flie to the Pit He that ruleth over men must be just ruling in the feare of God b 1 Sam. 23.3 Therefore made He thee King over them c 2 Chro. 9.8 Psal 72.2 Wherefore To doe judgement and justice He shall judge THY People with Righteousnesse and THY Poore with Iudgement There is a must and a shall for the greatest King that ever was It is very emphaticall too and as notable Thy People Thy Poore GODS People and GODS Poore must be judged with Righteous Judgement But so it cannot be but by enquiring of The LORD what He saith taking Counsell from His Mouth and from His Law-Booke which the King stands charged to write for himselfe for it must be with him Deut. 17.18.19 and therein be must reade all the dayes of his life that he may learne to feare The LORD his GOD to keepe all the words of the Law and the statutes to doe them This the Parliament doe They enquire of The Lord by prayer and fasting They take direction from His Law-book which is continually with them wherein they reade and whereby they order the great affaires of The Kingdome Great use of a Law-booke and to have it continually with them before their eyes And this is all the Crime that can be objected and proved against them They enquire of The LORD and consult with This Law-booke It is well they doe They can thanke God for that Sauls accusation runs on 2. The Priest has given David Bread The King by his wicked Counsell accuseth his Parliament even so They have given his good People bread that is life in our sense which by a Figure we may call bread They have given a poore dead People life againe and bread to maintaine life They have given we thanke them heartily life to their lawes life to their liberties life to the soule of their life to their Religion and this they had not done but by enquiring of the LORD and doing all by Statute Law and this we call bread There has been something like this bread given to the People Shew bread rather bread in shew stone indeed and something they had given them like a fish but indeed a Serpent Now the Kings good People will desire no more of their King but that he would give his People Bread bread under this figure which we may call life or bread indeed and properly so called which more then too cruelly was and is denyed to David The third charge followes and that is grievous 3. And a sword sayes Saul then That seemes to be the quarrell now and but seemes that the Sword Forts Castles Townes Ships Ammunition of the Kingdome all which we understand by the Sword is put into Davids hand Trusty welbeloved and faithfull Well and well indeed may we poore people say that the Sword is given into Davids hand the Parliaments hand for they will manage it for our good to defend us and offend the Philistines The Parliament will not cut our throats we are very assured and confident thereof But the Edomite wee shall know him anon if wee know him not yet would have cut our throats before this time all their throats that had their hand with David had he had the Sword delivered into his hand We can confide in none but David no wise man will blame us for him we know a man after Gods owne heart and the Edomite we know and shall know him better anon a Right man for he is the right hand of the Devill We are glad that the Sword is in Davids hand But yet this was charged against the Priest then and the Parliament now that David had the sword And what shall I say to this whereunto GOD Nature and Law speakes Reason and more that so it ought to be the Sword ought to be given into Davids hand a faithfull Man in whom the people may confide A Man will trust no other in shutting-in the windowes doores and gates of his house great Reason there should be the same care had about the great house and Trust of the Kingdome the frontier-Towns there But why given out of his Majesties hand and given into Davids hand Because the Sword was never in the Kings hand as his proper right there any more then the Sword was in Sauls hand as his proper goods there Therefore we speake not properly given-out The Sword is Israels Sword the Common Trust of the Kingdome belonging indeed to the great Fiduciary there and yet is the Sword not out of the Kings hands but given into Davids hands for a second Reason 2. Because as the Edomite was nearest to Sauls hand and heart too at that time So the Papist is so neare to the Kings heart now that he is as deare to him as he is neare even as his Right Arme and Right Eye eternally his for ought we can gather from his writ I will conclude this with the words of an honest Servant to an overbearing Master I will serve you Sir if you wil serve The Lord. You may command me when God commands you I will heartily obey your commands when you shall so obey Gods commands * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The head hath an Head All things shall be done as you will have it But you must command as God will have it Ignatius to a Priest Chryso I pray you heartily give me leave to be honest and faithfull If you will not so I will be whether you will or no. Doe you what you will I will do what I ought No man can dislike this except Saul and his Edomite I need say no more in a case which is so fully opened and cleared that all the Malignants in the world shall not be able to darken it to the worlds end I will not say looke upon Mr. Pryn's booke I will name him for honour sake and to spight the Devil reade him or choose you whether you will or not we must say Blessed be God for His servant who has stood-up in the gap by the power of His might and held up His hand for him ever since against the Mighty Blessed be God But notwithstanding all this is cleared to be all Truth Reason and Law and more yet and that is most of all a Command for all this the Parliament has done from Gods mouth too Yet such Evill Counsels over-rule the King and the case that he does now as Saul did then and much more kils the Priests and destroyes Cities So far as his Arme can reach he has overthrowne those Tunc vere victus quando tot vicis prudentes Walfing Edw. 2. p. â—5 whose hand is with David therein giving himself the greatest overthrow for no such victory against the King as for him to have victory against his good people as was said of Edward the second overcomming his Parliament once and destroying himselfe for ever Thus Saul did in his dayes thus and more the King seduced by Evill Counsell and acted by evill instruments
