The Coronation of David, Table of contents (1 of 3)

The Coronation of David · Table of contents (1 of 3)

The Contents of the Booke enſuing, gathered after ſo playne a maner, as beſt may ſerve to leade on the ſimpler ſort unto the better understanding of it.

COncerning thoſe troubles that are for the Goſpels ſake, firſt it is ſet down generally, that out of the Scripture it may ſufficiently be gathered, whereunto they are like to ſort themſelves in the end. Sect. 1.

Then, out of this part of the ſtorie of David it is declared, that as David was Annointed unto the Kingdom: euen ſo (in ſome ſenſe) is the Goſpel alſo. Sect. 2, 3.

Likewiſe, as David was grieuouſlie perſecuted, before that he could attain to the Kingdom: that ſo it hath bin, and yet is, with the Goſpel of Chriſt. Sect. 4, 5, 6, 7.

And that as David was afterward brought, firſt to one part of it, and then to the whole: ſo the Goſpel, being in ſuch ſort aduanced as alreadie it is, is therein as likely alſo to be further aduanced. Sect. 8, 9.

But yet that we are to await this goodnes of God, in ſuch a courſe as David did. Sect. 10, 11.

And ſo doing, that we neede not to doubt, for that ſuch aduancement of his glorie ſtandeth not on our worthines, but on his goodnes alſo. Sect. 12.

And though it did, yet that there is no ſuch difference betweene David then, and the children of God now, becauſe that he alſo was ſubject unto great infirmities. Sect. 13.

Beſides all this, that the want of gouernment in the world now, doth aſmuch require the advancement of the Goſpel to make ſupplie: as the want of government in the daies of Saul, did then need the kingdom of David. Sect. 14, 15.

Divers examples of the like works of God, brought in: and applied to our comfort. Sect. 16. 17.

A Praier to that end, going upon the whole ſtorie. Sect. 18.

How David exerciſed himſelfe to Godward in thoſe his troubles: and what Pſalmes they are which then he made. Sect. 19, 20.

FINIS.

p. 1❧ The Coronation of Dauid.

1 HOw great broyles at this day are rayſed in theſe parts of Chriſtendome agaynſt the Ghoſpell of Ieſus Chriſt,What is like to be the end of theſe troubles that are for the Goſpels ſake. and how (as yet) they are like to continue, becauſe that new and freſh troubles do continually follow hard vponupon ſuch as are gone before: is a thing in it ſelf ſo plain and euident, that no body at al, would he neuer ſo fayn, can be ignorant of it. Inſomuch that as in the lake Genazereth the wind and the ſea did both together ſeeme to conſpire agaynſt that Bark, wherein Chriſt was with his diſciples, for to hauehave drenſhed and drowned them al; the wind ſtirring vp and rayſing the ſea, the ſea getting vp and growing rageous, and both together furiouſly beating with al their might on that ſeely veſſel: euen ſo now alſo, euer ſynce it pleaſed the Lord to vouchſafe vsus the Ghoſpel agayn in ſo plentiful maner, al the powers and ſtates of the world hauehave redily bent themſelues agaynſt it, thoſe that are eſpecially led by the ſpirit of error, and hauehave a mouth giuen them to ſpeake proud things, ſtirring vp both Princes and their people agaynſt the truth; thoſe Princes likewiſe, and their people with them, willingly taking that quarel in hand, and both together, with might and mayn ruſhing vponupon the word of life, and earneſtly labouring (al that they may) cleane to ſuppreſſe and extinguiſh the ſame. Which whoſoeuer doth with aduiſement conſider, he in reaſon might eaſily be in daunger to think, both that there were ſome ſpecial great cauſe in this profeſſion, why it ſhould be ſo much p. 2maligned; and that, ere long, needs muſt it be deſtroyed alſo. Howbeit the truth is, that neyther is there in it any cauſe at al, why they ſhould ſo rage agaynſt it: neyther ſhall any, nor al together, in ſuch ſort preuayle agaynſt it, when they hauehave done al that they can. Neuertheleſſe it cannot be denied, but that there are of the weaker ſort, that can hardly conceaue ſo good aſſurance of the inuinciblenes of the cauſe it ſelf: and others agayn ſo much preſuming of the goodnes of the cauſe, that they regard not much, what careleſnes or iniquity of theirs they mingle withal; and hope notwithſtanding that al ſhalbe wel, laying al on the goodnes of the cauſe. For which cauſe I think it a work not vnworthy the labour, and very meete for the preſent tyme, that ſuch as are the Lords watchmen commend vntounto the people of God ſuch places of Scripture as beſt may ſerue, both to deſcribe and to lay forth theſe matters vntounto them, and withal to teach them, what ſhalbe the yſſue therof in the end, and how to behaue themſelues therein.An example of the like, among the Iewes at Ieruſalem. Ruffin. lib. 1. cap. 37. Socr. lib. 3. cap. 20. & Sozom. lib. 5. cap. 2. And ſo may we read in auncient tyme, as of many others, ſo namely of Cyril the Biſhop of Ieruſalem, that when the like occaſion was offered vntounto him, he alſo tooke the ſelf ſame courſe. The like occaſion that was offered vntounto him, was a great fear that many of the people of God in thoſe parts conceaued, that Chriſtian religion hauing alredy bene receaued and planted there by publike authoritie, ſhould after giuegive place to Iudaiſme agayn. For Iulian the Emperour, himſelf profeſſing the faith at the firſt, and finding the ſame alredy eſtabliſhed by publike authoritie (fourty yeres before that he came to the Crown, by Conſtantine the great and Conſtantius his ſonne) and hauing a ſecret intent with him to ſet vp heathniſh idolatrie agayn, among other practiſes that he vſed to croſſe the faith of Chriſt, and thoſe that did profeſſe it, ſo much as he could, gaue libertie, comfort, and ayd vntounto the Iewes to build vp the Temple at Ieruſalem agayn, and there to ſacrifice, and obſerue the law as before they were wont. Whereupon great multitudes of the Iewes aſſembled themſelues together out of al quarters; ſet in hand with their buſines in great confidence; prepared things needful for the building in great pentie, had (in a brauerie) many of their working inſtruments of ſiluer, p. 3euen to their baſkets, ſpades, and mattokes; before hand threatned the Chriſtians there, how néere they would ſit vntounto them ere long: and in al things had held ſuch a courſe therein for the time, as that it ſeemed vntounto many, that the faith of Chriſt ſhould be aboliſhed there, and Iudaiſm ſet vp agayn. But Cyril the Biſhop, perceauing what offence this might breed vntounto many, and that diuers were not a litle diſmayed thereat (and therfore much weakened in the faith thereby) calling to mind what things Daniel and Chriſt himſelf before had ſpoken of the vtter ouerthrow of that Temple and citie, did reſolutely ſet down vntounto the faithful, euen when the matter was at the higheſt, and their new building in greateſt likelihood to go forward, that yet notwithſtanding it ſhould not proſper, but go back agayn, and come to no proofe in the end. And ſo it came to paſſe immediatly after. For the lime and the ſand they had gotten together in great heapes, was with mightie winds ſo blown away, that they knew not where to finde it: the old foundation, when they had taken the rubble from it, and now were redy (the next day after) to hauehave begun their new building theron, was in the night by a ſtraunge and mightie earthquake ſo clene turned vp and ſhaken in péeces, that there was not left one ſtone vponupon an other, that was not ſhaken out of his place: & as for the timber and ſtone which they had prouided (and that in great quantitie) and their inſtruments or tooles wherewithal they ſhould hauehave wrought, (and many of the people themſelues) they were deſtroyed by fier, ſuch as the Lord in extraordinarie maner caſt vponupon them. As therefore Cyril at that time was able, out of the Scriptures to miniſter ſound comfort to the people of God, agaynſt that diſcomfortable caſe of theirs; and, as he was able, accordingly did it: ſo the godly in theſe dayes alſo hauehave (in great plenty) wherewithal to comfort thoſe that are weake, and that in their weaknes doubt very much whereunto theſe broyles may grow. For now alſo theſe Iewes of ours hauehave obteyned y^e comfort and ayd of certeyn Iulians, that they hope ere long to baniſh the Ghoſpel, and to ſet vp Poperie agayne: they hauehave alſo contriued, and complotted their matters ſo, that nothing they hope, ſhal fruſtrate their vayn preſumption therin. But he that dwelleth in the heauens doth p. 4laugh them to ſcorne: the Lord will hauehave them in deriſion. Let the Lords watchmen but looke about them, and they ſhalbe able to finde (and that in very plentifull meaſure) wherwithal ſoundly to comfort, and fully to eſtabliſh the hearts of thoſe, that in their weakeneſſe ſo readilie feare, that when tyrants begin to threaten, and make preparation to do ſome miſchief, then is the Goſpell not like to eſcape it, and the power of darkneſſe (that of late ouerwhelmed the face of the earth) like to preuayle agaynſt vsus agayne. To the which end, as I wiſh thoſe that can rightly do it, diligently to beate out this poynt of doctrine to the people of God: ſo my ſelf alſo hauehave thought good to take in hand ſome ſuch argument at this preſent, and among ſo many places of Scripture that yéeld for this matter moſt ſingular comfort, to deliuer ſome one to the inſtruction and comfort of thoſe, that in theſe dayes of ours do in ſuch ſort need to be called vponupon. For which cauſe I hauehave made choyce of that part of the ſtorie of David, wherein we hauehave ſet foorth vntounto vsus, how, being ordeyned to be King ouer Iſrael, he was kept backe, and notably exerciſed for a time, and yet notwithſtanding fully poſſeſſed thereof in the end. For ſeeing that David was a figure of Chriſt, and ſuch as was the eſtate of Chriſt here on the earth, ſuch alſo muſt be the ſtate of the Goſpell whenſoeuer the ſame is ſent vntounto vsus: therefore muſt it needes follow, that as in that part of Davids hiſtorie, wee may ſee a liuely deſcription of thoſe matters in Chriſt, both how he was kept backe for the time, and how in the end he was aduaunced; ſo may we likewiſe therein behold the eſtate of the Goſpell in theſe our dayes, for both thoſe matters: that is, how great reſiſtance for a time it findeth among vsus; and how notwithſtanding it is moſt ſure to preuayle in the end. The text therefore being ſo pregnant, and ſo effectuall to ſuch a purpoſe, that I likewiſe may the better finde out (in ſome good meaſure) whatſoeuer doth belong therunto, I humbly beſeech that ſonne of David, our Lord and Sauiour Ieſus Chriſt, to vouchſafe me that merciemercy, that I may ſo do it, as may ſoundly tend, both to the aduancement of his eternall and only trueth, and to the comfort of all thoſe that vnfeignedly louelove and embrace the ſame.

