and hatred of his people and sheding of their blood And therefore if any man would not meet with Wrath and sore Displeasure he would stand at a distance with such as God hath appointed for destruction we mean as long as they carry in their foreheads the mark of the beast When God hath such a remarkable Controversie against a people then be that helpeth and he that is helped shall both fall together Isay. 31 3 All that is in league with them shall fall with them by the sword Ezech. 30. 5. and 32 21. 2. Since it is known that the Malignant party have not changed their Principles and so they cannot but in prosecuting this War establish their old Quarrell and follow it to wit the Kings Arbitrary power the Interest of man above Gods or the Kingdoms Interest We leave it to be judged impartially whether or not these that Associate with them do espouse that Quarrell and Interest at least expose themselves to all that Wrath and Indignation which hath hitherto followed that Quarrell seing they must have Common blessings and Curses Will not that Quarrell holden up by most part of the Army be a wicked thing an Achan in the Camp that will make God turn away from it and put Israel to shame Having thus established the truth In the next place we come to take off what objections are made to the Contrarie First it is argued from Humane Authority The uncontroverted and Universall practise of all Nations in all Generations is to employ all subjects in the Case of necessary Just defence It was the practise of our Reformers who took into the Congregation and received all that upon acknowledgement of their error was willing to joyn though they had been on the Contrary faction Such an universall practise of Christian Nations though it be not the Ground of our Faith Yet it is apparent that it cannot want Reason for it Answer I. This will plead as much against the exceptions added in the answer to the Query and act of Levy for seing other Nations except none in the Case of necessary Defence why should we except any And if once we except any upon good and Convincing Grounds upon the same ground we ought to except farr more 2. Mr. Gillespy in his Treatise of Miscellany Questions makes mention that the City of Strasburg 1626. made a Defensive League with Zurick Berne and Basil because they were not only Neighbours but men of the same Religion And the Elector of Saxonie refused to take into Confederacy these who differed from him in the Point of the Lords supper lest such sad things should befall him as befell these in Scripture who used any means of their oun Defence This Rule was good in Thesi though in that case misapplyed Now then if they made Conscience of Choosing means of their oun defence A Confederacy with forraigners May not the same Ground lead us to a Distance with our oun Countreymen as unqualified who have nothing to commend them but that they are of the same nation which is nothing in point of Conscience 3. The Practise of other Nations that are not tender in many greater points cannot be very Convincing Especially when we Consider that the Lord hath made light to Arise in this Particular more bright than in former times God hath taken occasion of Illustrating and commending many truths unto us in this Generaration from the darkness of error and of making straight many Rules from the Crookedness of mens Practise and Walking Is not the Lord now performing the promise of purging out the Rebels from among us and them that transgresse God hath winked at former times of Ignorance but now the Lord having Cleared his mind so to us how great madness were it to forsake our oun mercy and despise the Counsel of God against our oun souls As for that Instance of our Reformers There could not have been any thing brought more prejudiciall to that Cause and more advantageous for us After they were twice beaten by the French in Leith and their Forces scattered and the leaders and Chief men of the Congregation forced to retire to Sterling JOHN KNOX preaching upon the eightieth Psalm and searching the Causes of Gods wrath against them he condescends upon this as the Chief Cause that they had received into their Counsels and forces such men as had formerly opposed the Congregation and sayes God never blest them since the DUKE had come among them See Knox Chron. 2. It cannot be shewed that ever they took in a party and faction of such men but only some few persons which though it was not altogether Justifiable yet more excusable But now the publick Resolutions hold forth a Conjunction with all the bloody murderers in the Kingdom excepting very few and these without profession of Repentance in many and without evidence of the reality of it almost in any 3. These persons were not such as had once joyned with the Congregation and relapsed and became Enemies to it but they turned to the Protestant Religion from Popery But ours is a different Case 2. It s Argued from Scripturec Three Scripture Instances are brought to Justify the present proceedings First Instance is from the practise of Gods people in the book of Judges who when for Defection from Religion they were brought under oppression yet when any Governour was raised by God for their Defence they gathered and come all out promiscuously notwithstanding a great part of them had been in the defection and yet it is not found that their Governors are reproved for this but rather sad Curses on them that came not out to the work Iudg. 5. 