THough it be true that the Iudge of all the world must needs do right a a Gen. 18.25 . , and that hee who is of infinite maiestie , power , and iustice , can do no lesse then auenge himselfe of sinne and sinfull men ; yet such is his patience and longanimitie , that now and then , as the wise man saith , dissimulat peccata hominum b b Wisd. 7. , he dissembleth and seemeth not to see the sinnes of men . And as S. Austin obserueth , there is not alwaies apertio oculorum , when as this God seeth with the open eie , and takes apparant notice of the mischieuous practises of euill doers ; but sometime opertio , when he considereth ( as I may so say ) with the eie-lid , and appeares vnto the wicked as one that sleepes , and winkes at their impieties .

Insomuch that the crie of Sodome c c Gen. 18.25 . came vp to the very gates of heauen ere he came downe to them : the wickednesse of the Amorites d d 13.16 . was rotten ripe ere he began to launce ; and the day of trouble and time e e Isai. 22.15 . prefixt expired , ere he proceeded in iudgment with the Princes of Iuda . And Shebna in my text by his many impieties and wicked machinations euen turned his patience into fury ere he sent our Prophet vnto him to threaten his ruine . Till at length the sinnes of Shebna began to crie , and the measure of his iniquitie waxed full , and the day of his trouble came ; and then when hee thought himselfe most strong , and flourished like the bay tree f f Psal. , when he dwelt in the cliffes of the rocke g g Ier. 49.16 . , and kept the height of the hilles , and was ( to vse our Prophets words in the fiue and twentieth verse h h Isai. 22.25 . of this Chapter ) as a naile fastned in a sure place , loe , euen then comes a fearfull mesage and most direfull prediction of his vtter ruine and destruction , Goe get thee vnto this Treasurer , euen vnto Shebna which is ouer the house and say .

Which parcell of holy Writ may very well be intituled , The Downefull of Shebna . Occidit vna domus , sed enim domus illa perire Digna fuit . For the better vnfolding wherof consider with mee I beseech you these three proposals .

As touching the first , what this Shebna was ; goe wee no further then to the title heere giuen him , and the bare signification of the name it selfe , wee shall finde , that as was his name , so was hee : for the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which our English renders Treasurer , Musculus . as Musculus very well obserueth , is not so much a name of office , as parentage : and he was called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Socuite , from the Citie wherein hee was borne . Now the Verbe 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 either signifieth to impouerish ; so that Shebna as it should seeme , was one that was giuen to wrong and hurt others , and set light by all such as had not relation to him , and fauoured his proceedings : and therefore among his other vices , which doubtlesse were many and great ( as you shall heare anon ) the holy Ghost i i Isa. 22.21 . in the one and twentieth verse of this Chapter , plalnly specifieth the malice and spleene which hee bare vnto good Eliachim ; and to regret and gall him the more , it is recorded as a parcell of his punishment , that whereas hee laboured to supplant Eliachim , and bring him into disgrace with the Prince and State , Eliachim should be aduanced , and that in Shebna roome : For with thy garments will I cloath him , and with thy girdle will I strengthen him : thy power also will I commit into his hand , and he shall be a father of the Inhabitants of Ierusalem , Isai. 22.21 . and of the house of Iudah .

Or else it signifies to entertaine , to warme and cherish . In which sense it is vsed the first of Kings , the first Chapter , and second verse , 1 Reg. 1.2 . where it is said that the seruants of Dauid perceiuing a decay of nature , and that his vitall heat was well-nigh spent , they brought a young Virgin vnto him , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 & sit ei proficiens , foueat cum , let her cherish him . Which signification of the word if we will follow in this title , then wee may conceiue Shebna was a great feaster , and by his reuelling and banquetting and royall entertainment and other his more secret practises indeered the loues and affections of the Assyrians and Aegyptians , but especially of the false and hollow-hearted people and naturall subiects of Ezechia vnto him , in such sort , as that all men stood in awe of him .

Howsoeuer , certaine it is , Tacitus hist. 1. sect. 13. he was a man of speciall regard and eminencie in the common wealth : For though hee were an Aegyptian borne and a meere stranger to the Iewish nation , and a man who was besides those disaduantages of birth and life : the one , being meane , base and obscure , the other , lewd , wicked and vngodly , no way likely to rise in so good and well ordered an estate , as this of Iudah .

