Mordecal then is the time of giving a Testimony as we see Mordeeâ—â— did he would not Reverence him nor reveal his Cap to him though his Life should have gone for it and the Life of all the Jews So now is not now the Papists high in Pâ—wer Hosea 8 1 Set ye the Trumpet to thy mouth and what shall he sound when he hath it there Even this among these things Verse 4. They have set up Kings but not by me They have set up a Popish Tyrant upon the Throne of Britain for which the Wrath of God shall come on this Land. When Enemies are come to a great height of Heaven daring Wickedness is it not then a time for Ministers to preach freely against them To set the Trumpet to their mouth and give a certain sound O it was the Duty of all the Ministers in Scotland when ever this Popish Tyrant mounted the Throne to have set the Trumpet to their Mouth and sounded an Alarm and to have given the People Warning of the great danger they were in thereby they should have told them they have set up a Tyrant yonder upon the Throne of Britain and Ireland who is seeking to Subvert and overturn Religion and all the Liberties of Mankind and he hath now arrogate to himself an absolute Power whereby he may do what he pleases O therefore have a care of your selves have nothing ado with him make no Bargain or Transaction with them Fifthly When the Servants of God are in hazard to be destroyed for the Testimony and are to be massacred and murdered by Cruel bloody Enemies then is the Season of a Testimony and appearing publickly to tell the People the hazard in ordeâ— to the preventing of the same as we see in the case of Mordâ—cai and Esther when the Jews were in hazard to be massacred and murdered And now are we not all as really in hazard to be massacred and murdered as ever the Jews were For it is well known that the Papists have as great hatred at aâ—l Preâ—byterians as they had at the Jews and is not this the time of giving a Testimâ—ny against them Alas it is sad to see many at peace with Papists and like to live in Neighbourhâ—od with them But I must tell you it there is not a Man this day in Scotland at Peace with Papists but he is a Râ—bel to Christ For if he were faithful to Christ then he miâ—ht expâ—ct to have Satan and all his Instruments on his top Sixthly The time 〈◊〉 Defectiâ—n especially the time of Defections of Ministers is the season of giving a publick Testimony so Truth against them as we see in the 13 of Ezek 2 verse He it bidden Prophesie against the Prophets and also he is bidden tell them they are but Daubers and that the Wall should â—all which they had daubed with untempered Mortar and we have also this to mâ—kâ— the Sâ—â—sâ—nâ—fâ— a publick Testimony for truth and we shâ—uld look upâ—n the havinâ— of it as matter of Sorrow and Lamentation But alas hath not many Mâ—â—â—sters this day gâ—ne on in sad stâ—ps of Deâ—ection are they not daubing with Vntempered Mortar This shâ—uld be told them that they are unfaithful to Christ in doing such things and that by their so doing that they bring not only the Wrath of GOD upon themselves but upon the whâ—le Land. Seventhly When the Testimony is discharged and Duty interdicted by Law then is the very Season for a Testimony for it As in Daniel's time when Prayers were interdicted by Law he would prâ—â— then as well as ever though he was a very wise man and no Pharisee yet he not only disobeyed the wicked Law but he wouâ—d let his Enemies know it that he did not â—bey it by opening his windows And have we not this also to make this the very season of a Testimony for truâ—h and against enemies when the Covenants are not only broken and burnt but declared Criminal to be owned and this makes it the very time of declaring publickly the Obligaâ—ion thereof upâ—n us and our Adherence thereunto Likewise is not Field-Meetings which the LORD many times signally countenanced strictly interdicted by a wicked Law and dischaâ—ged under pain of Death and this makes it to be an inavoidable Testimony to keep them up 〈◊〉 bloud shâ—uld be mingled with our Sacrâ—fice Now by these things may we not see when â—he Seâ—son is for giving a publick Testimony for Truth and against the Enemies thereâ—f And 〈◊〉 have all these concurâ—ing in our Câ—se which makes the giving of a publick Testimonie for Truth and against in Enemies an indispensible Duty For in our Case the Object is â—eat Now â—hen the Prerogatives of CHRIST Who is the Prince of the Kings of the Earth is usuâ—ped by this Absolute Power which the Tyrant upon the Throne this Vâ—sse◠〈◊〉 Antichrist hath blasphemously arrogated to himself When this Popish Tyrant