15 16 17 23. The second instance is from the story of the Kings very like the first when after Defection gracious Reforming Kings arose and had to do against forraigne Invasion we find them not debarring any subjects but calling them out promiscuously Neither is this laid to their Charge that they called out such and such Subjects though we may perceive by the story of the Prophets that the greater part of the body of the people were wicked c. We answer to these two Instances joyntly 1. We may by the like reason prove that which is as yet uncontroverted we know not how long That we ought at no time to make Choise of Instruments neither in case of Prosecution of the Cause and the Invasion of others Nor yet in the time when choise is to be had and so that all our former Engadgments Resolutions and proceedings in the point of purging Judicatories and Armies was superfluous and supererogatory Because we read not that the reforming Kings or Judges when ever they had an Invasive war and in the times that they had greatest plenty and multitudes of people did ever debarr any of their Subjects from that service but called them out promiscuosly Neither is this laid to their Charge though we may perceive that the greater part of the people were wicked
there are known Rules particular and distinct without Ambiguity and seing there is such a Propension in Rulers to employ all without Difference which would undoubtedly take Advantage of any thing that seemed to look that way It is likewise manifest that the second part of the Answer relating to the Capacity of Acting is loadned with the same Inconvenience 1. There is no positive determination of the Qualifications of Persons to be intrusted as in former times it was agreed on by the Assembly and their Commissioners but that is now referred to the discretion of the Parliament Together with such Diminutive termes as gives them great Latitude to go upon Before No trust was given to such persons Now it is allowed they shal have some trust and how much is not determined nor what degree of it is prejudiciall to the Cause Which it appears the Parliaments proceedings in Nomination of Officers unquestioned by the Commission is a good Commentarie to expone that they may have any trust except to be Generall Officers 2. Our former Estalished Rule was that no persons should be Entrusted but such as are of known Integritie and have been constant friends of the Cause But how far is this diminished They who are such only recommended to be espcially taken notice of Less could not be said by any more ought to have been said by the Commission And though no such notice be taken of such by the Parliament But on the Contrare those who have been most faithfull and suffered in the late defeat at Hamiltoun They are used as Enemies worse than Malignants in former times yet there is no Testimony given against such things Quantum mutatus ab illo Coetu qui quondam fuit Before we enter upon the Chief Question We offer these manifest and known Truths to Consideration 1. The Occasion of Contriving and subscribing first the Nationall Covenant and then the Solemne League and Covenant was The designes and Practises of the Popish Prelaticall and Malignant Partie against Religion and the Work of Reformation in these Kingdoms 2. Since the Contriving and subscriving of the same it hath been the continual endeavour of that Party somtimes by Undermining and sometimes by open Opposition to undo the same and to bear down all those that clave honestly thereto and faithfully prosecute all the ends thereof 3. That there hath been these many years past and still is such a Party in all the three Kingdoms Considerable for Number Power and Policy 4. That that party hath always prosecuted their designe under a Colour of gzeal and respect to the Kings Authority and Interest 5. That that party hath always been the Authors and Abettors of much bloodshed many Miseries and sad Calamities to these Nations 6. That the People of God in these Kingdoms have taken upon themselves a most Solemne and Sacred bond of ane Oath and Covenant to Discover them and bring them to Condigne punishment 7. That it hath been one of the predominant sins of Scotland under the bond of the Covenant to Comply with them 8. That Indignation and wrath from the Lord hath been following that Party and their Designes these years past 9. That Complyances with them hath alwayes been Cursed to us of God 10. That few of that Party doe really Abandon forsake their corrupt Principles and way and joyn Cordially in the Cause and Covenant 11. That many of them doe after the Profession of their Repentance for their opposition to the Cause and Covenant of God relapse frequently into the same sin 12. That sudden receiving of many of them to Fellowship and Trust and too great Credulity in beleiving their professions hath often cost this Land very dear 13. That upon Consideration of the deep Treachery and Hypocrisie of these men and the sad Consequents following upon sudden receiving of them without Evidence of a Change after long and renewed Experience this Land renewed their obligations more strictly in the Solemne Engadgment 14. That there hath been a Designe driven these two years past to get that Partie again in Power and Trust. 