Of the Head Cornerstone, Chapter 15 (1 of 3)

Of the Head Cornerstone · Chapter 15 (1 of 3)

p. 368CHAP. 15.

1 WHen after they were againe diuided and so continued, we are againe Afirst to consider, of the Story of them: and then what knowledge it pleased God in those daies to giuegive vntounto them. The Story of them leadeth vsus to consider, first in what sort they were diuided: then in what case they stoode after that so they were diuided. In what sort they were diuided, doth carry another consideration of such moment with it, that it shall be good for vsus, when we hauehave considred of this diuision of theirs: then to turne our eyes a little aside vntounto that other consideration also. In this theyr diuision, we are first to consider, who it was that now succeeded next after Salomon Bto raigne ouer that people: then, what dealing passed betwixt the people and him, at this his enterance into his Kingdome. He that succeeded next after Salomon in the Kingdome, was Rehoboam his Sonne, one and forty yeares old when hee began his 1 King. 11: 43. 14: 21. 2. Chr. 9: 31. 12: 13.1 Kgs 11:431 Kgs 11:141 Kgs 11:212 Chr 9:312 Chr 9:122 Chr 9:13raigne, and so borne to his Father about one yeare, before himselfe came to the Kingdome. The dealing that passed betweene the people and him, was all about the diuision wee speake of: eyther of them first hauing some dealing the one with the other; and immediatly after the diuision we speake of breaking in thereuppon. The dealing they had the one with the other, was first of the people with the King: then, of the King with the people againe. That which the people had with the King, was, that they made a petition or suit vntounto him, that whereas Salomon his Father 1. Kin. 12: 1-4. 2. Chr. 10: 1-4.1 Kgs 12:1–42 Chr 10:1–4had made their yoake grieuous, it would now please him, to make the grieuous seruitude of his father, & his sore yoak which he put on them, lighter: & that so they would serue him also. The King had dealing twice with the people: first, willing them to depart, and to repaire vntounto him againe three daies after; then, afterward giuing his answer vntounto them. In willing them for a time to depart, that he might inquire 1. King. 1…. 5. 2. Chr. 10: 5.1 Kgs 1:52 Chr 10:5and take aduice in the meane season, it was a point of wisedome, that so more aduisedly he might make his answere vntounto them. And so in great matters it behooueth all men, especially those that hauehave their dealing in great affaires (euen in lesse also, as men will serue themselues therein) euer to aduise themselues well, before they answer, and before they fully resolue on that they will doe. Before he gaue his 1. King. 12: 6-11. 2. Chr. 10: 6-11.1 Kgs 12:6–112 Chr 10:6–11answer vntounto them, he first consulted with others about it: then at the time hee had appointed, he gaue them their answere. He consulted first with the elder sort, who had beene his Fathers Counsellers before: but then soone after, with others besides. The elder sort gaue him aduice, to yeelde something vntounto them now, at his first entry: and so should he euer hauehave them fast vntounto him. Those others that were a yonger company, such as had beene brought vp with him, and wayted on him: whose aduise was to answere them roughly, and roundly to tell them, that he would be more grieuous vntounto them, than his Father before had beene. When the time appointed came, he gaue them their aunswere: but his answere was, not onelyonly in sense according 1. Kings. 12: 12-15. 2. Chro. 10: 12-15. 1. Kings. 12: 16-19. 2 Chro. 10: 16 19.1 Kgs 12:12–152 Chr 10:12–151 Kgs 12:16–192 Chr 10:16to the aduise of those hotter and greener heades; but euen much after theyr Cowne wordes too, which were very grieuous. Immediatly vponupon this aunswere of his, ten parts of the people did plainely renounce their allegiance vntounto him; & when neuerthelesse hee sent his Officer vntounto them to gather vp his tribute among them (as making no doubt but stil to retaine them in his allegiance) they in their rage stoning him to death, made it apparant enough thereby, howe resolute and egar they were, in the course that now they were in: and according to this their rebellious departure p. 368now, and this vnkindly diuiding themselues from their bretheren, they euer afterward floode, and neuer vnited themselues to their bretheren againe; the greater part of them going away with the name of them all, and being called the kingdome of Israell, the other being called the Kingdome of Iudah. That other consideration that this Story of their diuision carrieth with it, consisteth of two principall branches: one of instruction; the other, of Doctrine. The instruction that this diuision of theirs doth giuegive vsus, doth much concerne both Princes themselues: and people, too. Princes it teacheth, first for their people, not to impose vponupon their Subiects, that which their Subiects generally may thinke to bee greeuous (for the Text doth not shew that Salomon had beene ouer greeuous vntounto them indeede, but so farre as they were to beare his charges; and he indeede was a magnificall Prince, and yet may seeme otherwise to hauehave inned the same vntounto them againe, euen to the full, when he made Siluer so little esteemed, and in Ierusalem, in a manner, as common as the stones of the streetes;) and, if at any time they hauehave so done, yet that 1. King. 10: 27. 2. Chr. 9: 20.1 Kgs 10:272 Chr 9:20neyther themselues not their successors doe afterward praesume still to gird them in more and more: then, for their owne direction, that they do not easily turne aside from the aduise of such as are experienced and wise, vntounto the weaker and greener iudgment of those, that are in such matters but raw; nor from the aduise of those that wish a fauourable care of the people, to those that are such hot-spurres against them. People it teacheth, first not to complaine, vnlesse there be cause: then also, if there be, yet that they be not so immoderately bent to their owne priuate luker, as that for the safegard of it they sinne against God, in so high a degree as this withdrawing themselues from the allegeance of such as God hath giuen them, and to whom they in duty ought to abide. That other, which is of Doctrine, is, that as immediately after Salomons daies his Kingdome was thus rent in sunder, the Dgreater part to continuall Idolatry, the other oft-times very much defiled therewith: it ought to be lesse maruell to any (contrary to that perswasion which diuers hauehave) that the Gentiles of the most knowne parts of the world, had no sooner receiued the Gospell of Christ our Salomon indeede, but that soone after they diuided themseues, most of them to Mahomet, the residue also to the Church of Rome, and to be much defiled thereby. In what sort they stoode, after that so they were diuided, the Story doth in such sort deliuer vntounto vsus, as that for a good part of it, it selfe doth set it downe vntounto vsus: but for some part againe it doth often refer vsus to such other monuments, as now we hauehave not extant among vsus. What it is that the Story it selfe setteth downe vntounto vsus, to the ende that we may the better find, I hold it the plainest and readiest way, that wee consider of either of them apart by themselues: and first of the Kingdome of Israell, that soonest miscarried; then of the Kingdome of Iudah, that stoode the longest. As touching the Kingdome of Israell, for the better vnderstanding of the estate thereof, it shall be good, first to consider of it but generally: but then to enter into a more speciall consideration of it. Considering of it but generally, first it shall be good to consider of the compasse of time: then, of the estate wherein it stoode. The time that it stoode, was about two hundred fifty and three yeares: or as others do reckon (foure yeares more) two Punctius. Beroald. Broughton.hundred fifty and seauen yeares. As for the other, wee may easily conceiue that their estate must needes be hard: partly, in respect of diuers good helps that now vnaduisedly they did abandon; and partly, because of certaine disaduantages that afterward befell them all generally. Those good helps that now vnaduisedly they did abandon, were two: one, the Tribe of Iudah; the other, the line of Dauid. For to both those they knew well enough (and could not bee ignorant) that very speciall promises were made: to the Tribe of Iudah, by that Prophesie of Iacob, that the Scepter (or a conuenient gouernment, and a tolerable estate thereby) should Gen. 49: 10.Gen 49:10not depart from it, till the promised Sauiour himselfe should come; to the line of Dauid, by God himselfe, that he would not abandon it for euer, but that although it should wax and wane as the Moone, yet should it euer stand before him. Those 2. Sa. 7: 14-16 Psal. 89: 28-372 Sam 7:14–16Ps 89:28–37disaduantages that befell them all generally, were two likewise: one, that themselues making so little reckoning of the true worship of God, that they claue no faster p. 369than so, to his Temple and seruice there, they were all soone after drawne to Idolatry, and so continued so long as they stood; the other, that in the short time Ethat they stood, they had about twenty kinges, and those of eight or nine seuerall families, as plaine a Token as may be conceiued of a troublesome State.

