Saul and David Compared, Treatise (2 of 7)

Saul and David Compared · Treatise (2 of 7)

p. 5912. Saul was endowed with the Gift of Propheſying, 1 Sam. 10. 10, when he met with thoſe who had that Spirit; which made them that … him formerly, to wonder, v. 11; till … th… put the reſt in mind, that God was the Father of ſuch Gifts, who might beſtow them where he pleaſed, v. 12; notwithſtanding which, it became a Proverb to ſignifie ſome very ſtrange Occurrence. Which Spirit he was acted by at the firſt, as a confirming …ign of God's having called him to that Place and Office of a King, 1 Sam. 10. 6; and at another time, to prevent his doing miſchief unto David 1 Sam. 19. …9. 23, 24. Which Prophets of Old, were immediately inſpired of God, to utter ſtrange Hidden things, that were not to be known in any ordinary way: and ſo that Gift of Propheſying doth fitly anſwer, to ſome more than Ordinary meaſure of Acquaintance with the Mind of God, together with ability to utter it, which may in theſe latter dayes befall the Perſon or Diſpenſation of a wicked Saul. Wretched Balaam was an extraordinary Prophet; and ſome workers of Iniquity will plead, that they have propheſied in Chriſt's Name, Matt. 7. 22, 23; and he may have the Gift of Propheſie, and underſtand all Myſteries and Knowledge who yet is Nothing, 1 Cor. 13. 2. Poor carnal Creatures, by vertue of ſome more External Communion with Chriſt, p. 60may be able to derive this kind of Influences from him; as the Ivy doth draw much ſap from that Oak which it doth embrace, although it hath a diſtinct Root of its own. When Saul was in Company with Prophets, he became like one of them; and many Profeſſors are, according to the Nature of their Company, from whom when parted, they are like other men. But Saul was not at all ſpiritually advantaged by his Gift; no more are Hypocrites by their Knowledge. Saul alſo was but ſeldom thus exerciſed; and the Diſcoveries of Gods Mind to falſe hearts, are very Thin and Rare, in compariſon of others. And let it be obſerved in the latter dayes, whether ſome mens extraordinary Light, be not ſubſervient unto the ſecuring of God's Anoynted Ones, as Saul's Spirit of Propheſie was unto David's ſafeguard.

13. Saul was received by the Generality of the People, with ſhouting, 1 Sam. 10. 24, and great rejoycing, 1 Sam. 11. 15. Woe be to that man whom All ſpeak well of, under a corrupted ſtate of things, Luke 6. 26. Indeed Chriſt will be the Deſire of all Nations, Hag. 2. 7, and then Ten men (or a conſiderable Number) of all Languages, ſhall take hold of his skirt that is a Jew, Zech. 8. 23: but ſo long as the Beaſt doth Reign, the World will wonder after him, Rev. 13. 3; and till the Aſſyrian be deſtroyed, all the Neighbouring Nations will joyn with him againſt Gods Iſrael, Pſal. 83. 5, 6▪ 7, 8. How miſerably are they Deluded, who judge their Condition happy, becauſe they are Generally approved. If Number might be a lawfull Judge, I ſhould alway p. 61like that Thing or Perſon beſt, who have the Minor Vote; eſpecially when the Verdict is brought in by ſuch a Jury as Saul's was, who were apt to quarrel with God's Appointment, becauſe of ſome men's failings under it, 1 Sam. 8. 5; who would be like other Nations, contrary to God's revealed will, 1 Sam. 8. 5. 7; who were reſolved upon their own will, v. 19, though God had told them it would be to their after ſorrow, v. 18; who did Reject that which themſelves confeſſed they had no juſt ground to Except againſt, 1 Sam. 12. 4; who were for an Accommodation with Idolaters, rather than expoſe themſelves to outward d…nger, 1 Sam. 11. 1; and who ſtill Perſiſted in what they had acknowledged to be a Sin, 1 Sam. 12. 19: all which are cleer Characters of meer carnal Iſraelites▪ whoſe general good Opinion one like themſelves may have, in relation to his Perſon and Practice, though never ſo much unlike unto the Heart and Mind of God.

14. Saul had a Band of men whoſe hearts the Lord himſelf had touched; wherein the Lord conſulted both for his Honour and Security, by chooſing for him this Royal Life guard, 1 Sam. 10. 26. And when he was in imminent danger afterwards, by David and his Party, how wonderfully was his life preſerved, though David had a ſufficient Advantage and Provocation, 1 Sam. 24. 10, & 26▪ 8. How ſorrily do ſome ground their good Opinion of themſelves, meerly upon the Lords preſervation of them in ſuch a Courſe or Practice. Great Tranſgreſſors may ſtrangely be Delivered, and yet be Reſerved p. 62(as Saul was) for ſome more Exemplary Puniſhment. As Iſrael marched through the Wilderneſs, they were not to meddle with the Edomites, Moabites, and Ammonites, who yet were ſuch as the Lord hated. It would have been too great an Honour for Saul to have died by Davids hand. God is the Saviour of All, though more eſpecially of ſuch as do Believe, 1 Tim. 4. 10. The Lord's People in the latter dayes may ſtrangely be overpowered to let thoſe provoking Adverſaries alone, who are deſigned to be deſtroyed by ſome groſſer Intereſt. Such may be remarkably ſecured for the time being, who yet are far from being after Gods own heart.

15. Saul was deſpiſed by the men of Belial, 1 Sam. 10. 27; which may be reckoned among his Priviledges, ſince that is one part of a Godly man's Portion, to be abuſed by the World. But Errour may ſuffer as well as Truth; and an Hypocrite may lye open to ſome kind of Perſecution. The Nations ſometimes fell foul upon one another, as well as upon God's Iſrael. The Philiſtines hated Saul, as much as he did David. Civility hath its Enemies, as well as Chriſtianity; and therefore let none judge himſelf to be more than a carnal Iſraelite, meerly becauſe he is Deſpiſed or Maligned by a Groſſer Intereſt.

16. Saul was employed by God, in ſome ſpecial and publick ſervice againſt the Amalekites, 1 Sam. 15. 3: and his Diſpenſation in the latter dayes will be eminently to be known, by ſome ſuch required ſervice, viz. the utter deſtruction of that Worldly ſtate of things, which Amalek typified. In a great Houſe, ſuch as God's is, p. 63there is ſome work for Slaves, as well as Children or more Honourable Servants. Had there not been ſome ſpecial work for Saul, he ſhould never have been ſo furniſhed and owned by the Lord as he was. A more than ordinary Call, to ſome eminent work or ſervice, may be the portion of a meer carnal man. But Saul's employment had much of Revenge and Violence and ſeeming Cruelty in it, 1 Sam. 15. 2, 3: and God foreſaw, that he being left to himſelf, would ſlubber it over, in order to his being rejected thereupon, as had been formerly threatned, 1 Sam. 13. 14: and Saul's heart was hereby Lifted up, as appeared by that Place (or Hand, as it is in the Hebrew) which he ſet up in the way of his Return, 1 Sam. 15. 12, as a Monument of what his Hand or Sword had done. Carnal Profeſſors are only ſet about ſome courſer work; and that ſeeming Dignity doth prove a ſad ſnare unto them, occaſioning their Pride and Downfall; as thoſe are moſt apt to be well conceited of their Duty, who have leaſt cauſe, both in relation to its Nature, Management and Conſequents. Whereas David was more nobly employed, more Graciouſly aſſiſted, and generally more Humble afterwards.

17. God proſpered Saul in what he went about. In his Expedition againſt thoſe wicked Ammonites, he ſlew the generality, and ſcattered the remainder, ſo that Two of them were not left together, 1 Sam. 11. 11: and in his next attempt upon the inſulting Philiſtines, his Son Jonathan and his Armour-bearer ſlew twenty men within half an Acre of land, 1 Sam. 14. 14, p. 64whereupon both the People, Garriſon, and Spoilers … ▪ …nd the Earth alſo Quaked, v. 15. and the Multitude melted away, Beating down e…ch other, v. 16. 20, which was a Taſte of that Cup which the Lord hath reſerved for his own People in the latter dayes, Pſal. 83. 9. Iſa. 10. 26. Judg. 7. 22. Ezek, 38. 21. Zech. 14. 13: and in his preſent Enterprize againſt Amalek, he deſtroyed all the common ſort of people, 1 Sam. 15. 8, from Havilah to Shur, v. 7: from whence it doth appear, that theſe Amalek…tes had now over-run the Iſhmaelites, ſince thoſe Iſhmaelites of old are ſaid to have dwelt from Havilah unto Shur, Gen. 25. 18; as indeed men of an Iſhmaelitiſh Spirit, (or ſuch whoſe Principles are mainly formed up according to the Dictates of Natural Reaſon, as Iſhma…l was Born by the ſtrength of Nature, and not through the ſtrength of the Word of Promiſe, as Iſaac was) may be expected within a while to turn into Amalekites, who typified ſuch as are more groſſely Worldly, both which did ſucceſſively inhabit that land of Havilah, where there was Gold, and the Gold of that Land was Good, Gen. 2. 11, 12; which holdeth true, both in the Letter and Myſtery, with reference unto theſe myſtical Iſhmaelites and Amalekites, who have the Beſt Worldly good things among them, and it may be ſome better things alſo, ſhadowed out by Gold; which they are wont to wear in publick view, as the other did of Old, Judg. 8. 24, much glorying in their outward Bravery; which G…deon made an Ephod of, and all Iſrael went a Whoring after it, v. 27; p. 65ſo prone we are to Idolize what may be the Portion of Iſhmael and Amalek; which ſhall do well to be duely weighed, eſpecially when Judges ſhall be reſtored as at the firſt, according to the Promiſe, Iſa. 1. 26. But in all theſe ſeveral Expeditions before mentioned, Sau… proſpered marvellouſly. And thus three of the former Horns, are pluckt up by the Roots, before the little Horn, Dan. 7. 8, and by him, v. 24. A ſelf-ſeeking Jehu may be bleſſed with Succeſs againſt wicked Ahabs Houſe and Intereſt, untill there be none remaining, 2 Kings 10, 11. An Hypocrite may be enabled to caſt out Devils, Matt. 7. 22, and to deliver himſelf and others from under the Oppreſſing power of many dangerous Diſtempers and Temptations. Let us not therefore Rejoyce, meerly becauſe ſuch Devils are ſubject to us, as thoſe did Luke 10. 17; unleſs we have alſo good ground to hope, that our Names are written in Heaven, as Chriſt there hinteth, v. 20

18. Saul was the Object of good Samuels Grief and Crye, when he under…tood of God's Repenting that ever he had ſet him up, 1 Sam. 15. 11; and though Samuel came no more to ſee him, yet did he Mourn for him ſtill, v. 35; who formerly had Prayed for him▪ 1 Sam. 12. 23, and Taught him, v. 24, and forewarn'd him in caſe he ſhould do Wickedly, v. 25. It is a precious priviledge to be remembred in Prayer by living Saints, 1 Sam. 7. 5; and that which a Gracious heart doth value at an high rate, Rom. 15. 30: but yet Abraham did Pray for Iſhmael, Gen. 17. 18, with whom Gods Covenant was p. 66not eſtabliſhed, v. 19, 20, 21. The fervent Prayer of a Righteous man availeth much, Jam. 5. 16; but ſometimes the Lord will not be prevailed with▪ by holy J…r…my, Jer. 7. 16, or Moſes and Samuel, Jer. 15. 1, or Noah▪ Daniel and Job, Ezek 14. 14. The Saints Tears are precious, and put into God's Book, Pſal. 56 8; but many heavenly ſhowers deſcend upon the Sea and Wilderneſs▪ notwithſtanding which, the one is ſtill Salt, and the other Barren. Happy is he, on whoſe behalf Chriſt intercedeth, Luke 22. 32, for him God heareth alway, Joh. 11. 42; but the beſt of his Servents may Grieve and Crie all Night, and Mourn unto their death, and yet be no more Heard for ſome, than Samuel was for Saul. Though alſo we may obſerve that Samuel lived under a Lower Diſpenſation, and had a chief hand in Sauls Advancement, who therefore might Mourn more than his ſhare came to, upon a ſelf-account, as Abraham did for Iſhmael, becauſe he was his …on when bid to Caſt him out, Gen. 21. 10, 11: and ſo the Rejecting of a Soul, may be Lamented more by men of Samuel's pitch, than it is by thoſe who anſwer unto David.

