Saul and David Compared, Treatise (1 of 7)

Saul and David Compared · Treatise (1 of 7)

p. 1ACTS 13. 22.

And when he had removed him (viz. Saul) he raiſed up unto them David to be their King; to whom alſo he give Teſtimony, and ſaid, I have found David the ſon of Jeſſe, a man after mine own heart, which ſhall fulfill all my Will.

IN which words we have a ſummary Deſcription of a Man after God's own heart, in this Example of David; whom (when Iſrael would needs have a King) the Lord himſelf did find out, and raiſe up, and recommend unto his People, with this ſingular Teſtimony; which is worthy of our enquiring thereinto as we would be able to judge of our ſelves or others, in a Caſe of ſo high concernment.

Now this General Teſtimony here, doth referre unto ſome other Scriptures, from whence it's ſeveral parts are borrowed. That he was found out of God is atteſted, Pſal. 89. 20. and that he was after God's own heart, is affirmed, 1 Sam. 13. 14; and as an Evidence thereof it is here further added, which ſhall fulfill a…l my w…ll; viz. in compariſon of Saul, who is there ſaid, p. 2not to have kept that which the Lord had commanded him, 1 Sam. 13. 14.

But if we would more Diſtinctly know, wherein his being after Gods own heart conſiſted, we cannot have a ſurer guide than to conſider what is left upon record in the Scripture concerning him, both in the Hiſtory of his Life, and in his Book of Pſalms. And it may be obſerved, that there is no one man in the Old Teſtament ſo much ſpoken of, as David is; that ſo we might be the better able to underſtand the full Latitude and Meaning of what is here laid down in more General terms.

Now unto this purpoſe we ſhall find, that David is deſcribed in the Scriptures, both in a way of comparing him with Saul, and alſo, as he was in Himſelf more Abſolutely conſidered: Both which Branches of his Commendation, do naturally ſpring from the Root of this Divine Teſtimony.

Firſt, He is Comparatively deſcribed, or in a way of Comparing him with Saul. Which Branch of his Deſcription is clearly intended here, as is evident, from the Commendation that is here given of him, together with the mentioning of his being ſubſtituted in the others ſtead, and as the Reaſon why Saul was Removed, and David Raiſed up▪ which is yet more fully ſignified in thoſe other Scriptures which this Teſtimony referreth unto, 1 Sam. 13. 14. & 15. 28. Now as David was an Example, of a Man after God's own heart; ſo alſo was Saul of a meer Carnal man, whatever his Profeſſion may be, or his Attainments, in ſome other reſpects. And accordingly p. 3this Comparative Deſcription of David, is both fairly offered from this Scripture, and of ſingular uſe to be enquired into.

Now David may thus Comparatively be ſaid to be a man after Gods own heart, whether we ſhall conſider David at his Worſt, or Saul when at the Beſt.

Firſt, It cannot be denyed, but that David had many failings, notwithſtanding all which, he was yet to be preferred far before Saul, as will appear upon our obſervation of Saul's Diſtempers, recorded in the Hiſtory of his life: whereby we may alſo underſtand, what kind of Corruptions are moſt apt to abound among Carnal Profeſſors, ſuch as Saul ſometimes was; and more eſpecially in thoſe Dayes, wherein David's promiſed Diſpenſation draweth nigh, which is of uſe for us in theſe later dayes to conſider of.

Now thoſe Temptations which did Principally bear rule in Saul, are as followeth.

1. Saul accepted of his outward Dignity, notwithſtanding very Many, Great, Known, Moral Rubs, that lay in his way; wherein he yet perſiſted, and without the leaſt Reluctancy. He knew that he was deſired, by a company of poor carnal Creatures onelyonly; whoſe Vote alone, a Gracious heart would not have been guided by; and therefore David was wont to conſult with another ſort of Perſons, upon every of his more than ordinary undertakings, 2 Sam. 7. 2. 2 Chr. 29. 25. Nay and Saul did alſo know, that he was Deſired by thoſe carnal Iſraelites, that ſo they might be like unto all the Nations, 1 Sam. p. 48. 5, 20; although they were expreſſely charged, not to walk after the Doings of the Land of Canaan, Lev. 18. 3. Whereas, a gracious heart is taught, not to be conformed unto this World, Rom. 12. 2, according to the courſe whereof Unbelievers walk, Eph. 2. 2. Saul alſo knew, that this Choice of theirs, was unto Samuel's grief, 1 Sam. 8. 6; and againſt the Revealed Will of God, and unto his Rejection, verſ. 7. and without any juſt Cauſe, 1 Sam. 12. 3. whatever advantage was taken by them, from the miſcarriages of Samuels Sons; which at the moſt was only Perſonal, and not to be charged upon that Form of Government, 1 Sam. 8.4, 5. whereas David was moſt tender of offending the Generation of Gods Children, Pſal. 73. 15: and eſpecially of ſinning againſt the Lord himſelf; who alſo did not therefore reject Divine Appointments, becauſe of thoſe humane frailties that did atten… them. Nay and Saul alſo knew what manner of Perſon the Lord had foretold their King ſhould be, 1 Sam. 8. 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, becauſe of whom they ſhould one day cry out, verſ. 18. which one would think might have a little bridled his Ambition, as it would have done any mans, ſave his, and Hazaels, 2 King. 8. 12, 15. Saul alſo knew that this Choice of theirs was witneſſed againſt, by God himſelf, who had declared it to be ſome kind of Idolatry, 1 Sam. 8. 8; and did Providentially hint his being highly diſpleaſed at it, by that unſeaſon…ble Tempeſt, 1 Sam. 12. 17, 18, whereupon the pe…ple did confeſs that this was their ſin, v. 19. Notwithſtanding all which conſiderable p. 5Rubs, Saul did accept of his being choſen; which David would never have done, as appeared by his forbearing to take the Crown, untill his way was made very plain before him. From all which we may inferre, that a Carnal Profeſſor is apt to be guided by the Major Vote; and doth not ſtick at the point of Conformity, though never ſo againſt the mind of Chriſt; nor is he affected with offending the Godly party, or with complying with ſome kind of Idolatry; nor with the Rejecting of God's Appointments; but will adventure upon a worldly Temptation, let what will follow; nay, though that God himſelf doth witneſs unto the Evil of ſuch a thing, both by his Word and Providence, ſo as that ſome of his own party are forced to confeſs it. This may a Carnal Profeſſor doe; and this is one ſin that will prevail in the latter dayes; and to perſiſt in a ſin of this nature, is one ſad Character of him who is not after Gods own Heart.

2. When Saul was Providentially advanced unto place of Power, he made his Subjects Slaves, and his own corrupt Will the Rule of his Actions, and not the Revealed Will of God. This is evident from the Deſcription of that King whom the People were then mad of, 1 Sam. 8. 11; which Saul himſelf did witneſs unto, when he made that offer of Fields and Vineyards unto ſuch as would take his part, and ſide with his wicked Intereſt, 1 Sam. 22. 7. And this is another character of a meer carnal Profeſſor according to that meaſure of Rule that he is inveſted with. He is wholly for himſelf, and for the ſatisfying of his own deſire, not regarding p. 6how much his private Intereſt is raiſed upon anothers ruine; He ſeeketh his own, and not the things which are Jeſus Chriſts, Phil. 2. 21. He deviſeth iniquity and practiſeth it, becauſe it is in the power of his hand, Mic. 2. 1. He is apt to be a provoking Parent to his Children, and a tyrannical Maſter to his Servants, a racking Landlord unto his Tenants, an oppreſſing Magiſtrate to thoſe that vex him, and one that dealeth hardly with his own enlightened Conſcience, ſo far as it ſtandeth in the way of his worldly Intereſt. Whereas a Gracious Heart doth Rule over others in the fear of God, knowing that he alſo hath a Father, and Maſter, and Lord, and King in Heaven, whoſe Subject he doth approve himſelf to be. But Sauls ſelfiſh Domineering Spirit, is one of the Carnal mans Diſtempers, by the cheriſhing whereof, he is diſcovered to be ſuch a one. And this kind of Corruption doth alway go along with that form of Government, which is after the manner of the Nations, and will continue, till Davids Diſpenſation be advanced.

3. Saul ventured to offer the Burnt-offering before Samuel came, 1 Sam. 13. 9, notwithſtanding an expreſs Charge to the contrary, 1 Sam. 10. 8; not being able to tarry the due time, or to truſt God in the way of his Duty; pretending that he was forced thereunto, 1 Sam. 13. 12, by the Philiſtines Gathering, and his own People's ſcattering from him, and Samuels lingring beyond the Dayes appointed, ver. 11. and his own earneſt deſire of making ſupplication unto the Lord, v. 12; whereupon the Lord p. 7threatned to Diſplace him, having found him out another man after his own heart, v. 14. And thus a meer carnal Profeſſor is apt preſumptuouſly to tranſgreſs a Divine Command; ſuppoſing that the Imminency of ſome outward Danger doth ſufficiently warrant his unlawfull action; and not being able in well-doing to commit his way unto the Lord; concluding that his being thus Enforced will excuſe him, and that the Matter of a Duty will ſerve the turn without reſpect had unto the due Manner of its performance; falſly imputing the cauſe of his miſcarriage unto another as Saul did to Samuel; and fearing where no fear is, as the Event in Saul's caſe …id …vidence had he but been in the exerciſe of a little further Faith and Patience, from the want whereof all that which he had formerly done, became good for nothing. This complicated Diſtemper is incident to ſuch a ſort of Perſons eſpecially in the latter dayes; the bold and preſumptuous prevailing whereof, doth ſadly ſignifie, that ſuch are not men after Gods own heart; and that they ſhall be Removed from ſuch a place of Dignity, which otherwiſe they ſeemed likely to have had eſtabliſhed upon them.

4. When Saul was in a ſtrait, he then was for conſulting with God before the Ark, 1 Sam. 14. 18; where God promiſed to meet the Children of Iſrael, Exod. 29. 42, 43; and where the chief Ruler was ordered to ſtand before the Prieſt, who was to ask counſel for him, and at whoſe word the Ruler and his People were to goe out and come in, Numb. 27. 21: but when p. 8the Danger was over, Saul bad the Prieſt to withdraw his hand, having no leiſure then, nor apprehending any need to conſult with God, 1 Sam. 14. 19. And thus meer carnal Profeſſors in the day of their Diſtreſs, may conſult with God and his chief Prieſts, or moſt eminent Servants; but not ſo much from reſpect unto a Divine Command, as from the urgency of their preſent Caſe; who therefore can diſpenſe with their Duty, if either they be not urged thereunto, or if it ſeem to interfere with their outward Intereſt. An Hypocrite will not alway call upon God, nor delight himſelf in the Almighty, Job 27. 10. If there be any other way open, through the pride of his countenance he will not ſeek after God, Pſal. 10. 4. Untill he be put in fear, he is apt to think that himſelf is God, Pſal. 9. 20. He ſeeth no ſelf-worth in Religious Exerciſes, nor any great need thereof, ſave as his outward advantage doth preſs him into ſuch a Service. He can pray when he hath nothing elſe to doe; but otherwiſe, his Duty is a Clog, which he would gladly have withdrawn. Let him but have the Creature on his ſide, and then let God goe where he will. This is another of their characters, who are of Saul's ſpirit.

