But as often as I read this place, a like example unto this comes to my mind, and is the nearest in affinity to it of all others; to wit, of one Thomas Moore, 1who had such an office as this Shebna had. For (as it is well known) he was Chancellor to the King of England: he was a sworn enemy of the Gospel, and persecuted the faithful with fire and faggot. This man also meant to get himself a name, and to set up a monument of his cruelty and impiety. To which end he caused the praises of his virtues, to be engraven in a fair sepulchre which was built in most stately manner. Then he sent his Epitaph, which himself had made, to Erasmus, 2to Basil, to get it printed; and withal, sent him a palfrey for a present. So covetous was he of glory, that he meant to taste the renown and the praises in his life time, which he thought should have lasted when he was dead. Amongst other praises, this was the chiefest; that he had been a great persecutor of the Lutherans:3 that is to say, of Gods children. But what became of him? He is first of all accused of treason, then condemned, and lastly beheaded: and thus in stead of a tomb, he had a scaffold. §1Would we desire a more manifest judgement §2of God then these, by which he punisheth §3the pride of the wicked; their insatiable desire of vain glory; their brags that are so full of blasphemies? Truly we ought no less to acknowledge and reverence the admirable providence of God, in this cruel enemy of his people: then in Shebna, of whom the Prophet here speaketh. This circumstance also that Shebna was a stranger, is to be observed: for hence we may see, that all tyrants and enemies of Gods children, would with all their hearts root out the right heirs from off the earth, themselves being but strangers; that so they might reign as Lords and Kings over the whole world.4 But the Lord in the end will chase them out, and deprive them of all possession: so as they shall not have one foot of ground to be buried in. An infinite number of such examples are extant every where in histories. I grant it falls not out thus always, but such examples as the Lord sets before us, ought to draw our thoughts further off, to the end we may consider of his judgements against tyrants and infidels;
But as often as I reade this place, a like example vnto this comes to my mind, and is the neerest in affin•tie to it of all others; to wit, of one Thomas Moore, 1who had such an office as this Shebna had. For (as it is well knowne) he was Chancellor to the King of England: he was a sworne enemie of the Gospell, and persecuted the faithfull with fire and faggot. This man also meant to get himselfe a name, and to set vp a monument of his crueltie and impietie. To which end he caused the praises of his vertues, to be ingrauen in a faire sepulchre which was built in most stately manner. Then he sent his Epitaph, which himselfe had made, to Erasmus, 2to Basil, to get it printed; and withall, sent him a palfrey for a present. So couetous was he of glory, that hee meant to taste the renowne and the praises in his life time, which hee thought should haue lasted when hee was dead. Amongst other praises, this was the chiefest; that he had been a great persecutor of the Lutherans:3 that is to say, of Gods children. But what became of him? He is first of all accused of treason, then condemned, and lastly beheaded: and thus in stead of a tombe, hee had a scaffold. §1Would we desire a more manifest iudgement §2of God then these, by which hee punisheth §3the pride of the wicked; their insatiable desire of vaine glory; their brags that are so full of blasphemies? Truely wee ought no lesse to acknowledge and reuerence the admirable prouidence of God, in this cruell enemy of his people: then in Shebna, of whom the Prophet heere speaketh. This circumstance also that Shebna was a stranger, is to be obserued: for hence we may see, that all tyrants and enemies of Gods children, would with al their hearts roote out the right heires from off the earth, themselues being but strangers; that so they might raigne as Lords and Kings ouer the whole world.4 But the Lord in the end will chase them out, and depriue them of all possession: so as they shall not haue one foote of ground to be buried in. An infinite number of such examples are extant euerie where in histories. I grant it falles not out thus alwaies, but such examples as the Lord sets before vs, ought to draw our thoughts further off, to the end we may consider of his iudgements against tyrants and infidels;
- 1Thomas Moore Lord Chancellor of England, and a sworn enemy of the Gospel.Thomas Moore Lord Chancellor of England, and a sworn enemy of the Gospell.
- 2Erasmus.
- 3Moore a great persecutor of the Lutherans.Moore a great persecuter of the Lutherans.
- 4How God is wont to meet with the proud enemies of his Church.