claim this absolute Power to himself and when the Privileges of the Church and Liberties of Mankind is encroached upon by this Monster and when the Wrath of God is burning against the Generation 〈…〉 then to keep silence O who caâ— hold his Peace The Lyon hath Roared who can but 〈◊〉 There is none can hold their Tongue that hath any Zeal for the Gâ—d of Israel No he they cannot Secondly The second thing to be considered is Saul's accâ—sting of Samuel when they were met Saul took the first word for he had an ill Conscience in this There is these two things First 〈◊〉 flattering Complement just like the Flatterers in our day Secondly A flauoring Profession First then There is here a flattering Complement and Saul said unto him Blessed be thou of the Lord O Terrible this was a taking of the Lords Name 〈◊〉 vain Hence we observe That Hâ—pocritical Enemies of God are sometimes very free of their Complements and oftimes are very ready to bleâ—s as Saul was here but their Blessing had better been wanting for they are noâ—hing worth We find this Expression very frequent blessed be thou of the Lord As First When any body gives them any thing then they will get their Blessing for it as we see Micahâ—s Mother did when he told her that he had the eleven hundred Shekels of Silver about which she had cursed and she said Blâ—ssed be thou of the Lord my Son Judges 17 2. So if any Body will give the Enemies any thing they may expect their Blessing but they will not be much the Richer of it when they have gotten it Secondly When any Body makes any Address to them or help them to do an â—ll Turn then they will get their Blessing for iâ— As when the Ziphâ—tes these Intelligencers came and told Saul where David was and Saul said Blâ—ssed be ye of the Lordâ— as if he had said Blessed be ye of the Lord for ye are â—oyal Subjects seing ye câ—me to tell me where my Enemie David hâ—unâ—s bleâ—â—ed be ye Thirdlie When such an Occasiâ—n is put it into the Hands of the Lords People as that they maâ— cut them off and they spare them as when David spared Sauls Life
And they required your help and supply to get this wicked turn done which I dare aver in the sight of Heaven ye are Christs Murderers and the Murderers of all the Saints that has been Murdered since For you have bought the Swords that did it and you have bought the Ropes that hanged them and if you had not been the Hangmen your selves you could have done no more for it was told you that it was for that end Then again in the Paying of it it hath this Aggravation that it is against Light Ye are convinced it is a Sin For many of you if we come to you and speak about it ye will confess it is a Sin and yet ye go on in the Paying of it without any Excuse O that is dreadful will Ye but consider the sinfulness of it You dare not deny but it is a Breach of Covenant and that it is against the Acts of our Assâ—mblies and the Word of GOD condemns it And yet Ye pay it that Ye might keep Your Houses and enjoy Your Land. O there shall be a Curse lying on Houses and that have preferred them to the Blessed and Glorious Gospâ—l the Cause of a Maâ—llings broken Covenant the Blood of his Murdered Servants and the Guilt of crucifieing of CHRIST afresh shall ly on You and the Blood of this Martyr that Suffered last who Testified against that sin cryes for Vengeance against You for it was never before Sealed with Blood and that gives us to Mark it the more And if You will not hear and forbear it an Europe shall hear of the Terrible Judgements that shall come upon You for the promoting Maintaining and Helping forward this Heaven-daring-revolt against the SON of the Most HIGH Now I would have You to consider what his Blood cries to You for and say it to Hearâ— for it callâ— You to Esteem Love and conteud for those Truthâ— which he Sealed with his Blood For they are worthie of the Lives of Thousands Yea evâ—n of all the Woâ—ld The least of Christ's Truths is worth the Lives of all the World much more such great Truths I thought I would tell You this in the Entrie Now let us compose our selves and 〈◊〉 our selves in the Sigâ—t of this Great GOD and beg His Presence and Assistance to what we are about Let us pray April 15. 