19. Saul was oft-times Providentially hindered from Effecting a ſinfull purpoſe. He was not (that we read of … ſuch an outragious Tyrant, as Sa…uel bad the People look for, 1 Sam. 8. 11, 12. He was hindred by the People from putting Jonathan to death, a… he had raſhly ſworn, 1 Sam. 14 44, 4…. Though he would fain have ſp…red …g, yet A…ag …ied, 1 Sam. 15. 33. And though he oft endeavoured to have killed p. 67David, and Jonathan for his ſake; yet did the Lord Prevent him, in relation to them both. Next unto being Sanctif…ed, it is a Mercy to be Reſtrained; and yet a Divine Chai… doth not alter the ſad ſtate or Nature of a Devil▪ Ju… …. Men ſhall be judged another day, according to what they would have done as Chriſt hinteth, in charging them with Stoning him. Joh …0▪ 32, who then had onelyonly taken up Stones for ſuch a purpoſe, v 31. Saul might as well have acted unto the Height of Sa…u…l's Prediction as d…e what he did; nor was it any Thank to him but to the People, and ſelf love in him, that J…n… than was not put to death he did deſign the Life of Agag, if Samuel had not then ſnatcht away the Scepter from him for a while, …rhaps to ſignifie, that Worldly things ſhall be de…royed, though ſeemingly in …n … way let …ul do what the can▪ and Dav… was e…live, becauſe Saul could not come at him. Though fleſhly luſts were in Appearance mortified, yet if this were not through the Spirit of …hri… it would not evidence true Life or Sonſhip, …om. 8. 13, 14; much leſs, if they be only Re…trained, and by a man's Own Spirit too, or by the m…r O…erpowering hand of others.

20. Much of the Lords Forbearance and Long ſuffering was exerciſed towards Saul; whom God endured with much Pati…nce by the ſp…ce of Forty years …ct. 13. 21: and though … the Two years and 1 Sam. 1…. 1, he had a ſuffi…ent proof of his Diſobedience, v 13 yet di… he then onelyonly Threaten him, v. 14, but no… … him, till his next miſcarriage, 1 Sam. 1…. 2… ▪ p. 68notwithſtanding which Declared Sentence, yet God continued him, (as ſome think ſeven years at leaſt) although Saul then grew every day worſe and worſe untill his Death. Thus Pharaoh had his Reſpites, Exod. 8. 15; and about the time of Forty years did God ſuffer the Manners of Iſrael in the Wilderneſs, Act. 13. 18; to ſhew his wrath, and to make his Power known, together with the Riches of his Glory on the Veſſels of Mercy, Rom. 9. 22, 23. God had ſome work for S…ul to doe, if it were but only to correct and trye his Servant David; and till that work be wholly performed, the proud Aſſyrian himſelf is not reckoned with, Iſa. 10. 5, 6. 12. Saul did ſome Good; and upon that account was the Houſe of Jehu continued unto the Fourth Generation, 2 King. 10. 30. Saul was the nex… Neighbour unto David, who was a type of Chriſt; and Chriſt would encourage his Own, by giving them to ſee how courteous he is to others. Samuel did plead hard with God for Saul; and God would have all to know, that next unto his own Son, his People are the moſt prevailing Advocates. And though Saul himſelf was David's Enemy, yet Jonathan did love him dearly; and many times a wicked Parents Life is lengthned out for the ſake of a godly Child. Next unto ſaving Mercy, it is a Priviledge to be ſpared; but yet this is nothing ſave what an Hypocrite may ſhare in, unto the Multiplying of his Sin, and the Aggravation of his following Judgement, Rom. 2. 4, 5.

From all which ſeveral Priviledges, conferred upon Saul, we may ſafely inferre; that a meer p. 69carnal Profeſſour, may be a viſible Saint; a true viſible Church-member; deſcended of godly Parents, and related to the beſt Society upon Earth: the very next of Kin unto a man after Gods own heart: deſired while alive, and mourned for at his death: outwardly advanced above the Beſt: eminently ſought out of God: approved of by godly men: and marvellouſly confirmed in a good opinion of their preſent ſtate: Such may be Spirited for their work: admirably Gifted: applauded by the Generality of ſober Iſraelites: wonderfully ſecured from imminent Dangers: maligned by a groſſer Intereſt: employ'd by God in ſome ſpecial Service: accompanyed with Succeſs: earneſtly prayed for by ſome of God's People: ſtopt in a ſinful way: and endured with much Long-ſuffering. All this, and much more, may be the Portion of an Hypocrite, or of one who is not after God's own heart, and whoſe Mercies are not like David's.

Ʋſe 3. Thirdly and laſtly, If Saul were not after God's own heart, notwithſtanding all his ſeeming Excellency; let all ſo…ts of Perſons th…n be hence Diſſwaded, from b…ing Quieted in Sauls Condition, or ſatisfied with his Attainments. And one would think that there needed no other Argument, but onelyonly this, that Saul was not after the heart of God, in Point of Priviledge or Duty; ſince the Scripture doth count him ſufficiently miſerable, who cometh ſhort of the Glory of God, Rom. 3. 23. But yet in order unto the further ſetting home of this Dehortation, p. 70let theſe following Conſiderations be duely weighed, from whence we may ſee, in Saul's Example, what may …e the dolefull portion of ſuch a one.

1. Saul was a Worker of Iniquity; a wicked Tranſgreſſour; and in effect an Heathen: ſo David ſtyleth him, Pſal. 59. 2. 5, and in relation to his being Perſecuted by him, eſpecially when he ſent to watch and kill him in his own houſe, as the Title of that Pſalm doth intimate. This is the Perſecutors proper Name, although he may be by ſome miſcalled Religious. And thus doth Paul ſtyle himſelf, ſo long as he was a Saul, although he did it ignorantly, 1 Tim. 1. 13. There are ſome Gentlemen thieves, and there are unſuſpected Sinners; but it is not a Velvet Mask that can hide a Deforme… face from the Heart-ſearcher's eye. John had that Myſtical Whore diſcovered to him, notwithſtanding all her Glorious and Sacred Colours, Rev. 17. 4 5. Such as pretend to Sanctity, and yet Act Abominably, are a Smoke in God's Noſe, whom he will recompenſe into their Boſom, Iſa. 65. 4, 5, 6. An Hypocrite may Juſtifie himſelf, and highly be eſteemed by Men, but is Abomination in the ſight of God, Luke 16. 15. And how will it fill their faces with Confuſion, when Chriſt himſelf (whom David typified) ſhall call them workers of I…iquity, who have both Preach'd and Propheſied, and … out Devils in his Name, Matt. 7. …, 2…. If a man be not after God's own heart as to the Main, he is no better than a Worker of Iniquity, whatever Profeſſion he may make, and ſhall be one day bid to Depart p. 71from Chriſt, as having never been known by him.

2. Saul was given in Anger, Hoſ. 13. 11; notwithſtanding that he was by God himſelf both ſent, 1 Sam. 9. 16, and …noynted, 1 Sam. 10. 1. and Confirmed, v. 7, and Spirited, v. 9, and Choſen, v. 21. Which Divine Anger, did evidence it ſelf by ſeveral Symptoms. Saul was a poor carnal Creature himſelf, ſo alſo were the People that did deſire him: now a Carnal man can ſee no Divine …ove in any of his Enjoyments, ſince he is only a Child of wrath, Eph. 2. 3. Again, Saul was given, in a meer Permiſſive way, and expreſſely contrary to Gods ſignified Approbation, 1 Sam. 8. 7: now that which directly croſſeth God's Revealed Will, viz. Succeſs in a way of Sin, muſt needs come in a way of Anger. Again, when Saul was firſt deſired, it diſpleaſed the Prophet Samuel▪ and he Prayed againſt it, 1 Sam. 8. 6: now that which doth juſtly grieve their Spirits who have the Mind of Chriſt, muſt needs be done, (or ſuffered to be done) in …nger. Again, Saul was deſired, that ſo Gods Iſrael might be like unto all the Nations, 1 Sam. 8. 5. 20: now that which tendeth to confound the World, and Viſible Saints together, in oppoſition to an Inſtituted Separation, muſt needs be Permitted in a way of Anger, ſince God is at utter Enmity with the World, Jam. 4. 4. Again, God did foretell, that Saul would prove unto their ſorrow, who had deſired him▪ 1 Sam. 8. 18: now that which the Word of God declareth to be the juſt matter of Repentance, muſt needs be the fruit of Man's p. 72Sin and God's Anger. Again, Saul was Given in anſwer to that Inordinate deſire, which would not be overpowered by the Pureſt and ſtrongeſt Reaſons, 1 Sam. 8. 19: now the granting of an Impetuous and Unreaſonable deſire, muſt needs be in a way of Anger, Pſal. 81. 11, 12. Again, Saul did not ſatisfie the People in point of Content and Service, as was Expected by them: now that which doth not compet…ntly anſwer its deſigned End, may be ſuſpected as a Fruit of Anger; as Iſrael's Quails were, notwithſtanding which they were Lean, Pſal. 106. …5, and were not yet Eſtranged from their Luſt, Pſal. 78 2…, 30. Again, Saul was a Wicked man, Pſal. 7. 9: now when a wicked man is ſet over a People, it muſt needs be in a way of Anger, ſince that is repreſented as an heavy Curſe, Pſal. 109. 6 Again, Saul proved a ſad Snare unto his People, generally overpowring them to joyn with him in Sin: now that which doth bring in Sub…ction to ſuch Tem…tations, is done in Anger. Again, Saul was Removed in Wrath, H…ſ. 13. 11: now that which is ſo taken away, muſt needs have been ſo Given, ſince New-covenant Gifts are without Repentance, Rom. 11. 29. A carnal Profeſſors Priviledges are all given in Anger.