2 If now we enter into a more speciall consideration of it, it shall not be amisse Afirst to note, that two seuerall times God dealt very effectually with them: once, at the first; another time, about fourescore and ten yeares after, better than the third part of all their time that after they stood. At both which times himselfe appointed such Princes as should raigne ouer them: which he did not (in such manner) at any time else. In both which we are to marke, how little that gracious dealing of God preuailed, both with themselues, and with those that followed. The former of those that God himselfe appointed, was Ieroboam, their first King: concerning Ieroboam,whom, first we are to consider of himselfe; then, of those that did succeed him, till God himselfe did appoint another. With him we finde that God did deale very effectually, both to set him in the right way at the first: and afterward also, as was most meete, when he was wrong. To set him in the right way at the first, hee letteth him vnderstand, why hee so dealt with the line of Dauid; and maketh great 1. Kidgs. 11: 29-39.promises to him, if he shall take better heede to his wayes: and doing this before he brought him to the kingdome, euen while Salomon himselfe as yet was King, & soone after bringing him to the kingdome indeede, he gaue him assurance enough of the other, if himselfe should do as was required. Dealing with him as was most meete, when he was wrong, we are first to see wherein he was wrong: then, howe God dealt with him thereon. Wrong he was, first in that himselfe tooke no better a course in that his first entrance, being so graciously dealt with as then he was: then also, in that he did not amend it, when afterward he was reproued for it. The course that he tooke in that his first entrance, was, that first setling him-selfe as he thought most meete in his owne kingdome, in two seuerall places, one at Sichem 1 King. 12 35. Chr. Adricho.1 Kgs 12:35in the South part of his kingdome, on the West of Iordan; the other, at Pennel in the heart of the other part on the East side of Iordan (the vsuall manner of godlesse men, first to gather themselues vnderunder the protection of their owne wisedome and strength, and then at more leysure to hauehave their recourse, such as it is, to some kind of dealiug in Religion also:) then cleane contrary to the Law of God, and all sense 1. Kin. 22: 26-30. 32, 33. 1. King 12: 31 13: 33. 34.1 Kgs 22:26–301 Kgs 22:321 Kgs 22:331 Kgs 12:31of reason too, he set vp those two Calues in such sort as he did; and putting away the Leuites, brought in so base a Priest-hood in their roomes. In setting vp those two Calues, the one in Dan; the other in Bethtl, some things there be common to Bthem both: and something peculiar to either of them. Common to them both it was, both the intention and meaning he had therein: and the forme or manner of them. His intention or meaning was, to keepe the people at home within the precincts of his owne kingdome: least that going to Ierusalem (thrice in the yeare, as the Law of God required) that Citty being in the other kingdome, the people might so ioyne together againe one time or other, and so defeate him of his kingdome, yea and of his life too, as hee seemed then to feare. God had assured him before, that in the obseruation of his Lawes, should his kingdome be assured vntounto him: but, in humaine reason the doubt he conceiued, was in deed very propable or likely; and he destitute of faith, or weake therein, did now giuegive more credite to that likelyhood in reason, than he did to that other word of God, the performance whereof could not be expected, but onelyonly out of some speciall worke of God to that end directed. And such are the elections of humaine wisedome, euen in the deepest pollicies that are, and in matters of greatest moment. That the Idolatrie that now he erected was of that manner, or the Idols themselues of that forme, it seemeth he rested on that which is a great motiue in the corrupt nature of man, resting on two principall points: one, that their Elders in Egypt had beene invred to those before; the other, that the Egyptians, time out of mind, had vsed the like, and that they had, of their knoledge while they were with them (til on their behalf God was offended with them) in prosperous estate. Peculiar to either of them it, was that p. 370in those places they were erected; both of thē being places of special note to such a purpose: Bethel at least by name, being interpreted to be the house of God; & Dan, for that in the time of the Iudges, & (soone after the people came into the Land) by Iudg. 17: 4, 5. 18: 13-31. Bibl. A…gl. Tremel. I…. in Iudg. 17: 1 …r…n. Vatab. Bibl. Angl. Chr. Adrichom. Gen. 28: 10-22. Pet. M…yr: Ios. 16: 1, 2. Lib. 3. cap. 2. In …iffr. Num. 27. Iudg. 1: 22-26.Judg 17:4Judg 17:5Judg 17:18Judg 17:13–31Judg 17:1Gen 28:10–22Josh 16:1Josh 16:2Num 27Judg 1:22–26Michaes Gods translated thither, and worshipped there. But as touching the former of them, the learned are of diuers opinions: some of them not allowing it to be that Bethel which before was called Luz, where Iacob had that comfortable vision, when he fled from the wrath of his Brother Esau, but to bee some other of that name; one other accounting it the very same. And true it is, that a Bethel is Callotted to the Tribe of Ephraim, as it may seeme, by the Text it selfe, where the bounds of that Tribe are named, and the same to be another from Luz: which also is plainely set downe by Cummannus Flinspachius in his Genealogie of Christ; and not onelyonly such a place attributed to that Tribe, by Christianus Adrichomins in Theatro t…rra sanctae, but withall plainly set within the bounds of that Tribe, and noted to be the place, where Ieroboam erected the one of his golden Calues. But now the truth is withall, that euen that Bethel which was called Luz, is by the Text it selfe elsewhere noted to hauehave beene gotten or gained by the house of Ioseph: and to the house of Ioseph, it is knowne well enough, there belonged but two Tribes, Ephraim and Manasseh; of which two, Ephraim onelyonly ioyned on Beniamin, where that Bethel should be (and so are the most likely it belonged to them) whereas both the partes of Manasses were elsewhere placed, one, by the other side of Ephraim towardes the North, the other, much farther off, and on the other side of Iordan. So that the same Bethel which before was called Luz, and which was allotted to the Tribe of Beniamin, seemeth to be most likely to be the place (according to the foresaid iudgement of Peter Martyr) where Ieroboam placed one of his Idols: which Adrichomius also doth grant to be there when he treateth of it, and acknowledgeth I…. Benia. Num. 42.it to bee that which the Ephraemites wan from the Beniamites; though afterward, treating of the other (forgetting himselfe, as it seemeth) he allot one of the Calues, as I said before, to that also. And then, this being the place, it was not onelyonly of a faire name for the purpose, but indeede Iacob had worshipped there many Ages before, and on the comfortable vision that there he had, gaue it the name, calling that place The house of God: and so were both places of speciall good note for that purpose of his. Wherein withall it is good to marke, that it is no great matter with the common people, whether the ground of their doings bee good or not, so that they hauehave some praetense whatsoeuer: the worship that in these places was vsed, yeelding no patronage or warrant at all, vntounto this that now was vrged or forced vponupon them. In putting away the Leuites, and taking in so base a Priesthoode in their roomes, his meaning is plain enough in it selfe: and our own experience teacheth, that we also can hardly abide to hauehave such a Ministery, as by the word of God will vrge vsus farther than Dour selues do like of; and like rather to hauehave them of the baser sort, that dare not meddle with vsus in any of our waies be they neuer so grosse, or that hauehave no regard thereunto, than such as were likely to looke into them, and accordingly would deale with vsus therein. It seemeth also that Sathan himselfe hath to that end holpen, or put to his hands, and daily yet doth, to abridge the needfull maintenance of the Ministery, otherwise to imploy it to other vses, that so the Ministery might euer be kept so needy and low, as that they should hauehave neyther heart nor power, to hauehave any such kind of dealing with vsus. Hauing thus farre, wrong made his enterance at the first, the dealing that now the Lord had with him about the same was, that hee did but onelyonly reproue him for it; but that he did that twice: first, more gently; but afterward, a great deale more roundly. In that wherein hee was but gently reproued, though the reproofe it selfe was very effectuall, to hauehave withdrawne him from those his waies so offensiue to God: yet fell there out such an accident immediately after, as, in the opinion of many, might not a little crosse it againe. So farre foorth as it was effectuall to such a purpose, it consisted of two principall partes: one, the message that then was sent him; the other, the mirracle that was done vponupon him. And yet notwithstanding, neyther of these came to any great proofe in the end: he growing but angry at the former; and nothing amended by the latter. The messege did not directly p. 371touch himselfe, but onelyonly that new deuice of his (and yet thereby ob…q…ely reproued 1. Kings. 13: 1-3. 5.1 Kgs 13:1–31 Kgs 13:5him withall:) namely, that God was offended withit, … by …d then declare; and afterward, by heauier iudgements. At the doing of which … he was then so angry, that forthwith he willed those that wereby, …o lay … 1. King. 1…. 4.1 Kgs 1:4A thing worthy the marking, that a man of that dexterity and …▪ and now of late so highly aduanced by God, from his … also brought … the … of God, shold now be so wedded to so grosse Idolatry, or so far … not see how wrong he was, that he wold so rage against the Prop… that … it no sharplier than so: and a good lesson for others, not euer to looke s… sincerity in the greater sort of the world towards the truth of Religion, wh… Eowne waies about their estate is any thing touched, albeit as lightly …. The miracle that was done vponupon him, was, that the hand which so he put forth, to … 1. King. 13: 4, 6.1 Kgs 13:41 Kgs 13:6Prophet to be apprehended, he could in wise take in again; yet on his request to th… Prophet, and on the Prophets Prayer to God, his hand was forth-with res… …nto him. Which notwithstanding wrought so little with him (though withall, ac…ding 1. King. 13: 7-10, 33, 34.1 Kgs 13:7–101 Kgs 13:331 Kgs 13:34to the word of the Prophet, the Altar brast before his eies, and the ashes fell out) that although he had him to dinner, and promised him then to giuegive him a reward (which the Prophet might not accept of, and so refused his courtesie therein:) yet did he nothing repent him of his sinne; but rather went on forward therein more than before. As also we finde by experience with vsus, hauing in all ages, especially among our Polititians or worldly-wise, many that can affoord to their teachers ordinary courtesie, and yet nothing at all regard their Doctrine to their owne amendment: respecting more, yet not of louelove, but for their owne credit among men, not to faile in that lesser kind of duty, than in that greater, which by many degrees did more deeply concerne them. The accident that I speake of, which fell out immediatly after, and in the opinion of many, might be able much to crosse this call that they had by the Prophet now, was, that the Prophet neuer came home againe, but was slaine by a Lyon in 1 Kings. 13. 11-32.1 Kgs 13:11–32the way as he returned, and not farre from this Idoll neyther, as also, soone after hee had spoken against it. In whose Story notwithstanding it is good to marke, not onelyonly what many might gather to the hardening of their heartes therein: but withall, what better instruction may be gathered on it. To the hardning of their hearts heerein they might gather, that he could neuer prosper, after that hee had spoken against that deuotion or worship of theirs: or rather, that their God had bin auenged on him for the same. That better instruction that may be gathered thereon, is, first for this matter: then, for some others besides. For this matter, that God indeede diuers times leaueth such stumbling blockes in the way, for those to stumble at that will, and for the exercise of his; but yet withal, sufficiently prouideth for those that are careful: as giuing that power to those Sorcerers of Aegypt, to make such Serpents; but yet prouiding that the Serpent of Moses should praeuaile against them. So in this likewise, both the token that the Prophet gaue before, and the miracle done on the King himselfe, which already were giuen them, might be sufficient: and yet hauehave they more Fin that which followed, both in the maner of his death (in that the Lyon neyther tare him, nor pre…ed on the Asse) & in the testimony of the old Prophet too, bearing witnesse to his praediction, and requiring (when he died) to be buried with him. For some others besides, that young Prophets, not cleauing fast to the word of God, may somtimes be deceiued by the old: and that it is dangerous to credit any report of any apparition of Angels, otherwise teaching, than God himselfe hath taught vsus already. In that wherein he was more roundly dealt with, first he was (as it were) no more; but only reproued: but, a good while after, punished also. While he was but onelyonly reprooued, most of the Story doth appertaine to that matter onelyonly: but in one part of it we may learn another lesson besides. That which appertaineth to that matter only, is, how sharply he was reproued: and how plainly himselfe might see that it was of God. His reproofe now was a plain and resolute denouncing of very heauy iudgments, against him and his: to the vtter ouerthrow of his owne house for euer; and to the great afflictiō 1 King. 14. 