15. That this designe hath been testified against by the Publick Resolutions of the Judicatories unto this time 16. That as it hath been driven at very cunningly and Actively by many Instruments and Arguments of severall sorts so hath it gained ground peece and peece untill at Length many of them are brought into the Court and to the Armie and Judicatories in the Countrey And now by the Publick Resolutions they are generally to be employed and Intrusted Thus the Designe is Accomplished But 17. These men do not satisfie themselves with some Degree of Power But endeavour to Ingross the whole power of the Kingdome into their oun hands and study to bring into Contempt and Cull out these who have been and do continue Constant in the Cause of God 18. That having power into their hands They must act according to their oun Principles and for estalishing their oun Ends. And Lastly That these Principles and Ends are destructive to the Covenant and Work of Reformation That the Employing of and Associating with the Malignant Party according as is contained in the Publick Resolutions is Sinfull and Unlawfull IF there be in the Land a Malignant Party of Power and Policy and the Exceptions Contained in the Act of Leviae doth Comprehend but few of that Party Then there needs be no more difficulty to prove that the Present Publick Resolutions and Proceedings do import ane Association and Conjunction with a Malignant Party than to gather a Conclusion from clear Premisses But that such a Conjunction is in it self sinfull and unlawfull and besides A violation of our solemne Oaths and Engadgments A backslyding from our Principles and Professions And a walking Contrare to the whole tenure and current of our former Resolutions and practises is now to be made manifest First We reason from that Constant standing and perpetuall Rule which the Lord gives concerning the modelling and Carriage of the Armies of his people in all their Wars Deut. 23. 9. When the Host goes forth against their enemies then Keep thee from everie wicked thing And after If there be among yow any man that is unclean by reason of uncleanness that Chanceth him in the night then shall he go abroad out of the Camp he shall not come within the Camp If for Ceremoniall uncleanness he was to be excluded much more for Morall as our Divines Reason from the Old Testament in the point of Excommunication and if for uncleanness not Voluntary much more for Voluntary wickednesse The Reason of all is given verse 14. for the Lord thy God walks in the midst of the Camp to deliver thee and to give up thine Enemies before thee Therfore shall thy Camp be holy that he see no unclean thing in thee and turn away from thee Even as they would expect a blessing of the Lord so ought they to keep their Camp holy as he is holy He gives
are not right now The second Proposition may be made manifest from 1. The present Resolutions are contrare to the Solemne League and Covenant in the fourth Article and the sixth To the fourth Because we put power in the hands of a Malignant Party power of the sword which is inconsistent in the oun nature of it with either actuall punishing of them or endeavoring to bring them to punishment Unless it be intended to bring them all forth and expose them to the slaughter for a Sacrifice for the Land which may be the Lords mind indeed howbeit they know not his thoughts And to the sixth Article Because its a declyning to the contrary Party even that party against whom the Covenant was at the making expresly contrived And as the Declaration of the Generall Assembly 1648. hath it It s a joyning with one enemy to beat another with a black Devil to beat a white It is most Ingenuously answered that the present Resolutions are not contrare to the Covenant Because such as are descrived in the Covenant are not allowed to be employed meaning that these men are not now Malignants What needs men make such a Compasse to Justifie the Publick Resolutions seing there is so easy and ready a way straight at hand This one answer might take off all the Arguments made against them that there is no Malignant party now which is the foundation that being removed all the building must fall to the ground But we have in the First article evinced that which had been scandalous to have proved if it had not been Questioned If it were indeed true that no Malignants are allowed to be employed what needed the Commission in their Letter to Sterling Presbytery take so much pains from Scripture and Reason to justify the present Resolutions when the clearing of that one point had cleared all As for the Declaration of the Assembly Anno 1648. It is answered that none are to be employed that continue natourly in the Courses of Malignancy which was done that year Wheras the Malignant Party that was then Associated with would have engadged to be faithfull to all the ends of the Covenant many of them were such as had been in Covenant and made shew of their repentance for their defection from it and so there is no difference in this particular 2. The solemne Acknowledgment of Publick sins is so clear and peremptory in this that it makes us tremble to think on it Pag. 6 Should we again break his Commandments and Covenant by joyning any more in Affinity with the people of these Abominations and take in our bosome these serpents which have formerly stung us almost to death this as it would argue much folly and madness So no doubt it would provoke the Lord to consume us till there be no remnant of escaping Let the 6th Article also be considered Joyn to this the Declaration of the Commission upon report of this enemies invading Pag. 6. where it is Declared that Malignants shall not be Associated with nay not countenanced and permitted to be in our Armies The Generall Assembly after this upon the enemies entry into Scotland gives serious warning to the Rulers to take