A Complete and Compendious Church History, Chapter 14

A Complete and Compendious Church History · Chapter 14

p. 127The Fourteenth Plot againſt the CHURCH, in Canaan: Defeated by GOD.

CHAP. XIV.

WHen God had Graciouſly given a Suitable Remedy to that great Malady (by Eli's Sons) in Holy Samuel, and ſo had Eſtabliſh'd his Church, Ark, and Worſhip again; Satan play'd his Pranks, and plys his Plots again, in the Days of Saul, David, and Solomon. 1ſt. of Saul. The Wicked One (never Idle) Debauches Samuel's Sons, (as he had done Eli's) notwithſtanding their ſtricter Education, (Samuel could not well be guilty of that Sin of fond Indulgency, which he, from God, had Reprooved in Eli.) This gave the Occaſion to Iſrael for changing their Ariſtocracy (or rather, Theocracy, 1 Sam. 8. 7.) into a Monarchy, and Saul (of Wicked Gibeah, Judg. 19.) was ſet over them, for his Stature, (as David was after, for his Heart.) Saul at firſt Reigned (as a King) well and Orderly, but being Rejected of God for Diſobedience, p. 128he turn'd a Tyrant, and Rul'd with Rigour, 1 Sam. 13. 1. with 14. 47. Then the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and an evil Spirit from the Devil (by the Lord's leave) poſſeſſed him, Ch. 16. 14. which caſt him into Fits of Phrenzy and Fury. Here began the 1ſt. Branch of this 14th. Plot in Saul's Reign, as the other Two did in David's and Solomon's, which all Three (in Conjunction) makes up this 14th. Diabolical deſign againſt the Church of God. By Iſraels 1ſt. King, Satan labours to Hinder the Church; By the 2d. God Advances her; By the 3d. God brought her to her greateſt Glory. 1st. In Saul; who at his firſt Entry quitted himſelf nobly, in the overthrow of Iſraels Enemies; but when ſcarce well warm in his Kingdom, he Hears of loſing it, 1. For his Incroaching into the Prieſts Office of Sacrifiſing, 1 Sam. 13. 8, 9, 13, 14. where his diſtruſt made him praecipitant, he ſhould have ſtay'd for Samuel one Hour or two longer; had he done ſo, his Kingdom had been Eſtabliſh'd upon him, but his Rotten Heart was Diſcover'd by this Delay, and his Doing fooliſhly in Thruſting himſelf among the Prieſts as he had done among the Prophets, procures him tydings of its Tranſlation to Another whoſe Heart was Ʋpright, Pſal. 57. 7. and who would do all Gods wills, Act. 13. 22. 2ly. For his ſparing Agag with his Amalekites and Cattel, contrary to God's expreſs Command, 1 Sam. 15. 2, p. 1293, 8, 9, 26, 28. out of fooliſh pitty to his fellow-King he ſpared the one, and becauſe he Feared the People, he ſpared the other; therefore Samuel ſaid to him, The Lord hath Rejected thee, &c. And this Doubly Declared Rejection, brings him into a ſad Melancholick Dejection. Diſcontent is called the Devil's Bath, wherein he Delights to Wade. The old Man-ſlayer takes this Advantage, and turns his Melancholly-dumps into a mad Phrenzy, inaſmuch as in his frantick Fits he Tranſports him outragiouſly to Slay all in his way, Friends as well as Foes, even his own dear Jonathan once, Ch. 20. 33. as well as his Deſerving David often, ſometimes covertly, as Ch. 18. 17, 25. and ſometimes overtly, as v. 11. and Ch. 19. 10. The Devil (that Evil Spirit poſſeſſing him,) had filled Saul's Heart from Corner to Corner with his own Diſeaſe, to wit, Envy (which is call'd Morbus Satanicus & Vitium Diabolicum,) againſt David, whom he knew God had Raiſed up to Raiſe up the low Eſtate of His Church, 1 Sam. 24. 20. Yet (by the over-ruling Hand of God.) The Spirit of the Lord that reſted upon David from his firſt Anointing, ch. 10. 13. (by the power of which he Kill'd a Bear and a Lyon, Chap. 17. 34.) was all along too hard for Sauls Devil, not only when Davids Muſick drove away Sauls Melancholly, Chap. 16. 23. but alſo in all Sauls both Secret Craft and open Cruelty: 1ſt. In p. 130his Craft; How many Plots did the Devil (in Saul) contrive to cut off David from advancing the Church, yet God Laughs them all to nothing; and 'tis very Remarkable▪ God Extracts Happy Remedies out of the very Loins of Wretched Saul againſt all Davids Ʋnhappy Maladies; once Michal, and often Jonathan, Sauls own Son and Daughter. God makes uſe of his own Children to diſappoint him of his Wicked Deſign, and to deliver Innocent David, whom he fooliſhly followed as his Adverſary, Chap. 19. 2, 4, 12, 13, &c. and 20. 27, 29, 30. 