Beliall evermore as deeply in love with vice as good men are with vertue and as over-hasty in their choyce so as quickly out of love with it despised him saying This is a King indeed as little helpe can be expected from him as from one of us Shall this man save e ver 27. us Saul was so wise as to hold his peace at that time for he could not value himselfe as yet he tooke no notice of their contempt Then Nahash the Ammonite came up 1 Sam. 11. 1. and encamped against Jabesh Gilead the People there fall presently upon Propositions for Peace Make a Covenant with us say they and we will serve thee Agreed said the Ammonite ver 1. but upon this condition that I may thrust out all your RIGHT-EYES f ver 2. That is the condition of an Ammonite you must never expect better from him Hard termes indeed The Ammonite was perswaded no doubt of an advantage sufficient against Israel for 1. He knew that many of the Israelites did not willingly submit to their new King 2. He remembred that the Philistines had not long before slaine thirty foure thousand of their men of warre g 1 Sam 42. 10 Besides he had used great care and diligence that the Israelites should have no Smithes to make them Swords and Speares d 1 Sam. 13. 19. Neither was it long before that the Bethshemites perished by the hand of GOD more then fifty Thousand e 1 Sam. 6. 19. These respects and what els I know not made the Ammonite so proud in his Demands He will have their Eyes and their right-Eyes It would lay a reproach upon all Israel indeed and utterly disinable them for the Warre for though a man may doe much by the help of the left-Eye as some did with the left-Hand yet these Gileadites using to carry a Target upon their left-Armes which could not but shaddow their left-Eyes should by loosing their right be utterly disinabled to defend themselves Better a just Warre then a dishonourable Peace Gold may be bought too deare so may peace Had Israel given their right-eyes for peace they had done then as some would doe now purchase peace with the losse of Faith and a good Conscience Give Israel peace Good LORD but let them not accept of it upon an Ammonites termes with the losse of their right-Eyes We reade on Saul observes the people weeping enquires the reason understands it was because the Ammonites had made such a proposition for peace Marke now And the Spirit of GOD came upon Saul Now there is question about Israels parting with their right-Eyes The Spirit ver 6. of GOD came upon Saul raised up Sauls spirit to the height of indignation so that his anger was kindled GREATLY ver â— And that his indignation might appeare he hewes his Oxen in peeces summons all his people thereby assuring them their Oxen shall be served so too if they doe not every man of them fit for Warre make their appearance presently for they must venture the best blood in their veines to preserve their right-Eyes The people will doe it for though the blood in their veines is deare unto them yet their right-Eyes are dearer But wee must note as followes The feare of the LORD fell on the people What then And they came out with one consent And so the Warre began and was quickly ended for this unreasonable Demand put courage into the King and people both So Saul set his Army in Battell-aray Then he put 1 Sam. 11. 11. the people in three Companies and they came into the midst of the Hoast in the morning watch and slew the Ammonites untill the heate of the Day f. And they that remained of the Enemies were so scattered that they who demanded the two Eyes from the people were not left no not two of them together And that was notable for as Samson said GOD avenged them of the Ammonites for demanding their two Eyes Judg 16. 28. And so let all Thine enemies perish O Lord who thinking they have an advantage against Israell will not give him peace unlesse he will give them his right-Eye Now the People were well pleased with Saul for they judge of Persons and things by the issue and successe they have violent lovers of the Prosperous are base vassalls to him that flourisheth and as dispitefully cruell against those whom any worldly accident hath throwne downe we have a valiant King said they and who are they that spoke so contemptuously of him bring the men that we may put them to Death And Saul said there shall not a man be put to Death this Day for to Day the Lord hath wrought salvation for Israell d 1 Sam. 11. 13 He had indeed hee gave Israel courage and glorious victories over that insolent adversary who delighted in proud wrath and Saul did his duty in making acknowledgement and giving the Glory to GOD. All this while Saul prospers for Samuell a good man and well experienced in Government do's all and all to render Saul Prosperous and confirmed in his Kingdome So according to Samuells advice King and people went downe to Gilgall made Saul King before the LORD there and there they sacrificed Sacrifices of Peace-offerings before the LORD ver 15. and there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoyced greatly In the next Chapter Samuell reasons with the People before Chap. 12. the Lord of all His righteous Acts Convinceth them mightily touching his own Innocency and uprightnesse in judging them and the Lords Goodnesse towards them from the dayes of Moses unto that day Adviseth them to continue in His Goodnesse and quickens them thereunto with a mighty threat and so concludes the Chapter Now Saul the third time is acknowledged King having Reigned two Yeares over Israel he did Reigne many Yeares Chap. 13. but no more in Gods account He computes him but two 1 Sam. 13. 1 Yeares a King for a Reason which followes strengthened himselfe with a Guard of Three thousand chosen men of which he assigned a thousand to attend upon his Sonne Jonathan Jonathan with his small Regiment surpriseth a Garrison of the Philistines smites them so that he did but enrage the Enemies with that surprise for presently the Philistines assembled Thirty thousand Charrets and six Thousand Horse-men and ver 5. People as the Sands in multitude and so Invade Judea This suddaine Invasion strikes such a terrour into the Israelites that some hid themselves others fled and went over Jordan others for they were all in a strait and distressed went trembling to Saul yet in Gilgal who feared as much as they And now ver 6 7. was the time when Saul should have cleaved fast to GOD and His Command for he was affraid and then said David I will trust in Thee and waite for my hope is in Thee And this Saul seemes to doe and but seemes for being appointed to attend the comming
of Governement they aske a King are shewen the manner of their King Saul is given them He is well advised and ruled by Samuell and is prosperous An Ammonite deales proudly with Israel and is accordingly dealt with and confounded GOD gives Saul a glorious victory over the Philistines and his sonne fullfills a Prophecy He is charged concerning Amaleke and does contrary Then he heares of his rejection David gaines him another victory as wonderfull as the former therein gives the Church assured confidence for ever he is ill requited for it Saul envied him to the day of his death bent the strength of his Militia against David Sauls life was all along contrary to the rule of grace and his death contrary to the light of Nature SAmuell is Israels last Judge and Saul their first King called to that high office and inabled thereunto by GOD Himselfe raised quickly in his thoughts and disposition to the pitch of a King Samuell doe's not rule now though well read and experienced in that Art but orders and directs gives Saul the honour of that hardest worke The ruling of the people but tels him how to doe it Samuell speakes and Saul hearkens and all this while it was well So long as Samuell ruled-out the way of government to Saul and he followed the Rule it was well with Saul and with all the people The Lord made their Militia strong and successefull to a wonder When he transgressed that Rule his spirits fell and he from his princely dignity thrusting himselfe besides the throne with his own hands Notwithstanding the LORD wrought a wonderful deliverance for Israel by the hand of David for which David was ill requited for therefore Saul envied him and turned the edge of his Militia against him Saul should have fought the battels of the Lord and have strengthened himselfe against the Lords and Israels enemies he does the contrary fights against the Lord and his servant David Quickly after his sinne finds him out and the Philistines who gathered strength while Saul strengthened himselfe against the LORD drove Saul into the straits and being there he sought for Death from anothers hands and obtaines it not his owne hand shall doe him that favour since he counts it so and so is his own Executioner Thus I have this once for I shall doe so no more hudled-up and crowded together a large and famous Story which contains many Remarkables of infinite use That is it I intend Therefore I will draw them out one after another if at more length then is expected the intent is good that we may put the more observations upon them The History begins AGe bath overtaken Samuell and his carefull government which is a burden too heavy for him he puts off from himselfe laying the weight thereof on his Sonnes shoulders Joel and Abiah a 1 Sam. 8. 