oyle and yet drawn swords as we read But when we see the hand besmeared with bloud then we certainly conclude that the thoughts were of a scarlet colour and this is the sight or prospect we shall take a view of presently A bloudy execution done upon Nob yet bloudy though it be Saul pretends hee does it by helpe of God and the Law by the knowne Lawes of the Kingdome which that we may examine we will handle it not as an execution done but ready to be done else Saul might be said to doe as the Judge at Lidford who hanged a man in the forenoone and then heard his inditement and passed sentence over him in the afternoone not called the knowne Law of the kingdome then Mr. Iueil defence but Lidford Law to this day Saul was not to bad as to do so he hath slaine Abimelech but hee impleaded him first objects against him and heares what hee can say for himselfe Saul hath this to say against him That Abimelech and the son of Iesse Saul meanes David Ob. whom hee names with as little honour as can be were confederate together and had conspired against him 1 Sam. 22.13 Why have ye conspired against me thou and the sonne of Iesse A sore accusation Ans but of no weight validity or strength from Sauls mouth who calls all conspirators who will not shew Saul where David is that so he may shed innocent bloud according to the power in his hands Vers 8. that so he may shed innocent bloud according to the power in his hands Vers 13. All of you have conspired against me But what had the Priest done which might be called a Conspiracy a taking part with David That he should rise against Saul to lye in wait as it is at this day Thus Saul sayes and so he impleads Abimelech In that thou hast given bread Ob. and a sword and hast enquired of God for him We will take the last first Ans enquired of God for David It was the Priests office so to do nor was that the first time that the Priest enquired of the Lord for David Vers 15. nor did the Priest know the second amongst the many thousands of Israel who deserved better from the hands of Saul and all Israel then Dauid did and therefore why might not Abimelech enquire of the Lord for him There is all Reason and Law both that so the Priest should doe enquire of the Lord for David but reason will not serve nor the resolution of the Lord neither The enquiry was saith Iunius about the Shew-bread c Vt cognoseeree an sacros panes tantùm Sacerdotibus concessos gladium semel Deo sacratum ad alios usus transferre fas esset lawfull for the Priests onely to eat and the Sword consecrated to God Whether that or this might be translated unto other uses whereunto no doubt the Priest had full satisfaction That they might In such an extremity David might refresh his hungry soule with that bread and in such a danger which God was privie to hee might take Goliah sword to defend himself therewith and to prevent Saul from seizing upon it first 1 Sam. 21 10. the more easily thereby to further his bloudy designe upon David But yet there is some more question touching the Sword as for the bread it was made for man and not man for bread That is a cleared case from the Lord Christs owne mouth Touching the Sword there is all the question now Saul a King pretends himselfe Master of the same as of Keilah for all the strong holds and ammunition there did belong to Saul they were all his proper goods and therefore Abimelech giving the sword to David he did it that he should use it against Saul to lye in wait So Saul forceth the accusation Whereunto Abimeleth makes a faire and full answer That Saul was no more Lord of the one then of the other he had no more propriety or right in the sword then in the bread nor the one nor the other were Sauls but the Lords laid-up both before the Lord and consecrated to Him But the Lord hath no nead of bread or of a sword His people Israel have need of both and as their need required so Israel might take the Bread thereby to sustaine life and the Sword thereby to defend life David tooke it for that end and according to the minde and will of God whose intent was cleare That Goliabs sword now lawfully wrested out of his hand and in Davids hand then layed up before the Lord should be for the defence of Israel and to fortifie Israel against their enemies to the worlds end And so the case is resolved about Keilah too a City that had gates and bartes not Sauls City now to batter downe though he would presume so farre about Davids eares but His City whose the kingdome was the Lords kingdome and trusted onely to Saul for the defence of Israel and no further And yet that Abimelech may deliver no more to Saul but what is justifiable by the Law of heaven and earth he assureth him that what he sayes is from Gods Mouth for there he enquired and received answer as aforesaid and thereupon his warrant to give David Bread and Sword both Moreover he addes be it far from him 1 Sam. 22.14 the Priest of the Lord to entertaine a disloyall thought against his Master the Lords Anointed enquiring of the Lord for David and giving him bread and a sword he knew David to be a faithfull person none like him in all Sauls house nor more honourable being the Kings Son-in-Law and for any thing else hee knew nothing lesse or more As honest and satisfying an answere had it been spoken to any mans eare but Sauls as ever came from a Priests mouth for it was taken from Gods Mouth but Saul is resolved before hand upon the Question for nothing can satisfie Sauls thirst but Davids bloud and because Abimelech stood in Sauls way and for reliefe of David Saul will have the Priests bloud Vers 16. And the King said thou shalt surely dye Abimelech See! There is an argument Abimelech cannot answere when a man drives furiously onward in a bloudy way neither law nor reason shall stop him nor the Angel with his drawne sword in the way Nay Saul stops not there he speaks more bloudy words yet and will doe as he speakes What I am loth to mention it from the mouth of a King and King of Israel the great Fiductary of the kingdome there I had rather a Philistin said it such an unkingly word so devoid of all reason and humanity but yet Israels King sayes it and we must repeat it after him Thou and all thy fathers house Ah Lord what a bloudy word is this what a bloudy man is that An Evill spirit came upon Saul indeed haunts him still and drives him on Lord deliver us from him for the man is
does in these dayes as followes and what Saul did first Saul was Davids Lord on earth but he hunts after Davids soule that hee might not live upon the ground Saul is Davids King and Davids persecutor The Priests King and the Priests murtherer by the hand of an Edomite Ah Lord who can expresse the miserable plight and how dolefull the condition is the evill spirit has driven Saul into He is Israels King and he is smiting Israels City The great Fiduciary of the Kingdome and the greatest Traytor there This tells us what is done now David is persecuted now and his King seduced by Edomites Davids adversaries persecutes him because who so faithfull as he in all the Kingdome A defendor of the Faith and by his evill Counsell a destroyer of the Faith A maintainer of the Gospel in profession and a persecutor of the faithfull Ministers publishers of the same the Messengers of the Church and the glory of Christ The great Fiduciary of the Kingdome yet seduced by an evill Councell he betrayes that great Trust Englands King and Englands destroyer The Lord of their Cities and waster of the same Are not these grievous words Yes they must be so plaine Truth direct and home what expectation of any good but from such-like-words If ever the King come to himselfe finde himselfe lost for murtherers have stolne him away then such words as these will be to his heart and may serve to usher-in Pardon peace and comfort for the sowrer the herbes the sweeter the Passeover whereas pleasing words from vile flatterers his Court Chaplaines have wounded their Master and left him more then halfe dead Such words as these may kill him out-right and by Gods grace quicken him againe to a life indeed I am glad I have spoken for first I have said no more but what is already