6. 16. 1. King. 1…▪ …-6, 1…. 13. 17▪ …1 Kgs 14:61 Kgs 14:161 Kgs 1of al his people. He might plainly perceiue the same to be of God, both because their close dealing in the manner that hee and his Wife vsed to inquire, was not hid p. 372from the Prophet… because he had so pregnant a token in that sonne of his, on … that …. That other Lesson th… we may learne heere …, th… when they came to inq…e of … Prophet (as … the Story of Saule be…) 1. Sa. 9: 7-10. 1. K…. 14: …. 3.1 Sam 9:7–101 Sam 9:1it … the vsuall manner …, euer to bring some-thing with them …as Iero… heere …ct his Wife to doe. And true it is, that they which would hauehave … dealing with God by those his Seruants, they likewise should euer bee mindfull … their necessities, & take such order, as that they might be in good estate by them. The time when that his punishment came, was, not till towards the end of his raigne: when as, raigning two and twenty yeares in all, he had quietly raigned seauenteene 1. King. 14: 19, 20. Ibi. 1…: …-24.1 Kgs 14:191 Kgs 14:20of them. For …boam would at the first hauehave tryed that quarrell with him by the Sword, to hauehave brought the people againe to his allegiance, and had gotten togither one hundred and fourescore thousand chosen men, all good Warrious: but that the Lord, by …, one of his Prophets, praesently stayed both him and the people from th… voyage. Againe, on the heart-burning that hereby would arise betwixt the…, it is not vnlikely, but that there would bee much variance betwixt them, and … withall, … occasion was at any time giuen, and opportunity thereunto serued; … also the Text it selfe doth witnesse: but because Rehoboam was staied in this main G1. King 14: 30 15: 6.1 Kgs 14:30and chiefe quarrell of all, and we hauehave no speciall Story of any, therefore it seemeth that those matters were of lesse importance, and that Rehoboam did let him alone for that chiefe and principall matter betwixt them. But now hauing bin, as it were allowed, to do what he lift all that time, & Rehoboam who was inhibited, now being gon, and his son Abiam being stept vp in his roome, he would needs try it with him by the Sword, and God did not forbid him too. At which time, and in which quarrell he lost in the fielde fiue hundred thousand of his people (more than halfe of those that hee 2. Chr. 13: 1-20.2 Chr 13:1–20brought & was himself in his own person also afterward strucken or plagued of God, and thereon died: euer being kept in war by Abiam, so long as he raigned: and being 1. King. 15: 6.1 Kgs 15:6so low brought down as he was, he was neuer able to recouer his strength again. A good example to bee marked, that though the Lord himselfe did place him in the kingdome, so that he was not a Rebell, as Abiam (belike not knowing, or not belieuing 2. Chr. 13: 6.2 Chr 13:6that the Lord had giuen it vntounto him) did account him to be, but therein had the right on his side, and his Army twice so great as Abiams was: yet, hauing offended in such sort as now he had done, and neuer yeelding to be reformed, he thereby made himselfe and his state so odious to God, that in this action he cleane abandoneth (in a manner) the protection of them, giuing them to the sword so very freely as then hee did.

3 Of those others that succeeded him till God himselfe appointed another, there Awas but one of them only, that by lineall descent from him, came to the kingdome: al the rest being meere strangers vntounto him. He that by lineall descent from him came to Nadab.the kingdome, was Nadab, his son, of whom we hauehave no Story, but that he did ill in 1. King. 15: 25-28. 31.1 Kgs 15:25–281 Kgs 15:31the fight of the Lord, following the waies of his Father before him: and so hauing raigned but two years, was slaine by Baasha (one of his Captains, it seemeth) as he lay at a siedge; and so lost, both his kingdome, and life together. Who no doubt, might before hauehave seene, that God was highly offended with his Father, by that great ouerthrow that he had at the hands of Abiam K. of Iudah; as also he could not be ignorant, how heauy iudgements God had denounced against all the posterity of his Father, of all which himselfe was now in place and the formost of them: and yet hee not regarding to take away that great offence, crying for vengeance in the eares of God, followeth on the ordinary affaires of his Kingdome; leauing the chiefe and principall matter, altogether neglected. As with vsus also experience teacheth, that seldome Bdoe Children amend the bad waies of their parents; especially such as seeme to concerne their owne worldly estate: and yet hold on their course still without any feare, although they cannot be ignorant neyther, but that such things are offensiue to God, and one time or other are like to ouerwhelme them with heauy iudgments; and euer lightly when they are in the midst of their strength, or otherwise most void of the fear of any such matters. Those that were meere strangers to Ieroboam, did some of them p. 373Baashamake the Seat of their Kingdome at Tirzah: and some of them at Samaria. Of those that made the seate of the Kingdome at Tirzah, one of them had the kingdom to him and his son: others but to themselues alone. He that …ad it to him and his son, was Baasha, who being of another Tribe, of the Tribe of Issachar, rose vp against his 1 King▪ 15: 27-30, 3…-34. 16: 5. 6.1 Kgs 15:27–301 Kgs 15:3–341 Kgs 15:161 Kgs 15:51 Kgs 15:6Mayster and slew him, and raigned in his stead foure and twenty yeares, in Tirza: a place but a little from Sichem, and North from it, and in that halfe Tribe of Manasses which was placed on that side of Iordan, and lay close vntounto Ephraim on the North side of it. This man made an vtter destruction of the house of Ieroboam, and yet himselfe walked in those his bad wayes, for which that heauy iudgement was denounced against Ieroboams house by God himselfe, which hee had now executed on them: he also made head against Iudah, and so strongly, that the King of Iudah was 2. Chr. 16. 1-62 Chr 16:1–6faine to seeke to the King of Syria for his helpe, and thereby got him drawne backe againe. This man also it pleased God, by Iehu the Sonne of Ha…ani, both to vpbraid 1. King. 16: 1-4, 7.1 Kgs 16:1–41 Kgs 16:7with his great vnthankfulnesse, that hauing aduanced him from so meane estate as he had done, he neuerthelesse so much offended him by following that Idolatry of Ieroboam: and now denounced to him also the selfesame iudgements for his so doing; and withall, for killing his Lord and Mayster. Elah his Sonne succeeded Elah.him in the Kingdome, and in those bad wayes of his Father withall: but hee 1 King. 16: 6, 8▪10, 14.1 Kgs 16:61 Kgs 16:81 Kgs 16:101 Kgs 16:14raigned but two yeares; and on a time drinking …ill hee was drunke, was euen then slaine by Zimri, one of his Seruaunts, and so was in such sort requited, as his Father had dealt with Nadab before. Those that had it but to themselues alone, were but two: Zimrie, and Tibni. Zimri rising vp against Elah his Mayster, CZimri.slaying him, and raigning in his stead, held the Kingdome but seauen dayes onelie: but in that short time hee so bestirred himselfe against the House of Baasha, that 1. Kings. 16: 11-13. 15-20.1 Kgs 16:11–131 Kgs 16:15–20according to the word of the Lord, he made an vtter destruction of them, both of his Kindred, and of his Friendes. But then the people setting vp another against him, besiedging the Citty and taking it; hee also desperatelie set Fire on the Pallace wherein himselfe was, and so eestroyed both it and himselfe withall: the Lorde so ordering the matter, that for his good liking of Ieroboams Calues, for his treason, and these his Murthers, hee was himselfe his owne Executioner after a strange and fearefull manner. Tibni, it seemeth, came to the Kingdome without any bad Tibni.practice at all, chosen by the people that were at home: but they then hauing warre 1. Kings. 16: 21, 22.1 Kgs 16:211 Kgs 16:22abroad, another was chosen by the Army. Albeit therefore, that this man also stood as King (at least, as one of the two) for foure yeares: yet hauehave wee no Story of him, neyther good nor bad; the other, as it seemeth, going away with all the Story of raigning as King, as in his Story wee are more plainely to see. Hee therefore that was set vppe by the Army, was Omri, the Generall of the fielde in Omri.that peece of seruice, and hee that afterward remooued the Seate of his Kingdome to Samaria, where afterward it stood, so long as the Kingdome it selfe continued. 1. King. 16: 16, 17, 23.1 Kgs 16:161 Kgs 16:171 Kgs 16:23So now, as touching these, we are first to consider of Omri himselfe: then, of those others that did succeed him, till it pleased God himselfe to appoint another. As touching Omri himselfe, we are first likewise to consider of the materiall part of his Story: and then of the time of his raigne besides. The materiall part of his story, is, first, as touching one speciall action of his: than, as touching all his whole carriage generally. That one specially action of his was, that the Pallace at Tirzah beeing 1. Kings. 16: 24-28. 1. King. 16: 231 Kgs 16:24–281 Kgs 16:23destroyed, though himselfe neuerthelesse made his most aboad there, for six yeares after: yet some-time in the meane season it seemeth, hee compassed the other; and so, after the first sixe yeares shifted the Seate of his Kingdome from Tirza, where it was before, to Samaria where it was after, calling it after the Name of him of whome hee bought it. His whole carryage towardes GOD, is noted to hauehave Dbeene very ill, and worse than all that were before him: and the matter was, for that he was so giuen to those wayes of Ieroboam, the corruption of Religion which he erected. A matter so much the worthyer of marking, for that it seemeth, that it was but his great religiousnesse that way, that GOD so much misliketh (and then, the more Popish, may bee in like sort so much the more odious:) otherwise not seeming so bad as others (for any thing that is deliuered vntounto vsus of him (both p. 374for that he came not to the Crowne by blood as others did, but aduaunced thereunto by the Army; and because wee hauehave certaine tokens of some good moderation in him. For neither did he oppresse or so much as vrged any of his Nobles, or people to get any house of theirs from them: neither did hee slip into that common vanity Psal. 49: 11. 1. King. 16: 23.Ps 49:111 Kgs 16:23of the world, to impose his name on that building of his. As touching the time of his raigne, it is plainely set downe, that he raigned twelue yeares: and if we lay those twelue yeares of his, to the time when first hee was made King of the Army, and to Ibid. 15, 16. Ibid. 23.that which is said of him againe in the one and thirtieth yeare Asa, so shall wee perceiue, that foure yeares at the first he did not raigne by himselfe alone, but with Tibni also, and the other eight yeares onelyonly alone. For when first they made him King, it is plainely saide, that Zimri began his seauen-daies-Kingdome, in the seauen and twentieth yeare of Asa King of Iudah: and soone after, that the same day the host 1. King. 16: 15. Ibid. 16.1 Kgs 16:15heard of it, they made their own Generall King; and withall speeded them so fast against Zimri, that they got him downe at the seauen daies end. So may wee see, Ibid. 17, 18.that he also first began in the seauen and twentieth yeare of Asa, aswell as Zimri: and that there were very few daies, if any at all, betwixt the beginning of the one and the other; when as it might very well be, either the selfe same day, or the next. In the one and thirtieth yeare of Asa it is said likewise, that Omri then began to raigne ouer Israell: which if we vnderstand of his raiging alone, so hauehave we his twelu yeares Ibid. 23.fully accomplished, by those foure with Tibni, and eight by himselfe. And this is so Lyr. Vatab. Martyr Trem. I…. Pellic. Beroal. Cod…māmuch the rather to be marked, for that, although there bee many of the learned that hauehave noted this before: yet are there diuers others that are of other iudgement therin; and therefore to be heeded so much the more.