1688. Some Notes or Heads of a LECTVRE Preached at Distinckorn-Hill in the Parish of Gaastoun by Mr. Alexander Shields Preacher of the Gospel Vpon 1. Samuel 15. Chap from the 13 verse to the 24 THe People of Ireal and the People of Scotland aâ—e very like other they have been equal in â—rivileges and they have been equal in Sinâ— They were a special privileged people as war in all the World. They were a Covenanted people a peculiar people They were likewise a very treacheâ—our people and guilty of many breaches of Covenant They were unsteadfast changeable they could not stay long at one thing and they were a very Loyal people Yea and sometimes a wicked Loyal people They would have a King like the rest of the Nations Well the Lord gave them a King in His Anger and took him away in His Wrath. They might well have wanted a King for they had a very good Government before They had the Lord to be their King And He raised them up Judges fiâ—ed for Governing and Ruling aright Therefore because they desired this Change The Lord says unto Samuel hearken unto them for theâ— have not rejected thee but they have rejected Me that I should not Reign over them Well the Lord gave them one but such an one that made the Child to weep that was unborn Well he began right well And the Lord is here taking a Proof of him whether he would perform Obedience to his Command or not and he puts him on this piece of Service to go and Execute Vengeance on Amalek which was a Necessar Duty a Moral Duty for they were to have War with Amalek for ever For the Lord had given a particular Charge to the Children of Isâ—ael Deut 25 and last verse To blot ouâ— the Remembrance of Amalek from under the Heaven and not to forget it And the Lord puâ—s this in the hands of Saul to discover his Hypocrisie I shall go no further on the Introduction but to lead to â—he Application to our Case We have Amalek to deal wiâ—h for Amalek does Typifie all the Enemies of the Church in general and hath a Reference to them in these Words that we have Read There is these six or seven Things contaiâ—ed There is First the Meeting of Samuel and Saul together in that 13â— verse and that Meâ—ting was little for Saul's profit Poor Samuel in the Night before when he heard that he disobeyed the Command of the Lord had been Weeping and Crying all Night to GOD for him And heâ—e he comes to him and he came with an Intention to be free with Saul We have Secondly Sauls accosting the Prophet he took the first word and spoke wherein are two things First Sauls Hypocritical Salutation of Samuel and Saul said unto him blessed be thou of the Lord. 2ly his Vaunâ—ing of his Performances I have performed the Commandment of the Lord He began to justifie himself We have Thirdly The Prophets Challenging of him in the 14 verse as if he said have ye done so have ye performed the Commandment of the Lord What means then the bleating of the sheep and the lâ—wing of the Oxen in mine ears For you get a Commission to go and Destroy these and cursed Amâ—lekites and all that appertained to them Gâ—d's Command was to cut off all and if ye have done it what means all this Din then Every Rout of the Oxen and every Bleat of the sheep declares you to be a Rebel against GOD. Fourthly We have 〈◊〉 Excuse and Extenuation of his sin It was the people that did it not I and they dâ—d it for a good End viz. That they might take of those sheep and oxen to Sacrifice unto the Lord in Gilgall Fifthly We have the Prophets pressing home the Charge with many aggravating Circumstances to the 16 17. 18 19. verses As if the Prophet had said well you Excuse your self but I must be free with you remember this that yâ—u may see the Aggravation of your sin Remember what you were when God advanced you Ye were little in your own fight when you were An inted King over Iâ—rael And further you were then put in a Capacity to do the Will of God and 〈◊〉 Obey His Command And then the Lord was very particular with you To go and destroy and root cut these Cursed Amalâ—kites but ye have not obeyed His Voice but have Rebelled against him Sixthly We have Saul's persisting in his justifying of himself in the 20 verse Yea I have Obeyed the Voice of the Lord and have gone the Way that the Lord sent me and I have brought Agag the King of Amalek and have
utterly Destroyed the Amalekites but the People toâ—k of the Spotâ— Sheep and Oxen to Sacrifice unto the Lord thy God in Gisgall He would not give over the Plea what they had done they had done it for a good End. And then in the Seventh place We have the Prophets convincing him of his Rebellions in the 22 23 Verses as if he had said a Sacrifice what cares the Lord for your Sacrifice or you either He loves Obedience better than Sâ—crifice Will ye serve God in your own way No he will be served in his own way But now ye are not his Servant seing ye have Disobeyed his Commâ—nd ye are but a Rebel Then in the last place We have the Sentence that the Prophet pronounces against this Rebel As if he had said seing ye have Disâ—beyed