Vers. 15. And man shall be brought downe, and man shall be humbled, euen the eies of the proud shall be humbled.
THis is as it were in the shutting vp of his speech; in which he shewes to what end and issue these scourges would come vnto: to wit,* 1.1 that all should be humbled; and that the Lord only should be exalted. We haue seene the like sentence heretofore, and haue there declared the Prophets meaning: to wit, the end why we are chastised of God. For aduersities are so odious vnto vs, that for the most part we can conceiue no good thing to proceed from them. When we heare of punishments, wee haue them in horror and detestation, because we consider not that the Lord is iust. But the Prophets call vs to another consideration, to wit, that whilst men sport themselues in their sinnes, they smother as it were the iustice of God, which shineth not clearely, vnlesse when hee takes vengeance vpon our iniqui∣ties. Behold indeede an excellent fruite, and such a one as is to bee preferred before the saluation of all men. For we ought to let all things giue place to the glorie of God, which shineth no lesse in his iustice then in his mer∣cie.
There is no cause then, why we should so much feare the rods of God wherewithall we are corrected: but ought rather in all humi∣litie to imbrace whatsoeuer the Prophets pronounce against vs. Although in this kind of speech the Prophet hath also touched the pride of the hypocrits to the quicke; who euer become the more wicked when they es∣cape still vnpunished: as if he should say, do yee thinke it is possible that after God hath forborne you so long, yet at the last you should tread him vnder your feete? no, assure your selues he will arise, and will be exalted in your destruction. Because the Prophet hath put the word Adam in the first place, and after Aisch; some thinke he ment to comprehend as well noble as base; as if he should say, It shall not be the common people only which shall perish, but also all those who are noted for their honour, riches and dignitie. And I willingly receiue this sence, because Aisch is deriued from force; and Adam from earth. If any will expound it more simplie, I leaue him to his owne iudgement. Howsoeuer it be, the Prophet hath here comprehended all mortall men; as well great as small.