NOw wee are come to his Restitution . First Nabuchadnezzer was humbled , as God humbleth his enemies : nowe hee is humbled , as God humbleth his Children : that although hee hath more honour than hee had before , yet hee is not proud of it , as hee was , but cryeth with the Prophet , Not vnto mee Psa● Lord , not vnto me , but vnto thy name giue the honour . So he which sayde , not onely in heart , but almost with his mouth too , There is no God , now Ps● with heart and mouth honoureth none but God . His pride , and fall , Daniell declareth : when he came to his restitution , he maketh Nabuchadnezzer to speake with himselfe , and giue thankes in his owne person , like a witnesse brought in to testifie the truth of this wonderfull storie .

When the Prophet had shewed how this king vaunted , and how he was debased for it , presently after he had spoken , he calleth in as it were the king himselfe to witnesse his report , and he declareth how he was raised again , like a man , which hauing receiued grace of a Prince or great personage , is brought in before him , to giue thankes for his fauour receiued , and then hee is dismissed .

In these verses two things shew themselues at first view : Nabuchadneezzers restitution , and his thankfulnesse . In his restitution , first hee sheweth the time when he was restored in these wordes : At the end of those dayes . Then hee sheweth the manner how hee was restored , in these wordes : I Nabuchadnezzer , lift mine eies to heauen , & mine vnderstanding was restored vnto me , and my Councellors sought vnto me , & my glory was augmented more then it was . In his thankfulnesse , first hee extolleth gods power , in setting him vp and pulling him down , and raising him againe : then he commendeth Gods trueth and iustice , which deserueth to be praised for his iudgement as much as his mercie , as if he reioiced that God made him like a beast , that he may die like a man , At the end of those dayes . As the time of his pride was noted , when hee walked in his pallace , to shew how pride groweth out of building , and wealth , and apparell , & such roots , so hee noted the time of his fall , when the wordes were in his mouth , to shewe that he was punished for his pride and arrogancie , that hee might know where to begin his conuersion , and abate his pride , and when he had taken away the cause , then God woulde take away the punishment : so likewise hee noteth the time of his restitution , At the ende of those dayes : That is , after seuen yeares were expired , to shewe how long the sickenesse of pride is in curing , and to shewe how euerything was fulfilled , as it was prophesied , euen vnto the point of time : for it was tolde him by Daniel , and by his dreame , that hee shoulde be like a beast seuen yeares . Therefore Nabuchadnezzer is prompt , as it were to confes the truth , & saith as the Prophet saith , At the end of those daies : That is , at the ende of seuen yeares , I was restored againe to my vnderstanding and honour , as Daniel foretold me .

Yet an other note is set vppon this , least wee shoulde thinke , that God regarded onely the season , and thinke seuen yeares punishment inough for such a sinner : he saith not barely that his vnderstanding and honour were restored to him , when seuen yeares were ended , but that they were restored vnto him , when he beganne to lift vp his eyes vnto heauen , to shewe that his blessing came from aboue , and that hee which had humbled him , had restored him againe : as if hee woulde say vnto all that are cast downe with sicknesses , or pouertie , or infamie , or any trouble in body orminde : hee which hath humbled you , will raise you , as he hath done me , but you must looke vp to heauen , & lift vp your hearts vnto him , and then your vnderstanding , and comfort , and peace , and health , and wealth , and libertie , and good name and all , shall returne vnto you againe , like Iobes ●ob. 42. sheepe , and cammels , and oxen , in greater number than he had before , as all the blessings of God returned to Nabuchadnezzer , when he looked vp to heauen : lo they shall come backe like a riuer vpon you , when your eies can go by these vanities , and looke vpon him which looketh vpon you , or els seuen and seuen yeares shall passe ouer you , & you shal be neuer the better , but worse and worse , like Saule , which was ● . Sa. 31 4 vexed more and more , till hee had killed himselfe . Therefore as the Iewes looked vp to the brasen serpent , which was a figure of Iesus Num. 21 8 Christ , when they woulde be healed : so all which woulde recouer that they haue lost , or obtaine that which they want , Nabuchadnezzer doth teach them heere to lift vp their eies to heauen , from whence , saith Christ , commeth euerie blessing of man .

