But this will be the better understood by the words themselves; What hast thou to do here? For he was a stranger borne. I deny not but he might well have obtained fellowship with the people of God;1 yet in regard he was both a traitor and a stranger, he had no part nor portion in this region nor City, which God had specially assigned unto his chosen. The Prophet asks him then; Whence art thou? Thou art linked with the people of God neither by blood nor affinity; and yet thou wilt not only reign in this Country whilst thou livest, but thou art also plotting how to stablish thy seat here, after thy death. Thou wilt deliver us into the hands of the Assyrians, and meanest to turn out the true Lords: so as thy self, which art but a stranger, mindest to enjoy this land, in which thou hast not right to one pike of dust.2 Hence we may gather, that this ambition is exceedingly odious unto God, when men are not content with the honours wherewith they were glutted whilst they lived; but they must build them perpetual monuments of their name in the world when they are gone. For they cover to be exalted after their death, and to live again as it were in the mouths of men: and albeit things by death are abolished; y•t are they besotted notwithstanding with this foolish hope, that their memory shall endure for ever. But the Lord avengeth himself of their pride and presumption, causing that which they erected for a witness and remembrance of their glory, to turn to their dishonour and ignominy. For their very name is so accursed, that men can neither hear nor see any mention thereof, but it is with detestation. Nay, it sometimes falls out, that the Lord suffers them not to be buried in their tombs, but sends them to the gallows, and to the ravens; of which we have many examples in the histories:3 neither want we some spectacles hereof even in our own times.
But this will be the better vnderstood by the words themselues; What hast thou to doe here? For he was a stranger borne. I deny not but he might well haue obtained fellowship with the people of God;1 yet in regard he was both a traitor and a stranger, he had no part nor portion in this region nor Citie, which God had spoecially assigned vnto his chosen. The Prophet askes him then; Whence art thou? Thou art linked with the people of God neither by blood nor affinitie; and yet thou wilt not onely raigne in this Country whilest thou liuest, but thou art also plotting how to stablish thy seat here, after thy death. Thou wilt deliuer vs into the hands of the Assyrians, and meanest to turne out the true Lords: so as thy selfe, which art but a stranger, mindest to enioy this land, in which thou hast not right to one pike of dust.2 Hence we may gather, that this ambition is exceedingly odious vnto God, when men are not content with the honours wherewith they were glutted whil•st they liued; but they must build them perpetuall monuments of their name in the world when they are gone. For they couer to bee exalted after their death, and to liue againe as it were in the mouthes of men: and albeit things by death are abolished; y•t are they besotted notwithstanding with this foolish hope, that their memorie shall indure for euer. But the Lord auengeth himselfe of their pride and presumption, causing that which they erected for a witnesse and remembrance of their glorie, to turne to their dishonour and ignominie. For their very name is so accursed, that men can neither heare nor see any mention thereof, but it is with detestation. Nay, it sometimes falles out, that the Lord suffers them not to be buried in their tombes, but sends them to the gallowes, and to the rauens; of which wee haue many examples in the histories:3 neither want we some spectacles hereof euen in our owne times.
- 1Shebna a stranger and a tr•• or to God his Church.
- 2Ambition […] thing exceeding odious unto God.Ambi•ion 〈…〉 thing exceeding odiou• vnto God.
- 3Host. 7.10.
