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

BY this Embassy he not only meant to call Isaiah to lament this calamity with him, but also to have some consolation from the mouth of the Lord;¹ for if prayers be not grounded upon the word of God, they will be but so many words cast into the air. We know that the unbelievers will make both loud and long prayers, and yet flee away from God, either by despising, or in utter rejecting his promises. Here is a sign of Hezekias his true devotion then, that being kindled with the zeal of prayer, he adds thereunto a confirmation of his hope, lest he should faint under the temptation; also, in that he keeps himself close to the means ordained of God, and desires to hear his voice by the mouth of his Prophet Isaiah. For albeit he rested upon none but God only, yet he rejects not the testimony of a mortal man like himself: and this is the cause why the title of the Prophet is here expressly mentioned, because he sent to Isaiah to be confirmed by some new prophecy. And thus he names him, not as a private man, but as the servant of the Lord, whose office it was to comfort the King by some word of consolation.

BY this Ambassage he not only meant to call Isaiah to lament this calamitie with him, but also to haue some consolation from the mouth of the Lord;¹ for if prayers be not grounded vpon the word of God, they will be but so many words cast into the ayre. Wee know that the vnbeleeuers will make both loude and long prayers, and yet flee away from God, either by despising, or in vtter reiecting his promises. Here is a signe of Hezekias his true deuotion then, that being kindled with the zeale of prayer, he addes thereunto a cōfirmation of his hope, lest he should faint vnder the temptation; also, in that he keeps himselfe close to the meanes ordained of God, and desires to heare his voice by the mouth of his Prophet Isaiah. For albeit he rested vpon none but God only, yet he reiects not the testimonie of a mortall man like himselfe: and this is the cause why the title of the Prophet is here expreslie mentioned, because he sent to Isaiah to be confirmed by some new prophesie. And thus he names him, not as a priuat man, but as the seruant of the Lord, whose office it was to comfort the King by some word of consolation.

1. 1