they went along with him and they were slaine the same day TOGETHER Certainly it is not safe to goe one step forward with a man when we see plainly what way he goes and that he drives furiously on towards a cursed end If we see two men walke together we must needs thinke they are agreed for so sayes the Spirit they cannot walke together else yet we will not judge that all in the Kings Court are Enemies to David We think rather That some there be whose body is with their King and their heart with David We acknowledge That Relations are binders and Court-bands are shackles But yet there is no such binder in the world as our engagement to David Which Ionathan answered as a right precious and faithfull friend therefore no blame can lye upon him And in case we finde him persecuted GOD will beare us out in it if we cast off all orher bands and shackles and come to helpe David for then wee helpe The LORD against Whom the Adversary kicks when he kicks David And let the Adversary remember and all his men with him That Saul died and all his men That same day TOGETHER 4. Saul called together his men bade them follow him doe as he did pursue David and shed bloud to their power 2 Sam. 13.28 Be couragious and be valiant have not I commanded you So he said to his followers as Absalon to his Servants Smite David then kill him feare not my COMMISSION shall be your WARRANT for you and every one of you to beare you out in all violences you shall doe against David VVell GOD takes the matter into his owne hand and in the day of Recompences for Sion Saul is slaine and all his men together And then what good does it to his servants That they had their masters Command for what they did and his Commission for their Warrant The Servant has done his Masters worke as his charge was and the power in his hands and now the hang-man must pay him his wages They are the most unhappy servants in the world that are servants to men who will put their servants upon desperâ—te designes and then tell them that they shall have a Warrant for what they doe under the Great Seale which yet is of no more strength then are the Popes Paper-pardons from whom the LORD deliver us and from them and their commands who are not Masters of themselves It is good and safe to be at the command of that LORD who gives His Command and His Warrant and His Wages too He will beare-out His Servants in all they shall doe by Command from His Mouth That shall be their Warrant indeed To them and every one of them for what they doe and for so doing there is a sure reward And if the adversary shall thrust these men for doing their duty into a fiery furnace or Lions den yet GOD HAS COMMANDED That is their Warrant still and shall carry them boldly into the mouth of the devourers so as they shall quench the violence of the fire and stop the mouth of Lyons O how good a thing it is to be at the command of such a Master whose command is your Warrant your defence and reward too We have viewed the Armies on both sides Saul has most men and the most successefull he is and strong for the warre But GOD is with David Iob 9.19 and if we speake of strengâ—h Lo He is strong or of counsell Lo He is WONDERFUL COUNSELLOR the MIGHTY GOD or of Reward Lo there is no service to the service of That KING nor Wages like to that He gives Wo must proceed in the Chapter Saul has David in chase he will pursue him to the utmost extent of his chaine as farre as his hand can reach so farre we will follow him and so end the Chapter David and his men are hunted from Keilah whence they went whathersoever they could goe 1 Sam. 23.13 And the best way they could thinke-on in their distraction was to goe into a mountainous and wilde countrey where David abode in strong holds Vers 14. even in the wildernesse of Ziph And Saul sought him every day but God delivered him not into Sauls hand Ionathan Sauls sonne Vers 16. a true friend visits David in the wood strengthened his hand in GOD they two made a Covenant together then Ionathan returned to his house lest David in the wood in a strong hold there with the Ziphites Vers 17.18.19 20 Now they play their prankes give notice to Saul where Sauls abode is Saul takes this wondrous kindly counts it the Ziphites treacherous dealing a compassion blesseth them those Murtherers then bids them prepare his way Vers 21. Num dicebat mihi esse c. Trem. observe Davids haunt a subtle fellow he told me so himselfe sayes Saul when we were familiar together bring me word sayes Saul touching the certainty of Davids abode Vers 23. and his lurking places and I will goe up with you and search him out throughout all the thousands of Iudah Vers 22.23.25 See! Saul workes all by treachery if any help and successe in his way the divel helps him to it for he makes lyes and liars his refuge And Saul does as he said hee and his men went to seeke David And they told David Who told him Some in Sauls camp sure faithfull to David See! David has friends perhaps besides Ionathan Vers 19. in Sauls Court So he leaves Hachilah came down to Maon and before he could breath himself Saul hears where his abode is and pursues David even thither There David is in a maze knowes not in the world what way to take for Saul and his men have compassed him round But behold in passage the wonderfull workes of GOD towards David Saul pursues after David in all haste as after an enemy has him in a Coop makes no more conscience of destroying him then he does to eat bread Saul shall lose his advantage for now he must be told that an enemy indeed has invaded his land so Saul must hasten as fast against the Philistines as he hasted before in the pursuite of David c. for it is noted before Thus David escaped at this time and at all times Vers 29. and he now dwels in strong holds in En-gedi Saul has cleared his land of the Philistines 1 Sam. 24. now he drives after David as furiously as before for David is discovered againe and Saul is told where Davids abode is even among the wilde goats Vers 2. and upon the rockes there Saul a mighty hunter before the LORD hunts David with two thousand dogges and more not three thousand I thinke for the reason before said though so many were with him Notwithstanding Sauls Companies David shall have the better Saul had an advantage upon David before but could not take it David has an advantage now of Saul but will not take it farther then to declare