heed of snares from that Partie and that the rather because men ordinarly are so taken with the sense of Danger as not to Look back to that which is behind them c. How often have we sentenced our selves unto Wrath and Consumption if we shall fall into this sin again All these and the like are endeavoured to be taken off by saying that our Engadgments in this point was conceived in a way of Prosecution of the Cause But to be no impediment of just and necessary defence which we are bound to by Natures Law which no humane Law can Infringe But we reply 1. It is strange our prosecution of the Cause these years past should be Contradistinguished from the defence of it and the Kingdome It was conceived that our War in England was Defensive not Invasive that it was necessitated for the defence even of our Kingdom but it seems it is now questioned But passing what was acted abroad Certainly all our Wars at home were meerly Defensive both against unjust Invasion and seditious Insurrections Now our solemne Engadgments were conceived in relation to our actings at Home especially and modelling our Armies for the defence of our Liberties and Religion We knew well enough that a just invasive war is a rare accident in the world and that the flock of Jesus Christ are for the most part obnoxious to the violence of others as sheep among wolves but are not often called to prey upon others 2. To call our Solemne Engadgments and Declarations grounded upon our oaths and upon the Word of God Humane Laws and Constitutions that must cede to Natures Law it is indeed ingenuous dealing because to Justifie the present proceedings there can be no more expedite way than to condemne by past Resolutions for the peremptoriness of them and to make them grounded on Politick Considerations which are alterable But it imports a great change of Principles We conceive that all Humane Laws that are not for the Matter grounded on the Word of God that oblidge not Conscience but in the Case of Scandal and in regard of the generall end are alterable and changeable whenever they come in opposition to the Law of Nature Self-defence Law of God written in the Word And therefore that Act of Parliament mentioned by the Commission Discharging all subjects to rise without the Kings Command which was made use of against our first taking Arms was no wayes binding on the subjects not to rise in the Defence of their Religion and Liberties when in hazard And we wonder that that Law should be compared to our Solemne Engadgments which are grounded upon oaths and Gods Word as touching the very matter and substance of them as if our Engadgments did no more bind us now in case of defence than that Law did bind us then Royalists might be excused for preferring the Kings will to Gods but we cannot be pardoned for equalizing them And especially while we consider that that forementioned Act undoubdely hath been intended for the establishing of ane Arbitrary and Absolute Power in the Kings hand that the Subjects may not have Liberty to save themselves except the King will Where God hath given us Liberty by the Law of Nature or his Word No King can justly ty us and when God binds us and oblidges us by any of these No King or Parliament can loose us or unty us 3. The Declaration of the Commission and Assembly upon this invasion Renues the same bond of our former Engadgments Yea and speaks expresly in the Case of fewness and scarceness of Instruments against the Unbelief of people that are ready in danger to choose any help Therefore that which is said in answer that at that time there was a Choise of Instruments which now is not it may indeed
Conjunction in war with his Father David in his Epitaph speaks much to the Commendation of both Saul and Ionathan as of excellent Warriours and of Ionathan as a kind and Constant friend to him but there is nothing touched of that point If that place be pressed it will follow with much more evidence that Saul was as good a man as Ionathan and that the People of God had great loss inhis death But none of these must be pressed rigorously from a speech wherin he vents his affection and grief 2. Suppose the naturall bond of Ionathan to Saul his Father and the Civil bonds of the people to Saul their King did oblidge them to joyn with him against the Common Enemy Yet we think they ought not to have Associated with these persecuting Servants and the 3000. that pursued David But they ought to have pleaded for a purging of the Army 3. It is not Probable that there was many Godly persons imployed in that Army David complains of that time Psal. 12. That the Godly man ceased and the faithfull from among the Children of men and that the wicked walked round about when the Vilest men were Exalted 4. Many of the Laws of God have not been much taken notice of even by Godly men untill the Lord hath taken occasion to reprove them particularly and so to mind them of their Duty It is like the Rule Deut. 23. hath not been Considered till the time of Iehoshaphat and Amaziah c. Scriptures shewing the sin and Danger of Joyning with wicked and ungodly men ISaiah 13 25. When the Lord is punishing such a people against whom he hath a Controversie and a notable Controversie every one that is found shall be thrust through and every one joyned with them shall fall They partake in their Judgment not only because in a Common Calamity all shares as in Ezech 21 3. But Chiefly because joyned with and partakers with these whom God is pursuing Even as the strangers that joyn to the house of Iacob