p. 52 And ſo being purpoſed (by the goodnes, and grace of God) in ſuch ſort to vnfold that part of the ſtorie of David, What comfort we have, in that which is alreadie done on behalfe of the Goſpell.as that our ſelues may now alſo the better ſée, what to thinke of thoſe broiles that now are for the Ghoſpels ſake, and how we are to demeane our ſelues in the meane ſeaſon, it ſhalbe good firſt to conſider how far-forth we are holpen forward to good aſſurance by the accord that we find in that which is alreadie done héere among vsus, with that which in this hiſtorie of David we find to hauehave bin done before: and then to aduiſe our ſelues further, of the hope that we may conceiue, of the full accompliſhment of it, for the time to come. The good aſſurance whereunto we are holpen by the accord that we find, in that which is alreadie done among vsus, with that which in this hiſtorie of David we find to hauehave bin done before, wil beſt appeare, if we ſhall firſt ſet downe the chiefe and principall parts of the hiſtorie it ſelf: and then lay vntounto it, from point to point, ſuch things as we find in theſe our dayes to agree thereunto. The chiefe and principall points of the Storie it ſelfe, are two: how it pleaſed God to bring him foorth to be in a readines for that matter: and afterward, how he brought him vntounto it. That it pleaſed God firſt to bring him foorth to be in a readines for that matter, may ſufficiently appeare, firſt by the maner that he vſed to make the matter known to David himſelfe: and then, for that he did ſo effectually commend him to others. VntoUnto himſelfe he made it knowne, for that by the miniſterie of Samuel the Prophet, he did annoint him thereunto. In which his Annointing we are firſt to conſider,The Annointing of David vntounto the Kingdome. how it ſtandeth with a certaine Propheticall direction that was giuen forth long before: and then of certaine other things which to that preſent time apperteined. That Propheticall direction that I now ſpeake of, was giuen forth by Jaakob himſelf on his deathbed, among other bleſſings of his, to his children: namely,aaGen. 49.8, 10.Gen 49:8Gen 49:10 that the chiefe gouernment ſhould be in the tribe of Judah. Whereas therfore Iſhai the father of David was of the tribe of Judah which had the promis, it is ſo much the more likely that ſome one might be taken thence, vntounto whome the Kingdome ſhould be eſtabliſhed: then of the family of Kiſh the father of Saul, being of the tribe of Benjamin, vntounto whome no ſuch promis p. 6was made. Inſomuch that whereas it had pleaſed God, now for a time to call Saul vntounto the kingdom, it may ſéeme that it was no more, but to make a readier way vntounto the other that was to ſtand: and therewithal to ſet downe a patterne vntounto all Princes that were to follow. A readier way might be made thereby vntounto the other that was to ſtand, both for that thereby they ſhould now be inured to ſome obedience: and for that they were woont to obey, not only a meane man by parentage, and of the leaſt tribe among them all: but alſo in ſuch hard caſes ſomtimes, as wilful regiment is wont to yeeld. A patterne likewiſe may therein be left to all Princes whatſoeuer, to take good heed to their maner of gouernment, when as they may ſee, with what ſeueritie the Lord did puniſh thoſe two faults in the firſt King of Iſrael, in whom there were many good things otherwiſe found: that ſo they may the better vnderſtand, that although God doth put vp many greater matters at their hands ſince for a time; yet may they before hand ſee, how they are like to be dealt withall, when the day of vengeance ſhall come, vnleſſe they prouide for it before. Thoſe other things which to that preſent time apperteined, are two, his outward annointing, and the inward grace that was giuen withall.1. Sam. In his outward annointing we are to conſider, that it was butbb16.1.5.13. priuatly done, in the houſe of Iſhai (or at the moſt, but only in that one towne, which was but little in reſpect of the whole people) and yet notwithſtanding a ſufficient teſtimonie vntounto himſelfe, and to thoſe that knewe it: and that both his fathercc16.10.11. left out him, in that account, and Samuel the Prophet alſodd16.6. could well hauehave ſetled his choice in one of the other. The inward grace that was giuen withall, was theee16.13. Spirit of the Lord which then came vponupon him, and wherewith, from that day forward, he was endewed. How effectually God did commend him to others, may likewiſe appeare,How beneficiall David was made, both to the King, and to the people. for that ſhortly after he wrought forth of him ſome ſpeciall benefit vntounto others: and in others likewiſe a ſpeciall fauour to him againe. The benefit that it pleaſed God to worke forth of him vntounto others, did partly reſpect Saul himſelf: and partly y^e whole hoaſt of Iſrael. That which reſpecteth Saul himſelfe was, thatff16.23. by his inſtrument he ſometimes eaſed the p. 7Kings mind, when by the euill ſpirit of the Lord, he was vexed with his melancholy paſſions. That which reſpected the whole hoaſt of Iſrael generally, was y^e ſlaughter of Goliath. Concerning which, to the end that the benefit, that it pleaſed God to worke forth of David in that action, vntounto them all generally, may better appeare, it ſhalbe good, more ſpecially to conſider, both how ſore an enemie that Goliath was vntounto them: and how notably David deliuered them from him. How ſore an enemie he was vntounto them, may ſoone appeare, whether we conſider, what terror might iuſtly proceede from him to the children of Iſrael: or whether we regard the great feare that they had of him. The terror that might iuſtly proceede from him to themwards, doth partly ariſe out of the conſideration of himſelfe alone: but chiefly of him and his companie together. He alone was not only ofgg17.4. extraordinarie ſtature, and ſtrength (farre excéeding the ordinarie proportion of others) andhh17.5.7. furniſhed with armour, and weapon accordingly: but alſo, both a naturall enemie to the people of God, and to their religion; and ſo confident in himſelfe and his companie, that heii17.10.45. defied the hoaſt of Iſrael, and God himſelfe. His companie alſo might well be terrible to the people of Iſrael, both becauſe that they alſo were naturall enemies, both to themſelues, and to the truth that they profeſſed: and ſometimes before had the children of Iſrael in ſtrong ſubiection. The children of Iſrael were ſo afraid of him, thatkk17.11.24. they did not only feare to encounter him: but alſo ſhrank aſide at his preſence for verie feare. How notably David deliuered the people from theſe their enemies, may likewiſe appeare, not only in that which he did, but alſo in the maner of doing it. That which he did, was, that he deſtroyedll17.49.51. that outgrowne monſter Goliath: and therewithall ſtroke ſuch a terror into the hearts of all the other Philiſtims, that forthwithmm17.51. they turned their backs, and fled. His maner of doing the ſame was notable, both for vndertaking the attempt at the firſt, and afterward in the performance of it. In his vndertaking of it at the firſt, we are to conſider, how ſtrong temptation he had againſt it: and whereby notwithſtanding he conceiued vndoubted hope to preuaile. The temptation that he had ſo ſtrong againſt it, was p. 8partly in Eliab his eldeſt brother, and partly in Saul the King himſelfe. In his brother Eliab he foundnn17.28. himſelfe reuiled and diſdained in plentifull meaſure, only for that he did ſo much as talke of the matter: in Saul likewiſeoo17.33. his attempt condemned, as altogether impoſſible, for him to bring to any good proofe. The thing whereby he ſtrengthned himſelf againſt theſe temptations was an inuincible faithpp17.34.37. vponupon the experience of Gods goodnes towards him, in two ſuch like attempts before. In his performance of it we ſée likewiſe, that he notably behaued himſelfe both in his preparation towards it: and in the execution it ſelfe, when he came vntounto it. In his preparation we ſee, that heqq17.39. refuſed Sauls armour, and all the ordinarie furniture of war, and tooke vntounto him but only hisrr17.40. Sling, and a fewe ſtones for the ſame. In the execution it ſelfe we plainly ſee, that firſt he did notablyſſ17.45.47. rebuke the inſolencie and pride of that mighty Giant, and then though he had no other weapon but only his Sling, yet did hett17.48. haſten with maruelous courage to encounter with him.What favour it pleaſed God to worke in others to David againe. That ſpeciall fauour that it pleaſed God to worke forth in others to him againe, was partly found in the firſt benefit that redounded to Saul alone: but much better in this that redounded to all. In his firſt benefit that redounded to Saul alone, we find thus much, both that he diduu16.21. louelove him verie well, & gaue therewithall good tokens of it: one, that hexx16.21. made him his harnes-bearer, the other, that heyy16.22. ſent to his father to hauehave him ſtill (thoughzz17.15.55. as it ſeemeth, David taried not long there.) In his latter that redounded to all, we find that God procured him fauour, both with certaine ſpeciall perſons, and with the whole multitude alſo. Thoſe ſpeciall perſons were, Saul himſelfe, and two of his children. In Saul we find, thataa18.2. now he would ſuffer him to returne no more vntounto his father: and thatbb18.5. both he vſed him in diuers of his affaires, and ſet him ouer his men of war. Thoſe two children of Saul, in whoſe hearts God had wrought forth a fauour to Dauid, were Jonathan his ſon, and Michal his daughter. In Jonathan was wrought a verie ſingular and rare good will: inſomuch that he iscc18.1.3. ſaid, not only to louelove David as his owne ſoule, but alſo to hauehave expreſſed the ſame by notable tokens. One was, that hedd18.3. made a couenant p. 9with him; and that of louelove: the other, that heee18.4. tooke from his owne bodie, and beſtowed on him, both abiliments of honour, and furniture to the field likewiſe. In Michal likewiſe was wrought ſuch good will, that both at the firſt ſheff18.20. loued him, as one whom ſhe would be glad to make her huſband (that ſo wheras Saul gg17.25.before had promiſed to giuegive one of his daughters in mariage to him that ſhould ſlay Goliath, now he might the better performe it, and David might thereby hauehave a readier way to that whereunto God had called him a little before) andhh19.11.12. after ſaued his life likewiſe. In the multitude we alſo finde, not only that they thought very well of him for this his victorie: but alſo that they did the like of his other behauiour beſides, in ſuch things as were now at the firſt commended vntounto him. For this is his victorieii18.6.7. they do not only welcome him home in very good manner, out of all their cities, and with their inſtruſtuments of muſick: but alſokk18.7. rightly apportion the commendation thereof, yeelding to Saul, the ordinary power, the prayſe of one thouſand; but vntounto David, or to the extraordinary goodnes of God, no leſſe than ten thouſand. And as for his other behauiour likewiſe, in all ſuch things wherein it pleaſed Saul to imploy him,ll18.5. it is alſo recorded, that he was accepted, or highly ē ſtéemed in the ſight of all the people: and, that is more, euen in the ſight of Sauls ſeruants alſo.

