But here we must take heed of another extreme: That in presumption of our selves, and of the means, we xsacrifice not to our own Net, arrogating the praise and glory of the Action, which God always reserveth unto ⟨p. 97⟩himself. Sharply doth the Lord (by his Prophet reprove the proud King of Ashur in this behalf, and check his insolent and vain brags, as if his own arm had gotten him the victory. But ywhen the Lord hath accomplished all his works upon Mount Zion and Jerusalem, I will visit the fruit of the heart of the proud King of Ashur, and his glorious and proud looks, because he said, By the power of mine own hand have I done it: because I am wise, therefore I have removed the borders of the People, and have spoiled their treasures, and have pulled down the inhabitants like a valiant man, and mine hand hath found out as a nest, the riches of the People, and as one that gathereth Eggs that are left, so have I gathered all the Earth, and there was none to move the wing, or to open the mouth, or to chirp. Shall the Axe boast himself against him that heweth therewith? &c. In zanother place he denounceth a woe to them that go down into Egypt for help, and lean upon Horses, which trust in Chariots, because they be many, and in Horsemen, because they be multiplied, and look not to the holy one of Israel, nor seek after JEHOVAH. AS A also a religious and godly Prince, is ataxed, that in his sickness he sought not after JEHOVAH, but cleaved unto Physicians. God verily is to have the praise, whatsoever means he worketh by. But when he useth vile, base and abject means, which upon the matter is no means at all; when he chooseth bthe foolish things of the World, to shame the wise, and the weak things of the World, to shame the strong, and the base things of the World, and things of none account, and which are not (to speak of, in mens opinions) to annul the things that are, then doth his glory more appear. So he said cto Gideon, coming at the first with a great Army to fight against the Midianites, This people that are with thee, are too many for me to deliver the Midianites into their hands: Lest Israel take to himself glory over me, saying, Mine hand hath brought me salvation.
But heere wee must take heede of another extreme: That in presumption of our selues, and of the meanes, we xsacrifice not to our owne Net, arrogating the prayse and glorie of the Action, which God alwayes reserueth vnto ⟨p. 97⟩himselfe. Sharply doth the Lord (by his Prophet reproue the proud King of Ashur in this behalfe, and checke his insolent and vaine bragges, as if his owne arme had gotten him the victorie. But ywhen the Lord hath accomplished all his workes vpon Mount Sion and Ierusalem, I will visit the fruit of the heart of the proud King of Ashur, and his glorious and proud lookes, because hee said, By the power of mine owne hand haue I done it: because I am wise, therefore I haue remooued the borders of the People, and haue spoyled their treasures, and haue pulled downe the inhabitants like a valiant man, and mine hand hath found out as a nest, the riches of the People, and as one that gathereth Egges that are left, so haue I gathered all the Earth, and there was none to mooue the wing, or to open the mouth, or to chirpe. Shall the Axe boast himselfe against him that heweth therewith? &c. In zanother place hee denounceth a woe to them that goe downe into Egypt for helpe, and leane vpon Horses, which trust in Chariots, because they be many, and in Horsemen, because they bee multiplyed, and looke not to the holy one of Israel, nor seeke after IEHOVAH. AS A also a religious and godly Prince, is ataxed, that in his sicknesse hee sought not after IEHOVAH, but cleaued vnto Phisicians. God verily is to haue the prayse, whatsoeuer meanes he worketh by. But when he vseth vile, base and abiect meanes, which vpon the matter is no meanes at all; when he chooseth bthe foolish things of the World, to shame the wise, and the weake things of the World, to shame the strong, and the base things of the World, and things of none account, and which are not (to speake of, in mens opinions) to adnull the things that are, then doth his glorie more appeare. So he said cto Gideon, comming at the first with a great Army to fight against the Midianites, This people that are with thee, are too many for mee to deliuer the Midianites into their hands: Lest Israel take to himselfe glorie ouer mee, saying, Mine hand hath brought me saluation.
- xAbac. 1. 16.
- yIsaiah 10. 12.Esay 10. 12.
- zIsaiah 31. 1.Esay 31. 1.
- a2. King. 16. 12
- b1. Cor. 1. 27, 28
- cJudge 7. 2.Iudge 7. 2.
