And it came to pass, that when all our enemies heard [thereof], and all the heathen that [were] about us saw [these things], they were much cast down in their own eyes: for they perceived that this work was wrought of our God.
Ver. 16. When all our enemies heard thereof] So famous a matter could not be concealed from them who listened with the left ear, and readily received these βλαβαι ποδωκεις, as the Greeks call, galling reports.
Saw these things] For they ran to the sight of it, as to a miracle; they looked also upon it with an evil and envious eye; like as the Papists do upon the Reformation.
They were much cast down in their own eyes] They were crest fallen, and dejected from the high tops of their proud hopes and designs. See what biles and ulcers the antichristian rout are vexed with, and how they are scorched with the sunshine of the gospel, Revelation 16:2; Revelation 16:11. What moan Babel's merchants make to see her ruin and the rise of the new Jerusalem, Revelation 18:11. Envy is vitium Diabolicum, the devil's disease, saith Austin, in Psalms 139:1,24; and those that are troubled with it can never want woe.
For they perceived that this work was wrought of our God] With such incredible swiftness was it carried on and accomplished, that they could not but say among the heathen, "The Lord hath done great things for them; God is with them of a truth."