1 2. who judged the people at Bersheba the very utmost City towards the South of Judea The place was inconvenient and very remote so were these two brothers no lesse removed from the justice and virtue of their Father They turned aside after lucre and tooke bribes Bribes in the plurall ver 3. number he that opens his hand to a bribe once seldom shuts it afterwards for the thirst of covetousnesse the more it swalloweth the more it drieth and desireth finding taste in nothing but gaine and so for in-comes that way they set the Law at a price and sold Judgement and Justice to the best Chap-men them that would give the best bribes for it it follows tooke bribes and perverted judgement This injustice in their Judges makes the Elders of Israel very earnest with Samuell to give ver 4. them a King they might justly ask a King now they thought an alteration and change in government now that their Judges were so changed from what they were and so wicked had quite perverted judgement and justice And so importunate they are that they are resolved upon it and will have no denyall They might aske a King but they should not have been so importunate their request was good but it was too hasty and then good things may be ill desired GOD purposed to raise up a King to his People the People after the manner out-pace GOD they will have a King when they please The government by Judges was of GODS institution and at this time setled amongst them they shall have a change of government but they are over-forward to a change and they shall be well check'd for that The Request is put up to Samuell with much importunity he knowes what to doe he enquires of his Oracle asketh the LORDS ver 6. mind in this matter The LORD resolves him saying I was indeed their King before and it was well with them They have reiected Me and not thee that I should not reigne ver 7. over them Now therefore hearken to their voyce but tell them moreover the manner of their King he will know himselfe to be King and then thinke hee may doe what hee listeth The People must know this then perhaps they will understand that ever to be the best kind of Government which God appoints over a people and that if the government be heavy as an yron yoake upon the necks of the People it is but meet for their neckes which are stiffe as an Iron sinnew and because their iniquity is heavy upon them whereof they stand charged to complain and not of the government which the Lord hath set over them Samuell does according to his charge speakes unto the people in the same words And they like themselves turned a deafe eare to all the perswasions and threats which Samuell used and they said Nay but there shall be a King over us e ver 19. The people will not be denied As before so they might have a god of their owne chusing and so soone as they pleased if it were a Calfe they cared not They were as indifferent about their King give them a King that they may be like the Nations and then they were well enough for the manner of their King no matter at all for that Men like their owne time best and their owne choise then Samuell hearing the People say so tooke a viall of oyle and powred it upon Sauls head who was gone forth to seeke Asses and such was the Providence found a Kingdome and said The Lord hath annointed thee to be Captaine over His inheritance a 1 Sam. 10. 1. Then shortly after having well rebuked and disciplined the people b ver 18. he shews them their King openly And all the people shouted and said GOD save the King c ver 24. Then Samuell told the People the Law and Statutes of the Kingdome and wrote it in a book d ver 25. and laid it up before the LORD so dismissed the People and they whose hearts GOD had touched went home with their ver 26. King others but they were children of
enquire now and have no answer Saul enquired of the LORD the ver 6. LORD answered him not neither by Dreames nor by Vrim nor by Trophets What will he doe now He is resolved to enquire of the Devill to see what he will say See here a sad case That man is in straits indeed who expects enlargement from the Devill But marke his complaint that he puts up to the Devill I am sore distressed he took a bad way for ver 15. help to seek for it from his greatest Enemy But what troubles him The Philistines make warre against me Nay that was not it so they did before the Moabites too the Ammonites Amalekites the Arabians also all the world warred against Israel therefore the trouble was not in that No but here it was this was the trouble and sore affliction which was like a Sword in his bowels yea like the gall of Aspes there GOD is departed FROM ME This was it I-cabod the Glory is gone the Nations are angry they will come upon the Land from every quarter Let them come they shall not distresse the Land with all their strength But does this follow God is departed from a Land then all created strength cannot safeguard the same if the Enemies were all wounded men yet they shall destroy all the Land and take the spoile And this was Sauls case God is departed from me The saddest complaint that ever was heard Consider well of it and you will say so too suppose the Adversary entring the doores treading upon the mans heele pangs are come upon him the paine as of a woman in travell his Soule is upon his lipps he is entring into the chambers of Death and his case is the same with Sauls here GOD is departed from him He answers him not Certainly neither teares nor sighs nor sobbs can point out this mans complaint the grievousnesse of this case exceeds all comparison And this was Sauls case then that it may not be our case anon Let us consider with all our hearts how equall and just it was that God should leave Saul at this time and afford him no answer God was with Saul prospered him exceedingly gave him glorious victories Saul was not aware of all this God answered him againe and againe told him what His expresse will was Saul rejected it now God departs from him and answers him no more A man will drive hard for comfort at such a time but he will mistake his way as Saul did his goes for the living to the dead nay worse from Esa 8. 16. God to the Devill he seekes answer there at the Devils Oracle And behold worse and worse Saul cannot endure to heare it but falls straight-way all along on the Earth c ver 20. When he sought counsell of God he was alwayes victorious Now that he sought counsell from the Oracle of the Devill this was the answer Who can be thy friend now God is thine enemy Thou didst not execute the fierce wrath of the Lord upon Amalek * A dangerous omission not to execute the wrath of the Lord upon His Churches Adversaries old fierce and treacherous therefore must that wrath be executed upon thee and to morrow shalt thou and thy sons be with me c. And so it was for answerably it follows That both himselfe and his three sons with his neerest and faithfull servants were all slaughtered by the Philistines his body with the bodyes of his Sonnes as a spectacle of shame and dishonour were hung over the walls of Bethsan and there had remained till they had found buriall in the bowells of ravenous Birds had not the gratefull Gileadites of Jabes stolne their carcasses thence and interred them This was the end of Saul such as might tell all the world That now the blood of Gods Priests * 1 Sam. 22. 19 which Saul shed and of David which he would have shed was required and requited Let us note it more particularly What was his end very desperate The Battell went sore against him and he was sore wounded of the Archers Then he said unto his Armour-bearer draw thy Sword and thrust me * 1 Sam 31. 