3. Saul's Kingdom did not Continue, 1 Sam. 13. 14; ſo that in effect, his being Anoynted thereunto, did onelyonly amount unto a Viſibility of Intereſt therein; or rather unto a bare Tender thereof▪ upon ſome f…lli…le Condition, which never had any good Event; the Inſtability of whoſe Priviledges in that reſpect, did fitly anſwer p. 73unto the nature of his Duty. Which Diſcontinuance of his Crown, was Emblematically hinted to him, by his being Anointed with Oil out of a Glaſs or Vial, which is a very Brittle veſſel, 1 Sam. 10. 1. whereas David was Anointed with Oil out of an Horn, that is not ſo eaſily Broken, 1 Sam. 16. 13. ſo alſo was Solomon his Son, 1 Kings 1. 39. the latter of which was a Type of Chriſt, whoſe Throne is for Ever and Ever, Pſ. 45. 6. as David was of the Saints, who alſo ſhall poſſeſs the Kingdom for Ever, even for ever and ever, Dan. 7. 18. Now Sauls Kingdome might therefore be ſaid not to continue, partly becauſe he was Threatned by the Lord to be Removed, upon his Sin, 1 Sam. 13. 14. which Divine Word was as a Worm at the Root of his Dignity: and Partly becauſe that none of his Poſterity Succeeded him, to keep up his Name, ſave onelyonly for a while, which was not worth the ſpeaking of: but Principally becauſe that Davids following Diſpenſation, did Really differ from Sauls for Kind, however they might in Appearance ſeem to be of the ſame nature, from Davids ſitting in Sauls Throne, and being his Son▪in-law. And thus, an Hypocrite may have great Hopes, but they are like a Spiders web, Job. 8. 14. ſpun out of the Bowels of his own Obedience, catching nothing but ſorry Fl…es, and likely to be ſoon ſwept down with Gods Beſome of Deſtruction. He may lean upon his houſe, but it ſhall not ſtand; he may hold it faſt, but it ſhall not endure Job 8. 15. His Priviledges are treaſured up in ſome Brittle Glaſſy Bottle, and his Wages are put into a Bag with Holes, Hag. 1. 6. Such p. 74may be called the children of the Kingdom, who yet ſhall be caſt out into utter darkneſs, Mat. 8. 12. The carnal Profeſſors Goods are all of them prop…r Moveables; and his beſt Tenure is but Knight-ſervice; or rather, he is but a Tenant at the Will of that Lord, whom he Provoketh daily to turn him out of all. Iſhmael was Abraham's Son, but becauſe onelyonly according to the fleſh, he therefore might not Inherit, what ſomtime he was the Sole Heir Apparent of Worldly Conſtitutions and a Natural mans Enjoyments, are both one, in point of inſtability however the Lord may ſeem as if he were about to Eſtabliſh them for Ever, as Samuel told Saul in relation to his Kingdome, 1 Sam. 13. 13.

4. S…uls Title to his Crown was irrecoverably crackt, upon his firſt Fall, 1 Sam. 13. 14. ſoon after he had Be…un to Reign, v. 1. and upon his Next miſcarriage, he was utterly Rejected, 1 Sam. 15. 23. without …ll hopes of being ever reſtored afterwards. v. 29. wherein his State fully anſwered unto the nature of that Vial▪ from whence he was firſt Anointed, 1 Sam. 10. 1. ſince Glaſs is quickly crackt, and when once Broken, cannot be m…nded any more. And thus a carnal Profeſſors enjoyments are not only uncertain in the general, but they are Quickly forfeited, as the firſt Adams Paradiſe was loſt upon his firſt Tranſgreſſion, Gen. 2. 17. and as Iſhmael was caſt out upon the firſt Appearanc… of his Scoffing Diſpoſition, Gen. 21. 9, 10. becauſe he was the Son of that Bondwoman, who anſwered unto Sinai, or the old Covenant of Works, Gal. 4. 24, 25. which did p. 75Immediately curſe him that did not continue in All things required by that Law▪ Gal. 3. 10. 'Tis true indeed, there is Now no ſuch Covenant of Works properly in Being … ever was ſince Adams Fall, ſave to the …, ſ… long as M…ſes his Miniſtration was in force; … men Naturally conſidered, are on…ly … Curſe of that covenant which Adam violated being ſaid to be Strangers from the Covenants, viz. both New and Old, Eph. 2. 12. ſo that an unbeliever hath Now no Promiſe at all, of the leaſt outward mercy, entailed upon his beſt Duty, whileſt in an unregenerated State. But though that God be not Now obliged to recompence a Natural mans obedience▪ yet is he Pleaſed uſually to do ſo ſtill, onelyonly that Arbitrary and Providential recompence, dependeth upon very tic…le tearmes, ſo as upon his firſt (at leaſtwiſe more conſiderable) failing, the Viſibility of his Title thereunto, is liable unto a ſpeedy utter and irrecoverable crack, both in his own conſcience and in the thoughts of others. A natural man cannot groundedly promiſe to himſelf, ſo much as a Temporall Forgiveneſs of his firſt Offence.

5. Saul had that ſad Meſſage of his Down▪fall, together with an Aggravating ſignification▪ of Gods having been then likely to have Eſtabliſhed his Kingdom upon Iſrael for ever, 1 Sam. 13. 13, 14. Which is not to be underſtood, as if the Lord did not certainly foreknow, or had not fore-determined what afterwards did come to paſ…: but he doth hereby onelyonly intimate, that Sauls Kingdom was in a very Fair and Probable way of having been ſetled upon him and his Po…terity, p. 76according to an Ordinary rule of judging, had not this Act of his Diſobedience Unhappily i…tervened as it were in the very Nic… of time; whereby the Lord did Deſigne to Aggravate Sauls preſent Sin and future Suffering. And thus Babylon (who was a Tipe of Worldly or Antichriſtian conſtitutions, Rev. 17. 5.) ſhall then fall, when moſt likely to be a Lady for ever, Iſa. 47. 7. and an Hypocrite is apt to be in Straits, when in the very fulneſs of his Sufficiency, Job. 20. 22. Which ſad Surprizal with unexpected Judgment, was eminently Exemplified in Agag the King of Amalek, who was confident that the Bitterneſs of Death was Paſt, a very little before his being Hewed in pieces, 1 Sam. 15. 32. 33. to ſignifie, that Worldly Things and Perſons (which Ama…ek Typified, as hath been formerly hinted) and more eſpecially the moſt Eminent among them (anſwering to this Amalek…tiſh King) are likely to meet with very Sudden Deſtruction, when they ſhall ſay Peace and Safety, 1 Theſ. 5. 3. and know nothing, untill the Flood come and take them all away, Mat. 24. 39. and when ſuch have in their own Apprehenſions, made a Covenant with Death and Hell, Iſa. 28. 15, 18. As we would not be overtaken with unexpected Judgments, let us take heed of being ſatisfied with Sauls Condition and Diſpenſation.

6. After that Saul was Anointed and Choſen King, the Iſraelites were ſadly afflicted by their Enemies on every ſide. The Ammonites had affrighted ſeveral of them into an Offer of an unlawfull compliance with them, 1 Sam. 11. 1. and the Philiſtines were too many for them, p. 771 Sam. 13. 5. having left the common People neither Sword nor Spear, ver. 22. nor Smith to make them any, ver. 19; who being by that means Diſtreſſed, did Hide themſelves, ver. 6. and the Stouteſt of them Trembled, v. 7. ſo as that their Enemies inſulted over them, by ſending Spoilers out of their Camp, in ſeveral Companies, ver. 17, 18. Poor carnal People are likely to be Diſappointed of their high expectations from Worldly conſtitutions; as the Iſraelites were, who looked for great matters to have been done by their National King. And notwithſtanding that ſeeming Inward Authority and Command which ſome Profeſſors are inveſted with, typified by Sauls Supremacy; yet are they ſadly over powered by Satans temptations and their own corruptions ſtill, which were Spiritually ſhadowed out by Iſraels Adverſaries. Such may be made to think, that there is no way to get ſhut of Satan, but by their compliance with him in relation to ſome Leſſer ſins; which they could freely ſubmit unto, but that they ſee at length, this will not ſatisfie their Adverſary; as was the caſe of thoſe men of Jabeſh. Such alſo may be triumphed over, by many groſs Philiſtian Luſts, which may be far more in Number than all their Iſraelitiſh Vertues; and by which means they may be Stripped of their beſt Defenſive and Offenſive weapons, ſuch as a meer Naturall man might otherwiſe be furniſht with; ſo as that their hearts may generally fail them, whenever a Temptation doth appear, and thoſe Myſtical Philiſtines may ſend Spoilers among them what they pleaſe. As men would not expoſe themſelves to bee the p. 78Servants of ſome Ammonitiſh temptations, which their preſent Light and Tenderneſs doth make them Tremble to think of; and as they would not be Diſabled by Spiritual Philiſtines, for any thing ſave Tillage, 1 Sam. 13. 20. or Actions of a more Civil and Common nature; ſo let them take heed of Reſting in Sauls condition, which was the Type of an Unregenerated Profeſſors State.

7. When Saul conſulted with the Lord, what he ſhould do, in a caſe of great concernment, and according to Gods Appointment, Num. 27. 21. yet God would not Anſwer him, 1 Sam. 14. 37. and at another time, when Saul was moſt afraid, and when his heart greatly trembled, he did Enquire of God, but the Lord would not Anſwer him, neither by Dreams, nor by Ʋrim, nor by Prophets, 1 Sam. 28. 5, 6. which tempted him to conſult with that Witch, v. 15. unto his own deſtruction, 1 Chron. 10. 13. The Lord was ſometimes pleaſed to manifeſt himſelf of old by Dreames, which were for the moſt part imparted unto Holy Perſons, though ſometimes unto others alſo; but Saul had no Anſwer▪ in this way from any: But the more ordinary way of Gods Diſcovering his Mind was then by Prophets, who were Moſtly Holy Perſons alſo, though not alway; but Samuel was now dead, and that Spirit together with him, as to Sauls relief: But the Moſt ordinary way then was, by conſulting with the High Prieſt, being clad with Aarons Ephod, and Breaſt-plate, wherein was the Ʋrim and Thummim, Exod. 28. 30. Num. 27. 21. Now Abiathar had formerly carried away this Ephod p. 79to David when he fled from Sauls fury, 1 Sam. 23. 6. ſo that he had at preſent no Ʋrim to conſult with through his own default; And when he did conſult therewith, the time before, 1 Sam. 14. 37. it was meerly upon the Prieſts motion, and not his own deſire, v. 36. who but a little before, had ſeemed to Deſpiſe it, v. 19. and therefore had no cauſe to Wonder at Gods not anſwering him thereby, v. 37. Though alſo his laſt Enquiring of God, was in ſuch a ſorry manner, 1 Sam. 28, 6. as that he is elſewhere ſaid not to have Enquired of God at all, 1 Chron. 10. 14. And thus, an Hypocrite may Pray, and Adviſe with the Lords moſt faithful Servants, (who were typified by thoſe Dreamers and Prophets and High Prieſts of old) and yet may not be anſwered, upon the account of his preſent State or former Sleightineſs, and great Tranſgreſſion, as was the caſe of Saul; which is a very ſad diſpenſation, and that which may occaſion his conſulting with Carnal Policy at leaſt, which is no better than a Wizard; juſt as it hath lately befaln ſome eminent Profeſſors in our dayes. As men would have God to Hear them when at any time they ſeek unto him, ſo let them take heed of Reſting in Sauls condition; ſince God doth not Hear Sinners, Joh. 9. 31, nor any one that Regardeth iniquity in his heart, Pſal. 56. 18.