told in Gath and published in the streets of Aschalon Secondly what if it were not told by me nor as aforesaid yet all created strength cannot stop the mouth of blouds so loud it cries Irelands bloud what an Ocean of bloud is there Cyciters bloud Burminghams bloud Banburies bloud shedding of this bloud was counted a fine device as Bristols bloud intended to be shed Oxfords bloud Bloud here and there and everywhere whereto the hand could reach O what a voice is here as the voice of many waters or Thunders Is there a voice that can out-cry I meane cry louder to Heaven and in the Eares of the Lord then can the voice of blouds yes the voice of bloud cries louder then the bloud of Abel or the blouds shed from righteous Abel unto this day and there is the hope of Israel concerning their King The voice of the bloud of sprinkling Heb. 12.24 that speakes better things then that of Abel Better things that cryed from the earth for a curse upon the earth and Cain there Gen. 4.12 This cries in Heaven for mercy to such sinners on earth who can say not with Cain My punishment but my sin is greater then I can beare yet not too great for Christ to beare a Redeemer that is strong a Saviour to the utmost There is hope in Israel concerning that And here is ground of hope too because these Stephens the slain all the day long can pray for their King all the day long crying with a loud voice not more for themselves at such a time then for their King saying Lord lay not this sinne to our Kings charge Amen Amen CHAP. 4. Quaeries touching the Edomite whether by the knowne Lawes of Israels Kingdome Saul might entertaine him in his Court grant him a Commission to smite a City of Priests whether any reason for that whether single or plurall and whether by any possible meanes an Edomite may be made serviceable to Israel How it relates to the present exemplifying the History of our Time VVHy does King Saul take an Edomite into his Court Qu. to be an Officer there It is answered in effect before Ans Saul is King and he knew himselfe so to be Qu. and will chuse his owne Officers may he not No indeed Ans he may not unlesse it be to be his Heardsman and there should be caution and some consultation about that too Questionlesse he must not chuse a servant to be chiefe in his house to transact the great affaires of his Kingdome there without the allowance and consent of All Israel because Saul does not chuse for himselfe but for the whole Kingdome But it is written Ob. Thou shalt not abhor an Edomite Yes Ans that is most true it is the charge of the Lord and we have the Reason Deut. 23.8 For he is thy brother Nor shalt thou ab or an Egyptian because thou wast a stranger in his land What is the meaning of this This we must not be unnaturall nor must we forget old favours But it does not follow from hence I hope that therefore Saul might take an Edomite make him a Chiefe Ruler in his house or that he might put considence in an Egyptian for the charge is contrary And if Saul will entertaine an intimacy and familiarity with an Edomite an old adversary to Israel as we have heard and seene and shall make it more legible yet It does plainly argue 3 Sect. Saul to be no true friend to Israel Sauls heart cannot be upright toward Israel when it cleaves to Israels adversary in love He cannot heartily desire the peace of Israel and heartily love an enemy to that peace I pray let us aske some more questions touching the Edomite I will answer by the Booke then good Law and Reason both Why did Saul make the Edomite Generall in this warre against David Qu. Saul gives someanswer to that with a little Reason Ans Because his sonne Ionathan stirred-up David to lye in wait for Saul as at this day 1. Sam. 22.8 As at this day indeed Qu. But this answer makes us more unresolved then before for all the world knowes that Ionathan was a good man and David as good as he besides we finde David fleeing away from the face of Saul like a Partridge and Saul hunting him like a Dog Let us heare Reason I pray you Was it not That the Edomite might recover the sword our of Davids hand No no that could not be it Ans for when Saul speakes out his minde freely as sometimes he did for a wicked heart will discover it selfe amongst his Servants he does not bid them fetch the sword from David but kill him And Saul spake to Ionathan and to all his servants 1 Sam. 19.1 that they should kill David It is Davids life not the sword that is aimed at And the Edomite was a Right man for that service for he was a mighty man mighty to do mischiefe and skilfull to destroy Whom David and All them that had an hand with David That is the direct Answer Saul indeed spake
merrily to the people as he went along by the way and would make them beleeve that he had taken the Edomite to his side and sealed him a Commission because he is affraid of David he tells them more then twice David lay in wait to kill him therefore he tooke the Edomite to his side for who so faithfull as he to defend his master from Davids violence a poor-hunted Partridge or a more Right handed man to execute his masters command against David True it was David never durst stand to it till hee came to Keilah and there had not the Inhabitants proved themselves ingratefull and treacherous he had guarded himselfe and fenced his throat and hazarded Sauls But Saul feared David no more then the Birds of Prey a hunted Partridge that is the expression And kill David that was his charge There is one doubt more and occasions another question Was this Edomite singular or plurall Qu. The singular number sure Doeg was but one But let us note Ans that One is mentioned sometimes not to exclude a second but to imply the first chiefest in place and so more mighty and principall then the second because of his place as Iehoram is said to compell Iudah to commit fornication When Athaliah was as masculine and imperious yea as mischievous that way and yet not named in that verse because shee acted by power from her husband not so cleare to every mans eye And so Doeg the Edomite is mentioned single as if he did all because the chiefest in favour with his King The meaning of the question then is Was there but one Edomite imployed in that war or were there more There were more sure Ans for it is not imaginable that Doeg alone could destroy the City of Priests men women and children there doubtlesse there were more Edomites there or bastard Israelites as Right-men for Sauls service as the word is if men can be Right who are the seed of the Crooked Serpent as Doeg was Nay it is probable there were many in Sauls Camp Right-men Edomites I meane of that generation for thus it is When a Doeg is entertained at Court is favoured there he will work for his Country-men what he can and according to his power that they may have place and respect thereabouts that they may be of use and service when the King shall rise-up against David One question more with a resolution touching the Edomite Saul his master has entertained him Qu. Is there no meanes to be taken whereby he may be made a faithfull servant to Israel No Ans by no meanes What! Qu. not possible to make him a Right-man No Ans not to Israel but to Sauls service he will be right and straight Me thinkes Israel might have dealt with him Qu. as