3 Whether the Lord hauehave in like ſort dealt in theſe dayes of ours, is now to bee ſeene: that is,That ſuch a like thing is in theſe dayes done, on behalfe of the Goſpell likewiſe. whether in ſuch ſort he hath brought in any David (vponupon the want that is found in others) as that by the nature and courſe of his dealing therein, we may hope to ſee the ſame David, to be by him not only aduaunced, but eſtabliſhed alſo for euer. Concerning which it is moſt certeyne, that in theſe dayes alſo he hath begun to aduance ſuch a David, and ſo fitly agreeing to the patterne that is here ſet downe, as that wee may vponupon good ground looke to ſee the full accompliſhment thereof in his good time. For whereas Chriſt and his Goſpell can in no wiſe bee parted, and ſeeing that the Goſpell is the ſcepter of his kingdome here on earth, whatſoeuer wiſedome and power of God we finde in the manner of Davids aduancement, looke by what right wee may tranſlate the p. 10ſame from David vntounto the perſon of Chriſt, as from the figure vntounto the trueth, by as good right may wee tranſlate it vntounto the Goſpell likewiſe, the only Scepter of his kingdome on earth. Firſt therefore néedes muſt it alſo be ſo inſeperably annexed vntounto the gouernment that was promiſed to the tribe of Iudah, that by vertue of the promiſe made vntounto it, wee may looke for the accompliſhment in this likewiſe. And it may be, that for that cauſe eſpecially God hath for ſo long a time (in the late power of darkneſſe) inured Chriſtendome vntounto ſo baſe and hard a gouernment (much worſe then was that ſame of Saules) that ſo the lawfull, and moſt bleſſed regiment of the Goſpel (otherwiſe irkſome to fleſh and blood) might be more welcome, not only to the children of God, but euen to the common multitude alſo. It may be alſo, that ſeeing that Princes hauehave gouerned ſo ill, as for the moſt part they hauehave al done (few of them ſo tollerably as did King Saul) therefore the Lord doth now begin to aduance the Goſpell, that ſo thoſe godleſſe and careles Princes may better ſee what their gouernment was, that now by the Goſpell they finde to bee ſo playnlie called vntounto the checke, and in many things ſo ſharply reprooued, and ſo flatly condemned likewiſe. For it is meete, that if the caſting away of Saul will not ſerue to bee a warning vntounto them, then that they, and their gouernment alſo ſhould be remooued, ſo farre as is néedfull, that they be no hinderance to the Goſpell of Chriſt.In what ſort it is annoynted. In the outward annoynting, that the Goſpell hath had in theſe dayes of ours, though wee denie not but great fault is found: yet in effect is it none other, but ſuch as was in Davids alſo. For if they ſay, that the Goſpell (with vsus) was not at the firſt receiued by any publike conſent of all: no more was it at the beginning in the time of Chriſt and his Apoſtles; neither had David at the firſt any ſuch annoynting. If they ſay, that the wiſer and greater ſort made but little reckoning of it, and had better liking to their owne profeſſion: yet therein alſo they alleage nothing els, but the ſame that before we did ſee, to be the portion of David likewiſe. And ſeeing that the Goſpell now, hath the inward teſtimonie of the ſpirit in ſo plentifull meaſure (for that now alſo the blind do ſee, the deaffe do heare, the lame do go, the ſicke are cured, p. 11the dead are rayſed, and ſuch like; and the ſame, not only in particular perſons, and ſeuerall congregations, but in whole States, and diuers mightie Kingdomes likewiſe) ſuch petite quarels about the outward annoynting, can be no great matter, when as the outward is by the inward ſo throughly confirmed. But to make it more out of doubt, may we not ſee (if wee looke well about vsus) that God hath made a way to the Goſpell, euen as before he did vntounto David? And though his wiſedome and power be infinite, and ſo he were able to deuiſe and vſe many other wayes whatſoeuer: yet may we not ſee, that he hath done it in the ſelf ſame maner, that he vſed for David before; that ſo by the former, we might the ſooner acknowledg his hand in the latter? For firſt we may ſee,How beneficiall the Goſpell is made vntounto divers. Firſt in comforting our troubled mindes. that by the Goſpell hee hath beſtowed great benefits on many: and namely ſuch, as it pleaſed him by the hands of David to beſtowe vponupon others. It pleaſed God, by the inſtrument, and muſik of David, to giuegive vntounto Saul ſome eaſe in thoſe mad fits of his? And doth hee not much more appeaſe the troubled and deſperate conſcience of man with that ſpirituall and heauenly muſik, which by his Goſpell hee bringeth vntounto vsus: and by that notable Harmony that is betwixt the old Teſtament, and the new, in thoſe great mercies of God towards all beléeuers now, aſwell as to the Patriarkes & Prophets before, and by the vertue of that Communion, wherby he hath coupled all the Saints together in one? And in what manner or meaſure ſoeuer the euill ſpirit departed from Saul, and gaue him ſome reſpit, whenſoeuer David played on his Harpe vntounto him: ſure wee are, that when as now the ſonne of David playeth on his inſtrument vntounto vsus by the preaching of the Goſpell, wee hauehave not only a great refreſhing in our inward man, but alſo are cleane rid of many euill ſpirits that before did much moleſt vsus. The ſeruants of Saul taking his maladie to be but naturall, thought of no other helpe but naturall alſo: yet did it pleaſe the goodnes of God, to bleſſe the naturall helpe that they ſought, with ſupernatural operation. So now likewiſe, though many that know not their owne eſtate, giuegive eare to the Goſpell but only in ſome earthly reſpects: yet thoſe alſo oftimes are vouchſafed an extraordinarie and ſpeciall bleſſing thereby, accompanied p. 12with euerlaſting peace.Then in the overthrow of certeyne of our Philiſtims, and of their Goliah withall. As for the other benefite of David, that belonged to the whole hoſt of Iſrael, by the ouerthrow of Goliath, and conſequently of the whole armie of the Philiſtims beſides, that is (among vsus) ſo euidently and plainly performed by the Goſpell of Chriſt, that I ſhall not neede to ſtand to declare it. For our Philiſtims alſo hauehave their Goliath, an outgrowne monſter, of merueilous ſtature, much greater a great deale (as his Canoniſtes ſay; and vſurpation, wee knowe hath brought him vntounto) then the greateſt of the great men of the earth: his furniture likewiſe, ſtrong, and fearefull: a naturall enemie to the people of God, and to God himſelfe: his mouth ſpeaking proud and cruell things agaynſt God and his people: comming into the field with a mightie armie, all enemies vntounto the Trueth, and to all the profeſſors of it: ſuch as heretofore hauehave had the people of God in great ſubiection: of whom alſo the children of Iſrael hauehave been ſo afrayd, that they durſt not abide their preſence, but hauehave fled from them by heapes: none of them al hauing the heart to encounter with that ſtrong & mightie Giant, ſo fearfully armed, and bluſtering out ſo terrible ſpeaches. But now we alſo (God be prayſed) hauehave our David in the power of the Goſpell, that Ieſus Chriſt (the ſonne of David) hath now in theſe dayes ſent vntounto vsus. When our brethren diſdayned to heare vsus talke of any ſuch matter; when the wiſer ſort thought it impoſſible; without Saules armour, without any earthly helpe whatſoeuer: vponupon aſſurance of ſuch like matters before atchieued, with a ſting & a ſtone, is Goliath with great courage incountered, and with as good ſucceſſe, in a manner cleane ouerthrowne, euen when the attempt was either diſtruſted, or ſcorned of all. The reſidue alſo of thoſe godleſſe and idolatrous Philiſtims, ſeeing their champion ſo little able to ſtand before David, are likewiſe diſcomfited, and ſeeke to ſaue them ſelues by flight,Such favours likewiſe ſhewed foorth to the Goſpell, as were ſhewed to David before. ſo well as they can. The fauours alſo, that by the goodneſſe of God are ſhewed, to the Goſpell, and to thoſe that profeſſe it, are not inferiour to thoſe that were (as before is declared) ſhewed to David. For (God be thanked) there be diuers euen of our earthly Princes (ſuch as are no better then Saul) that ſeeing the dignitie and mightie working of the Goſpell p. 13of Chriſt in theſe dayes of ours, are ſo taken with the maieſtie of it, that themſelues louelove both it, and many of thoſe that profeſſe it alſo, as much as Saul at that time loued David, and that was, as the text ſayth, very well: and, to confirme the ſame the better, both deſire to reteyne it ſtill; and beſtowe honorable roomes, and of ſpeciall credit, on thoſe that profeſſe it. Some Ionathans alſo, and godly Princes we hauehave beſides, that louelove the Goſpell moſt entirely: and, for the Goſpels ſake, and for the louelove that they beare thereunto, do gladly make a couenant with it, and with thoſe that profeſſe it; and from their owne backes moſt freely beſtow vponupon it, and on thoſe that profeſſe it, both ornaments of honor, and conuenient furniture likewiſe. Neither doth the Goſpell altogether want thoſe Michals neither, that is, ſuch godly and Chriſtian ſoules, as though they be according to the fleſh deſcended of Saul, yet beare they ſo ſpeciall a louelove vntounto David, that both they deſire to bee ioyned together in mariage with him: and are readie at al times, as need ſhall require, to ſaue the liues of thoſe that are of the Trueth (whereſoeuer they come to any ſuch daunger) how neere ſoeuer they bee vntounto them, by whom ſuch perſecution is mooued. And ſo farre as Michals good will may ſtand in ſtead, in time to come to helpe to the kingdome, ſo farre alſo ſhe doth not ſticke, now to beſtowe the ſame vponupon him. Amongſt the multitude alſo many there be, that are heartily glad to ſee our Philiſtims alſo with their Goliath, to bee ſo much brought downe as they are; to whom our David in that reſpect is merueilous welcome: who alſo hauehave learned ſo to diſtinguiſh, betwixt the ſpeciall working of God, and the ſecondary meanes that he vſeth, that although they giuegive vntounto Saule his thouſand alſo, yet do they euer keepe their ten thouſand for David alone. Neither do they thus ſolemnize only this victorie of the Goſpell; but alſo conceiue a ſpeciall good liking of the whole courſe and proceeding of it: and not only thoſe that are the freeſt, and ſo may ſafelier like as they liſt, without controulment; but many of the ſeruants of our Sauls likewiſe, ſuch as on their maiſters behalf hauehave no ſuch cauſe to like of David. Where we ſee thus much already, there may we hope there is more behind, and in due time to be accompliſhed.