Truth and Davids Mercies are sure There is Davids Hold-fast He has nothing to doe 't is not his part to trouble himselfe about this What Saul is or what the Keilites are he may enquire of the LORD about it and he shall be told That Sauls intentions are bloudy and the Keili es treacherous but he must not trouble himselfe about it not about what Saul will doe or the Keilites will doe David must doe his duty that is his part to doe let God alone with Saul and his Keilites they shall doe David no hurt but good a great deale so be David does hâ—s duty We have learnt our part also and what is our duty to doe now and now we proceed David was resolved to have defended himselfe and the Keilites he would not have sâ—ffered their City to be destroyed for his sake but advising with his Oracle and understanding how the Keilites were minded he quits the place and with his men marcheth away towards the Wildernesse Here a grave Question may be asked Why does the Lord suffer David to be put to his shifts Quest why is his condition so restlesse from place to place and no certaine place before he can fixe his foot stand still and breath himselfe he must run for his life For excellent Reasons the Lord did this Ans That David might know this woâ—â—d is a Wilâ—ernesse indeed not the place of his rest and that he mig t not trust in strong-holds neither nor in men therefore was his condition so fleeting and full of changes He must be raised to a Crowne it must be from a low bottome after mens hearts towards him are â—â—lly discovered and all his strong-holds are thrown down for GOD must be exalted in that day But of this towards the conclution Isa 10.11 when we shall see GOD performing His whâ—â—â— worke and what end He makes for then we shall â—ee the LORD is very pitifull and of tender mâ—â—ey Jam. 5.11 But we must wait fâ—r this as the Husbandman â—aiteth for the precious fruit of the earth and hath long patience for it Therefore I will referre that to the last and give resolution here to another Question CHAP. II. Why did not the Neighbouring Israelites Come-in to help their Brethren and Sisters grievously oppressed by a cruell Lord and a bloudy Edomite Or why did they not relieve David now driven into the Wildernesse What Saul did and would have done is examined and who this Edomite was So it is made very cleare That Conscience could not hold-backe the neighbouring Israelites from standing-up every man in his place to defend himselfe and to withstand the notorious violences from Sauls and his Edomites hands HEre 's a strange sight Saul with his Edomites have smitten and burnt Nob a City of Priests and have destroyed Man and Beast there They make the like offer against Keilah to destroy that City for Davids sake They pursue David still with fire and sword and now they have driven him out into the wildernesse as he sayes himselfe from abtaing in the inheritance of the LORD Why does Israel suffer all this VVhy doe they not bring forth the speare to stop their Master Saul and his Edomite driving on furiously in the Path of the destroyer VVhy did not Israel withstand their Master Saul 2 Chro. 26.17 18. as AZariah with fourscore Priests more withstood VZZiah their King entring upon their office And why did they not deale with the Edomite as the Prophet caused that messenger to be dealt withall who had a Commission from King Ahab to fetch away his head 2 Kin. 6.32 VVhy did they not deale so or more roughly with the Edomite It is answered here boldly enough That Israel were a conscientious People they knew their duty they saw no VVarrant to make resistance let their King Murther Priest and People then Pillage rob and spoile them by his Servants like the high-lander theeves there meere Conscience keeps these neighbouring Israelites hands close in their Pockets the while It is their King they will not resist him meere conscience forbids them I would speake something here in the generall first Conscience is a tender thing and must be tenderly dealt with and not judged rashly But certaine it is we of the common fort have been and now are very little troubled in point of Conscience about such matters as these are we are not so conscientious of our duty as to commune with Conscience about it we minde other matters here Hab. 26. to lade our selves with thicke clay which we call private wealth neglecting the common How long It is a Prophets question and by an Interrogation he makes his Answer very strong and terrible untill they shall rise-up suddenly that shall bite thee and awake that shall vexe thee Veâ—s 7. and thou shalt be booties unto them To whom To Spoylers and Robbers That thicke clay wherein we have laboured shall be booties unto those Robbers there is the crosse indeed and if it were not for feare we would fight our selves out of slavery sure were it but to secure our private wealth but because we would rather be accounted Conscientious men then Cowards we will not hold-up our hands for feare it should be taken to be a lifting-up the hand against our King This were well now if we did make conscience in other things of Lying Swearing Blaspheming Cursing Robbing Spoiling c. and of all unjust gaine or if we did make conscience not to keep our Purses shut when the necessity of the Poore commanded us to open or if being able men and could goe a warfare at our owne proper cost we did make conscience of taking gaine of money when we stand-up for our selves our owne lives and liberties If we make conscience of these things wee might be accounted conscientious men in other matters in point of resistance for feare we make warre against the King wherein every true Israelite must make conscience or else quit that name for he is unworthy the name of Israel that does not make conscience at that sacred point To proceed a little in the generall GOD forbid that any Israelite in the world should Resist their King and make conscience so to doe Nay more for I keep to the story GOD forbid that an Israelite should have resisted Saul he is the Anointed of the LORD â—s was said the great Fiduciary of the Kingdome An Israelite will make conscience of resisting Saul I say Saul for hearken what Ahimelech sayes Be it far from me Let not the King impute any thing unto his servant nor to all the house of my Fathers 1 Sam. 22.15 What should not Saul impute unto Ahimelech That he resisted his Lord King Saul and intended ill unto him it was far from him so to doe And certainly it was and is far from all true Israelites in the world To resist Saul to oppresse him and doe him hurt The LORDS Anointed they remember that still