4. throw therewith His Armour-bearer refused Did he well in disobeying Yes for he disobeyed the desperate will of Saul which a man may doe and yet doe the greatest right See Childs Patrimony p. 36. and justice to the King Yes though he had held Saul from falling upon his own Sword and so restrained him from being a selfe-murtherer But Saul was left to himselfe and so he died he tooke a Sword and fell upon it A desperate execution He was an Enemy to good men while he lived and now he died he is an Enemy to himselfe He lived and died a murtherer he fell upon his own Sword and so Saul died His buriall we reade before His life death and buriall all three well agree together The greatest part of his life was spent in persuance of Gods friend see the Relation all along The last Act of his life was violence upon himselfe from his own hand He had driven David the head of his Tribes and after Oyle had been powred upon him and who so faithfull among all Sauls servants as David was d 1 Sam. 22. 14. from abiding in the Inheritance of the Lord Sauls head was taken off and his body exposed to the weather fastned to a wall no more accounted 1 Sam. 31. 9 10. of then a despised broken Idoll or a vessell wherein is no pleasure Saul had slaine the chiefe Priest and all his Fathers Ier. 22. 28. house then Priests of the Lord he had smitten their City with 1 Sam. 22. 16 17. the edge of the Sword and all therein with the edge of the Sword it is twice repeated to shew the bloodinesse of that ver 19. execution Now his lot shall fall-out unto him and this the portion of his measures All Sauls Sonnes are slaine he is Ier. 13. 25. written a Man Childlesse to all Generations some of his seed remained but none prospered to sit upon the Throne and Rule any more in Judah * Ier. 22. 30. We must repeate this once more for so I find it in the Sacred Writ because we may receive from it a sure instruction That we doe not transgresse against the ANGELL of the LORD nor reject His Word That we continue seeking Exod 23. 20. Counsell at His mouth and if He answer not yet wait if we die let us die seeking while we waite there is hope depart from Him there is no hope goe after other gods and then certaine destruction as to Saul So Saul died and his three Sonnes and all his House died together for his transgression which 1 Chro 10. 6. ver 13. he committed against the Lord even against the word of the Lord which he kept not and also for asking Counsell of one that had a familiar spirit to enquire of it
he removed with comfort enough from one Court to another from that on earth to that in Heaven I shall be the longer upon this bloody execution purposely and with the more enlargement That it may sparckle and flash in the face of him or them for there are such snakes in the world that would burne downe that house which hath preserved him would consume them and their houses who would have kept his not from fire only but from smelling of the smoake would shed the blood of those to his power who lay-out themselves all they have and all they are for the building-up and establishing of him and his house for ever We proceed So Ioash did so bloody was his command How so the Spirit of GOD gives us the reason of that unnaturall and most unkingly act Ioash the King remembred not the kindnesse which Jehojada his Father had done unto him but slew his Son k ver 22. There was never any wicked cruell mischievous rebellious Idolatrous to say all in one word unthankfull person in the world but he was a forget still person he remembred not the kindnesse of the LORD That great Benefactor nor the kindnesse of the servants of the LORD that spake good for him before the LORD and did him all the good that was Iudg. 8. 34 35. in their power And so forgetting all this he will not care how he deales with GOD nor how injuriously with the faithfull servants of GOD. Oh that we could consider not only what defilement and provocation is in sinne but also what unkindnesse and unthankfulnesse against God the fountaine that fills all our cisternes and if we forget this can make holes in them so as they shall hold no comfort did we remember this we would be thankfull to GOD and not forget the kindnesse of Man towards us as Ioash did he remembred not the kindnesse which Jehojadah his Father had done to him but slew his Son Not he the people did it and that is legible in the same place True and so is this at the commandement of the King what the King commands he does and so did wrong and violence to the blood of his best servant And what shall be done to him now The word indeed is gone out against him though a King A man that doth violence to the blood of any Pro. 28. 17. Nemo homicidae miseretur Iun. Gen. 9. 6. Exod. 29. 14. person shall flie to the pit let no man stay him d That is let no man pitty him saying It is a thousand pitties such a brave man should die No he has shed mans blood his blood must be shed and quickly too there must be no delay in the execution of judgement and justice he shall flee to the pit But it was Ioash the King that gave this command and he is accountable to none but GOD. Well be it so but he finds an heavy reckoning there he has slaine the faithfull servant of GOD the Sonne of Iehojada who was his Nurse his Father his Uncle his Guardian his Tutour his Councellour he was All to him next to GOD and he has slaine him in the Court of GODS House The Lord has smitten His Hand a Ezek. 22 13. at this which the people have done at the commandement of the King And there is a prayer put up to Heaven against Ioash the King just at the time this blood was shedding The LORD looke upon it and require it b ver 22. The Lord is just He will doe it He will take the matter into His owne Hand He will reckon with Ioash for this and speedily for blood never continues long upon the score Thus it was and so the LORD began with him afflicting him lightly at the first afterwards more grievously as His manner is We passe over now the expedition of Hazael against Iudah when Ioash was sore afraid and redeemed his peace at a deare rate m 2 King 12. 18. We will fixe our eye rather upon this That the LORD would now over-match him by a despicable enemy He sent a handfull of Syrians n 2 Chro. 24. 24 against him few or many is all one if the LORD leades the Hoast these made an in-rode upon his Land and slew the Princes of Judah The PRINCES marke that at whose perswasion the King had become a Rebell to the King of Kings they slew the PRINCES they hurried and pillaged the People notwithstanding their MILITIA and left the King in great diseases to be cured thereof by his owne mercilesse Vassalls who murthered him upon his bed So which is observable also The end of his time came then upon him then was the last yeare of his Reigne when he thought himselfe but beginning to live as he listed without controlement in the exercise of meere Power Supposing belike That he was no free PRINCE unlesse he did what hee listed and as long as one durst tell him the plain truth how great soever that mans deservings were that did so yea though GODS Commandement required it We will gather up some observations from hence and then conclude We observe 1. That Ioash his Militia had no power The Army of the Syrians come up a small company of men and the LORD delivered a very great Host into their hand Was not that ver 24. strange No there is a mighty reason why it was so because they had forsaken the LORD GOD of their Fathers He that forsakes God is as a man who in time of warr forsakes his Rock Castle or strong hold and exposeth himself to the mouth of the Cannon This forsaking of GOD is like the cutting of Samsons locks his strength goes presently from him and he becomes weake c Judg. 16. 19 Forsake GOD and ye forsake your strength and become weaker then women and shall not doe so much as wounded men Let sinners in Sion be afraid let fearfullnesse surprize the Hypocrites the Church cannot feare an Army of Papists though never so great an Host for they have forsaken GOD and are of no power But yet here is cause enough from this Scripture to make a revolted Nation bethinke themselves for 2. Here was more then a bare forsaking of GOD here was a serving of Idols they provoked him with their Images and strange vanities Then it was not possible they could be in any better Posture of Defence now the enemies are entred upon them then are so many naked men for we have read long since Idols make a People NAKED d Exo 32. 25. 3. Nor was this all the worst is The guilt of innocent blood lyeth upon the people they had shed it they were instruments 2 Chron. 28. 19 in that horrid execution Then in-come the Syrians upon Israel a small company of Rovers intending to pillage and away againe but finding the doores of the Kingdome wide open for the defence was gone this small company march-on Numb 22. 4. against Joash his huge Army bigg
