Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Some by Death understand the Leprosy wherewith this king was smitten,¹ which was indeed a civill death, because the king was constrained to forsake the company of men, and to leave the government of the kingdom: but I had rather take death in his proper signification. Thus I think then, to wit, that Isaiah prophesied the former things from the time of Uzziah, at that time when he was strucken with Leprosy, and that Isaiah had this vision after his death, at that time when Jothan should succeed him. For we know how the change of kings do bring divers stirs and hurly burlies, so as it is no wonder if Isaiah were confirmed again in his calling. Also the prophecy it self which follows will declare sufficiently that he had preached sometime before he had seen the Lord. For the blinding of the people is here spoken of, whereof the Prophet had such experience, that their stubbornness might have caused him to have given over that which he had begun, seeing he lost all his labour. The Lord then confirms him by this vision, to the end all discouragements being set apart, he should manfully continue to do his duty, and go on with that which he had begun by the commandment of the Lord.

Some by Death vnderstand the Leprosie wherewith this king was smitten,¹ which was indeed a ciuill death, because the king was constrained to forsake the companie of men, and to leaue the gouernment of the kingdome: but I had rather take death in his proper signification. Thus I thinke then, to wit, that Isaiah prophesied the former things frō the time of Vzziah, at that time when he was strucken with Leprosie, and that Isaiah had this vision after his death, at that time when Iothan should succeed him. For we know how the change of kings do bring diuers sturres and hurly burlies, so as it is no wonder if Isaiah were confirmed againe in his calling. Also the prophesie it selfe which followes will declare sufficientlie that he had preached sometime before he had seene the Lord. For the blinding of the people is heere spoken of, whereof the Prophet had such experience, yt their stubburnnes might haue caused him to haue giuen ouer that which he had begun, seeing he lost all his labour. The Lord then confirmes him by this vision, to the end all discouragemēts being set apart, he should manfullie continue to do his dutie, and goe on with that which he had begun by the commandement of the Lord.