34, to 42. Jonathan ſhot over David that Saul might ſhoot ſhort of him. And 2dly. in his Cruelty, When he threw his Javelin three times to Kill David, yet the Lord Interpoſes as oft, and he who Guided the Stone (which David did ſling) unto Goliah's Forehead for his Deſtruction, Diverts Sauls Javelin from Davids Body, (though a fairer Mark and nearer hand) for his Deliverance: This was Sauls Cordolium or Heart-ake, when he could not come at and compaſs Davids Heart to deſtroy it, (whoſe onelyonly Fault was Faithfulneſs, and who muſt dye, onelyonly becauſe he made Iſrael Live.) Saul (as is the Nature of Envy) feeds upon his own heart, Ch. 18. 12, 15. Invidia Siculi non Invenêre Tyranni majus Tormentum. Envy exceeds all the Torments the Tyrants of Sicily ever Invented; it deſtroys its own Habitation, as the Worm doth the Nut wherein it is bred. p. 131Thus God made Saul his own Inward Executioner (by ſending this Fire into his Boſom to burn him, and this Worm to be continually gnawing upon his Intrals) long before he was his own Outward Executioner, at laſt. And Sauls Frantick Devil did not hurry him into Outragious Cruelty againſt David onelyonly, but againſt the Prieſts of the Lord, for ſhewing kindneſs to David, Chap. 22. 12, 13, 16, &c. Oh what a Mad Phrenſy was manifeſt in his cruel Commiſſion! [Turn and ſlay the Prieſts of the Lord, Ver. 17. His malice was bent againſt the Lord himſelf, for taking away his Kingdom and giving it to another, and becauſe he could not come at the Lord (who was out of his reach) he ſpends his Spleen and vents his mad Fury upon his Prieſts: 'Tis a wonder, that the very Word [the Prieſts of the Lord] in his Mouth, did not make his Hands tremble to Murther them, and that without two or three Witneſſes according to the Law, but only upon the bare ſingle Teſtimony of a falie and flattering Sycophant; hence ſome ſay, that this Damnable Hypocrite (Saul) did commit herein, the Sin againſt the Holy Ghoſt, Maſſacreing ſuch a multitude of Innocents, as 8, Prieſts, as the Scripture, and 300 perſons more, as Joſephus tells us, Chap. 18. ver. 18, 19. and though his own Servants durſt not do ſuch a Villany, verſ. 17. obeying God rather then the King, yet Doeg (that bloody Edomite of p. 132Eſau) that had been as far in Gods Sanctuary as David, Chap. 21. 7. ſticks not at this Deſperate Villany; yet in this Horrid Act of Cruelty, God baffles the Devil that acted Saul and (his Swine-herd) Doeg in two reſpects. 1ſt. While this baſe and bloody Wretch and his Maſter thought of nothing but Revenge, and ſatiating both their barbarous and brutiſh, yea, Deviliſh Blood-thirſtineſs, they are Unwittingly made the Executioners of Gods Determined Counſel, and juſtly declared ſentence of God againſt Eli's Family, Chap. 3. 31, to 37. 2dly. As they ſerved Gods Glory, ſo they ſent David Comfort: Abiathar God marvelouſly hid from their bloody hands, he eſcapes them according to Gods promiſe of preſerving ſome of Eli's Houſe, Chap. 2. 33. and comes to David with the Ephod in his hand, Chap. 22. 20. and 23. 6. This Ephod had the Breaſt plate with the Urim and Thummim in it, Exod 28. 30. The comming of this muſt needs be very comfortable to Diſtreſſed David; Now he hath an High-Prieſt, Abiathar, with him (as well as the Prophet Gad, Chap. 22. 5.) in his Army, by whom he might conſult with God in all his Dangers and difficulties, Chap. 23. 2, 4. and often. Saul ſtrengthened David more by ſending this Ephod, than if he had ſent him (as one ſaith) many thouſand men: And as he ſtrengthened David, ſo he weakened himſelf, as he complains, God anſwered him not by Ʋrim p. 133and Thummim, 1 Sam. 28. 6. He had bereaved himſelf of it, by putting Abiathar to the Run, who brings it to David, which was a plain Evidence of Sauls Falling and Davids Riſing: Saul had neither Prieſt nor Prophet to conſult with (when David had both) Hereupon he conſults with a Witch, Flectere Cum Nequeat Superos Acheronta Movebit. If God will not anſwer him, the Devil ſhall: Satan comes up in Samuels Reſemblance, Preaches Sauls Funeral-Sermon, he flies in Battel, falls upon his own Sword, ſo like the Candle in the Socket, goes out in a Stink, and (notwithſtanding all his Plots he leaves himſelf to the Uncircumciſed; yea, his Body to a cold Grave, and his Soul to an hot Hell, as an Hypocrite, Matt. 24. 51. and leaves his Kingdom to David.

