He that here threateneth to bring down the proud that rise up against Gods Church,1 &c. is the Lord God, whose throne is glorious & fearful. Whose name is inestimable, and his glory is incomprehensible; before whom the host of Angels stand with trembling. And shall not his excellency make you afraid? Job. 13.11. Who after in this Chapter, as often in the scripture, is called the Lord of Hosts:2 because he hath all things in heaven and in earth, and every where else, at his commandment, as soldiers under him. And he saith to one, go, and he goeth: to an other, come, and he cometh: and to his servant, do this, and he doth it: as the Centurion told Christ he did.3 ⟨p. 72⟩Now consider, if the commandment of man were of such force, the commandment of God is greater. If the Centurion were to be believed, why should not God? This God, the Lord of Hosts that planted thee (ô man) hath pronounced a plague against thee, Thou shalt be brought down. Paul the Apostle saith: It is God that justifieth, who shall condemn? And now it is God that speaketh, who dares to withstand? In the bat•••• betwixt Israel and Aim-Jech, when Moses held up this ha•d, Israel had the better. And when God taketh the matter into his hands, he will prevail. For it is written, Who shall be able to stand before him when he is angry? Even none at all. For at thy rebuke (ô God of Jacob) both the chariot and horse are fallen. This the proud Egyptians knew, in spiteful en•ie pursuing Israel. Therefore every one said, I will fly from the face of Israel, for the Lord fighteth for them. And will not Pride and all sin fly, now God is bent against them? When proud Haman had made ready his gallows, and was come to the Kings Court, minding to get ⟨p. 73⟩and take Mardoche the Lords servant, that he might hang him, a contrary wind to Hamans expectation, had hoist up Mardoche to favour:4 and Haman in stead of a hangman to shut his breath, which he intended, became Mardoches footman and herald, to proclaim his honour; which he sore disdained, and for which he was no less grieved, then Ahab was when he could not get Naboth his vineyard. Ahab came into his house, heavy and in displeasure. And even so Haman hasted home mourning and his head covered, and told Zereth his wife, and all his friends, all that had befallen him.
HEe that heere threatneth to bring downe the proud that rise vp against Gods Church,1 &c. is the Lord God, whose throne is glorious & fearefull. Whose name is inestimable, and his glory is incōprehensible; before whom the hoast of Angels stand with trembling. And shall not his excellencie make you afraid? Iob. 13.11. Who after in this Chapter, as often in the scripture, is called the Lord of Hoasts:2 because he hath all things in heauen and in earth, and euery where else, at his commaundement, as souldiers vnder him. And he saith to one, goe, and he goeth: to an other, come, and he commeth: and to his seruant, doo this, and he doth it: as the Centurion told Christ hee did.3 ⟨p. 72⟩Now consider, if the commaundement of man were of such force, the commaundement of God is greater. If the Centurion were to be beleeued, why should not God? This God, the Lord of Hoastes that planted thee (ô man) hath pronounced a plague against thee, Thou shalt bee brought downe. Paul the Apostle saith: It is God that iustifieth, who shall condemne? And now it is God that speaketh, who dares to withstand? In the bat•••• betwixt Israel and Ame-Iech, when Moyses held vp this ha•d, Israel had the better. And when God taketh the matter into his hands, he will preuaile. For it is written, Who shall bee able to stand before him when he is angry? Euen none at all. For at thy •ebuke (ô God of Iacob) both the chariot and horse are falue. This the proud Egyptians knew, in spightfull en•ie pursuing Israel. Therfore euery one said, I wil flie from the face of Israel, for the Lord fighteth for them. And will not Priae and all sinne flie, now God is bent against them? When proud Haman had made ready his gallowes, and was come to the Kings Court, minding to get ⟨p. 73⟩and take Mardoche the Lords seruant, that he might hang him, a contratie winde to Hamans expectation, had hoyst vp Mardoche to fauour:4 and Haman in stead of a hangman to shut his breath, which hee intended, became Mardoches footman and herald, to proclaime his honour; which hee sore disdained, and for which he was no lesse grieued, then Ahab was when he could not get Naboth his vineyard. Ahab came into his house, heauie and in displeasure. And euen so Haman hasted home mourning and his head coured, and tolde Zereth his wife, and all his friends, all that had befalne him.
- 1Dent. 28.58. 2. Esd. 8.21
- 2Isay 1.9.24. & 10.26. Jer. 11.28. & 29.8.Isay 1.9.24. & 10.26. Ier. 11.28. & 29.8.
- 3Mat. 8.9.
- 4Hest. 6.10 11.
