Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Here the Prophet reproves another vice almost like the former:¹ for impiety begets many errors, and forceth light heads that are void of Gods fear into very sore and perplexed molestations. And is it not good reason that such as will not rest in God should be restless, or rather tossed up and down with whirlwinds? He reproacheth the Jews then that they vexed themselves so much, and so long a time in hunting after the help of strangers, namely, when they endeavoured to oppose the aide of the Egyptians against the Assyrians: and then being defrauded of their hopes, they began to trot to the Chaldeans.² For when men have forsaken the fear of the Almighty, then they seek help in others, and not only weary themselves, but are a great cost and travel to achieve the same. And whilst the Lord gives quiet sleep to his beloved ones, that they may quietly finish that they have to do, the wicked vex themselves for nothing. They rise early, and go late to bed, and eat the bread of carefulness: as it is in Psalm. 127.2. And yet in the mean while they cannot enrich themselves the value of a nail: because they do nothing under Gods authority or government. Now the Lord punisheth them thus, to the end they may wander up and down, as men at their wits end, being ever in doubt and perplexity, without ever enjoying the benefit of a quiet and contented mind.