Vers. 9. Thou wentest to the Kings with oile, and diddest increase thine oint∣ments, and send thy messengers farre off, and diddest humble thy selfe vnto hell.
HEre the Prophet reprooues another vice almost like the former:* 1.1 for impietie be∣gets many errors, and forceth light heads that are void of Gods feare into very sore and perplexed molestations. And is it not good reason that such as will not rest in God should bee restlesse, or rather tossed vp and downe with whirlewinds? He reprocheth the Iewes then that they vexed themselues so much, and so long a time in hunting after the helpe of strangers, namelie, when they en∣deuoured to oppose the aide of the Egypti∣ans against the Assyrians: and then being de∣frauded of their hopes, they began to trot to the Chaldeans.* 1.2 For when men haue forsaken the feare of the Almightie, then they seeke helpe in others, and not onelie wearie them∣selues, but are a great cost and trauell to at∣chieue the same. And whilest the Lord giues quiet sleepe to his beloued ones, that they may quietly finish that they haue to doe, the wicked vexe themselues for nothing. They rise early, and goe late to bed, and eate the bread of carefulnesse: as it is in Psalm. 127.2. And yet in the meane while they cannot enrich themselues the value of a naile: because they do nothing vnder Gods authoritie or gouer∣ment. Now the Lord punisheth them thus, to the end they may wander vp and downe, as men at their wits end, being euer in doubt and perplexitie, without euer enioying the benefit of a quiet and contented mind.