This must be joined to that which went before. To say, in this place is taken to resolve in himself; according to the Hebrew phrase. For he derides the pride of the Babylonian, who resting upon his greatness, durst be so bold as to promise himself continual happiness; even as if it had been in his power to bring the events of things to pass at his pleasure. Wherein we have a fair looking glass to behold the foolish pride wherewithal the wicked are puffed up; which also sometimes they are not ashamed to vomit forth. Neither must we here consider the person of one tyrant only, but the damnable fury of all the wicked, which make their conclusions in secret, no otherwise then if they were able to dispose of all things according to their own fantasy. Whose plots S. James describes in lively colours; We will go into such a City, say they, we will buy, and sell, and get gain: and yet in the mean while, they know not what shall come to pass to morrow: Jam. 4.13. They never think they are under Gods hand; but have this sottish conceit, that they will do all things by their own strength. I grant that this brag, I will ascend into heaven, and that which follows also, is so absurd, as it seems impossible how it could come out of the mouth of a mortal man: but in regard it was not the Prophets meaning to set down the speeches of Nebuchadnezzar, word for word, let it suffice us to consider the thing it self. For to speak the truth, whosoever he be that attributes more unto himself then the condition of men can bear, he exalts himself against God, as the Giants did, of whom the proverb speaks: whence it follows, that all their devises shall come to confusion. But especially he, who passing beyond the bounds of his calling, provokes the Lord against him by his boldness. And therefore let every one of us content himself with his estate, and not desire to be mounting up aloft: but let us rather continue in that degree wherein God hath placed us. Indeed if God reach out his hand unto any, and lift him higher, he may go further: but he ought to usurp nothing to himself, nor to clime up thereunto of his own head. And concerning those who are exalted unto high degree and dignity, they ought to carry themselves humbly and modestly; not feignedly, but with such meekness of spirit, as if they were not exalted at all.
THis must bee ioyned to that which went before. To say, in this place is taken to resolue in himselfe; according to the Hebrew phrase. For he derides the pride of the Babylonian, who resting vpon his greatnesse, durst be so bold as to promise himselfe continuall happinesse; euen as if it had been in his power to bring the euents of things to passe at his pleasure. Wherein wee haue a faire looking glasse to behold the foolish pride wherewithall the wicked are puffed vp; which also sometimes they are not ashamed to vomit forth. Neither must we heere consider the person of one tyrant onely, but the damnable furie of all the wicked, which make their conclusions in secret, no otherwise then if they were able to dispose of all things according to their owne fantasie. Whose plots S. Iames describes in liuely colours; We will goe into such a Citie, say they, wee will buy, and sell, and get gaine: and yet in the meane while, they know not what shall come to passe to morrow: Iam. 4.13. They neuer thinke they are vnder Gods hand; but haue this sottish conceit, that they will doe all things by their own strength. I grant that this brag, I will ascend into heauen, and that which followes also, is so absurd, as it seemes impossible how it could come out of the mouth of a mortall man: but in regard it was not the Prophets meaning to set downe the speeches of Nebuchadnezzar, word for word, let it suffice vs to consider the thing it selfe. For to speake the truth, whosoeuer he be that attributes more vnto himselfe then the condition of men can beare, hee exalts himselfe against God, as the Giants did, of whom the prouerb speakes: whence it followes, that all their deuises shall come to confusion. But especially hee, who passing beyond the bounds of his calling, prouokes the Lord against him by his boldnesse. And therefore let euery one of vs content himselfe with his estate, and not desire to be mounting vp aloft: but let vs rather continue in that degree wherein God hath placed vs. Indeed if God reach out his hand vnto any, and lift him higher, he may go further: but he ought to vsurpe nothing to himselfe, nor to clime vp thereunto of his owne head. And concerning those who are exalted vnto high degree and dignitie, they ought to carry themselues humbly and modestlie; not feinedly, but with such meekenesse of spirit, as if they were not exalted at all.