5. Saul was a ſetter up of Duty of his own Deviſing, when he did ſo raſhly curſe thoſe that ſhould eat any thing untill the Even, 1 Sam. 14. 24, by which means he troubled the Land, v. 29. and hindered that Victory which he thought to have furthered, v. 30; making the People to be very faint, v. 31. and occaſioning their ſin, in eating Blood, v. 32: all which was p. 9the juſt fruit of his forbearing to take God's advice, v. 19: Such another piece of his blind Zeal was alſo evidenced in his ſlaughter of thoſe Gibeonites, which his Poſterity were made to pay for, 2 Sam. 21. 1, 2, 9. And thus a carnal Iſraelite is very forward to make void a lawfull Covenant, ſuch as that was which Joſhua made with thoſe Gibeonites; ſeeking to deſtroy ſuch who differ from himſelf, though never ſo peaceable in a Civil reſpect; which courſe will end at laſt in the ruine of his own Name: Such alſo are apt to coin a Religion of their own; bitterly curſing them that will not comply with their ſuperſtitious Inventions; whom the Generality are over-awed to fall in with, unto the occaſioning of much after-ſin and trouble: All which is the conſequent of their not enquiring of God, and unwillingneſs to be directed by him. A common Profeſſor hath a Zeal for God, but not according to Knowledge, Rom. 10. 2. And when he perſecuteth ſuch as God would have preſerved, he is apt to think that he doth God good ſervice, Joh. 16. 2. He diſregardeth his real Duty, and thinketh to make amends by impoſing upon himſelf and others what is of his own Deviſing. In the midſt of his Deſpiſing God's counſel, he would be thought to be Religious ſtill; who at the ſame time doth neglect his Body in a way of Will-worſhip, and hazard the ruine of his Soul in a way of Diſobedience. Whereas a Gracious Soul, or a man after Gods own heart, is very fearfull of perſecuting any, and of Adding unto or ſubſtracting from, the Laws and Commands of Jeſus Chriſt.

p. 106. Saul ſpared Agag, and the beſt of thoſe Cattel, whom he was enjoyned to deſtroy wholly, 1 Sam. 15. 8, 9; and notwithſtanding that this Command was ſtrengthened with the remembrance of his late Advancement, verſ. 1. and the ſignification of a ſpecial Reaſon why Amalek ſhould be thus ſeverely dealt with, v. 2, 3, viz. becauſe he laid wait for Iſrael in the way when he came up from Egypt, Exod. 17. 8, being the firſt of their open Adverſaries, Numb. 24. 20, ſmiting the Hindmoſt of them when faint and …eary, Deut. 25. 18, whereupon the Lord had Determined to put out the remembrance of them from under Heaven, Exod. 17. 14, and enjoyned Iſrael to be Active therein, Deut. 25. 19: So that Saul was herein more than ordinarily Diſobedient, as was hinted to him, 1 Sam. 15, 23, ſince he did what in him lay to make God a Liar.

Now as the Iſraelites were Types of God's People in after-ages, Gal. 6. 16; ſo alſo were their Enemies, of ſuch Things and Perſons, as are the Saints greateſt Adverſaries: and ſo Amalek doth moſt fitly anſwer unto the World, or men of a Worldly ſpirit; who are uſually the firſt Diſcouragers of ſuch as will needs come out of ſpiritual Egypt, eſpecially the Weaker and Poorer ſort of them, whileſt others of greater Eſtates and Parts are not meddled with, at leaſtwiſe not to their faces: and therefore this Worldly ſpirit is at utter Enmity with God, and he with it, 1 Joh. 2. 15. Jam. 4. 4. Mat. 6. 24. Joh. 15. 19. Which Typical Amalek, Saul ſinfully ſpared, deſtroying onelyonly the meaner ſort of People, p. 111 Sam. 15. 8, and thoſe things that were Vile and Refuſe, v. 9. which proved unto his final Rejection, v. 23. 26, who was onelyonly more overly threatned upon his former tranſgreſſion, 1 Sam. …3. 14.

And thus a carnal Profeſſor, is apt to waxe worſe and worſe, notwithſtanding his former Warnings; and in his conflicting with worldly Temptations, he may be very exact as to what is of little uſe or worth, but will venture to ſpare the Chiefeſt of them, unto his own utter overthrow in the iſſue. He will needs retain ſomething of a Worldly Nature ſtill, which yet ſhall be deſtroyed, as Agag was by Samuel, when Saul had forfeited his Crown by the diſcovery of his Diſpoſition. And ſuch a ſpirit will prevail in the latter dayes, a little before the Saints being Anoynted for outward Rule, as Saul's diſobedience herein did David's being Anoynted King, who was a Type of Daniel's High ones, unto whom the Dominion muſt be given, Dan. 7. 18.

7. Notwithſtanding that Saul knew himſelf to be thus notoriouſly guilty, yet when Samuel came to meet him, he falſly boaſted that he had performed the Commandement of the Lord; 1 Sam. 15. 13. And thus a carnal Profeſſor is apt to proclaim his own goodneſs, though moſt unfaithfull, Prov. 20. 6; and to boaſt himſelf of a falſe Gift, like a Cloud and Wind without Rain, Prov. 25. 14. He will flatteringly call another, Thou bleſſed of the Lord, (as Saul then did Samuel) that ſo his own ſelf-commendation may be received. He will give a true Saint his deſerved p. 12Praiſe, if himſelf may but be ſuffered to ſhare therein. One principal part of his diſcourſe is to applaud himſelf, and then eſpecially when he doth leaſt deſerve it. He knoweth what is his Duty, and will therefore pretend highly unto his performance of it, when he hath been moſt Neglective. Vapourers are not only unſeemly but ſuſpitious perſons; of which ſort there will be, in the laſt dayes, 2 Tim. 3. 1, 2. Whereas Paul would not compare himſelf with ſuch as did commend themſelves, 2 Cor. 10. 12, much leſs would he Boaſt in another man's line, v. 16, or of ſuch things as were Another's and not his Own; accounting him a ſelf-deceiver, who thought himſelf to be Something when he was Nothing, Gal. 6. 3.

8. When Saul was convinced of his Tranſgreſſion, hy the bleating and lowing of thoſe Cattel which he had kept alive, 1 Sam. 15. 14, contrary to Gods expreſs Command, v. 3. he then did moſt hypocritically ſeek to cover his Diſcloſed ſin, by pretending that theſe Sheep and Oxen were reſerved, meerly for Sacrifices unto the Lord, v. 15; as if the Lord had forgot himſelf, when he bad that they ſhould be deſtroyed; or as if Obedience were not better than Sacrifice, v. 22; nay, though his Conſcience knew, that this was but to colour over his Worldly Intereſt, confeſſing afterwards that he did it upon ſome other account, v. 24. And thus a carnal Profeſſor will flatter himſelf in his own eyes, untill his iniquity be found to be hatefull, Pſal. 36. 2. And nothing will make him confeſs, but a Downright proof, or undenyable Demonſtration. He p. 13will dare to put God himſelf upon the making out of what he doth charge him with, Mal. 1. 6. And when the Charge is made good, he will not ingenuouſly confeſs it, but hath his Evaſions ready wherewith to colour over what he cannot deny. And as he dealeth with his own Conſcience, ſo he thinketh to ſtop the mouth of God with ſome Religious Bribe. If he can but ſay▪ it is a Gift, he ſuppoſeth it will make ſuffic… reparation for a violated Command, Mat. 1… ▪ 5, 6. He pretendeth to deſign the advancement of Gods Worſhip, in his Retaining of thoſe outward good things, which he is bid to let goe, in the faithfull diſcharge of his Duty. If you will believe him, he doth not love the World▪ ſave as he may be thereby made further ſerviceable. He counteth it no better than a ſacred Overſight, when any good thing is bid to be deſpiſed, wherein Man's prudence may rectifie a Scriptural miſtake. In the laſt dayes men will be Covetous, 2 Tim. 3. 2, under a form of Godlineſs, v. 5. ſuppoſing that Gain is Godlineſs, 1 Tim. 6. 5.

9. When Samuel had further urged this Sin which was ſo clearly proved, and in effect confeſſed; yet Saul was moſt notoriouſly Impudent, in replying ſtill, that he had obeyed the Lords Voice, and had gone in his way, 1 Sam. 15. 20. A carnal Profeſſor hath a Brazen face, and is apt to think that his Affirmation is better than any ones Denyal. He will juſtifie himſelf before men, but God knowes his heart, Luke 16. 15. He will run the utmoſt hazard, rather than give Glory to God by a free Confeſſion. p. 14He will bid his Opponent to ſay on, as Saul did Samuel; but is reſolved to hold his own Concluſion, although he cannot anſwer the others Argument. He placeth Victory in having the laſt word, whether it be true or falſe. If he can but be Confident, he doubteth not but his Cauſe will have the better. Saul knew that Samuel was a Prophet, and though he heard him declare, that what he now ſaid was from the Lord, 1 Sam. 15. 16, yet did he labour to out face him. A carnal Iſraelite may arrive at ſuch an height; and Impudency is a clear ſign of ſuch a one, which David was far from being guilty of.

10. When Saul could no longer deny the thing, he then Tranſlated the Guilt from off himſelf unto the People, as if it had been their Act alone, and not his alſo, 1 Sam. 15▪ 21. Which if he had confeſſed at the firſt, it might have been more eaſily believed. A carnal Iſraelite is a natural ſon of the firſt Adam, who covered his tranſgreſſion, Job 31. 33, by Dividing all the Blame between his Wife and God, Gen. 3. 12; pretending that he had never eaten the forbidden Fruit, had it not been given him by his Wife; nor ſhould he have had ſuch a Tempter, had not God given him that woman to be with him: Wherein we may obſerve, the Man's ſubtlety and Boldneſs, above the Woman's; for ſhe only did blame the Serpent, v. 13, but He alſo did charge God fooliſhly; and thus the more there is of fallen Adam's Manlineſs in any, the more do they abound in this Preſumptuous skill, of raiſing their own Reputation upon the Ruines of p. 15Anothers. Such will moſt boldly call in for that Proviſion, which they will leave others to Pay for, when the Reckoning cometh; which is one ſign of a ſordid diſpoſition. He may be known to be one of Satan's Scholars, whoſe faculty doth lie in ſuch kind of Tranſlations. Whereas David, in a like Caſe was forward to juſtifie the People, and to condemn himſelf, 2 Sam. 24 17, although the People were the ſole Original Cauſe of that ſad miſcarriage, v. 1.

11. Saul did confeſs at laſt, that he had ſinned, but with an hypocritical extenuation of his fault though, as if it had ariſen more from his fear of the People, than from any love that he had unto the Spoil, 1 Sam. 15. 24. An hypocrite will alway detain ſomething of God's Due, in the beſt Payment that he maketh. And yet how plainly did his Nakedneſs appear through theſe Fig-leaves. The People knew, that this was the Command of God by Samuel, as well as he; who therefore could not blame him for putting it in execution. He feared not the People, when he did Adjure them from eating food; which was a greater Provocation than this could be. He was one that had Courage enough, but when it might ſerve his Intereſt, he would ſeem as if he were a Coward. A formal Profeſſor's ſelf-abaſement is the Fruit of Pride; it is for ſome wicked End when he croucheth and is humble, Pſal. 10. 10. He is not aſhamed to declare, that he feareth Man more than God. He ſuppoſeth it to be a ſufficient Plea, if his tranſgreſſion be apprehended to be the fruit of fear. Such minceing words are a clear Evidence of an unbroken p. 16heart, which David was never guilty of.

