Behold, all ye that kindle a fire, that compass [yourselves] about with sparks: walk in the light of your fire, and in the sparks [that] ye have kindled. This shall ye have of mine hand; ye shall lie down in sorrow.
Ver. 11. Behold, all ye that kindle a fire.] That instead of relying upon God, would relieve yourselves by carnal shifts and fetches, a fire of your own kindling, or rather sparks of your own tinderboxes, strange fire, and not that of God's sanctuary. Or say they be your own good works you trust to. Like as the phoenix gathereth sweet odoriferous sticks in Arabia together, aud then blows them with her wings, and burns herself with them.
That compass yourselves about with sparks.] Away with those tinder boxes of yours. What are your sparkles but such as are smitten out of a flint, which (1.) Yields no warmth or good light; (2). Are soon extinct; (3.) Nevertheless, you are sure to "lie down in sorrow," to be "cast into utter darkness," where you shall never see the light again till you see the whole world all on a light fire at the last day.
Walk in the light of your fire.] Do so if ye think it good; but your light shall be put out into darkness and worse; like as lightning is followed by rending and roaring thunder.
This shall ye have of my hand.] This I will assure of; and having spoken it with my mouth, I will fulfil it with my hand.
Ye shall lie down in sorrow.] As sick folk, who being in grievous pain, would fain die, but cannot. Cubatum ibitis, ad ignes, ad dolores et cruciatus. You shall make your beds in the bottom of hell, as it is said of the king of Babylon, Isa 14:11 and as of Pope Clement V it was reported, that upon the death of a nephew of his, whom he had sensually abused, he sent to a certain magician to know how it went with his soul in the other world? a The magician showed him to the messenger as lying in hell in a bed of fire. Whereupon the Pope was so struck with horror, that he never held up his head more, but soon after died also.
a Jacob. Revius, Hist. Pontif., p. 199.