The 2d. Branch of this 14th. Plot, was in the Reign of David, whoſe entrance to the Kingdom was ſtrongly oppoſed, not onelyonly all the time Saul lived (being Hunted like a Patridge upon the Mountains, to be taken and deſtroyed) but alſo after his Death by Abner, under the Hereditary Title of Iſhboſheth, a man of Shame, (as his Name ſignifies) a weak and Unworthy man, (paſſing by Mephiboſheth the Right Heir, (becauſe Young and Lame) as hoping to Rule all under his Empty Title. Hereupon 'tis ſaid, 2 Sam. 3. 6. that Abner (not Iſhboſheth) made himſelf ſtrong for the houſe of Saul, to bring about his own Deſign, and to p. 134fix himſelf faſt in the Saddle; Yet God did Laugh this Project to Nothing: The Iſſue was, though there was long War betwixt them (as there is 'twixt Chriſt and Antichriſt) The Houſe of Saul waxed weaker and weaker, and the Houſe of David Stronger and ſtronger, 2 Sam. 3. 1. So the Stone, Dan. 2. Weakens the Beaſts Kingdom gradually. 'Tis Wonderful to conſider, How the Lord Baffled the Devil here, in ſending an Evil Spirit 'twixt Abner and Iſh-boſheth (as he had done 'twixt Abimelech and Shechem, Judg. 9. 23, 24, 25. which Evil Spirit was the Devil, that ſower of Sedition, that great Coal-kindler and Make-bate of the World) 2 Sam. 3.8, 10. God Over-rules the Devil ſo, as to make him deſtroy his own Deſigns, by his Working upon thoſe Mens Corruptions (whom God had juſtly given over to a Reprobate mind) and filling them with Envy, Murther, Debate, Deceit, Malignity, &c. Rom. 1. 28, 29. Here, Abner the Devil makes firſt an Athieſt, in acting all along contrary to his Conſcience, v. 9, 18. He knew that God had deſigned David to be King over Iſrael, whom Samuel Anointed to be Saul's Succeſſor, yet againſt the Light of his own knowledge, as well as againſt Gods expreſs command, he endeavours to ſet up Iſhboſheth. 2dly. The Devil makes him an Ambitioniſt, not onelyonly in advancing this weak Prince, of ſmall parts, and of no Martial Spirit, (he not fighting in that fatal p. 135Battel wherein his Father did fall) that he might be the [Dominus, fac totum] Lord Paramount of doing All, but alſo in aſpiring to the Crown and Kingdom it ſelf, by his Lying with Saul's Concubine (who had two Sons) which might give ſome Colour to his Claim. When Iſhboſheth was taken out of the way, whom he had hitherto uſed only as a Stalking-Horſe: Upon this occaſion the Devil divides the two Grand Plotters againſt David, Chap. 3.7, 8. and ſo Defeats his own Deſign. Ʋnlawful Leagues never laſt long; when Thieves fall out, True men come to their own. Abner will now be Godly (who never had been ſo) in helping the Lord to fulfill his Promiſe to David, which he had hitherto hindred; He pretends, all (he now acts) was in Obedience to God, and for the Good of his Church, but intends both Revenge to Iſhboſheth, and Reſpect to himſelf, that he might thereby ſecure his preſent Power and Dignity of Generalſhip: But, becauſe he would have done David right with an Evil mind, it all turns to his own ruin, and God will Right David by a fairer way than by Abners Perſidiouſneſs; So vain a thing it is to ſtrive againſt God, Pſal. 2. 1, 2. David (in deſpite of the Devil) doth come to his Kingdom (though by Steps, and gradually) Iſh-boſheth is removed out of the way (as well as Abner:) He dies in his Sloth, as he had lived Slothfully all his days, Chap. 4. 5. Qualis p. 136Vita, Finis Itá. As a man lives, ſo he dyes. All Iſrael then owns and Crowns David, (Cha. 5.) Who, as ſoon as ſettled on the Throne, expreſs'd his firſt care for the Church and Religion, Chap. 6. So brings the Ark (as they had brought him from Hebron to Jeruſalem,) from Kiriath Jearim, (where in Saul's days it had been ſlighted) to Obed-Edoms, and thence to Sion, a more publick place than thoſe private Houſes wherein it had been before, verſe 17. This was a joyful day to David (and Iſrael) v. 14, 16, 19. And not being ſatisfied that himſelf ſhould dwell in an houſe of Cedar, while the Ark of God's preſence dwelt in a Tabernacle, he both deſigns and vows to Build it a Temple, Chap. 7. 2. Pſal. 132. 2. Nathan hinders this purpoſe, and promiſe, yet left he vaſt Proviſions for his Son to perform it, his Pſalms for the Church, and the Church in a flouriſhing Condition, (notwithſtanding all diſturbances,) which Solomon brings to Her Greateſt Glory, and after Advanced to Her Hight.

