does in these dayes as followes and what Saul did first Saul was Davids Lord on earth but he hunts after Davids soule that hee might not live upon the ground Saul is Davids King and Davids persecutor The Priests King and the Priests murtherer by the hand of an Edomite Ah Lord who can expresse the miserable plight and how dolefull the condition is the evill spirit has driven Saul into He is Israels King and he is smiting Israels City The great Fiduciary of the Kingdome and the greatest Traytor there This tells us what is done now David is persecuted now and his King seduced by Edomites Davids adversaries persecutes him because who so faithfull as he in all the Kingdome A defendor of the Faith and by his evill Counsell a destroyer of the Faith A maintainer of the Gospel in profession and a persecutor of the faithfull Ministers publishers of the same the Messengers of the Church and the glory of Christ The great Fiduciary of the Kingdome yet seduced by an evill Councell he betrayes that great Trust Englands King and Englands destroyer The Lord of their Cities and waster of the same Are not these grievous words Yes they must be so plaine Truth direct and home what expectation of any good but from such-like-words If ever the King come to himselfe finde himselfe lost for murtherers have stolne him away then such words as these will be to his heart and may serve to usher-in Pardon peace and comfort for the sowrer the herbes the sweeter the Passeover whereas pleasing words from vile flatterers his Court Chaplaines have wounded their Master and left him more then halfe dead Such words as these may kill him out-right and by Gods grace quicken him againe to a life indeed I am glad I have spoken for first I have said no more but what is already told in Gath and published in the streets of Aschalon Secondly what if it were not told by me nor as aforesaid yet all created strength cannot stop the mouth of blouds so loud it cries Irelands bloud what an Ocean of bloud is there Cyciters bloud Burminghams bloud Banburies bloud shedding of this bloud was counted a fine device as Bristols bloud intended to be shed Oxfords bloud Bloud here and there and everywhere whereto the hand could reach O what a voice is here as the voice of many waters or Thunders Is there a voice that can out-cry I meane cry louder to Heaven and in the Eares of the Lord then can the voice of blouds yes the voice of bloud cries louder then the bloud of Abel or the blouds shed from righteous Abel unto this day and there is the hope of Israel concerning their King The voice of the bloud of sprinkling Heb. 12.24 that speakes better things then that of Abel Better things that cryed from the earth for a curse upon the earth and Cain there Gen. 4.12 This cries in Heaven for mercy to such sinners on earth who can say not with Cain My punishment but my sin is greater then I can beare yet not too great for Christ to beare a Redeemer that is strong a Saviour to the utmost There is hope in Israel concerning that And here is ground of hope too because these Stephens the slain all the day long can pray for their King all the day long crying with a loud voice not more for themselves at such a time then for their King saying Lord lay not this sinne to our Kings charge Amen Amen CHAP. 4. Quaeries touching the Edomite whether by the knowne Lawes of Israels Kingdome Saul might entertaine him in his Court grant him a Commission to smite a City of Priests whether any reason for that whether single or plurall and whether by any possible meanes an Edomite may be made serviceable to Israel How it relates to the present exemplifying the History of our Time VVHy does King Saul take an Edomite into his Court Qu. to be an Officer there It is answered in effect before Ans Saul is King and he knew himselfe so to be Qu. and will chuse his owne Officers may he not No indeed Ans he may not unlesse it be to be his Heardsman and there should be caution and some consultation about that too Questionlesse he must not chuse a servant to be chiefe in his house to transact the great affaires of his Kingdome there without the allowance and consent of All Israel because Saul does not chuse for himselfe but for the whole Kingdome But it is written Ob. Thou shalt not abhor an Edomite Yes Ans that is most true it is the charge of the Lord and we have the Reason Deut. 23.8 For he is thy brother Nor shalt thou ab or an Egyptian because thou wast a stranger in his land What is the meaning of this This we must not be unnaturall nor must we forget old favours But it does not follow from hence I hope that therefore Saul might take an Edomite make him a Chiefe Ruler in his house or that he might put considence in an Egyptian for the charge is contrary And if Saul will entertaine an intimacy and familiarity with an Edomite an old adversary to Israel as we have heard and seene and shall make it more legible yet It does plainly argue 3 Sect. Saul to be no true friend to Israel Sauls heart cannot be upright toward Israel when it cleaves to Israels adversary in love He cannot heartily desire the peace of Israel and heartily love an enemy to that peace I pray let us aske some more