p. 144 To find out now in what ſort it pleaſed God to bring him to the kingdome,That for a time David was exerciſed with great affliction, before that he was brought unto the Kingdom. after that once he had annointed him vntounto it, and ſo effectually commended him to others, we are to knowe, that he did not bring him vntounto it, till firſt he had notably exerciſed him with much affliction, ſundrie trials, and many croſſes caſt in the way. So are we firſt to conſider of thoſe his afflictions, and then how it pleaſed God notwithſtanding, at length to bring him vntounto the Kingdome. His afflictions were ſuch perſecutions and moleſtations, as it pleaſed Saul to ſtir vp againſt him. Concerning which it is to be knowne, that they were eſpecially two: whereof the former was finiſhed with a reconciliation that was made by Jonathans meanes: the other continued ſo long as Saul himſelf did liue.His former perſecution. Concerning the former of theſe two, we are firſt to ſée vponupon what occaſion it was raiſed againſt him: and then what was the maner of it. The occaſion of it was firſt his owne diſtemperature:The occaſion of it. then the towardnes or likelyhood that David was in, to come to the Kingdome. His owne diſtemperature (we may plainely ſée) might well be great, not only becauſe the euill ſpirit of the Lordaa16.14. was ſent vntounto him, andbb16.15.18.10.19.9. oft did vexe him: but alſo for that we may ſée likewiſe, thatcc18.8.9.20.31. it gréeued him much to part with the Kingdome. And then leſſe marueile, if he were ſo far out of temper, and conſequently ſo rageous withall, when as he did ſo impatiently take ſo great a loſſe: and ſometimes alſo was extraordinarily vexed by that euill ſpirit, that from the Lord was ſent vntounto him. The towardnes or likelihood that David was in, to come to the Kingdom, was firſt in that ſentence of God, that now it ſhould be giuen to another: then for that David was likelieſt to be that other that God did ſpeake of. For the text doth not ſhew, that he knew as yet of Davids annointing: and, becauſe that he neuer ſaid any thing to Samuel about it, nor otherwiſe maketh any mention of it, it is the moſt likely, that he did not knowe of it. Yet thus much he knew, thatdd13.14.15.23.26.28. Samuel had told him twiſe alreadie, that the Lord had caſt him away, and now prouided himſelfe of another: and he might well ſee, that David was likelieſt to be that other, both for thatee17.34.36.38.51. God had wrought ſuch things by him, and for theff18.7. fauour that now he p. 15had gotten. Concerning the maner of this his firſt perſecution, firſt he ſought by ſecret meanes,The maner of it. Firſt in ſecret. to hauehave taken away the life of David: and then he ſet in hand more openly with it. Secretly he did attempt, firſt by his owne hands to hauehave done it: and then by the Philiſtims. By his owne hands he would firſt hauehave done it, at ſuch timegg18.10. as he was in one of his fits, as David was playing on his inſtrument to mitigate his paſſions, euen on the morrow after that they came home from the ſlaughter of Goliath, and the Philiſtims: hh18.11.twiſe together he had in his mind, for to hauehave executed this miſcheuous purpoſe. A wonderfull thing that he ſhould be ſo minded, though he had bin ſo minded but once: not only in reſpect of the fact it ſelfe, but alſo in reſpect of diuers circumſtances thereunto apperteining. The fact it ſelfe muſt néedes hauehave bin wilfull murther: then the which there néeded no greater, both to hauehave conuinced him of great iniquitie before men, and vtterly to hauehave caſt himſelfe away before God. The circumſtances that are, do chiefly appertaine vntounto their perſons, but partly alſo vntounto the time. The perſons are two: Saul, and David. Saul being the King, and ſo conſequently being ordeined to be the mainteiner of equitie, and a buckler and ſhield vntounto the oppreſſed, ought not to hauehave made ſuch a fault himſelfe: beſides that at that time, being in one of his fits, and ſenſibly féeling the hand of God vponupon him for his former ſinnes, he ſhould rather hauehave vſed it to his further amendment, then ſo to take the aduantage of it, to a further miſchiefe. David was not only innocent, but alſo had (in that verie matter for the which he ſhould hauehave bin deſtroied) deſerued marueilous well, both of all generally, for that he had giuen ſo great an ouerthrowe vntounto the common enimie of all, and eſpecially of Saul, becauſe they were, by reaſon of the perſon that he ſuſteined, enemies to none ſo much as to him. The time when he would hauehave done this miſchiefe, was the verie next day after that they were welcomed home from the victorie, the people reioicing and ſinging vntounto them, that Saul had ſlaine his thouſand, and David his ten thouſand: as vnſeaſonable a time for ſuch a purpoſe, as could be deuiſed, becauſe that as yet the benefit that he had receiued was ſo freſh, that it ought ſo to hauehave filled p. 16all the powers of his mind with all thankefull remembrāce, as that there might hauehave bin no corner at all in his heart, wherein ſo much as a little ſpark of ſo great vnthankfulnes might find any place. In that he had this purpoſe twiſe, it doth both argue his vnthankfulnes and ill dealing to be ſo much the greater: and might be withall a warning to David not to thinke, that becauſe Saul had once failed, when firſt he attempted to do him that miſchiefe, he would neuer for ſhame attempt it againe. When this way failed, he then thought good, that it ſhould be done by the Philiſtims: his hand now ſhould not be vponupon him. And that by y^e Philiſtims it might better be done, heii18.13. both gaue him the charge of a thouſand men, and would needeskk18.17.21. ſet him foorth one of his daughters in mariage alſo. In giuing him charge ouer ſuch a band of ſouldiers, he would ſeeme, not only to put him in truſt, but alſo to ſeeke his preferment and honour: and yet (in truth) he ſought nothing elſe but his ouerthrow, hoping that by that occaſion, more boldly encountering with the enemie, one time or other he ſhould be ouerthrowne. In ſetting him forth one of his daughters in mariage, and in ſuch ſort as he did, (bothll18.22.25. earneſtly labouring it by ſuch meanes as he vſed, andmm18.25. requiring of him no other dowry, but an hundreth foreſkins of the Philiſtims) although (in truth) he ſoughtnn18.17.21.25. nothing elſe in this alſo, but only his ouerthrow: yet herein did he ſéeke it more cunningly (and therefore to David ſo much more dangerouſly) for that hereby he would ſeeme, both to beare a ſpeciall fauour to David, and, in the ouerthrow of the enemy, chiefly to reſpect the cauſe of religion. The former of them is plaine inough in it ſelfe. The latter alſo doth plainly appeare, for that he doth not require their heads, or other parts, but only their foreſkins: which (in thoſe dayes) was a ſpeciall difference betwixt the people of God, and the heathen. When he had made ſome triall of thoſe ſecret practiſes,Then openly. and found that they neuer came to any ſuch proofe, as he deſired (but on y^e other ſideoo18.27.28. that they were meanes to make David both much ſtronger, and more renouned then he was before) being able now to ſtay no longer, hepp18.29.19.1. brake forth into open perſecution, and gaue ſpeciall charge both vntounto Jonathan, and to all his ſeruants, one p. 17way or other to make him away: wherein it ſeemeth, that he vſed Ionathan, as one of whome he might be aſſured: the others for the ſpedier diſpatch of the matter. It might ſéeme that he might make ſure of Ionathan, both becauſe he was his ſonne, and eſpecially becauſe that the cauſe was his, ſo néere as it was. For being the Kings ſonne, and next to the Crowne by lineall deſcent, it was likely in reaſon, that he would hauehave bin as readie as Saul, to hauehave taken David out of the way. And his other ſeruants being many, it was likely alſo, that ſéeing he gaue the charge to them all, it muſt needs be quickly diſpatcht: either for emulation among themſelues; who ſhould firſt gratifie the King therein, or for that ſome one or other among ſo manie was like to be found, that would attempt any miſchiefe whatſoeuer, hauing once the Kings commandement for it. Howbeit, Ionathan héereupon ſoqq19.4.5. laboured the King (after thatrr19.2.3. firſt he had warned David to keepe himſelfe cloſe) that he wrought a reconciliation betwixt them: and ſo this firſt perſecution ceaſſed.

