To slay every one his men that were joyned unto Baal peor vers 5. And probably this was the plague the Psalmist speaks of partly because the word is genericall implying many kinds or species and is sometimes particularly applyed to this by slaughters So there was a great slaughter or plague among the people 1 Sam. 4.17 partly because it sutes best with the * Numb 25. history which mentions this plague by slaughter not that by pestilence 2. Quaere 2. Quere is this The plague being great for it brake in upon them as a flood of waters or as an hoast of armed men the question is how great this plague was For answer aske Moses he saith those that died in the plague were twentie and foure thousand Numb 25.9 aske Paul and he saith There fell three and twentie thousand 1 Corinth 10.8 these varying calculations some reconcile thus Paul speaks in generals relating to the story Numbers 25. Moses speaks more particularly being the Historian others take notice of the double slaughter one by the Iudges with the sword wherein probably were cut off about three and twentie thousand and this is Pauls number another by Moses with the halter hanging up the heads of the people probably about a thousand which being added to the former makes up the foure and twentie thousand the number set down by Moses 3. Quaere A third Quere is this Why and how the execution of judgement should be called a plague in Israel it seemes rather a blessing then a curse in Israel For Answer What was done by Moses and the Iudges as it was the cutting off of so many Idolaters and Adulterers so it was a blessing as there was the taking away of so many mens lives so it was a sad thing a kinde of plague in Israel especially all these falling in one day 1 Cor. 10.8 as for instance should the Parliament put to death an hundred or but half an hundred of the Traytors and Rebels against the State in a day it would in one sense be a sad spectacle a kinde of plague but in another a blessing in our Israel 3. Releeved Israel Thirdly for the releeving of Israel that is brought about by the execution of judgement Then stood up Phinehas and executed judgement and then the plague was stayed vers 30. And here two doubts more must be answered 1. Doubt Answered First What Phinehas had to do in execution of Iudgement who for his pedegree was the sonne of Eleazar the sonne of Aaron the Priest Numb 25.7 for his office at the most but praefectus sacris as Mollerus Mol. in v. 31. a Ruler in the Sanctuary but in publique administration of civill Iustice he was privatus è plebe unus a private man one among the people so that this act of his might seeme not to be zeal but murther rather and that in a high degree for there was shedding blood noble if not royall blood Zimri being the sonne of Salu a prince of a chiefe house among the Simeonites Numb 25.14 and withall his slaying them in the act of their sinning might be at once a killing of their bodies souls also and so double murther For Answer it is cleare that this act of Phineas was counted unto him for righteousnesse to wit as a * Non loquitur de iustitia personae sedoperis Mol. righteous act unto all generations for evermore vers 31. And some Divines give this reason for the clearing of him that he did it by speciall instinct and by a motion extraordinary Calv. in Locum and by a holy pang of zeale yet this by the way is no constant rule for us to walke by 2. Doubt answered A second Doubt is Why the pacifying of Gods wrath and the staying of the plague is ascribed to this act of Phineas having a blush of irregularitie in it rather then to the acts of Moses and the Iudges which were by expresse command from God and very regular For Answer the acts of Moses and the Iudges Numb 25.4 shaked the fire of Gods wrath that of Phineas quenched it again the acts of Moses and the Iudges had a rise from a sparke that of Phineas from a flame of zeale and holy indignation in him hence the Lord who is exceedingly taken with the springs and roots of actions sets the crowne upon the head of Phineas These things I lay down as probable not as demonstrative Division of the words The Text hath in it foure particulars First The quando The circumstance of time then Secondly The quis The agent Phineas Thirdly The quid What he doth his acts are double First he stood up or arose up Numb 25.7 being quickned by a spirit of zeale within him Secondly he executed judgement or prayed so some render it it may be both Fourthly The quid inde the fruits and issues First the wrath of God was pacified as it is implyed in the Psalme and expressed in Numbers 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Pih iudicavit 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Hithp Oravit Cal. Mol. Numb 25.11 Secondly the plague was stayed 1. The Quando The time First for the quando or the circumstance of time it falles under a threefold consideration First then when sinne came to a height of impudency Zimri and Cosby not blushing to act uncleannesse Numb 25.6 in the sight of Moses and in the sight of all the Congregation of the children of Israel who were weeping before the doore of the Tabernacle of the Congregation As it were on a Day of Solemn Humiliations Observation Hence observe that when sinne is grown impudent that is Gods time to cut off a sinner Put ye in the sicle for the harvest is ripe come get you down for the presse is full the fats overflow for their wickednesse is great saith the Lord by his Prophet Ioel. Ioel 3.13 Secondly when Zimri and Cosby were in the act of sinning Observation Hence observe how Dan. 5.23,24,25 the vengeance of God oft seiseth on the sinner in the very act of sinning So Belshazzer is met withall in his carowsing act Act. 5.1,2,3,4 Ananias and Saphira in their lying act leavened with sacriledge Herod in his proud act taking in the applause of the people crying It is the voice of a God and not of a man Act. 12.22,23 for the Angell of the Lord smote him as some think with an audible blow Lorinus in Locum however a blow fatall and deadly for because he gave not God the glory he was eaten up of wormes of wormes above ground and gave up the ghost Thirdly Then when Moses and the Iudges were cutting off the troublers of Israel by thousands in a way of justice Observation Hence observe the Magistrates due and regular execution of justice bindeth not up Gods hands from pouring out of his wrath upon his enemies in wayes something strange and