confidence for ever We must then behold these two warriours the disadvantage in their persons their Armour and weapons all which make the victory more glorious and tell us plainly That it is of mighty concernment to the Church for ever 1. The Combitants are Goliah a Giant a man of warre from his youth and David but a Youth as Saul said a stripling ver 33. 2. Their Armour there is no comparison there for David ver 56. has none at all But reade I pray you how Goliah is furnished When the Church reads it and well considers on it then they thinke they shall never feare their Adversaries any more Thus you reade An Helmet of brasse upon his head a Coat of Maile about his body Greaves of Brasse upon his leggs c ver 5 6. and a Target of Brasse between his shoulders 3. The Weapons as unequall too Goliah had a Sword and a Speare and a Man carrying his Shield before him David is his own Man well able to carry his Armour himselfe for his Armour is but a Staffe and a Sling and a Scrip and a few smooth Stones within it There were all the disadvantages in sight and whosoever walked by sight would have disdained David as Goliah did and have given Goliah the victory before they fought And yet there were those advantages on Davids side and some of them in sight that it was not possible but David must have the victory For 1 Goliah was a Philistine David an Israelite Goliah hated of GOD David was beleved for the Disproportion otherwise in the bulkinesse of the body c. that is of no account This is a mans advantage and promotes him which sets him nearer to GOD. That heightens him which makes him little in his owne eyes and great in the favour of God Goodnesse is a better safeguard then Greatnesse No matter how bigge the Churches Adversary is how sterne or how bigge he lookes though a man of might and of warre and has a face like a Lyon What though Put it downe for a conclusion drawn from the experiences of all ages what He is as weake as water and as a Dove a Hose 7. 11. without an heart THAT hath PROVOKED GOD. Goe-on and feare no colours for this was written for the generation to come And 2 None of all that Armour before mentioned is of proofe It cannot keepe off the vengeance of the d Job 15. 25. Almighty Goliah stretched forth his hand against God and strengthened himselfe against the Almighty What then His Armour shall doe him no good The LORD will runne upon e ver 26. him even on his neck upon the thick bosses of his bucklers It was so and it will be so to the worlds end Object But David seemes to be a naked man Answ True he seemed to be so but he was in compleat Armour from the head to the foot The Lord was his Defence he had said of the LORD Thou art my shield and buckler Psal 18. And 3. What is a Sword and Speare vaine things and so is he that formed them these shall not prosper against David But Esa 54. 17. are not these instruments as like to prosper in Goliahs hand as a sling and a stone in Davids hand No This stone and this sling must prosper for it must doe execution upon Gods enemies and because these are unlikely things therefore more likely to prosper GOD will doe the greatest matters by the smallest instruments Why That He may have all the glory that is the reason Surely the Lord will confound the enemies of His Church by means and wayes very improbable and unlikely as weake as water We cannot tell for perhaps it never came into our thoughts what meanes the Lord will use in confounding the pride of his Adversaries But thus we have heard and seene and so we reade foolish things in 1 Cor. 1. 27 28 29. mans conceit shall confound the wise weake things the things which are mighty base things and things that are despised hath God chosen and things which are not to bring to naught things that are Why all this That no flesh should glory in His presence And 4. We must observe the manner how these Souldiers addresse themselves to the Battell Goliah marched on like a Philistine cursing David as he went David went on with ver 43. blessings in his mouth Goliah maketh toward David in his owne strength and the strength of his gods David goeth against him not in his own strength but in the Name of the Lord of Hosts the God of the Armies of Israel What follows Whom thou hast defied And will God helpe them who have cursed His children blasphemed His Name and defied His Hoast certainly God will destroy them utterly And this was Davids confidence and touching himselfe also he should overcome and be victoriovs for he had sought his God and He is never sought in vaine he trusted in God He will never deceive that Trust he went on in the Name of the Lord of Hosts it was not possible then he should returne ashamed Let the Redeemed of the Lord say so for His mercy endureth for ever As David set his foot upon Goliah so shall the Church the servants of the Lord set their foote upon the neck of their Adversaries nay they shall wash their feete in the blood of the slaine there is the conclusion We reade on and find that after this victory Saul enquires after David takes so full notice of him now that indeed he Eyed him continually from that day forward and he bends all the force of his Militia against David He ceaseth not to offend David therewith till the day of his death How David defended himselfe and how justly will be enquired into and resolved in a fitter place so as he that will understand it may be fully satisfied therein and he that will be ignorant let him be ignorant still Saul did seeke the life of David from that very day he had the victory over Goliah in which bloody mind he continued till he dyed We will then turne over and looke upon him in the power of the Enemy and in the hands of death and heare him what he saith for there-out we may pick a great lesson To take our season of seeking after God We reade When Saul saw the 1 Sam. 28. 5. Hoast of the Philistines his heart greatly trembled What should he doe now Let him goe to the Prophet that he cannot doe for the Prophet is dead There are other wayes to be taken and whereby to know Gods mind and other Prophets also if not let him enquire of the LORD so he does Saul enquired of the Lord but no answer now The Lord ver 6. had answered him fully and plainly what His will and pleasure was Saul hearkned not for he obeyed not Now he askes againe and againe all in vaine He that would not hearken when he might and was commanded shall
RIGHTEOVS And yet thus we reade HE DID EVILL Surely his VNCIRCVMCISED Heart that word is to be noted was not humbled that is his heart was not humbled for the uncircumcision thereof he did not sorrow after a godly 2 Cor. 7. 11. sort not for his sinne but for the punishment of his sinne while the viall of wrath was powring forth upon him he perhaps poured forth his prayer as the manner is all that while he humbled himselfe no longer He PREPARED not his Heart to that great worke of HVMILIATION Certainly there is some PREPARATORY worke to be done before the heart can be humbled in a right manner which worke sets the thoughts on worke makes us sad and serious so to consider with all our hearts and soules first 1. How DREADFVLL GOD is how vaine and abominable Idolls are And 2. That sinne is only and truly evill but Idolatry there is a spice of it in every sinne as there was a spice of the CALFE in every punishment that which is called abominable Idolatry is above measure sinnefull filling up the viall of wrath brim-full and then pouring it out And 3. How dreadfull a thing it is to be under this WRATH now the wrath of GOD which yet is in comparison to that which is TO COME but as a drop to the Ocean as a sparke to the fornace which hath this ingredient in it to make the flame more scorching everlasting burning eternall wrath And 4. How dreadfull a thing it is To forsake the LAW of GOD and to be exemplary thereunto as Rehoboam did and was for he carried all his traine after him there must be a sad and serious consideration thereof And 5. So also and to contract a serious consideration of the Heart I meane all that is called flesh in the outward or inward man whether in high places there or low as the darkenesse in the understanding the rockinesse in the will the sinfullnesse the deceitfullnesse the desperate wickednesse in the whole heart All this requires a serious and sad consideration as a PREPARATORY worke for humbling the heart in a right manner And 6. Then this also which is chiefest of all The goodnesse the kindnesse of that God to me whose Law I have forsaken His Law before whom our fathers have walked His Law Who fed me all my life long to this day This consideration if serious melts the heart And lastly Gen. 48. 