4 Those others that succeeded him till in pleased God himselfe to appoint another, Awere three: one of them, his owne Sonne; the others also no farther off from him, but onelyonly the sonnes of that sonne of his. That sonne of his was Ahab, whose Ahab.Story is much more large, than any of the others that yet we hauehave had: and yet the effect of all is but this, that he was very offensiue to God; and that God dealt accordingly 1. Kings. 16: 28, 29.1 Kgs 16:281 Kgs 16:29with him. His offensiuenesse to God was such, that first for a time he did no more but chastice him for it: but afterward he tooke him away cleane. When he did but chastice him for it, we are then to see, what his offence was: and how it pleased God to chastice him for it. His offence was such, that he is noted to hauehave done worse, than any of those that were before him: and that to hauehave beene, because hee Ibid. 30-33.did not onelyonly walke in the waies of Ieroboam, as others of his praedecessors before; but because he had so corruptly married, and thereby had fallen to much Idolatry besides. That which was reprooued in his marriage was, that he matched with Iezebel, by the Citty whence she came, a Canaanitish woman, and therefore such as with whom he should not hauehave married. The Idolatry besides whereinto he fell thereby, Calepin ex Hierony. Polyd virg de. I… vent. lib. 1. cap. 5. ex Berosowas the worship of Baal, or Baalim; the Idoll, or the Idols of the Sidonians whence she came: and not vnlike to be that Belus, the Father of Ninus, King of the Assyrians, whom, after his death, not-onelyonly the Babylonians, but the Assyrians also did worship, and in diuers Countries had Idols of him. Before, the Text doth shew, how God did chastice him for these his sinnes, it first bringeth in another matter diuers from it: but then, it prosecuteth this againe. That other matter which it recordeth before, is the building of Iericho againe by Hiel of Bethel, in the daies of this Ahab: 1 King. 16: 34.1 Kgs 16:34a speciall good warning to all, and a needfull lesson for many of vsus (that are giuen to the spoyle of the Church, and for our owne priuate luker to take that from it, which our Elders gaue well vntounto it, and laide a curse on those that should alter it) not to make so light of a curse going before, though but of any one Seruaunt of God: and much more to take heede, when so many, so wise and godly, so deliberately also, and especially on behalfe of Gods glory and good of the people, hauehave so iudicially done it, as that case of ours affoordeth, in former times, many speciall and great examples. Prosecuting the former matter againe, it giueth vsus to vnderstand, that those his sinnes Bwere chasticed two speciall waies: one, by a Famine; the other, by inuasion of Forraigne enemies. In the Story of that Famine, we hauehave deliuered vntounto vsus, first in what p. 375sort it was laid vponupon them: then, how it was taken off againe. When God was disposed to lay it vppon them, first by one of his Seruants, he denounced the same vntounto them: and then soone after, accordingly sent it. That Seruant of his by whom he did denounce it vntounto them, was Elias, … man of no special note before, that wee read off, nor of the ordinary sort of the Ministery, Thesbe, the Citty whence hee was, beeing 1. King 17: 1. Ios 21: 38, 39.1 Kgs 17:1Josh 21:38Josh 21:39none of those whereunto the Leuites were sorted, but of the Tribe, of Gad, and so one of Ahabs owne Subiectes. This man came some-what strangely about 1. King. 17: 1.1 Kgs 17:1this businesse: comming but to the King alone, that wee read of, not reproouing him first for any thing he had done, nor labouring him to any amendment, not so much as telling him, that th… Lord had sent him vntounto him; but euen abruptly, as it were, and bluntly enough, telling the King, that as the Lord God of Israell liued before whom he stood, there should be neyther Dew nor Raine fot those yeares ensuing, but according to his word. Iesus also the Sonne of Sirach goeth no farther, Eccles 48: 3.Sir 48:3but onelyonly that he did shut vp heauen, & by the word of the Lord: but else-where we hauehave, that it was doone by earnest prayer. But to go no farther than this praesent Iam. 5: 17.Jas 5:17place giueth occasion, the greatest personages that are, euen Kings withall, must bee content somtime to be so dealt withall by the Seruants of God, as, out of which they may easily take offence, as not being dealt with in such good manner, one way or other, as appertained: especially now, since the time that Christ is come among vsus, and hath shewed vsus all; neyther denouncing before when it pleaseth him to strike, nor shewing why it should bee needfull now, but eueryevery one for himselfe to heede his wayes as hee will bee serued, and neuer to looke for it, now to bee taught or warned still. According to which word of the Prophet, God, first prouiding for that his Seruaunt, sent indeede a maruellous great drought, and of long continuance on all that Land, to the great distresse thereof. For the Prophet hee first prouided, before the Famine by that great drought did begin: but then againe, when Cthe Famine was sore vponupon them. Before it beganne, God appointed the Prophet to 1. Kin. 17▪ 2. 6.1 Kgs 17:21 Kgs 17:6go and hide him by the Riuer Cherish, arising in the West, and running Eastward into Iordan: that so hee might euer as neede should be drink of the Riuer, and telling him farther, that he had already commaunded the Rauens to feede him there. Which when the Prophet accordingly did, he plainely found the good hand of God extended towardes him to his good, both in gracious and wonderfull manner, the Rauens, that hardly finde oft-times enough for themselues, bringing him both Bread and Flesh, eueryevery day, both Morning and Euening, wherein wee may note, not onelyonly that vsuall worke of God, euer setting his in safety, before hee poure foorth his wrath on the wicked: but that at this time besides, hee would hauehave the Prophet to hide him there, that so those that made so light on the word of God before, should not now bee able to get to the Prophet, though neuer so faine (after their manner) they would. Another thing also might some (to good vse) gather heereof, namely, such as for gaining time to theyr study, would, if it might stand with theyr health, hauehave but one meale a-day: besides that Phisicke accounteth that to bee the ouerthrow of good health by decaying the stomacke; seeing God himselfe, in so great a famine, allowed his Seruaunt two meales a day, it may stand in such like case for a rule vntounto others. When the drought was now so great, that the Riuer it selfe was 1. Kings. 17: 7-16.1 Kgs 17:7–16dryed, for that no raine fell on the earth, God then prouided otherwise for him, with a poore Widdow in the Coasts of Zidon, and so but a Gentile, and none of the Israelites. A strange worke of God, to ouer-hippe all in Israel, and send his Seruant forth to the Gentiles: and, being so full handed himselfe, yet not to relieue so special a Seruant of his, but out of such penury as hee did, and that among straungers too. The Widdow being a Stranger, might in reason some-thing hauehave staggered at Elias Ibid. 17-24.his demand to be partner with her and her Son, of that little store that then she had; and to serue him first too: but obeying therein, she is farther tryed in her Sonne, and farther acquainted with the power and glory of God. And if any of vsus would Ibid. 21.gladly raise others, in such sort as to vsus appertaineth, from errour to truth, or from loosenesse of life to some amendment, hence might we learne, how carefully to apply our selues vntounto them, and withall to seeke vntounto God, if we would praeuaile therein. p. 376Hauing thus prouided for his Seruant, the drought was now so great, that in Samaria, 1. Kings. 18: 2, 5, 6.1 Kgs 18:21 Kgs 18:51 Kgs 18:6the chiefe Citty of all (and then much rather in the whole Kingdome besides) Dthe famine was very great, and their pastures were eueryevery where so burnt vp, that at length the King himselfe in his owne person, tooke the one part of the Land to goe through, to see where he might find pasture enough wherby to saue such cattle as they had left, that they lost not some whole kind of them: & for the other part of the land, he gaue the like charge to Obadiah, one of his Nobles, belike of speciall good reckoning with him. These thinges are certaine: the Text it selfe dooth plainely witnesse them both. Besides which, there are two others very probable also; one of Ahab: the other of Iezebell. That of Ahab i… …lainely reported by Obadiah, a 1. King. 18: 101 Kgs 18:10personage, and very well giuen, as that time and place might affoord: namely, that Ahab his Lord …nd Mayster had made great search for the Prophet Elias, in all those Countreyes there-about, and would gladly hauehave heard where he had beene; yet not (as I take it) as hauing denounced or proclaimed him to be an enemy to his State, as Pet. Mart…r. 1. King. 17: 3. Ibid. 18: 20, 40, 42, 45.1 Kgs 17:3is conceiued by one of speciall reckoning. For both the Lorde had willed him before to hide himselfe: and when Ahab had found him againe, hee was so farre from doing him any hurt, that very farre hee was ruled by him. So it may seeme rather to be, that Elias did not keepe himselfe secret, as for feare of the King, but that they might be truly humbled by that chasticement, before that he would be found of them againe, to ease them of it; and that Ahab did not so inquire for him to hauehave his life, or any way to hurt him (which may rather seeme hee durst not, hee saw the power of God so present with him, by that his prediction before;) but rather that hee would hauehave had him, to see if hee could hauehave obtained release of that chasticement, as the Prophet indeede had told him, that they should hauehave neyther Dew nor Raine, but according as himselfe should say the word. The other of Iezabell, is, that whereas she slew many of the Prophets of the Lord (the particular of which Story we hauehave Ibid. 18: 4, 13.not) it may very well bee, that it was most for this famine too: as eyther themselues refusing to helpe them, being so distressed as they were, or concealing Elias among them (for so did Nebucadnezzer after, rage against the Wise-men of Babylon; and Dan. 2: 12, 13Dan 2:12Dan 2:13in such cases, such is the impaciency of godlesse persons;) or else, as being the chiefe and principall causes of all that their misery, as Christians were charged by many of the persecuting Emperours since, and by much of their people besides. When this chasticement of theirs was to be taken off from them, first wee are to consider of it: then, of another accident that fell out thereupon. As touching it, when the Lord E1. King. 18: 1.1 Kgs 18:1had thus farre laid his hand vponupon them, then did the word of the Lord come to Elias, willing him to goe shew himselfe vntounto Ahab, and promising that hee would send raine vponupon the earth: as also it did soone afterward prooue, when some such thinges as that case required had passed before. Those thinges that passed before, were some of them, but with some few seuerall persons: others, with many. Those fewe seuerall persons were but two: Obadiah; and Ahab. Obadiah was the man who Ibid. 2, 7-16.first light on the Prophet, and as he was comming to shew himselfe vntounto Ahab: and the businesse that the Prophet had with him, was, but that he willed him to goe and shew Achab that he was there (and so it appeareth the Prophet himselfe did not goe, but onelyonly sent by Obadiah: both a performance no doubt of Gods commaundement, willing to goe shew himselfe vntounto Achab; and yet not letting down therein the dignity of his function, in such place as it pleased God then to vse him) which though at the first he did not obtaine, on some feare that was thereon conceiued, yet soone after it was with good will performed. With Achab he had some businesse also, both at their first meeting: and about the businesse they had in hand. At their first meeting, Ibid. 17.Achab tooke on him something like a King, as hee was: in effect charging the Ibid. 