The 3d. Branch of this 14th. Plot, was, in the Reign of solomon: before which Satan had his fore-Games to Oppoſe, as his after-Games to Depoſe the Church's Glory. The 1ſt. His fore-Games were in cauſing Abſolom and Adonijah to Exalt themſelves both, ſaying, I will be King, that Solomon might be put by, and never have an opportunity to raiſe the Church p. 137into a more Glorious State then it had ever been in, which Satan Deſigned to Ruine by inſolent and arrogant Abſalom, 2 Sam. 15. 10. and by haughty & ambitious Adonijah, 1 Kin. 1. 5. Thoſe two Sons were David's Darlings, whom he had honoured above the Lord (as Eli had done his two wicked Sons, 1 Sam. 2. 29.) and therefore they proved ſad Cordoliums, and ſingular croſſes to him: Such as love over-much, ſhall be ſure to grieve over-much, ſtrong affections bring ſtrong afflictions: The Devil manages the firſt part of his fore-game by Abſalom, and the latter part of it by Adonijah, both of them goodly men, of a comely countenance, both perſonable, and of a Princely preſence, 2 Sam. 14. 25. 1 Kin. 1.6. upon whom Nature had ſpent all her ſtrength in beautifying their bodies (ſaith one) but ſhe had left their Souls altogether unbeautified; they had (both of them) foul fouls in fair bodies; ſo were both the fitter Tools for Satan to work with to prevent Solomon from the Throne, and thereby the glory of the Church: David had always cockered them, when he ſhould have corrected them; and becauſe they were both perſonable, and Prince-like, as the Children of a King, Judg. 8. 18. therefore were they made to think better of themſelves, and their (ever too-fond) Father to think too well of them, their Father had not diſpleaſed them at any time in p. 138their Childhood, and therefore they diſpleaſed their Father in his Old Age, and made no bones of breaking his heart, when now decay'd, and even Bed-ridden (as in the laſt) by their Diſloyalty and Uſurpation: yet all was, that it might be fulfilled what was fore-threatned, 2 Sam. 12. 11. 1ſt. Arrogant Abſalom was hammering and hatching his part of the Plot two full years, 2 Sam. 14. 28. with 15. 1. after David had kiſſed him (being perſwaded by Joab that he was a true Penitent) when he ſhould rather have kicked him, and not have harden'd him for further Villany by his fond credulity: (1.) He gains a guard, that he might be put into the Port of a Prince (being the Kings Eldeſt Son) that ſo the people might look upon him as Heir of the Kingdom, and by counterfeit courteſie (wherein he ſlander'd David) he ſoon ſtole away their hearts) from his Father the Right Owner) ſlily and ſecretly: (2.) He makes Religion a Cloak for his Rebellion (as is uſual in the Papaey) Ch. 15. 6, 7, 8. Let me go and pay my Vows, &c. well knowing, that his Pious Father would promote rather than prevent any act of Piety in his Son; and Hebron was the ſitteſt place for his purpoſe, becauſe antient and famous, the place of his Fathers firſt Crowning, of his own Birth, and where he had many Friends to aſſiſt him: (3.) He calls Achitophel to be his Counſellour; p. 139that old Fox laid cloſe till the Plot was ripe, yet probably he paved the way (from the firſt) by his perſwading to take two hundred Principal Citizens along with him, (the better to conceal the Plot, and that other Cities might make Jeruſalem their pattern to follow Abſalom) thoſe are ſaid to follow Abſalom in their ſimplicity, to wit, to his Gratulatory Oblation, knowing nothing of his villanous and rebellious intention: Even ſo it may be ſaid of our Forefathers, they followed Antichriſt in their ſimplicity; for they being kept (by him) in groſs ignorance, had this happineſs, not to know the depths of Satan in the moſt principal and moſt pernicious points of Popery, Gods Providence ſo over-ruling the matter, that the people of Chriſt might not periſh under the Prieſts of Antichriſt. (4.) The Conſpiracy was ſtrong, by a mighty confluence of the common people, who were but over-ready to worſhip this Riſing Sun, and to be weary of David (the Setting Sun) whoſe Credit the Conſpirators had blacked and blaſted to them, Neutrum modò, mas modò Vulgus. The many-headed multitude cry even to Chriſt himſelf (of whom David was both Father and Figure) Hoſanna one day, and Cruciſie the next day. This put holy David to ſuch a fright, that he was forced to take his ſlight to ſave himſelf from ſlaying (according to Achitophels counſel, p. 1402 Sam. 17. 