Vers. 9. He heard also men say Tirha∣kah king of Ethiopia, Behold, he is come out to fight with thee: and when he heard it, he sent other messengers to Hezekiah, saying,
BY that which followes we may coniecture what the cause was why the Assyrian so suddenlie departed frō Iudeah. For the Kings of Egypt, and Ethiopia had made a league one with another against Senacherib, because they saw he grew too mightie,* 1.1 and ceased not to inuade Countrie after Countrie: for they thought if his violence were not resisted be∣times, they might be sure to looke for the like measure. These Kings meant not to defend Iudeah by working his woe, but respected their owne safetie, because the power of so mightie a man is for the most part worthelie had in suspition of other Princes and their people. It is wisely done of them therefore that in foreseeing dangers, they ioine their forces together to make resistance ere it be too late: for they had been easily ouerrunne had they been separated one from the other. Thus you see why they ioine their forces into one, to wit, that they may withstand the vio∣lence and furie of this Tyrant.
The Assyrian being intangled in so despe∣rat a warre, send new Ambassadors to Hezekias, thinking by threats to inforce him to yeeld: wherein we may see how Tyrants are caried away with pride, and an ouerweening of their owne greatnes, so as they thinke to make all the world to tremble & quake at their words, or at the only hearing of the sound of their names, or at the sight of their very shadow. This man being somewhat preuented by a new & difficult busines, thinks notwithstan∣ding to subdue Iudeah, whence he was forced to depart. It may be he was ashamed to be thus disappointed of his purpose, and thus abruptlie to raise vp his siege: but he thinks to obtaine that in his absence which he could not accomplish in his owne person. Howsoe∣uer, the Lord did wonderfullie worke in suc∣coring his poore seruants, who esteemed thē∣selues as sheepe appointed to the slaughter. Now that he might abate the rage of this Ty∣rant, he occupies his head, and fils his hands with such intricate businesses, as out of which he could not easily wind himselfe: as if one should hamper a furious beast, or should hold him fast by the snout, as the Prophet wil shew anon. I grant, their cruell and reuengefull natures are not tamed thereby, but yet they are so restrained, that they can not doe the hurt they would.
Wee see the truth of this now amongst vs. How many tyrants are there which thirst af∣ter the ruin of the Church? How many plots do they lay to bring it about?* 1.2 How busie are they in corners, secretlie taking counsell to∣gether? And with what power and policies are they indued? But when they thinke to haue their purpose, it may be the Lord sud∣denlie descries their designes, and raiseth vp enemies against them. Sometimes hee sets them together by the eares, and brings the cruelties which they thought to execute vpō his children vpon their owne heads. Yet they continue as obstinate and as fierce as euer they were before, and cease not to imagin mischiefe still: as this Sennacherib; he is hin∣dred of his purpose you see, yet hee is not wearie of molesting this good King, but do∣mineers ouer him with maiesticall tearmes, as if he had been a poore slaue: yea, he com∣mands him as if he were his vassall. And not content with that, he proudly exalts himselfe euen against the Lord of glorie, and goes be∣yond the pride of his Captaine Rabshekeh. For although Rabshekehs words and his are all one in sense, yet hee offers outrage against the Lord with greater impudencie, and with an open throat as it were.