8. Saul ſadly Miſtook what was the True and Proper cauſe of Gods not anſwering him that day 1 Sam. 14. 37. Preſuming that it was, becauſe his ſinfull Adjuration, v. 24. had not been obſerved, v. 38, 39. whereas he might eaſily have ſuſpected, that God was Offended, with his former p. 80Sleightineſs, v. 19. and with his being meerly Paſſive in this preſent addreſs, which had not now been, if the Prieſt had not urged him thereunto, v. 36. and eſpecially with the Peoples eating Blood, which was the conſequent of his wicked curſe, v. 32. which he was told of, v. 33. and thought he had ſufficiently Expiated that Tranſgreſſion by a future Reformation, v. 34. though by the Law ſuch Offenders ſhould have been cut off, Lev. 7. 27. And thus a carnal Profeſſor is apt to be very Groſly miſtaken, as to what is the Proper ground of ſuch a croſs Providence; being forward to impute the Procuring cauſe thereof unto ſome other rather than himſelf; and not to ſee, what is the True and Manifeſt occaſion of Gods contending with him in ſuch a way; but to pitch upon a fancy, and in the mean while to overlook a Real and very great tranſgreſſion. Now this is a ſad diſpenſation, ſince if the Cauſe of a Suffering be thus miſtaken, a Soul knoweth not what courſe to take for its Removeall, but may do Harm inſtead of Good, as in the caſe of a Bodily diſtemper, when the right Humour is not his upon: and therefore in ſuch a caſe, David was ſo wiſe as to Enquire of God, what the matter was, 1 Sam. 21. 1. as Saul here ſhould have done, and whereupon he might poſſibly have been Reſolved, had he perſiſted therein, ſince it is here onelyonly ſaid, that the Lord anſwered him not That Day, 1 Sam. 14. 37. intimating as if his Perſeverance might have been crowned with ſucceſs. But this is one part of a Natural mans dolefull portion, that he is not able to Judge of Gods mind in his correcting Providences, through the p. 81prevalency of his Ignorance, Self-love and Raſhneſs. And let it be well obſerved, whether ſome in our dayes, have not brought that Miſery upon themſelves, by their ſuperſtitious Impoſitions, which they would think hath been the fruit of others non-complaynce therewith.

9. The Lord did juſtly Harden Saul in his ſinfull practice and opinion, by ſuffering Jonathan to be taken by that Lot which Saul caſt, 1 Sam 14. 42; wherein the Lord was Righteous, ſince Saul deſired, that God would thereby diſcover, who it was that had violated his former Adjuration, v. 41; and yet Saul was juſtly Hardned, ſince he by this means thought that Jonathan's not complying with that unlawfull Prohibition, was the very Cauſe why God did not anſwer Saul, v. 37. God would not anſwer him before, when it might have done him good; but now did Anſwer him, unto his Obduration. The ſeeming Mercies of an Hypocrite are real Judgements. Solomon had ſometimes obſerved, that Riches were kept for the Owners to their Hurt, Eccl. 5. 13; and after ſuch a manner doth God hear the Sinners Prayer; as Chriſt did the Devils, when he ſuffered them to do more M…ſchief, Matt. 8. 31, 32, which would redound at laſt unto their own ſadder Reckoning. They who will Dally with their Light, may juſtly be given up to ſtrong Deluſions, 2 Theſſ. 2. 10, 11; as Pharaohs heart was Hardened becauſe his Magicians could do as Moſes and Aaron did, E…od. 7. 22. Chriſt biddeth his Diſciples to pray, …t God would not lead them into Temptation…, Mat. 6. 13; which intimateth that he may do p. 82ſo, and ſometimes doth, and which they have moſt cauſe to fear, who are not men after his his own heart, or who are ſuch as Saul ſometimes was.

10. 'Tis ſaid, That Saul vexed the Philiſtines and other Enemies, 1 Sam. 14. 47, but not, that he did ſubdue them, as David did, 2 Sam. 8. 1: and the Generality of Saul's Victories, were either by David's Means, 1 Sam. 17. 46, or at leaſtwiſe by J…nathan's, 1 Sam. 13. 3, & 14. 45, who was a Friend to David, 1 Sam. 18. 1. But when Jonathan had ſmitten that Garriſon of the Philiſtines, 1 Sam. 13. 3, it did but make Iſrael to be had in Abomination with them, v. 4; and though the Philiſtines were much diſcomfited in Saul's time by Jonathan and David afterwards, yet did they Recover themſelves again, and were at laſt the Death of Saul, 1 Sam. 31. 3. And thus, a Corrupt ſtate of things may be accompanyed with ſome ſucceſs, though Principally for the ſakes and by the hand of ſuch as Jonathan and David were; but yet withall, that preſent ſucceſs may onelyonly vexe the Adverſe party, who at the laſt may Overcome their ſometime-Conquerours, eſpecially when David is become the Object of thoſe Conquerours Perſecution, and is more civilly dealt with by the Philiſtines, than by his own Friends and Brethren: all which hath eminently been Exemplified in theſe latter dayes. So alſo, a meer carnal Profeſſor may be enabled to vex his Spiritual Enemies, whether more Refined (ſuch as Moab, A…on and Edom typified) or more Groſs, ſuch as Amalek, the Kings of Zobah and the p. 83Philiſtines were; by the help of Chriſt's hand in a more Common reſpect, (whom David in Saul's time did ſo typifie) or by means of ſome Good things in ſuch a one, which are the Friends of Chriſt, and whom Jonathan was a fit type of. But yet, a meer carnal Profeſſor doth only Enrage, and not properly Subdue his Moabitiſh and Ammonitiſh inordinate Affections; his Syrian Temptations; his Amalekitiſh Worldly mind; his Philiſtian Luſts (all which Types have formerly been more at large explained;) and his Edomitiſh Body or Outward man, which was Originally before the Soul, Gen. 2. 7, (as Eſau was Jacob's Elder Brother, Gen. 25. 25.) but loſt the Bleſſing of Paradiſe for an Apple, Gen. 2. 17. & 3. 19, (as Eſau did his for a meſs of red Pottage, Gen. 27. 35) ever ſince which time, it hath been an enemy to the Spirit, 1 Pet. 2. 11. Rom. 7. 23, 24, as the Edomites were againſt Iſrael: ſome or other of which forementioned Temptations are likely to give him his deadly wound at laſt, unleſs the Lord be pleaſed to make him a Better man than Saul ever was, who met with this portion in the Letter, to ſhew what they muſt ſpiritually look for, who are not men after God's own heart.

11. Saul was an occaſion of much Miſchief, as to Himſelf, ſo alſo unto Others. He hindred the Philiſtines ſlaughter, by his ſuperſtitious Impoſition upon the People, 1 Sam. 14. 29, 30: He brought a ſad Plague in David's time, by his Blind Zeal, 2 Sam. 21. 1, 2, which ended in the Death of Seven of his own Sons, v. 9: And he occaſioned the untimely end of his worthy Son p. 84Jonathan, together with Abinadab and Melchiſhuah, 1 Sam. 31. 2. Which Jonathan was a Valiant man, 2 Sam. 1. 23▪ and a dear Friend of David's, v. 26, who yet was Saul's Son; to ſignifie, that a w…cked man may have a worthy Child; which may be added unto his other Priviledges before-mentioned. But all the forenamed Miſchief was by the Means of Saul. Now let it be obſerved, whether ſomething of this nature alſo, be not Exemplified in theſe latter dayes, which ſeem to have been eminently typified by Sam's Diſpenſation. Might not a groſſer Intereſt have been more fully vanquiſhed, if Gods Iſrael had not been Weakened by ſome unlawfull Prohibitions? And have not ſome of Chriſt's faithful Friends been cut off, upon his Fore-runner's being deſtroyed by that groſſer Intereſt? To ſay nothing at preſent, concerning the Fruit of that Blind Zeal, which may be more fully diſcovered afterwards. However, we may obſerve from hence, that an Hypocrite may little deſerve to be Deſired or Lamented, in regard of his being Miſchievous unto others, whoſe Relations may ſadly ſuffer for his Miſcarriages. How apt are ſuch to hinder the ſlaughter of ſome Philiſtian Luſts, by their ſuperſtitious forbearing thoſe lawfull and Neceſſary Helps, which the Lord hath not forbidden? 1 Cor. 7. 9. 1 Tim. 4. 3, 4. Col. 2. 23. How ſadly do they occaſion the Periſhing of ſome Good things in them, by a forcible Engaging of their Light and Parts againſt Chriſt, as Saul did his Son and Subjects againſt David, who therefore periſhed by thoſe Phi…iſtines, as theſe are apt to doe by ſome more p. 85Reproachfull Miſcarriage. And how apt are ſuch, to create unto themſelves a ſad after-reckoning, by that which at the preſent they Blindly apprehend to be their Zeal and Duty. As men would not be liable to ſuch a portion, ſo let them take heed of Reſting in Saul's Condition.

12. Saul was (by his Naughtineſs) the Cauſe of Samuel's Mourning, who had Anoynted him, 1 Sam. 15. 35; and by his Oppreſſion, he made them Crie, who had ſo Inordinately deſired him, 1 Sam. 8. 18; whom they ſoon grew weary of, and long'd for David, 2 Sam. 3. 17. And let it be obſerved, whether Worldly and National Conſtitutions (ſuch as Saul's was) have not made thoſe to Crie out, who ſometimes would not be ſatisfied without them: and whether that men of Samuel's ſpirit, have not Mourned untill the day of their Death, for ſuch Things and Perſons, which they have been Inſtrumental unto the Advancement of. However, we may hence learn, that a man not after God's own heart, is apt to be unto the great Grief of others, both Good and Bad. Chriſt's outward Sufferings indeed, were as a Sword piercing through his Mother's Soul, Luke 2. 35; but yet upon ſome other account, that Womb was Bleſt that bare him, and thoſe Paps that he had ſucked, Luke 11. 27: whereas a fooliſh Son is the Calamity of his Father, Prov. 19. 13, and the Heavineſs of his Mother, Prov. 10. 1; a Grief to his Father, and Bitterneſs to her that Bare him, Prov. 17. 25. Such are apt to take thoſe Courſes, that may make their Relations and beſt Friends to be Aſhamed of them, and to wiſh for their Removal. p. 86Diſobedience to God, may juſtly ſtrip thoſe of that Reſpect and Love, which otherwiſe might be expected. He that liveth without being Approved, may depart without being Deſired, as Jehoram did, 2 Chron. 21. 20; and which may be the Portion of any one who is not a man after Gods own heart.

13. The Lord checked Samuel, becauſe of his Mourning ſo long for Saul, ſince he had Rejected him; and Wiped his Eye, by ſending him to Anoynt David in his ſtead, 1 Sam. 16. 1. And this is another part of that ſad portion from the Lord, which is moſt likely to befall a perſevering Hypocrite, and a Worldly Conſtitution; both which may Bitterly be Lamented by ſuch, who do behold their Evil, and foreſee their Downfall; nor can it be denyed to be a very great Priviledge, to ſhare in the benefit of a Good man's Prayer and Mourning: but yet when their Sorrow or Supplication relateth to ſuch things as theſe, it may be ſo far from Prevailing with God, as that he may bid his People to Pray and Mourn no more, and divert the Current of their Affections into ſome other Channel. Hath not this been fulfilled already, in relation to thoſe Worldly Forms, which ſome good men have formerly endeavoured to keep up with their Prayers and Tears? Hath not the Lord Rebuked them for ſo doing, and given them to underſtand, that he hath Rejected them, notwithſtanding what hand himſelf had in their Erecting? Hath he not enclined the Hearts of his Samuels, to go ſeek up David, although with the hazard of their Lives, from Saul's hand? p. 87However, we may hence learn, that a man not after Gods own heart, may ſoon ceaſe to be the object of a Saints Remembrance. He that will not be guided by their counſel, may juſtly be thruſt out of their Prayer. God can Silence any of his Speakers when he pleaſeth; and if a People or Perſon will not Anſwer to Gods call, Jer. 7. 13, the next news is, Pray not for ſuch, v. 16; which Word is as the Sentence before Execution: and as poor creatures would not come under it, ſo let them take heed of being ſatisfied in Sauls condition.