questions touching the Edomite I will answer by the Booke then good Law and Reason both Why did Saul make the Edomite Generall in this warre against David Qu. Saul gives someanswer to that with a little Reason Ans Because his sonne Ionathan stirred-up David to lye in wait for Saul as at this day 1. Sam. 22.8 As at this day indeed Qu. But this answer makes us more unresolved then before for all the world knowes that Ionathan was a good man and David as good as he besides we finde David fleeing away from the face of Saul like a Partridge and Saul hunting him like a Dog Let us heare Reason I pray you Was it not That the Edomite might recover the sword our of Davids hand No no that could not be it Ans for when Saul speakes out his minde freely as sometimes he did for a wicked heart will discover it selfe amongst his Servants he does not bid them fetch the sword from David but kill him And Saul spake to Ionathan and to all his servants 1 Sam. 19.1 that they should kill David It is Davids life not the sword that is aimed at And the Edomite was a Right man for that service for he was a mighty man mighty to do mischiefe and skilfull to destroy Whom David and All them that had an hand with David That is the direct Answer Saul indeed spake
the Philistine And that was it but the greatest reason for that in the world David had slaine the Philistine with the sword then carries it away as lawfull prize but that God might have all the glory he layes it up before the Lord and now after enquiring at Gods mouth it is given David But this is all the Edomite has to say And I know not what he could have said more to the Priest his commendation Blessed be God that the Edomite has not whereof to accuse the good Priest all he speaks is for his commendation and surely so is the will of God that with well doing Priests then and Ministers now and people also and it is their glory may put to silence 1 Pet. 2.16 muzzle the mouths of beastly men we reade silence the ignorance of foolish men And so by the will and grace of God have and doe Ministers and people at this day even put to silence the ignorance of wicked men Many and grievious things are laid to their charge but no more proved then was against David or Paul after him Therefore wee must note here that the Edomite then though a bloudy wretch and mighty to doe mischief and could like the Spider turne Balsome into Poison yet was he a very modest informer I doe not remember that the Bishops had such another in any of their Courts and truly he shames the Edomites of these dayes This Edomite tels Saul the truth and nothing but the truth and so shames the Devill That Abimelech enquired of the Lord for David so he did That he gave David bread so he did too and a sword so he did also The Edomite accuseth the Priest of no more but what the Priest did and the Edomite saw done The children of Edom in these daies are more gracelesse and impudent a great deale they sweare and curse and blaspheme and doe not utter more words then lyes against David the upright in heart what devouring words heare we from their mouthes what horrible blasphemies from Liechfields Presse in Oxford how doe they charge David with those things he knowes not nay abhorres to thinke of as contrary to his foule and spirit as were those things charged upon Iob in his two and twentieth Chapter This is all wee will note touching the Edomite in this Chapter we shall enquire more of him anon We see here he was a very mannerly civill fellow in comparison of the Edomites now a dayes not so much of the Divill in him as these have who rage now amongst us breaking bands and casting away cords as possessed men in ancient times And yet before I shut up this Chapter I must satisfie a small doubt Psal 52.3 David in his Psalme of Instructions tells us that Doeg loved sying So hee did for when Saul complained that all his Servants conspired against him Mâ—â—â—â—â—â— to informe the understanding touching the Edomite and this time they do indeed said Doeg Abimelech conspireth against thee too and so he accuseth the Priest materially not one false word in the whole Accusation But intentionally lyes all and devouring words he intended as much mischiefe to Abimelech as hee could have done him had he spoken against him never a word true We may exemplifie it thus An Edomite now for we shall prove anon that the Papist now and the Edomites then are brothers came to the King tells his Majestie that the Ammunition was removed from Hull That is true and yet lying and devouring words intentionally spoke to enrage the King against his best Subjects It is all in all with what minde words are spoken if with a mind to murther and destroy they are lying and devouring words though never a word false and so I will shut up this Chapter Vers 4. Thou lovest all devouring words O deceitfull man CHAP. II. Saul impleads Abimelech he makes answer for himselfe which clears the case of all the righteous now and the great case now in question Saul is not satisfied with reason but notwithstanding reason and Law both command also from Gods mouth for what Abimelech did Saul slayeth Abimelech and destroy's the City of Priests SAul will be discovered anon his owne hand will take off the Vaile wherewith he has covered the eyes of Priests and People the very intents of his heart touching David will be laid naked before the people his owne hand will now give in cleare evidence how bloody his thoughts were alwayes towards David And indeed the hand is a sure witnesse and tells us evermore whitherto thoughts tend as the casting the Water-mans Armes tells us whither hee tends and not the setting of his face When Diotrephes did reach forth his hand to Excommunication casting the Brethren out of the Church then the old Servant of the Lord must needs tell against whom the malitious words were pointed or prated Against us 3. Epist Ioh. 10. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 saith Saint John for against them the hand went our also I speak not this as if I thought it so hard a matter to ken which way malicious devouring words doe tend or that I thinke the thoughts projects contrivances of the wicked against the godly are so indiscernable though we must grant that there are many intricacies and perplexities in their wayes the turnings and windings of the crooked Serpent for the wicked like harmfull beasts doe love confusa vestigia The wicked man forgeth and hammereth forth deceit Fabricatur Pro. 6.14 and while his thoughts and imaginations are thus busily employed he thinks no eye is upon him but that he is as some Pioner or Gun-powder-man hid under ground and indeed from the eye of man hee is hid For our thoughts are but the transactions or discussions of the minde within that inward closet and privie Chamber there and therefore they must needs want forme and shape but the office of the tongue is to stamp a forme to give a shape unto them and then our thoughts are legible For what other are our actions but our very thoughts our secret talkings and parleys of our minde cast into a mould onely we must observe and it is but a common observation That the hand giveth the truest shape the hand maketh the perfectest mould There are some we know who read not as they write nor sing as they pricke and many more who speake not as they thinke but the hand varieth not from the Idea that was in the minde If a man forgeth mischiefe upon his bed then when he is up and it be in the power of his hands and there be no over-ruling hand he will act it The hand is a sure interpreter of our mind and of the transactions there an infallible witnesse that cannot lie words may deceive and many times are spoken for this very end to darken the thoughts and intent of the mind and to make them lesse legible these may be smoother then butter when warre is in his heart these may be as soft as
oyle and yet drawn swords as we read But when we see the hand besmeared with bloud then we certainly conclude that the thoughts were of a scarlet colour and this is the sight or prospect we shall take a view of presently A bloudy execution done upon Nob yet bloudy though it be Saul pretends hee does it by helpe of God and the Law by the knowne Lawes of the Kingdome which that we may examine we will handle it not as an execution done but ready to be done else Saul might be said to doe as the Judge at Lidford who hanged a man in the forenoone and then heard his inditement and passed sentence over him in the afternoone not called the knowne Law of the kingdome then Mr. Iueil defence but Lidford Law to this day Saul was not to bad as to do so he hath slaine Abimelech but hee impleaded him first objects against him and heares what hee can say for himselfe Saul hath this to say against him That Abimelech and the son of Iesse Saul meanes David Ob. whom hee names with as little honour as can be were confederate together and had conspired against him 1 Sam. 22.13 Why have ye conspired against me thou and the sonne of Iesse A sore accusation Ans but of no weight validity or strength from Sauls mouth who calls all conspirators who will not shew Saul where David is that so he may shed innocent bloud according to the power in his hands Vers 8. that so he may shed innocent bloud according to the power in his hands Vers 13. All of you have conspired against me But what had the Priest done which might be called a Conspiracy a taking part with David That he should rise against Saul to lye in wait as it is at this day Thus Saul sayes and so he impleads Abimelech In that thou hast given bread Ob. and a sword and hast enquired of God for him We will take the last first Ans enquired of God for David It was the Priests office so to do nor was that the first time that the Priest enquired of the Lord for David Vers 15. nor did the Priest know the second amongst the many thousands of Israel who deserved better from the hands of Saul and all Israel then Dauid did and therefore why might not Abimelech enquire of the Lord for him There is all Reason and Law both that so the Priest should doe enquire of the Lord for David but reason will not serve nor the resolution of the Lord neither The enquiry was saith Iunius about the Shew-bread c Vt cognoseeree an sacros panes tantùm Sacerdotibus concessos gladium semel Deo sacratum ad alios usus transferre fas esset lawfull for the