To come more particularly to the point that we may resolve Conscience anon we will see first what Saul did and by whose Instigation he did it Then who this Edomite was What Saul did is legible before written in bloudy Characters which will remaine unto the worlds end By whoâ—e instigation he did it This is as legible also By the instigation of the Divel vexing and tormenting Saul effectually working in him together with his owne spirit thereby agitated stirred-up and boyled to the heigth of extreme wrath against David and all those that wished well unto or had their hand with David This being premised I conclude first That Conscience could not hold-backe Israel from helping their Brethren in the day of distresse and treading downe for who did so oppresse Israel at this time It must be answered Saul their King for he had hands and feet and other Instruments besides to execute the wrath but all he did was by the divels motion that Evill spirit upon him which hurried him from place to place so as he did not goe but was driven and all his way long he breathed out threatnings against David By the motion of this Evill spirit and his owne which every man Saul also are bound to resist did Saul doe all this Therefore whatsoever Israel makes conscience of they cannot make conscience of resisting the divell or the private will which by the helpe of the divell has done all the violences that ever were done in the world I presume this is a cleared case therefore I leave it for if Saul acted by an Evill spirit will flye at Israels throat they can make no conscience in the world to resist him I meane the bloudy actings and notorious violences of the divell Secondly Israel must looke upon Saul now the great Fiduciary of the Kingdome betraying that trust into an Edomites hand then smiting Israels City Man and Beast there Conscience well informed now calls-in Israel to help their distressed Brethren so far as was in the power of their hands to helpe grant so much power in their hands that they could and were able to relieve their Brethren and yet would not then Conscience will be so far from pleading their excuse that it will condemne them as accessary to that murder and bloodshed Israel stands charged not to suffer bloud to be shed so farre as they can hinder the shedding of it Deut. 21.7 Our hands have not shed this bloud nor have our eyes seene it That is Conscience to quit their Eyes in this case as well as their hands had their Eyes seene innocent bloud-shedding as in this case and not come-in to rescue the Innocent they had not been innocent Conscience then did not hold Israel backe from comming-in all as one man to rescue Nob the Priests and People there now greatly distressed and to deliver David Rather Conscience rightly informed engageth Israel upon all this being in the power of their hands for it is to shew mercy to their Brethren in this time of their great distresse and treading down by the foot of pride Thirdly they had shewne mercy indeed to Saul their Master even to his soule could they have conjured that Evill spirit and overcome him solacing and delighting himselfe as his manner is in proud wrath and wherewith their Master Saul was sore vexed that like the Lunaticke man he falls oft times into the fire and oft times into the water i.e. into most imminent apparent and destructive dangers Doubtlesse it had been a point of pure love duty and conscience to have resisted him to have with-held him driving-on furiously to shed bloud Had Israel done so they had shewne themselves conscientious men who understood their duty and entirely loved their King and therefore would not suffer him to doe that which would undoe him for ever O! it had been an act of mercy and of a well instructed conscience if Israel had every man to his power as one man stept-in and withstood Saul in his bloudy way and all the true Israel in the world would have acquitted them so doing and said in meere pitty and compassion to Saul and that which should be dearest unto him have they done this with-held their Master from shedding bloud Nay Saul himselfe had he ever come to himselfe but the Evill spirit haunted him to the day of his death would have thanked Israel for so doing But here though nothing can be said for Saul in justification of what he did yet much is said against them that had any hand with David That they were Rebells and Traitors all against the King and so Saul himselfe chargeth all his servants and all the Priests too All of you have conspired against me 2 Sam. 22. Vers 8. Vers 13. and why have ye done so An heavie charge but yet no honest man made any account of it as a charge of dishonour They counted it a cheape word a great honour rather being the Cognizance of the choicest men of all Israel and they could glory in it defamed for rigâ—teousnesse sake for the very best and choicest men in those dayes were called Conspirators Rebels to their King David was called so I know not how often and the Edomite the Rightest man and best Subject yet let us heare what may be charged upon these so defamed men though nothing can be proved That Ob. had Israel rose up to defend themselves and their Brethren they had withstood their King No Ans they had stood for him and had done him an infinite service could they have delivered their King from the power of the Evill spirit and his owne Will and from the hands of the Edomite who withstood the King indeed and fought against his Crowne Peace and Dignity But if Israel Ob. standing up in their own defence had not withstood Saul yet they had resisted the ordinance of God and they must make conscience there Yes Ans great Reason they should let Israel make conscience evermore of resisting Saul their King or their Kings power for that power is the ordinance of GOD and hee that resisteth the ordinance of GOD doth resist GOD. That is true but these orders disorders rather of the evill spirit and of mans perverse will are not the ordinance of GOD Therefore to resist these is to obey GOD and to resist the divell Make conscience evermore of resisting Saul the King the power which GOD hath intrusted him with but never make conscience of resisting the evill spirit ruling and commanding in Saul the King he did nothing in prosecution of David but by suggestion from that evill spirit mighty in Saul and in other of Israels Kings and Queenes And this spirit was pro tempore Dominus fac totum therefore it could not be conscience that kept Israel quiet and still the while A sinfull and base fearfulnesse iâ— might be yet I will not be so bold as to determine that a stupidity a benummednesse a drossinesse of spirit
