Lecture Preached at Distinckorn-Hill, Sermon 2
April 15. 1688. Some Notes or Heads of a LECTƲRE Preached at Diſtinckorn-Hill in the Pariſh of Gaaſtoun, by Mr. Alexander Shields, Preacher of the Goſpel.
Ʋpon 1. Samuel 15. Chap, from the 13 verſe to the 24▪
THe People of Ireal and the People of Scotland a…e very like other: they have been equal in …rivileges and they have been equal in Sin…, They were a ſpecial privileged people, as war in all the World. They were a Covenanted people, a peculiar people, They were likewiſe a very treache…our people, and guilty of many breaches of Covenant. They were unſteadfaſt & changeable, they could not ſtay long at one thing; and they were a very Loyal people: Yea, and ſometimes a wicked Loyal people. They would have a King like the reſt of the Nations. Well, the Lord gave them a King in His Anger, and took him away in His Wrath. They might well have wanted a King; for they had a very good Government before, They had the Lord to be their King: And He raiſed them up Judges fi…ed for Governing and Ruling aright Therefore becauſe they deſired this Change, The Lord ſays unto Samuel, hearken unto them, for the… have not rejected thee, but they have rejected Me, that I ſhould not Reign over them. Well, the Lord gave them one, but ſuch an one that made the Child to weep that was unborn. Well, he began right well. And the Lord is here taking a Proof of him, whether he would perform Obedience to his Command or not; and he puts him on this piece of Service to go and Execute Vengeance on Amalek which was a Neceſſar Duty, a Moral Duty, for they were to have War with Amalek for ever. For the Lord had given a particular Charge to the Children of Iſ…ael, Deut, 25 and laſt verſe. To blot ou… the Remembrance of Amalek from under the Heaven, and not to forget it: And the Lord pu…s this in the hands of Saul to diſcover his Hypocriſie, I ſhall go no further on the Introduction, but to lead to …he Application to our Caſe.
We have Amalek to deal wi…h; for Amalek does Typifie all the Enemies of the Church in general, and hath a Reference to them in theſe Words that we have Read: There is theſe ſix or ſeven Things contai…ed,
There is Firſt, the Meeting of Samuel and Saul together in that 13… verſe and that Me…ting was little for Saul's profit: Poor Samuel in the Night before (when he heard that he diſobeyed the Command of the Lord) had been Weeping and Crying all Night to GOD for him; And he…e he comes to him, and he came with an Intention to be free with Saul.
We have Secondly Sauls accoſting the Prophet; he took the firſt word and ſpoke, wherein are two things Firſt Sauls Hypocritical Salutation of Samuel, and Saul ſaid unto him, bleſſed be thou of the Lord. 2ly, his Vaun…ing of his Performances I have performed the Commandment of the Lord: He began to juſtifie himſelf. We have
Thirdly, The Prophets Challenging of him in the 14 verſe, as if he ſaid, have ye done ſo? have ye performed the Commandment of the Lord? What means then the bleating of the ſheep, and the l…wing, of the Oxen in mine ears? For you get a Commiſſion to go and Deſtroy theſe and curſed Am…lekites, and all that appertained to them. G…d's Command was to cut off all, and if ye have done it, what means all this Din then? Every Rout of the Oxen, and every Bleat of the ſheep, declares you to be a Rebel againſt GOD.
Fourthly, We have … Excuſe, and Extenuation of his ſin: It was the people that did it, not I; and they d…d it for a good End, viz. That they might take of thoſe ſheep and oxen to Sacrifice unto the Lord in Gilgall.
Fifthly, We have the Prophets preſſing home the Charge with many aggravating Circumſtances to the 16▪ 17. 18 19. verſes: As if the Prophet had ſaid, well, you Excuſe your ſelf, but I muſt be free with you; remember this, that y…u may ſee the Aggravation of your ſin: Remember what you were when God advanced you? Ye were little in your own fight when you were An inted King over I…rael: And further you were then put in a Capacity to do the Will of God, and … Obey His Command. And then the Lord was very particular with you, To go and deſtroy, and root cut theſe Curſed Amal…kites; but ye have not obeyed His Voice, but have Rebelled againſt him.