we with Papists bring him to Church might they not have done so Yes Ans and to no purpose at all for he will goe to the house of Abimelech himselfe that is to the Church as we too commonly call it and a mischievous person though he be yet he will sit there close to his solemne service and pretend there he has a vow upon him you cannot worke upon him that way to make him Right for Israel Then try him another way Qu. give him as we to the Papists the Oath of Allegeance sweare him faithfull to God and his King an Oath is a sacred band that will binde him to Israel sure will it not an Oath I meane such a sacred Band Hang him Ans for like the possessed man no Bands will hold him he will breake all Cords such a childe of Belial is he except one and that the Hangman must pluck-up-close to his neck then turne him downe for by no meanes can you make an Edomite stand right to Israel This is very sutable to the time But for the first Questions How farre the Kings power reacheth for the choice of his owne Ministers I leave as in manners I ought to the determination of the High Court which is this That the King must choose such Ministers as his good people may confide in and by no meanes such who are sworne enemies to the peace of the King and prosperity of the Kingdome A mans private judgement may be steeped in his affections he may cleave more in love to a private person then to a whole Kingdome and in choice of persons to places he may stand byassed to his owne will and ends which All Israel a Parliament there cannot doe Therefore it is against the knowne lawes of Israels Kingdome That Israels King should by himself alone make choice of Persons to high place there for it is against the SUPREME LAW the welfare of the People And Saul taking that liberty against that knowne Law had destroyed the Cities of Iudah and had slaine David too had not the Lord interposed His Almighty Arme. To the other which I should not make a question whether by any meanes a Papist may be made serviceable to Israel It is Answered as before by no meanes which man can use You cannot change the Ethiopians Skin not the Leopards spots Ier. 13.23 He will goe to Church as the Edomite to Abimilechs House and yet be mighty to doe mischiefe You may sweare him to the King and Kingdome Bind him with that Sacred Band he will bee willingly bound for he was a reservation Or if you presse him hard hee is informed very well That he cannot be bound to Heretickes as he cals them in any bands you may put bands upon him he will beake them as easily as you can breake burnt Flaxe The Doctrine of his Church and her Lawes written in blood doe absolve and set free This Child of Belial from all bandsand at liberty to doe all manner of mischiefe And so he has done and it is the very purpose of his heart to doe according to the Power in his hand All the mischiefe as his manner is to Israel being the fruitfull Parent of all the Rebellions Treasons Massacres and so forth for there is no end That have beene acted thorow the Christian World as at this day You may then proclaime them Traytors to the Peace and Crowne of the King and Kingdome for so is every Papist said a great States man in our Kingdom holding to the Tenets of the Romish Church Traytors in hand or in heart in action or affection And so said Luther of himself once an Aug. Moncke and of all his fraternity or Brother-hood there Wee are all Men of Blood * Nemo nostrum non erat vir sanguinum si non opete tamen corde Abhorrebam vel ipsum Nomen W. Hus in Galas Cap. 1. p. 15. sayes hee wee hate a true Protestant such an one as Iohn Huss with our heart and we will presecute him with our hand to the death We abhorretheir very Name we would not have a man of that profession to live upon the Earth so
will Require it He will not indure to have evill cal'd good and good evill For three transgressions of Edom c. But of that anon So much for resolution to the Queries touching the Edomite his taking into the Court Designing unto Office there The granting him a Commission to destroy Neb Now see wee how stoutly and with what a good will he performed it Sauls Command was to the Edomites heart and heartily he executes it So Saul shall see That the Edomite is a Right Man 1 Sam. 22.17.18 no sooner Saul had said Turne and slay the Priests of the Lord because their hand also was with David and they knew when he fled and did not shew it me No sooner this was spoken to the Edomite but he turned and did accordingly he fell upon the Priests and slew and shewed no pitty Then Men did groane out of the City and the Soule of the wounded Cryed-out Yet GOD layeth not folly to these murtherers Though they are of those that Rebell against the light Iob 24.12 13. saies Iob offended at those very things our eyes behold at this Day The Lord who cleares His Servants Righteousnesse as the Morning will cleare His owne Righteousnesse as the Noone Day And though we are but dim-sighted yet we shall discern it anon I will shut up this Chapter as David begins his Psalme Why boastest thou thy selfe in mischiefe Psal 52.1 O Mighty Man The goodnesse of God endureth Continually CHAP. 5. Sad Cases examined and tryed before the Lord and resolved from His Mouth which may silence a Poore People slaine all the day long by the hurtfull and oppressing Sword now in the hand of bloody Edomites NOw here is a case to be tryed before the Lord touching these slain Priests and their destroyed City which I hope will give us good satisfaction at least silence us when our spirits are stirred within us beholding the villanous Butcheries the notorious violences acted by our Turks I never yetcal'd them Cavaliers never will by that Gentile Name in our Land upon our Ministers and good People all that have their hand with David our so wasted Towns and Cities Touching the Priests first God is Righteous so we have concluded Ier. 12.1 Hab. 1.13.14 yet the Righteous say now as once they did Wherefore lookest Thou upon them that deale treacherously and holdest Thy Tongue when the wicked devoureth the Man that is more Righteous then hee And makest men as the Fishes of the Sea as the Creeping things that have no Ruler over them Nay they speake now almost as foolishly as once they did it is in vaine to serve GOD and what profit is it that we have kept the Ordinances The Proud are happy for they that tempt GOD are set up Mal. 3.13 14. while they that serve Him truely are cast downe and destroyed This was Abimilechs Case he has done his duty the Edomite himselfe being witnesse by direction from Gods Mouth for hee enquired of the LORD for David c. Yet he is cut off from the Earth with 84. more the Priests of The Lord as not sit to live upon the ground So the Priests were dealt with then and so now So Cruelly And what then Yet the Potsheards must not strive with their Maker but if they will strive the Servants of The LORD must not strive but if they will strive then with the worke of their owne hands the Potsheards with the Potsheards of the Earth The LORD is Righteous and His Judgements as the great deep The Glory of His worke even of His Strange worke exceeds infinitely the glory of the Sunne which yet we cannot pry into and doth ever shine cleare though sometimes we see it not and the blind man never The Cause