Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

BY this judgement here pronounced by God, we may see that Hezekias his sin was not small, howsoever common reason would judge it otherwise. For in as much as God keeps always a measure in his chastising of men;¹ from the greatness of the correction we may gather, that this was no light offence, but an horrible crime. And hereby we are also admonished, that men can never discern aright, neither of their words nor works, but that God is the only competent Judge thereof.² Hezekias shows his treasures: were they gathered together to lie always hidden under lock and key? He receives the Ambassadors courteously; Should he have driven §1them away? He hears their message: but §2since the enemy of the Assyrians seeks amity §3with him, should he set light by such a commodity? In a word, what fault is to be found in all this, if you look to the outward act? But God, from whom no secrets are hid, spies first of all ingratitude in Hezekias, in this his gladness: for he forgets the misery which §1pressed him but a little before, and sets the Chaldeans (as it were) in the place of God, to whose honour his body and goods were to be consecrated and dedicated. Secondly, he notes his pride; because he endeavoured beyond §2measure to be renowned, in regard of his magnificence and riches. He was faulty also touching his disordered affection, in making §3such a league as was the destruction of the whole state. But the greatest fault of all was his pride, which after a sort strips mens hearts of all fear of God: for which cause Augustine rightly breaks out into this exclamation; O what and how great is the poison of ambition, which cannot be cured but by a counterpoison!³ For he had respect unto that place in the Corinths, where the Apostle saith; the angel of Satan was sent to buffet him, lest he should be exalted above measure: