Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Uzziah and Jotham favoured him; and yet they wanted sufficient courage in erecting Gods pure worship: the greatest conflicts he sustained was with Ahaz: not that he was an open enemy; but a false hypocrite, full of dissimulation, and treachery. And what enemies (I pray you) gall Gods servants more then such? His successor Hezekiah not only reverenced this holy personage, but also modestly, as one of the common sort, submitted himself to his doctrine; obeyed his counsels, and suffered himself to be governed by his admonitions. Nay which is more, he willingly yielded to be sharply reproved by the Prophet when need required. The last, which was Manasseh, who, as all the Jews with one consent affirm, was his father in law, wickedly slew him by cruel torments. Yea, even during the time that good Kings aided him, and also under Hezekiah; who showed himself so godly a protector of piety and godliness, yet then, was he continually vexed with sharp and tedious travels, and made to undergo very grievous conflicts: so difficult and rare a thing is it to see men consent to wholesome doctrine. I say more; such as will faithfully and uprightly discharge their duties in this prophetical function, must needs make account to be at continual odds with the world. So much the more therefore ought faithful Kings, by their defence, to succour the Ministers of Christ, that they be not molested nor pressed above measure, by the insolencie of the wicked.

Vzziah and Iotham fauoured him; and yet they wanted sufficient courage in erecting Gods pure worship: the greatest conflicts he sustained was with Ahaz: not that he was an open enemie; but a false hypocrite, full of dissimulation, and treacherie. And what enemies (I pray you) gaule Gods seruants more then such? His successor Hezechiah not only reuerenced this holy personage, but also modestly, as one of the cōmon sort, submitted himselfe to his doctrine; obeyed his counsels, and suffered himself to be gouerned by his admonitions. Nay which is more, he willingly yeelded to be sharply reprooued by the Prophet when need required. The last, which was Manasses, who, as all the Iewes with one consent affirme, was his father in law, wickedly slew him by cruell torments. Yea, euen during the time that good Kings aided him, and also vnder Hezechias; who shewed himselfe so godly a protector of pietie and godlinesse, yet then, was he continually vexed with sharpe and tedious trauels, and made to vndergoe very grieuous conflicts: so difficult and rare a thing is it to see men consent to wholsome doctrine. I say more; such as will faithfullie and vprightly discharge their duties in this propheticall function, must needes make account to be at continuall oddes with the world. So much the more therefore ought faithfull Kings, by their defence, to succour the Ministers of Christ, that they be not molested nor pressed aboue measure, by the insolencie of the wicked.