14. So ſoon as David was Anointed, the good Spirit of the Lord Departed from Saul, and an Evil Spirit from God Troubled him, 1 Sam. 16. 13, 14. Which good Spirit of God, cannot be meant of any ſpecial Graces, (for thoſe Saul never had) but meerly of ſome Religious Actions, Miniſtring Gifts, and choiſe Moral Vertues, viz. Ingenuity, Courage, Self command, &c. which pretty flowers did ſometimes ſeem to flouriſh in him, but now began to Wither: and in the ſtead thereof, an Evil Spirit appeared, viz. a Spirit of Prophaneneſs, Pride, Envy, Slaviſh Fear, &c. as an Evil Spirit will not be long out of an Empty houſe, Mat. 12. 44. And thus, ſome may have obſerved, that Worldly conſtitutions of later years, have been more Beautified than heretofore by reaſon of their Bordering upon David's Diſpenſation in the Miſtery as Countrey houſes near ſome great City are finer than ordinary; and ſo long as thoſe Earthly Formes have been any way ſerviceable to Chriſt and his People, or at leaſtwiſe not Prejudicial to them: but otherwiſe as a p. 88more glorious Miniſtration is growing up, ſo a former muſt Diſappear, 2 Cor. 3. 11. Joh. 3. 29. Heb. 8. 13. eſpecially when the former was not of Gods Appointing, and proveth unto the Prejudice of the latter; as when Iſhmael began to Mock Iſaac, then he and his Mother muſt ſtay no longer in Abraham's houſe, Gen. 21. 9, 10. However we may hence learn, that a carnal Profeſſor's Gifts and ſeeming Graces, are apt to fall into an utter Decay. He may be thought to be Another Man, 1 Sam. 10. 6; and yet within a while, he may appear to be the ſame man he was, and a great deal worſe. His ſingle Talent, not being well improved, may therefore be taken from him, Mat. 25. 27, 28. He is but a Servant at the moſt, all whoſe Gifts of Inheritance, will Return in Time unto their Old Maſter, Ezek. 46. 17. His Stony heart affordeth this Seed neither Root nor Moiſture which therefore muſt needs quickly Wither. Luk. 8. 6. 13. His Goodneſs is as a Morning cloud, and as the early dew it goeth away, being ſuddenly Diſperſt and gathered up by the Breaking forth of a Temptations Sun, Hoſ. 6. 4. The Old mans Sight is apt to Wax dim, and Nature will Decay, and the Firſt Covenant Gifts are fading. Nay and ſuch are alſo liable to be Poſſeſſed by an Evil Spirit. A Profeſſing Hypocrite may turn Prophane; his ſometime Raptures may be transformed into Terrours; and he that hath been a Lover of the Brethren, may prove their deadly Perſecutor: all which was verified in Saul, to affright every one from being Quieted in his condition.

p. 8915. Saul was Afraid to encounter with Goliah, and was Diſmayed at his appearance, 1 Sam. 17. 11. and fled from him, v. 24. Which Goliah, was a Philiſtine, whoſe Height was a full yard and Span above any ordinary man's, 1 Sam. 17. 4, who was compleatly Armed, from Head to Foot, v. 5, 6, 7; and the Weight of his Armour (as ſome have computed it, from what is there ſaid) did amount to more than two hundred Pounds, at the loweſt eſtimate. And ſo this Goliah doth very fitly ſhadow out, ſome terrible Suffering, or ſome more eaſily Beſetting Sin; both which are above an Ordinary man's height, and ſeem unto an Eye of fleſh as if they would run all down before them, and do Defie the Armies of Iſrael, offering to fight with any one, upon condition that the conquered Party ſhall be the Overcomer's Servant. The Divel is a …eſperate Gameſter, who would have Profeſſors to adventure their All at one Caſt; whilſt himſelf will no more ſtand to thoſe Tearms, than theſe Philiſtines did, upon their Champion's being overthrown: and yet alſo the Prevailer in ſuch a combat, is very likely to Gain that which Goliah offered; which ſhould encourage us, as Stoutly to reſiſt at ſuch a time, as we are ſure to be Reſiſted, if either we Prize our getting Satan at an under, or would prevent our being his Slaves for ever But this is one part of a poor Souls miſery, that he dares not loo… this Goliah in the face. A Natural man had rather deal with an whole Army of Ordinary temptations, than One ſuch as Goliah was. He is apt … flee from his Duty, when accompanyed with ſome greater Danger; and to p. 90give way to ſome Beloved luſt or Conſtitutionall corruption. He will be content to fight againſt the common Philiſtines, if this Goliah may be but kept out of Sight. But otherwiſe; a Saul is apt to give back, at ſuch a Dead Lift, apprehending himſelf not called out to this kind of Encounter, let Satan Triumph▪ let Profeſſion be Scandalized, let God be Defied, let Iſrael be Endangered, or let what elſe will follow: though Saul could not but know, that if ſome or other did not take this Goliah to do, his Army would ſoon have mouldred away, and himſelf muſt then have periſhed by thoſe Encouraged Philiſtines. An Hypocrite is one, who doth prefer his Boſome-ſin and preſent Self-preſervation, before the Glory of God, and the future Safety both of himſelf and others. As Profeſſors would be loth to Backſlide, in an hour of ſome great Temptation, ſo let them labour to be after Gods own heart, and not onelyonly ſuch as Saul ſometime was.

16. When David encountred with this Goliah, he Refuſed Saul's Armour, viz. his Sword and Helmet and Coat of Mail, as not being able to go therewith, becauſe he had not Proved them, 1 Sam. 17. 38, 39. And this is another part of a Carnal Profeſſor's miſery, that a man after Gods own heart dare's not make uſe of his Armour, nor hath ever been accuſtomed thereunto. A mans Armour is that by which himſelf is Defended, and his Adv…rſary reſiſted, upon the Goodneſs or Badneſs whereof his Life doth much depend, and therefore his condition (in a conflict) muſt needs be very ſad, whoſe whole Armour deſerveth to be Rejected. Now the Natural man's p. 91Armour is ſomething like unto Sauls, which much reſembled that of the Philiſtines, ſave onelyonly that it was not ſo compleat and full as Goliahs was, for Goliah had Greaves of braſs upon his Legs, to ſecure his Standing; and a Spear together with his Sword, whereby to Kill his Adverſary at ſome further Diſtance; and a Target of Braſs between his Shoulders, wherewith to Defend himſelf from Backblows, in caſe he ſhould Retreat, and one bearing a Shield before him: whereas Saul onelyonly furniſh'd David with a ſword, and left both his Legs and Shoulders naked. A carnal Profeſſor is nothing ſo well armed, as his Adverſary is; whom he cannot reach, unleſs the other come very near him; and his Legs (or main Supporters) are Open to the ſaddeſt wound, and if he once turn his Back, he then hath nothing to Secure him from a deadly thruſt: whereas his Spiritual Enemy can firſt reach him with his maſſy Spear; and hath one bearing a ſheild before him; (the Devil is two to one, when he dealeth with a carnal Iſraelite;) nor is he ſo apt to fall by a blow upon his armed Legs, or by a Thruſt upon his armed Back; and therefore though Chriſt made him turn Head, in that Duel that was fought between them, yet is it ſaid that he onelyonly departed for a Seaſon, which intimateth that he did Retreat without being deadly wounded, Luk. 4. 13. whilſt the ſinner is not able to ſtand, becauſe he hath not the Whole Armour of God upon him, Eph. 6. 13; and when he giveth Back or Falleth, he is in danger of never Riſeing more, Prov. 24. 16; though indeed among thoſe Peices of Gods Armour, Eph. 6. 14, 15, 16. there's none for p. 92the back, to intimate, that Backſliding Profeſſors are in a worſe condition than …ny other ſort of Perſons. But howeve… ▪ the ſinners armour is not for the Saints turn, nor dare a man after Gods own heart make uſe thereof, in any of his ſpirituall conflicts If ſuch would ſuppreſs a ſuppoſed Hereſie or Errour; their armous is Club-law, or Terrible Threats, or Paſſionate expreſſions; whereas Pauls weapons were not Carnall▪ 2 Cor. 10. 4. and then much leſs ſinful, 2 …m. 2. 24, 25. If ſuch would Overcome Temptations and Corruptions; their armour is, the firſt Adam's ſtrength, or ſuperſtitious means, or Yeilding in a little, that ſo they might prevent a greater fall: whereas Paul was for being ſtrong in the might of God, and for His armour onelyonly, Eph. 6. 10. 11, and not for giving place by Subjection at all, Gal. 2. 5. Eph. 4. 27. If ſuch would quench the fiery darts of an accuſing conſcience; their armour is, outfaceing confidence, 1 Sam. 15. 20; or Senſual Diverſions, 1 Sam. 16. 16, 17; or Deſperate engageing in ſin unto ſome further height, 1 Sam. 18. 11. all which were parts of Sauls armour but David made uſe of other. As men would not be utterly Deſtitute of good Defenſ…ve and Offenſive weapons, ſo let them take heed of being ſuch as Saul was; for all his Armour was Rejected by David, who was a man after Gods own heart and knew what would beſt ſerve for ſuch a purpoſe.