12. When Samuel would not be ſatisfied herewith, nor think this laſt Excuſe worthy of a Refutation, but was turning away from him, then Saul did confeſs that he had ſinned without any Extenuation added: but yet withall his Mind did now run more upon his being Honoured before the People, than upon his former Sin, or preſent Duty, 1 Sam. 15. 30; though Samuel had but newly told him, that God had Rejected him, v. 26; and rent the Kingdom from him, v. 28, and would not Repent, v. 29. A proud carnal Profeſſor's Intereſt, doth chiefly conſiſt in the Preſervation of his worthleſs Honour. He would be well accounted of, although he is convinced of his real Vileneſs. He worſhippeth God, that ſo he might be ſeen of Men. He doth not count ſin to be his Shame, but onelyonly the Knowledge of it, which therefore he ſeeks to hide. He will confeſs it privately to prevent a more publick Notice. His undeſerved good eſteem is dearer to him than a Kingdom. His ſelf-condemnings are meerly extorted from him, and leave no impreſſions upon his Spirit ſuiting with his words. The Nature of Sin doth not afflict him, but onelyonly the Conſequents thereof; and may he but have the Praiſe of Men, he is able to bear the want of the Lord's Commendation. David's thoughts at ſuch a time were working in a far other way; as his acknowledgements were more Quick and Cordial: and indeed Saul did not Roundly come off with his Confeſſion, untill there was no room left for God's Repenting.

p. 1713. After this time, Saul was a terrour unto faithful Samuel, who went in the fear of his Life, whileſt in the purſuance of his Duty, 1 Sam. 16. 2; and in the mean time, the chiefeſt of Sauls Herd-men, was Doeg an Edomite, 1 Sam. 21. 7, who boaſted himſelf in miſchief, Pſal. 52. 1, and loved evil more than good, v. 3, and ſtrengthened himſelf in his wickedneſs, v. 7: whereby Saul evidenced plainly, that he was neither a Man after Gods own heart, nor yet a Magiſtrate properly of God's Ordaining; ſince thoſe Powers that are Ordained of God, are ſaid to be, not a Terrour to Good works but to the Evil, Rom. 13. 1. 3. But by this means, Saul ſerved as a dark Foil, to ſet off David ▪s Luſtre; and ſuch a ſort of Civil Rulers ſhall uſher in the Saints promiſed Dominion. However, we may hence learn, that a carnal Profeſſor is apt to Hate him unto the Death, who offereth to advance David's Intereſt, though according to that expreſs word, which the other cannot gainſay to be Divine. He may patiently hear that Truth, which he will not endure the practiſing of, by himſelf or others; in which caſe, he will prove their deadly Enemy, whom he hath formerly ſeemed to love and reverence: The truth is, he careth not for the Beſt man's Company, when himſelf is by ſuch diſtaſted; and if ever he can get the leaſt colour of advantage, it will ſoon appear, what kind of good will he beareth to them; whileſt men of looſer Principles and Practices are his chiefeſt Favourites, in caſe they will but pleaſe his humour, although they have not ſo much as the Name of p. 18Iſraelites. And indeed, it is a ſufficient Character of a carnal man, when he can fall in with Edomites, who came of Eſau, Gen. 36. 9, Jacobs Elder brother, Gen. 25. 25, who ſold his Birthright, v. 33, and therewith loſt the Bleſſing, Gen. 27. 35, which cauſed Enmity between them and their Poſterity: which Edomites are therefore fit Types of ſuch, who are nearly related to God's Iſrael after the fleſh, but do yet hate them, becauſe of thoſe Bleſſings which their Father hath conferred upon them.

14. So ſoon as David was Anoynted King, Saul was troubled with an Evil Spirit, ariſing from his Guilt and Diſcontent, 1 Sam. 16. 13, 14; which he endeavoured to Play away, v. 17, being adviſed thereto by ſome of his Servants, v. 16; and accordingly David was commended to him, v. 18, by whoſe Muſick he was for a while Refreſhed, v. 23. And let it be obſerved, whether ſuch a male-contented ſpirit in ſome, will not accompany the Saints being Anoynted for their Rule, which will be ſomewhat aſſwaged, as they ſhall be advanced into favour. However, we may learn from hence, that a carnal Profeſſor, when troubled in his Spirit, is apt to make uſe of poor ſenſual Diverſions and Applications, which may have ſome Repercuſſive Influence, but will never prove an effectual cure. He wanteth not ſome or other to adviſe him to ſuch a courſe, and he is very apt to take that counſel. He is more ſenſible of ſuffering than of ſin, and would be glad of Eaſe, by any means whatever. And in ſuch a Caſe he will be ſatisfied with ſome preſent refreſhing, although it p. 19prove unto the Aggravating of his ſorrow afterwards. He is of an Earthy Spirit, and is apt to think that Creature-comforts can ſpeak Peace to a troubled Conſcience. A David ſhall find favour in his ſight, if he have but ſo much cunning, as to make him chearfull. He would have Comfort, although it doth not belong unto him, which if the Lord will not give, he will then trie ſome other means. He loveth a gracious man, not becauſe of his Graces, but becauſe of ſome outward refreſhing, by means of his acquaintance with him. And if he doe but overcome his Qualms, he is Refreſhed, and (in his own apprehenſion) well. But David himſelf did never go this way to work, in a caſe of the like Nature.

15. Saul envied David, becauſe he did outſtrip him, and was very wroth with thoſe, who did but give David his deſerved praiſe, in relalation to that Victory which he had wrought, by ſlaying the Goliah, whom Saul durſt not encounter with; who yet would have had all the Honour, and miſſing of it, he was vexed, and eyed David from that day and forward, 1 Sam. 18. 7, 8, 9. A carnal Iſraelite is uſually very Proud, and not eaſily ſatisfied with his full Due, in point of recompenſe. He cometh in the Rear, as to his Duty; but would be in the Front of thoſe who are Rewarded. He valueth his own Atchievements at a very high rate, although they be far inferiour unto what he would have ſleighted in another. He loveth the uppermoſt Seat, and is very angry if any one be preferred before him. He is not well-pleaſed with thoſe who will p. 20not lift him up; and looketh upon ſuch with an Evil eye, who are eſteemed of above himſelf. A gracious heart may have Temptations unto Envy, but the Prevalency and Indulging of this Diſtemper, is a very bad ſign, and will diſcover it ſelf in due time more fully.

16. Saul was a moſt notorious Diſſembler, with Man, as well as with the Lord; who pretended that he would give Merab his elder daughter unto David; onelyonly he would firſt have ſome further Proof of his faithfulneſs and valour, by ſome freſh attempts upon the Philiſtines; but did by that means deſign and hope for Davids ruine, 1 Sam. 18. 17: and when he promiſed him Michal the younger daughter, he pretended that it was from Love, v. 22, but did intend her for a Snare, v. 21. A man after Gods own heart is Upright, and is therefore apt to be Beguiled by another, as David was: but a carnal Profeſſor will dare to Juggle moſt egregiouſly. Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil Eye, for as he thinketh in his heart, ſo is he; Eat and drink, ſaith he to thee, but his heart is not with thee, Prov. 23. 6, 7. His words are ſofter than Oyl, yet are they drawn ſwords, Pſal. 55. 21. He ſpeaketh fair, when he intendeth miſchief; and gildeth over his moſt deadly Poyſon. If David be not very watchful, this groſs Diſſembler will be too many for him.

17. Notwithſtanding his great Profeſſion, yet Saul would curſe and lie; both which are witneſſed by David, Pſal. 59. 12, and in relation to Saul, as the Title of that Pſalm doth evidence. And that he was a Liar, appeared in the breach p. 21of his Promiſe to David concerning Merab, 1 Sam. 18. 17, whom afterwards he gave unto another, v. 19. A gracious heart is loth to be accounted Light in what he promiſeth, 2 Cor. 1. 17, being taught of God to put away Lying, Eph. 4. 25; but a carnal Jew will Lye, Rev. 39; which he will not ſtick to doe, who can diſſemble. He giveth juſt occaſion to the World to ſay, that Profeſſors will Lye, although they will not Swear. Let a David take heed, that he doth not too much depend upon the Promiſe of ſuch a man. He can Diſpenſe with his Word, although there be nothing in it that is unlawfull to be performed. The cheriſhing of which Corruption, doth ſufficiently evidence, that ſuch a man is not after Gods own heart.

18. Saul was a Perſecutor of David unto the death; he became his Enemy continually, 1 Sam. 18. 29; ſpeaking to Yonathan his Son, and to all his Servants, that they ſhould Kill him, 1 Sam. 19. 1; ſeeking himſelf to ſmite him to the wall, v. 10; and ſending Meſſengers unto his houſe to ſlay him, v. 11; and being vext with Michal, that ſhe did not betray her own Husband, v. 17; and caſting a Javelin at his own Son Jonathan, becauſe he did but ask, why David ſhould be ſlain, 1 Sam. 20. 32, 33; proffering at an high rate unto ſuch as would take his wicked part, 1 Sam. 22. 7, 8; and ſlaying eighty five Prieſts, with all their Subſtance and Relations, meerly becauſe one of them had Ignorantly ſupplyed David with what he needed, 1 Sam. 22. 18, 19. Which Perſecution was no way juſtly deſerved by David, Pſal. 59. 3; but meerly becauſe the p. 22Lord was with him, therefore was Saul afraid of him, 1 Sam. 18. 12, 15, 28, 29; and becauſe he ſaw that David was better than himſelf, which made him think that he was the man whom Samuel had ſpoken of. Nay Saul did ſometimes confeſs that David was Innocent, and better than himſelf, 1 Sam. 24. 17, who yet purſued him after that. And though he had ſworn that David ſhould not be ſlain, 1 Sam. 19. 6, yet did he afterwards purſue him with greater violence than ever: And notwithſtanding all David's former ſerviceableneſs, 1 Sam. 19. 5, and after-good deſerving at Saul's hand, when he ſpared his Life, 1 Sam. 24. 11, yet did Saul follow after him, untill he heard that he had fled the Land, 1 Sam. 26. 4. Which ſpirit of Perſecution will eminently appear in the latter dayes, and is an evident Character of a meer carnal Profeſſour.

19. When the Lord would not anſwer Saul, he then conſulted with the Devil, 1 Sam. 28. 6, 7; though he had cut thoſe off who had Familiar Spirits, v. 9▪ according to the Law of God, Deut. 18. 11. A carnal Iſraelite will in his ſtrait uſe any the moſt unlawfull Means that are. If Meekneſs will not accompliſh his deſign, he can and will make uſe of ſinfull Paſſion, or that Wiſdom which is Earthly, Senſual and Deviliſh, Jam. 3. 14 15. If the Aſſyrian be come into Immanuels Land, Iſa. 8. 8. the common Profeſſors there will ſeek unto them that have Familiar Spirits, v. 19; debaſing themſelves even unto Hell, Iſa. 57. 9; conſulting with carnal Policy, and complying with that Aſſyrian way p. 23of Worſhip, which they have formerly engaged againſt. Such are reſolved to ſecure their worldly Intereſt, and when their formal Duty will not do it, they will experiment the benefit of Diſobedience, having heard that the Gods of the Kings of Syria have ſometimes helped them, which yet will prove unto profeſſing Iſraels ruine, 2 Chron. 28. 23.