18.Prophet, that he it was that troubled Israell. But the Prophet plainely told him againe, it was not he, but that it was euen himselfe, and his Fathers house, in that they had forsaken the commaundements of the Lord: and that, for his part, hee had followed Baalim besides, so defiling himselfe with much more Idolatry than his fathers had done. In that the King did so charge him, we are not to conceiue, that he did it against his owne conscience or iudgement therein, though the Prophet were as p. 377free from it as might be: but that it is a naturall perswasion in vsus all generally, that we may sufficiently serue GOD, and the Worlde too, and therefore, that they are too praecife, and troublers of publike peace, that will not allow vsus both in our profession and life, to be some-thing like to others about vsus. And the aunswere of the Prophet on the other side teacheth, both him and vsus, that wee cannot any way decline from the word of God to gratify others, or to make our selues, or our waies sutable to them, but that therein wee trouble our owne estate, not onelyonly priuate men but Princes too, eueryevery of vsus in our owne proper measure. About the businesse they had Fin hand, the Prophet propoundeth a course to the King, how to grow to some good yssue: and the King ioyneth with him therein. The course was, that the King should Ibid 19.send and gather together vntounto the Prophet in Mount Carmell, all the people generally: and together with them, all the Prophets of Baal, foure hundred and fifty; and the Prophets of the Groues, whom Iezebell maintained, foure hundred also. Which the King readily did: not referring the matter to his Counsell, who were like enough Ibid. 20.to hauehave beene such (at least, for diuers of them) as would hauehave crossed it one way or other, though it had beene for none other cause, but onelyonly to hauehave brunted the Prophet, that he should not hauehave that interest in the King, or so farre meddle, as the gathering of so great assembly to him, might diuersly import; but by and by satisfying the Prophet therein. Those beeing now gathered together, the Prophet hath to deale with many: both with all the people generally, and with those other Prophets; and that hee dooth twice. His former dealing with them, was, to propound vntounto them some indifferent course, whereby to make tryall of themselues, in what case they stood towardes God, or whether they were, in that respect, right or wrong. Which course of his, was no sooner propounded, but that it was liked of all generally; and soone after effected too: but what it was, is not so fully described vntounto vsus, but that some part of it we may easilie mistake, vnlesse we take the beeter heede. He required Ahab, in distinct and plaine tearmes, to send for two sortes of Prophets: Ibid. 19.foure hundred and fifty of Baals; and four hundred of the Groue, or, as it is interpreted of the groues, otherwise also noting them to hauehave their diet then at Iezebels table. Ibid. 20:It is said likewise of Ahab, that besides that he sent for the people, hee gathered the Prophets together: not noting that he gathered all; nor yet, on the other side, that he left out any. But now when Elias is to deale with the people about that matter, neyther dooth hee charge them with any other matter, but onelyonly with a doubtfull and mingled worshipping, parted, as it were, betwixt the Lord and Baal. Now the Lord, with him, was out of quaestion: and Baal onelyonly the party impugned. So that although he first required the Prophets of the Groues too, those that did eate at Iezebels Table: yet hauehave we no mention, but onelyonly of those Prophets of Baal, in all that followeth. Out of which some hauehave gathered, that those others the King would not bring hither, and that Iezebell woulde not suffer them to come: a matter Conr. Pell. Pet. Martyr.indeede likely enough; but wee hauehave no certainty of it. It may bee therefore, Gthat they were there too: but that the Prophet doth not so roundly oppose himselfe against them, as he doth against the others, as not accounting these so hurtfull: and yet that he would hauehave them there with the others, as in diuers good respectes hee might. And this were likely to stand the more cleere, if it may bee found, that the Prophets of the Groue, or of the Groues, were not so Idolatrous as the others: and that may seeme, may well be gathered; though it be not, that I doe know of, considered by any. For those Groues were not common Woods, or hoults of Trees, but eyther specially chosen, or purposely set about some place, where the people eyther A…br. Calepin. e… Servi…. 1. Kin. 14: 23. 2. Chr. 17: 6.1 Kgs 14:232 Chr 17:6then worshipped, or meant to doe it: and therefore diuers times, Groues, and high places goe together; such places as were of any delightfull or beautiful heigth aboue the rest, beeing thought to be the meetest, for places of assembly to worshippe, and therefore set with Trees too, both for the vse and beauty of them. First therefore as touching the higher ground, it is the generall inclination of all, that as any thing is of more price and dignity with vsus, if by such kinde of placing wee can adde any beauty vntounto it (or if it bee no more but the contentment of our owne mindes therein) wee readily affoorde it that aduantage; and th… Religion, or religyous p. 378worshipping, beeing of that account with all men, it falleth our naturally with vsus, that if wee light on any such place as something mounteth, and the same in seemely and pleasant manner, if we can conueniently get it of others, or spare it if it be of our own, we are as it were with child, til we hauehave graced it some such way, one or other. Then as touching the Groue to be added thereto, that also is in the common iudgement of all, a comely and a pleasant ornament vntounto it: and of good vse besides, both in the hotter Countries for shade, and in the colder, for wind and weather. Neuerthelesse there hauehave beene others besides, that hauehave had some baser Lyr. in 2. Reg. 13. ….2 Kgs 13meaning to hauehave those places so shaddowed vntounto them: and yet hath that also been such, as that although men would not bee acknowne that that was any part of their meaning; yet on that behalfe could they bee content to winke at them, shrowding themselues therein vnderunder the generall inclination of all. This then being the generall liking of all, it must needes be graunted, both that it is a ready course for all men generally to incline vntounto: and that easily it breedeth dislike of others that any way crosse it, as doing it rather of meere peeuishnesse, than of any reason to beare them Hout in it. The word of God, giuen vntounto them, was against both: and it might very well bee, that euen in those thinges also hee would hauehave his people sundred from Exod. 20: 26. Num. …3. 52. Deut. 7: 5. 16: 21.Exod 20:26Num 3:52Deut 7:5Deut 7:16Deut 7:21them, least that otherwise they should ioyne with them, in that which were corruption indeede; and, that in matters of deuotion or religious worshipping, hee would therefore hauehave the lesse beauty or pleasure in the place, that they might the rather bee altogether occupied in that which were true deuotion indeede. And in these places it is very cleere, that among them the Lord onelyonly was worshipped: but after that himselfe appointed what should be the place of his worship, and forbad all others 1. Sa. 9: 12-14, 19, 23. 1. Chr. 16: 39. 2. Chr. 1: 3.1 Sam 9:12–141 Sam 9:191 Sam 9:231 Chr 16:392 Chr 1:3besides, then could not these be to that end vsed. Againe it is certaine, that many of them were vsed to Idolatry, both before this people came into the Land, and by themselues afterwardes also. But as yet it may probably seeme, that as where the golden Calues were, yet there also they professed no worship but onelyonly of the Lord: so might it bee in their Groues and high places also; this King himselfe being the first (to speake off) that brought in that other Idolatry beside. So it seemeth to me, not to be vnlikely, but that those other Prophets of the Groues, did professe the worship of the Lord, though but in corrupt manner, and so might more easily bee borne-with: and yet that there were of them Idolaters also, remnants of the old Canaanites; though the Lorde was their onelyonly God, were yet so fresh in the memory, & in the assurance of all generally, that the most of them may probably be thought to be of the other. That those did eate at Iezebels Table, or were maintained by her, may seeme to import otherwise, as that they were not like to find such fauour with her, if they were none other than so: but shee being wedded into that Land, where it was so firmly on all handes held, that the Lord God of Israell was their onelyonly Lord, it may probably be conceiued, that shee was content to professe him also; at least being left to her liberty for the manner of it, to follow the guise that most was vsed. And so it may be, that these also were of the number: and yet that Elias on good consideration (though hee required to hauehave them there, and like enough that Achab was content to satisfie him to the full, as his case stoode then) thought not good in such sort to proceede against them, as he did against the others. Then falleth it out, that now the businesse is but against Ithe Idolatry of Baal, and against the practicers and teachers of it: and not (in the course that now is intended) against any of those others besides. The thing therefore that he opposeth himselfe against, being the Idolatry of Baal that they were 1. King. 18: 211 Kgs 18:21in, and labouring to draw them out of it, first hee reprooueth them for their inclining from the Lord to Baal so much as they did, and tearming it halting betwixt both: then, when the people are silent, as hauing nothing that they may iustly alleage in their defence, he propoundeth that course vntounto them that we speake of for Ibid. 22-24.the triall of the matter in quaestion; & the people thought it so very indifferent, & so good a triall withal, that generally they accepted of it. Setting in hand therfore with their triall, & Baals Prophets hauing the fore part of the day to work in, and there in Ibid. 25-39.great measure too, earnestly endeuouring, but nothing praeuailing: when the turne p. 379came to Elias, he quickly dispatched, to the great contentment & admiration of al. This being his former dealing, both with the people, and with those foure hundered and fifty Prophets of Baal, his next was, for the execution of those false Prophets, Ibid. 40.willing the people, that they suffered not one of them to escape, and the people readily yeelding their helpe and seruice therein: so that at the bottome of the hill by the side of the Riuer Kison, they were all by Elias and the people there put to death; the King himselfe nothing at all hindering that Iustice, that there we read of, but as it may seeme by a circumstance soone after following, hauing the Prophet then in speciall fauour. One there is, who is of opinion, that those other foure hundred Prophets of the Groues, were then and there executed likewise: but I do not see that he hath, in the Text, any warrant for it; and others there bee, as C…ā. Flinch … Geneal. Chri-lib. 2. cap. 26. pag. 117. Ibid. 41-46.I saide before, that are of opinion they were not there. This execution first being done, and the time being now come, that the promised raine was to be giuen them, the Prophet first desireth the King now to go and refresh himselfe (hauing it seemeth fasted till then) assuring him, there was good store of raine now verie neere: but himselfe goeth aside to pray, and so continueth till hee saw that he had obtayned. By which time the King hauing refreshed himselfe, is now by the Prophet Kaduised, to speede himselfe home so fast as he can, least he be stayed by rayne: and himselfe attending the King home, made such speed withall, that he euer kept with the kings Chariot, and came to Iezrael some-what before. Whereby it seemeth, that the King bare him such countenance then, that the Prophet conceyued good hope of more good to be done vponupon him: and thereon attended so as he did.