contracted by long rest and so Israel might be like a Dove without an heart an Asse and a strong Asse couching downe betwixt burthens laid upon them by Saul and his bloudy Courtiers for Saul commands and the Edomite smote Nob and overthrowes all who stood-up for or had an hand with David And all Israel stood shrinking up their armes into their sleeves as we reade in Xenophon The Persians were wont to doe before their King in homage and subjection to all his commands But as I said I will not conclude so That a deadnesse of spirit was upon Israel at this time I beleeve there was a more commanding cause then that which with-held Israel at that time Wee shall heare that anon when I have taken off the imputation of treason and rebellion charged upon David by his master Saul for David a private man doth defend himselfe as well as hee can and would have fortified Keilah had they not proved treacherous to him and the lawfulnesse of this may be questionable by all Israel as well as by Saul himselfe Whether David in defending Keisah Quest had not maintained it against Saul It was not against Saul Ans It was against the notorious violences of his evill spirit those David would have withstood But Keilah was Israels City Saul the King of Israel Qu. why would David fortifie that City As it is more then probable he would have done had not the Keilites proved themselves ungratefull and treacherous Because David knew That Saul secretly practised mischiefe against him Ans and would destroy Keilah for his sake All this is written 1 Sam. 22. Therefore hee thrust himselfe into Keilah would have fortified that place But Saul might thrust out David thence for it was Sauls City Qu. was it not No it was Israels City Sauls for Israels good to defend Israel Ans not to destroy Israel We are sure of that But David had strong-holds here and there Qu. and did Breast-worke himselfe against Saul his master No Ans not against Saul his master but against those notorious violences the actings of the evill spirit upon Saul his master Against these extreame out-rages and riots David did fortifie and Breast-worke himselfe And where ever we reade of these strong-holds and Breast-works there we shall reade of Sauls bloudy persecution against David Israels best friend and temporall Saviour Therefore will those strong holds be an eternall dishonour to King Saul till the Records of Time be lost 1 Sam. 26.19 1 Sam. 23.14 David did get up to his strong-hold where be abode and there he did Breast-worke himselfe Why It is answered for Saul sought every day to kill him It is upon ever-lasting Record an eternall dishonour to King Saul so to persecute his best servant for who so faithfull as David in all his Kingdome And if David a private man did so fortifie himselfe to safe-guard his owne throat much more might all Israel for their owne and Davids sake stand-up against the insolencies of a private will and an evill spirit acting thereby Whatever held in Israel from comming-out armed at this time conscience it was not To let the King doe what a Tyrant does make will his law and doe what he pleaseth and yet Israel stand still the while behold all this with open face hold their hands in their pockets or shrinke them up into their sleeves in homage forsooth to the Evill spirit commanding in Saul and in obedience to the Edomite executing that command Surely the like was never done since the beginning of the world untill this Day For here is the King of Israel smiting Israel the great Fiduetary of the Kingdome to whom Cities and Townes Priests and People are all intrusted betraying this Trust into an Edomites hands And so he that should next to GOD uphold and preserve Israel destroyes Israel and will lay their Cities waste And all this that he may be avenged of David one of the best men and best subjects he had in his Kingdome We are well resolved now in point of Israels subjection to that power which GOD had intrusted Saul with thereby to be a Terrour to the evill not to good workes Rom. 13.3 And that if Israel had stood-up in their owne and Davids defence they had not stood-up against Saul but for him and against the notorious violences the actings of the evil spirit by Sauls and his Edomites hands And so I come to enquire concerning this Edomite who he was VVhen we know him we shall see plainly that Israel could make no scruple of conscience to stand up in resistance of him who stood up against the Crowne and peace of Israels King and Kingdome VVho this Edomite was How bloudy his minde against Israel VVho was this Edomite A Childe of Edom who in the day of Hierusalem said Rase it rase it even to the foundation thereof And The LORD remembers this and chargeth the Edomite with it Amâ—s 1 11. hee did pursue his brother with the sword and did cast off all pitty and his anger did teare perpetually and kept his wrath for ever The LORD threatens the Edomite in the same place also For three transgressions of Edom and for foure I will not turne away the punishment thereof A finite number for an infinite for three transgressions and for foure But his bloudshed his cruelty towards his brother that shall set deepe upon his score Though the LORD should passe over six transgressions of Edom yet the seventh GOD will not passe over I will not turne away the punishment thereof Edom has broken all the bands of Nature O take heed of breaking those bands of Nature and brother like kindnesses the Edomite did so he did pursue his brother with the sword and when he had his brother under his hands he cast-off all pitty his anger did teare as wee reade before An old adversary to Israel Num. 20.14 The Edomite knew of all the travell that befell his brother Yet he will not shew his brother the least favour he will not suffer him to passe by the Kings high way though Israel will not be chargeable to the Edomite for a drop of water or a mouthfull of grasse if my Cattell drinke of thy water then we will pay for it A reasonable request as ever was asked yet the Edomite would not grant it He would give his brother a stone for bread and for a fish a Serpent so he answered his brothers request and then came-out against his brother with much people and a strong hand When In the day of Iacobs trouble And now see what he has done He had no sooner the word of command from Sauls mouth but hee answers it with his hand Turne thou and fall upon the Priests And Doeg the Edomite turned and pursued his Brother with the sword and shewed no pity Ah Lord Can an Israelites heart endure to see this An Edomite flourishing with his sword in Israels