3.) and his chief City from ſacking. Now was the Devil undoubtedly moſt highly pleaſed, not doubting here, but having got the Ball upon his foot, he ſhould carry it cut and dry'd, and prevent Solomon from the Crown, and the Church from her Glory. But behold God over-matches the Devil here, David pours out his Prayer (made in Pſal. 3.) on the top of Mount Olivet, where he prays himſelf into a particular Faith of his own deliverance, and of his Enemies destruction. And when Davids caſe ſeem'd ſo deſperate, as if Salvation (it ſelf) could not ſave him, v. 2. yet even then did God ariſe at his pray'r, v. 7. and gives David a Prophetick proſpect, not only of the death, but alſo of the manner of the death of his two grand Adverſaries, Achitophel and Abſalom: [Thou haſt ſmitten them upon the Cheek-bones] as if he had ſeen Achitophel knock'd with the Knot of the Rope, and Abſalom with the Bough of the Oak wherein they were hanged, by the heavy Hand of God: 'Tis very obſervable, that no ſooner had David prayed, [Lord turn the counſel of Achitophel into fooliſhneſs] 2 Sam. 15. 31. but preſently God ſends him in Huſhai as a return of his prayer, a Man who could match Achitophel in any of his deepeſt reaches, and who did defeat his counſel (which might very probably have deſtroyed David) by p. 141ſtarching an Oration every way accommodated to Abſaloms ambitious humour, Ch. 17. 7. to 15. and when Davids deliverance depends all upon the faithfulneſs of a Wench, v. 17. God delights to work by weak means to confound the Mighty, 1 Cor. 1. 27. and to help his ſervants with a little help, Dan. 11. 34. Though the Devil at that time had a Lad (he never wants tools) to work miſchief by in ſuch caſes, v. 18. yet the iſſue of this firſt part of Satans fore-game was this, the Grand Counſellor of the Conſpiracy (Achitophel) ſeeing his counſel baſled, ſadled his Aſs, (when he ſhould have bridl'd his anger) got him home to his houſe, and (as Joſephus ſaith) told his houſhold, that Abſalom would be undone, and himſelf ſhould be hanged; wherefore he thought it better to ſave Davids Hangman the labour, and to prevent him, with dying manfully by his own hands: He ſet his houſe (but not his heart) in order; he took care of his Family after his death, but no care of his Soul for Eternity; he hanged himſelf (as Judas did after him for the like Crime) ſo ſtrangl'd he thoſe very Chaps wherewith he had given wicked counſel againſt David (as Judas did againſt Chriſt) both deſpairing of mercy, 2 Sam. 17. 23. Mat. 27. 3, 4. The like fatal end to the like froward Counſellors the good Lord ſend in our day, ſaith Dr. Willet. In all this Achitophel p. 142did but anſwer the ſignification of his own name, for Achi Hebr. ſignifies Brother, or Couſin-German, and Tophel Hebr. a Fool. Thus this Arch-Artiſt in Helliſh Policy, &c. (whoſe counſel was as the Oracle of God, the Event uſually anſwering his Advice with ſuitable ſucceſs, 2 Sam. 16. 23.) proves no better than a Brother or Couſin-German to a Fool; and no better proof can they make, that follow the Popes Placit as Infallible, as Ipſiſſimum Dei Verbum, the very Word of God when they are moſt damnably wicked; like that pernicious and peſtilent counſel of Achitophel, which brought Abſalom into the bryars, and could never get out, until this Grand Commander in the Conſpiracy follow'd in the ſame Fate, and came to the ſame end with his Grand Counſellour, only with ſome difference: As (1.) God (himſelf) was his Executioner, giving him a juſt reward for his unjuſt Rebellion; 'twas of the Lord that he ſhould be reſerved from the Sword, to be intangled in the Oak. (2.) This Divine Execution doth make his Hair to be his Halter; and that wherein he had ſo much prided, to be the means of his own deſtruction: His long Locks he had poſſibly plaited (as Samſons, Judg. 16. 