Yet had he by some such vertues , as Tacitus mentioneth in Tigellinus , Luxurie and Crueltie , and such other their inseparable companions , so humored the wicked King Ahaz , and by his fauour wrought himselfe into such place and generall imployment in the common wealth , as that Ezechiah , though hee were a good and a pious Prince , and without all question made choise of his seruants thereafter , yet hee not onely continued Shebna in that present greatnesse , whereunto Ahaz had aduanced him : But seconded what Ahaz had begun , and followed Shebna with many an addition and fresh supply of future fauour and preferment . For whereas there are but two courses , which Princes generally take with such as hold not correspondence with them , either to disgrace and casheir them quite , or else to winne them by conferring fauors and honors vpon them : you haue many imbrace the former , and Dauid himselfe though abused by a false and slandering fugitiue could hardly brooke Mephibosheth : 2 Sam. 19.25 . wherefore wentest not thou with me Mephibosheth ? Yet this good King tooke the fairest and most charitable course , and heaped coales of fire vpon this wicked Shebna his head . And this will euidently appeare , if you will be pleased to take a view of the place which Shebna now held vnder Ezechiah , and of the great accompt which this good King made of him and of his seruice . For , to omit all busie discourse touching his office , whether he were Steward of the house , as some Writers reade : or as Iunius renders it , praefectus praetorio , one that had the ordering of the men of warre and marshall affaires : or whether he were Scriba honorarius , principall Secretary , as the storie hath it , the 2 of Kings at the 18. or , 2 Kings 18. whether he were keeper of the Rolles , or , Master of Requests , as else-where our Prophet seemes to imply , Isay 36.3 . Isaiah 36.3 . wee may boldly rest on this , that he was a prime man in that state , and indeed raised to that height of honor , or at least continued at that height of honor ( vntill he deserued the contrary ) as that higher hee could not goe , Junius . euen so high quantum potuit esse viri saith one , as possibly a subiect could be capable of . He was secundus à Rege , the Kings right hand , and as it should seeme by the description of Eliachims power and authoritie , who succeeded Shebna both in place and greatnesse , Isay 22.22 . he had the very key of Dauid , and bare such sway , as that all men sought vnto him , all , euen from him that sate vpon the throne , to him that grinded at the mill , relied on him : The King for aduice , the people for dependance , and there was no one thing done , either in Church or Common wealth , either at home or abroad , that Shebna was not priuy too : nay , such accompt made Ezechiah of this one Shebna , and such trust and confidence he reposed in him , as that when Zenacherib threatned the ruine and destruction both of Ezechiah and Ierusalem , why , Shebna was a man , and a chiefe man sent from Ezechiah to appease Zenacherib and diuert him from his bloudy designe . In a word : when I consider either the place that Shebna bare in the common wealth , or the good opinion shall I say ? nay , the strong confidence , trust and repose , which Ezechiah had in him ; mee thinks I heare Ezechiah speake vnto Shebna as Pharaoh vnto Ioseph , Gen. 41.40 . Thou shalt be ouer mine house and of thy word shall all my people be armed , onely in the Kings throne will I be aboue thee . Gen. 41.40 . Mee thinkes hee no lesse respected him , Ester 6.8 . then Assuerus did Mordecay in the sixt of Ester at the 8 verse : or Balthasar him that could interpret the dreame Dan: 5.7 . For , Dan: 5.7 . Ecce ( as Iunius hath it ) Iehouah contegit to in tegumento , & amiciendo amicit te bellè . and what possibly can you name should be done to the man whom the King would honor , that was not done to Shebna . Hee had honor , wealth , power , command , and which is equall , nay aboue all the rest , hee had the fauor and good opinion of his Soueraigne , and what could the large and vaste heart of any reasonable subiect desire more ?

But O ignominia domus Domini ! you would wonder to see how soone this base fellow and earthly meteor , but now drawne aloft by the beames of the Princes fauour , vanisht ; and how quickly his good seruice ( as Lewis the XI . King of France was wont to say ) vtterly vndid him ( so that , Phil. de Com. lib. 3. quem vidit veniens dies superbum , Hunc vidit fugiens dies iacentem .