At the end of those daies , I Nabuchadnezzer lift vp mine eies to heauen . Like a man which is wakened out of a long trance , now he began to stirre and lift vp his eies . When the heart is lift vp , it will lift vp the eyes , and the handes , and the voyce and all , to heauen . He which neuer looked vp to heauen , so long as his comfort was vppon the earth , now his minde is changed , his lookes , and gestures , and speeches , and all are chaunged with it , as though God would shew a visible difference betweene the spirituall and the carnall , euen in their gate , and lookes , and gestures , as there is betweene a childe and an olde man . The spirituall mindes are heauenly mindes , and look vp , because their ioy is aboue . The carnall mindes are earthly mindes , and looke downe like beastes , because their treasure is beneath . As the serpent grouels vpon the ground , so doth the serpentes seed , and hath not so much as the Genes. 3. 14. countenance of grace . Therefore by lifting vp his eyes to heauen , is signified , that the time was come which the Lorde had set downe that he shoulde be like a beast , vntill hee had well learned that lesson : That the moste high beareth rule ouer the kingdomes of men , and giueth it to whomsoeuer hee will .

Therfore Nabuchannezzer doth shew that hee had learned this lesson : for hee looked not vp to heauen , to beholde the sunne , or the moone , or the stars , like an Astronomer : but thinking how he had set himselfe against heauen , from whence came all his honour , in a godly shame and holy anger towards himselfe , he turneth his face from earth to heauen , to magnifie him that had humbled him so , that contemned him , that aduaunced him so .

Now he talketh no more of his pallace , nor his power , nor his maiestie , though it be greater then it was : but he looketh aboue his own pallace , vp to another pallace , from whence that terrible voice came downe vnto him , Thy kingdome is departed from thee : which expresseth his contrite heart , and wounded spirit , how many passions batled within , as if hee shoulde chide himselfe , and say , O vnthankefull man , my power descended from aboue , and I euer looked vpon the earth , mine honour came downe from heauen , and I neuer lift vp mine eyes before : Go vp my eyes , and my heart , and my voyce , and mine hands , how long will ye pore vpon the earth , like a beast ? so hee lifted vp his eies vnto heauen . After he had lift vp his eyes , he beginneth to pray , and gaue praise and thankes vnto God : which sheweth that hee did not onely lift vp his eyes , but his heart too . For vnlesse we can say with Dauid , I lift vp mine heart , it is in vaine to lifte vp Psal. 15 1 handes , or eyes , or voice , as the hypocrites do , because he that is a spirit , requireth the spirit . Therefore Mary saith , Mine hart doth magnifie Ioh. 4. 24 the Lord . As for the infidels and idolaters , they haue no heart seruice , but their religion is like an occupation which is done with the bodie : for when we read of the sacrifice or praiers of Idolaters , wee doe not find that they lift vp theyr harts to their idols , but their hands 1. Kin. 18 28 or eies , or voice , as the Baalites rored to Baal , as the marriners cried Ionas . 1 5 Act. 19 28 to their sea oods : as the Ephesians shouted to Diana : but the lifting vp of their hart , the hartie seruice is alwaies appropriat to God , which saith , My son giue me thy heart . Therfore Pro. 23. 26 Nabuchad . lifted vp his hart to God , shewing that he had learned the lesson God gaue him 7. yeares to studie , that the moste high beareth rule ouer the kingdomes of men . Now God thinketh the time long inough , and as hee reformed the ground after the floud , with fruites , and hearbes , and flowers againe : so he reformed Nabuchadnezzer with an vnderstanding , and beautie , and honor againe , as if he repented himselfe and saide , I will drowne the earth no more , I will Gen. 8 21 change Nabuchadnezzer no more : now hee knoweth there is a king aboue him , he shal be a king againe : now hee seekes my honour , I will giue him honour : now he magnifieth him , that debased him , I will returne to exalt him . So the voyce which thundred from heauen : Thy kingdome is departed from thee , soundeth again , Thy kingdom is returned to thee . For it was not tolde him , that he should bee like a beast vntill he died , but vntill hee knewe That the most high beareth rule ouer the kingdomes of men . Therefore when he knewe this , nothing could stay him from his kingdom , no more then they could stay him in his kingdome before .