his Command He hath taken away and invalidate your Authority ye may have the Title and the Name for a while but ye are no more King over Israel He will have no more of your Service So these are the particulars of the words which we have read and we shall go over them again and speak a little to each of them as time will allow applying them to our times The First thing then is the Meeting of the Prophet and this Hypocritical King The Lord had told Samuel in the Night befâ—re how He was Displeased with Sâ—ul and that he had Rejâ—cted him and would not have him to be King any longer And the Prophet Weeps all the Nâ—ght over for poor Saul This was his Exercise for if he could have gotten the Wâ—ath and Anger of the Lord turned away from Saul he would 〈◊〉 have had it done as we should all of us do We should not desire the Evil day on any but should 〈◊〉 for the sins of Enemies and for the Judgements of Enemies So likeways we should them And he went from one place to another till he gets Saul to witness against 〈◊〉 12 Verse And when Samuel â—rose early to meet Saul in the morning it was told Samuâ— saying Saul came to Carmel and behold he set him upon a place and is gone about at passed on and gone down to Giâ—gall Whence we Observe when judges or any in Eminent Note Rebell against God all the Servants of God should not only mourn over them in secret but witness against them publickly as Samuel did Ministers should be free and Faithful in preaching against the sins of every one who ever be offended this is a clear Duty it Ye will consider these two or three things First Why this should be done 2dly Who is the Object against whom they should witness 3dly When is the time that this should be done First then Why Rebellion should be witnessed against be in whom it will which is a duty very much slighted in our Dâ—y We should not suffer sin upon our Bâ—other when we see him sin we suffer sin upon him when we do not reprove him and the not reproving of him is a â—ating of him We hate our Brother when we do not tell him of his Sin and they are guilty of their blood 33 Ezek They that do not dâ—clare the whole Counâ—el of God cannot say that they are free of the blood of all Men They should tell what are their sins and that they should repent of their sins Secondly It is clear If ye will consider the Names that Ministers get in Scripture as Watchmen and those must â—et the Trumpet to their Mouth and give Warning when the see danger coming otherways they are guilty of their Blâ—od And also it is clear from what they have in Commission 58 of â—a They must cry aloud and nâ—t spare and lift up their Voice like a Trumpet and shew the Lords Peopâ—e their Transgressiâ—ns and the House of Jacâ—b their Sins Zek. 16 2. Cause Jerusalem know her abominatiâ—ns Zek. 20. 4 Cause them to know their Fathers Sins And when Ministers does not this they cannot say with Paul That they are free from the blood of all Men. Acts 28. Seing if they do not tell the People of their Sins they have shuâ—ned to declare unto them all the Counsel of God Fâ—r how can People Repent of and mourn for those sins that they do not know nor told of There is many a Direction to the Servants of God to declare against the Sins of his People and they shâ—uld make their Witness against publick sins as publick as they can Thirdly It is clear if ye will consider that there is no way left to avert the Wrath of God from the whole Land but a publick plâ—ading against those sins For we find that for Sauls Sin there was Three Years Famine on the whole Land. For David's sin of Numbering the People there fell of the People Ten Thousand And for Man 〈◊〉 sin the Ears of all Judah was made to â—in let So as upon the one hand the sins of â—ulers bâ—ings on the Wrath of God on a Land So upon the other hand the unfaithfulness of Ministers in not giving faithful Warning and telling the People their sin and Duâ—y brings Wrath upon the whole Land Lev 10. 6. And Moses said unto Aaron and unto Eleazar and unto â—â—hamar his Son uncover not your Heads neither rent your Cloaths least you die and least Wrath come upon all the People Isa 44. 