lift-up the right hand of Davids Adversaries does David and Israel say Yes and so He may doe that He may exalt His owne Right-hand toward David anon Where we shall see That Davids cause is not carried on by number or multitude or by strength but by an over-ruling Hand And That GOD on Davids side answers all advantages on the Adversaries side both of number and strength and all disadvantages on Davids side in want of both Though for Thousands with Saul he can write but hundreds yet hee will not feare for GOD is with David and is departed from Saul and that answers all advantages on Sauls side and all disadvantages on Davids side as was said For now GOD delights to shew Himselfe and His Arme else we will not see it unlesse it be made most bare of flesh we would have many on our side so it will be but not yet but let us remember they may be too many for GOD to give us victory Iudges Eccles. 9.11 for we thinke The race must be to the swift and the battell to the strong When in Davids war it is quite contrary So much to Sauls Alarm to war his successe therein his numbers of men and how it relates to this war against David as it is at this day and answers Sauls seeming advantages and takes off the wonder there Now I come to examine what persons these were who come-in to Saul side to carry-on his persecution against David Saul called all the people together to war and they came-in by Troops an Host of three thousand chosen men What manner of persons were they Murtherers all I faâ— all nay GOD sayes all and every one of them were murtherers that were privy to Sauls intents and willingly followed the Commandement Marke that and marke we what we reade Saul spake to all his servants What to doe That they should kill David And they 1 Sam. 19.1.2 who did as Saul spake To their power were murtherers to their power And it was very possible to finde-out some Thousands chosen men in Israel who would kill David the faithfull of the LORD at this time for there were many Noble men in Israel and not many of these would give their hand to David conflict with him against him rather giving their hand to Saul Very probable it was so There were many rich men in Israel And whaâ— sayes the Apostle of them They despise they oppresse the poâ—re they draw them we need not make it a question Ia◠〈◊〉 2.6 our eyes have seene it befâ—re the judgement seat they blaspheme the worthy Name by which we are called Doubtlesse many of these were with Saul and bare their owne charges And I am more then halfe perswaded That Davids five hundred Troopers were but poore men a ragged Regiment very poore and almost naked for whence should they have supplies of necessaries GOD knowes surely man cannot tell I finde them in a wildernesse for the most part amongst wilde Goats No strange place to David and his Army They senâ— to a very Rich Man and he sent them a very churlish Aâ—swer but not one biâ— of bread And yet contented men they were whether paid or not paid and pillage they would not rather dye then doe wrong It it had or beene so they might have made brave pillage of Nabals sheep whereas they would not no not they Davids Souldiers 1 Sam. 25.16 they were a wall unto Nabals shepheards and their flockes both by night and by day And yet such a Nabal he was such a Churle and such a Foole when he made a feast like a King surfeited on his meat and was very drunke Nay before he was so distempered he would not give David no not a morsell This stirred Dâ—vids spirit not a little I passe it over here onely this in passage Davids spirit must be discovered to himselfe and that will be one maine Reason anon why his deliverance was delayed The Note is this The Rich Churlâ— mindes not David in the wildernesse nor shall he or his men taste of his morsels David shall taste of the Rich Mans spirit he will give David bad language and censure him withall Who is David A despicable person I warrant you he and his men are broken away from their Masters There 's his censure for as his name is so is he Nabal is his name and folly is with him Verse 25. he censures David at pleasure But it was well for the Rich man that Dâ—vid and his men were so neare his Shepherds and his Flocks had Sauls Troopers been so neare they would have taken them all for Booâ—ies and had they smelt-out Nabals feast they would not have sent Messengers unto him with a Blessing in their mouth Peace be both to thee Verse 6. and peace be to thy house and peace be unto all that thou hast Nor would they have spoken supplications Verse 8. Let the young men find favour in tâ—â—ne eyes for they come in a good day give I pray thee c. No they would not have prayed they would have commanded and done as the vile Priests did 1 Sam. 2.16 Thou shalt give it me now and if not I will take it by force Such a commanding Host was with Saul and past question such Priests were with him too to helpe-on the persecution for it was against David And never was there any persecution against David wherein the Priests were not most Active Ministers not knuckle deepe as we say but elbow deep in bloud as at this day We will take a view now of the Kings Army As before many Nobles there not many with David Rich men there such as the Apostâ—e has described great hunters before The LORD mighty to oppresse and to blaspheme The Name of their GOD. There are the vile Miniâ—ters too Isa 56.10 they kennell neare the Court even all your Dumb-Dâ—gs which cannot bâ—rke sleeping lâ—ing downe loving to slumber All these all over the Land are with the King now that his hand is against David and to strengthen his persecution They cave murthered Soules already now they will murther Bodies If they cannot with their hands they will set their heart to the worke and open their purses wide towards it Shall these and these men prosper Shall they carry-on their designe against David Shall they that hate The LORD lift-up the head Yes for a Time till GOD has perfected His work And His Adversaries have done theirs filling-up their measures and for other excellent Reasons which we shall heare anon We have seene now what Persons they ever have beene and are who have their hand against David murtherers all mighty hunters before The LORD And yet as I am not so foolishly ignorant to thinke That the vile Priests were not a part of Sauls Army either in Action or Affection contributing their Prayers and Purses towards the holy warre wherein they alwayes have beene a willing people of very large hearts So I am