Priests onely to eat and the Sword consecrated to God Whether that or this might be translated unto other uses whereunto no doubt the Priest had full satisfaction That they might In such an extremity David might refresh his hungry soule with that bread and in such a danger which God was privie to hee might take Goliah sword to defend himself therewith and to prevent Saul from seizing upon it first 1 Sam. 21 10. the more easily thereby to further his bloudy designe upon David But yet there is some more question touching the Sword as for the bread it was made for man and not man for bread That is a cleared case from the Lord Christs owne mouth Touching the Sword there is all the question now Saul a King pretends himselfe Master of the same as of Keilah for all the strong holds and ammunition there did belong to Saul they were all his proper goods and therefore Abimelech giving the sword to David he did it that he should use it against Saul to lye in wait So Saul forceth the accusation Whereunto Abimeleth makes a faire and full answer That Saul was no more Lord of the one then of the other he had no more propriety or right in the sword then in the bread nor the one nor the other were Sauls but the Lords laid-up both before the Lord and consecrated to Him But the Lord hath no nead of bread or of a sword His people Israel have need of both and as their need required so Israel might take the Bread thereby to sustaine life and the Sword thereby to defend life David tooke it for that end and according to the minde and will of God whose intent was cleare That Goliabs sword now lawfully wrested out of his hand and in Davids hand then layed up before the Lord should be for the defence of Israel and to fortifie Israel against their enemies to the worlds end And so the case is resolved about Keilah too a City that had gates and bartes not Sauls City now to batter downe though he would presume so farre about Davids eares but His City whose the kingdome was the Lords kingdome and trusted onely to Saul for the defence of Israel and no further And yet that Abimelech may deliver no more to Saul but what is justifiable by the Law of heaven and earth he assureth him that what he sayes is from Gods Mouth for there he enquired and received answer as aforesaid and thereupon his warrant to give David Bread and Sword both Moreover he addes be it far from him 1 Sam. 22.14 the Priest of the Lord to entertaine a disloyall thought against his Master the Lords Anointed enquiring of the Lord for David and giving him bread and a sword he knew David to be a faithfull person none like him in all Sauls house nor more honourable being the Kings Son-in-Law and for any thing else hee knew nothing lesse or more As honest and satisfying an answere had it been spoken to any mans eare but Sauls as ever came from a Priests mouth for it was taken from Gods Mouth but Saul is resolved before hand upon the Question for nothing can satisfie Sauls thirst but Davids bloud and because Abimelech stood in Sauls way and for reliefe of David Saul will have the Priests bloud Vers 16. And the King said thou shalt surely dye Abimelech See! There is an argument Abimelech cannot answere when a man drives furiously onward in a bloudy way neither law nor reason shall stop him nor the Angel with his drawne sword in the way Nay Saul stops not there he speaks more bloudy words yet and will doe as he speakes What I am loth to mention it from the mouth of a King and King of Israel the great Fiductary of the kingdome there I had rather a Philistin said it such an unkingly word so devoid of all reason and humanity but yet Israels King sayes it and we must repeat it after him Thou and all thy fathers house Ah Lord what a bloudy word is this what a bloudy man is that An Evill spirit came upon Saul indeed haunts him still and drives him on Lord deliver us from him for the man is
now at this preent time are so strong now That is the Reason The Sripture gives and it is a full Reason Does the Enemy prevaile Israels Sinnes doe prevaile Sinnes are strong and hands are weake Mighty sinners and then mighty Adversaries Does the Edomites rage reach up to Heaven the Peoples Sinnes reach thither too Doubtlesse if the Edomite have successe in any Quarter of the Land God does not doe it to gratifie the Edomite but the more to confound the Adversary and to fit or make His People meet for Deliverance Does Deliverance stay It is That Praise may wait for GOD in zion when the Worke is done and Israel is humbled before his GOD then the Edomite shall fall and rise no more The Lord will utterly undoe him this belongs to the next Section The Edomite has not yet fully executed his Commission not compleated his Slaughter There are Oxen and asses and Sheepe Remaining and these he will smite with the Edge of the Sword in Revenge of David because hee has escaped his bloody Knife The Bruit Creatures fare the worse for Davia now but these groane under the Edomites hands The Oxe I cannot speake little of him therefore I will say nothing but much increase by the strength of the Oxe Prov. 14.4 And much good Service is done by the Asse The Sheepe Cloatheth us with her Fleece and