For , Shebna looking vpon these blessings of God and fauors of his Prince , as Swine vpon maste , neuer lifting vp his heart or entertayning so much as a thankfull thought from whence they fell , so exasperated God the author and doner of them , that he seemeth here , as sometime hee did vpon a serious view and consideration of the old world , euen to repent that euer he made Shebna a man , or at least so great a man ; and therefore he sends our Prophet here , and giues him in charge without any the least delay or preadmonition whatsoeuer , to lay the axe vnto the roote of the tree and smite home .

But of Gods round and peremptorie dealing with Shebna , I shall haue occasion to speake , when I come to the punishment of his offence : I am yet come no further , then the qualitie of his person , what he was , a man , who kept all other in awe , a man , of royall entertainment : a man , of prime note and eminencie , a pillar of the state , a patrone of the people , a fauorite of the King .

The vse whereof may be that in the Psalmist , Man being in honor hath no vnderstanding , Psal: 49.13 . hee is like to beasts that perish . Psal. 49.13 . especially that man that riseth from a low and meane estate , none more insolent , none more ingratefull , none greater despisers of others , magnifiers of themselues .

And it may serue to admonish such as rise from meane parentage , birth and estate , to looke vnto the rocke from whence they were hewen , and in all humilitie and hearty acknowledgment of Gods goodnes towards them , to carry themselues fairely and respectiuely to others . Whereas such is the impotencie and weaknesse of many , that obserue it when you will , you shall seldome see men base by birth , base by descent , base by education , but if once they get into the stirrup and climbe to any place of honour , preferment , meanes , command , why , presently they begin to play the Shebna , and as the Poet saith of drunken men , and what greater drunkennesse then this of the minde ? Tum veniunt risus , tum pauper cornua sumit . And this shall suffice to haue been spoken of the qualitie of his person , what he was . I come now by your good fauour , to the nature of his offence , what he did . Go get thee vnto this Treasurer euen vnto Shebna which is ouer the house , & say . What was his offence . As touching the offence of Shebna , it will aske some time to finde it out , but being found out it will appeare to be a maruellous great one , no lesse then Treason , a transcendent Treason , and euery way deseruing the seuerest punishment .

There are that haue taken great paines to finde out the sinne of Shebna , and they sticke not to charge him with arrogancie , vaine-glory , securitie , contempt of God and his Prophets , exaction , extortion , oppression , scandall , and bad example , with which , as one saith , hee did more hurt , then with all the rest .

Cyrill describeth him to be , elato animo , superciliosum admodum ac saenum in eos à quibus erat offensus , rapinis exultantem , sordido quoestui mancipatum , ostentabundum , & honores ab alijs semper venantem .

Whether Shebna were guilty of any one or all these , I will not say , but sure I am when wee shall lay all these together , they will not make vp the full measure of Shebna his impiety , they will not amount to the offence of Shebna , somwhat else there was in all likely hood , which did exasperate God so greatly against him .

