But God is the Judge
Or "because God is the Judge" F21; and so this is another
reason why fools should not deal foolishly, nor wicked men lift
up the horn, and speak with a stiff neck, because there is a
Judge to whom they are accountable for their words and actions;
and this Judge is God omniscient, knows all persons and things,
searches the heart and tries the reins, will bring every secret
thing into judgment, bring to light the hidden things of
darkness, and make manifest the counsels of the heart;
omnipotent, able to do all things, raise the dead, call to
judgment, bring all before him, pass the sentences, and execute
them; omnipresent, there is no fleeing from him, nor escaping his
righteous judgment; holy, just, and true, who will render to
every man according to his works:
he putteth down one, and setteth up another;
he humbles or brings one low, such as are proud, haughty, and
arrogant; and he exalts another, such as are lowly and humble:
this he does in providence, he removes kings, and sets up kings;
puts down the mighty from their seats, and exalts them of low
degree, ( Daniel 2:21 ) (
Luke 1:52 ) (
14:11 ) , he
has many ways to mortify the proud, by inflicting diseases on
their bodies, by stripping them of their honour and wealth, and
by bringing them into disgrace among men: and this he does in
grace; such as are stout hearted and far from righteousness, and
will not submit to the righteousness of Christ, he brings them to
it; and those whom he makes humble by his grace, he raises to a
high estate, to be kings and priests, and to sit among princes,
and to inherit a throne of glory. This might be exemplified in
Jews and Gentiles; he has stripped the one of their privileges,
and put them down from their civil and church state, and raised
up the other to be his church and people; and also in antichrist
and the true church of Christ; he will ere long put down the one,
that sits as a queen, and exalt the other, when she shall be as a
bride adorned for her husband, having the glory of God upon her.