5 That other accident that fell out heereuppon, was cleane contrary, as it seemeth, Ato that the Prophet had before conceyued, being no sooner come to Iesrael, hauing attended the king thither, but that he findeth himselfe as it were closed vp in the iawes of death, vnlesse he see to himselfe in time: a great discomfiture to him for the time; but quickly comforted againe of God. His discomfiture was such, as presented vntounto him present death the next day, vnlesse he could vse some meanes to auoide it before: whereupon he shifted for himselfe so well as hee could. The danger therefore that he was in, being to bee considered, first, it is good to note, that together with the danger it selfe, God so ordered the matter, that withall he had a way to escape. The danger it selfe, was, that Ahab, when he was teturned, 1. King. 19: 1.1 Kgs 19:1telling Queene Iezebel, how things that day had passed (as it is the manner of men to do, especially when the things are strange withall) that godlesse Queene so little regarded the great glory of God shining therein, that she presently determined with her-selfe, to hauehave his life for it, the next day following. The way that he had withall to escape, was, that the Queene her selfe coulde not keepe in the bloudy purpose she had conceyued, but plainly sent him word thereof: accounting belike, that now she had him sure enough; and not contented, it seemeth, onelyonly to hauehave Ibid. 2.his life, but that also she would torment him with the feare of death in the meane season. The shift that then he made for himselfe was by flight: and the same in good sort by him performed. That he must saue himselfe by flight, it is somwhat strange, both in respect of his late good deserts; and of that extraordinary power wherewith he was diuersly endowed: but so God vseth to humble his, notwithstanding whatsoeuer benefite it hath pleased God to make to redound to others Bthereby; or whatsoeuer power he hath otherwise giuen vntounto them. That it was in good sort by him performed, we may perceiue plainely enough by that which wee hauehave recorded of him therein; and yet hauehave we one likely-hood that doth seem to shew it farther. That which we hauehave recorded of him therein, is, that hee made his flight by Iudah: and that then he tooke into the wildernesse so farre as hee did. That hee made his flight by Iudah, it appeareth, because hee came from Iesrael to Ibid 3.Beersheba, in the out-most Coast of Iudah South-ward. Where it is noted, that he left his seruant, but not declared withall, whereuppon he did it: and yet notwithstanding because it is recorded heere, it seemeth to hauehave some dependance on this story, and that I cannot finde that it hath, vnlesse it bee in one of these two: that p. 380either he left him behinde in pollicy for a time; or else parted with him cleane, as not so fit for him as he did neede. For as touching that conceit of some, that this his seruant should be that child of the Widdow with whom he soiourned, to whom at his intercession God had giuen life againe, and that the same was likewise Ionas the Prophet, because it is but their owne conceit, & altogether without any ground on the Text, we are therefore to leaue it where it is. Hee might leaue him behind in policy, if either Iezebel did indeede, by any such meanes as she could vse, pursue him thither (a matter both possible, and not vnlikely) or if the Prophet but doubted she had: or otherwise found, when he came thither, that there he was in danger also. For so leauing his man in sight, and, as it were, going about his Maisters businesse there, it might seeme to imply, that himselfe was there also. And Iezabel, being so bloody a woman as she was, and so wickedly bent against the Prophets of the Lord, hauing destroyed so many of them before, being armed also with so great Authority, and hauing bound her selfe with an Oath to the slaughter of this man of whom we speake: was not vnlikely to hauehave laid for him euen at Bethshabee also, by such meanes as she might easily hauehave thereunto. But if that particle there, may, by the vse of the Hebrew tongue, bee vnderstoode of that other place from whence he fled (as Relatiues, with them, are diuers times vsed) then had the Prophet iuster occasion a great deale, to make the best shift that he could for his owne escape: especially, when his Seruaunt so left, should bee in no danger thereby, the quarrell being but personall onelyonly, & himselfe being the onelyonly man against whom Cit was. Hee might also leaue him behind, to part with him cleane, as not so meete for him as he did neede, for that we do not find that they met againe, and soone after it followeth, that Elizeus is by God himselfe mentioned vntounto him, and that hee 1. Kings. 19. 16, 21.1 Kgs 19:161 Kgs 19:21did Minister vntounto him, or did him seruice: as also it is reported by one of the seruants of the King of Israell, after the death of Elias, that Eliseus the Prophet then, was the seruant of Elias before. And true it is, that the neerer that any approocheth 2. King. 3. 11.2 Kgs 3:11vntounto the waies of God indeede, the harder is it, for any such to light on such Seruants, as are meete for them: not one to bee had among many mo than one would thinke at the first, but will either condemne of morosity his Maisters integrity, and thereupon hang off from him againe: or else seeing it to bee but a barren seruice in worldly respects, thereupon hang impatiently on them for the time they tarry, so long as they see not, otherwise how to better themselues; and when they do, or but perswade themselues then readily take the opportunity offered, yea and themselues force it too rather then faile. At the first a man would thinke, it were no matter of any such difficulty: but had not God himselfe prouided that seruant for him that then he did, and such an one as himselfe should bee a Prophet after; no doubt it would hauehave beene a hard matter for Elias to hauehave gotten one fit for his purpose. And the greater the Prophet himselfe is, though the seruant may be in guifts inferior by so many degrees, that therein there may bee no comparision at all betwixt them: yet in orderly carriage, and good moderation to his affections, the neerer had the seruant neede to come vntounto him; otherwise, the farther hee is off therein, the more troublesome must he needes be vntounto him, and therefore so much the vnmeeter for him. Howsoeuer it was that now he parted with his seruant, hee then sped himselfe farther, euen one daies iourney into the Wildernes, before he rested: 1. King. 19: 41 Kgs 19:4and so got himselfe reasonable safe (to the iudgement of any) from the danger that then he was in. But a strange sight in some respect it was, that so notable a Prophet as he, so very lately so much honoured from aboue, so benificiall and welcome to the whole land beneath, should now notwithstanding bee in that feare among them, that he rather chose to flee to Serpents, and the sauage beasts of the Wildernesse, than to abide among his owne people, though all of them now, in most fresh memory, very deepely indebted vntounto him. A true and right patterne of this praesent vnthankfull and ill world: often bearing it selfe hardest against those▪ that hauehave best deserued of it. That one likelihood that we hauehave which farther sheweth vsus, Dthat whereas Elias was to saue himselfe by flight, he did the same effectually, is, that being so come into the Wildernesse, himselfe, being in speciall anguish, neuerthelesse p. 381fell so soone asleepe; and that GOD so soone did feede him there: the one branch thereof importing, that he had trauelled very sore; the other, that hee had not any where stayed, so much as to take him any meate. Because the King himselfe, it seemeth, was fasting, till they had done their businesse at Carmel, it is most likely that the Prophet was so too: but when he thereupon wished the King to forbeare no longer, but to go and refresh himselfe, he notwithstanding went then to Prayer, and persisted therein, till he perceyued hee had obtained. Then wishing the King to speede himselfe homeward, himselfe hastened thither also: there, it may seeme, thinking to hauehave had opportunity to hauehave refreshed himselfe at leisure. He is no sooner come thither, but that he findeth, there is no staying at all for him there. Speeding himselfe thence, his iourney was great; and seeing hee was so soone sed by God himselfe, when he was come to his iourneyes end, that is it that may seeme to import, that he made no stay by the way: a kind of exercise or triall, that others also of the children of God must looke sometimes to be put vntounto; and for that cause are to arme themselues before hand for it. His discomfiture heereon 1. King. 19: 41 Kgs 19:4being so great, that he besought the Lord he might dye (so heauy a burthen is it oft-times, euen for those that are best endued, quietly to beare, the great vnthankfulnesse that the world for the most part yeeldeth) now are we to see, how it pleased God to deale with him thereon: first in that place where now hee was; then, else-where, a little after. In that place where now he was, it pleased God in that his distresse, to minister much comfort vntounto him: in one thing very plainly; and it seemeth, that in another he had the same meaning also. That one thing wherein it was plaine, was not onelyonly for that present: but for many dayes after ensuing. For that present it was, that God did shew himselfe to take such care on his behalf, Ibid. 5▪7.as to send him foode in that his necessity: and that hee did it, both so plentifully, that it serued him twice; and that he did it by the ministery of an Angell. In that which was for many dayes after ensuing, wee are to consider, not onelyonly what the thing it selfe was: but also, of another thereof depending. The thing it selfe was, that his body was sustained by those two refections forty dayes, and forty nights: a great experiment, and a great number of witnesses of many dayes, of the great Eand speciall fauour of God towards him, myraculously, by his extraordinary dealing with him, preseruing his good estate so long, not onelyonly in speciall great comfort to himselfe; but also to his great honour in all ages with others. Wherein likewise we may farther note, as on Gods behalfe the variety of his working, in that place feeding the Prophet, with those two meales forty daies, where hee fed the people before forty years, eueryevery day giuing them their meate afresh vntounto them, the Sabaoths onelyonly still excepted: so on the behalfe of Elias also, though he were