partake of her blessings Chap. 14 1. To this purpose is Isay. 31 2 3. And Ezek. 30 5 6 8. The mingled people and these that are in League with Egypt partakes in her plagues and these that uphold that Throne that God so visibly Controverts with their power shall come down and all its helpers shall be destroyed as it is Ier. 21 12 20 24. And this is the great reason of these many warnings to go out of Babylon Ier. 50 8. And 51 6. Remember that passage 2 Kings 1 9 10 11 12. The Captain and Messenger of the King speaks but a word in obedience to his wicked Masters Command and the fifty are but with him and speak not But their Masters judgment comescon them all Consider how many Testimonies the wise King in his Proverbs gives against it Chap. I. from vers 10. to 19. My Son if sinners entice thee consent thow not 11. If they say Come with us let us lay wait for blood let us lurk privily for the Innocent without Cause 12. Let us swallow them up alive as the Grave and whole as those that go down into the pit 13. We shall find all precious substance we shall fill our Houses with Spoil 14. Cast in thy lot among us let us all have one Purse 15. My Son walk not thow in the way with them refrain thy foot from their path 16. For their feet run to evil and make bast to shed blood c. Here are the Practises and designs of wicked men expressed in their oun nature but certainly they would colour them over with fair pretences their purpose is to undo men especially Godly men that Classed and purged them Yea it is the profession of many and they scarce ly privily or have so much wisdome as to conceal their designes till their fit opportunity but before the power be confirmed in their hand they breath out Cruelty against all the Innocent in the Land and promise themselves great gain by it and are already dividing their Estates among them saying we shall find all precious substance ver 13. But my Son if thow fear God though they entice thee with specious arguments of Nature and Necessity and Countrey Priviledges yet Consent not Venture not thy stock in one Vessel with them Cast not in thy Lot among them Walk not in the way with them Refrain thy foot from their path for they are not come to the height of iniquitie they are running on to it And if thow Joyn thow wilt cast thy self in a miserable snare for either thow must go on with them to their Designed and professed evils or be exposed to their Cruelty Chap. 2. from vers 10. to the end When Wisdom entereth into thine heart and Knowledge is pleasant to thy soul. 11. Discretion shall preserve thee Understanding shall keep thee 12. To deliver thee from the way of the evil man from the man that speaketh froward things 13. Who leave the Paths of uprightnesse to walk in the ways of darknesse c. If thow take the WORD of GOD for a lamp to thy feet and it enter into thy Soul and be received in love and affection it will certainly keep thee from the Evil mans way who have already left the Righteous paths to walk in the ways of darknesse who rejoyce in nothing so much as in the sorrows and miseries of the Godly and delight in one anothers wickedness And it will keep thee Chast to thy husband CHRIST JESUS and preserve thee from Committing fornications with Egypt as Aholah and Aholibah and joyning so nearly with the degenerated seed of Abraham who are but as strangers for come near their house and Paths and they will lead thee to Destruction with them or make thee a more miserable life But these that go to them return not again quickly they are like fallen starrs shall they ever be set in the Firmament again It s safest to walk with good and righteous men for Gods blessing and promise is on them His Curse and threatning is on the wicked therefore thow may fear wrath on that accompt if thow joyn with them Chap. 4. ver 14. to 20. Enter not into the Path of the Wicked and go not in the way of evil men 15. Avoid it pass not by it turn from it and pass away 16. For they sleep not except they have done mischief and their sleep is taken away except they cause some to fall 17. For they eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence 18. But the path of the just is as the shining light that shineth more and more unto the perfact day 19. The way of the wicked is as darkness and they know not at what they stumble It was said Chap. 3 23. that the man who keeps wisdom and the fear of God in his heart should walk in the way and not stumble That safty hath ease in it here their steps are not strained as when a man walks in
under the best Kings Therefore we may lawfully employ any Subjects of the Kingdom in any of our wars And we may look upon all indifferently without any discerning of Persons that fear God and them that fear him not as in good Capacity to be entrusted Even when otherwise we have Choise of good Instruments Certainly it follows by parity of Reason for if yow conclude that from the calling forth all promiscuously and no reproof given for it in the Case of necessary defence then we may conclude from the calling forth of all promiscuously and in the Case of an Invasive War and no reproof Recorded that neither in such a Case is it sinfull to make no difference and that with stronger Reason Because it being more easie in such a Case to Choose instruments and no necessity pleading for it if it had been sinfull the Prophets would have rather reproved it than rebuked them for using such means in a Case of necessity 2. We may argue after that manner that in the Case of necessary Just Defence there should be