20. Saul took a Sword and fell upon it, from the meer pride of his heart, leaſt thoſe uncircumciſed Philiſtines that had wounded him, ſhould come and thruſt him through, 1 Sam. 31. 4. A carnal Profeſſors Stomack will not yield unto the laſt. Rather than he will bear the leaſt Appearance of Diſgrace, he will be Acceſſary to his own deſtruction. He Glorieth in his Shame, and counteth that Bravery, which is indeed Self-murther. He is more ſolicitous about his Reputation, than about his Everlaſting ſtate. The Saints Adverſaries ſhall at the laſt deſtroy themſelves. And the final prevailing of ſuch a wilfull ſelf ruining diſpoſition, doth evidence a Saul-like Spirit, who was not one after God's own heart.

Theſe are the Principal of Saul's regiſtred Miſcarriages; and partly in relation thereunto, David is here ſaid to be after God's own heart, becauſe (when at his worſt) he never did diſcover ſuch a Deſparate Frame of Spirit as was in Saul, conſidering both the Subſtance and Circumſtances of thoſe Diſtempers before mentioned. And this is the firſt general Branch of Davids Comparative Deſcription.

From whence I ſhall now proceed unto the p. 24Second, which is this, That David will appear to have been a Man after Gods own heart, comparing him with Saul, when Saul was at his Beſt; or in relation to thoſe Good things and Vertues that were at any time to be found in him, notwithſtanding all which he Differed in Kind from what David was, in point of Goodneſs: Whereby we may alſo underſtand, how far a meer carnal Profeſſor may proceed, in a way of Vertuous Endowments, and Religious actions.

And ſo, in the General, 'tis ſaid, that upon the Change of Saul's Outward condition, the Lord gave him Another Heart, 1 Sam. 10. 9. Which though it be here chiefly meant of his being Qualified for Kingly Rule; yet doth it fairly hint unto us, that a meer carnal Profeſſor may be in ſome ſence ſaid to have Another Heart, which …et is not after the Heart of God. In a Natural reſpect, Man's heart or ſpirit is Differing from that of Bruits, Eccl. 3. 21; and yet in a Spiritually Moral ſenſe, the Heart or Knowledge of ſome Men is called Bruitiſh, Jude 10. Thence it is, that we read of Diverſe Spirits, which we are bid to trie, 1 Joh. 4, 1. as well as Works or Actions. And as ſome men are more Groſſely Carnal, 1 Cor. 3. 3; ſo ſome are Animal, or more Refined, 1 Cor. 2. 14; both which do yet differ from him that is Evangelically Spiritual, v. 15. Saul was but a Carnal Iſraelite, comparing him with David; and yet he had Another manner of Natural Spirit than the reſt of his Companions, whom yet he did only Excell, as one Bruit doth excell another. As gracious Actions have their Counterfeits, ſo p. 25alſo have Renewed Principles and Diſpoſitions; and thus a meer Natural man may ſeem to be endued with Another Heart, or be another manner of man, than himſelf ſometimes was, or than others are; and yet no Difference for Kind between them, according to a Goſpel-Rule. Whereas David's heart was of another Kind, as true Grace is, and as all the true Iſrael of God are, who are New Creatures, 2 Cor. 5. 17: Born again, Joh. 3. 3; the Workmanſhip of God created in Chriſt Jeſus, Eph. 2. 10; and Renewed in the Spirit of their Mind, Eph. 4. 23, and not only in the Fixedneſs of their Will, as ſome would have it, who make the Difference between Saints and others to conſiſt, not in the Nature of their Oyl, but only in the Strength or Weakneſs of thoſe Veſſels into which it is infuſed; whereas both in Reaſon and alſo according to the Scripture, the Creature's Will is commanded by the Law in his Mind, and the Conſtancy of a Saints Obedience, doth depend upon the Newneſs of his Heart or Spirit, Ezek. 11. 19, 20. A ſhadow of which Other Spirit may yet be the portion of a meer carnal Profeſſor. So much in the General.

But more Particularly, we may ſee in Saul how far a Natural man may goe, as to the Exerciſe of ſuch a Diſpoſition. And ſo,

1. Saul was Obedient unto his Father, at whoſe Command he went himſelf to ſeek the loſt Aſſes, 1 Sam. 9. 3, notwithſtanding the Goodlineſs of his Perſon, v. 2, which would have made ſome others to have ſcorned ſo mean a Service, eſpecially ſince there were Servants, whoſe proper p. 26work that was. But yet Saul went, without any the leaſt unwillingneſs that we read of; and having paſſed through the Land of Benjamin and Ep…raim, he ſpake of Returning, not becauſe of Wea…neſs or the Nature of his Errand, but meerly out of reſpect unto his Father, leſt he ſhould leave caring for the Aſſes, and take thought for him, 1 Sam. 9. 4, 5. Let all Diſobedient Children know, that they are ſo far from being after Gods own heart, as that they come ſhort of Saul, or of what a meer Carnal man may attain unto. And let them alſo conſider, that if Saul had now been undutifull, he had miſſed of that Crown, which was ſet upon the head of his Duty. But let them withall remember, that is no more than what may be the practice of a common Iſraelite.

2. Saul ſometimes evidenced a great deal of Humility. When Samuel firſt told him of a Kingdom, 1 Sam. 9. 20, he askt him, wherefore he did ſo ſpeak to him▪ who was of the Leaſt Family of the ſmalleſt Tribe of Iſrael, v. 21; in which reſpect he ſeemed Little in his own ſight, 1 Sam. 15. 17. And after his being Anointed, meeting with his Unkle, and being demanded by him what Samuel had ſaid unto him, he told him nothing about his Kingdom, 1 Sam. 10. 15, 16. And when he was choſen afterwards by Lot, he could not be found, 1 Sam. 10. 21, untill the Lord found him out where he had hid himſelf, v. 22. And after that he had been choſen, and owned by the People as their King, 1 Sam. 10. 24, yet he returned to look after his Fathers Cattel, 1 Sam. 11. 5. And when he did exerciſe p. 27his Regal power, he was content that Samuel ſhould be his Colleague, as appeareth from the tenour of his firſt Proclamation, 1 Sam. 11. 7. All which were viſible Demonſtrations of his great Humility. Let all Proud, vain-glorious ſpirits know, that they are lower by the Head than Saul. And let them alſo conſider, that when Saul was moſt Humble, he then had moſt Honour put upon him, both by God and Man. But let them withall remember, that a meer carnal Iſraelite may be very little in his own ſight, apprehenſive of his ſmallneſs, and unworthineſs to be advanced; he may not affect to make known what Glory is conferred upon him; he may ſeem unwilling to be preferred before another, and tarry till he be ſought for; he may not be puffed up with outward Dignity, ſo as to deſpiſe or lay aſide a former honeſt Calling; and he may be willing to make a Good man his Aſſociate, in the midſt of his greateſt outward Exaltation.

3. Saul could command his Paſſion; as appeared by his Holding of his Peace, when ſome men did deſpiſe him both by their Words and Actions, 1 Sam. 10. 27; though he had then a Band of men with him, v. 26, and therefore had Power in his hand; though he was then Higher than any of the People, in point of Place, v. 24. as well as Perſon, v. 23, and ſo was the more provoked; though his Deſpiſers were Children of Belial, v. 27, whoſe exemplary Puniſhment would therefore have been the better born; and though Samuel and God himſelf had Aſſigned the Kingdom to him, which would have fairly p. 28coloured over his moſt ſevere proceeding; notwithſtanding all which, 'tis ſaid, that he held his Peace. Now what a ſhame is this to many eminent Profeſſors, who cannot bear the leaſt Appearance of an Affront, but muſt give vent unto their Choler, upon every petty Provocation: which yet is more ſadly Aggravated, when ſuch a Diſgrace doth ſeem to have been Deſerved; and when it is put upon them by the Children of God; and it may be by their Equals, if not Superiors! When at any time we are thus tempted unto ſinfull Anger, let us remember what a Goodly Perſon Saul was, in compariſon of us, who yet was not after Gods own heart: and therefore let us neither be thus guilty, nor yet pleaſe our ſelves too much with ſuch a Vertue.

4. Saul was of a very Noble and Couragious Spirit in the Cauſe of God, and of his poor afflicted People. David confeſſeth that he was ſtronger than a Lion, 2 Sam. 1. 23. An early proof whereof he gave, when he heard of that ſordid uſage which the Ammonites did threaten the men of Jabeſh with, 1 Sam. 11. 2; whereupon his Anger was kindled greatly, v. 6, and though he then had no Army at command, having betaken himſelf unto his former Countreylife, v. 5; yet did he immediately affright the People into a general Muſter, v. 8, by a Reſolute threatning Proclamation, v. 7. and ſo Delivered the Men of Jabeſh from their Tyrannical Oppreſſors, v. 11; and ſo did prevent their Sin as well as ſuffering; ſince they through unbelieving Fear had offered to make a Covenant p. 29with their Enemies, v. 1. directly contrary to Gods Command, Deut. 7. 2. Now theſe Ammonites deſcended of Lots younger Daughter, who being in Sodom, and Lingring there, by that Means loſt her Husband, Gen. 19. 14; and having an inordinate deſire of Children, and deſpairing of them in an ordinary way, v. 31, did thereupon commit Inceſt with her own Father, v. 36; whoſe ſpurious Offspring were bitter Enemies unto the Holy Seed, Deut. 23. 3. 4, although Iſrael did not intermeddle with their Inheritance, Deut. 2. 19, 2 Chron. 20. 10, 11, whatever was falſely charged upon them, in the dayes of Jephtah, Judg. 11. 13, 15: And ſo theſe Ammonites do fitly anſwer unto that ſort of Perſons in the latter dayes, who being in ſpiritual Sodom, and lingring there, are by that means tempted unto ſome unlawful complyances, under a pretence of being Spiritual Fathers, which otherwiſe they think they could not be; whoſe Offspring have alway been bitter Adverſaries to Gods Separated Iſrael, and will not be for an Accommodation with them, without the loſs of the others Right Eye, or choiſeſt Light, 1 Sam. 11. 2; although they have never been moleſted or wronged by them. And ſome ſuch Deliverance may poſſibly be effected in the latter dayes, a little before Davids Diſpenſation doth begin. However, we may learn from hence, that a Saul may be very valiant in the Def…nce of a righteous Cauſe, and in relieving the Oppreſſed. Which witneſſeth unto the ſhame of thoſe Profeſſors who can be Bold enough in a way of ſelf-revenge, but never think their Call p. 30clear enough, to ſtand up in the behalf of a Righteous and Publick Intereſt.

5. Saul ſeemed to be very much affected with Gods Goodneſs, in giving him that Victory; and evidenced it, by ſaying, that not a man ſhould be put to death that day, when ſome would have had his fore-mentioned Deſpiſers executed, 1 Sam. 11. 12, 13. So alſo when he had overcome thoſe Philiſtines afterwards, 1 Sam. 14, 31, he built an Altar, v. 35; and when he had deſtroyed the Amalekites, he worſhipped the Lord in a way of thankſgiving, 1 Sam. 15. 25, 31. A carnal Profeſſor may ſeem to be convinced, that all his Deliverances and other mercies do originally proceed from God. And ſuch do come ſhort of Saul, who are onelyonly for the craving of a Bleſſing, and not for the Return of Thanks upon a Mercy received: or when ſome Publick and great Salvation doth not reſtrain a Private ſelf-revenge. But yet we may obſerve, that Sauls Thankſgiving was in a more Overly or formal way; whoſe firſt Altar for that purpoſe, was accompanyed with a greater ſin than this Duty did amount unto, 1 Sam. 14. 24, 33, 35, and therefore the Lord would not Anſwer him upon his next Enquiry, v. 37; and whoſe Deſire to Worſhip the Lord upon his next Victory, 1 Sam. 15. 29, was not ſo much upon the account of Duty, as to recruit his Honour, v. 30, which Samuel was therefore very Backward to joyn with him in, v. 26, 27.