a great Prophet, yet that vnlesse his businesse were the greater there, hee was much beholding to God that so maintained him in that wildernesse, if hee all that time were but walking the wanderings, or kept close in the couertures of his owne infirmity. That other that dependeth thereon, is, that we do not read, that any of the godlyer sort of the people of God ensuing, did euer take vp among them any imitation of this myraculous fast of Elias: that vsage of theirs implying, that it was not of nccessity, that any should afterward imitate such another that followed in Christ. That other wherein it is likely that so it was also, is, that then the Angell Ibid. 7.told him, that there was much way abiding him yet: not so much respecting thereby, as it seemeth to me, that his iournying to Horeb, which notwithstanding followed immediately after; as framed rather to be an answere vntounto him, for that he desired a little before, that he might dye, giuing him now to vnderstand, that hee might not looke to go yet, but had to returne to his labour againe, as hauing much to do, before he might thinke to giuegive ouer. For neither doth the Angel bid him go to Horeb; neither was it of any such distance by far, as to require so long a time thither (the way from Horeb to Kadesh-barnea, being almost as far as the other, & that being but 11. dayes iourny:) and when he was there, God did ask him twice▪ what Adrichom. Deut. 1: 2 1. King… 19: 9, 13.Deut 1:21 Kgs 19:91 Kgs 19:13he did there, which it seemeth he would not hauehave done, if himselfe had sent him on that iourny. And then this comfort was, that whereas he was affraid of his life by p. 382Iezebel, heereby he is giuen to vnderstand, that as yet he was in no such daunger. In that other place wherein God had farther dealing with him, we are first to consider, of his going thither: then, what dealing it was, that God had with him there. As touching the former of these, wee hauehave it not expressed in what sort he came thither: but conceiued by one, as, for feare of Iezebel, fleeing away from his calling. Pet. Martyr.But seeing we doe not reade of any farther calling hee had, than that which hee hath Fas yet performed, and seeing that, as his case was (so farre as wee are able to charge him by the Text) it seemeth to be cleere, that he might flee: I doe not see how hee may be iustly charged, by this his flight to forsake his calling, or that he did any more therein than was lawfull for him to do. But now that in the Wildernesse he had so good experience of the prouidence of God towards him, being so readily refreshed, and serued therein with an Angell from heauen; hauing likewise such wordes vttered vntounto him, as out of which he might as readily conceiue, that yet he had much time to spend (that being the matter whereof he stoode in doubt now) as that he had some long iourney to go (that being not otherwise spoken of yet) I, for my part, doe not see, but that heerein (for any thing we hauehave in the Text to the contrary) hee might be led much by his owne infirmity, in this his iournying vntounto Horeb: not onelyonly, because it was so farre out of the way from that which was likeliest to be his businesse, if any way he had to deale with the people of God as he had begun, and because we do not reade of any direction at all of going thither; but much rather, both because when he was come thither, God asked him twice what hee did there, and because it was so long before he came thither. For if God had commaunded him thither, it is not likely that he would so hauehave asked him what hee did there: and seeing it was so long before he came there, which by likelihood he might well hauehave done in one quarter of that time or neere vntounto it, it seemeth he had no set iourney thither; but that he kept himselfe in the Wildernesse to auoyd that former danger, and by that occasion the rather went vntounto Horeb. For not onelyonly the more idle, and the lighter sort of the people, are giuen to see places of speciall note: but sometimes euen the wisest and best men that are, as either neede at any time requireth, or as opportunities are offered vntounto them. That therefore being a place of so speciall a note, by the giuing of the Law, and that gracious conuersing of God with Moses there, it may well bee, that in that respect he rather chose to go thither (if hee thought it needfull, as it seemeth Deut. 4: 10, 1…. 5: 2. Exod. 3: 1, 2▪ 17: 6. 23 6, 18-23. 24: 1-8.Deut 4:10Deut 4:1Deut 4:5Deut 4:2Exod 3:1Exod 3:2Exod 3:17Exod 3:6Exod 3:23he did, there to keepe himselfe out of the way for the time) than elsewhere to soiourn therein: and surely that was pardonable vntounto him, were he the grauest & best man on earth (as it seemeth that age of his could not out-match him, nor match him neither) vnlesse at that time he had more vrgent businesse then to be done, which by the Text no man is able (as I do take it) to charge him withall.

6 Being come thither, first God dealt with him, about that his comming thither: Aand then employed him farther besides. About that his comming thither, his dealing tendeth to his instruction onelyonly, as it seemeth to me, though he did no more in effect, but onelyonly aske him what he did there: but that he did not onelyonly at the first so soone as he came; but afterward also, when it seemeth he did prepare him to some better aduisement in that his answere. When first he asked him what he did there, 1. Kin. 19: 8, 9.1 Kgs 19:81 Kgs 19:9it was as that time sufficient to put him in minde, that vnlesse he had some iust occasion of that his being there, he was without defence or warrant therein. Many of vsus hauehave in like sort had and yet hauehave our wandrings too, some of trauaile as we terme it, to see the estate and manners of strange peoples, others in the way of deuotion to visit places of special note; of al which, though there may be some vse, somtimes needfull, sometimes but tollerable; yet in thē all this question to him is of special moment for vsus, to occasion or driue vsus, by comparing together what we do there, and what we hauehave elsewhere to do, to aduise our selues well, whether we be right or not. When it seemeth God did prepare him to some better answere, we are to see, in what sort he did it: and how farre it may seeme to hauehave preuayled with the Prophet. The better to finde in what sort he did it, whereas, if that be his meaning, as it seemeth to me to be, such things as follow must hauehave relation to his answere going before we are first to p. 383consider of that his aunswere: then, what course is taken for the framing of it to some better order. In that his aunswere, it seemeth, his meaning was, that hee had occasion to flee; and so was fled thyther: else I see not how hee made any dyrect aunswere to the matter demaunded; but beeing so taken, it is playne that hee hath directly aunswered. But now whereas there bee two speciall braunches of that his aunswere, the former of them onelyonly hee further confirmeth, or dooth shew some reason for it: and sayeth nothing of the other, but seemeth to leaue it as onelyonly implyed. BThe former of them is, that hee had occasion to flee: for which though he shew very good reason; yet doth hee altogether omit that, which seemeth to bee most in quaestion now. The reason that hee bringeth in, consisteth of two principall Ibid. 10.partes: one, that his zeale was such towardes the Lord, that hee could not abide to see such things as of late had passed among the Children of Israell; the other, that they sought his life besides. The former of which his Father expresseth: complayning that they had not onelyonly forsaken his Couenant, but that still they so persisted in that their apostacy, that they had also broken downe his Altars, and so farre destroyed all his Prophets, that he onelyonly now remained. That they brake downe his Altars, and made such hauocke of his Prophets, it may seeme their meaning was, vtterly to abolish the memory of that his Couenant, and to leaue none among them that might renew it vntounto them againe. That which he omitteth as touching the cause of his flight, and seemeth to be most in quaestion now, is that slaughter that hee made of Baals Prophets, which was indeed, if not the onelyonly, yet the chiefe cause why Iezebell 1. King. 18: 40 Ibid. 19: 2, 3.1 Kgs 18:40threatned death vntounto him, and for which he fled: neither do we read, that he had any warrant so to do, or that it was of the Lord that he did it; as also it may be that he rather omitted it, as not cleered in his owne conscience now, but that it was something inordinately done. True it is, that by the Law of God they were to bee put Deut. 13: 1-5.Deut 13:1–5to death: but we doe not know, that any such authority was to him committed; and hee did not, it seemeth, speake to the King to doe Iustice on them, but directed his speach to the people for that matter, euen in the praesence of the King who onelyonly was interessed therein, for any thing that appeareth yet to the contrary. The latter part of his answere was, that thereupon he was fled thyther: which, as I said, he doth not plainely alleage; but onelyonly leaueth it, as it were, implyed. But, as I saide withall, eyther wee must take it to bee implyed, or else that hee did not directly aunswere: which of the two, I thinke were the harder. And yet if the Prophet did leaue that to be implyed (namely, that on that occasion he was fled thyther) although indeede that was the onelyonly cause that he fled: yet out of the circumstance of so long a time, and of the distance and dignity of the place, it may seeme, that some other respect Cconcurred withall. This being his answere, the course that was taken for the framing of it to some better order, was, that first there was, as it were, such matter laide foorth vntounto him, as out of which hee might learne to doe it: then, was hee asked the quaestion againe. To the end hee might the better heede the matter that shoulde be layde foorth vntounto him, out of which hee might learne to frame his aunswere better, he is first willed to come forth, and to stand on the Mountaine before the Lord: 1. King. 19: 11, 21.1 Kgs 19:111 Kgs 19:21seeming to imply, that so hee might take the better heede, to that which there hee should see and heare. At which time it may be he came forth: though it bee not remembred till some-what after. That which was done (whether hee came foorth at the first or not, to be partaker of it) consisted of diuers particulars: of which it is sayde for the most part of them, that the Lorde was not in them: but one there is, wherein