Discourses upon the Existence and Attributes of God

2. In ascribing the glory of what we do or have, to our selves, to our own Wisdom, Power, Virtue, &c. How flaunting is Nebuchadnezzar, at the Prospect of Babylon, which he had exalted to be the Head of so great an Empire, Dan. 4.30? Is not this great Babylon that I have built? For, &c. He struts upon the Battlements of his Palace, as if there were no God but himself in the World, while his eye could not but see the Heavens above him to be none of his own framing; attributing his Acquisitions to his own Arm, and referring them to his own Honour, for his own delight; not for the Honour of God, as a Creature ought; nor for the advantage of his Subjects, as the Duty of a Prince: He regards Babylon as his ⟨p. 83⟩Heaven, and himself as his Idol, as if he were all, and God nothing. An Example of this we have in the present Age. But it is often observed, that God vindicates his own Honour, brings the most heroical men to contempt and unfortunate ends, as a punishment of their Pride, as he did here, Dan. 4.31. While the Word was in the Kings Mouth, there fell a Voice from Heaven, &c.^* This was Herod's Crime, to suffer others to do it: He had discovered his Eloquence actively, and made himself his own end passively, in approving the flatteries of the people; and offered not with one hand to God the glory, he received from his people with the other.² Samosatenus is reported to put down the Hymns which were sung for the glory of God and Christ, and caused Songs to be sung in the Temple for his own Honour.

2. In ascribing the glory of what we do or have, to our selves, to our own Wisdom, Power, Vertue, &c. How flaunting is Nebuchadnezzar, at the Prospect of Babilon, which he had exalted to be the Head of so great an Empire, Dan. 4.30? Is not this great Babilon that I have built? For, &c. He struts upon the Battlements of his Palace, as if there were no God but himself in the World, while his eye could not but see the Heavens above him to be none of his own framing; attributing his Acquisitions to his own Arm, and referring them to his own Honour, for his own delight; not for the Honour of God, as a Creature ought; nor for the advantage of his Subjects, as the Duty of a Prince: He regards Babilon as his