13.) and thoſe being blown up by a ſtrong wind, wound about the Bough, and became his Halter to hang by: He had wont to weigh his Hair, and was proud to p. 143find it ſo heavy: Now his Hair poiſeth the weight of his body, and makes his burden his torment. (3.) His own Mule he rode on (as it were) turns him off the Ladder, Achitophels Aſs carries him to the place of his Execution, and he turns himſelf off when be had tyed his Halter for his turn, and put his Head into it: But Abſaloms Mule not only beans her Maſter to that place, but when all was ready for Execution, runs from under him with the Reins uncurbed, as the Cart at Tyburn drives away when the Tippet is faſt about the Necks of the Condemned. Thus this Plot ends in the curſod and ignominious Death (Deut. 21. 23.) of both thoſe Grand Conſpirators, who were both hanged between Heaven and Earth, as if rejected of both, and as unworthy to live in either of them. Behold Abſalom (whoſe name ſignifies Hebr. his Fathers pla… whereas he breathed out nothing but War and Rebellion againſt him) is hanged by that Head which had plotted againſt ſo good a Father: His haughty Head is now in its proper Exaltation, and his arrogant heart hath no leſs than three Darts thruſt through it, En Admirandum Dei Judicium, Divine Vengeance over-takes him with a revengeful hand for his deteſtable diſloyalty, who would needs be a King before Davids death, and now hath he an Oak to be his Throne, his twiſted Hair for p. 144his Crown, the Darts in his heart for his Scepter, and Joabs ten Armour-bearers for his Guard, 2 Sam. 18. 9. Oh wonderful!

And little better was the end of the Devils ſecond part of his fore-game in Adonijahs, than was his firſt part in Abſalom: 'Tis true, 'twixt thoſe two the Devil was not idle, but did diſturb the Church, (1.) By inſtigating Sheba, a man of Belial, to blow up another blub of Rebellion at the very heel of Abſaloms, 2 Sam. 20. 1. He himſelf being Tuba Rebellionis, a Trumpet of Rebellion, blew a Trumpet, taking an occaſion of the unhappy difference 'twixt Iſrael and Judah, Ch. 19. but he was ſoon ſuppreſſed by Davids Forces ſuddenly ſurprizing him in a Siege at Abel, where a wiſe Woman wrought upon the timerous Citizens to throw over the Head of the Traytor to General Joab; 'twere happy if all ſuch Traytors might hop headleſs. (2.) By provoking David, that Man of God, to number the people, 1 Chron. 21. 1. He prick'd him up to a pride both in the magnanimity of his Worthies, and in the multitude of his Army, which was no better than Creature-confidence: This ſin brought a Plague upon Iſrael, to leſſen their number, which David began to make his pride, and probably intended to make his profit (by Polling them.) This Plague was threatned to laſt three days, but in the beginning p. 145(not in the midſt) of wrath, God remembred mercy, Hab. 3. 2. For as Vatablus noteth on 2 Sam. 24. 15. God repented, and bad the deſtroying Angel hold his hand at the evening of the firſt day, which commendeth Gods good eye to his Church (while it was under the Devils evil eye) who for three days threatned, ſends the Peſtilence one day only: Yea, and Divine Mercy extracted this great good out of this great evil, that in the very place where the Angel was bid to put up his Sword, David builds an Altar, offers Sacrifice, and God anſwers him by Fire from Heaven, to betoken his acceptance and reconcilement, and he pointed out from Heaven the place where the Temple ſhould be built, which whole plat of ground David purchaſed for ſix hundred ſhekels of Gold, 1 Chron. 21. 25.

