4. The places of doctrine.
1. Doctr. That Gods iudgements worke diuersly.
v. 6. Then the kings countenance was changed. Generally the denuntiation or demon∣stration of Gods iudgements doe awaken and rouse vp the secure and sleepie conscience. But it hath a diuers operation in the Elect, and in the wicked and reprobate: In the Elect, the hearing of Gods iudgements doth sometime bring them to repentance for their sinne, as it did Dauid, or doth stirre them vp to be more zealous in performing their dutie, as the Apo∣stle saith, 2. Cor. 5. 11. Knowing the terrour of the Lord, we perswade men: that is, seeing eue∣ry one shall receiue the things done in his bodie, as he saith in the former verse, that euery one should haue a care faithfully to performe his dutie.
In the reprobate, either they are not mooued at all at Gods iudgements, as Pharaoh at the first was not humbled at all: or els there is wrought in them a shew of repentance for a time, as in Ahab: or they may be terrified with the feare of Gods iudgements, without any remorse at all, as is here seene in Balthazar.
2. Doctr. Of the momentanie pleasures of the world.
v. 6. And his thoughts troubled him. Balthazar in the middes of his feast, when his heart was disposed to be merrie, is stricken into his dumps: according to that saying of Amos, c. 8. 10. I will turne your feasts into mourning, and all your songs into lamentation: for like as the weather changeth, it is sometime faire, sometime foule: and as at the sea, whē it is calme sud∣denly riseth a storme and tempest: such are all terrene and earthly ioyes: Onely our peace and ioy in Christ is perpetuall: as our blessed Sauiour himselfe saith, Ioh. 16. 22. Your ioy shall no man take from you: like as a streame, which continually runneth, such are spirituall ioyes flowing vnto euerlasting life: but the ioy of the world is like vnto sudden raine, which hastily runneth downe, and is speedily gone.
3. Doctr. Man of himselfe can not vnderstand or perceiue heauenly things.
v. 8. Then came all the kings wise men, but they could neither read the writing, &c. As these Ch••ldeans presuming vpon their owne skill, could neither read, much lesse interpret this diuine writing; so man is of himselfe vnapt and vnable to apprehend any spirituall thing: the vision of the Prophets vnto carnall men, is like vnto the words of a booke sealed vp. Isa. 29. 10. the reason whereof the Apostle sheweth, 1. Cor. 2. 14. The naturall man per∣ceiueth not the things of the spirit of God, for they are foolishnes vnto him, &c.
4. Doctr. That God often vseth weake instruments, as namely women, to effect his purpose.
v. 10. Now the Queene, &c. came into the banket house. The Lord vseth oftentimes wo∣men