Thus the displeasure of God is but an Interim , vntill wee knowe some thing that we should knowe , and then Nabuchadnezzer shall be king againe , then the sicke man shal be whole again , then the bond man shall be free againe : his mercies Psa. 136 1 , 2. 6 are called Euerlasting , because they indure for euer , but his anger is compared to the cloudes , because it lasteth but a season : whom he loueth , hee loueth to the ende , but whom he scourgeth , he scourgeth till they repent , as Ezechias was sick vntil he wept , Nabuchadnezzer was banished but till he repented . Nowe the first cure of this kings restitution , was of his mind : Mine vnderstanding , sayth he , was restored vnto me , which he repeateth againe in the 33. verse : Mine vnderstanding was restored vnto mee , to shewe what an inestimable gift our vnderstanding and reason is , wherby we differ from beasts , for which wee cannot be thankfull enough . Therefore he recordes it twise , as though his heart did slowe with gladnesse , and his toong coulde not chuse but speake often of it : as a man thinketh and speaketh of that which hee loueth , Mine vnderstanding was restored vnto mee : that which was first taken away , came first againe , which so soone as it was gone , hee was counted a man no more , but a beast , as Dauid Psal. 23. 9. saith , Like horse and mule , which haue no vnderstanding , accounting them which are voyd of vnderstanding , no better then a horse or mule .

Therefore they which haue left their understanding at the Tauerns , ( as many heere haue done sometime ) and they which vnderstand not yet what is the booke of God , are but horse and mule , though they beare the visors of men . After he had said , Mine vnderstanding was restored vnto me , he annexeth also , Mine honour was restored vnto mee , and so hee grewe to bee a king againe . As he was woont to put on one robe after another when hee was king : so when God woulde make him king againe , first he putteth vppon him the robe of vnderstanding , as it were the foundation ofaking : like the princely spirite which came vpon Saul , and when he had a princely heart , then God 1. Sa. 10 9 gaue him a princely power , and proclaimed like a voyce from heauen , Nabuchadnezzer king of Babel . So gloriously hee rose againe like the sunne , with a triumph of his restitution , and welcome of his subiects : like the shout that went before king Salomon , God saue king Salomon , It doth not appeare , that 2. Kin. 1 34 his nobles and subiects were conuerted like himselfe , to receiue him to his kingdome againe , because hee repented , or because it was Gods will : but because it was Gods will , they could not resist it , but fulfilled his ordinance , as the wicked doe those things which are foretold that they should doe , and neuer thinke how they are moued to it , nor which way it commeth to passe , no more then the Rauen knewe , who had sent her to feede 1. Kin. 17 4 Elias , she did as God commanded her , but shee knewe not that God had commaunded her : so they do as God inforceth them , but they knowe not howe God inforceth them .