If you please to goe no further then our Prophets commission here , to the very words of my text , it will appeare without any the least strayning , euen from the bare letter thereof , that there was another notorious sinne in Shebna , besides all those which now were named , and that is his sin of Hypocrisie , in that God saith here , Go get thee vnto this , this Treasurer . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 where the particle 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is put for contempt saith Caluin . As if it had been said . Goe get thee to this Cercops ( as they called Iulian ) to this subtle and wilie fox , to this Amphisbaena , this two headed and double-hearted serpent Shebna . So that did we goe no farther then his hypocrisie , why here you see is fewell enough for Gods fierce and vnquenchable wrath to worke vpon . For we are but of yesterday , and are ignorant . Inquire therefore I pray you of the former age , and call to minde ancient experiments , and they will tell you the guerdon and reward of an Hypocrite at the hands of Gods , did you euer see a rush grow without mire ? or can the grasse grow without water , though it were in greene , and not cut downe , yet it shall wither before any other hearbe : So are the paths of all that forget God , and the hypocrites hope shall perish . His confidence also shall be cut off and his trust shall be as the house of a spider . Iob 8. ver: 11.12.13.14.15 . Hee shall leane vpon his house but it shall not stand : he shall hold him fast by it , yet shall it not indure . Loe here the reward of an hypocrite , and Shebna was an hypocrite : but yet this was not the sinne of Shebna . Adde vnto his hypocrisie , Esay 22.16 . what we finde in the 16 verse , to wit , his notorious ambition . In that Shebna being homo nouus , ignobilis , a meere stranger , and which is more an Aegyptian stranger , with whom neither Ezechiah himselfe , nor any of his subiects ought to haue had the least commerce , or entercourse , and who by the law was excluded from all title of honour , or place of gouernment in that common wealth ; yet notwithstanding this stranger , this Aegyptian , this Shebna , presumed to ranke himselfe with the bloud royall , the nobles and princes of Iudah , and omitted no one point of pompe and magnificence , whereby he might support himselfe in the eyes of the world during his naturall life , and that once ended aeternize his name among them for euer . And therfore our Prophet begins with him as Achilles with that brauing and cracking 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Homer : Iliad ● . after a round and rough manner , by way of high indignation and great disdaine , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ? quis vnde hominum es ? What hast thou to doe heere ? And whom hast thou heere ? that heere of all other coasts and countries , where thou hast least interest , and canst not intitle thy selfe to any the least clod of earth , that heere I say , thou shouldest prepare and erect so rich and so sumptuous a tombe in so high and eminent a place aboue others .

Adde vnto his Ambition , vers. 18. his Ingratitude in the 18 verse , where our Prophet calls ignominia domus Domini , the shame and scandall and dishonour of his Lord and Master : now , ingratum dixeris , omnia dixeris , there is no fault , no vice whatsoeuer , but you shall finde it more or lesse in an vngratefull person , and Shebna was ingratefull , but yet this was not now the sinne of Shebna .

Adde therefore I pray you one sinne more , and then we shall come neere the sinne of Shebna : and that is , the vnreconcileable hatred , despite , enuy , detraction , wherewith he daily and hourely hunted , and persecuted honest and harmelesse Eliachim , still whispering and bussing in the eares of the King , some infamous slander or vnchristian surmise , whereby he might bring innocent Eliachim in disgrace both with Prince and people , as we may gather out of the 20. verse . O this is a sinne of all sinnes ! vers: 20. when a cursed Belial and slandering Shebna shall hate goodnesse in any for no other reason but because he will hate , when hee shall carry a throat as wide as an open sepulchre , and tip his tongue with the poyson of Aspes , when hee shall bend his bow and make ready his arrowes , of detractrion , malice , slander , reports , suggestions , lies , and all to deuoure poyson , and shoot secretly ( Lord into their secret let not my soule come ) at the simple and vpright of life , and that when his furie is ouer , his passion setled and he come vnto himselfe , neither he nor the deuill that set him a worke is able to say , what hath the righteous done ? O this is one and a principall one , of those peccata clamantia , which as they oft-times pierce the tender hearts of Gods deare children , ( the more their weaknesse and want of true Christian fortitude ) so do they with all importunitie knocke at the gates of heauen , and crie aloud for Gods heauy and vnsupportable vengeance on the doers of them . And thus haue yee at length a list of Shebnaes foule sinnes and offences . Shebna was an hypocrite , Shebna was ambitious , Shebna was ingratefull , Shebna was enuious and giuen ouer to those crying sinnes of detraction , supplanting , slandering , lying , and what not , but yet we haue not named the sinne of Shebna , the particular capitall crime , the predominant sinne of Shebna which awaked Gods iustice and prouoked him thus in all seueritie to proceed against him . For all these which but now I named , hypocrifie , ambition , ingratitude , enuy , why they were rather peccata hominum , peccata Iudaeorum , then any appropriated sinnes of Shebna , they were sinnes incident to the corrupt nature of man : familiar to the people of the Iewes and cannot by way of denomination be termed the sinnes of Shebna . Insita est mortalibus naturâ , saith he , men by nature are wholy giuen to taxe and maligne vertue and goodnesse in others & pari dolore aliena commoda , ac proprias iniurias metiri and to take other mens benefits and blessings as much to heart as their owne proper iniuries . But especially the Iewes , no people , no nation so giuen ouer to hypocrisie , ambition , ingratitude and enuy as the Iewes .