43. Jer. 14 13. Micha 3 â—ad 5. Where it is clearly insinuated that the sins and unfaitâ—fulness of Ministers brings Wrath upon aâ—l the People Nâ—w I say there is no other way lest to avert the Wrath of God from a Land but publick pleading for Truth and against Sin and Defection which is clear Isa 59 15 16 Verses Yea truth falleth and he that departeth from Evil maketh himself a prey And the Lord saw it and it displeassed Him that there was no Judgment and He saw that there was no Man and wondered that there was no Intercessor And Jer. 5 1. Run ye to and froâ— through the Streets of Jerusalem and see now and know and seek in the broad places thereof if ye can find a Man if there be any that executeth Judgment and seeketh the Truth and I will pardon it As if the Lord would say Now I am going to bring Judgment on the Land and if ye can get any that executeth Judgment and seeketh the Truth I will turn away my Wrath And in the 9 of Jer. 3 verse They are not Valâ—ant for the Truth And Ezek. 22. 30. And I fought for a Man among them that should make up the Hedge and stand in the Gap before ME for the Land that I should not destroy it but I found none Therefâ—re have I poured cut my Indignatiâ—n upon them I have consumed them with the Fire of my Wrath. Where we may see if there had been any to make up the Hedge and stand in the Gap Before ME the Land would not have been destroyed We may see likewise from this that Ministers shouâ—d nâ—t only be free and
of brâ—ach of Covenant for ye strengthen the Handâ— of Papists 〈◊〉 ye cannot endeavour the Exâ—irpâ—tion of Popery when ye are at peace with Papists And then we are to Repeat and turn to the LORD and Acknowledge our Sins and engage to our Duty Well have we performed this what means then our justifieing of our seâ—ves in mainâ—aining of this presenâ— course For that is inconsistent with true Repentance and mourning for sin which is clear from â—7 Cor. 7. 10 11. If we had mourned for the sin of formeâ— Indulgences we could not 〈…〉 on this Tolleration but with Detestation for it has loâ—ded us with many Reproaches 〈…〉 may pretend to what they will it is impossible that they shall be â—ound among the 〈◊〉 of Zion while they continue in that Course which is clear from that forecited place of 〈◊〉 For you give all that that is Required of you and by so doing you make your 〈◊〉 guilty of the breâ—th of Covenant O consider the sin thereof and the Judgement that GOD will assâ—redly pursue for such aâ— Indignity done unto Hiâ— Remember Siâ—s and take Warning And I Charge you to take Warning For if ever there was a Defection in Scotland this is one For this hundred and Twenty Years there hath not a Testimony been wanting to the Truth And this Tolleration Condemns them all O will not the sâ—a of Hearing the Curats make us guilty of the sin of Prelacy And will not the hearing of these Tollerated Meetings make us guilty of the sin of this Tolleration I am noâ— imposing upon you my own Nâ—tions I invite you to nothing but the Scripture 〈◊〉 For if you will search them and the Antient Records of our Câ—urch the Acts and Constitutions of her General Assemblies and the Writings of True and Faithfull Champions you would 〈◊〉 these things not to be my Whimsiâ—s but to be the Truth which I tell you I invite you theâ— to seâ—rch them and I 〈…〉 The Fourth Thing in the Words 〈◊〉 be spoken unto is Souâ—s Excuse and Extenuation of his Sin â— and there is a Fourfold Excuse in iâ— I shall Observe this from it in general whatever Men as Hypocrites pretend to in Excusing their Sin it will not do the Turn but it makes it thâ— moâ—◠〈◊〉 Nâ—w the first Excuse 〈◊〉 Saul makes is â—his theâ— have brought them from the Amalâ—kites and this doth discover his ignorâ—nce For iâ— was 〈◊〉 to spare them they should all have been 〈◊〉 For the Amalekites were Devoted Enemies among oâ—her Nâ—â—ions They might have 〈◊〉 these things 〈◊〉 they had an express Charge Deut. 25. 17 18 19 Verses To blot out the Remembrance of Amalâ—k from under Heaven Foâ— they were accursed Enemies of GOD and they were Idolaters and they ought not to have been spâ—red by tampering with them No no they were all to be cut off Mâ—n Woman and Child and all that belonâ—ed to them nothing was to be spâ—red The Children of Israel was to keep up and to have mantained a War against them without any Cessâ—â—â—on Peace or Tâ—â—â—saction with them And if it was Sâ—ule sin to spâ—re Agag and the best of the Sheep and of Oxen and if it was Israels Interest to have maâ—ntained a Wit agaâ—nst Amalek It is as 〈◊〉 our duty and the duty of all the People of CHRIST to keep up and maintain War without any Cessâ—tion Peace or Transaction against Antichrist â—nd agâ—inst Papists now under the New Testament as it was theirs under the Old For they are great Enemies to Truth and as great Idolaters as they were it was Israels sin to spare Agag But we have not only spared the Papisâ— but we have set up a Papist over us And if it was Sauls sin and thâ— peoples sin to spâ—re Agag So it it would have been greater sin and a shame to have set up Agag on the