6. Saul witneſſed on Samuels behalf, that he had never Wronged that people, in the time of his being Judge, 1 Sam. 12. 5, which was a p. 31very conſiderable demonſtration of his ſelf-denyal; ſince he did thereby conſequentially declare, that there was no juſt Exception againſt that foregoing form of Government, which tended much to blemiſh Sauls preſent ſtation; eſpecially ſince Samuel had newly foretold, what a Tyrant their King ſhould be, whoſe following Oppreſſion muſt needs be ſadly Aggravated, by his immediate Predeceſſors atteſted Innocency. Policy would have taught him, that Samuels Diſgrace would have been for his own Intereſt, leaſt otherwiſe the People's mind ſhould alter, and he by that means be ſoon Diveſted of his Regal Dignity. A carnal Iſraelite may evidence a great deal of ſelf-denying candour, in ſetting forth another's Worth unto his own ſeeming diſadvantage. What ſhall we then think of thoſe, who do what they can to Extinguiſh the Light of Another's Glory, leſt their own ſhould be by that means Eclipſed? Such as refuſe to witneſs unto another's Innocency, when called thereunto, are worſe than Saul was; eſpecially when they will ſeek to raiſe their Own, upon the undeſerved Ruines of anothers good Name.

7. Saul did uſe to conſult with God, 1 Sam. 14. 18. 37. 41; and not with the Devil, untill the Lord did forbear to anſwer him, 1 Sam. 28. 6, 7. Prayer is a part of Natural Worſhip, which they who have but a Form of Godlineſs, will not caſt off. And not to call upon the Name of God, is the Deſcription of an Heathen, Jer. 10. 25. But yet a carnal Iſraelite may be very converſant about this Duty, and ſuch like Religious Exerciſes; eſpecially when in Diſtreſs; p. 32whom yet the Lord may not regard, becauſe he is not ſought unto after a Due Manner, which maketh ſuch Duties to be in his account as Nothing; and therefore though Saul is ſaid to have Enquired of the Lord, 1 Sam. 28. 6, he is elſewhere ſaid, Not to Enquire of God, but of one that had a Familiar Spirit, 1 Chro. 10. 13, 14.

8. Saul was not a lukewarm Laodicean, but very Zealous in his way; as appeared, not only by his ſeeking to ſlay the Gibeonites, in his Zeal to the Children of Iſrael and Judah, 2 Sam. 21, 2: but alſo, in his ſharp reproof of thoſe, 1 Sam. 14. 33, who had eaten Blood, v. 32, contrary to an expreſs Ceremonial Law, Lev. 7. 26: and eſpecially in his Reſolving, that his own Son Jonathan ſhould Die, 1 Sam. 14. 44, if he had violated his former Adjuration, v. 24; ſuppoſing that upon that account the Lord would not anſwer him, v. …7, …8. A carnal Profeſſour will very exactly obſerve ſome Leſſer matters, to colour over his neglect of Greater. And in a religious Humour, he will endeavour to outſtrip the Beſt, as Saul did Joſhua, ſecretly taxing him for the want of his Zeal, in not ſlaying thoſe Gibeonites before; although himſelf could ſpare Agag, notwithſtanding that he was as clearly charged to deſtroy him, 1 Sam. 15. 3, as ever Joſhua was, in relation to thoſe Gibeonites, Deut. 7. 16. He could ſee a Mote in anothers Eye, but not the Beam in his own. And ſuch will be very Rigorous in puniſhing the Neglect of their own Deviſed Worſhip; in which caſe, the Children are apt to be betrayed by their own Parents, Luke 21. 16. What p. 33a ſhame is this to ſome eminent Profeſſors, who cannot ſee a Real Sin in their own Children; and who are not zealouſly affected in a Good thing, as others are in their Superſtitions.

9. Saul did obey Gods Order in his Expedition againſt Amalek, unto the Hazard of his Life, 1 Sam. 15. 2. 4. Which Amalek did ſeem to typifie, Perſons and Things of a Worldly Nature, as hath been before declared. And thus a common Profeſſor may boldly Adventure himſelf, in the purſuance of a divine Command, and yet not properly upon that account. He may ſhame a great many, who are not valiant for the Truth, and who will not run any conſiderable Hazard, as to their Lives, Liberties or Eſtates, in the maintaing of what they know to be their Duty. He may ſtrongly oppoſe what is of a Worldly Nature in another; and may utterly deſtroy what is more vile and refuſe: but it is very Irkſome to him, not to ſpare the Beſt, or wholly to Demoliſh in himſelf, what he is a Profeſſed Enemy unto in others. The Little Horn (whom Saul might partly anſwer unto) will adventure to ſubdue Three Antichriſtian Kings, Dan. 7. 24, and will pluck them up by the Roots, or deſtroy them utterly, v. 8, that ſo himſelf might be raiſed upon their Graves, v. 25, who is a Sprig iſſuing from the ſame Roo…, v. 8. But a carnal Iſraelite may for a ſelf end be a ſtout Oppoſer of Worldly Things and Perſons.

10. Saul did of his own accord deal Righteouſly with the Kenites, in not deſtroying them together with the Amalekites, but gave them p. 34timely notice to get away; beoauſe Jethro their Progenitor, Judg. 1. 16, had ſhewed kindneſs to Iſrael, both by his Counſel, Exod. 18. 19, and Guidance, …umb. 10. 31, when they came up out of Egypt, 1 Sam. 15. 6. He would not deſtroy the Righteous with the Wicked, but onelyonly endeavoured to ſeparate them each from other, by bidding them to Goe, Depart, and Get down from among the Amalekites, leſt otherwiſe they might be deſtroyed with them; juſt as the Lord dealt with Lot, Gen. 19. 12, and with his People. Rev. 18. 4. Wherein his Practice is to the ſhame of thoſe, who know not how to ſever the precious from the v…le, but ſave or deſtroy by whole-ſale; Rejecting the Truth becauſe Bordering upon or Mixed with ſome Errours; who cannot Doe, but they muſt Over-doe; bleeding to Death, when they are onelyonly bid to breathe a Vein; miſtaking Paul's keeping of his Body under, 1 Cor. 9. 27, as if it did import a ſelf maceration; or as if his being crucified to the World, Gal. 6. 14, did neceſſarily imply an utter neglect of thoſe Outward good things, which are of ſingular uſe to Gods Iſrael in their Wilderneſs Condition, though nearly bordering upon Amalek; which therefore are onelyonly to be ſeparated therefrom, as to a Worldly Mind, and ſo they both may and ought to be preſerved, as to their lawfull and ſober uſe. But yet a Saul may be in the exerciſe of ſuch a prudent Diſcrimination; which therefore is not overmuch to be boaſted of.

11. Saul was no Debauched Perſon, o… Groſs Idolater. His ſins were of a more Refined nature. p. 35He put away thoſe that had Familiar Spirits, and the Wizards, out of the Land, 1 Sam. 28. 3; only he did not ſtone them to death, as he ſhould have done, Lev. 20. 27. So alſo, he did very good ſervice againſt the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, the Kings of Zobah (who were Syrians, 2 Sam. 10, 8, or Aſſyrians) and the Philiſtines, 1 Sam. 14. 47. And thus, a man may be very ſober, and yet not after Gods own heart. He may not be groſſely vicious himſelf, and may declare againſt ſuch things in others. And he may fight againſt and vex, ſuch Things and Perſons, as thoſe Enemies of Iſrael before-mentioned, do ſeem to have ſhadowed out. Among which the Edomites and Ammonites (who were the ſame Originally with the Moabites) have been already ſpoken to. The Philiſtines inhabited the Land of Canaan, whom Iſrael was ordered wholly to deſtroy, Deut. 7. 16; and becauſe they did not act accordingly, the Lord left them as Thorns in their ſides, Ju…g. 2. 2, 3, who therefore were their worſt Neighbouring Enemies: And ſo theſe Philiſtines do fitly anſwer unto manifeſt Corruptions within Profeſſours, and to a more prophane ſort of Perſons without them; neither of which they ought to be in League with; but becauſe of their ſinful complyance with them, they are therefore juſtly plagued by them: Which ſort of Things and Perſons, a Saul may very vigorouſly oppoſe; ſo that ſuch as can be at Peace and Friendſhip therewith, are not worthy to be called ſo much as Common Iſraelites. The Syrians and Aſſyrians were little differing each from other, both which deſcended from p. 36Shem, 1 Chron. 1. 17, as well as Abraham did, v 27; but theſe proved the ſoareſt Adverſaries to Abrahams ſeed, only they were at ſome further Diſtance from them, than the Philiſtines were: And ſo theſe Syrians or Aſſyrians, doe fitly anſwer unto Satan, both in the Letter and Myſtery, Rev. 2. 13; who was of old, and will be unto the end, the great Devourer of Mankind, or ſuch as have any thing of Gods Image in them: whom he that will not oppoſe, is not worthy to be compared with Saul. But an ordinary Profeſſor may ſet himſelf againſt ſuch groſſer Enemies, and yet not be a man after God's own heart.

12. Saul was willing to give Samuel the Hearing, and bad him Say on, what he had from God to tell him, 1 Sam. 15. 16, although he might conclude from what went before, that it would prove ſome dreadfull Meſſage. He did not fling away, although he was a King, but Patiently endured his being very plainly dealt with. Nor did he offer to impriſon his Reprover, or in the leaſt to Threaten him, or ſo much as to Reto…t upon him in a way of proud Recrimination. Oh what ſhall we think of ſuch Profeſſors, who are of Nabals Spirit, that a man cannot ſpeak unto them. But yet Poor Creatures (we here ſee) may goe thus far, and therefore this is a ſorry Mark to truſt unto.

13. Saul was convinced of his Sin, by Samuels dealing with him, and did Confeſs it, 1 Sam. 15. 24, and at the laſt, without any Extenuation, v. 30. He had not many ſtarting-holes which when they were diſcovered, he did not then keep p. 37them ſtill; as many doe, who will as ſoon die, as ingenuouſly confeſs, what yet they cannot cover. Men prize their Honour, above Gods Glory, or the Peace of their own Conſcience, accounting it a far greater Diſgrace, to acknowledge Sin, than to be guilty of it. And yet this Breaking out at the Lips, is no certain Sign of an Healthful Soul, or of a Spiritual Recovery.

14. King Saul deſired that Samuel would for give him; notwithſtanding the great Diſtance that was between them, 1 Sam. 15. 25. He ſtood not upon his tearms, as many doe, who think ſcorn to Humble themſelves before thoſe whom they have Wronged or Offended. In caſe a Treſpaſſer ſhall turn again and ſay, I repent, he is to be forgiven, Luke 17. 3; but moſt men think thoſe tearms too hard, when it is their own caſe, who will expect from others at an higher rate. And yet a proud Hypocrite may lay himſelf thus low at the feet of his Inferiours, for ſo did Saul at Samuels.