of His Judgements may be secret but ever Just So we have Concluded But because I would cleare the Sad Condition of our good Ministers now I say 2. There be Sinnes in these Best Ministers for none other are persecuted and though but little Sins in Comparison of others of their Tribe Great and Mighty Sinners before The Lord for Men abhorre the offering of the Lord for their Sakes yet are they Sinnes and the greater in them because they are indeed the Messengers of the Churches and the glory of Christ The more Glory The Lord puts upon them The greater their Sinne And these Sinnes must be purged in them by Fire But Blessed be God That wheras He might have punished them For their Evill doings hee makes them suffer from the hands of wicked men for Righteousnesse sake and so honours them with the Glory of Martyrdome as it is at this day for doubtlesse The Ministers now suffer for the Cause of Christ if ever any suffered for his Cause since the beginning of the VVorld But why were the 84. Priests slaine at the same Time As for Abimilech hee might Transgresse as a Man and yet that cannot bee granted in this Case for hee enquired of the LORD did all by direction from His Mouth hee could call God to Record upon his Soule that he did what he did by Statute-law the knowne Law of the Kingdome But yet suppose That Abimilech did Transgresse in giving forth the sword yet why were the fourescore and foure Priests slaine It is not possible for man to speake Reason here Ans though indeed there is some reason given in the Text the same and as good reason as is given now because their hands also is with David Speak Reason and speake out with whom should she Priests be but with David who had wrought such salvation for Israel and upon whom next to God Israel had rouled themselves and all their concernments yet this was the reason then and this is all the reason now of this horrible persecution because their hand is with David the Worthies the faithfull of the Lord there therefore destroy the Priests because their hand is with David thus we see man can give no reason only God can as aforesaid And wee must note still That these were cut off with the Sword of an Edomite not because they were greater sinners then any other Priests were but because they were godly and conscientious of their duty that enrageth the Edomite against them There is another reason also which The Lord giveth That other Priests might be warned thereby For note we the greatest sinners are not the greatest sufferers in this life I meane they have not the greatest afflictions Nay it is most commonly cleane contrary they have no changes in their life when as the godly have changes of sorrowes True it is and we will not make it a question Destruction is to the wicked and a strange punishment to the workers of iniquity But wee must note That to be slaine with the sword of an Edomite is no strange punishment but the lot of the righteous their lot to be smitten with the hand of violence and made the portion of Foxes It is so and the
will of The Lord it should be so for note we where the Lord gives Commission to the Sword to goe forth Ezek. 9.5 spare and pitty none neither old nor young neither man nor woman He does say Come not neare any man upon whom is the marke i. e. to hurt them He does not say Come not neare My Sanctuaries the Priests or their Cities The Holy Ghost chargeth the Sword to beginne there And begin at my Sanctuary We cannot be ignorant what the use is the Apostle Peter would have Priests and people 1 Pet 4.17.18.19 good and bad make hereof If judgement must begin at the house of GOD what shall the end bee of them that obey not the Gospell of God And if the righteous scarcely be saved where shall the ungodly appeare It strikes terrour to the wicked but strong consolation to the godly Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit their soules to Him in well doing as unto A Faithfull Creator But with them and their house the Sword begins for note we who is the Butt of the Edomites malice b Si fuerit sublimis fit despicabilis c. Si bonus est quispiam quasi mâ—lus spernitar Si malns est quasi bonus honoratâ—r Salv. li. 4. p. 113. against whom then and now he drawes his Arrow with all his strength It is that he may shoot at and kill the upright in heart The Priests of The Lord then the servants of The Lord now Is there any one whose hand is with David any one who feares God above many any one who as his Lord and Master loveth Righteousnesse and hateth Iniquity Is he such an one beat him stone him slay him hang-him he is a deg use him like a Dog the Parliaments Dog his hand is with David that is Reason enough with an Edomite turne about and stay him for he is no friend to Caesar Blessed be God That this man can count his cost and account the reproach of Christ great riches And blessed be God that according to their sufferings shall their consolations be full measure pressing downe and running over he remembers his masters words in the world tribulation What more that which makes amends for all in Me peace that 's enough Iohn 16.33 But let me aske these Edomites this question Have they a Warrant for what they doe Yes they will say they have a Commission from the King under the Great Seale of England An honest man is the KEEPER the while which runnes evermore thus For the doing of these notorious violences this commission shall be to you and them and every one of them a sufficient warrant But O that they could remember That God is an avenger of these things and when He makes Inquisition for bloud then he that granted this Commission and hee that executed it Ezek. 22.14 shall fall both together Their heart cannot endure nor can their hands bee strong in the day The LORD shall deale with them and with the KEEPER too who hath wickedly betrayed the great trust of the Kingdome Come we now to the people 1. The children and sucklings there they were slaine The Edomite has made the like slaughter in our dayes for he has slaine the mother and the childe together I thinke the childe in the mothers wombe We need say very little more unto it then this The Sword was in the Edomites hand then it is in his hand now the Papist I meane still as bloudy now and ever as the Edomite ever was and what hee was you shall heare anon 2. We must say The LORD is righteous and these sucklings had finned though not after the similitude of Adams transgression Indeed it is a sad sight but we may shut the eye yet see into this case as farre with our eye shut as open for truly now we are in the darke wee are come to the secrets of GODS Decree and there we leave these Sucklings and Children all Only I will tell my thoughts which have ground from holy Scripture That Parents now seeing their Sucklings snatched from their breasts and their children from out of their deare armes and from under their wings because the Parents have an hand with David pray marke that may take more comfort in such a violent death theirs or their childrens then if they had seen them dye on their bed For I doe assure you That I have read of some Parents who have beene very ambitious of such a Martyrdome Oh! to have an hand with David to help him against the mighty and an heart with Christ and to suffer for this and so it is at this Day is a glorious kind of Martyrdome that it is 3. The People are destroyed Men and Women there Answ I will Answer againe The Edomite did it a sworne Enemy to Israel as we have read once and againe he did it who does thirst after Bloud and yet not he alone It cannot bee reasonably conceived That he alone a single man could act such an horrid execution but helped and strengthned with Sauls bloudy Courtiers some more of that generation or Bastard Israelites as Cruell as the Edomite was every whit And let me say too for it must be observed strengthened also with the Peoples Sinnes I meane the Sinues of that City The Inhabitants there did doubtlesse strengthen the Edomite and the Bastard Israelites against their City and their selves Nostris peccatis Barbarâ— fortes sunt nostris vitijs Romanus superat exercitus Hiero. Epist l. 2. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Isid Pelus Ep. l. 1 Ep. 294 p. 66. a The Peoples sins made the Edomite strong we Include all Davids Enemies under that Name against the People of Israel Doubtlesse it was so for I Read the like expression full for our Instruction The Sinnes of Israel strengthned Eglon (b) Iudg. 3.14 against Israel Marke it Eglon then and the Edomite now had a Will alwaies as the Divell has to doe Israel mischiefe But nor Eglon them nor the Edomite now no nor the Divell neither mighty though he be nor this Adversary nor that nor the other have strength and power of themselves To doe Israel mischiefe for hurt they cannot doe I say Will they have still Power they have none of themselves till GOD lets it forth till He strengthens them against His People for their Sinnes against Him The God of all Wisedome Power and Grace So we Read And the Children of Israel did Evill againe in the fight of the Lord. Observe that expression by the way and you will observe That God Markes what is done amisse Hee sees Sin in His People for you Read here and every where before the Eyes of The LORD Iudg. 3.12 in the sight of the LORD And The LORD strengthened Eglon against Israel Why It is repeated againe Because Israel had done Evill in the Sight of The LORD Therefore Eglon was so strong against Israel then The Edomites after that time and
now at this preent time are so strong now That is the Reason The Sripture gives and it is a full Reason Does the Enemy prevaile Israels Sinnes doe prevaile Sinnes are strong and hands are weake Mighty sinners and then mighty Adversaries Does the Edomites rage reach up to Heaven the Peoples Sinnes reach thither too Doubtlesse if the Edomite have successe in any Quarter of the Land God does not doe it to gratifie the Edomite but the more to confound the Adversary and to fit or make His People meet for Deliverance Does Deliverance stay It is That Praise may wait for GOD in zion when the Worke is done and Israel is humbled before his GOD then the Edomite shall fall and rise no more The Lord will utterly undoe him this belongs to the next Section The Edomite has not yet fully executed his Commission not compleated his Slaughter There are Oxen and asses and Sheepe Remaining and these he will smite with the Edge of the Sword in Revenge of David because hee has escaped his bloody Knife The Bruit Creatures fare the worse for Davia now but these groane under the Edomites hands The Oxe I cannot speake little of him therefore I will say nothing but much increase by the strength of the Oxe Prov. 14.4 And much good Service is done by the Asse The Sheepe Cloatheth us with her Fleece and feeds us with her flesh It is Man That hath sinned and done evill indeed but as for these Sheepe what have they done Sayes David grieved for his poore People slaine with a grievous Plague Gods Sword which he had called for to lessen the number of People wherein David boasted We may say as much now and without a Figure VVhat have these done VVas the Edomites Rage against these poore Creatures No it was against David or rather for so Davids Lord is pleased to take these Insolencies and wrongs done against David as done to Himselfe Thy Rage against Me. 2 Kin. 19.27 Therefore the Servants of the Lord have boldnesse and assured confidence That their Lord does even now deale with this Beast as he has done with his fellow Beast He puts an Hooke in his Nose and a Bridle in his Lips even Now. Verse 28. And His People will give their LORD no rest touching this matter saying Arise O Lord in Thine Anger lift up Thy selfe Psalm 7.6 because of the Rage of our Enemies and awake for us to the Iudgement which Thou hast commanded Amen CHAP. 6. Weighty Reasons Why The LORD suffers the Edomites to lay wast Israels Land how it Relates to this time If Wolves had not beene grievous to our Land they had not been destroyed out of the Land VVHy does GOD suffer an Edomite to destroy Israells Land Qu. Is there not a Cause Sayes David in another Case surely yes Ans and a Cause for this also an excellent Reason 1 Sam. 17.29 for what The Lord does or Suffers to be done though wee could give no accompt of it First 1. Because Israel may be growne wanton and carnally secure A little Rest from their Enemies will make Israel settle upon their Lees Israel cannot I say Israel Gods owne people cannot well and Thriftily husband their time and peace They may do it after they have felt the Edomites hand and have rest from his oppressing Sword Act. 9.31 Therefore Israel must have a Scourge a Thorn in his eye and a Goade in his side And none more pricking Briars nor any more grieving Thornes then an Edomite is Ezck. 28 24. That knowne Adversory to Israel Israel will not know the Service of their GOD 2 Chro. 12.8 Therefore he shall know the Service of a cruel Lord that delights in Proud Wrath An easie yoake made Israel wanton An Iron yoake shall make them groane Israel will bee stout with their God and comply with an Idolatrous People and learne the manners of the Heathen play away the LORDS day and snufe at His Service will Israel do so The LORD will meet with them for this Hee will deliver them into the hand of them whom Israel hateth into the hands of them from whom Israels Minde is ALIENATED Ezek. 23.28 Prelates Edomites Atheists Papists and the like and these shall deale hatefully with Israel they shall take away all Israels labour and shall leave Israel naked and bare This Relates it selfe I need not shew how it relates to this time 2. The Edomite must be a plague to Israel Why because the Edomite is become a Lord and Master in Israel that he is set over the Servants of Saul 1 Sam. 22.9 2 Chro. 12.6 2 Sam. 106. if you observe it he is next to the King the greatest man in Court who but the Edomite there he does all all must come through his hand The Edomite must be a plague to Israel it must be so Will Israel suffer their Master Saul to take an Edomite to his side To make him his right hand dominus factotum LORD do all as the Proverbe is will Israel suffer this They shall have enough of the Edomite that they shall and Israel shall see there is mighty reason it should be so and when they see their Cities burnt with fire and the Edomite a Israel saw with open eyes That Saul rising-up against David could not abide an honest man but his heart clave in love to the Edomite he should have the honour of Knighthood and of Lord Generall in the