5 In which poynt if we come to our ſelues,That the Goſpell in theſe dayes is vnderunder the like perſecution alſo. and to the eſtate of theſe our dayes wherein we liue, it is euident enough, that although the courſe of the Goſpell be in ſuch ſort bleſſed alreadie, as that we may ſee that it is like to preuayle in the end: yet is it ſo croſſed alſo by many, that it is not to be looked for of vsus, but that it is to paſſe through great tribulation, before that it ſhall atteyne to the victorie that after enſueth. And as it was Saul the King of Iſrael, that ſo perſecuted David, and held him back (ſo much as he could) from the eſtate that God had prouided for him: euen ſo we may ſee (at this day alſo) many Princes & great ſtates of Chriſtendome, much to hinder the courſe of the Goſpell; and, as they finde opportunitie to ſerue their turne, ſtill to ſtirre vp perſecution agaynſt it. But to the end that all things may ſo much the better appeare in eueryevery poynt, if wee conſider the matter well, we may plainly ſee,The occaſion of this perſecution to be al one with the other. that ſuch as was the occaſion, and ſuch as was the manner of that perſecution of his; ſuch alſo is the occaſion, and ſuch is the manner of this perſecution of theirs alſo. For firſt as touching the occaſion of it, not only Saul was ſo much mooued vntounto it by that euil ſpirit to perſecute p. 18David: but theſe alſo, out of the ſelfſame ſolicitation, come forth with many of their perſecutions agaynſt the Goſpell. For though by the common corruption of nature themſelues alſo are bent agaynſt it, euen of themſelues, without the ſolicitation or helpe of an other: yet after that themſelues are diſpoſed ſtill to abide in that corruption of theirs (refuſing the Goſpell, by which they ſhould be begotten agayne the children of God) it is moſt certeyne, that they cannot bee alone in any ſuch action of theirs as this. For he that goeth about like a roring Lion, ſeeking whom he may deuoure, finding them ſo fit inſtruments for his purpoſe, to trouble the courſe of the Goſpell, and to moleſt the profeſſors thereof, will ſoone bee with them, and hurrie them headlong to and fro to his moſt aduantage. So that it neede not to be doubted, but is in it ſelf ſo cleare as may be, that moſt of our perſecutions alſo, that are by worldly and godleſſe Princes rayſed agaynſt vsus, may well bee referred to that euill ſpirit that reigneth in the world, and hath alreadie ſo ſtrongly poſſeſſed theſe Saules of ours. Neither is it only by this euill ſpirit of the Lord, that theſe Saules of ours are ſo farre out of temper: but for that it gréeueth them alſo to part with their kingdome. Not that the Goſpell doth any way meddle in the diſpoſing of earthly kingdomes, or to encomber the title of any (whether it be by deſcent, or election; of one, or mo; or whatſoeuer other forme their ſtate may hauehave:) but for that it calleth to account their maner of gouernment, and ſometime vrgeth them to make a plaine alteration of it. For commonly it findeth the Princes of the world ſo farre out of order in their maner of gouernment (in matters of religion very often: and ſometimes in ſuch things alſo as do concerne their ciuill eſtate) that it cannot but ſtrongly vrge them to make alteration therein. So farre therefore as they are wedded vntounto their corrupt manner of gouernment, and ſo farre as they account their kingdomes and ſtates to ſtand therby: ſo farre alſo may they ſtand in ſome doubt of their kingdomes by reaſon of the Goſpell, and feare that it will moleſt them therein. And then is it (in this reſpect alſo) no great merueile, if many of them be ſo ill minded towards the Goſpell, as ſuch diſcourteſies of theirs do import. On the other p. 19ſide, as the towardlineſſe of David was one of the matters that ſo much did whet Saul agaynſt him: ſo at this day alſo it is not the leaſt, that mooueth Princes to bee ſo greeuous agaynſt the Goſpell, becauſe they ſee that it is ſo likely to preuayle as it is. For they ſee well enough that the Goſpell hath the ſelfe ſame likelihoods to preuayle that David had. For as touching that manner of gouernment which worldly Princes hauehave ſet vp of themſelues, but not agreeable to the word of God, the text it ſelfa.a.Ier. 23.1.8. Eze. 34.1.24. Nah. 3.17.19. Zec 11.8.15.17. Math. 15.13. 2. Cor. 10.5. &c.Jer 23:1Jer 23:8Ezek 34:1Ezek 34:24Nah 3:17Nah 3:19Matt 15:132 Cor 10:5 doth plainly witneſſe (more often then twiſe) that it muſt be remooued, and a better brought in, in the place thereof. And that it is the kingdome of Chriſt, whereunto thoſe others are to giuegive place, and which is to ſucceede in their roumes, is in like ſort playnlie ſet downeb.b.Iſay. 9.5.6. Dan. 2.44.45.Isa 9:5Isa 9:6Dan 2:44Dan 2:45 in many places, or rather throughout the whole courſe of the Scripture, from the beginning vntounto the ending: beſides that in theſe dayes of ours, not only ſuch great things are done thereby; but it hath gotten great fauour alſo. That ſuch great things are done thereby, as before were done by David, may ſufficiently appeare in that which is before ſet downe: and that it hath gotten ſuch fauour with many, is playnlie ſeene in theſe dayes of ours, when as many Princes and States hauehave wholly yeelded to the obedience of it, and not a fewe among thoſe alſo that are moſt agaynſt it. Neither is it materiall in this caſe of ours, that the annoynting of this our David hath not been in ſo publike manner, as fleſh and bloud would conceiue had been moſt conuenient. Men may not looke to beare ſuch a ſway in the matters of God. The Goſpell is not therefore to be refuſed by any, becauſe they were not made priuie vntounto the inauguration of it, nor called vntounto it. God that is free, and in nothing to hang vponupon any, is in ſuch caſe eſpecially to ſhewe it, and euer to vſe his freedome therein.It proceedeth in the ſelf ſame manner that was vſed in the other before. As touching the manner of their perſecution, that vponupon this occaſion they hauehave rayſed, therein alſo they do fitly anſwer the patterne that we find in the other. For firſt they labour themſelues to do it in ſecret: then do they openly fall vntounto it. In ſecret alſo ſometimes they labour themſelues to do it:Firſt in ſecret. ſometimes agayne they will hauehave it done by the hand of others. And euen as Saul being the King, would neuertheleſſe by his owne hands hauehave taken him away p. 20in very ill manner: ſo are there diuers of our Princes alſo that hauehave not thought it vnſeemly for them, to lend foorth their owne hands to the perſecution of the Goſpell, altogether in as ill maner as Saul in that other. If that which Saul meant agaynſt David were no leſſe then murther: neither can theſe Saules of ours hold themſelues contented with leſſe. Inſomuch that they which by vertue of their office ought to bee a ſhield and defence to all thoſe that are oppreſſed, themſelues are readie, euen with their owne hands to do that violence, that in no wiſe they ſhould ſuffer to be offered by any. And, as they are as forward as Saul in this: ſo are they not behind in the other neither, for diuers of them. For on them alſo is layd the hand of God in ſenſible maner, and in ſuch ſort (either on their owne perſon, or on their States) as doth plainly vrge them vntounto repentance, and namely to ſtriue no longer agaynſt the Goſpell offered vntounto them: and yet being vnderunder ſome ſuch ſpeciall hand of God, they neuertheleſſe hauehave a ſecret intent, one way, or other to make away the Goſpell of Chriſt, and vtterly to chace it away from the face of the earth. And as David had deſerued merueilous well, in that very matter for the which he ſhould hauehave been deſtroyed, both of all generally, and more ſpecially of Saul: ſo the Goſpel likewiſe of thoſe that croſſe it ſo much as they do, both generally of them altogether, and more ſpecially of thoſe that are the leaders of them. For the Goſpell alſo in theſe our dayes, and before our eyes (wee ſtanding by and looking thereon) hath ouerthrowne thoſe Philiſtims of ours: which were both common enemies vntounto all; and ſpecially to Princes themſelues. Common enemies they were vntounto all, whether wee reſpect the ſlauerie that they held vsus in; or whether wee reſpect the corruption of religion and life, that they brought with them. VntoUnto Princes more ſpecially they were ſo daungerous enemies, both becauſe that they tooke them downe, and got aboue them: and for that the corruption that they bring with them is ſo contrary as it is, vntounto the right and orderly gouernment of any ſtate. The time likewiſe is the ſame with theſe, that it was with Saul: immediatly after that they hauehave receiued, by the benefite of the Goſpell, ſo many good bleſſings, as ought to hauehave filled all the p. 21powers of them with moſt thankfull eſtimation thereof. And whereas Saul (as yet) had this purpoſe with him but twiſe, theſe of ours hauehave had it more often: and therewithall doe both ſhewe themſelues more playnlie, and leaue a ſufficient warning to others, how little in ſuch caſe they are to be truſted. But when themſelues are not able ſo to performe their ſecret intents, then will they ſeeme buſily to ſeeke the preferment of thoſe, whom they would hauehave ſo fayne diſpatched: then muſt they bee put in ſome ſpeciall truſt; then muſt there bee treatie of ſome ſpeciall mariage. Which things are ſo cleare in themſelues, that wee neede not take any paynes to ſhewe them: this only ſhalbe ſufficient for vsus, to knowe what they meane, when any of that ſort, do offer ſuch fauours to any of vsus. Our ſelues may yet very well remember (and cannot forget it, would we neuer ſo fayne) what hurt the cauſe of religion ſuſteyneth by accepting ſuch courteſies from them. And yet notwithſtanding, as in ſome particular caſes the cauſe of religion hath been for a time hindred thereby; ſo hath it been at other times (and that very often) by ſuch kinde of dealing notably holpen, though full ſore agaynſt their wils: God, of his goodneſſe, ſo diſpoſing, that the ſame that they had layd as a baite or ſnare vntounto vsus, ſhould turne to ſome great aduantage to the cauſe of the Goſpell, & withall be a ſnare to thoſe that layd it. And as Saul would ſeeme in that his preferment of David, not to ſeeke the ouerthrowe of any, but only of the common enemie of both: ſo hath it been the manner of diuers among vsus, with ſuch colour to caſt thoſe into daunger, by whom they hauehave ſeene the cauſe of the Goſpell to be mainteyned. To warre on the Turke for the holy land, was wont to bee an old tale to ſuch a purpoſe: but that being knowne vntounto all, and their deuiſe being growne much finer now, they handle their matters ſo much more cunningly, and ſo much the hardlier can bee eſpied. Whereby notwithſtanding themſelues do finde that they hauehave preuayled ſo little,Then openly. that as with Saul they hauehave walked in the darke for a time: ſo do they as readily with him alſo breake forth into open tyrannie. For howſoeuer it be the manner of ſuch, to diſpatch their purpoſes in ſecret, if they may: yet when in ſuch ſort they cannot come to the end of their wicked endeuours, then p. 22doe they fall openly in hande therewith, howſoeuer they can thinke, that any way is open vntounto them. And as Saul gaue a more ſpeciall charge vntounto Ionathan for the execution of that matter, and then generally to all his ſeruaunts beſides: ſo theſe likewiſe take the ſame courſe, that ſo they may the ſooner attain vntounto their deſire. They ſpecially ſtirre vp all ſuch Ionathans as they hauehave among them, that is, all ſuch, as may ſeeme to bee touched any thing nere, with the quarrell that they hauehave taken vponupon them: hoping that the neerer that they are touched with it, the more willing and ready they will be, to ioyne with them in this kind of quarrel the beſt that they can. And to the end that it faile not to be done, they in like ſort giuegive the ſame charge to all their ſeruaunts generally: that howſoeuer it may fall out, that ſome of them cannot be induced vntounto it, and others may want ſuch opportunities, or ſuch other meanes as were needefull to ſuch a purpoſe; yet among ſo many there might euer bee ſome, by whome it might bee as fully effected as themſelues coulde deſire. In which point, the likelihood in this caſe is ſo much the greater, as we may ſee, that the commaundement of a King to doe ſuch a matter, is in it ſelfe neuer ſo ſtrong, as when there is a perſwaſion conceiued, that the ſame hath a further warrant from the head of the church that cannot erre: and beeing done, as they thinke, on the behalfe of the catholicke Church, is not onelyonly allowable, but commendable alſo, and meritorious. Princes we may thinke, may hauehave their infirmities, and be ready ſomtimes, without any cauſe to take away ſuch, as they are offended withall. But when it is further, not onelyonly warranted, but ſtrongly alſo vrged by him, that is thought to do all things by the onelyonly direction of Gods holy ſpirite, that carieth ſuch a colour with many, as that they thinke, they neede no more to excuſe them for any thing, whatſoeuer it bee, euen before the iudgement ſeat of God himſelfe.