it may seeme the Lord was taken to be, and yet it is not plainely spoken, no more than it is thereof denied. In those of which it is saide, that the Lord was not in them, it is to be marked, that albeit in eueryevery of them it be denied in particular: yet of them al generally it is plainly said that the Lord went by; and, as it seemeth to import, euen in them all that there are named. And true it is, that the Lord hath his hand in such thinges also: though in other good sense hee might bee denyed as then to be in them. Those wherein he was denyed to bee, were all of a forcible, or violent Nature: one of them a mighty strong Winde, renting the Mountaines, and breaking p. 384the Rockes before the Lord; two others of great force too, but hauing nothing specially noted of them, but such as inseparably goeth with the Nature of them, the Earth-quake making the Earth to mooue, and the Fire not beeing able to continue but by consuming some-thing. And wee, whensoeuer we are in any kinde of violent or immoderate motion of the minde, are to knowe, that that lightly is not of God, but a meere perturbation of Flesh and Blood, howsoeuer it may seeme to be to our selues, but pure zeale, onelyonly on behalfe of Gods glory. That one, wherein it may seeme the Lord was taken to bee, was that still and soft voyce: and it seemed that Eliah conceiued the Lorde was in it, because then hee couered his face with Ibid. 13.his Mantle; as also at that time it is not denyed the Lorde to bee there, as it was in Dthe other, and because then there came a voyce from the Lorde vntounto him. Out of all which, Elias may gather, that if hee had not some speciall calling to that Execution of Baals Prophets, then had hee beene too forward in it, and that it was not pure zeale onelyonly that carryed him vntounto it, but that there was mingled some humaine perturbation there-with. So that now hee might hauehave gathered, that it was not GOD that directed to any inordinate dealing: and therefore, that, if that were his case, some of his owne humane perturbation, had therein associated it selfe vntounto that, which hee thought to hauehave beene pure zeale onelyonly towardes God. And this might hee hauehave gathered so much the rather, first, because GOD might so plainely seeme to hauehave quaestioned with him, what occasion it was that hadde brought him thyther: then, because his other dealing with him also might seeme to poynt the same way also. For in that hee asked him what hee did there, hee might easily take it to bee of that Nature, as his quaestion was vntounto Adam, when hee asked him, where hee was: not, that hee had any such regard vntounto the Gen. 3: 9.Gen 3:9place where then hee was; but that by putting him in minde how hee had hidden himselfe there, hee would thereby hauehave him to finde out his sinne, the onelyonly cause of that his hiding. His dealing with him beside, what dooth it else, but onelyonly reprooue all immoderate roughnesse, and commend vntounto him gentle and quiet moderation? And although it bee not plainely sayde of that still voyce that GOD was therein, as it was plainely sayde of eueryevery of those violent courses, that God was not in them: yet is it enough, that when as hee was so plainely denyed to be in the other, hee is not denyed to bee in this; hauing such other Testimonies besides, that then he was there. For indeede, eueryevery still and soft voyce, is not of him: and so, it may he, that therefore it was not then affirmed, least that should be taken, to bee as generall as the other. For though no violent or rough dealing bee euer of GOD: yet neyther is all easie and soft dealing of him, as wee may see in Ely before. God 1 Sa. 2: 23-25, 29. 3. 11-131 Sam 2:23–251 Sam 2:291 Sam 2:31 Sam 2:11–13hauing in this sort layde him out matter enough, out of which hee might hauehave framed his aunswere in some better manner, then asketh hee him the selfe-same quaestion againe: expecting belike (and that in great mercy) after that now hee hath so plainely pointed him vntounto it, and so well holpen him therein, to hauehave that aunswere Eof his amended, which came so defectiue from him before. So with vsus also. For whensoeuer God doth point vsus to any slip that we hauehave made, and withall affordeth vsus his helpe to amend it, we may well account it to be one of the chiefe and principall fauours that hee bestoweth on those that are dearest vntounto him. And it is good to note, that he doth not by name deliuer vntounto him what it is that he would hauehave to bee farther cleered: but onelyonly asketh the quaestion againe: that wee may learne thereby, euer to keepe so good account of all our wayes, as that if at any time wee bee called in quaestion for any of them, wee may sooner be able to finde what it is, and then set in hand with amendment of it. Howe farre this dealing of GOD praeuayled with him, may soone bee seene; beeing, so farre as wee may perceiue, nothing at all: the Prophet making the selfe-same aunswere that hee did before. A notable patterne, how hardly wee can finde out our owne defectes, though God Ibid. 14.himselfe doe point vsus vntounto them, and yeelde vsus speciall good helpe therein: when as so notable a Prophet as this, though hee had those helpes, yet neuerthelesse was defectiue in it. And as the Prophet persisting still in his former aunswere, and nothing p. 385at all amending it yet, might easily make one to conceiue, that hee stood very cleere therein, but that this dealing of God with him, is a stronger witnesse against him: so may the better sort of vsus likewise bee so fast setled in our owne ouer-weaning of our selues, that easily may wee induce others to be of opinion that wee are right, when neuerthelesse wee are very wrong, vnlesse they hauehave the wisedome and grace, resolutely to make tryall of vsus by the exact word of God. Howe it was with Saint Peter himselfe in such a-like case wee cannot certainely say: though hee Iohn. 21: 15-17.John 21:15–17also, it seemeth, by persisting in his aunswere, vnderstood as little the meaning of Christ. But sure we are, that such as would bee his onelyonly successors since, and their complyces and adherents, many of them sufficiently furnished, with humane capacity, wisedome, and learning, hauehave eyther not seene (or else hauehave dissembled) what should be the meaning of Christ therein: eueryevery where so busily hanching at some probabilities for their desired Primacy, that this place also must needes bee of that matter too; neuer perceiuing (at least not acknowledging) though a matter as easie to bee seene (to such as hauehave not theyr eyes fore-stauled already) as in a fayre daie the Sunne in the Firmament, that Christ allowed not that to stand for any sufficient FIbid. 7.token of his louelove towardes him, that so readily hee leaped foorth of the shippe to come first vntounto him, but much rather by diligent imploying himselfe about those that he left behinde him. Another example sufficient to shewe, how hardly the best of vsus all, in our owne case especially, doe at any time pierce to the depth of that which is by God deliuered vntounto vsus: but the parties in this case beeing of a baser kinde, and much more fore-stauled, than was that party that wee spake off before in the other. Hauing thus farre dealt with him about his comming thyther, and getting no better aunswere of him now than before (which notwithstanding hee quietly putteth vppe: a token of a wonderfull louelove and patience in him) then hee imployeth him about some other seruice besides. But heere it is not amisse to marke, that after in this hee vseth in his seruice others besides, and not onelyonly Elias, as hytherto this hee had doone: and yet that afterward hee both vseth him agayne, and vouchsafeth him extraordinary and speciall fauour. But because it pleaseth GOD no more to vse the seruice of Elias after this for a time, therefore wee are not nowe to prosecute his Story any farther yet: but onelyonly so farre as this praesent place dooth giuegive vsus occasion. Heere therefore wee are to see, what seruice it was about which it pleased GOD to imploy him nowe: and howe it was by him performed. In that about which it pleased GOD to imploy him 1. Kings. 19: 15-18.1 Kgs 19:15–18nowe, it pleaseth God both to direct him in that which hee should doo: and withall to acquaint him before, with the effect that it should take. That which hee was directed to doe, was now no difficult peece of seruice, but yet part of it somewhat daungerous: but the residue of it both very easie, and altogether without daunger too. That which was of no difficulty (I meane for the laboriousnesse of it) but yet some-what dangerous, was, that hee was to goe and annoynt two seuerall persons to succeede in two Kingdomes, to those that nowe raigned in them: Hazael, for the Kingdome of Syria, the King at that time beeing Benhadad; and Iehu, for the Kingdome of Israell, Ahab as yet raigning there. The daunger of which peece of seruice, was, that if those that then raigned should get vnderstanding thereof, then were the life of the Prophet in daunger, without some speciall Gprotection had of God: as Samuell made no other reckoning before, when he 1. Sa. 16: 2.1 Sam 16:2was to goe and annoynt Dauid while Saule yet raigned. That which was both very easie, and altogether without daunger too, was to annoynt Elisha (commonly called Elisens) Prophet in his roome. The effect that this his seruice shoulde take, was, that God would make those whom hee should so annoynt, Instruments of his iudgementes agaynst many of them for theyr sinnes: and yet, notwithstanding such slaughters as they should make, hee would leaue seauen thousand in Israell, all of them such as had not polluted themselues with the Idolatry of Baal; but therein making no mention at all of that other Idolatry of the Calues that raigned among them. That this seruice was by him performed, though we may well hope the best, yet we do not finde, sauing onelyonly for that part of it which was without danger, p. 3861. King 19: 19-21.1 Kgs 19:19–21the annoynting of Elisem the Prophet; which also hee did not in such sort, as the w…les of his charge did seeme to import: and yet that which he did, was very effectuall to that purpose; God, it may bee, bearing with him, in that hee tooke another course, or assaied it another way, and yeelding to worke euen by it also. For so God wrought by Moses before, notwithstanding that his infirmity was great then, and N…. 20: 7-12.therein did otherwise, than God had directed him to doe: and very often he putteth vp great infirmities in many of his.