15. Saul was content that Samuel ſhould Rule and over-rule, in the caſe of Agag's execution, whileſt himſelf ſtood by, 1 Sam. 15. 32, 33, as a meer ſtately Cipher. A carnal heart may be over-powered to part with, what he could heartily wiſh might have been let alone. He may be made to ſpit out again, what he hath ſpared, and would have Kept ſtill within his mouth, Job 20. 13, 15. And yet generally ſuch are very Paſſive in a work of that nature, as Saul was at this time; who could not well tell how to help it, but would have no hand himſelf in p. 38the doing of it. Now if Amalek doth fitly anſwer unto Things and Perſons of a Worldly Nature, as hath been formerly made out; then Agag muſt needs typifie, what is Principal or Extraordinary in ſuch a reſpect: and ſo a Saul may permit that to be done, which he dares not Hinder; as ſome of late years have done, in relation to what was eminently of a Worldly nature; but when an Hypocrite dorh vomit up ſuch things, it is from Gods Caſting them out of his Belly, Job 20. 15, and not from any natural Antipathy between him and them, who otherwiſe would not forſake them, v. 13: whereas a truely gracious heart is crucified unto the World, and not onelyonly the World to him, Gal. 6. 14.

16. Saul ſometimes loved David greatly, and he became his Armour-bearer, 1 Sam. 16. 21; whom he deſired to ſtand before him, becauſe he had found favour in his ſight, v. 22; not letting him go any more unto his Fathers Houſe, 1 Sam. 18. 2, and ſetting him over the Men of War, v. 5. and making him his Son-in-law, v. 27. But yet this love of his was not long-lived; nor was it grounded upon David's being a man after God's own heart; but partly becauſe he could pleaſe his Humour, 1 Sam. 16. 23; and partly, becauſe of ſome Moral Vertues that appeared in him, in his encounter with Goliah, which Saul ſhared in the benefit of; and partly becauſe he did not then know that David was preferred before himſelf, upon the firſt diſcovery whereof, 1 Sam. 18. 7, Saul's ſpirit altered, v. 8, 9, and deſigned his following p. 39favours for a Snare, v. 21: but yet at firſt, his love doth ſeem to have been without Diſſimulation. Love to the Brethren, is indeed one Property and ſecondary Character of a true Saint, 1 Joh. 3. 14; but little do many think how ſadly they are deceived, when they conclude that all is well, meerly becauſe they love a Child of God; which an Hypocrite may doe, upon ſome meer carnal account. An eminent Example whereof, may be obſerved in theſe latter dayes, when ſuch whom Saul typified, will ſeem greatly to affect the Lord's Anoynted People, delighting in their Company, advancing them unto place of Power, and deſiring ſome intimate acquaintance with them; ſo long as they are any way ſerviceable or refreſhing; and untill they do perceive themſelves likely to be overtopped by them. Whereas a truely gracious heart hath moſt Delight in thoſe that are moſt Excellent, and upon that account, Pſal. 16. 3: and John rejoyced greatly becauſe of Chriſt, although he knew, that he was prefetred before him, Joh. 3. 29, 30, 31.

17. When Saul had perſecuted David, he did confeſs his Sin with Tears, 1 Sam. 21. 16, acknowledging that he had played the fool, and erred exceedingly, and promiſed that he would do ſo no more, 1 Sam. 26. 21, which Promiſe (as it fell out) he did perform, 1 Sam. 27. 4. A perſecuting Hypocrite may poſſibly be convinced of that or any other ſin, and may acknowledge it unto the full, mourning over his former folly, into which he may not Relapſe again. There are natural as well as ſpiritual Tears; p. 40and the Old man may be heard to ſigh ſometimes; and a carnal Creature may reform his former wicked practices. OnelyOnly Saul's heart was a little Thawed upon ſome preſent Emergency, which was apt to freeze again; nor was it Sin as Sin that did affect him, but meerly David's Kindneſs, who ſpared him when he might have cut him off; and notwithſtanding all this Remorſe, Saul had a Diſpoſition to have perſiſted in his Old way ſtill, but that the Temptation was removed, in his wanting of an Opportunity, by reaſon of David's departure out of his Land, 1 Sam. 27. 5: and of this nature is a carnal Profeſſor's Reformation.

18. Saul did preferre David before himſelf, in point of Righteouſneſs, 1 Sam. 24. 17; wherein he did verifie what God had ſaid before, 1 Sam. 15. 28. But it was onelyonly in relation to ſome particular action; and of a Moral Nature; and in a very clear caſe when it could not be denyed; and in a good Mood; which onelyonly aggravated his …in, but did not Kill it. An hypocrite may utter ſelf-abaſing words, when his heart is ſtill as proud as ever. His ſick qualms doe onelyonly eaſe his Stomack of ſome uppermoſt and Thinner humour, which leaveth the remainder more thick and dangerous. And he is more affected with ſome tranſient Providence, than with that Word of God which doth Abide for ever. He may be convinced that others are Better than himſelf, whom yet he doth not labour to outſtrip or imitate, in relation to thoſe excellent things which he approveth, Rom. 2. 18. 21.

19. Saul did much good to others, cloathing p. 41them in Scarlet, and putting Ornaments of Gold upon their Apparel, 2 Sam. 1. 24; which might be the Fruit of his Spoils, and of that outward Peace that he procured. A carnal man may be very uſeful, and in that reſpect his Death may be lamented. He may not be ſo bad as it was expected he would have been. He may be Deſireable upon ſome account, at leaſtwiſe among the Daughters of Iſrael, or ſuch as are of a more Effeminate ſpirit. He may very much Adorn others, both in the Letter and Myſtery. 'Tis good to be ſerviceable in our Generation, but therewith to remember, that thus one may be, who yet is not a man after Gods own heart.

20. Saul dedicated ſeveral of his Spoils unto a Pious uſe, for the Maintaining of the Tabernacle and its Worſhip; which David did afterwards convert unto the ſervice of the Temple, 1 Chro. 26. 28. A common Iſraelite or Proteſtant, may ſtoutly oppoſe Philiſtian Papiſts and others; and may deſign their Spoils or Conqueſts, unto the maintaining or keeping up of ſome Truths and Duties under a lower Diſpenſation, ſuch as that of the Tabernacle was; wihch Chriſt and his People (whom David typified) may improve for ſome higher end, which was ſhadowed out by Solomon's Temple. We may not therefore account men Saints, becauſe they have been uſefull in Vindicating the Truths and Worſhip of God, by word or writing, ſince Saul the ſon of Kiſh, and Abner the ſon of Ner, did typically Dedicate in ſome ſuch way, as well as Samuel the Seer, and David with his Worthies, 1 Chro. 26. 26, 27, 28; and in this very p. 42reſpect (as well as all the other before named) did David far out-ſtrip Saul, as will afterwards be made evident.

And thus I have finiſhed the firſt general Branch of Davids Commendation, viz. in a way of Comparing him with Saul; in which regard partly, he is here ſaid to have been a man after God's own heart, becauſe he was a Better man than Saul was, whether we do conſider David at his worſt, or Saul when at his beſt.

From all which Diſcourſe, we may obſerve ſomething▪ which is of ſpecial Uſe, both in a way of Trial and Inſtruction, and Exhortation.

Ʋſe 1. Firſt, in a way of Trial, we may hence learn, on the one hand, that if our Diſtempers be ſuch as Saul's were, they will ſadly evidence againſt us, that we are not after God's own heart; and on the other hand, that we cannot ſafely judge our ſelves or others to be after Gods own heart, unleſs our Righteouſneſs doth exceed what was to be found in Saul; ſince David is here thus witneſſed concerning, in a way of Diſtinguiſhing him from the other, in thoſe forementioned reſpects. I dare not ſay, that Saul went as far as a falſe heart can goe, or that he is a David who doth out-ſtrip Saul; but this I may dare to ſay, that he who is as Bad as Saul, or no whit Better, may groundedly conclude, he is not right. I would not Diſcourage any, who have the leaſt meaſure of Worth or Vertue, nor is there any cauſe why ſuch ſhould be Diſcouraged, conſidering how richly Saul's Duty was rewarded: OnelyOnly let none Deceive themſelves p. 43by an over-valuation. Men may have Another Heart, and yet not David's; they may be Obedient unto their Parents; Humble in their Carriage; able to command their Paſſion; courageous in a good Cauſe; much affected with God's goodneſs; ready to witneſs on a good man's behalf; they may conſult with God; be very zealous in the way of their Profeſſion; adventure themſelves much in a way of Duty; and be very righteous towards men; they may be no vicious Perſons, or groſs Idolaters; willing to hear the ſaddeſt word from God; confeſs their ſin; deſire Forgiveneſs; and be content to part with a beloved Luſt; they may Love the Brethren; Acknowledge the evil of their former Perſecution; prefer them before themſelves; Doe good to others; and be very ſerviceable to the Truths of God againſt the Oppoſers of them; and yet for all this, may not be men after God's own heart. Thus far may a poor carnal Creature goe, and a great deal further, as might be proved (but that my preſent Subject will not bear that Enlargement) from the inſtance of that other Saul, untill he was converted, and had his Name changed together with his Nature, who whileſt he was a Phariſee, was, as touching the Righteouſneſs which is in the Law, Blameleſs, Phil. 3. 6.

But what then ſhall we think of ſuch, who will fall in with worldly Temptations upon any tearms; who make their own Will their Law; who do preſumptuouſly tranſgreſs a known Command; who caſt off Prayer; who ſet up Duties of their own Deviſing; who put God p. 44off with the vile and refuſe, reſerving the Beſt unto themſelves; who Eat and wipe their mouth, and then ſay they have done no wickedneſs; who ſeek to cover their Diſcloſed ſin; who will moſt impudently deny what is undenyably proved; who will Extenuate at leaſt what can be no longer Denyed; whoſe Mind runs more upon their Carnal Intereſt, than either Gods glory, or their own Salvation; who are a Terrour to good men, and the Encouragers of evil; who ſeek to play away their trouble of Conſcience; who live in Envy againſt their Betters; who are moſt notorious Diſſemblers; and will both Curſe and Lie; who Perſecute men after Gods own heart; who can conſult with a Familiar Spirit; and who are wilfully acceſſary unto their own Deſtruction? Certainly theſe men cannot be right, as to their preſent ſtate, ſince they do ſo fully reſemble Saul when at his worſt, in a way of Diſtinction from whom (when at his Beſt) David is here ſaid to have been one after God's own heart. Indeed a Saul may become a Paul, and therefore ſuch are encouraged unto the uſe of Converting Means; but an actual Saul is not a David, and therefore let not ſuch offer to deceive others or themſelves.