excellent Reasons has The LORD done all this First Ans I. 1. The Lord will discover David to himselfe Saul shall prosper yet longer he shall have fine devices and neat contrivances against David he shall corrupâ— by flattery and worke mightily by treacheries And David shall continue in his straits yet longer Why That Sauls spirit might be fully manifest and all his fine prankes fully opened to the world That is true as we shall heare presently But there is a maine and prime cause first to be considered on That David may be discovered to himselfe Alas David knows not himselfe yet he shall before he be delivered and his adversary shall helpe him exceedingly at this high point To discover Davids spirit to himselfe wherewith in probability David had not beene acquainted had not Saul persecuted him from place to place As first 1. Suppose Saul and David had come to a good understanding and then to an agreement before David came to Nob Then David had not beene acquainted with his lying spirit I will but point at things for excellent reason that GOD may have the glory for I like not to stay upon the Saints infirmities The truth was David had a lying spirit and he hath told all the world so much who will heare him It was customary to him to tell a lye he came to the Priest at Nob and slaps him in the mouth with foure lyes before he came to a full stop And he traversed the way of lying till he came to Achish in Gath and then he was in the way of lying too David shall not be delivered yet fully This lying spirit must bee discovered to David first And blessed be GOD Who sanctified Sauls rough hand towards David and the treacheries of men for this high end The making Davids lying spirit manifest to himselfe so as he can abhor himselfe for it and desires of his GOD nothing more then That He would remove out of sight now upon his deepe humiliation these wicked shifts Psal 119.29 Remove from mee sayes hee the way of lying 2. Davids spirit could close with the creature it could rest it selfe upon the Arme of flesh he had done a notable service for the Keilites now thought he they whom I have so and so delivered from such and such dangers They will be fast friends unto me I may rest upon them No if that be his thought he shall be hunted yet further till he see clearly That men are vanity deceitfull and light upon the ballance There is no trust to be put in men Saul may take them off with a profer of honour gaine or the like But David may trust in GOD He is faithfull Davids spirit shall be restlesse till it winde-up it selfe by GODS power above man all humane props and hath bottomed it selfe upon GOD an Almighty foundation So for Strong-holds too he must be driven from them all because his spirit could secure it selfe so well in such hiding-places David must not be delivered yet till he be acquainted with his owne spirit at this point also That David may say Surely Thou onely art my strong-hold and my Hiding place But more of this when we come to Ziglag 3. David had a very shifting fleeting spirit bessides his mad pranks which we will not recall he fluttered from place to place I cannot tell how warrantable his way was either when he went to the King of Moab or afterwards to Gath True it was David was hardly driven Saul still at his heels and Saul was driven by the divell It would make the wisest man run and flye also to get out of the divels reach But yet surely the Prophet advised David well Get thee into the land of Iudah David must be advised whither he runs and suffer reproofe too What makest thou with the King of Moab 1 Sam. 21.5 Get thee into the land of Iudah It seemes spoken by way of reproofe David would thrust himselfe into this place and into that here he might have refuge and there No David must be taught now and Saul shall be his good master That these are but shifts vaine thoughts These places being trusted unto as we shall see anon are but like childrens castles which they have framed with their owne hands not likely to bee of any continuance GOD must be Davids refuge whereto he may continually resort 4. David was very impatient of delayes he could not wait till GOD had perfected His worke A man of an hasty spirit If he was not delivered at this time then GOD was slacke as he counted slacknesse And if not delivered at the other time just when he would have it Then all men were lyars Samuel and all Non Deispiritu propheticè sed c. Psa 116.11 All his promises touching a Kingdome were but words and they vanish into winde hee shall never be King but by Sauls hand he shall fall he said so in his HASTE haste indeed all men are lyars It is well then Accellerando cum praeceps raperetur in perturbatione carnis Ibid. David shall not be delivered till he has got more power over his spirit more constancy there Till he can be long-suffering endure and wait GODS time which is evermore best for David Now I may be the briefer in relating to these times God seemes to deale hardly with His Friends They are not delivered They expected That at such a time deliverance would be and at such a time but yet deliverence is delayed and a rough hand is put-out against them to the uttermost as it is at this day It is well it is so for GOD does all things well Alas what a little ease of Iron yoakes would have pleased His People How little of purity in GODS Ordinances Quicquid Deuâ— instituerit faciendum praeceperit certum est non esse rem nihili sed pretiosam utilem etiamsi externâ facie stâ—pulâ fabali aut casiâ nuce esset inanioâ— levior Luth. Cat. de Bap. Tempore sâ—o Is â— 60.12 would have pleased them well might they have had their Will and their Time A little though nothing is liâ—tle there and the least swerving from the Rule makes a great Rent and greatly to bee stood upon But I say and I doe but point at it how little would have served the turne would GOD have left His People to their own time and way GOD is better to them then they are to themselves Blessed be His Name He has provided better for them above their prayers and beyond their hopes They shall have a deliverance if they will wait a little A full Reformation But â—hey must leave GOD to His Owne Time and Way But how are the spirits of the best men discovered by these seeming delayes unto themselves Even David the best servants of the LORD made lyes their Refuge That they did and it is plainly discovered unto them now that so they did so also the warpings of their spirits and their vaine