17. Saul was afraid of David, becauſe the Lord was with him, 1 Sam. 18. 12; and becauſe he behaved himſelf very Wiſely, ver. 15. One character of Chriſts Spouſe is, to be then p. 93moſt Terrible to the Wicked, when ſhe is moſt Beautifull and Comely, Cant. 6. 4. and one Property of a falſe heart is, to be afraid at ſuch a Sight. When Chriſt ſhall appear in his Glory, the ſinners in Sion will be Afraid, Iſa. 33. 14 hiding themſelves in Holes and Caves Iſa. 2. 19; and next unto himſelf, the Majeſty of his Peoples graces is unto ſuch Affrighting. Ahab did not deſire to ſee Michaiah, 1 Kings 22. 8; and Saul ſeemed well content that faithfull Samuel did no more ſee him till his death, 1 Sam. 15. 35. A Saint is compared to the Sun, and that make's him Terrible unto a weak carnal eye, Cant. 6. 10. Fooles know not how to carry themſelves in a Wiſe man's company, and therefore ſuch rather chuſe to be alone; Chriſt's preſence Tormented him that was poſſeſſed with the Devil, Mat. 8. 29; and ſuch a one was Saul, 1 Sam. 16. 14. The appearance of God in any, muſt needs trouble thoſe from whom he is departed; and that was Sauls very caſe, 1 Sam. 18. 12. A Serpent runs out of Mans ſight; and a Natural man is of the Serpents ſeed, Mat. 3. 7. God is unto Tranſgreſſors a conſuming fire, Heb. 12. 29; and God is in his People; who therefore muſt needs make ſinners Fall down before them, 1 Cor. 14. 25. The World could not endure Chriſt, becauſe he teſtified of it, that its works were evil, Joh. 7. 7; now all his People are of the ſame ſpirit, who therefore muſt expect the ſame portion. The Saints are Gods Anointed and ſhall be uppermoſt; in which regard Saul was afraid of David. An Hypocrite is one that Hateth the Upright, Mic. 3. 2. and that p. 94maketh him to be ſo much afraid. He carrieth a guilty Conſcience in his boſome, and thence he is afraid (as Cain was) of every one he meeteth with, Gen. 4. 14. And this is another branch of a Carnal Profeſſors miſery, which is very ſad. An Heathen could ſay, that the very Sight of a Good man is Delightfull; ſo that he muſt be worſe than an Heathen, who is Afraid of ſuch a one: A Profeſſor would be thought to be a Good man himſelf; and then what a ſad thing it is, that he ſhould be Afraid of his own Pretended Party. He that is Afraid of a Good man, muſt needs alſo Hate him, as Saul did David; now ſuch as Hate the Righteous, ſhall be Deſolate, Pſal. 34. 21, and be clothed with ſhame, Joh. 8. 22. and Plagued, Pſal. 89. 23. with the Diſeaſes of Egypt, Deut. 7. 15. and with all the Curſes in Moſes his Law, Deut. 30. 7. A good man doth miniſter no more juſt ground of fear, than David did to Saul; and it is one ſign of a Wicked man, to flee, when no man purſueth, Prov. 28. 1. And he that is afraid of a Good man becauſe of the Lords being with him, how much more will he tremble at the ſight of God himſelf; before whom he muſt one day appear. 'Tis ſad being afraid of an Holy man, and yet this an Hypocrite is apt to be.

18. Saul was utterly confounded at the News of his Death, 1 Sam. 28. 20. Which aſtoniſhment of his did not ariſe from any meer Natural cauſe, for ſo he had oft lookt Death in the face: nor was he loth to Die, becauſe he would be further ſerviceable to God, as David was, Pſal. 6. 4, 5. nor was he afraid to Die, becauſe of ſuch p. 95Terrours as a gracious heart is ſubject unto, Pſ. 88. 15. But Sauls Amazement did manifeſtly ariſe from his utter Deſpair of Mercy, as the fruit of his manifold and ſad tranſgreſſion. And this is another Branch of a carnal Profeſſors miſery, that he is apt to be afraid of Death from a ſpirit of Deſperation. A Natural mans Treaſure conſiſteth in his outward Glory, which ſhall not Deſcend after him, Pſal. 49. 17. either as to his Wealth, v. 10. or Wiſdom, Joh. 4. 21. Eccl. 9. 5, 6; which is the more ſadly aggravated, becauſe the Inward thoughts of ſuch is, that theſe things ſhall continue for ever, Pſal. 49. 11; and becauſe ſuch Die not thereunto beforehand, as a gracious heart doth, 1 Cor. 15 31. Sin is the Sting of Death, and the Law is the ſtrength of Sin; both which are Overcome to the true Believers hand, 1 Cor. 15. 56, 57, but not to others; who therefore muſt then needs before afraid. After Death comes Judgment, Heb. 9. 27; and the very Name of Judgment is enough to make an Healthfull Faelix Tremble, Act. 24, 25. There is no Working in the Grave, Eccl. 9. 10; which muſt needs Terrifie that Soul, whoſe main Work is all yet to do. When a wicked man Dieth, his Expectation periſheth, Prov. 11. 7; and his caſe muſt needs be ſad, whoſe Hope is utterly cut off. So that it is no Wonder, if ſuch a one be afraid of Death. But yet it is very Dolefull, ſince Death cannot be avoided, Heb. 9. 27. and ſince there the Weary be at Reſt, Job. 3. 17, who therefore Long for it, v. 21; and ſince the Righteous hath Hope therein, Prov. 14. 32, As men would not Deſpairingly p. 96be Afraid of Death, ſo let them haſten out of Saul's Condition.

19. Saul was one, whom David was directed by the Spirit of God to pray Againſt, as is evident in many of his Pſalms. And thus an Hypocrite is ſubject to be preſt to Death by a good man's Prayer. A Saint may lawfully pray for his own neceſſary Preſervation but Hypocrites are generally Miſchievous, who therefore cannot but be Prayed againſt. A Saint muſt Pray for the advancement of Chriſt's Kingdom, which will be raiſed upon their Ruines, of which number a falſe heart is. It is according to God's Will, that his People ſhould Pray either for his Enemies Converſion or Confuſion, Pſal. 83. 16, 17; now the Saints are Heard in what they ask according to God's Will▪ 1 Joh. 5. 14; and therefore if an Hypocrite be not converted, he is in danger of being confounded by a good man's Prayer. Now the Saints Prayers are very much Prevailing with the Lord, and therefore woe be to that man whom they are engaged againſt. In which Prayer of David, we may further obſerve, that it was directed againſt Saul, as a Bloody man, Pſal. 59. 2, a Lion, Pſal. 7. 2, and as one who was ſet on fire, whoſe Teeth were Spears and Arrowes, and his Tongue a ſharp Sword, Pſal. 57. 4; which is the proper Deſcription of a Perſecuting Hypocrite. And David prayeth againſt him, as one who lay in wait for his Soul, not for his Tranſgreſſion, and without any fault, Pſal. 59. 3, 4; appealing to God in that reſpect, Pſal. 7. 3, 4, and deſiring to be judged according to his Righteouſneſs, v. 8: and this is generally p. 97the Saints Caſe, whoſe Prayer againſt Perſecuting Hypocrites muſt therefore needs Prevail. And David in his Prayer repreſenteth Saul, as a Worker of Iniquity, Pſal. 59. 2, an Heathen and wicked Tranſgreſſour, v. 5, and as being a Cuſh, Pſal. 7, in the Title of it, which ſignifieth an Ethtopian, or one who could not change his Skin and ſinfull Cuſtoms, Jer. 13. 23; which generally is the Diſpoſition of a perſecuting Hypocrite, who being thus Drie, is the ſooner Fired by the Saints Prayer. And David Prayeth againſt Saul, that God would Deſtroy him by Degrees, Pſal 59. 11, and in his Wrath, v. 13, or Anger, Pſal. 7. 6, and all this, as a Publick Mercy to good People, v. 7: which Circumſtances are every of them very ſadly aggravating, when one is thus Gradually preſt to Death, under the heavy weight of Divine Wrath, and in a way of Mercy unto the Godly. Nay and David was herein guided by the Spirit of God, and did Pray in Faith, verily Believing that he ſhould ſee his Deſire upon his Enemies, Pſal. 59. 10, who therefore did ſpeak of Saul's Deſtruction beforehand, as if it were already brought about, Pſal. 7. 12, 13, 14, 15, 16: Now the Prayer of Faith is very Prevailing, Jam. 5. 15, Matt. 21, 22, and therefore ſuch Prayers againſt the poor creature, muſt needs make his Cond…tion dolefull; which yet may be obſerved to be their Portion, who do reſemble Saul, and more eſpecially in theſe latter dayes.

20. Saul is Expreſſely ſaid to have been taken away in Wrath, H…ſ. 13. 11. Now the word in Hebrew, that is there tranſlated Wrath, is elſewhere p. 98rendred the Rage of Wrath, Job 40. 11, and it properly ſignifieth, to Goe beyond ordinary Bounds; intimating, that God's Wrath is more than his Anger; or that his holy Paſſion was ſtirred up unto that Height, in Sauls Removall. Saul was taken away in anſwer to Davids Prayer, Pſal. 59. 10; but David Prayed, that he might be conſumed in Wrath v. 13; and it fell out accordingly. Saul was Given in Anger, and therefore he muſt needs be Taken away in Wrath, preſuppoſing him to be the ſame man from firſt to laſt; ſince God's Forbearance doth Adde unto the Impenitent Sinner's Treaſury of Wrath, Rom. 2. 4, 5. Saul was taken away, after that he had ceaſed to Perſecute David, 1 Sam. 27. 4; now when a man's Reformation cannot prevent his being Reckoned with, it is a Sign of more than ordinary Wrath; as in the Caſe of Iſrael's Captivity, which befell them, 2 King. 17. 6, when they were not ſo bad as formerly, v. 9; whoſe ſtate then, was typified by Lo ruhamah, a Daughter, to ſignifie that their Provocations were now grown weaker; and yet her Name ſignifies, No Mercy, or the Height of Wrath, which appeared in their being utterly taken away at ſuch a time, Hoſ. 1. 6. Saul was ſmitten before his Enemies, 1 Sam. 31. 3, which was in thoſe dayes a Sign of wrath, Deut. 28. 25, and is to this day, with reference to what thoſe Philiſtines typified, viz. when a Soul is utterly vanquiſhed by ſome more groſs Corruption: and let it be obſerved in theſe latter dayes, whether the chief Supporters of Perſecution and Worldly Forms, (ſuch as Saul ſometimes p. 99was) be not alſo untimely Taken away by the hand of ſome groſſer Intereſt, as an Evidence of God's anſwerable Wrath. But above all the reſt, Saul died Deſperately; not Enquiring of God, but of one that had a Familiar Spirit, 1 Chron. 10. 13, 14, a very little before his death, who then Worſhipped the Devil in Samuels likeneſs, being ſo far Deluded, as to think that this was Samuel, 1 Sam. 28. 14; by whom his unavoidable deſtruction was foretold, v. 17, 18, 19; and whereunto himſelf was Acceſſary, 1 Sam. 31. 4: Now this is an evident Sign of God's Wrath, when a Soul dies Deſperately, conſulting with the Devil inſtead of God, and being wilfully Active unto the ſhortning of that Life which might have been Prolonged; the accompliſhment whereof, upon a Saul-like Spirit or ſtate of things in theſe laſt dayes, ought wiſely to be obſerved and improved. But this is another Branch of that miſery which a Natural man is ſubject unto, to be taken away in Gods Wrath; which muſt needs be very ſad, ſince Man's wrath is cruel, Prov. 27. 4. and then much more God's; the ſenſe whereof made the Pſalmiſt diſtracted, Pſal. 88. 15, 16; and which if kindled but a little, is enough to make men Periſh, Pſal. 2. 12; eſpecially when it relateth unto a man's being Taken away therein, which cutteth off all hopes of future mercy.

From all which ſeveral Branches, of what may poſſibly befall a Natural man, let every one take heed of Abiding in ſuch a ſad ſtate; as they would not have their Mercies to be given in Anger; as they would not have them to be Uncertain; p. 100as they would not loſe all upon the firſt Offence; as they would not be ſurprized with Unexpected Judgements; as they would not be overpowered by groſs Corruption▪ as they would not that God ſhould refuſe to Hea… their Prayer; as they would not be counted Workers of Iniquity; as they would not Miſtake God's mind in his afflicting Providences; as they would not be led by him into Temptation; as they would not one day Periſh by their Corruptions; as they would not become a Plague to others; as they would not Die without being Deſired; as they would not ceaſe to be the Objects of a Saints Remembrance; as they would not wax worſe and worſe▪ as they would not Backſlide from their Profeſſion in an hour of Temptation; as they would not be wholly deſtitute of Spiritual Armour; as they would not be afr…id of a good man; as they would not be aſtoniſhed at the Sight of Death; as they would not have the Saints to pray againſt them; and as they would not be Taken away in Gods Wrath.

