Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

He goes on with the same narration still; but he adds doctrine unto it. And howsoever he utters not a word of Gods sending of him, yet it is most certain that he did this by the instinct and commandment of the holy Ghost; for which cause he adorns himself with the title of Prophet: wherein he signifies that he came not as a private man, but as he that was to execute the office which God had enjoined him; to the end Hezekias the King might know, that he had not to do with Isaiah the Prophet now,¹ as with a mortal man. In that he saith he came; we may gather that the King called him not, but let him rest at home in his house, whilst he showed and discovered all his riches: for Prophets are not wont to be called, when such matters are in hand. Before, when calamities besieged him, and that Rabshekeh had proudly and disdainfully blasphemed the God of Israel, then Isaiah the Prophet was sought out and sent for, to entreat him to lift up his prayer for the remnant that was left: Chap. 37.4. and to give him some word of consolation and comfort. Thus the Prophets are sought unto when adversity and troubles are near, or upon us: but all things being quiet and well, the Prophets are forgotten;² nay, they are rejected because they trouble the feast (as they say) by their wholesome admonitions, and seem to fill all the company with nothing but melancholy.

HEe goes on with the same narration still; but he addes doctrine vnto it. And howsoeuer he vtters not a word of Gods sending of him, yet it is most certaine that he did this by the instinct and commandement of the holy Ghost; for which cause he adornes himselfe with the title of Prophet: wherein he signifies that he came not as a priuat man, but as hee that was to execute the office which God had inioined him; to the end Hezekias the King might know, that he had not to doe with Isaiah the Prophet now,¹ as with a mortall man. In that he saith he came; we may gather that the King called him not, but let him rest at home in his house, whilest hee shewed and discouered all his riches: for Prophets are not wont to be called, when such matters are in hand. Before, when calamities besieged him, and that Rabshekeh had proudly and disdainfully blasphemed the God of Israel, then Isaiah the Prophet was sought out and sent for, to intreat him to lift vp his praier for the remnant that was left: Chap. 37.4. and to giue him some word of consolation and comfort. Thus the Prophets are sought vnto when aduersitie and troubles are neere, or vpon vs: but all things being quiet and well, the Prophets are forgotten;