GOD And how miserable when they brake covenant with Him He that has put this purpose of heart into them 〈…〉 in the purpose of their heart for ever and make the heart of the people firme stable and upright with their GOD in this great maâ—â—â—r Amen Hâ—therto we have seene GOD working wonderfully for His people in their straits and grievous afflictions discovering â—heir hearts an◠〈◊〉 â—o themselves and if their afflictions continue yet longerâ— it is that there may be more discovery made of the way and pâ—â—de of their spiriâ—s That when GOD calls them to mourning they may not make then cloaths so gay but be as those whom GOD will humble 2. Discoverinâ— the adversaries to His people their wiles projects and bâ—â—â—d◠〈◊〉 signes against His Church and if deliverance staves and is â—â—â—cke in comming it is that more discovery may be made this way also and that the adversary may be yet more convinced 3. That GODS Right hand may be more manifest with His people And 4. His peoples mouths may be more open to sing the high praises of their GOD. And because deliverance lingers and is slacke in comming as we count slâ—cknesse it is because there might be more discovery made of all the particulars before mentioned I will draw up to a conclusion of the Chapter Psal 94.12 Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest O LORD and teaâ— est them out of thy Law We must not stop there but read on in the Psalme thereby to strengthen our spirits that we may stand st lâ— and wait for GOD in the way of His judgements there are sad matters yet behind we have scene Dâ—vid brought very low but not yet at the lowest we shall see him and heare him out of the depths but he is delivered out of them all David now many the faithfull Servants of the LORD are in Davids case which we shall read by and by their Ziglags are smitten and burnt with fire we are sure in a sad case if we knevv it and which speaks sadly to our hearts our case is like to be sadder yet we are low and are like to be lovver for un-answerable Reasons vvhich vve shall heare fully anon This in short because vve doe not humble our selves under GODS Almighty hand He has layed us lovv vve are high our spirits are proud and stout Hovv does that appeare As plainly as the nose in your face by the provision vve make for our backs and bellies I say no more here but this vve should not be more stout but more humble because our Ziglags vve call properly ours are not burnt yet These are burnt round about us the fire has taken the State and Church-house and vve should as men doe in such a case plucke dovvne every thing that exalts it selfe I remember a note of Master Ainsworths touching Israel In Deut. When the sword of GOD is abroad vvarre famine pestilence though amongst the heathen people â—et it is GODS sword and a calamity we must pray and faâ—t we must say they humble our selves the onely way to keep it from eâ—â—â—ing our dooreâ— The sword is bâ—tâ—ed in heaven novv our ovvne land is vvatered vvith our bloud and dunged vvith our carcases and vve vvould have the svvord to rest and be still No it cannot vve must fall lovv in our spirits and rise high in our saith before this vill be It is a true saying also Calamity knockes at that mans doore and will enteâ— Calamiâ—as illiuâ— fâ—â—â— pulâ—â—â— qui alio 〈◊〉 noâ—â—movetuâ— wâ—â—â— minalesse of the calamity upon his neighbour and brother We conclude novv vve are like to see heavier times because vve have not vvell observed the vvay of our ovvne spirits nor the operaâ—â—â—n of GODS hand not the meaning of â—is Rod tovvâ—â—â—â— us all this vvhile vve are not humbled Well blessed be 〈◊〉 vvâ—at ever it be and blessed be His Name vvho useth Princes and Nobles of the earth as Scullions indeed to cleare and vvash His Vessels appâ—â—â—â— to hâ—nour But that vve may not faint in out â—â—deâ— bâ—t exâ—ect vvith patience the salvation of GOD We vv lâ— proâ—â—â—◠〈…〉 vvâ—â—â—â— vve broke off and give no rest to our spirits â—â—ll vve have â—â—xed them upon an everlasting â—â—undaâ—â—on vvhereupon vve may stand still and abide the raine and the vvindes tâ—e stormes and haâ—â—e even the stâ—â—â—s of great Waters in Davids assurance and confidence Psal 94.22 Verse 23. That the LOâ—D is my defence and my GOD is the rocke of my refuge And He shall bring upon my adversaries their owne iniquity and shall â—ut them off in then owne wickednesse Yea the LORD our GOD shall cut them off Amen CHAP. 6. Davids troubles have a happy close but his case is very sad first The Churches case now is read in Davids case then therefore we record former deliverances very wonderfull to strengthen our assurance in a deliverance to come which will be more glorious the longer it stayes Quere's touching Davids case now at the lowest with resolution from Gods mouth thereunto which speaks comfortable words to David but sad things to us Our strong holdâ— as well as Davids must be cast downe before we are delivered I See the Land said one after he had beene long upon the Sea and escaped many dangers there We can say as much touching Davids adventures as a private man and what end God makes That is glorious still but David must endure first Wee read before that David came to Gath the King there respects him very well assigneth him a City called Ziglag which David might lay claime to Iâ—sh 14 31. being assigned long before by Iâ—shuah to the Tribe of Iudah and now fell to David by lot David was there but he could not sit still there he was for action the service of his GOD and his Countrey and abroad he goes though his body be among the Philistines yet his heart is in Iudah and to doe Saul his Master all the good service he can and his adversaries all the hurt he is able Hereon depends a very notable story because of some very notable circumstances thereabouts specially touching the sword An hurtfull instrument but yet could do David no hurt being wholly at Gods dispose and that is very comfortable specially at that time which I would have insisted upon a little but that I finde my selfe prevented in a little Paper called A staffe of comfort whereunto I referre the Reader if please him That which concernes us here is David has put himselfe upon a very hot service and overcomes where-ever he goes for he carries the Revenge of GOD with him After execution done he retires to Ziglag 1 Sam. 30.3 comming thither he finds it smitten and burnt with fire the Amalekites had been there had done as we read and had taken thence all Davids earthly comforts every one Truely a very hard and sad case Saul has hunted him from all his strong holds those in Israel those in