And thus I have now wholly done with David's Comparative Deſcription, who is ſaid to have been a man after God's own heart, partly in a way of Preferring him before Saul, his Predeceſſour; whoſe State and Condition hath therefore been at large declared, ſo far forth as the Scripture hath left any thing Material upon Record concerning him, for our Inſtruction.

p. 101From whence I ſhall …ow proceed unto the Second general Branch o… David's Deſcription; viz. As he was in himſelf conſidered. Which is of ſingular Uſe to be enquired into, as we would know, when either a Particular Perſon, or Publick State of Things, is after God's own heart: ſince David's Per…on was a clear Type of a true Believer; and ſince his Diſpenſation did alſo typifie, a glorious State of things in Goſpel-times, which at the firſt was meerly Spiritual, Lu. 1. 32, Act. 15. 16; but is to be at laſt made good in a Temporal reſpect alſo, Ultimately when Chriſt ſhall come in Perſon, Rev. 22. 16, and Dwell in that New Jeruſalem, Rev. 21. 2, 3, which was ſhadowed out by David's City; and before that time, at the Jews Converſion, Jer. 30. 9. & 23. 5. Iſa. 9. 7. & 16. 5. Ezek. 34. 23. & 37. 24; all whoſe Promiſes muſt firſt be accompliſhed upon us Gentiles, that ſo through our Mercy they alſo may obtain Mercy, Romans 11. 31.

Now this Deſcription of David, as in himſelf conſidered, is partly to be had out of the Hiſtory of his Life; but more Epecially out of his Book of Pſalms. VVhichWhich Book of Pſalms doth ſeem generally to have been compoſed by David, although that the greater part of thoſe Pſalms hath not his Name Prefixed to them; which yet is no Argument to Prove that they are not his, ſince the Second Pſalm hath no ſuch Title, which yet is expreſſely ſaid to have been David's, Act. 4. 25; ſo alſo the Ninety Fifth Pſalm, v. 7, compared with Heb. 4. 7; and the p. 102Hundred and fifth Pſalm (the former part) compared with 1 Chron. 16. 7, 8. Nor can it certainly be concluded, that any of thoſe Pſalms were Penned by Heman, Ethan, Jeduthun, or Aſaph, ſince by the ſame reaſon we may conceive that the Sons of Korah did joyntly compoſe ſome other of them, which may not be ſuppoſed; eſpecially ſince thoſe before named are onelyonly called Singers, 1 Chr. 15. 19, or ſuch as did fit the Pſalms with Tunes; though poſſibly Aſaph might have compoſed ſome other ſpiritual Songs, which were made uſe of in Hezekiahs time, 2 Chron. 29. 30. But David is Peculiarly called the Pſalmiſt of Iſrael, 2 Sam. 23. 1, in relation to his being the Penman of what the Scripture calleth Pſalms, who therefore doth ſeem to be acknowledged by Chriſt himſelf as the Author of that Book, Luke 20. 42. So that I think we may ſafely conceive, that the Generality of thoſe Pſalms are Davids, unleſs it be evident unto the contrary, either from the Title (as in the Ninetieth Pſalm) or from ſome Expreſſions therein, inconſiſtent with David's time; which yet cannot be concluded, meerly from what was Prophetically written; ſince Pſal. 83, was penn'd in Aſaph's time, who lived in the time of David, 1 Chr. 6. 39; and ſo that Pſalm and ſuch like, might be compoſed by David, although they relate to After-times. Though I ſhall Mainly ground my following Diſcourſe, upon what is regiſtred in thoſe Pſalms, concerning whoſe Authour there is the leaſt Diſpute.

Now David (as in himſelf conſidered) is thus Abſolutely Deſcribed in the Scriptures, Partly, p. 103by his more Inward frame, or by ſome more General Qualification relating to his whole Obedience: and Partly, by that more Outward and Particular Proof or Demonſtration that he gave, of his being a Man after God's own Heart.

In the Proſecution whereof, it will be worth obſerving, how fully Paul doth reſemble David, according to what is recorded in the Scriptures concerning both. Which Paul was ſometimes a Saul, both as to his Name and Nature, Act. 9. 2; but afterwards he became a David, v. 15; as an encouragement unto men of Saul's ſpirit, to wait upon God in the diligent uſe of Soul-converting Means. And as David was the moſt Eminent in his Time for cloſe walking with God, ſo alſo was Paul, among thoſe with whom he lived. And as David was a Standard to his Succeſſours in point of Priviledge and Duty ſo alſo was Paul a Pattern to them which ſhould Believe hereafter, 1 Tim. 1. 16. So that there ſeemeth to be ſomething of the Divine Intendment in this Parallel between Paul and David, which therefore ought ſo much the more to be regarded by us.

Now the Firſt comprehenſive Branch of David's Abſolute Deſcription, conſiſteth in his more Inward Frame, or in thoſe general Qualifications which related to his whole Obedience which made his Duty Eminent, and evidenced him to be a man after God's own heart. And ſo,

1. David's Obedience was Sincere. His Purpoſe was, to walk with a perfect heart, Pſal. 101. 2; and he was Upright before the Lord, p. 104Pſal. 18. 23; in which reſpect, God witneſſed on his behalf, 1 Kings 15. 3, who had proved him, and viſited him in the Night, and found him to be as he appeared, Pſal. 17. 3. His prayer did not goe out of feigned Lips pſal. 17. 1, but was the work of his Soul as well as Body, pſal. 86. 4, and was performed with his whole heart, pſal. 119. 10. He alſo praiſed God with Uprightneſs of heart, pſal. 119. 7; with his Soul and all that was within him, pſ. 103. 1; with a…l his heart, pſ. 86. 12, and with his whole heart, pſ. 9. 1.

And thus Paul alſo was for Love without Diſſimulation, Rom. 12. 9; having renounced the Hidden things of Diſhoneſty, … Cor. 4. 2; and ſpeaking as in the ſight of God in Chriſt, 2 Cor. 1. 17; and ſerving him with his Spirit, Ro. 1. 9; which Converſation of his in Simplicity and godly Sincerity was the matter of his rejoycing, 2 Cor. 1. 12.

A man after God's own heart, muſt needs be Upright, ſince God himſelf is ſo, pſa 25 8, who deſireth Truth in the Inward parts, pſa. 51. 6. A gracious heart is ſincere in his dealings with God and Man. An Hypocrite is the worſt of Sinners, but Perſons truely Juſtified are ſuch in whoſe Spirit there is no Guile, pſa. 32. 2. Let this be duely weighed by them whoſe words are ſmoother than Oyl, whileſt warre is in their hearts; and who can counterfeit much Earneſtneſs in prayer, for that Light and Grace, which in their hearts they do Deſpiſe.

2. Davids Obedience was Univerſal. All the Statutes of God were before him, pſa. 18. 22; p. 105and otherwiſe he ſhould have been aſhamed, pſal. 119. 6. He deſired of God, that he would not let Any iniquity have dominion over him, pſal. 119, 133; and he refrained his feet from Every evil way, v. 101, and hated Every falſe way, v. 104.

And thus Paul alſo, had lived in All good conſcience before God untill that day, Act. 23. 1; making it his conſtant exerciſe to have alwayes a conſcience void of offence toward God and Man, Act. 24. 16: who ſtirred up others to abound in Every grace, 2 Cor. 8. 7; and to be filled with the fruits of Righteousneſs, Phil. 1. 11; being fruitfull in Every good work, unto All well pleaſing, Col. 1. 10.

A truely gracious heart is Chriſts own Image, Col. 3. 10; from whoſe fulneſs he receiveth, and grace for grace, Joh. 1. 16. True grace conſiſteth in an holy Diſpoſition, to Do whatever God requireth, and to avoid the contrary. He that cheriſheth the leaſt known ſin, or that liveth in the careleſs neglect of any known Duty, hath a very bad evidence of his being a man after Gods own heart.

3. David's Obedience was very Generous, as was evidenced ſeveral wayes. He would not Offer unto the Lord his God, of that which did coſt him Nothing, 2 Sam. 24. 24. Nor was he Niggardly in point of Duty, but Abundant; ſacrificeing oxen and fatlings when the Ark had gone but Six paces. 2 Sam. 6. 13; praying unto the Lord three times a day, Pſal. 55. 17, and praiſing him ſeven times, Pſal. 1…9. 164; and preparing for the Temple, an hundred thouſand p. 106Talents of Gold, a thouſand thouſand Talents of Silver, and of Braſs and Iron without weight, 1 Chron. 22. 14. Nor was he Preſſed into th… ſervice of God, but Voluntary; Freely ſacrificeing to him, Pſal. 54. 6; Chuſeing the way of Truth, Pſal. 119. 30; and beſeeching an acceptance of his Freewill-offering, Pſal. 119. 108.

So alſo Paul could not ſatifie himſelf with that Duty which coſt him Nothing, or which was not accompanied with the Croſs, Gal. 5. 11▪ as others could, Gal. 6. 12. Nor was he a ſpiritual Niggard, but in Labours more Abunaant, and in Priſons more Frequent, than his competitors, 2 Cor. 11. 23. And as he did put others upon doing ſervice with Good will, Eph. …. 7; ſo alſo himſelf could not be Diſſwaded from that duty which was accompanied with greateſt Danger, Act. 21. 13; and was gladly ſpent for thoſe, from whom he had not ſo much as Love, 2 Cor. 12. 15.

A gracious heart knoweth how great a King God is, who therefore ſerved him with the beſt Male he hath, Mal. 1. 14. He is intereſted in Rich forgiving love, and therefore muſt needs love much, Luk. 7. 47. Obedience is connatural to ſuch a one, and therefore it muſt needs be very Voluntary.

4. Davids Obedience was performed with much Earneſtneſs of Spirit and affection. He prepared for the Houſe of his God with all his Might, 1 Chron. 29. 2. His Soul did Break for the Longing that it had unto God's Laws or Judgements, Pſal. 119. …0. And in relation to that Duty of Prayer, he did not onelyonly Wiſh for what he would have, Pſal. 55. 6, but he alſo p. 107Sought the Lord, Pſal. 34. 4; and Thirſted after him, Pſal. 42. 2; whom his Soul did follow Hard after, Pſal. 63. 8; and unto whom his Soul was Lifted up, Pſal. 25. 1; Crying unto him, Pſal. 61. 1; and groaning before him, Pſal. 38. 9. and roaring, Pſal. 22. 1. with Tears, Pſal. 39. 12. watering his couch therewith, Pſal. 6. 6; and making them his Meat both in the Day and Night Pſal. 42. 3.

And thus alſo Paul was for ſerving the Lord with ſpiritual or Inward Fervour, Rom. 12. 11; which he himſelf was wont to do with many tears, Act. 20. 19; warning every one with Tears both night and day, Act. 20. 31; writeing with many Tears and much Anguiſh of heart, 2 Cor. 2. 4. and ſpeaking of other's ſins with Weeping, Phil. 3. 18.

A gracious heart is Lively, 1 Pet. 2. 5. according to what was typified by thoſe Inwards, which Moſes bad ſhould be offered up by Fire, Lev. 1. 9. Gods children are not aſhamed to Weep before him, although the Serpent's Seed Hiſs at it, as if it were Effeminate. Such are willing to exerciſe their Affections in his ſervice, from whom they have received them. And therefore they Weep not ſo much (as others do) upon the Creatures with-drawing or in relation to outward Sufferings, becauſe their Tears are laid out for God and in the diſcharge of their Active duty.