6 As touching the latter of thoſe perſecutiōs that againſt David were raiſed by Saul, His latter percecution.as it was by Saul more egerly followed then the former: ſo God on y^e other ſide afforded David a litle more help in this, then he did in the other. So are we here to cō ſider; firſt of the perſecutiō it felf, as it was raiſed againſt him by p. 23Saul: and then of that helpe,What the perſecution it ſelfe was. The occaſion of it. that herein it pleaſed God to giuegive him. In the perſecution it ſelfe we are again to conſider the occaſion of it, and then the maner of it likewiſe. The occaſion of it was in a maner the ſame that was before: Davids good ſucceſſe againſt the Philiſtims, and for that the euill ſpirite of the Lorde, was nowe againe come vponupon Saul. That Davids good ſucceſſe againſt the Philiſtims ſhould be ſome part of the occaſion, that now again he raiſed this perſecution againſt him, may well appeare, for that it goeth immediatly before in the text, thataa19.8. the warre began again with the Philiſtims, and that David, going foorth againſt them, put them to flight, and ſlewe them with a great ſlaughter. For Saul muſt needes perceiue thereby, that as that victory was honourable vntounto him: ſo muſt it make him the ſtronger alſo. That the returne of the euill ſpirite of the Lord vntounto him againe, was an other part of the occaſion alſo, may likewiſe appeare, for that it followeth immediatly after, (and before that any thing is noted of the maner of this perſecution)bb19.9. that the euil ſpirit of the Lord was vponupon him, at ſuch time, as when he firſt began this perſecution.The maner of it. As touching the maner of it, it is to be knowne, that euen as firſt he went about to do it in ſecret, & afterward openly: euen ſo now alſo hee ſtill obſerueth the ſame courſe. In his ſecret practiſing of it,Secretly firſt. we are to note, that firſt himſelfe purſueth David: and then ceaſing for a time from that purſuit, awaiteth when David, by the oportunitie of a ſpecial time, ſhould vnwittingly come into his hands of his own accord. Himſelfe purſueth him, firſt at hand: and then ſomewhat further of a ſunder. At hand he did it, as before; whencc19.9.10. David was playing on his inſtrument, ſomething to eaſe him of thoſe his paſſions: at which time Saul was ſecretly determined with himſelfe, with his Iaueling that he had in his hande, ſuddenly to hauehave ſtroken him vntounto the wall; and came ſo neere to the effecting of his purpoſe, that he ſtroke at him, & ſmote his ſpeare into the wall where David ſate. Somewhat further of he did it, immediatly after, when as David hereupon did flee, to ſaue himſelf: and that he did firſt by certaine meſſengers, and then by himſelf. By meſſengers he purſued him twiſe:dd19.11.17. firſt to his own houſe, whether he had eſcaped at that preſent; and then ſoone afteree19.18.21. to Naioth in Ramah, whither he fledde, after that p. 24he was fayne to leaue his own houſe to ſaue his life. In the former of theſe his purſuites of David, by his meſſengers, he doth plainly ſhew himſelfe to be egerly bent to hauehave his life, both by his dealing with thoſe his meſſengers, ſo long as he ſtoode in hope to obtayne the pray hee deſired: and by his dealing with Michal his daughter, Davids wife, after that he ſaw he was eſcaped. That dealing of his with thoſe his meſſengers, that conuinceth him to bee greedily bent to hauehave his life, reſteth in two principall points: firſt thatff19.11. he gaue them charge to kill him, when as he knew not how he himſelfe might be able to reache him; then, when they brought him word that hee was in his bed ſicke, thatgg19.15. he ſent them againe to ſee him, and to bring him away bed and all, that he might ſlay him. His dealing with Michal reſteth likewiſe in theſe two pointes: thathh19.17. hee rebuketh her for ſending him away, and counteth himſelfe mocked therin. And yet, both ſhe was his owne daughter: and now alſo giuen by himſelfe in mariage to David. Of which two conſiderations, as the former of them might well hauehave pacified him (in ſuch a caſe as this) euen onelyonly for that ſhe was his daughter: ſo the other ought to hauehave made him aſhamed alſo, that he ſhould ſo much as looke for, that ſhe, being his wife now, ſhoulde hauehave bene ſo trecherous vntounto her huſband. In the latter of his purſuits of David whē he heard that he was at Naioth in Ramah, in one point he doth better cloake that greedineſſe of his to hauehave his blood; but in another he bewrayeth himſelfe playnly again. He cloaketh his greedineſſe ſomewhat better, in that noweii19.20. hee giueth no further charge (that we read off) but only to take him, and to bring him vntounto him: which, it may be, was for the reuerence he bare vntounto Samuel kk19.18.with whom David ſoiourned now. That other point, wherein notwithſtanding hee plainly declared, how greedily he was bent to hauehave him, is, for that hee ſentll19.20.22. ſo often for him, (by three ſeuerall companies): & that,mm19.20. when as he vnderſtood in how wonderful maner the firſt ſort of them were defeated, and ſtrongly eluded (and yet in very gracious manner) by the mightie power of God. By himſelf hee manned foorth this his purſuit, when as he ſaw that his meſſengers had not done, as he would hauehave them: For thennn19 22. he went himſelfe p. 25alſo: loath to leeſe ſo goodly a pray, when now hee did ſo certainly know where to hauehave him. A ſtraunge, and yet a pitifull ſight, to ſee the King himſelfe, that ſhould be a defence vntounto the oppreſſed, ſo greedily to followe vponupon innocent bloode: and of ſuch a one too, as both had deſerued well before, and whome he might ſo playnly ſee, to be by the mighty hand of God defended now. When ſooo19.23.24 he was, in his owne perſon, in like ſort defeated (as all his three companies of catchpoles were before) then he ceaſed for a time from that purſuit, and awaited when David, by the oportunitie of a ſpeciall time, ſhould vnwittingly come into his handes of his owne accord. Which ſpeciall time was thepp20.5.18. new moone, or the beginning of the monethmonth next approching: and the opportunity which that time brought with it, was, for that at ſuch timesqq20.6. they held of cuſtom ſolemne feaſts vntounto the Lorde, and David at ſuch timesrr20.5.18. was to ſit at meate with the king. That Saul did ſecretely awayte this opportunity, the text it ſelfe doth not directly ſay: but yet may it bee gathered that ſo hee did, both becauſe thatſſ20.5.7. David conceiued that doubt of him, andtt20.5. thereupon abſented himſelfe to preuent the perill, and for that Saul uu20.30.31.33.was ſo very angry that hee was not there, andxx20.31. therewithall commaunded Ionathan forthwith to ſend for him thither, that he might ſlay him. That all this while hitherto Saul in this ſort purſued David but in ſecrete maner, ſauing onelyonly that he did impart his meaning to thoſe whom he vſed to that purpoſe (ſo needes he muſt, or at leaſt a good part of it) may hereby appeare, both for thatyy20.2.9. Ionathan was ſo ignoraunt of it, and thereupon would needes aſſure David that his father had no ſuch purpoſe: and for that David himſelfezz20.5.6. did not as yet openly ſhunne him, but abſented himſelfe vnderunder colour of other buſineſſe.Openly after. But being now againe in this ſort defeated of all his ſecret practiſes, he thereupon ſetteth in hand again to lay all coulours aſide now, and openly to ruſh vponupon it, howſoeuer he may. Wherein we hauehave ſet downe vntounto vsus, firſt how he rageth againſt others for Davids ſake: then how hee perſecuteth him ſelf likewiſe. His rage againſt others for Davids ſake,Firſt raging againſt others for Davids ſake. did partly appear, euen at that inſtant, when Ionathan excuſed that abſence of David: but much more a litle after. It did then p. 26partly appeare,Againſt Ionathan. becauſe at that time