Now Hezekias might seem cruel, in that he utterly neglected his posterity, as one that cared not much what became of things after his death. For these are horrible blasphemies which swinish Epicures1 and others of that rout have in their mouths at this day; When I am dead, let the earth be on a flaming fire. Again, When I die, let all die with me. But Hezekias had a far other meaning: for albeit he desired the prosperity of such as should survive him, as much as his own; yet he could not set light by the sign of Gods mercy, who deferred the execution of this judgement till after his death. For he might conceive hope from thence, that his successors ⟨p. 399⟩should in the end be partakers of this favour and mercy. Some think he rejoiced for this delay, because we ought not to care for to morrow, considering that the day hath enough with his own grief: Mat. 6.24. But this suits not well in this place: for Hezekias contemns not the posterity, but perceiving that God did favourably mitigate the chastisement which he had deserved, he thanks him for it, (as we have said) in regard it was his duty to accept of the present mercy offered, howsoever the judgement was deferred till after his death. Truly we for our parts are to perform all services to the age in which we live, and to have special regard unto it: we must not cast off all care for the time to come; but it is our duties to employ our uttermost endeavours for that which is present, and now most presseth upon us.2 We which live in these times together, are more nearly conjoined in affection by the Lord, that by our mutual communication, we might help one another as much as in us lies.
Now Hezekias might seeme cruell, in that he vtterly neglected his posterity, as one that cared not much what became of things after his death. For these are horrible blasphemies which swinish Epicures1 and others of that rout haue in their mouthes at this day; When I am dead, let the earth bee on a flaming fire. Againe, When I die, let all die with me. But Hezekias had a far other meaning: for albeit hee desired the prosperitie of such as should suruiue him, as much as his owne; yet hee could not set light by the signe of Gods mercie, who deferred the execution of this iudgement till after his death. For he might conceiue hope from thence, that his successors ⟨p. 399⟩should in the end bee partakers of this fauour and mercie. Some thinke he reioiced for this delay, because wee ought not to care for to morrow, considering that the day hath enough with his owne griefe: Mat. 6.24. But this sutes not well in this place: for Hezekias contemnes not the posteritie, but perceiuing that God did fauourably mittigate the chastisement which hee had deserued, hee thanks him for it, (as we haue said) in regard it was his dutie to accept of the present mercie offered, howsoeuer the iudgement was deferred till after his death. Truly wee for our parts are to performe all seruices to the age in which we liue, and to haue speciall regard vnto it: wee must not cast off all care for the time to come; but it is our duties to imploy our vttermost indeuors for that which is present, and now most presseth vpon vs.2 Wee which liue in these times together, are more neerly conioined in affection by the Lord, that by our mutuall communication, wee might helpe one another as much as in vs lies.
- 1Horrible blasphemies of swinish Epicures.
- 2We ought to perform our services to the utmost to that age in which we live.We ought to performe our seruices to the vtmost to that age in which we liue.