15. 7. How the Lord himselfe is pleased to ALLVRE His Hose 2 14. people how comfortably He speaks unto them in their wildernesse He is Gracious and Mercifull He will multiply pardons He will abundantly pardon them whose uncircumcised hearts are humbled so as they can accept of their punishment can say in sincerity and truth of heart broken in the sence of all this The LORD is RIGHTEOVS in all that is come upon us and yet He is a FATHER an EVERLASTING Father c. Such considerations as these are preparatory to worke the heart to a right humiliation else the stout heart will not downe It may keepe within bounds for a time as a beast hedged in with thornes but it will breake out againe and DOE EVILL And this is the more seriously to be thought on in this place once for all Because when we reade that a King and people after their humiliations have fallenback have returned to their myre and vomit or as it is here have done EVILL after their shewes of Reformation We reade in the same place this reason given of their so fallingback which we meete with in the Text because he prepared not his heart to seeke the Lord. So also when we reade That 2 Chro. 12. 14. high places or high persons eminent and above others in their abominations yet are not taken away nor CVT off the same reason is given The people had not prepared their hearts unto the God of their Fathers c 2 Chron. 20. 33. But now on the contrary we shall never reade that a Prince or people returned back to folly that they did evill purposely and advisedly there are slips and failings and fallings in the best That they did worke iniquity Homo sup after they had prepared their heart to seeke the Lord. THERE ARE GOOD THINGS FOVND IN THEE and this is the chiefest of all THOV HAST PREPARED THY HE ART TO SEEKE GOD d 2 Chro. 19 3. We shall reade anon how mightily that King went-on and prevailed There was indeed some stop in his way but that the people caused This is the point JEHOSHAPHAT returned not to folly he did no evill he wrought no INIQVITY Why for hee had prepared his heart to seeke GOD. But Rehoboam here he did evill how so because he prepared not himselfe to seeke the Lord. The heart must be prepared for that great worke of seeking the Lord else the heart will not be fixed and resolved upon the worke The Records concerning ver 15. Rehoboams Acts are lost only this we reade That there were warrs between Rehoboam and Jeroboam continually for friendship once broken is hardly peeced and peeced enmity never surely sodered k Vt Christalli fragmenta sarciri nullo modo possunt Ita difficilimum cos reconciliare qui ex arctissiâ—mâ samiliaritate in mutuuÌ„ odiumvenerint Plut. But death came and tooke off Rehehoboam from that quarrell laid him and his thoughts fast asleepe so he slept with his Fathers and was buried Abijah his Son reigned in his stead a little wiser then his Father and but a little better yet because he ordered his Militia wisely I reserve him for another place Asa also and Jehoshaphat his Sonne the compleatest patternes of well-posturing a Kingdome that ever were looked upon I refer these also to their owne place only making mention of their Names here to continue the Story THE ACTS OF JEHORAM CHAP. III. JEHORAM strengtheneth himselfe against the LORD and slayeth his Bretheren He walked-on after a wicked example In a way contrary to God and God as contrary to him Edom revolted from him so doth Libnah a City of Priests They will not be compelled to Idolatry So they approve themselves the best subjects to the King He quite for sakes the Law of his GOD no man followes him but the executioner of Gods wrath Enemies 2 Chro. 21. are upon his back and sore diseases in his bowells He dyes ver 4. and carries the marke of his wickednesse to his grave ver 3. IEHORAM a very bad Sonne of a very good Father has a Kingdome disposed to him because he was the first borne b That was the only reason that perswaded with the Father there could be no other for no sooner was he risen-up therein and knew himselfe to be King but he strengthened himselfe i. e. set himselfe in a posture of warre A most unhappy and unnaturall beginning for the first Act of hostility was against those he should have tendred as a Father being King and as his owne
first who had no power till now since Davids time but now Iehorams sinnes make them strong d Nostris peccatis Barbari fortes sunt Hier Epist 2. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Isid Pet. l. 1. Ep. 294. The Arabians with them a naked people these despicable Enemies take his fenced Cities spoyle his strong holds pillage his House carried away all the substance that was found therin and his sons also and his wives So that e ver 16 17. there was never a sonne left him save one And then to make his sorrows compleat for when GOD begins He will make an end either bend the man or breake him too peeces And that the terrible Sentence in that threatning Epistle whose it was I know not but it was the word of the LORD might be fullfilled to a Letter he that smit his brethren is smit in his bowels which shortly after fell out by reason of his sicknesse so he dyed of sore diseases g ver 19. Surely the wound and place therof commands our observation and our mark Iehoram was smitten in his bowels we must remember whom Iehoram had smitten his Brethren the sons of his Mother his Sonnes were smitten too and he in his bowels Our Divines have a saying very notable Tell me thy punishment and I will tell thee thy sinne For the LORD the GOD of Recompences d Jer. 51 56. tenders to a sinner his Measures e Jer 13. 15. and the very ingredients which he puts into his sinne GOD puts into his punishment That the sinner smarting under the stroake of his sin and punishment both together may be humbled for the one more then under the other and say from his heart The LORD is righteous The Retaliation of the Lord is wonderfull here we must put the more observation upon it even how He did return Jehorams recompence upon his owne head f Joâ—l 3. 7. 1. He had concealed hatred he had spoken fair and peaceable words when warr was in his heart he is punished openly in the sight of all Israel and before the Sun 2. He had slain All his Brethren and every one of them better then himselfe g ver 4 ver 13. The Princes also divers of them the worst could not be worse then himself only complying with him in his abominable way all these he had slain The Lord doe's recompence him He stirred-up the spirit of the Philistines and of the Arabians and they came up into Judah and brake into it And what did they They carried away ALL the substance that was found in the Kings House and his sons also all save one and his wives except Athaliah that wicked woman she must be left to recompence All Iudah for the blood-shed there and the abominable services done there but the enemies carried away all the rest leaving him but one son nor that one for his sake but for David His servants sake 3. He did not only countenance irreligious services performed to the Devill but established them by a Law and by compulsive authority did enforce them he shall feele force enough This Adversary did force him and the other did force him even in his own house and carried out thence All his substance that was found there with his sons and with his wives Why he would FORCE Judah to doe as he did evill before the eyes of the Lord he had an Arme like God he could command nay compell the freest thing in the world and against God to do wickedly d Ezek. 6. 9. worse then the Heathen See his recompence he feels force after force breach upon breach but the last is the forest 4. He had broken the Lord with his whorish heart d Ezek. 6. 