feeds us with her flesh It is Man That hath sinned and done evill indeed but as for these Sheepe what have they done Sayes David grieved for his poore People slaine with a grievous Plague Gods Sword which he had called for to lessen the number of People wherein David boasted We may say as much now and without a Figure VVhat have these done VVas the Edomites Rage against these poore Creatures No it was against David or rather for so Davids Lord is pleased to take these Insolencies and wrongs done against David as done to Himselfe Thy Rage against Me. 2 Kin. 19.27 Therefore the Servants of the Lord have boldnesse and assured confidence That their Lord does even now deale with this Beast as he has done with his fellow Beast He puts an Hooke in his Nose and a Bridle in his Lips even Now. Verse 28. And His People will give their LORD no rest touching this matter saying Arise O Lord in Thine Anger lift up Thy selfe Psalm 7.6 because of the Rage of our Enemies and awake for us to the Iudgement which Thou hast commanded Amen CHAP. 6. Weighty Reasons Why The LORD suffers the Edomites to lay wast Israels Land how it Relates to this time If Wolves had not beene grievous to our Land they had not been destroyed out of the Land VVHy does GOD suffer an Edomite to destroy Israells Land Qu. Is there not a Cause Sayes David in another Case surely yes Ans and a Cause for this also an excellent Reason 1 Sam. 17.29 for what The Lord does or Suffers to be done though wee could give no accompt of it First 1. Because Israel may be growne wanton and carnally secure A little Rest from their Enemies will make Israel settle upon their Lees Israel cannot I say Israel Gods owne people cannot well and Thriftily husband their time and peace They may do it after they have felt the Edomites hand and have rest from his oppressing Sword Act. 9.31 Therefore Israel must have a Scourge a Thorn in his eye and a Goade in his side And none more pricking Briars nor any more grieving Thornes then an Edomite is Ezck. 28 24. That knowne Adversory to Israel Israel will not know the Service of their GOD 2 Chro. 12.8 Therefore he shall know the Service of a cruel Lord that delights in Proud Wrath An easie yoake made Israel wanton An Iron yoake shall make them groane Israel will bee stout with their God and comply with an Idolatrous People and learne the manners of the Heathen play away the LORDS day and snufe at His Service will Israel do so The LORD will meet with them for this Hee will deliver them into the hand of them whom Israel hateth into the hands of them from whom Israels Minde is ALIENATED Ezek. 23.28 Prelates Edomites Atheists Papists and the like and these shall deale hatefully with Israel they shall take away all Israels labour and shall leave Israel naked and bare This Relates it selfe I need not shew how it relates to this time 2. The Edomite must be a plague to Israel Why because the Edomite is become a Lord and Master in Israel that he is set over the Servants of Saul 1 Sam. 22.9 2 Chro. 12.6 2 Sam. 106. if you observe it he is next to the King the greatest man in Court who but the Edomite there he does all all must come through his hand The Edomite must be a plague to Israel it must be so Will Israel suffer their Master Saul to take an Edomite to his side To make him his right hand dominus factotum LORD do all as the Proverbe is will Israel suffer this They shall have enough of the Edomite that they shall and Israel shall see there is mighty reason it should be so and when they see their Cities burnt with fire and the Edomite a Israel saw with open eyes That Saul rising-up against David could not abide an honest man but his heart clave in love to the Edomite he should have the honour of Knighthood and of Lord Generall in the held slaughtering them like Sheep then they shall say The LORD is righteous yes and gracious to Israel too for 3. By suffering the Edomite to deale with Israel so hardly and according to all the desire of his soul The good LORD will make the Edomite hatefull to all Israel Israels mind shall be alienated from him he shall never be entertained at Court any more The Edomite shall well perceive as the Amonitedid That hee slanke before David and all Israel he has shamefully abused Israel this once hee shall never serve them so again he shall see how he stinkes before Israel Oh! there is mighty reason why the Edomite in these daies should deale so hatefully with Israel now for all the Reasons abovesaid which I will not recall and for this especially That he may STINK before David and all Israel so as Israel not abiding his savour any longer will joyne hand and shoulder and heart and all to thrust him out of the Land where they have committed such abominations and executed such wrath with such a rage Indeed it is good for Israel to feel the weight of the Edomites hand and the mischiefe of his counsell It was good for Israel then it is as good for Israel now to be so wasted by Edomites VVho but the Edomite before in Court City Countrey In the Court chiefe Commander there and Keeper of the great Seale hard by Recorder in the City and Lord Generall in the Field VVho but the Edomite all this Dominus