Ʋſe 2. Secondly, we may hence learn, in a way of Inſtruction, what may be the Portion of a Carnal Profeſſor from the hand of God, in point of Good things; whileſt we conſider what Saul met with in that reſpect; who yet came far ſhort of David, in point of Priviledges as well as Duty. Which lower ſort of Priviledges were as followeth.

p. 451. Saul was Circumciſed; which Paul reckoneth among thoſe things wherein he ſometimes truſted, Phil. 3. 4, 5; and which Saul valued at ſo high a rate, as that he would rather Kill himſelf, than be thruſt through by the hands of Uncircumciſed ones, 1 Sam. 31. 4. Now that Circumciſion in the fleſh, was an outward Badge of ones being a Legal Saint, or of that Number who were then called an Holy Nation, Exo. 19. 6; and ſo it fitly anſwereth unto the Viſibility of Saintſhip in Goſpel-times, 1 Pet. 2. 9. And thus a meer carnal Creature may be accounted Spiritual. Such may have a Name to Live, who yet are Dead, Rev. 3. 1. A Fornicatour, a Covetous Perſon, an Idolater, a Railer, a Drunkard, or an Extortioner, may yet be called a Brother, 1 Cor. 5. 11. And thoſe may call themſelves of the Holy City, or be called by the Name of Iſrael, and Swear by the Name of God (whereby they profeſs themſelves to be his Servants, Iſa. 45. 23, Gen. 31. 53.) and yet not in Truth or Righteouſneſs, Iſa. 48. 1, 2. Little do many think that they are workers of Iniquity, till Chriſt ſhall make it out, Mat. 7. 22, 23. Some one or other of thoſe bloody Souldiers that had crucified Chriſt, was yet ſeen afterwards to wear his ſeamleſs Coat or upper Garment, Joh. 19. 23, 24. There is no inconſiſtency between the Inward Power of Sin, and an Outward Form of Godlineſs. Such as can ſatisfie themſelves with a bare Title of Chriſtianity, may have it conferr'd upon them in a way of Judgement.

2. Saul was a Member of the onelyonly true Viſible Church that then was in Being; by which p. 46means he did partake of thoſe Church-Ordinances, which were denyed unto the Poſterity of circumciſed Iſhmael and Eſau. Which Congregational Church and Ordinances, do fitly anſwer unto ſuch like Inſtitutions in Goſpel-times; which are ſome kind of choiſer and more peculiar Priviledges, that are not vouchſafed unto all, who yet may be as it were circumciſed, or viſible Saints; and therefore we read of ſome, who were added to the Lord, Act. 5. 14, who yet durſt not Joyn themſelves to that Church in Jeruſalem, v. 13, which then was the onelyonly true viſible Goſpel-Church in being. And though that this Iſraelitiſh Prerogative, be unto this day Deſpiſed, by envyous Edomites, and by ſcoffing Iſhmaelites, (whoſe Principles both Eccleſ…aſtical and Civil are meerly founded upon the ſtrength of Natural Reaſon, and who therefore to Deride ſuch as are guided by the Spirit and Word of God, as Iſhmael did Iſaac, becauſe the one was through the Strength of Nature, and the other through the ſtrength of the Word of Promiſe,) yet are theſe Goſpel Appointments, very precious in the ſight of Chriſt, and of his ſeparated Iſrael, whoſe reputation will be vindicated, when the Glory of God ſhall Return into this Goſpel-Temple Opened, Ezek. 43. 4, as it Typically did of Old, after that the Babyloniſh Captivity was returned, Hag. 29, and the following Perſian Check upon that work, was Rebuked, Ezra 4. 24, & 5. 1, 2. But yet it muſt be granted, that God may not be wellpleaſed with Many of them, who may All partake of that ſpiritual Meat and Drink, 1 Cor. 10. p. 473, 4, 5. The Church in Corinth had one very Wicked Perſon in it, 1 Cor. 5. 13; and other Churches then had ſuch among them, whom Paul adviſed to have cut off, Cal. 5. 12; the Generality of that Church in Sardis, had onelyonly a Name to Live, Revel. 3. 1; and the whole Church in Laodicea, was ſtark naught, Rev. 3. 16. Some venemous Toads may lurk under the Stones of theſe Myſtical Temples, having crept in unawares, Gal. 2. 4. Goſpel Churches ſhould not conſiſt of any, ſave ſuch, who are more than Babes in Chriſt, 1 Cor. 3. 1, which was typified of Old, by the Lord's Excluding Levites, and his Admitting none but Prieſts, to enter into the Temple or Tabernacle, Numb. 18. 2, 3; but yet theſe Churches may poſſibly be made up of ſuch, who have nothing of Chriſt in them.

3. Saul was an Iſraelite by Birth, 1 Sam. 9. 1, and not onelyonly by Religion, as Proſelytes were; which Paul hinteth as an Additional Priviledge, when he ſaith, that he was an Hebrew of the Hebrews, Phil. 3. 5, without any mixture of Gentiliſme in his Lineage. And one of Sauls Progenitors is ſaid to have been a mighty man of Power, 1 Sam. 9. 1. Both which were Priviledges, not to be deſpiſed. Paul reckoneth up Eight ſeveral Prerogatives, comprehended in that One, of being Iſraelites; to whom pertaineth the Adoption, and the Glory, and the Covenants, and the Giving of the Law, and the Service of God, and the Promiſes, whoſe are the Fathers, and of whom as concerning the fleſh Chriſt came, Rom. 9. 4, 5: all which Saul muſt p. 48be confeſſed to have ſhared in, becauſe he was an Iſraelite. And thus poor carnal Creatures, may be of Iſrael, and yet not Iſrael; they may be the Seed of Abraham, and yet not Children; they may be the Children of the Fleſh, and yet not the Children of God or of the Promiſe, Rom. 9. 6, 7, 8. Such may deſcend of godly Parents, which is no contemptible Mercy, ſince by that means they may ſhare in the benefit of their Prayers and Education, whereby the Lord is pleaſed many times to work the ſame unfeigned Faith in them, which firſt dwelt in their Progenitors, 2 Tim. 1. 5. Such may be admitted into the Number and Fellowſhip of thoſe, who are not Polluted with any groſs Gentile intermixtures; who have been as it were Fathers in point of Faith and Duty; who have continued true unto their profeſſed Principles in the midſt of their manifold Temptations; and have not only eſpouſed Chriſts Truths and Wayes in a day of outward Proſperity, as the generality of Jewiſh Proſelytes were wont to doe. They may ſeem to be the Prime Owners of all the Saints Priviledges, in point of Adoption, Glory, Covenants, Ordinances and Promiſes; and of Such may Chriſt's Diſpenſation come, as to its more Outward or Fleſhly part; the Goſpel of whoſe Viſible Kingdom may be firſt Preached or Tendred unto them, who yet may not enter thereinto, through Unbelief; but may Oppoſe and Perſecute it, to their own deſtruction, by reaſon of their Carnality.

4. Saul came of the Tribe of Benjamin, 1 Sam. 9. 1; which was another of thoſe Priviledges p. 49that Paul ſometimes gloried in, Phil. 3. 5; and not without ſome ſeeming ground. Benjamin was Jacobs youngeſt and beſt beloved Son, by his dearly beloved Rachel, whom therefore he called Benjamin, or the Son of his Right Hand, Gen. 35. 18; in whoſe Life was Jacobs life bound up, Gen. 44. 30; whom Moſes calleth the Beloved of the Lord, that was to dwell in ſafety by him, and promiſeth that the Lord ſhould cover him all the day long, and dwell between his ſhoulders, Deut. 33. 12; becauſe Solomon's Temple, that was the Place of Gods Habitation, was built within Benjamin's Lot, in Jeruſalem, Pſal. 48. 2, the North part of which City was given to Benjamin, Joſh. 18. 16. 28, as the South part was to Judah, Joſh. 15. 63; by which means theſe two Tribes were united into One, and did joyntly cleave unto the Houſe of David, and the true Worſhip of God, when all the reſt fell off, 2 Chro. 11. 12. This famous and renowned Tribe did Saul come of. And thus poor carnal Creatures, may be of that Number, who are Iſraelites or Profeſſors of a more than ordinary rank, being called, The Sons of their Fathers Right hand; and ſome of which ſort may afterwards be highly Dignified, by reaſon of their near Affinity or Neighbourhood with Judah the Tribe of David, or with Profeſſors of the higheſt Order. Thoſe may be Davids next Neighbours, in point of viſible Deſcent; who yet are far differing from him, as to his Heart or Diſpoſition. Nay; falſe-hearted Profeſſors, may come forth out of the very Waters of Judah, Iſa. 48. 1, or be of the ſame p. 50Society with the Beſt and Nobleſt Saints that are. When Chriſt ſhall come, as he will then take to himſelf, one of thoſe two Women that are Grinding at the Mill, Matt. 24. 41, which was the work of Bond-women, Exod. 11. 5, Iſa. 47. 2, to ſignifie that Bond and Free are all one in him, Cat. 3. 28: ſo alſo he then will ſever thoſe two that be in the field, Matt. 24. 40, or ſuch as are both of them honeſtly employed, in Flowing, or Sowing or Reaping, or looking after their …locks, in the Letter or Myſtery: Nay and then there ſhall be two in one Bed, the one ſhall be taken, and the other left, Luke 17. 34; intimating that Chriſt will then ſever between ſuch Profeſſors, who have ſometimes been very Intimate Companions, lying in each others Boſome, and in the ſame Bed, which is put to ſignifie Divine Appointments, Cant. 1. 16.

5. Saul was a very choiſe and goodly young Man, being higher by the head and ſhoulders than any of the People, 1 Sam. 9. 2; whom therefore both God and the People choſe to be their King, 1 Sam. 10. 24; and in which reſpect Samuel was apt to think, that Davids eldeſt Brother ſhould have ſucceeded him, becauſe he was ſuch another, 1 Sam. 16. 6, 7. And thus a Carnal Iſraelite at this day, may ſeem unto an eye of fleſh to be very choiſe and goodly, at leaſtwiſe when in the Youth or Prime of his Profeſſion. He may have much of the firſt Adam's Comelineſs, or Gods Eſſential Image, conferr'd upon him. He may have choiſe Natural parts, and Moral Accompliſhments, and common Gifts. p. 51He may have the Tongue of Men and Angels, and yet be as ſounding Braſs, or a tinckling Cymbal, 1 Cor. 13. 1. …e may have the …leight of ſpeaking and yet be but a cunning crafty fellow in the Scripture phraſe, Eph. 4. 14. He may abound with the Enticing words of Man's Wiſdom, and yet have no acquaintance with the Spirit, 1 Cor. 2 4. He may in ſuch things be higher by the Head than Samuel or David, or the Beſt that are. And upon that account he may be too much eſteemed by Samuel, and Idolized by others, and ſuffered by the Lord to bear ſway for a certain time, untill a Better come. But as Davids Diſpenſation doth …et up, ſo the Lord will wean his true Prophets from ſuch empty Vanities, and they ſhall then know that a David is far better than a Saul, notwithſtanding all this outward Bravery. Such Midianitiſh fair Faces did ſometimes tempt Iſrael unto Idolatry and Whored…m, by calling them unto their Sacrifices, Num. 25. 1, 2, who therefore were all cut off, Num. 31. 17; to ſignifie that God will bring Sauls Perſon into Contempt, and ſuch like fleſhly Excellencies, which have been ſtumbling-blocks in others way, together with the advancement of his Davids, who are his Second Choice, or Workmanſhip created in Chriſt Jeſus, Eph. 2. 10, who is the expreſs Image of his Perſon, Heb. 1. 3, which is more ſpiritual and hidden, Joh. 6. 46; whereas the firſt Adaman! all his meer Natural Seed, were onelyonly made after his Firſt or more General or Eſſential Image, and not his Perſonal, Gen. 1. 26.