bothaa20.30. he fowly reuiled Ionathan his ſonne: and beſides thatbb20.33. caſt his ſpeare at him to hauehave ſlayne him. A little after it did more fully appeare, both in a certain ſpeeche of his to his ſeruants: & in his cruelty againſt certain others. In that ſpeech of his to his ſeruants, hee layeth greeuous things to the charge, partly of them al that were preſent: but eſpecially of David, and Ionathan alſo, who then was abſent. VntoUnto the charge of his ſeruaunts hee layeth, thatcc20.8. they alſo, and they all had conſpired againſt him (becauſe they tolde him not,Againſt his ſeruaunts. that his ſonne had made a couenaunt with David, and had ſtirred vp David againſt him,) and that none of them were ſory for him; anddd20.7. that by all likelihoode they were wonne thereunto by ſome great promiſes of David, both of commodities, and of preferments. VntoUnto the charge of Dauid and Ionathan he layethee20.8. that the one had conſpired againſt him,Againſt the Prieſts of the Lord. and to lye in wayte for him: and that the other had made a couenant with him, and ſet him on. Theſe others againſt whom he ſhewed ſuch cruelty, were certaine Prieſts of the Lorde, and many others together with them. Concerning which we are to note, both how great cruelty he ſhewed: and vponupon howe ſmall occaſion. His cruelty appeared for that heff22.18. ſlew ſo many prieſts of the Lorde, euen foureſcore and fiue: (which his**22.17. owne men abhorred ſo much, that he could not get them to be executioners of his bloody commaundement) andgg22.19. deſtroyed beſides both men, women, and children, Oxen, Aſſes, and Sheepe, and the whole city of Nob where thoſe Prieſtes had their aboade. The occaſion was ſmall, becauſe the fault (if any there were) was but inhh22.9.10. one man, Ahimelech only, and that none other, but that (ii22 14.15. not knowing then, but that David was in high fauour with Saul)kk22.10. he both aſked counſell for him of the Lord, and did a little relieue him with ſome victuals, and with a ſworde, ſuch as David had good right vntounto, hauing wonne it of Goliath before in the field: and all this,ll22.9.22. but vponupon the accuſation onelyonly of one euill perſon,Then againſt David himſelf. Doeg an Edomite. After that ſo he had raged againſt others, then doth he follow on David himſelfe: and that in ſuch ſort, that it may appeare hee was egerly ſet, not onelyonly by the nature of thoſe his purſuits in themſelues, but alſo by one ſpeciall circumſtance theron depending. As touching the nature p. 27of thoſe his purſuits in themſelues, it is ſet downe how he did follow vponupon him, firſt when David vponupon certaine occaſion, was now gotten into a citie: and then failing of his purpoſe there, afterwards in the fields at large. The citie wasmm23.1. Keilah, nnIoſ. 15.22.Josh 15:22in the tribe of Iudah, whetheroo23.5. David went to fight againſt the Philiſtims that came againſt it, & ſpoyled theraboutes: whom when David had ouerthrowne, he remained with the citizens of Keilah for a certaine ſeaſon. But whenpp23.7.8. Saul came againſt him, hoping now that he had him ſure,qq23.12.13. David vnderſtanding that the lords of Keilah would not ſtand faſt vntounto him, got him thence, and ſo defeated Saul in that his enterpriſe. How hee followed on him in the fields, we hauehave the ſame firſt ſet downe generally: then certaine of thoſe his purſuits more ſpecially. Concerning the former, there is no more ſet downe but this,rr23.14 that he ſought him eueryevery day. Concerning the other, there are ſet downe three ſpeciall purſuites: one of them broken of, by the comming in of the Philiſtims: the other two by the kindnes & faithfull caling of David himſelfe. That which was broken of by the comming of the Philiſtims, did haſſard David very ſore: partly for that the Ziphims (who,ſſ1. Par. 2.42.1 Chr 2:42 as it ſeemeth, were of that Ziph that was ſonne to Caleb, and then were they of one tribe with David)tt23.19.20. vndertooke to betray him: and for thatuu23.26. Saul, hauing got that aduantage, did ſo hotly purſue him, that being for a time but on the one ſide of the hill, while they were on the other, at the length hee had compaſſed them in (but, as it ſeemeth vnwitting to him) on eueryevery ſide. But then on the ſuddenxx23.27. he was fayne to breake off, becauſe he had word, that the Philiſtims had entred already. Of thoſe others that were broken of by the kindneſſe and faythfull dealing of David himſelfe, the former of them was in Engedi: the other in Ziph. In the wildernes of Engedi it was that he purſued David ſo hotly (euenyy24.2. among the tops of the rocks, where no body els but only wild goats were wont to bee) that in the endezz24.45 12. he fell into Davids hands, entering into a caue where David was: and there finding that David had ſpared him when hee was in his handes, thereuponaa24.22. he left of purſuing him for that preſent. But hauing as yet his wonted blood-thirſtineſſe remaining in him (thoughbb24.16.22. it were for a time ſomewhat flaked, by that great and ſingular p. 28fauour that he found at the hands of David on his part altogether as much vnlooked for, as vndeſerued) hee doth no ſooner get opportunitie, but foorthwith he returneth vntounto his olde bias againe. Heere therefore it is good to conſider, not onelyonly how he came in with this his other purſuite: but alſo howe fayre likelihoods he had giuen, that hee would neuer hauehave done it againe. He came foorth with his other purſuit, by occaſion of the Ziphims, cc26.1.who nowe againe came and tolde him where David was: whereupondd26.2. he came foorth again with 3000 choſen men to ſet vponupon him. But David ee26.7.priuily comming into his campe, when he, and his company were faſt a ſleep,ff26.12. tooke thence ſuch tokens with him, as whereby he was able to ſhew, that hee had the king in his handes, to hauehave done with him whatſoeuer hee woulde. Which when the king perceiuedgg26.21.25 he was now againe for the time ſo mooued with it, that preſently hee brake of this his purſuit, and ſo returned home againe. The likelihoodes that Saul had giuen, that he would neuer hauehave offered to David ſo hard meaſure againe, were,hh24.22. that he did acknowledge his fault in purſuing of him, and beſought his fauour vntounto his ſeede: and theſe with teares. That ſpeciall circumſtaunce that dependeth heereon, and ſomewhat better helpeth forward to ſhewe howe egerly he was ſet vponupon David, was, that ſo much hee followed on him, when as it had bene a great deale meeter to hauehave deale with the Philiſtims the common enimie, becauſe that they,ii23.1. both came vntounto Keilah, and fought againſt it, andkk23.27.28 afterward againe came into the land, during the time of this his purſuing of innocent David. The litle helpe that in this perſecution God did giuegive him,What helpe it pleaſed God to afford him in this perſecution. was in the company that came vntounto him for his defence, when hee was in diſtreſſe by that perſecution, to the number of ſixe hundred men in all. Whereofll22.1.2. fower hundred came vntounto him while he was at Adullam, and other two hundred mo a while after. For we hauehave mention of ſixe hundred in all,mm23.13. both when he departed from Keilah: andnn30.10. when he went againſt the Amalekites that had ſpoyled Ziklag. The firſt fower hundredoo22.1.2. were, ſome of his kindred: the reſidue ſuch as were in debt or timber. Of the other, there is no ſpeciall thing reported: not ſo much as the time when they came vntounto him. p. 29Sauing that, ſéeing they are found with David when he departed from Keilah, and we hauehave no mention of them before, it may ſeeme that they came vntounto him while he was there. And likely inough, that ſeeing that David was knowne to be of great valour, that ſuch as were diſpoſed to giuegive themſelues to ſuch aduenture, would eaſily vponupon ſuch occaſion reſort vntounto him.