Now as to Adonijah, the Rabbins ſay, David was ſo frighted at the Dreadful Apparition of the Deſtroying Angel, that he became Bed-rid ever after, and his impatient ambitious Adonijah would gladly have buried him alive, and wiſhing his Bed his Grave. Hereupon he exalts himſelf, ſaying, I will be King, 1 King. 1. 5. Though David had declared Solomon to be deſigned King even from God himſelf, (1 Chron. 22. 9, 10. and 28. 5. and 2 Sam. 7. 12.) and Adonijah knew it to be ſo, and therefore he call'd not Solomon and p. 146his Friends to his Feaſt, v. 19. The Plot and Conſpiracy was ſtrong in him (as it had been in Abſalom) being ſtrengthened by the hands of Joab the General, and Abiathar the High-Prieſt, both under ſome diſguſt, and ſo more eaſily ingaged: Joab was conſcious of his own demerit, and Abiathar might fear the extinction of Elies Houſe: Thoſe two Grandees (having an influence upon both Church and State) could not but give a fair proſpect of the Plot, and hope of ſucceſs, v. 7. eſpecially conſidering all the other Sons of David did joyn with them in the exploit, reſpecting Adonijah (as now the Eldeſt) more than Solomon, and all the men of Judah, the Kings ſervants, v. 9. Hereupon the Plotters fall on feaſting jovially, and undoubtedly many a merry Health was drunk to their new King Adonijah (who had got his Guards as Abſalom had done, v. 5.) many a Taunt was caſt on the old King, and many Acclamations to the new: But the Triumph of the wicked is ſhort, Job 20. 5. David upon this Emergency haſtily Anoints Solomon; tydings of this mars all Adonijahs mirth; after the Meal comes the Reckoning that damps the mirth, v. 41. yea, when the Plotters were at the very height of their joys and jollities, God comes and confounds all their contrivances, and ſerves up for their laſt Diſh at this Feaſt a Cup of Horrour, Aſtoniſhment, p. 147and fearful expectation of righteous revenge, this dreadful ſound in their ears, (Job 15. 21, 24.) The Feaſters had heard at Solomons Coronation, v. 40. was a doleful Knell to them, and like the Knuckles upon the Wall, Dan. 5. made them (as Belſhazzar did) knock their knees one againſt another: The Gueſts were all afraid, and roſe up, and went, &c. v. 49. as well as their trembling legs could carry them, all ſculking away: Their Plot (being laid open, and timely prevented) laid them open to the ſcorn of the people, and to the anguiſh and horrour of their own guilty Conſciences.

Thus doth the moſt wiſe and righteous God befool inſolent men in their never ſo ſecretly projected and promoted Plots, wherein they do hope to ſupplant the Son of David, our Lord Jeſus, that Prince of Peace, as thoſe did Solomon here, and the Church in him: But what became of the Plotters? Adonijah (himſelf) flies to the Horns of the Altar, (which probably ſo prophane a Prince had hitherto deſpiſed) and was pardon'd by this peaceable Prince, but upon his good behaviour, v. 52. which when he broke, in ſeeking the Kingdome with Abiſhai, Ch. 2. 22. (being no ſmall Petition, as Bathſheba call'd it, v. 20. for Solomons ſagacity ſaw the depths of the Devil in it, which his Mother could not dive into) for this he loſt his life, v. 24. p. 148as Joab did after him, v. 30. where the very Altar could not ſecure him from Juſt Vengeance; and as for Abiathar, he was thruſt out from the High-Prieſthood, v. 37. his Linnen Ephod, or ſacred Function, did not exempt him from Civil Cenſures, as the Romaniſts plead; and ſo was fulfill'd the Word of the Lord upon Ely's Houſe, 1 Sam. 2. 31, 35▪ and had he not been afflicted in all wherein David had been afflicted (which was for above forty year) he had been alſo a dead man with Adonijah and Joab for this Conſpiracy.

David dies full of days, riches and honour, 1 Chron. 29. 28. and leaves the ſtate of the Church honourable, Solomon ſucceeds, and brings the Churches State to its foreign, or higheſt pitch of Glory, while Militant, which is a Figure of the Kingdome of Chriſt (one greater than Solomon) here on Earth; David had advanced the ſplendour of the Church, in his Religious proviſion for the portable Temple, to wit, the Tabernacle erected in the City of David, and alſo in his Religious preparations for the Fix'd Temple, (1.) Knowing the place where it ſhould ſtand, to wit, on Mount Moriah, where Abraham offer'd Iſaac, Gen. 22. 2, 9. and 2 Chro. 3. 1. (2.) Receiving the pattern of it by Divine Inſpiration, 1 Chron. 28. 19. he gave it to Solomon, Ch. 29. 11. who by the help of p. 149Davids prepar'd materials (to wit (1.) Spoils of Enemies, Ch. 18. 11. (2.) An hundred thouſand Talents of Gold. (3.) A thouſand thouſand Talents of Silver. (4.) Hewn ſtone and Timber. (5.) Iron and Braſs without meaſure, Ch. 22.14. (6.) Precious Stones, Ch. 29. 