Sixthly, We have Saul's perſiſting in his juſtifying of himſelf in the 20 verſe. Yea, I have Obeyed the Voice of the Lord, and have gone the Way that the Lord ſent me; and I have brought Agag the King of Amalek, and have utterly Deſtroyed the Amalekites; but the People to…k of the Spot…, Sheep and Oxen to Sacrifice unto the Lord thy God in Giſgall. He would not give over the Plea, what they had done, they had done it for a good End.
And then in the Seventh place, We have the Prophets convincing him of his Rebellions in the 22, 23 Verſes; as if he had ſaid, a Sacrifice, what cares the Lord for your Sacrifice, or you either? He loves Obedience better than S…crifice. Will ye ſerve God in your own way? No, he will be ſerved in his own way: But now ye are not his Servant, ſeing ye have Diſobeyed his Comm…nd; ye are but a Rebel.
Then in the laſt place, We have the Sentence that the Prophet pronounces againſt this Rebel: As if he had ſaid, ſeing ye have Diſ…beyed his Command, He hath taken away and invalidate your Authority; ye may have the Title and the Name for a while, but ye are no more King over Iſrael; He will have no more of your Service. So theſe are the particulars of the words which we have read, and we ſhall go over them again, and ſpeak a little to each of them as time will allow, applying them to our times.
The Firſt thing then is the Meeting of the Prophet and this Hypocritical King: The Lord had told Samuel in the Night bef…re, how He was Diſpleaſed with S…ul, and that he had Rej…cted him, and would not have him to be King any longer: And the Prophet Weeps all the N…ght over for poor Saul. This was his Exerciſe, for if he could have gotten the W…ath and Anger of the Lord turned away from Saul, he would … have had it done as we ſhould all of us do, We ſhould not deſire the Evil day on any; but ſhould … for the ſins of Enemies, and for the Judgements of Enemies: So likeways we ſhould them. And he went from one place to another till he gets Saul to witneſs againſt … 12 Verſe. And when Samuel …roſe early to meet Saul, in the morning it was told Samu… ſaying Saul came to Carmel and behold, he ſet him upon a place, and is gone about, at paſſed on, and gone down to Gi…gall.
Whence we Obſerve, when judges or any in Eminent Note Rebell againſt God, all the Servants of God ſhould not only mourn over them in ſecret, but witneſs againſt them publickly, as Samuel did. Miniſters ſhould be free, and Faithful in preaching againſt the ſins of every one who ever be offended, this is a clear Duty, it Ye will conſider theſe two or three things, Firſt Why this ſhould be done. 2dly. Who is the Object againſt whom they ſhould witneſs. 3dly. When is the time that this ſhould be done.
Firſt then, Why Rebellion ſhould be witneſſed againſt be in whom it will, which is a duty very much ſlighted in our D…y: We ſhould not ſuffer ſin upon our B…other, when we ſee him ſin, we ſuffer ſin upon him when we do not reprove him, and the not reproving of him, is a …ating of him. We hate our Brother when we do not tell him of his Sin, and they are guilty of their blood, 33 Ezek, They that do not d…clare the whole Coun…el of God, cannot ſay that they are free of the blood of all Men: They ſhould tell what are their ſins, and that they ſhould repent of their ſins.
Secondly, It is clear, If ye will conſider the Names that Miniſters get in Scripture, as Watchmen, and thoſe muſt …et the Trumpet to their Mouth, and give Warning when the ſee danger coming, otherways they are guilty of their Bl…od. And alſo it is clear from what they have in Commiſſion, 58 of …a. They muſt cry aloud and n…t ſpare, and lift up their Voice like a Trumpet, and ſhew the Lords Peop…e their Tranſgreſſi…ns, and the Houſe of Jac…b their Sins: Zek. 16 2. Cauſe Jeruſalem know her abominati…ns, Zek. 20. 4 Cauſe them to know their Fathers Sins. And when Miniſters does not this, they cannot ſay with Paul, That they are free from the blood of all Men. Acts 28. Seing if they do not tell the People of their Sins, they have ſhu…ned to declare unto them all the Counſel of God: F…r how can People Repent of and mourn for thoſe ſins that they do not know nor told of; There is many a Direction to the Servants of God to declare againſt the Sins of his People, and they ſh…uld make their Witneſs againſt publick ſins, as publick as they can.