7 All which things if in theſe dayes we ſhall apply to our ſelues, and lay thē to ſuch doings, as our eies hauehave often ſeene,That this latter perſecution of Davids, is rightly exemplified in theſe dayes alſo againſt the Goſpell. and dayly yet ſée: we ſhall find them to agrée ſo fitly together, as could be deuiſed, and ſufficiently to teach vsus, both what to looke for at the hands of many, and how warily to behaue our ſelues in the meane ſeaſon: whether we reſpect the occaſion of this his perſecution, or elſe but the maner whereby it procéedeth. For if we reſpect the occaſion of it,The occaſion whereon this perſecution of ours is rayſed. what is it elſe that ſo much offendeth, and ſo greuouſly incenſeth the Sauls of our time, but only the good ſucceſſe of the ſonne of David againſt theſe Philiſtims of ours: and for that ſame euill ſpirit of the Lord, doth hereupon help to kindle the furious rage of them againſt vsus: For ſeeing that the Goſpell euer now and then getteth (in theſe daies of ours) ſome good hand againſt all thoſe that ſeeke to ſuppreſſe it, they ſee verie well, that if it may ſtill hold on this courſe, it were like ſhortly to come to paſſe, not only that their craft ſhould be in perill to be ſet at naught:Act. 19.27.37.Acts 19:27Acts 19:37 but alſo that the Temple of their great Goddeſſe Diana ſhould be deſpiſed, and her magnificence ſhould be deſtroied, whome (almoſt) all Europe, and (as they would hauehave it thought) the world did worſhip; whereunto if they hauehave any ſpeciall fit of that euill ſpirit of the Lord adioined, it is leſſe maruell then, if all the companie of them thereupon growe to ſome rageous vprore: no maruell then if they be full of wrath, and cry out (as if they were mad) Great is Diana of the Epheſians. No maruell then if in their furie, they ruſh together into the common Hall, if they catch, and hurrie with them Gaius and Ariſtarchus, Pauls companions: if ſome of them draw forth Alexander, out of the multitude, and others thruſt him forward as faſt, that getting him forth, they may there diſpatch him as they liſt: if it be a ſufficient cauſe for them all to ſtop their p. 30eares, to whatſoeuer he were able to ſay for his defence, only for that he was a Iew: and, if hauing no cauſe at all of any concourſe, much leſſe of ſuch a tumultuous vprore, yet notwithſtanding a ſhout almoſt for two howers among them doth riſe, crying, Great is Diana of the Epheſians. And when once they are ſet on ſuch a gog, it is not then to ſay, in how eager maner they are like to follow on the ſeruants of God: nor how outrageous crueltie they are like to practiſe againſt all ſuch, as on the behalfe of the Goſpell of Chriſt ſhall ſtand in their way. And yet notwithſtanding if we come to the maner of ſuch dealing of theirs,In what maner it is proſecuted. we ſhall commonly find, that for the moſt part they euer proceede, in ſuch ſort, as the patterne before preſcribeth vntounto vsus, and almoſt euen after the ſelfeſame manner that before they find in the other.Firſt in ſecret. For firſt they do euer deſire to do it in ſecret maner, ſo neere as they can: and then if they find that ſo they cannot, they ſtick not likewiſe to ruſh vponupon it, howſoeuer they thinke occaſion offered. And as Saul would now again firſt hauehave done it by his owne hands, in another mad fit of his, ſo to hauehave coloured the matter the better, and now came verie néere vntounto it, belike becauſe that David did ouermuch truſt the oath that he did take to the contrarie a little before: euen ſo we may ſee that our Sauls alſo would not ſtick with their owne hands to put ſuch things in execution, eſpecially, the caſe being ſuch, as would affoord them any reaſonable coulour vntounto it: whereunto they alſo come oftimes ouer néere, for that vponupon their promiſes and oathes they are ouermuch truſted. When themſelues are not able to do it, then do they imploy others about it, and that howſoeuer oportunitie is offered: neither ſparing ſuch as be ſick, but ſéeking to hauehave them bed and all, nor ſo much as able either to hold pacience with any (though neuer ſo néere) that any way fruſtrate their wicked attempts, or to find any other meaning if ſo they ſhould, but that they are mocked therein. And that which is more, when they find themſelues in ſuch ſort defeated, as that they may plainly perceiue, that it is no meaner then God himſelfe that doth reſiſt them: and though he do the ſame alſo in neuer ſo good and gracious maner, yet will they neuer be warned thereby, nor any thing ſtaied in their p. 31wicked attempts, but euer run on to the vttermoſt point that they are able to reach. Neither are they able to denie, but that by the ſelfe ſame ſpirit, which in others they perſecute with all extremities, many of themſelues are ſo taken, that they alſo prophecie in manie things, in reſpect of that palpable error that both we and they were in before, and of that knowledge that now we hauehave common vntounto vsus both. In which caſe alſo if any man thinke, that they ſhould ſo reuerence, either that ſpeciall gift of Prophecie (an euident worke of the ſpirit of God) or his great goodnes to them,2. King. 1.9.122 Kgs 1:92 Kgs 1:12 in that he doth not caſt ſome fearefull iudgement vponupon them (as, in the like caſe, fire from heauen vponupon many of thoſe that came for Eliiah) but doth ſo graciouſly compas them in, or rather imbrace them with the armes of his rare and ſingular merciemercy: this one example of Saul in this caſe, (a man, no doubt, nothing ſo ill as moſt of them) may ſufficiently teach, how far ſuch an one may be deceiued. If that will not, the daily experience of theſe daies of ours, is ſo paſſing fruitfull in ſuch examples, that it only may put it cleane out of queſtion. And as Saul, when he ſaw that he did no good in purſuing of him, withdrew himſelfe for a time, to await ſome ſuch opportunitie, as that David might of himſelfe hauehave falne into his hands, and for that purpoſe ſtooke not to take a time appointed to ſpeciall deuotion, for to accompliſh his bloudie enterpriſe: ſo theſe likewiſe both await ſuch opportunities, and ſtick not for any ſolemnitie of the time whatſoeuer, but can redily find in their hearts, then to commit any iniquitie whatſoeuer, when as the time doth ſpecially call them, vtterly to abandon all vngodlines, and with all ſinceritie and holines of mind to ſanctifie themſelues vntounto the Lord.Then openly. Comming vntounto their open practiſes, there alſo we find that their rage is ſo great, that firſt others féele it for Davids ſake: and then,Againſt others for the Goſpels ſake. that they purſue David himſelfe likewiſe all that they can. And among others that find of their outrageous crueltie for Davids ſake, ſometime Jonathan himſelfe is not frée. For néerenes of bloud in this caſe helpeth but little oftentimes: and it were no hard matter to find a great Prince among vsus, that not only attempted vponupon the like occaſion to deſtroy his owne ſonne, but moſt vnnaturally and moſt p. 32vngodly did it in déede. Neither can they be perſwaded, but that ſo many as fauour any thing at all the righteous cauſe of thoſe that are oppreſſed, and are ſorie to ſée ſuch vnreaſonable crueltie practiſed againſt them (and ſuch eſpecially as profeſſe the Goſpell themſelues, and are entered into a couenant with it) do all conſpire their ouerthrowe, and ſet vp their owne ſeruants againſt them. Inſomuch that not their owne retinue can be void of this ſuſpition, but that they alſo conſpire againſt them, vnleſſe they be euer whiſpering in their eares whatſoeuer naughtines they can deuiſe, both againſt the truth it ſelfe, and againſt the profeſſors of it. But as for the Prieſts of the Lord, they are euer ſure to pay for it, whenſoeuer any quarell can be pretended againſt them: no regard being had of the multitude, nor of ſuch as are innocent among them, nor how iuſtly any thing they hauehave done might be excuſed: nor how ſlender an accuſation (either in reſpect of the partie, or thing it ſelfe) is brought againſt them. In what caſe they were in his time, how poore and néedy, he little regarded: and it may be, he did not ſo much as knowe it neither. And yet muſt it néeds be verie apparant, when as Ahimelech the high Prieſt had neither ſuſtenance,21.4.9. wherewithall to releeue a man if neede were, nor ſo much as a weapon for his iuſt defence, but was faine to take of the Shew-bread for the one, and the Sword of Goliath for the other, that, as it ſeemeth by the place it was in, had now bin conſecrated vntounto the Lord. This without queſtion he might hauehave perceiued, and of dutie he ſhould hauehave amended. But heere he is blind, and ſeeth nothing: and yet in the other he is ſo verie ſharp, that for an hillok he hath quickly found no leſſe then a mountaine. Wherein alſo the Sauls of our time are nothing behind. They neuer caſt how to take any good order, for the needfull & honeſt maintenance of the true ſeruants of God: and likely inough, that they do not ſo much as conceiue, that they hauehave any ſuch want. But if thoſe ſeruants of God at any time ſlip, if they tread their ſhoe awry neuer ſo little, or, if they hauehave not offended at all, but only by vniuſt and hard conſtruction: yet if an accuſer may once he found, if any thing may be ſurmiſed againſt them, it is inough: by and by they muſt heare, thou ſhalt ſurely dye Ahimelech, p. 33thou and all thy fathers houſe.Againſt the Goſpel it ſelfe. In their purſuites of our David alſo we may ſee, that they follow the ſteps of the other. If he be in a walled Citie, he is forthwith ſhut vp in their hands, and then muſt they make all the haſt that they can, that they leeſe not ſuch an opportunitie as it. All good deſerts muſt then be forgotten, and either muſt the Lords of Keilah falſly betray him that ſaued them and their Citie, and treacherouſly deliuer him vp to the hands of his enemies, or caſt their Citie, and themſelues withall, into the perill of preſent deſtruction, Saul being ſo furiouſly bent as he was. If we wote not what is become of him, yet muſt he be fought for eueryevery day, that ſo in this matter we leeſe no time, but ſo little as may be. If any get knowledge where he haunteth, and how we may come to obteine our deſired pray, then are they the bleſſed of the Lord, and they forſooth hauehave compaſſion on vsus: and though they be ſuch as could not detect him, but that withall they muſt condemne themſelues to be naught; and to betray the godly, and iuſt, yet muſt ſuch treachery be couered ouer with ſo goodly a name. And if once we be in the chace, and néere to our pray, hardly can any thing turne vsus aſide whatſoeuer it be. Neither doth it any thing auaile, though David witnes plainly inough his owne integritie, though our ſelues hauehave neuer ſo good experience of it, and though for a time our hearts do breake, and teares guſh out, to thinke how vnkindly we hauehave gone about to take away the life of him, that ſo faithfully hath preſerued ours. It is no more but a morning clowd: and we can no ſooner heare of any other opportunitie offered, but by and by we returne to our former bent, and perſecute David as freſhly againe as euer we did. Howſoeuer we may ſeeme to leaue off, ſo long as we ſee not how to preuaile: yet if once we get but ſome glimſe of any good hope, by and by we ruſh vntounto it againe, nothing at all regarding how far we miſliked ſometimes our owne doings therein, nor what we promiſed to the contrarie. Not only in labouring for Kingdoms, but in this quarel alſo, oathes muſt be no oathes with vsus now. And that which is more, this hideous quarell muſt ſo be manned, and toughly followed, that the common enemie muſt rather be ſuffered, to do what he will, then ſo much as a latchet p. 34wanting in this. But as God then alſo gaue David ſome little helpe,Such a like helpe as was affoorded to David before, affoorded vntounto the Goſpell now. in the companie that came vntounto him: ſo it pleaſeth him now alſo, not altogether to leaue thoſe deſtitute, whom the Saules of our time ſo buſily perſecute for the Goſpels ſake. Thoſe that are of the kindred of David, and others beſides that feele themſelues indebted to God; and are of a broken or troubled ſpirit, will now and then be ſtealing to David, do Saul (in the meane time) what he can to the contrary: and ſo much the more, as they ſee David ſo valiantly to imploy himſelf agaynſt the Philiſtims.