2. (7.) His own offerings, and thoſe of the Princes and people, Ch. 29.4. &c. though Solomon added much more of his own ſtore) built the moſt ſtately and coſtly Structure, the moſt ſumptuous and glorious Edifice that ever was in the World (therefore juſtly called the Worlds Wonder) the Houſe of the moſt High God, 2 Chron. 2. 5. and a Type of the Church Triumphant in Heaven, as the Tabernacle had been of the Church Militant upon Earth. This Temple was twice ſo long and large every way, as was the Tabernacle Exod. 26. as the Temple in Ezek. Ch. 40. 41, 42, &c. (ſetting forth Goſpel-times) is deſcribed as much bigger than all the old Jeruſalem, and a new Jeruſalem bigger than all the Land of Canaan. Solomon finiſh'd his Temple in the year of the World 3000. Hence ſome gather, that the Spiritual Temple ſhall be compleated in 3000 more, and then the Sabbatical year ſhall take place, as the Sabbath ſucceeds the ſix days of the Week. In the building of this Magnifical Houſe of the Lord, all the materials were made ready before they were brought thither; p. 150ſo that there was neither Hammer, nor Axe, nor any Tool of Iron heard in the Houſe while it was in building, 1 King. 6. 7. to teach us three things: 1. That all true Members of Churches muſt be ſanctified, and called to be Saints, 1 Cor. 1. 1, 2. hewn by the Word and Spirit, and made living Stones before Admiſſion. 2. That in the Church Militant upon Earth, all noiſe of jars and contentions (which are as the knocking of Iron Inſtruments) muſt be declined. 3. That in the Church Triumphant in Heaven there ſhall be no ſorrows nor ſufferings, all noiſe of fears and tears ſhall be done away, the State then ſhall be peaceable and joyful, for which the Saints are fitted by the Hammer of Gods Word, and the Hand of his Spirit upon the Mountains of this lower World, there to enjoy reſt and glory: The Sanctum Sanctorum of the Temple or Oracle (ſo called, becauſe there God uſed to deliver Divine Anſwers or Oracles, Exod. 30. 5. and Levit. 16. 2.) was the place prepared for the Ark of the Covenant to reſt in, after its many removes and wandrings, 1. From the Deſart to Gilgal. 2. From Gilgal to Shilo. 3. From Shilo to the Philiſtims. 4. From thence to Bethſhemeſh. 5. From thence to Kiriath Jearim. 6. From thence to the Houſe of Obed-Edom; And 7. From thence to Sion, the City of David: Now Solomon provides a reſting place, to p. 151wit, the beſt part of the Temple (the Holy of Holies) for this beſt and moſt precious piece (which had the Law within it, and the Mercy-Seat upon it) far more precious than the Palladium at Troy, the Peſſinuntium at Rome, or the Image at Athens (made by Canetias the Artificer, yet ſaid by the covetous Prieſts to be dropt down from Jupiter, Act. 19. 35.) as it was the principal Evidence of Gods gracious preſence, and the lively Type of Chriſt, in whom are hid (as in an Ark or Coffer) all the Treaſures of Gods goodneſs, Col. 2. 3. So that when Solomon dedicates his glorious Fabrick (which, as Joſephus ſaith, dazled the eyes of all its beholders) by Sacrifice and Supplication he concludes his Prayer, ſaying, Ariſe now therefore, O Lord God, into thy reſting place, thou and the Ark of thy ſtrength, 2 Chron. 6. 41. whereby he invites the Lord to take poſſeſſion of his Temple, where his Ark ſhould be no more tranſportative, but ſetled for a long ſeaſon, Pſal. 1 …2. 8, 9, 10. And the Lord teſtifies his acceptation of all, both by Fire from Heaven, (which was kept alive till the Captivity of Babylon) and by filling the Houſe with his Glory. 2 Chro. 7. 1. Now was the Church of God (by his good hand upon her) brought up to ſuch a beauty of Holineſs, and to ſuch a perfection of dazling ſplendour (like that of the Temple) that Religion was had in p. 152great Veneration, both by Domeſticks and Forreigners. 1. His own Iſrael went home ſo refreſhed with the Prayer, and the Bleſſing, that they adored the Lord for his goodneſs to them, 1 Kin. 8. 66. and both Hiram King of Yyre praiſed God for the Bleſſing that the Church had in Solomon, 1 Kin. 5. 7. ſaying, Becauſe the Lord hath loved his people, he hath ſet a Solomon over them, 2 Chro. 2. 11. Hence ſome verily think this Hiram was a Proſelited Prince; and (2.) Mackeda, Queen of Sheba, coming from a far Country, Mat. 12. 42. falls into an Extaſie of admiration, 1 Kin. 10. 5. and coming to her ſelf, ſhe bleſſes the Lord God that had loved Iſrael ſo, as to ſet Solomon on the Throne; ſaying, the reality of Iſraels glory (in him) far exceeded all the Reports ſhe had received, v. 7. 9. yea, and not only thoſe two Forreigners, but even all the Earth ſought to Solomon, &c. v. 24. both Princes and People, Ch. 4. 31. 34. The Devil put Iſrael upon caſting off God, and deſiring a King, 1 Sam. 8. 7. Now God uſes a King to raiſe his Church to her higheſt glory. Thus God over-ſhoots Satan in his own Bow.