held slaughtering them like Sheep then they shall say The LORD is righteous yes and gracious to Israel too for 3. By suffering the Edomite to deale with Israel so hardly and according to all the desire of his soul The good LORD will make the Edomite hatefull to all Israel Israels mind shall be alienated from him he shall never be entertained at Court any more The Edomite shall well perceive as the Amonitedid That hee slanke before David and all Israel he has shamefully abused Israel this once hee shall never serve them so again he shall see how he stinkes before Israel Oh! there is mighty reason why the Edomite in these daies should deale so hatefully with Israel now for all the Reasons abovesaid which I will not recall and for this especially That he may STINK before David and all Israel so as Israel not abiding his savour any longer will joyne hand and shoulder and heart and all to thrust him out of the Land where they have committed such abominations and executed such wrath with such a rage Indeed it is good for Israel to feel the weight of the Edomites hand and the mischiefe of his counsell It was good for Israel then it is as good for Israel now to be so wasted by Edomites VVho but the Edomite before in Court City Countrey In the Court chiefe Commander there and Keeper of the great Seale hard by Recorder in the City and Lord Generall in the Field VVho but the Edomite all this Dominus
ENGLANDS SECOND Alarm to VVar Against the Beast Saul with his Edomite has shed blood to his power He smites Israels City and destroyes his owne house overcame his People once and overthrew himselfe for ever It relates to what is done now Grave questions touching the Edomite his admission to Court and into office there how it relates to Papists now He has a Commission to destroy a City of Priests which he does with an utter destruction Excellent Reasons why The Lord suffered such a destruction to be executed upon Israel then And why he suffers the same now And why by an Edomites hand then and now Lament 4.21 Rejoyce and be glad It is a bitter mockery i.e. weepe and howle O Daughter Edom The Cup also shall passe thorow unto thee Thou shalt be drunken and shalt make thy selfe naked Isa 49.25.26 For thus saith The LORD The prey of the Terrible shall be delivered I will contend with him that contendeth with Thee I will feed them that spoile Thee with their owne flesh and they shall be drunken with their owne blood as with sweet wine LONDON Printed for Thomas Vnderhil in the second yeare of the Beasts wounding warring against The Lamb and those that are with Him Called Chosen and Faithfull 1643. ENGLANDS ALARM TO VVar against the Beast SECT II. THe Edomite is Sauls Scout now and his Generall in the Field anon Davids enemy alwaies The Priests accuser but can charge him with no more but what was his office to do therefore not so impudent as are the Edomites in our dayes Saul impleads the Priest gives him leave to make answer for himselfe which he doth clearly and fully and then is destroyed he and a City of Priests man woman and childe there and beast also This relates fully to our times Quaeries touching the Edomite Sauls taking him into his Court assigning him to office there and giving him commission to smite a City of Priests Quaeries touching that miserable destruction Gods judgements secret but just and righteous upon Ireland and England Yet the mischiefe done by man shall returne upon his owne head and his violent dealing upon his owne pate CHAP. I. David comes to Nob Doeg spies him there hastens to Saul tels him all his observations yet can lay nothing to the Priests charge but what was the Priests duty to doe Doeg tels truth yet loved lying The Edomites now more shamelesse DAvid comes to Nob to Abimelech the Priest there 1 Sam. 21. intreats a courtesie of him and the Priest does him a Hawfull favour whereof we shall heare more anon Doeg the Edomite Sauls chiefe Heardsman was there for Saul had a Scout to spy every where but none did his master better service to Sauls liking then Doeg did he was an Edomite that I would have noted and now being in Israels Land he was of his Religion too for that is a thing easily taken up and being at Nob has a faire pretence for that also as you may reade Religion called him thither and held him there a pretence only and no more for that bloudy wretch mindes not Religion not the solemne Acts thereabout he mindes only all that which passed betwixt Abimeleth and David that so he might doe mischiefe a mighty man that way And now having fed his eye and filled his mouth with observations hee hastened to his master Saul 1 Sam. 22.6 findes him in Gibeah under a tree in Ramah having his speare in his hand and all his servants standing about him It is worth the noting by the way what mischiefe this evill and perverse will actuated by his evill spirit has done unto Saul It had drowne him from his owne house and Court where he might have rested in peace with his servants about him he is now even Saul the King under a Tree with a speare in his hand when no enemy is neere him but himselfe and his evill spirit which he entertaines and hugges as his best friend though the worst enemy to Saul next to himselfe and the peace of the kingdome It is a true saying A man findes no such enemy in the world as he may finde himselfe to be to himselfe Chrysost The Greek Father has a full Treatise upon that matter I returne to the Tree againe where Doeg found his master him that had lost himselfe and heard him complaine bitterly to his servants That they had all conspired against him Why because they had not yet betrayed innocent David and delivered him as a prey up unto their masters hands This Saul calls a conspiracy with his sonne Ionathan a good man who withholds his fathers hands as long as he could from shedding innocent bloud and does according to Gods Commandement his utmost to deliver the innocent This Saul calls a stirring up his servant he meanes David against him Verse 9. to lye in wait as at this day It followes Then answered Doeg The Edomite takes the words out of Sauls mouth as spoken to himselfe they were very pleasing to him and answers before he was asked for sure Saul does not question the Edomites readinesse in that service But he answers assureth Saul that hee is none of those conspirators with Ionathan in behalfe of David not he and he gives good testimony thereof for he tells all that which passed betwixt Abimelech and David there he tells all just as David knew it would be when he heard that Doeg the Edomite had spied him there Verse 22. We may observe Davids Psalme touching this matter and by the way how well fitted a cruell master is with a bloudy servant And so let it passe Psal 52. noting only this in this place and touching that Edomite how Doeg impleads Abimelech and what he layes to his charge he tells all and yet he tels nothing at all but what stands upon everlasting record to the Edomites shame and the Priests glory for this he sayes I saw the sonne of Iesse he meanes David but speakes as contemptibly of him as he thought fit at that time yet not so wickedly as the Edomites now adayes call David for they call him by as vile a name as David vile in his owne eyes but the more pretious in Gods eyes cals himselfe a dog I saw the sonne of Iesse come to Nob to Abimelech there Well 1 Sam. 22.9 whither should David goe persecuted by a cruell Lord but to a good Priest for direction from Gods mouth there was no hurt but good in all that The Priest enquired of the Lord for him It was well he did for hee did but his duty and gave David bread The Priest was bound to doe as much to his enemy much more to David for who so faithfull as David in all the kingdome Nay had he not done it though sacred bread he had destroyed David as bloudy men have done in Oxford denying the hungry soule bread there and suffering them to dye for want of water And gave David the sword of Goliab