Besides , it is worth the noting , that God proceedeth after another fashion with the Princes of Iudah , and the rest of the inferiour sort of people , and punisheth their offences in another kinde , as he that will peruse the former part of this Chapter may easily perceiue , and I as easily shew you , could I now stay . But when he cals to minde the sinne of Shebna , he bids our Prophet addresse himselfe to Shebna in particular , as vnto a supereminent notorious offender aboue all the rest : Goe get thee vnto this Treasurer , euen vnto Shebna , which is ouer the house , and say . It was not then his hypocrisie , it was not his ambition , nor yet his ingratitude , no nor yet his enuie : it was a sinne of a deeper die , accomcompanied I grant you with all these , but yet not any one of all these .

And that was his sinne of Treason . Shebna was a Traitor , patriae proditor , which ( as one saith ) comes à prodendis consilijs hostibus : so that Shebna ( as I verily thinke ) reuealed both arcana dominationis & domus , secrets of State , and secrets of Court , and most treacherously combined to betray Ezechiah and Ierusalem into the hands of a professed enemie and atheall miscreant Zenacherib , as hoping forsooth that when once Zenacherib should be vested in the Throne of Iudah , he would thinke on Shebna , and make him King ouer his owne Countrey at the least . And this I take to be the sinne of Shebna . As for those other sinnes , I make no doubt but Shebna had of a long time nourished them , and God might say vnto him as it is in the Psalmist , Psal. 49.21 . Haec fecisti & tacui : These things hast thou done , Shebna , and I held my peace . But when once he committed the sinne of treason , then was it high time for God , who as the sonne of Siracke saith , patient est etiam & redditor , Wisdome . to come downe and visit Shebna with a rod of iron .

Shebna then was a Traitor , his offence Treason , nay , I added more , a transcendent Treason : For looke vpon the most hainous Treasons and bloudie assassinats in the bookes of the Chronicles of the Kings of Iudah , and other faithfull stories in the word of God , you shall finde somewhat that will lessen them , and giue occasion of extenuation . In all of them you shall obserue that flesh and bloud will haue some Sanctuarie to flie vnto ; and an indulgent obseruer will easily inuent arguments to mitigate , if not quite to purge the foulenesse of each offence . But Shebna his treason was so dangerous and inexcusable , that it will admit of no extenuation .

In the second of Ester you shall reade of a dangerous treason attempted by Bigthan and Teresh , Ester 2. vpon the body of an annointed King , the King Assuerus ; where , if we looke vpon the authors of the treason , it was very dangerous and inexcusable : for what could not these mischieuous villaines doe , that were Squires of the body , and had the life and being of the King in their owne custodie ? But yet if wee cast our eie vpon the obiect of their treason , why surely it extended no farther , neither had they any other obiect , then the bare life only of Assuerus at the most .

In the third of that booke you shall finde recorded a barbarous massacre intended by Haman against the person , not of one or two , but euen of Mordecay and the people of Mordecay . Heere now if you looke narrowly vpon the latitude of the obiect , Mordecay and all the Iewes , verily the crueltie of mercilesse Haman can no way be extenuated : but yet if you will search a little farther , and enquire after the end he proposed vnto himselfe , we cannot say that the life of his liege Lord , or that the welfare of the proper inhabitants of that Countrey , or that the preseruation of the state wherein he liued , and whereof hee was a principall member , was any way put in hazard : onely Mordecay and certaine Iewes dispersed vp and downe thorowout the Kings prouinces were aimed at .

