But Nebuchadnezzar hath showed the way before them, and they must all dance after ⟨p. 26⟩him, though they were as mighty, though they were mightier then he, death will not take his kingdom for a ransom. Now what is Babel and what is Nebuchadnezzar the king thereof. Now Babel is destroyed, and the king which built it is laid in dust: had it not been better to have built an house in heaven, which might have received him when he was dead. The name of these palaces may well be Babel, that is, confusion, because they prophesy confusion to them which build, them: for their foundation is pride, their walls extortion, their roof ambition, and all the stuffings within them is usury, bribery, cruelty. Now if this be the best which Nebuchadnezzar hath to vaunt of, what is the worst which he may be ashamed of? When I ⟨p. 27⟩see how earnest he was about his dream, and how loose he sate after in his palace. Me thinks I see the image of the world in one man: how lively doth Nebuchadnezzar resemble the dreamers of our time? such inquiry, such diligence to know Gods will, that a man would have sworn, if the king met with a prophet from heaven that can tell him the truth & instruct him from God, that his dream warned him to amend his life, he will reclaim himself, and reform his realm, and become such a king as was never in this land before. But behold no sooner resolved of his dream, but he was ready to be warned again, and was not so attentive to the Prophet as he was to his dream, though he cared for neither, for when ⟨p. 28⟩he understood that his dream went about to change the course of his life,1 he went away like Naaman in a chafe, and cared no more for his dream after. Before the dream came, all would have said that such a dream would have humbled his heart for ever. Before the Prophet came, all would have said, that such a Prophet would have converted them with a word, but Nebuchadnezzar is Nebuchadnezzar, & if any other dream come more fearful then this, yet Nebuchadnezzar will be Nebuchadnezzar, and love his palace better than paradise: so we think if God would send a famine upon this land, that would make us fear him, but God hath sent a famine & yet we do not fear him. If God would send an Earthquake upon ⟨p. 29⟩this land that would make us fear him: but God hath sent an Earthquake upon this land, and yet we do not fear him:
But Nabuchadnezzer hath shewed the waie before them, and they must all daunce after ⟨p. 26⟩him, though they were as mighty, though they were mightier then he, death wil not take his kingdom for a ransome. Now what is Babel and what is Nabuchadnezzer the king therof. Now Babel is destroied, and the king which built it is laid in dust: had it not bene better to haue built an house in heauen, which might haue receiued him when he was dead. The name of these pallaces may well bee Babel, that is, confusion, because they prophesie confusion to thē which build, them: for their foundatiō is pride, their wals extortion, theyr roofe ambition, and all the stuffings within them is vsurie, briberie, cruelty. Now if this be the best which Nabuchadnezzer hath to vant of, what is the worst which he may bee ashamed of? When I ⟨p. 27⟩see how earnest hee was about his dreame, and how loose he sate after in his pallace. Me thinks I see the image of the worlde in one man: how liuely doth Nabuchadnezzer resemble the dreamers of our time? such inquirie, such diligence to know Gods will, that a man woulde haue sworne, if the king met with a prophet from heauen that can tell him the truth & instruct him from God, that his dreame warned him to amend his life, he will reclaime himselfe, and reforme his realme, and become such a king as was neuer in this land before. But behold no sooner resolued of his dreame, but he was readie to bee warned againe, and was not so attentiue to the Prophet as he was to his dream, thogh hee cared for neither, for when ⟨p. 28⟩hee vnderstoode that his dreame went about to change the course of his life,1 he went awaie like Naaman in a chafe, and cared no more for his dreame after. Before the dreame came, all would haue sayd that such a dreame woulde haue humbled his heart for euer. Before the Prophet came, all would haue said, that such a Prophet woulde haue conuerted thē with a word, but Nabuchadnezzer is Nabuchadnezzer, & if anie other dream come more fearefull then this, yet Nabuchadnezzer will bee Nabuchadnezzer, and loue his pallace better than paradice: so we thinke if God would send a famine vpon this land, that would make vs feare him, but God hath senta famine & yet we doe not feare him. If God would send an Earthquake vppon ⟨p. 29⟩this land that would make vs feare him: but God hath sent an Earthquake vpon this lande, and yet we doe not feare him:
- 12. Kin 5. 11.