9. like as was the heart of his Queen for so the Lord complains to shew unto us how He is wearied and pressed with those abominable services in Iudah the LORD GOD of Recompences breaks his heart with sorrows for He smote him in his bowels with an incurable disease wherof he lay lingring two yeares All that long time an hundred years so they seemed to him lying in extremity day by day complaining night and day O my bowels Then they fell out by reason of his sicknes and so at once he died twise for ought we can gather the first and second death together He committed much sin in a little time 8 years he paced over his own way quickly and more quickly passed the pleasure of it but the pain is lasting Certainly this is written for the instruction of all the Kings of Iudah that came after him who beholding this Recompence might abhorre the worke And looking through to the end of the way of Ahabs-house they might not dare to set their face or foot that way in taking the daughter of Ahab to wife for she will rule all and give counsell like her selfe wicked counsell to the ruine of King and Kingdom and all All this will be legible in the next Chapter so soon as I have shut-up this Iehoram departed this life without being desired m ver 10. as his Subjects had small cause of comfort in his life so had they not the good manners to pretend sorrow for his death Then we reade his buriall and there is all of him but that he was not buried in the Sepulchers of the Kings n 2 Chron. 22. 9 The like is said of others like him we will set this note once for all upon his grave He that walked so contrary to his good Father all the day long shall not lodge with him at night They buried him but not in the Sepulchers of the Kings 2 Chro. 21. 20. THE ACTS OF AHAZIAH CHAP. IV. Ahaziah his short reigne he walked in the wayes of Ahabs house and after wicked counsels the end therof The good old King the grand-father is at rest in his bed but in his life time joyning in affinity with Ahab he made Judah restlesse till all his house and Kingdome was destroyed IEhoahaz called also Ahaziah the youngest of Iehorams sonnes for the Arabians had slain all 2 Chro. 21. 17. the eldest began to raigne when he was â—â— 42 a 2 Kin 8. 26. years old and ended his raigne within the year 2 Chro. 22. 1 2. after Vid. Tremel He had a great example before his eyes in a sore wrath powred downe upon his Father his children his 2 Chro. 21. 14. wives and all his goods which bad him look well to his stepps and yet he was not warned He walked also in the wayes of the house of Ahab and was guided by the same spirits that had 2 Chro. 22. 3. been his Fathers evill Angels His Story is short but very lamentable very exemplary also to bid others beware they tread not in the wayes nor after the counsels of the house of Ahab The first yeare of his raigne was the last of his life for he hasted-on in the most compendious wayes
and how they have done it We reade on So soon as Amaziah felt himself strong and his Kingdom established He slew those servants that had killed the King his Father A good beginning in the execution of judgement and justice upon such murtherers that had killed the LORDS annoynted and their Master I may aske here as the LORD doth in another place Did not the Sonne doe judgement and justice d Jer. 22. 15. We must needs answer he did so he slew his servants that killed the King his Father It followes Then it was well with him d Jer. 22. 15. The note is The ready way a King can take to establish himselfe and his Kingdome is to seatter the wicked from his Throne and to bring the wheele over them Then by the rule of contraries To take the wicked 2 Chro. 25. 3. by the hand to countenance them To delight in them is the most compendious way to destroy the Throne to spread Prov. 20. 26. confusion over it Amaziah do's otherwise cleares his way to his Throne not only in point of justice but of wisdome and found discretion and that must be noted The people might have some jealousies touching the old Kings death he was a diseased man a very burden to himselfe he lay languishing his bones full of the sinnes of his youth might not the servants know their young Masters mind who was ready for the Crowne and they looked now upon the Sun-rising for it was night with the Father Amaziah now according to the counsell of the Heathen but it is good counsell will quit himselfe from the suspition of wickednesse all Israel should know That what ever Joash the King was yet he was his Father and he honoured him as a Father All Israel should see how his heart rose up against those bloudy villains that slew his Father by seeing him lift up his hand against them to cut them off from the Earth He was now stepping to his Throne and sitting down there He had had an uneasie seat of it had any drop of his Fathers blood bin there for his Cushion And there doubtles it had bin even the blood of his Father if he had not washed it clean out by cutting off such notable murtherers and so he cleared his owne Innocency his discretion and his Throne altogether And now this is not inconsiderable which follows he waited for a Crown twenty five years and in all that time it appears not That he was sick of the Father And he wore his Crown four years longer then he waited for it It is true The beauty of his Crown withered 15. years before he died as we shall reade anon he might thanke himself for that But this is it which I would put to the consideration of any man whether he has not observed some remarkable blessing accompanying an obedient child that had this good in him if no more he did honour his Parents Certainly the experience of all ages will evidence this truth That a dutifull child never went away without a Blessing nor a child stubborn and undutifull without a Curse Amaziah has cleared his Innocency and his honour at this point and how much he honoured his Father Nor was it possible for him to make all this cleare any other way to all Israel but by slaying those wicked Servants who slew their Master It follows Amaziah orders his MILITIA gathered JUDAH together a 2 Chron. 25. 5 made them Captaines over thousands c. He hired a hundred thousand mighty men out of Israel b ver 6. to strengthen his MILITIA But they could not strengthen him for GOD WAS NOT WITH ISRAEL c ver 7. We must set a mark there It is GODS being with a people that strengthens them Mighty men out of Israel could not strengthen JUDAH for GOD WAS NOT WITH ISRAEL no NOT WITH ALL THE CHILDREN of EPHRAIM Therefore if Ephraim stood with Judah Judahs King must fall before the enemy d ver 8. for GOD do's all He hath power to HELPE AND TO CAST DOWNE e ver 9. as the good Prophet said and so he advised Note the words well before we passe them over The LORD is not with ISRAEL not with ALL the children of EPHRAIM Why not with all them Because Ephraim willingly walked after the Commandement They served Devils 2 Chron. 25. 7. They humbled themselves before Calves They lifted-up their eyes and hearts to lying vanities as we to Crucifixes Hos 5. 11. therfore not with ALL the children of EPHRAIM And therfore said the good Prophet to the King Take Ephraim to thee if thou wilt make thy selfe strong with Ephraims Arme if it be thy will to doe it and BEE STRONG in thy own conceit FOR THE BATTELL but know ô King GOD IS NOT WITH ISRAEL for Israel is slidden backe as a back-sliding heifer d Hos 4. 16. NOT WITH ALL THE CHILDREN OF EPHRAIM for they are ioyned to Idols therefore shall they be oppressed ver 17. and broken in iudgement Doe not thinke then to strengthen thy selfe with a broken arme with those from whom GOD is departed Remember still That GOD He only makes a people stand or fall He has Power to helpe or to cast downe So Amaziah hearkning to the man of GOD though not content to loose the hundred Talents separated them to wit the Army that was come to him out of Ephraim to goe home againe f ver 10. So they returned home in great anger fell upon the Cities of Judah in the way smote three thousand of them and tooke much spoyle g ver 13. See how mischievous idolatrous Israel is to Judah They are a curse to Judah if they stay with him if according to the charge they be sent away they will pillage Judah and take away much spoyle You can never come fairly off from an idolatrous people Notwithstanding Amaziah hearkning to the Prophet and dismissing those Souldiers is the better strengthened for the warr he led forth his people smites his enemies ten thousand of them at a blow and prevailes over as many more carrying them away captives to the top of a Rock and thence he broke them to peeces h ver 11 12. That was a cruell execution Then returning from the flaughter he brought the gods along with him and set them up to be his gods bowed before such things which could not deliver their owne out of his ver 14. hands and so he broke himselfe and his Kingdome for this the Prophet rebuked this besotted King and the King reproached the good Prophet giving him a churlish and threatning answer Asking the Prophet who made him a ver 16. Counsellour and bidding him forbeare else he should feele his hand See how mad this King is upon his gods The Ier. 50. 38. Prophet reproved him from the Lord for falling downe before stocks and stones and he riseth up against the Prophet ready Eccles 4.
