But there is one learning particularly to be noted in this similitude of a trembling or tottering wall: wherewithal the Prophet setteth forth the fall and confusion of the wicked, which is this: that when the wicked persecuteth the godly, & that the least resistance of the world is stirred up by God against them, the Lord that stirreth up the plague to punish them, striketh also their hearts with such trembling and fear,1 that one man in a good cause shall be able, to with stand ten such wicked persecutors, whose conscience God hath so feared, that they are not able to bear the countenance of a man: no, not able to overcome the terror of their own spirit, which beareth them record, that as they in time past have fought against God & his cause: so now God justly fighteth against them, both with the fear of hell fire towards their souls, and with outward adversities towards their bodies. So God said, he would send such trembling & fear unto such as neither loved,2 nor kept his laws: as it is written by the holy Prophet Moses.3 The example whereof ye may read also in Daniel the Prophet: that the Emperor of the Chaldees,4 when he was ⟨p. 59⟩in the middest of his strength, mirth, banquets, and jollity,5 saw no more but a poor little hand write in the wall of his palace, that never spake word, showed no terrible sight of men of war, nor gave any blow in his palace: yet fell the Emperor into such a trembling & fear at the sight thereof, that all his limbs (in manner) stood him in no stead. Christ never gave blow, but modestly asked his murderers whom they sought for: and yet fell they flat and prostrate to the ground.6 So that the wicked persecutors of the godly, be aptly and properly likened and compared to a tottering7 and trembling wall. For as soon as ever the blasts of Gods ire and judgement be moved & kindled against them: they be so quivering and comfortless, that they would take them to be most their friends that soonest would dispatch them out of the world. As Christ said aptly of them, they should pray the mountains to fall upon them.8 As long as God feigneth himself a sleep, and suffereth the blessed to fall into the hands of the wicked to be crucified and slain, as they please,9 they be more strong, and more cruel then Lions: but when God ariseth & taketh the defence of his poor people, then they be more fearful then the Hart, or trembling Hare.
But there is one learning particularly to be noted in this similitude of a trembling or tottering wall: wherewithall the Prophet setteth foorth the fall and confusion of the wicked, which is this: that when the wicked persequuteth the godly, & that the least resistance of ye world is stirred vp by God against them, the Lord that stirreth vp the plague to punish them, striketh also their heartes with such trembling and feare,1 that one man in a good cause shalbe able, to wt stand ten such wicked persecuters, whose conscience God hath so feared, that they are not able to beare the countenance of a man: no, not able to ouercome the terrour of their owne spirite, which beareth them record, that as they in time past haue fought against God & his cause: so now God iustly fighteth against them, both with the feare of hell fire towardes their soules, and with outward aduersities towards their bodies. So God said, he would send such trembling & feare vnto such as neither loued,2 nor kept his lawes: as it is written by the holy Prophet Moses.3 The example whereof ye may read also in Daniel the Prophet: that the Emperor of the Caldées,4 when he was ⟨p. 59⟩in the middest of his strength, mirth, banquets, and iollitie,5 sawe no more but a poore little hand write in the wal of his palace, that neuer spake word, shewed no terrible sight of men of warre, nor gaue any blow in his palace: yet fell the Emperor into such a trembling & feare at the sight thereof, that all his limmes (in maner) stoode him in no stéede. Christ neuer gaue blow, but modestly asked his murderers whom they sought for: and yet fell they flatt and prostrate to the ground.6 So that the wicked persecuters of the godly, be aptly and properly likened and compared to a tottering7 and trembling wall. For as soone as euer the blastes of Gods ire and iudgement be moued & kindled against them: they be so quiuering and comfortlesse, yt they would take them to be most their frends that soonest would dispatch them out of the world. As Christ said aptly of them, they shold pray the mounteines to fall vppon them.
- 1God doth so strike the hearts of the wicked with fear, that one man in a good cause, is able to withstand ten.God doth so strike the heartes of the wicked with feare, that one man in a good cause, is able to withstand tenne.
- 2Note.
- 3Deut. 28.
- 4Daniel. 5.
- 5A hand writing in the wall feared the Emperor of the Chaldees in his most jollity.A hand writing in the wall feared the Emperour of the Caldees in his most iollitie.
- 6John. 18.Iohn. 18.
- 7Christ asking his murderers whom they sought: they fell upon the ground.Christ asking his murderers whome thei soght: they fell vppon the ground.
- 8Luke 23.
- 9Note diligently.