Throne of Israel So it was cut sin to spare Papists but more to set np a Papist over us so 〈◊〉 is our sin surpassing theirs Well remember Sirâ— you have many Oxen and many Sheep bleeting but will you Examine how you got them there are many of you that hâ—s pâ—ace uoâ— you have Houses and Lâ—nds well got you them and your Consciences keeped both was you Wiser than other Folk or was you Honester nor others or was you more False an others have been some will say I got mine keeped by hearing the Curats others will say I got mine keeped by countenancing this Tolleration Well you got it from the Amalekites the Enemies of GOD and you may have little Peace by reflecting on the Way that you have them and them you have it from O consider 〈◊〉 sinfulnâ—ss of making Peâ—ce with Papists these Enemies of God against whom we are to maintain a War wiâ—hout any Cessâ—tion For CHRIST has proclaimed a War agâ—inst all such Look and ye will see the Declaration of War in the 14 of the Revelation 9 verse And any of you that have got any thing that you have this way O strive to get a better â—â—ck of them The second Excuse which Saul makes is this That it was the People did it and not he just like many in out day but he lied like a Traitor for it was by his Command Whence we Observe that Hypocrites will ay lay the Blame on others For if he asked at the People they would haue laid the Blame on Saul So in our day speâ—r at the Ministers who is to Blame for all â—his Defection and they will say the Blame lyes upon the people and if we spear at the people they will the say Flame upon the Ministers and say they left them and would not preach to them in the 〈◊〉 of Temptations and Trials and Ministers will say that they would hâ—ve preached if the people would have heard them But where these Excuâ—es are there is little Sense of sin and Humiliation for siâ— and little fear of the Judgements of GOD that will pursue such sits where every one is laying the Charge off themselves For Ministers say they would have keeped their Kirks and preacheâ— but the people would not bide with us and what could we do For we wanted our Judgâ—â—g 〈◊〉 and what could we do It is not the Ministers it is the people Come to the people and they will say the Ministers went to the Kirks and heard the Curats and we went too and the 〈◊〉 counselled us to take the Bond and what could we do But God will lay the blame upon the whole Ware both Ministers and people A Third excuse that Saul makes is that he spared the Sheep and Oxen for a Sacrifice to the Lord thy God. Whence we Observe that it is the Mark and Psea of Hypocrites to justifie all their Detections from the good end that they have in going about them We are ready to justifie our Actions tho they be bad because of the good end we think we have in going about them A good end will not
1 Samuel 24 16. Blessed be thou my Son David thou shalt prevail says Hypocritical Saul And Fourthlie When they have done an ill Turn to stop the mouths of Reprovers they will say they have not sinned as the Papists have dâ—ne this dâ—y Fifthlie When they have a mind to do an ill Turn to anie then they will speak fair and fall to their Complements as we see Joab did when he killed Amâ—sa 2 Samuel 20. 9 It is said Proverbs 26 25. When they speak fair believe them not for there are seven Abominations in their heart .. Well one word by way of Application There are many in Scotland hath win the Blessing of Enemies well hold them with it but it is not much worth when they have gotten it will do them little good Many of you by Comâ—lying in hearing of Curats taking of Oaths and Bonds and paying the Cess have win Antichrisâ—s Blessing and the Devil's Blessing but when ye have gotten it you will win nothing by it not be the Richer bâ— it And many of you by imbracing this Tolleration have given your Helping hand when they are going to set up Dagon and when you ly by from giving a Testimony against it and when there is such smooth preaching that will trouble Antichrist much O but he will be well pleased with it Oh! consider it Ye who have had any hand in this for Ye have given your Helping hand to set up Poperâ—e and so you have got their Blessing The second thing to be considered an Saul's accosting of Samuel 〈◊〉 Saul's Flauâ—â—ing profession I have performed the Commandment of the LORD I shall note this from it That Hipocrites are very ready to make a shew of their Profession and to â—unt of their performances which is alwise the Mark of a Hipocrite For if Ye would speak to some Folk they will tell You that they have done as much and suffered as much for the