In the second of Samuel at the 15 we haue storied a foule and vnnaturall treacherie of Absolon against his father Dauid ; 2. Sam. 15. where if we marke well the end he proposed vnto himselfe , to wit , the vsurpation of the Kingdome , or the meanes he vsed for the atchieuing of this his end , namely by stealing away the hearts of the people , sollicitando , pollicitando , ( as Simo chargeth Crito in the Comedie ) feeding their fansies with affable gestures and faire promises , by getting armes and militarie forces into his hands , by quarrelling the execution of iustice and course of gouernment , by deluding his father with a pretence of performing his vow , and the more free seruing of God , and a world of such like traiterous lies and deuices , nothing can be said for it . But yet if you will weigh the issue and euent which in probabilitie must needs haue followed , you will not thinke it so hainous : for the worst that can be said or feared , was but the change of a Prince , of the father for the sonne , of an old for a new : the Law should haue remained the same , the Religion the same , the gouernment the same , and there would haue ensued little or no inuersion , much lesse euersion of the state . So that in all these , though dangerous and inexcusable treasons and murders in themselues , yet somewhat there is that a man partially affected may picke out to alleadge , if not for defence , yet for excuse and extenuation of them . But Shebna his treason heere is like a strong poison composed of whatsoeuer was most bad in the worst of these . And it was dangerous and inexcusable , not onely in regard of the author , as that of the Eunuches ; nor yet of the obiect , as that of Hamans ; nor yet of the end and meanes which he vsed , as that of Absolon : but in all these respects , both of author , obiect , end , euent , euery way .

First then , it was dangerous and inexcusable in regard of the author who committed it , Shebna .

And heere I must intreat you to conceiue of Shebna not as now we finde him , dismantled and detected by our Prophet , but as then he was when he first hatched and conceiued this treason . For conspiracies and treasons are like sparkes of fire , which in the darke and deepe hearts of Traitors glitter , and are lightsome , probable , and very likely to take effect : but when as they Sunne shines on them , and that they are discouered , they fall to ashes . Euery childe can passe a iudgement vpon the euent and successe of a designe . But we must not thinke Traitors so foolish as the euent , or rather God ( whose glorie it is to raine snares , fire and brimstone , Psal. 11.6 . and stormie tempest vpon the mischieuous machinations of treacherous wretches ) in the euent and conclusion makes them . He replied with great indignation , when led to the Tower a friend told him , Ah my Lord , I am sorry you had no more wit : Tush ( quoth he ) thou knowest not what thou saiest ; When sawest thou a foole come hither ?

And you shall neuer reade of any treason , especially such a compleat treason as this of Shebnaes , but it was attempted by such as were great promisers vnto themselues , confident of their wit , secure of the successe , and such as made no more difficultie to effect then to affect a treason : and such a one was Shebna . Wherefore let vs take Shebna as hee was when he first plotted and contriued this treason , and then tell me if he carried not the matter dangerously , if hee did not as much a any man of his spirit and working disposition could haue done for the vtter ouerthrow of Ezechiah and the whole Land of Iudah .

For first , he tooke the same course that all deepe Traitors euer haue and will take , whose manner is to pretend one thing , when in heart they intend another ; and like Lapwings , to flutter most and crie loudest , when they are farthest from their nest ; or with bote-men , to looke one way , and row another .

Thus to omit all forraine instances , whereof there is no storie so barren , but it hath store and plentie , thus I say the Traitor Digbie pretends a match of hunting , while his heart lay among the crowes of iron , the piles of billets , and barrels of pouder in the nethermost vault . Thus Parry , more to prepare accesse and credit , then for any care had of her Maiesties person , the late Queene Elizabeth of euer blessed memorie , came to the Court , praied audience , discouered the coniuration , but yet ( as himselfe confessed ) couered with all the skill he had , hee disclosed only so much as hee thought good and necessarie to ground in her Highnesse a setled confidence towards him , whereby hee might effect his traiterous intent with better opportunitie , and his owne safetie .

Right so , Shebna tenders his seruice to the King his Master , ioines in commission with Eliachim and Ioah , parlies with Rabshakeh chiefe Coronell of Zenacheribs host , laieth out an huge summe of money vpon a costly and glorious Tombe , and all to diuert the obseruation of the state , and beare them in hand he minded nothing more then to liue and die amongst them , when notwithstanding hee held intelligence with the enemie , and vnder these pretences tooke the more libertie to play the professed Traitor , and recommend his loue and seruice to Zenacherib .