One would thinke , when Nabuchadnezzer was a king , that God coulde neuer haue made him like a beast , and when he was like a beast , one would thinke , that God could neuer haue made him like a king : for who woulde suffer a beast to rule ouer them , vnles they were beastes themselues . Wee will not haue this man to rule ouer vs , say the Iewes ( such stomackes are in men , that they will hardly abide any man to rule ouer them ) Therefore it is straunge that these men should receiue one that had beene seuen yeares a beast : it is euen as if one should lie seuen yeares in the graue , and after come againe to challenge his goodes , and lands , & house , and monie , from them that haue taken possession , and count it their owne : hee should haue a colde suite of it I thinke , vnlesse it were some fewe that loued him in his life , he might goe againe to his graue , for a house to dwell in . So no body looketh nowe for Nabuchadnezzer to come out of the wildernesse , hee was the vnlikest man in the world to bee king after such a change . But see what God can do , though all be against it , he which made a king like a beast , raised a king of a beast . Mine vnderstanding ( saith Nabuchadnezzer ) was restored vnto me , and more then that , Mine honour was restored vnto me : and more then that , I was established in mine honour : and more then that , Mine honour was augmented more then it was , when I was so proud of it . As God turned his heart : so he turned the heart of his nobles and people , that they receiued him for their king againe , and reuerenced him , for all his former disgrace , for which they contemned him before as a beast : heere a wise man may stand and woonder , like Elizeus , when his maister was rapt to heauen : for as though a ● . Kin. 11 11. 12 snuffe had beene taken from the ground , and set vp againe in the candlesticke , and shined brighter then it did before : so the king was raised from the dust , and set in the throne : euen nowe no man cared for him , and nowe no man durst displease him : then was fulfilled that which Salomon sayth : When the waies of a man please the Lorde , hee ●rou. 16 7 will make all his enemies at peace with him : so when Nabuchadnezzer pleased the Lorde , God gaue him grace with men , and his glory was augmented . My glory ( saith Nabuchadnezzer ) was augmented to mee : that is , hee receiued not onely his kingdome , and power , and honor againe , but hee receiued vsurie of them for his seuen yeares banishment : they haue beene put out seuen yeares to the banke for him , to receiue more when hee came againe . So when he sought his own honour , honour departed from him , his pallace coulde not hold it , his treasures could not redeeme it , his guarde coulde not stay it , but pride chased it away , whilest he folowed after it : but when he sought Gods honor , and cared not for his owne , then his honour was increased , according to that , I will honour him , which honoureth me . What incouragement is this for all Nabuchadnezzers to seeke the honor of God , seeing hee hath so linked his honour with their honour , that they cannot seeke Gods honour , but they shall finde their owne honour . Therefore what would Nabuchadnezzer say to our Nabuchadnezzers , who thinke it against their honours , if they should seeke Christs honor , and that if his kingdome went vp , their kingdome should goe down : like Herod , who thought hee coulde not be king , if Christ should raigne : and the Pharisies , which thought they shoulde be despised , if Christ were regarded . If Nabuchadnezzers honour came to him , for the honour which he gaue to God , howe long will their honor last , which eat & drink , giue & take , bid and forbid , set vp , and pull down , fauour , and wrong , and do all they do to honor themselues , as Nabuchadnezzer built Babel : vntill that voice thunder from heauen : Thy kingdom is departed from thee : thy office is departed from thee : thy life is departed from thee . Some haue exalted themselues like Nabuchadnezzer , & are not fallen yet : some mounted vp , and are falne alreadie . Some are fallen lower & lower like Babylon , but they are not yet at the ground . They haue ruled like beastes , longer then hee , & yet looke not vp to heauen , that they may be chaunged . Thus Nabuchadnezzer is welcome to his throne againe . Now he hath receiued grace , let vs examine his thankfulnes . If you marke euery thing in his order , you shal see a maruelous consequence obserued both in his fall , & restitution . When he looked on his pallace , hee waxed proud , when hee waxed proud , then God threatned him , when he was threatened , then God bannished him : when he was banished , then he lift vp his eyes to heauen : when hee lift vp his eyes to heauen , then his vnderstanding came vnto him , then he gaue thanks to God , shewing vs the vse of our vnderstanding , why God hath giuen reason vnto man : videlicet , to serue him , and praise him vpon earth : as Nabuchadnezzer worshipped God , so soone as hee came to his vnderstanding : so , so soone as we come to yeares of discretion , and begin to vnderstand , wee should begin a new life , and serue him whome all creatures doe serue with vs , or else our vnderstanding is vaine , and we are like beastes still . For by this Nabuchadnezzer shewes , that he had vnderstanding , and was like a man , because he gaue praise vnto God , and was mooued in heart to worship him which made him , according to that definition which Dauid maketh of vnderstanding . Psal. 111 10. They which obserue them , haue a good vnderstanding . They which obserue the commandementes , haue a good vnderstanding , not they which speake of the commaundementes , nor they which write of the commaundementes , nor they which preach of the commaundementes , but they which keepe the commaundementes , haue a good vnderstanding , the rest haue a false vnderstanding , a vaine vnderstanding , an vnderstanding like the Scribes and Pharisies , which was enough to condemne them , but not to saue them . Besides euerie man should trie his wisedome : for so soone as vnderstanding commeth to him , as it came to Nabuchadnezzer , it will extort praier and obedience from him , whether he will or no.

Therefore our Nabuchadnezzers are beastes still , for this is no part of their vnderstanding : but hee which can goe beyond all in shifts and pollicies , is counted the wisest man in Court or Citie . Oh if Nabuchadnezzer had liued in our countrey , what a Monarch might hee be , to what honour , and wealth , and power , might he haue risen in a short time , whether hee had beene a Lawyer , or a Courtier , or a Prelate . Me thinkes I see how many fingers would point at him in the streets , as they doe at his Apes , and say , there goeth a deepe fellow , he hath more wit in his little finger , then the rest hath in the whole body : but we speake to the bellie , which hath no eares .