Cause as any and they will make a shew of their Profession and boast of their Performances oft times for these ends 〈…〉 To be in Favour with People that they may esteem much of them 〈…〉 â—erformances seeking to be advanced they â—ill tell you they have done 〈◊〉 Duty and the 〈◊〉 Duty and O out they have done much for the LORD O this is 〈◊〉 in His Sight 〈…〉 of what he had done when he said Come with me and see 〈…〉 the LORD 2 King◠〈◊〉 So many Hypocrites in Scotland have made a great â—in of their profession and 〈…〉 of what they had done that they might be much esteâ—med and in Favour with people Many 〈◊〉 their Talking of owning the Covenant a 〈◊〉 to mounâ— themselves into the 〈◊〉 of Preâ—â—ment who have helped to Butâ— iâ— since it which the LORD 's Spâ—â—â— has been grieved Secondly 〈◊〉 did boast of their pretended performances and do make them a scâ—gg to 〈◊〉 their Knavery 〈◊〉 whereas their preâ—encâ— is to â—â—ke themselves Rich I have done bravely says he This 〈◊〉 been much in Scotland Many have had a great shew of Pâ—â—â—â—ssion and â—â—â—gged much of that they had done So many Foâ—ks will â—â—ke up a Profession of Reâ—igion to 〈◊〉 tâ—eir Knavery 〈◊〉 buâ— GOD will discover such to 〈◊〉 shame There will some Folks appear for the Lord with 〈◊〉 Sworns wâ—ereas their Enâ— is to make themselves Rich For there 〈◊〉 many who came out 〈…〉 Bridge thâ—t came out for no other End 〈◊〉 to get a Booty and a Spoil to make themselves Rich Thirdly Hâ—pocrites 〈…〉 much oâ— their Performances that they may perswade others to sin and all that I can say for this End is as 〈◊〉 to alluâ—e People to that which is sinful Tuâ— Wâ—â—rish Woman spoken of by 〈◊〉 Prov 4 When she is alluâ—ing the Young Men to commit Fornication with her she makeâ— use of this is â—n Argument to perswade him 14 Ver. I have Peace-Offâ—rings with me this day I have performed my Vows So when they would have others to concur in a Conspiracy with them they are brave Men then and they will talk much oâ— their performances They boast of their Performances that they may make the some a Prop to leâ—n upon They have nothing to bragg of but their own works and they build upoâ— that and go about to establish their own Righâ—eousness and some Folks lean upon their own principles great profession and much suffâ—ring O â—our 〈◊〉 Foundation poor Saul thought that what he had done would meâ—it Favour from GOD so Hypoâ—â—iâ—es lean on many things that are not CHRIST as props Lastly Hypocrites may make their great pâ—ofession and performances a pleâ— to extenuate and defend and justifie their 〈◊〉 as Saul did here to justâ—fie and exâ—enuate his sin of disobeying the Commandment oâ— the LORD I have performed the Commendment of the Lord. So alas foâ— a 〈◊〉 Deâ—ections â—hat have been in Scotland for which the Heavens may stand astonished and all Nâ—â—ioâ—s that have 〈…〉 Yet this is the common plea and pretext of many Complyers to exâ—enuat their Deâ—â—ction Yet they will say O they have performed the Commandment of the LORD they have done much and suffeâ—ed much Ay if ye will speak to some of the greatest Complyers in â—ll the Land that â—ave gone on in all the Compliances in all the Land bearing of Curates taking of Oaths 〈…〉 and the rest and all this to covet their Defection as Saul did here O this is abominable in the LORD's sight Now the Third thing â—o be spoken to is The Prophet's challenging Saul and telling 〈…〉 that he was a Lying Hâ—pocrite as if the Prophet had said ye talk much of performing of the Commâ—ndment of the LORD but there are many Witnesses to the contrary Ye say yet have performed and obeyed the LORD's Commâ—nâ— have ye done so What means then the bleâ—ting of the Sheep and the â—owing of the Oxen which I hear Every Rout and every Bleâ—â— declaâ—es the 〈◊〉 Whence we observe that Defection shall be discovered by their Effects as Math 9. 14 The Tree is known by us 〈◊〉 Though we may say we have performed the Comâ—â—ndmenâ—s of the Lord there are many things that evidence the 〈◊〉 For if we will 〈◊〉 the sins of out time we may see many evideâ—ces of our Defections our Bleâ—â—ing of the Sheep and Lowing of the Oxen 〈◊〉 Witness 〈◊〉 Alas Our Deâ—ections are great and many and very â—aiâ—our and yet it is sâ—d to heâ—r such a justiâ—yinâ— of our selves as there is I shall only tell you some oâ— them that we may think upon and 〈◊〉 for the same As for Example we have sworâ— away our selves and all that we have to the Lord in a Solemâ— League and Covenant and we are coâ—manded 〈…〉 which we have received Let 〈◊〉 run through shortly all the Arâ—icles thereof 〈…〉 shall see we have broken