Againe , Shebna was not alone , he was not singular and selfe-conceited : it is probable a great part of the people ( for the leaudest men , Tacit. saith Tacitus , misdoubting the present , and fearing the change , prepare before hand friends ) they also held it safest to doe as Shebna did , and close with Zenacherib , as being perhaps animated thereunto partly by the submission of Ahaz , who had sworne fealtie and homage to Tiglath Pileser King of Ashur , 2. Reg. 16.7 . the second of Kings , the sixteenth chapter and seuenth verse : and partly also by the dishonourable carriage of Ezechiah himselfe , who vpon the first assault , brake out into a most base and vnbeseeming acknowledgement , I haue offended , depart from mee , and what thou laiest vpon me I will beare it : the second of Kings , 2. Reg. 18.14 . the eighteenth .

And now I pray helpe me . Wherein tro you lay Ezechiahs strength , or what was there in Ezechiah , or the fence and munition of Iudah , that could encourage any man of that experience and vnderstanding that Shebna was , to stand out against Zenacherib ? Lay it in the multitude of his people ? Zenacherib had two for one . Lay it in their firme adherence and constancie ? which is the chiefest thing a King can take comfort in in the time of w●●re , where , as Dauid said , the sword deuoureth the one as well as the other , the second of Samuel , the eleuenth ; and where , 2. Sam. 11.25 . as Hannibal in Liuie tels vs , nusquam minus euentus solent respondere , only if the people be firme and constant , and carrie themselues like loyall and louing subiects , ther 's some comfort . But alas who knoweth not populi mobilem animum , & fi se ducem prabnisset Zenacherib , as hee saith of Vespasian , they would haue borne the same affection and demonstration of loue and loyaltie to Zenacherib , which now they made shew of to Ezechiah : it being true of the common people in generall , that they doe nothing vpon iudgement or any true meaning , but vpon a receiued habituall kinde of timorousnesse to sway with the Prince whatsoeuer hee be ; especially of this people , who were as timorous as Harts , and as wauering as the winde : and therefore vpon a slighter occasion , and lesse danger , the Prophet saith , all were ouertaken with such astonishment , that none could hold a ioint still , but quiuered and trembled like so many aspen leaues , Isay . 7.2 . As also in the originall storie it selfe , Isay 7.2 . 1. Reg. 18. and in our Prophet at the 36. chapter you shall finde that Ezechiahs Embassadors craued this as an especiall fauour of Rabshekeh , that hee would not speake vnto them in the Iewes tongue in the audience of the people that were on the wall , because they were naturally mutable , saith Caluin , and inconstant , and suddenly drawne to reuolt . So that had Zenacherib sped and got the vpper hand , there was no doubt but the common people illa ipsa diceret hora Augustum . Adde heereunto the greatnesse of Shebnaes place and power to doe mischiefe , being ( as was said ) praefectus praetorio , or principall Secretarie , and therefore priuie to all the secrets of State , those arcana Imperij , and might giue Zenacherib perfect intelligence . Adde his strength of wit to inuent mischiefe , and secure himselfe : his knowledge of the State , how weake and vnable to resist : the opportunitie he now had ( being the only man of trust , Eliachim and Ioah excepted ) to deale with the enemie .

And lastly this plausiblenesse with the people , being ( as Iunitus cals him ) fautor & magister impiorum , and ( as in all good confirmation we may ghesse ) pullus & puppus , the minion and darling of the multitude . So that though hee entred into a desperate peece of seruice , where his life and honour and all lay at stake , yet hee did nothing but what hee saw and knew they would second .

And now tell me whether this were not a dangerous treason , if we goe no farther then the author , who you see had made all so sure , that it was euen tempus faciendi Domino , high time for God to put his helping hand ; otherwise the power of Zenacherib without , the inconstancie of the leauder sort of people within , considered , Shebna went as neere as the wit of a man , actuated by the deuill himselfe , the author of all mischieuous subtiltie and deepe deuices , could goe , to compasse the ruine and destruction , not of one Assuerus , or a Mordecay , and those of his Religion ; but of his liege Lord and master Ezechiah , and the whole Land of Iudah .

Heere now the obiect and the latitude of the obiect much aggrauates Shebna his treason .

For Shebna aimed not at the ruine of a priuate man , which had beene bad and inexcusable , sith ( as one saith ) domestica & familiaris Deo est hominis natura : and quicunque effuderit humanum sanguinem , Gen. 9.6 . per hominem fundetur sanguis illius : Genesis 9.6 .