5. Davids Obedience was very Quick and Speedy. He was for Running in the way of Gods commands. Pſal. 119. 32; which he made Haſte and Delayed not to keep, Pſal. 119. 60. When God ſaid, ſeek ye my face; his heart p. 108immediately replied, thy face Lord will I ſeek, Pſal. 27. 8. Nay, ſo ſoon as he did but read what God had writ concerning him; and conſequentially underſtood that ſome further Duty was required, becauſe the Lord was not ſatisfied with Ordinary Sacrifices; he Preſently then ſaid, Lo, I come, Pſal. 40. 6▪ 7; and did not Tarry, (as ſluggiſh Profeſſors uſe to do) untill he had ſome Louder Call.

And thus alſo Paul, ſo ſoon as the Lord had ſent him to preach unto the Gentiles, although he foreknew that this would prove a tedious piece of work, Act. 9. 15, 16, yet he Immediatly conferred not with fleſh and blood, Gal. 1. 15. 16. And when ſome would have Legally impoſed upon Believing Gentiles, Paul did not give place by ſubjection no not for an hour, Gal. 2. 4, 5. He would not that the Sun ſhould go down upon mens wrath, nor that they ſhould give place unto the Devil, Eph. 4. 26, 27; but was for mens hearing Chriſt's Voice to Day, Heb. 3. 7, for fear of being hardened, v. 13.

A gracious heart, is nothing elſe but an heavenly Eccho, unto a Divine command. Obedience is Elementary to ſuch a one, who therefore onelyonly waiteth for a word of Order, to give him the Title of being Dutifull, and the Honour of Acceptance. He very well knoweth, that God loveth a Chearfull giver, 2 Cor. 9. 7; and that he diſliketh Dulneſs, by his forbidding Iſrael to feed upon the ſluggiſh Snail, Lev. 11. 30; and by commanding, that the firſtling of an Aſs ſhould either be Redeemed, or that they ſhould break his neck, Exod. 34. 20; to ſignifie, that he was p. 109for the utter deſtruction of a Dull and Slothfull diſpoſition.

6. David's obedience was performed, with reſpect unto God's Revealed Will, as the Rule thereof. He ſhall fulfill My will, ſaith God concerning him, Act. 13. 22. He exhorted others to cleanſe their way, by taking he… thereto according to God's Word, Pſal. 119. 9; which Word was a light unto his feet or path v. …05; and Therein did he deſire that his ſteps might be ordered, v. 133. And when he brought Muſick into the Houſe of God, the Reaſon of that Act was not reſolved into his own Will, but becauſe ſo was the Commandment of the Lord by his Prophets, 2 Chron. 29. 25.

And thus alſo Paul delivered that Doctrine unto others, which himſelf alſo ha… Received, 1 Cor. 15. 3; and the things that he writt, were the commandments of the Lord, 1 Cor. 14. 37; and in relation to goſpell-worſhip, he ſharply rebuked thoſe who Added ſomething of their Own, unto what he had received of the Lord, which alſo he had delivered unto them, 1 Cor. 11. 22. 23.

A gracious Heart dares not reſolve the VVarrant of his actions, into their own apprehended or real Uſefullneſs (at leaſtwiſe in matters of an Inſtituted nature) ſave as they have ſome foothold from the Word of God. He counteth nothing to be his Duty, but what hath ſome ſtamp of a Divine Authority. He knoweth that the Scriptures were anciently ſhadowed out by Gold; and that the Doores of the Temple turned upon Golden hinges, 1 King. 7. 50; to ſignifie, p. 110that Myſtical Temples or Goſpel-Saints, ſhould neither ſhut nor open, with reference to Religious actions, ſave as they have a Word from God.

7. David was for the performing of Obedience with underſtanding. He did not onelyonly Obſerve Gods ſtatutes, but he alſo knew that they were right, Pſal. 119. 75. And as he did deſire to VValk with God, ſo alſo to Know the way wherein he ought to walk, Pſal. 143. 8. As he did Believe the commands of God, ſo alſo he deſired that God would teach him Knowledge and good Judgments, Pſal. 119. 66; and that he might be made to underſtand the way of his precepts in order unto his Talking thereof, Pſal. 119. 27. He was not ſatisfied with an accidentall Hitting upon the mind and will of God, but he would alſo take Aim thereat and be abl… to make it out that he had a Reſpect thereto, Pſal. 119. 15: He ſtirred up others, not onelyonly to Praiſe God, but to do it alſo with Underſtanding, Pſal. 47. 7; as himſelf alſo was wont to Meditate, while in that Duty of Prayer, Pſal. 5. 1; knowing that one Character of a VVicked man, is, to be meerly Overpowred into a right way without any underſtanding of its Nature, Pſal. 32. 9.

And thus alſo Paul, would Pray and Sing, but with the underſtanding alſo, 1 Cor. 14. 15; preferring five words with underſtanding before ten thouſand in another way, v. 19. He Believed and therefore Spake, 2 Cor. 4. 13; and he Knew whom he had Believed, 2 Tim. 1. 12. His prayer for others was, that their love might p. 111not onelyonly Abound, but that it might ſo do in Knowledge alſo and in all Judgment, Phil. 1. 9.

A Gracious heart cannot be ſatisfied with the ſacrifice of Fools, Eccl. 5. 1. Whiles he is Rational in other matters he dareth not be Brutiſh in the things of his God. He knoweth the meaning of that Law which alway required the Head (the ſeat of underſtanding) for Gods peculiar uſe, Lev. 1. 8. 12. 15. and alway Salt, Lev. 2. 13, which was the Emblem of Diſcretion, Col. 4. 6. He counteth himſelf and others to be far worſe than Parrots, when that which is Done or Spoken before the Lord, is void of true Spiritual underſtanding, though in it ſelf it be never ſo right and good. All which ſhould be duely weighed by thoſe, who offer the Blind for Sacrifice, being either Aſleep or Wandring, or at leaſtwiſe Virtuall Ignorant of what they are about; as is ſadly evidenced, by a Groſs Diſproportion between Preſent-religious Duties, and careleſs After-carriages.

8. Davids obedience was performed with all manner of holy Chearfullneſs and Joy. He firſt Appointed the Singers, with inſtruments of Muſick, in Gods worſhip and ſervice, as an holy ſignification of that Alacrity which ſhould attend ſuch exerciſes, 1 Chron. 15. 16. He greatly Rejoyced at his own and the People's Liberal offering, for the ſervice of the Houſe of God, 1 Chron. 29. 9. He was for coming before God's preſence wirh a Joyfull noiſe, pſal. 95. 2; Delighting himſelf in God's Statutes, pſal. 119. 16; and being Glad when they ſaid unto him, come let us go up into the Houſe of God▪ … 1. p. 112He Delighted to do God's will, pſal. 40. 8; and Rejoyced at his word, as one that findeth great Spoil, pſal. 119. 162. The law of Gods mouth was better to him, than thouſands of Gold and Silver, pſal. 119. 72; and he Rejoyced in the way of his Teſtimonies as much as in All riches, pſal. 119. 14.

And thus Paul alſo Delighted in the law of God, after the inward man, Rom. 7. 22; ſtirring up others to be Chearfull Givers, 2 Cor. 9. 7; and bidding Church members ſo to walk, as that their Officers might give account, with Joy and not with grief, Heb. 13. 17. He was for the performing of ſervice unto man, with Good will, Eph. 6. 7; and therefore he would not detain Philemon's ſervant without his leave, that ſo the benefit might not be as of Neceſſity but Willingly, Philemon 13. 14. He knew that a Willing Mind was that which doth chiefly conſtitute Acceptance, 2 Cor. 8. 12; and that if he acted willingly, he then had a Reward, 1 Cor. 9. 17.

A gracious heart accounteth his Duty to be a Recreation; and anſwereth as Chearfully unto that call, as if he were bid to eat or drink. He knoweth that God doth not love Sadneſs in a ſpiritual Sacrifice, by his forbidding Leaven, Lev. 2. 11: and that he loveth Chearfulneſs at ſuch a time, by his requiring Wine and Oil; Exod. 29. 40.; the former of which doth conſtitute its Reality, and the latter its Viſibility, Pſal. 104. 15.

9. David's obedience was performed with Reverence and holy Fear. He knew that God's p. 113Name was Reverend, pſa. 111. 9; and that he is greatly to be feared in the Aſſembly of his Saints, pſa. 89. 9; who therefore durſt not compaſs his Altar with Polluted hands, pſa. 26. 6, but in his Fear did worſhip toward that holy Temple, pſa. 5▪ 7. And as he was wont to Lift up his Soul in Prayer, pſa. 25. 1, ſo did he uſually Bow down his Body, pſa. 95. 6, unleſs his Prayer was in a way of more private Ejaculations, and then we Once find him Sitting, 2 Sam. 7. 18.

Thus alſo Paul was for the Exerciſe of that Grace, whereby he might ſerve God acceptably, with Reverence and Godly Fear, Heb. 12. 28. And though he was Chiefly for ſerving him with his Spirit, Ro. 1. 9; yet did he not ſo lightly eſteem of Bodily Reverence, as many wanton Profeſſors are apt to doe, but urged it upon ſuch like Profeſſors in his time, 1 Cor. 11. 4; and his own uſual Poſture in the time of Prayer was Kneeling, Act. 20. 36. & 21. 5. Eph. 3. 14.

A gracious heart is one who Deſireth to Fear God's Name, Neh. 1. 11. He is acted by that Spirit of Love, 2 Tim. 1. 7. which caſteth out Slaviſh Fear, 1 Joh. 4. 18, but not Filial, 1 Pet. 1. 17. He knoweth that holy Fear, Deut. 6. 13, is put to ſignifie the whole of God's Worſhip, as Chriſt explaineth it, Matt. 4. 10; becauſe Fear is one chief conſtitutive part thereof. And though he knoweth, that meer Bodily Exerciſe doth profit little, 1 Tim. 4. 8; and that Goſpel Saints are to turn away from ſuch as have nothing but a Form of Godlineſs, 2 Tim. 3. 5: yet is he p. 114willing to glorifie God in his Body as well as Spirit, ſince Both are God's, 1 Cor. 6. 20; and more eſpecially with reference unto prayer and prayſes, which are Acts of more Immediate Communion with God, who then requireth the greater meaſure of univerſal and holy Reverence. All which ſhould be well weighed by thoſe, who without any real Neceſſity, are wont to indulge their Fleſh, and to evidence their Sleightineſs, by Sitting in a time of ſolemn Prayer: eſpecially ſince the conſtant Scriptural Poſture at ſuch a time, was either to Stand, as did Abraham, Gen. 18. 22, & 19. 27; the Levites, Deut. 10. 8, & 18. 5; Solomon, 1 King. 8. 22; Jehoſha. phat, 2 Chron. 20. 5; the Iſraelites, Neh. 9. 2; and the Diſciples, Mark 11. 25: or to Kneel, as did Ezra, Ezr. 9. 5; Solomon, 1 King. 8. 54, & 2 Chro. 6. 12, 13; the Jewiſh Church, Pſa. 95. 6; Daniel, Dan. 6. 10; Chriſt himſelf, Luk. 22. 41; Stephen, Act. 7. 60; Peter, Act. 9. 40; and Paul, as in the places before mentioned.