13. to strike him in the face Then the Prophet forbare and yet he will speake out his words If thou art such a foolish King that thou wilt no more be admonished it is because thou must certainely be destroyed If thy eare be shut against good counsell so as it cannot enter The judgements of GOD shall enter and thou shalt lay thy selfe and thy Kingdome open unto them As the Prophet said so it fell out as the Lord had determined and the Prophet had threatned from His Mouth The threatning of the King could not make void the threatning of the LORD but must hasten the execution thereof as the Prophet knew very well Amaziah had fallen downe in his devotions before the Edomites gods he rose as high in the confidence of his own strength as he had dealt foolishly like an Idolater to provoke the LORD by his devilish worship so he would deale as proudly too after the manner in provoking an enemy he that could place helpe in stocks and stones the Edomites gods would put trust also in the companies of men Cum completis iniquitatibus suis peccator quis meretur ut pereat providentia ab eo tollitur ne peri. turus evadat Salv. de gub l. 6. p. 29. for thus he does he rings the last peale to call in judgement upon himselfe he prosecutes that way which shall be to his destruction he rusheth upon his own ruine and invites it saying to the King of Israel after he had taken ADVICE from his flattering Counsellours who would flatter him that was so wise as to flatter himselfe first come let us see one another in the face The King of Israel more out of scorne then love bids him forbeare being no fitter a match for him then ver 17. a Thistle for a Cedar This was a notable scorne and sure enough Amaziah tooke it so but it was good counsell and it had beene better if the King had taken the same But Amaziahs eare was shut up against sound counsell he would not heare ver 20. How so The reason is rendred for it came of GOD that he might deliver them into the hand of their enemies because they SOVGHT AFTER the GODS of EDOM Let us note this Amaziah would hearken what Idoll-gods would say unto him he would seeke help from such despicable and helplesse things that could not wipe the dust from their eyes could neither see nor heare nor speake nor stand such despicable things this besotted King sought unto for he sought after the gods of Edom. Therefore he should be left to his own seekings to seeke and pursue his own destruction And so he did he thrust himselfe into his enemies hands This enemy carried him captive and in triumph to the gates of Jerusalem forceth the captive King to betray his own City to open the gates of the same that his enemy with his Army might enter-in When the gates were opened the conquering King would not enter thereby But the more to despise his cowardly Brother and the more shamefully to despight his Militia he caused foure hundred cubits of the Wall to be throwne downe entred the City in his Chariot Note how a proud Adversary will insult over a despicable coward who had a mighty Militia now on foote but had not an heart to use it his sinnes had taken off his spirit and made him as a silly Dove without a heart through that breach carrying the King before him in triumph over those ruines The Reader must marke that and withall observe what followes how weake that Militia is which hath nothing more then Charets and Horses Men and Ammunition to fortifie the same The King of Israel breaks all Judahs strength for it became as flax that was burned with fire he sack't the house of the LORD and the Kings house takes away ALL that was pretious there then gives the poore creature the King of Judah his life for a prey which he was exceeding glad of and then returned to Samaria ver 2. 5. but lived not long after Amaziah out-lived his glory fifteene yeares p ver 24. after this miserable destruction but could not out-live his misery that followed him still after he did turne away from following the Lord q ver 27. He had Adversaries from without these spoiled him and from within these conspired ver 27 against him he that serves the Edomites gods must feele the Edomites plagues The King thought to out-run all so he fled to Lachish But judgement was too quick for him and overtooke him we cannot out-run the judgements of GOD They sent to Lachish after him and slew him there You shall never reade that an Idolater escaped out of the Hand of GOD sooner or later His Hand finds him out and is heavy ver 28. upon him And now being slaine he must be buried they doe him this little honour they brought him upon Horses and buried him I have observed it all along that an Idolatrous King will have honour from his people while he lives or he will force it from them as he did an Idolatrous service but when he is dead he shall have no more honour then what is given to a dead Lyon such as fitts very well that body which when that immortall thing was with it did humble its selfe before the gods of the Edomites those dunghill things They brought him upon Horses and buried him they cared not where d 2 Kin 14. 21. for when time was he cared not how hee did dishonour his body in a voluntary humility before the Edomites gods They buried him and made his Son Vzziah called also Azariah King in his Roome THE ACTS OF VZZIAH CHAP. VII UZZIAH is very prosperous so long as he hearkened to the good word of GOD and to the good Priests that had understanding in the visions of God Prosperity lifts him up he is stout against the Lord in His own House The Lord meets with him there smote him with an uncurable stroake to the terrour of all the stout-hearted after him NOtwithstanding the hatred borne to Amaziah his Son Vzziah succeeded him when he was 2 Chro. 26. sixteene yeares old he lived a few yeares a Prince many yeares a King he reigned 52. yeares a ver 3. He builds and restores what was lost and broken downe in his Fathers dayes he strengtheneth himselfe exceedingly b ver 8. he warred and was very victorious over the Philistines he dismantled their Townes then proceeded unto the Arabians and Amorites brought them to pay him Tribute c ver 6 7 8. As his victories were farre more important then were the atchievements of all that had reigned in Judah since David so were his riches and magnificent works equall if not superiour to any of theirs that had beene Kings between him and Solomon He had a Militia even A-NON-SVCH so fully furnished with all provision to verses 10 11 12 13 14 15. compleate the same as we
agro sed seorsim a cadavertibus aliorum regum Irem Jotham was over the Kings house and judged the people of the Land in his Fathers life time and when his Father was dead reigned in his stead 2 Chro. 26. 23. Of him in his owne place amongst the Good Kings THE ACTS OF AHAZ CHAP. VIII AHAZ his contrary walking with GOD and GODS contrary walking with him Service to strange gods procures strange punishments It darkens the mind It hardens and brawnes the heart in evill It hastens a mans pace to his utter ruine and destruction of all this Ahaz is a very great and miserable example AHAZ Jothams Son and Grand-child to Vzziah was twenty yeares old when he began to reigne 1 Chron. 28. such an Idolater as exceeded all his predecessors they walked in the wayes of the Kings of Israel so did he but in this he exceeded for he offered that most unnaturall cruell and divelish oblation called an abomination which GOD hateth a Deut. 12. 31. even the Son of his body for the sin of his soule he burnt his Children in the fire b ver 3. Therefore that MUCH which his Father JOTHAM builded whereof anon all those strong places could not strengthen the Sonne Notwithstanding his Militia the King of Syria smote him and the King of Israel smote him both with a very great slaughter c ver 5. But the King of Israel layed load upon him the smartest blowes for he was a neighbour and a brother offended c Pro. 18. 19. there the contentions will be bitter and mighty as here where they slew their bretheren with a rage that reached up to Heaven * Chro. 28 5. The King of Israel slew in Judah an hundred Gen. 32. 11. and twenty Thousand in one day which were all valiant men d 2 Chro. 28. 6. because they had forsaken the LORD GOD of their Fathers There was the old quarrell and these Kings were the viols through which the LORD powred downe the wrath and avenged the quarrell of His broken Covenant e Levit 26. 25. And marke we there Prince and people all forsake GOD GOD forsakes them breaks downe the Hedges takes away His Destnce that is done first after that He takes away peace then one Enemy comes in then another breach upon breach like the Sea smititg upon smiting one blow after another and full one smarter then the other till all are consumed and yet ALL VALIANT MEN. Amongst these slain was the Kings own Sonne the Governour of his house and he also that was next to the Kings ver 7. person The most valiant men were slain so were they that were nearest to the King in love and trust Besides all this ver 8. Israel carried away captives of their Brethren two hundred thousand women sonnes and daughters with much spoyle and brought it to Samaria ODED a good Prophet speaks to ver 9. the Host of Samaria very well bids them remember and consider on it That there were with them even with them sinnes against the LORD GOD for which they must looke for a day of reckoning even they who would show no pitty to ver 10. their brethren in the day of their trouble and treading down Nay said the Prophet the day of reckoning is come or as good as come FOR THE FIERCE WRATH OF GOD IS VPON YOV These words with certain others The heads of the children of Ephraim prevailed for ver 11. the sending-backe Judahs Captives warme-clad and well arayed ver 12. with their owne spoyles And all the feeble of them ver 13. they carried upon Asses and brought them to Jericho A ver 15. man will remember to show mercy to his Brother when he well remembers himselfe what his own case and deservings are and what need he may stand in of mercy to be showne unto himself Thus Israel relents at the stroake he had given Judah and shewes mercy unto him which doubtlesse moved Ahaz very much to cease from thoughts of revenge But he bends himselfe against Rezin King of Syria and that he may be avenged on him he sent to Tiglath the King of Assiria saying I am thy Servant SIR and more also Thy Sonne Come-up and SAVE ME out of the hand of the King of Syria A 2 Kin. 16. 