the Philistine And that was it but the greatest reason for that in the world David had slaine the Philistine with the sword then carries it away as lawfull prize but that God might have all the glory he layes it up before the Lord and now after enquiring at Gods mouth it is given David But this is all the Edomite has to say And I know not what he could have said more to the Priest his commendation Blessed be God that the Edomite has not whereof to accuse the good Priest all he speaks is for his commendation and surely so is the will of God that with well doing Priests then and Ministers now and people also and it is their glory may put to silence 1 Pet. 2.16 muzzle the mouths of beastly men we reade silence the ignorance of foolish men And so by the will and grace of God have and doe Ministers and people at this day even put to silence the ignorance of wicked men Many and grievious things are laid to their charge but no more proved then was against David or Paul after him Therefore wee must note here that the Edomite then though a bloudy wretch and mighty to doe mischief and could like the Spider turne Balsome into Poison yet was he a very modest informer I doe not remember that the Bishops had such another in any of their Courts and truly he shames the Edomites of these dayes This Edomite tels Saul the truth and nothing but the truth and so shames the Devill That Abimelech enquired of the Lord for David so he did That he gave David bread so he did too and a sword so he did also The Edomite accuseth the Priest of no more but what the Priest did and the Edomite saw done The children of Edom in these daies are more gracelesse and impudent a great deale they sweare and curse and blaspheme and doe not utter more words then lyes against David the upright in heart what devouring words heare we from their mouthes what horrible blasphemies from Liechfields Presse in Oxford how doe they charge David with those things he knowes not nay abhorres to thinke of as contrary to his foule and spirit as were those things charged upon Iob in his two and twentieth Chapter This is all wee will note touching the Edomite in this Chapter we shall enquire more of him anon We see here he was a very mannerly civill fellow in comparison of the Edomites now a dayes not so much of the Divill in him as these have who rage now amongst us breaking bands and casting away cords as possessed men in ancient times And yet before I shut up this Chapter I must satisfie a small doubt Psal 52.3 David in his Psalme of Instructions tells us that Doeg loved sying So hee did for when Saul complained that all his Servants conspired against him Mâ—â—â—â—â—â— to informe the understanding touching the Edomite and this time they do indeed said Doeg Abimelech conspireth against thee too and so he accuseth the Priest materially not one false word in the whole Accusation But intentionally lyes all and devouring words he intended as much mischiefe to Abimelech as hee could have done him had he spoken against him never a word true We may exemplifie it thus An Edomite now for we shall prove anon that the Papist now and the Edomites then are brothers came to the King tells his Majestie that the Ammunition was removed from Hull That is true and yet lying and devouring words intentionally spoke to enrage the King against his best Subjects It is all in all with what minde words are spoken if with a mind to murther and destroy they are lying and devouring words though never a word false and so I will shut up this Chapter Vers 4. Thou lovest all devouring words O deceitfull man CHAP. II. Saul impleads Abimelech he makes answer for himselfe which clears the case of all the righteous now and the great case now in question Saul is not satisfied with reason but notwithstanding reason and Law both command also from Gods mouth for what Abimelech did Saul slayeth Abimelech and destroy's the City of Priests SAul will be discovered anon his owne hand will take off the Vaile wherewith he has covered the eyes of Priests and People the very intents of his heart touching David will be laid naked before the people his owne hand will now give in cleare evidence how bloody his thoughts were alwayes towards David And indeed the hand is a sure witnesse and tells us evermore whitherto thoughts tend as the casting the Water-mans Armes tells us whither hee tends and not the setting of his face When Diotrephes did reach forth his hand to Excommunication casting the Brethren out of the Church then the old Servant of the Lord must needs tell against whom the malitious words were pointed or prated Against us 3. Epist Ioh. 10. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 saith Saint John for against them the hand went our also I speak not this as if I thought it so hard a matter to ken which way malicious devouring words doe tend or that I thinke the thoughts projects contrivances of the wicked against the godly are so indiscernable though we must grant that there are many intricacies and perplexities in their wayes the turnings and windings of the crooked Serpent for the wicked like harmfull beasts doe love confusa vestigia The wicked man forgeth and hammereth forth deceit Fabricatur Pro. 6.14 and while his thoughts and imaginations are thus busily employed he thinks no eye is upon him but that he is as some Pioner or Gun-powder-man hid under ground and indeed from the eye of man hee is hid For our thoughts are but the transactions or discussions of the minde within that inward closet and privie Chamber there and therefore they must needs want forme and shape but the office of the tongue is to stamp a forme to give a shape unto them and then our thoughts are legible For what other are our actions but our very thoughts our secret talkings and parleys of our minde cast into a mould onely we must observe and it is but a common observation That the hand giveth the truest shape the hand maketh the perfectest mould There are some we know who read not as they write nor sing as they pricke and many more who speake not as they thinke but the hand varieth not from the Idea that was in the minde If a man forgeth mischiefe upon his bed then when he is up and it be in the power of his hands and there be no over-ruling hand he will act it The hand is a sure interpreter of our mind and of the transactions there an infallible witnesse that cannot lie words may deceive and many times are spoken for this very end to darken the thoughts and intent of the mind and to make them lesse legible these may be smoother then butter when warre is in his heart these may be as soft as