1In the next place he gives the reason of it, in bringing us to the fountain from whence this deliverance issued: for otherwise, one might imagine that he hath spoken of nothing hitherunto but of bodily health. But we may now see that he looked much higher, to wit, §1first unto his guiltiness before God, secondly §2to the free reconciliation. He confesseth in deed that he hath received his life anew, but yet he esteems his reconciliation with God more then a hundred thousand lives.2 Truly it were better for us never to have been borne, then to live long, heaping sin upon sin, and so to hale down the more horrible judgements of God upon our own heads. Hezekias then rejoiceth chiefly, in that the light of Gods countenance did shine clearly upon him: for our only felicity consists in having him good and gracious to us. Yet herewithall he shows, that we must impute the evils which God lays upon us to our sins: for such as accuse him of over-much severity, do nothing else but double their own woe.3 This good King condemns not himself of one sin only, but confesseth himself guilty of many sins, and therefore stood in need of more then one pardon. If we then desire to be truly comforted in afflictions, let us begin here: for if God be appeased towards us, no evil can hurt us, seeing he delights not to have his beloved ones lie languishing in their miseries.4 It fares with us therefore as with inconsiderate patients, who never think of their disease, but only of the accidents thereof, and of their griefs which they feel: but it is more wisdom for us to follow the counsel of the skilful Physician, who considers of the cause of the disease first, and above all things endeavours to remove that: for they know that outward remedies are not only vain, but hurtful, if the inward disease be not discerned. Why so? Because remedies in such wise applied, do drive the disease further in, and so settles & augments it there, that afterwards there is no hope left for healing of it.
1In the next place he giues the reason of it, in bringing vs to the fountaine from whence this deliuerance issued: for otherwise, one might imagin that he hath spoken of nothing hitherunto but of bodily health. But we may now see that he looked much higher, to wit, §1first vnto his guiltines before God, secondly §2to the free reconciliation. He confesseth in deed that he hath receiued his life anew, but yet he esteemes his reconciliation with God more then a hundred thousand liues.2 Truly it were better for vs neuer to haue beene borne, then to liue long, heaping sinne vpon sinne, and so to hale downe the more horrible iudgemēts of God vpon our own heads. Hezekias then reioyceth chieflie, in that the light of Gods countenance did shine clearely vpon him: for our only felicitie consists in hauing him good and gracious to vs. Yet herewithall he shewes, that we must impute the euils which God laies vpō vs to our sinnes: for such as accuse him of ouer-much seueritie, doe nothing else but double their owne woe.3 This good King condemnes not himselfe of one sinne only, but confesseth himselfe guiltie of many sinnes, and therefore stood in neede of more then one pardon. If we then desire to be truly comforted in afflictions, let vs begin heere: for if God be appeased towards vs, no euill can hurt vs, seeing he delights not to haue his beloued ones lie languishing in their miseries.4 It fares with vs therefore as with inconsiderate patients, who neuer thinke of their disease, but only of the accidents thereof, and of their griefes which they feele: but it is more wisedome for vs to follow the counsell of the skilfull Physitian, who considers of the cause of the disease first, and aboue all things indeuors to remoue that: for they know that outward remedies are not only vaine, but hurtfull, if the inward disease be not discerned. Why so? Because remedies in such wise applied, do driue the disease further in, and so settles & augments it there, that afterwards there is no hope left for healing of it.
- 1It was thy pleasure &c.
- 2Hezekias esteems his reconciliation with God above an hundred thousand lives.Hezekias esteemes his reconciliation with God aboue an hundred thousand liues.
- 3To accuse God of overmuch severity, is but to double our own woe.To accuse God of ouermuch seueritie, is but to double our owne woe.
- 4Simile.