no exceptions made at all of any persons because we read not that the Judges or Kings Debarred any Subjects neither that they were rebuked for so doing Therefore the Instances militate as much against the exceptions added in the Answer to the Query as against us unless it be said that there was no such persons among that people which were as groundlesse rashness as to say that they gave all evidence of Repentance 3. Seing the Judges and the Reforming Kings of Judah were so accurrate and exact in cleaving to the Law of God and walking according to it in all other things it were more Charitable and Christian Judgment to say that since they are not reproved for any fault in this particular that they were also exact to walk according to the Rule Deut. 23. in so great a point as this 4. Mens Practise is often lame and Crooked and therefore must be examined according to the Rule but it were not fair dealing to accommodate the Rule to mens practice Seing then we have so clear and perfect a Rule Deut. 23. which must Judge both their practice and ours We see not how their Practice can be obtruded as a rule upon us which it self must be examined according to a Common and Generall Rule If it be not according to that Law we hold it to be sinfull in it self and so no president for us albeit the PROPHETS did not reprove it in express and particular terms as they did not reprove MAN-STEALING c. Yet they rebuked it by Consequence in as farr as they rebuked the Kings for Association with wicked Israelites which is condemned upon grounds Common to this very Case in hand 5. We see not any ground for such promiscuous calling forth of the people by the Judges Baraks business as that of Iepthah and Gideon were done by no great multitudes of People but a few Choise men 6. As the oppression was heavy and Continued long so the repentance of the people was Solemne and their deliverance a fruit of this 7. Their Case and ours is very different None of Israel or Judah did fight against the Profession of the true Religion and shed the blood of their fellow-subjects who were for the Defence of the same Israel in the dayes of the Iudges and Iudah in the time of the Reforming Kings was not Divided the one half against the other upon opposition and Defence of the true Religion And the better part after many experiences of the treachery and enmity of the most of the worst part Solemnly engadged to God not to admitt them to Employment and trust but upon real evidence of Repentance of which they should Judge as in the sight of God And last of all did ever Israel or Iudah in the days of their Judges and Reforming Kings admitt into their Armies a party and faction of such as had given no reall evidence of their Abandoning their former Course and such a party as had been long studying to get the Power of Armies and Judicatories in their oun hands for attaining their oun ends But all these are in our Case The 3d Instance from scripture is from 1 Sam. 11. Which is aleadged to be a clear practise and stamped with divine approbation In the Case of Iabesh-Gilead besieged by a forraigne Enemie Saul Commands all to come forth for defence of their brethren under pain of a severe Civil Censure Now what Saul did in this business the spirit of God is said to act him to it and what the people did was from the fear of God making them obey the King And then Samuel in this acting concurrs joyntly and makes no opposition and last of all the people came forth as one man and yet Cap. 10. 27. many men of Belial were among them who Malignantly opposed Sauls Government contrare to Gods revealed will To which we answer 1. The stamp of divine approbation is not apparent to us success doth not prove it neither the spirit coming on Saul not the fear of God falling on the people will import a divine approbation of all was done in the manadging that War That motion of the spirit is no sanctifying motion But a Common though extraordinary impulse of Sauls spirit to the present work which doubtless was in the King of Babylon whom God raised up fitted and sent for the destruction of many nations Albeit that work in his hand was iniquity That fear of God that fell upon the people was but a fear of the King Imprinted by God and it is more peculiarly attributed to God because the people did despise him and contemn him which makes their reverence and fear to be a more extraordinary thing upon a sudden Then Samuel not opposing the Course in hand doth no more import his approbation of all was done in it than his not reproving the men of Bolial doth prove that he approved of their opposition 2. It doth not appear that the men of Belial were a great faction and party there is somthing in the 12. ver speaks against it It is not like the people would put a faction and party to death 3. Neither doth it appear that they were in the Army for that which is said that all the people came out as one man doth only import that the body and generality of them came forth and that it was a wonder so many came forth so suddenly at the Command of the King who was but mean and abject in their eyes It is certaine that all sensible Persons were not present because the whole Army being numbred ver 8. was but 330000. And who will say there was no moe men in Israel when they had 600000 such and above before their coming into the Land seing then many have stayed at home it is most probable that these men of Belial would not come seing they despised Sauls mean and Low condition in their heart and thought him unfitt to Lead their