his uprightnesse towards his Master As for wickednesse it does ever proceed from the wicked man This we have read before and the words are cleare and so Davids innocency is cleared as the noone day and Saul abundantly satisfied and his Evill spirit silenced for that time But yet David would not trust Saul No reason he should trust him in whom is no truth and from whom God is departed So David and his men gat them up into the hold in the hill of Hachilah Vers 22. 1 Sam. 26.1 among the Ziphites againe and these are as treacherous as before 'T is expected so Knave once and Knave still Treacherous persons will deal treacherously they saw Saul did deale so it was his common practise they would follow such a great Master he hearkened to lies and all his servants were wicked Pro. 29.12 But methinkes GOD does not deal so gratiously with His gracious Servant the poore man knows not whither to run hee went forward even now and now backward againe and still almost in the mouth of danger and hands of treacherous men Is this GODS kindnesse to His Friend may some say Yes indeed is it and we shall see it to be so anon Admirable Kindnesse wonderfull Providence strange Discoveries but we will remember all Davids adventures first In the meane time this will serve to beare-up our Spirits that it matters not whither David runs whether forward or backward so he keeps with GOD and GOD with him nay though he doe stray from GOD a little yet GOD will not leave David We proceed Saul reading the Ziphites Intelligence drives furiously with the three thousand men to Ziph againe where he knowes he has Right-men for his service what followes now in the Chapter we have read before but it is very well worth the paines to read the Chapter againe for besides the beholding GODS wonderfull hand there in working for David and casting his enemy into a deep sleep we shall observe there also That the divel was non-â—lust quite silenced he had not a word to say and yet David who could have trusted Saul very well durst not trust his Evill spirit but concludes It is better for him to make speed into the land of the Pâ—ilistines and thither he goes and dwells in Gath driven out from abiâ—ing in the inheritance of the LORD The King shewes David favour there assigneth him a Towne called Ziglag which must be smitten anon and burnt with fire Now we may suppose Davids case to be full of distraction David lookes on the right hand calls out Who is on my side who The Keilites thought he No but they are not their hand is with Saul Then he looked on the left hand to the Ziphites to see if they would helpe him No they are with Saul as Right as the other No help from men they are deceitfull and treacherous Then Dâ—vid lookes before him and hastened to that strong hold and the other and Saul drives him out thence also then into the Wildernesse he goes Saul hunts him there then to Gath and there he is out of Sauls reach whose power vvas stinted there when his vvill to doe David mischiefe vvas boundlesse Novv to the Relation it has vvith our time as it is at this day and then I will conclude the Chapter Indeed it relates it selfe Saul has thrust out a rough hand against David Davids LORD an Almighty Hand to deliver him from out of Sauls hand The hotter the persecution the more glorious the rescue But how did Saul gain advantage upon David By corruption in the Officers and base treachery which we call fine designes But the LORD wrought-forth glorious salvations for David hereby All shall yeeld pretious matter for his soule and spirit to work upon filling his mouth with MICHTAMS golden Songs of deliverance Michtam of David a golden jewell oâ— notable Song and so notes the excellency of these Psalmeâ— 16.56 57 58 59 60. So it was with David in those times So it will be with David The People and Friends of GOD unto the worlds end But these Michtams had beene lost this pretious Treasure of the Church had there not beene such fine devices such subtile contrivances against him had there not beene so much of Hell in all Sauls designes against David there had not been so much of Heaven in Davids Psalmes Nay had not David been in these and these straits had not his friends deceived him and all his Strong-holds too the Church had lost Davids MASCHILS also his Psalmes to give Instruction how to make advantage of an Adversary and of all the mischiefes he shall doe or intend to doe against David He could not have wanted any one thing was done against him by the violence of man either from their hand or from their tongue David could not have been so high above his Adversaries at the last had they not had him under at the first had not his Enemies dealing towards him been so base vile and treacherous David had not been so glorious The truth is Sauls violent dealing with David did David much good he could not have wanted it So likewise the treacherous dealing of the Keilites and Ziphites all this did him much good also And for his strong-holds he lost them with more advantage at the last then he gained them at the first These stood him in stead but for the present time to keepe Saul from his throat the losse of them turned unto infinite advantage To sum-up all that has beene spoken last David is come to Nob gets the sword into his hand the best Sword that ever was in the world for he sees The print of an Almighty hand upon it and carryes the revenge of The LORD along with him in it And now he thinks he shall be delivered No not yet Then he came to Keiliah he has wrought a strange deliverance for them Now he makes no doubt but they will worke for his deliverance with all their might No they are treacherous Then to Ziph he came to see what the Ziphites will doe As little as the Keilites all they can against David Friends prove themselves all false Strong-holds are all too weake yet all to make David strong in his GOD at the last to fill Davids mouth with MICHTAMS and with MASCHIL's pretious songs for deliverance and To give instruction Therefore though we see great reason why all should be even so with David yet we will soberly enquire more fully into all these matters for GOD will give us excellent resolution thereunto CHAP. 5. God suffer'd the Adversary to prevaile a while To worke-out his designes against David That thereby Davids spirit might be discovered to himselfe That his Adversarâ—es spirits might bee made manifest also and convinced And GODS Right-hand made glorious towards David This in all particulars relates to David The Faithfull of The LORD evermore VVHy does The LORD deale thus hardly for so it seemes Qu. with His gracious Servant Dâ—vid For