6. Saul was Beloved of his Father, as appeared p. 52by his Sorrowing for him, when he had been a little Abſent, and ſaying, What ſhall I do for my Son? 1 Sam. 10. 2. And David hinteth that the Daughters of Iſrael had cauſe to mourn over Saul, when he was Dead, 2 Sam. 1. 24, as himſelf ſeemed to doe, with a very Pathetical Lamentation, v. 17: which was no deſpicable Priviledge, and therefore it is recorded unto Jehoram's ſhame, that he Departed without being Deſired, 2 Chro. 21. 20; which Saul did not, ſince Mourning doth evidence Deſire: And thus a common Iſraelite may be Deſireable, and poſſibly may Deſerve to be ſo, as Saul did at his Fathers hand by being obedient to his Command; and at the hands of others, by enriching them with the Spoils of his Battels. Such may have after their Deceaſe a competent teſtimony born unto the Honour of their Name, and according to the meaſure of their worth. Some may wiſh for the continuance of ſuch as ſtand in Davids way; and David himſelf may lament the Death of Perſecuting Saul becauſe he was his Father, and of Rebellious Abſalom becauſe he was his Son. But what advantage would it be unto ſuch in Hell, in caſe they knew that ſome did Commend them upon Earth? And yet they were onelyonly ſome of the vain Daughters of Iſrael that wept for Saul, and meerly becauſe of ſome leſſer Toyes that he was wont to pleaſe them with; whileſt David's Lamentation might be with a Drie eye, and without any great ſtore of Inward ſorrow, as appeareth by his Order at the ſame time to teach the uſe of the Bowe, 2 Sam. 1. 18; and it may be he then did more p. 53lament upon the account of Jonathan than of Saul, for whom he was Diſtreſſed, v. 26; or becauſe of his being Related unto Saul; or becauſe Iſrael was reproached by the Manner of his death; or becauſe that ſome Moral good things were deſtroyed in him; or to evidence that himſelf had no hand in his Deſtruction, as in the caſe of Abner, 2 Sam. 3. 33, 36. Phariſaical Profeſſours aim chiefly at the Glory of men, and they have that Reward, Mat. 6. 2; at leaſtwiſe from their carnal Relations, and ſuch as are apt to be taken with lower things.

7. Saul was Advanced to the Crown by thoſe two ſignificant Ceremonies of being Kiſſed and Anoynted, 1 Sam. 10. 1; his own Supremacy being hinted by the Oyl, Pſal. 45. 7; and the People's Subjection by the Kiſs, Pſal. 2. 11, 12: which Priviledge was conferred upon him, before David was ever ſpoken of. Thoſe may outwardly be advanced unto the greateſt height, who are not men after Gods own heart and before their Betters. Solomon had ſeen Servants upon Horſes, and Princes walking as Servants upon the Earth, Eccl. 10. 7. Chriſt was a Prince, (and in the eyes of wiſe men, a King, Matt. 2. 2.) who yet was ſeen walking upon Earth in the form of a Servant, Phil. 2. 7. They that work wickedneſs may be ſet up, Mal. 3. 15; whoſe Portion is in this Life, Pſal. 17. 14, and who are not Plagued like other men, Pſal. 73. 5. To be ſure, till Davids Diſpenſation doth begin, it will be but bad judging of a Goſpel-Saint by outward Happineſs. Men after Gods own heart are Deſigned to be uppermoſt, Rev. 5. 10; but in p. 54the mean time, Di…es is ſerved before Lazaru…, Luk… 16. 25; and Saul before David; and the four Beaſts before the Saints the High Ones, Dan. 7. 17, 18; that ſo there might be a Myſtical Sun and Moon to be confounded, when the Lord ſhall Reign before his Ancients gloriouſly, Iſa. 24. 23. But Sauls being thus Advanced, doth alſo hint unto us, that inward Authority and Power, which a man not after Gods own heart may be inv…ſted with; by which he may be able to Rule himſelf (as Saul did the Iſraelites) and alſo to ſave himſelf from ſome groſſer Temptations, typified by thoſe Phil…ſtin…s, whom Saul was Anoynted to ſave his People from, 1 Sam. 9. 16; and in which reſpect, ſuch a one may goe Before a David, (as the Fir…t A…m did before the Second) whom yet (for Kind) he is Inferiour unto.

8. Saul was found out of God, being ſent by him to Samuel and foreſpoken of the day before, in Samuels ear, as if it had been ſome more than ordinary Secret, 1 Sam. 9 15, and in a way of ſome kind of Mercy unto his People to ſave them out of the Philiſtines hand, v. 16; who alſo was choſen afterwards by Lot, 1 Sam. 10. 21, and when he could not be found, God told the People where he had Hid himſelf, v. 22. What a marvellous proof was here of Gods having a ſpecial hand in Sauls preferment; both by his Deſignation, S…n…ing, Anoynting, Choice and …inding out; and yet this Saul was not according to Gods own heart, either as to his Perſonal or Political capacity. There may be much of God to be obſerved, in a meer Natural man's p. 55Advancement, and in the ſetting up of a Worldly Form. Such things may be effected by a ſpecial hand of Providence; and the Building of Saul's Houſe may be Repreſented or Revealed unto a Samuel, 1 Sam. 9. 15, as that of Davids was to him, 2 Sam. 7 27, the words in Hebrew being the ſame in both places. When carnal people will needs come uner a Worldly Diſpenſation, the Lord may aſſign the Perſon that ſhall manage it; who may have that Honour put upon him, without his ſeeking for it, nay though he ſeemeth willing to have been without it. The very Appearance of Saul's Humility in Hiding himſelf among the Stuff, was thus Signally witneſſed unto from Heaven. There may be very little Outward difference to be diſcerned, between Saul and David, as to the Manner of their reſpective Exaltations. Nay and a common Iſraelite may thus be advanced by the Lord, to ſave his poor People out of the hand of more groſſely prophane Philiſtines.

9. Good Samuel was ſtrangely overpowred to fall in with Saul; who honourably entertained him, 1 Sam. 9. 22, 23, 24; and then Privately Anoynted him, 1 Sam. 10. 1; and then Publickly recommended him unto the People, 1 Sam. 10. 24; for all which Samuel had a ſpecial and Peculiar Warrant, which cannot ordinarily …e expected by others, who yet may fully be perſwaded to comply with the like Perſon and Intereſt, and wherein the Lord may have an overruling hand. And thus honeſt Jehon…d…b may give his hand to Jehu, 2 Kings 10. 15; and Barnabas may alſo be carried away with ſome mens p. 56Diſſimulation, Gal. 2. 13; as many good men have been of later years deluded with an hypocritical generation, ſo as to fall in with the People of Gods wrath, who fully anſwer unto Saul. A falſe heart may Deceive both himſelf and others, 2 Tim. 3. 13. All Saints have not a Spirit of Diſcerning, 1 Cor. 12. 10; and Paul himſelf did ſometimes ſtyle Demas his Fellowlabourer, Philem. 24, who proved an Apoſtate afterwards, 2 Tim. 4. 10; and therefore Paul durſt not ſay that he was confident, but onelyonly perſwaded of the Faith of Timothy, 2 Tim. 1. 5; and his Confidence concerning others, is Qualified by his Adding, as it is meet for me to think, Phil. 1. 6, 7. Moſt men are apt to ſee with others Eyes, which at the beſt are but Eyes of Fleſh, Job 10. 4, and are apt to be taken with outward Appearances, as Samuel was with Eliab's Countenance, 1 Sam. 16. 7. Indeed the ſpiritual Man is beſt able to judge, 1 Cor. 2. 15; but there are few ſuch; nor is it certainly known to others, who thoſe are; and the Beſt that are, may be miſtaken. Let the Opinion of Holy and Judicious men, concerning Things or Perſons, be duely weighed, together with their Grounds and Reaſons; but let us alway remember, that Man's Judgement is a very ſmall thing compared with God's, 1 Cor. 4. 3, 4, and ſeemeth to be one of thoſe Golden Idols which ſhall be utterly Aboliſhed, and caſt unto the Moles and Bats, or left with ſuch whoſe Eyes are Blinded, Iſa. 2. 18. 20.

10. Saul was Confirmed in a good Opinion of his preſent ſtate, by many Signs and Wonders p. 57which were foretold, 1 Sam. 10. 2, 3, 5, and which came to paſs accordingly, v. 9; all which Providences did doubtleſſely much encourage him to think, that God was not Diſpleaſed with him, who yet was given in Wrath, Hoſ. 13. 11. And thus an Abhorred Thing or Perſon, may be accompanyed with many ſtrange Providential Atteſtations. What an encouraging Providence was that, when five or ſix thouſand of the Men of Ai, were able to Exanimate ſix hundred thouſand Iſraelites? What a Providence was that, when the Jews little Horn did caſt down ſome of the Hoſt of Heaven, Dan. 8. 10; and when the Chriſtian Little Horn did Prevail againſt the Saints, Dan. 7. 21, having pluckt up three of his fellows by the roots, v. 8? The Aſſyrian is encouraged to fight againſt Jeruſalem, and to think that God had ſent him, 2 King. 18. 25, becauſe of his former ſucceſſes, v. 33. Some men are Providentially Eſtabliſhed for Correction, Hab. 1. 1…. There are ſome meerly Trying Providences, which they may eaſily miſtake the meaning of, who cannot diſtinguiſh between the Lords Higheſt Permiſſions, and his Loweſt Approbations. How haſtily may an Inheritance be gotten, and yet in a way of Sin, Prov. 20. 21? How happy may Proud men be, and thoſe that Tempt God be even Delivered, Mal. 3. 15? Extraordinary Providences are duely to be obſerved and improved, but yet not to be compared with the Scriptures, as a Rule for Judgement. Saul had a clear word from God, by which he might ſufficiently have known the ſinful nature of his preſent undertaking, 1 Sam. 8. p. 587. 11; which he not heeding, was therefore juſtly Hardened by after-Providences of a contrary ſeeming nature. Such as receive not the Truth in the Love thereof, 2 Theſſ. 2. 10, are juſtly given up to …trong Deluſions, v. 11, occaſioned by Deceitfull Signs and Wonders, v. 9.

11. Saul was ſpirited for that work which God had called him to, and coth ſeem to have been furniſhed with a pretty ſtock for that end, as appeareth by Samuels bidding him to do as occaſion ſerved, for God was with him▪ 1 Sam. 10. 7. The Lord doth not uſe to employ any, whom he doth not alſo competently fit for ſuch a purpoſe: and if Saul was thus Qualified much more might David hope that he ſhould be dealt with accordingly. But a carnal Profeſſor and a Worldly Adminiſtration, may be accompanyed with much of Gods preſence, in a way of Outward Communications: and a Prodigal Son may have his Portion put into his Hand, Luke 15. 12; while the better Husband of the two, hath nothing but from Hand to Mouth, v. 29. When Davids Diſpenſation ſhall be on foot, the Lord will then be for a ſpirit of Judgement to him that ſitieth in judgement, Iſa. 28. 6; and as an Aſſurance thereof, ſome more unworthy Things and Perſons may have a little Taſte or firſt Fruits of ſuch a Mercy. Chriſt is the Head of every man, 1 Cor. 11. 3; and as he is an Head, he doth beſtow ſome kind of Gifts even upon thoſe who are Rebellious, Pſal. 68. 18. Let not the wiſe man glory in his wiſdom, nor the mighty man in his Might, unleſs he doth alſo truley underſtand p. 59and know the Lord, Jer. 9. 23, 24. Not many Wiſe men after the fleſh, not many mighty men are called, 1 Cor. 1. 26. When we are tempted to Boaſt of theſe lower Attainments, let us remember Saul.