What hast thou, vain man, to complain of?
What answer canst thou make, O filthy sinner, to those that reproach thee, thou that hast so often offended God, and many times deserved hell?
But mine eye hath spared thee, because thy soul was precious in my sight, that thou mightest know my love, and mightest be always thankful for my favours, and that thou mightest give thyself continually to true subjection and humility; and bear with patience to be despised by all.
Chap. XIV.
Of considering the secret judgments of God,
lest we be puffed up by our good works.
1. Thou thunderest forth over my head thy judgments, O Lord, and thou shakest all my bones with fear and trembling, and my soul is terrified exceedingly.
I stand astonished, and consider that the heavens are not pure in thy sight.
If in the angels thou hast found sin, and hast not spared them, what will become of me?
Stars have fallen from heaven, and I that am but dust, how can I presume?
They, whose works seemed praiseworthy, have fallen to the very lowest; and such as before fed upon the bread of angels, I have seen delighted with the husks of swine.