7. strange speech but not so strange from Ahaz for he will anon ascribe salvations to stocks and stones much rather might he he thought ascribe salvations to a man Come up and save me So he calls in a forraigne King to his helpe who knew very well how to make profit by the troubles that rose in Palestina But yet Tiglath seemes not moved with a complement Your Servant SIR and your Sonne If Ahaz will have him come to save him he must bribe him well to his advantage and so he do's presenting him with the silver and the gold taken out of GODS house and his owne Silver and gold is full of Rhetorick can perswade mightily and make a man to hearken so it followes Then Tiglath hearkned unto ver 8. Ahaz for he had the treasures of Jerusalem in his hand and having there with prepared his Army he invaded the Territory of Damascus wonne that City carried away captive the people there and killed Rezin the King thereof who had so ver 9. smitten Judah a little before Now Ahaz thinkes his Treasure well bestowed for Tiglath had avenged him of his Adversary and up Ahaz goes to Damascus to meet Tiglath there and to behold the ruine of that King and his City who had so distressed him and all Iudah See how bloudy an Idolatrous King is he feeds his eyes with rue-full spectacles thinking now his chiefest enemy was taken away not considering that himselfe was he Ahaz being now at Damascus saw an Altar ver 10. there falls in love with the forme and fashion of it more gaudy then was that of Solomons made by the patterne shewed to Moses in the Mount An Idolater ever is better pleased with that Altar and Service which he hath devised 1 Kin. 12. 33. of his owne heart then he is with that which the wisdom of GOD hath commanded So is Ahaz here as Ieroboam before him and as all like him much taken with this Altar and forme of it sends a modell of this excellent frame to Vriiah the Priest that it may be sampled in Ierusalem according to the patterne The Priest was as ready to make it as the King his Master was to worship before it before the King was returned from Damascus the Priest had hoisted up an Altar according to the patterne and finished it An Idolatrous King shall not want an Idolatrous Priest Thus did Urijah the Priest according to all that King Ahaz commanded 2 King 16. ver 16. Then he was an obedient Servant you will say No the most unfaithfull in all the Kingdome and the deepest in Rebellion there next to
to the gods of Damascus which smote him and he said THEY MAY HELPE ME. Did they helpe him Yes after their manner as such gods use to doe they helped-on an utter desolation they helped to bring Judah low to make the Land 2 Chro. 28. 19. and her King NAKED And then having exposed Ahaz and his Land as a naked man to the rage and fury of Adversaries they were the Ruine of him and of all Israel Some things must be observed from this Story of Ahaz by way of Caution first and then for Instruction here is a great deale for Caution first 1. Be well aware whether high or low great or small be we aware That we set not our foot in an Idolatrous way if we doe likely it is we will walke therein stand in it and then sit downe there having made an entrance we cannot tell where we shall stay It were worth the noting if here were time and place to set it downe the pedegree of Idols and then the rise of Idolatrous services In one word the Idolater began with the offering a graine of incense at the first What Error minimus in principio fit maximus in fine Nat. Con. did he offer at the last The sonne of his body for the sinne of his soule Ahaz himselfe is a great example of all this Hee walked in the wayes of the Kings of Israel he made also molten Images 2 Chro. 28. 2. for Baalim Moreover he burnt Incense in the valley The ver 3. Calves of Jeroboam drew him on to the gods of the Heathen and now Bulls and Goates are too little for his new gods his owne flesh and blood is but deare enough He that burnt Incense but now now burnes his Children in the fire When a man has ver 3. set footing in an ill way he knowes not where he shall stop And 2. Beware we set not up an Altar which GOD commands not though it be but one and we can make it a gaudy one and patterne it as neare as can be to GODS Altar yet beware of this one for this one will draw on a second and a second a third Ahaz is a great example here also he set up an Altar in the holy place Did he cease there No Now he gathers all his precious things together and all to make and adorne his Altars he made him Altars in every corner of Jerusalem nor ver 24. there only but in every severall City of Judah he made high places to burn Incense unto other gods and provoked to anger the LORD ver 25. GOD of his Fathers And 3. Beware we shut not up the eye against the light Of all the Creatures GOD has created it is not safe to play with the light I have read of one who would not be beholding to the Sunne for it's light to walke or to worke by he would close up his eyes and put a cover over At length he be thought himselfe and was content to see the light and to take benefit from it but he had covered his eyes so long that taking off the cover he found his eye in the same place but the sight was gone He had dallied with light too long It is excellent which Augustine saith what good dost thou to the fountaine Aug. 10. 5. when thou drinkest of it Thou art refreshed from it and that is thy benefit So also from the fountaine of light thou seest by it thou maist walke and worke by it and that is thy benefit Be not proud then doe not shut thine eye against the light though it be but the light of nature yet let it in and make we much of it then GOD will entrust us with a greater light He that is faithfull in a little shall be Ruler over much but he that improveth not his little shall have that taken from him which he hath neglected or not improved to his owne good and the glory of the giver Ahaz is a great example of this also he playd with light he thrust it from him he would not take the benefit of that common light which as a common dole the LORD gives out to every man He put confidence in man Come said he and save me then in stocks and stones abominable Idols saying these may helpe me he trusted in them How then Then he had eyes and saw not an heart but understood not as a silly Dove without an heart he was as senslesse as the stocks he trusted in They that make them are like unto them So is every one that trusteth in them Psa 135. 18. Then from that time he sought helpe from those despicable things to the day of his death he walked in the world as a man in a Dungeon groping his way as in the thickest darknesse So much in way of Caution now wee must receive Counsell hence and sound Instruction First That Strange gods will blind a King strangely they will degrade 1. a man they take away his Excellency and Crowne his understanding judgement reason nay his sense also and leave him in the darke So as he shall blunder on in the face of the Angell and his drawne Sword to his owne destruction and to the ruine of his Kingdome And secondly That Idolatry which is an humbling a mans selfe before dumb 2. Idols is a sore transgression against the LORD and brings sore judgements upon a Land puts it into a forlorne and helpelesse condition from out of the KINGS protection so as no person nor thing can be a cover unto it whereby to hide it's filthy nakednesse It brings a Nation low and makes a people naked And thirdly That The whole Host of Heaven and Earth will be our Enemies till we make GOD our friend The King of Israel 3. said well if the LORD doe not helpe neither person nor any thing can doe us any good And GOD never 2 Kin. 6. 27. helpes them who expect helpe from persons and things which GOD hath cursed And fourthly That Wherin we put confidence whether person or thing will do us all the mischiefe and so avenge the quarrell of GODS 4. Covenant It was so here Tiglath from whom Ahaz expected salvation distressed him Israel was a scourage to Judah Assiria a Scorpion to Israel and Judah both but the gods of Damascus which he thought would helpe him were the ruine of him and of all Iudah 5. A heart hardned in sinne especially brawned in the sinne of Idolatry is seldome wrought upon either by mercies or 5. miseries though the mercies be exceeding abundant and sweet and the miseries exceeding bitter and sharpe Ahaz was wooed allured and tryed both wayes yet he continued as hard as a Rock This is King Ahaz In the time of his distresse in that considering time he considered not but blundred on and trespassed yet more against the LORD Therefore there is a marke set upon him This is that King Ahaz for he sacrificed unto