Now let vs see the partes of this kings confession , that we may see how his thankfulnes did answere to his sinne , before he had robbed God of his honor . Now as thogh hee came to make restitution , hee bringeth praise , and thanks , & glorie in his mouth : first hee aduaunceth Gods power , and saith , That his kingdome , is an euerlasting kingdome : vnder which words he confesseth , that God was aboue him , because his kingdome was not an euerlasting kingdome , but a momentary kingdome : like a sparke , which riseth from the fire , and falleth to the fire againe : therefore he sheweth , what a foole hee was to vaunt of his kingdome , as though it were like Gods kingdom , which lasteth for euer . Secondly he magnifieth the power of God , & sayth , That God doth what he listeth , in heauen and in earth , and nothing can hinder him , nor say vnto him , What doest thou ? Vnder which words he confesseth againe , that God was aboue him , because hee coulde not raigne as hee listed , but when he thought to liue at his plesure , then he was thrust out of the dores , and God said not vnto him , What doest thou ? but , Thy kingdome is departed from thee . Therefore hee sheweth , what a foole hee was to vaunt of his power , as though it had bene like Gods power , which could not bee checked . Thirdly , hee commendeth the iustice of God , and sayth , That his workes were all trueth , and his waies were all iudgement . Vnder the which wordes Nabuchadnezzer confesseth againe , that God was aboue him : for his waies were all errours , and his workes were all sinnes , as the ende proued . Therefore he sheweth , what a foole hee was to vant of his works , as thogh they had beene like Gods works , which cannot bee blamed . Therefore he concludeth , I Nabuchadnezzer , praise , and extoll , and magnifie the king of heauen . When hee lighted on the right string , marke how hee harps vpon it , and doubles and trebles it , like a bond , which is ratified with many words of like sence , so he ratifieth his bond to God , with many wordes of like meaning : I will praise , and extoll , and magnifie the king of heauen , as though he would praise , and more then praise him : So they which loue from the hart , & repent from the bottome , praise and praise , pray and pray , giue and giue , serue and serue , that is , when they haue serued him , they are readie to serue him againe .

Heere is a glasse for all the children of pride . First looke vpon Nabuchadnezzer , yee which are great men like Nabuchadnezzer , for thus will God make his examples of greatmen , because they should be examples to others . Many wicked men died in Iurie , and scarse a man was by to see their end : but Herod was striken before the people , that all might see , because he was a wicked king . There were many in Babel as proud as Nabuchadnezzer , but none but Nabuchadnezzer was made like a beast , because hee was a proude king : so God doth stomacke sinnes in those that beare his owne person . As princes vse to picke out the principall and chiefe of the rebellion , to make them examples of terror , which were ringleaders in the treason , so doth God bend his shotagainst the captaines of his enemies : like the king of Aram , which charged his souldiers , that they should fight against none but against Achab the king . For as 2. Ch. 18 30 Prou. 19 25 Salomon saith : Strike the scorner , and the rest will beware : so iustice shewed vppon a great man , doth terrifie manie . If wee could see but one of the Nabuchadnezzers of our daies so disgraced , it woulde make all the rest better in their office , and thinke when they sitte in their maiesties , as Queene Hester did , that their power is giuen them to minister iustice , and not to doe wrong . Paul doth not wish vnto Agrippa more wealth , nor more honour , nor more friendes , but more religion , which is the greatest want of princes & magistrates , They sit in Gods chaire , saith Dauid , and are called Gods , but they are not like God , but like Mammon , Psal. 82. except their names and their crownes . Peraduenture there is a Dauid , or a Salomon , or a Iosua , that is , a few that remember whose person they beare . The rest are like Herod , and Saule , and Nabuchadnezzer , which knowe not from whom their kingdoms come . Nabuchadnezzer built for his honor , and they build for their honors : he gathered for his welth , & they gather for their wealth : he sought his pleasure , and they seeke after their pleasures : he vaunted of his power , and they vaunt of their power : what did Nabuchadnezzer , that they doe not , but repent , which they doe not ? I cannot wish them beastes to doe them good like Nabuchadnezzer , because it is a question whether they bee worse then beastes already : but if wee coulde driue them out of their pallace , to liue in the wildernesse , it were a a good riddance , for there they should do lesse harme .