Thirdly, It is clear, if ye will conſider, that there is no way left to avert the Wrath of God from the whole Land, but a publick pl…ading againſt thoſe ſins: For we find that for Sauls Sin, there was Three Years Famine on the whole Land. For David's sin of Numbering the People, there fell of the People Ten Thouſand▪ And for Man … ſin the Ears of all Judah was made to …in, let So as upon the one hand, the ſins of …ulers b…ings on the Wrath of God on a Land▪ So upon the other hand the unfaithfulneſs of Miniſters in not giving faithful Warning, and telling the People their ſin and Du…y, brings Wrath upon the whole Land, Lev 10. 6. And Moſes ſaid unto Aaron, and unto Eleazar, and unto …hamar his Son, uncover not your Heads, neither rent your Cloaths leaſt you die, and leaſt Wrath come upon all the People, Iſa 44. 43. Jer. 14 13. Micha 3, …ad 5. Where it is clearly inſinuated, that the ſins and unfait…fulneſs of Miniſters brings Wrath upon a…l the People. N…w I ſay, there is no other way leſt to avert the Wrath of God from a Land but publick pleading for Truth and againſt Sin and Defection, which is clear, Iſa. 59 15 16 Verſes, Yea truth falleth, and he that departeth from Evil, maketh himſelf a prey, And the Lord ſaw it▪ and it diſpleaſſed Him, that there was no Judgment, and He ſaw that there was no Man, and wondered that there was no Interceſſor. And Jer. 5 1. Run ye to and fro… through the Streets of Jeruſalem, and ſee now and know, and ſeek in the broad places thereof, if ye can find a Man, if there be any that executeth Judgment and ſeeketh the Truth, and I will pardon it: As if the Lord would ſay. Now I am going to bring Judgment on the Land, and if ye can get any that executeth Judgment and ſeeketh the Truth, I will turn away my Wrath: And in the 9 of Jer. 3 verſe They are not Val…ant for the Truth. And Ezek. 22. 30. And I fought for a Man among them that ſhould make up the Hedge and ſtand in the Gap (before ME) for the Land, that I ſhould not deſtroy it, but I found none: Theref…re have I poured cut my Indignati…n upon them; I have conſumed them with the Fire of my Wrath. Where we may ſee, if there had been any to make up the Hedge and ſtand in the Gap (Before ME) the Land would not have been destroyed. We may ſee likewiſe from this, that Miniſters ſhou…d n…t only be free and Faithful in Witn…ſſing for Tru…h, but they muſt wreſtle with G…d as well as for God, and their Wi…n…ſs muſt be as publick as can be, f…r the expreſſions of ſeeking the truth, and m…king up the Hed…e does import i…, ſeeing theſe cannot be done bu… in a publick manner: But alas! There is n…ne found this day to ſtand in the Gap, and to plead with their Mother, tha… ſhe ſhould put away her Whoredome and Defections, yet it is the only way to turn away Wrath for all that, Ho…ea 2. 2. Ala! We have few in Scotland this day to Wreſ…le, Mourn and Plead: And yet every Rebellion that it done againſt G…d, when we do not declare againſt it, we declare our ſelves guilty of concealing Treaſon.
Secondly, Againſt whom ſhould we Witneſs? againſt all, Great or Sin …ll, they muſt not Spare t…em when they Sin? ei…her … Fear or Fav…ur. So we find Samuel here did Witneſs againſt Saul, and Nathan the Prophet did Witneſs againſt David, Hanani the Seir againſt Aſſa, and againſt J…h…ſhaphat. So we find …aiah did Witneſs ag…inſt Hezekiah Elijah againſt Jerobeam, and Elijah againſt Achab. Yea many times theſe Examples has been …d…uced to us to Witneſs againſt all Sins be … it will; Eſpecially M…niſters ſh…uld preach againſt the ſins of Tyrants Our ancient Re…mers at the beginning or the Reformation, made uſe of the freedom and faithfulneſs of the Prophets in reproving the ſins of the King of Judah and Iſrael, to prove the lawfuln…ſs of what they did, in reproving, the ſins of the Great Folk in their time. And ſome of t…en took the Freed…m to ſay there is many Folk now a days, that wi…l h…ve no other Religion than the Queens, and the Queen wi…l have no o…her Religion than the Cardinals, and the Cardinal wi…l have no other Religion than the …; and the P…pe will have no other Religion than what pleaſes the D…vi…: And ſo it may be ſaid of many in our d…y; Many will have no other Miniſter but ſuch as pleaſes the King, the King does n…thing but that pleaſes the Pope, the Pope d…es nothing but what pleaſes the Devil! And look Ye and ſee what ſort of Preaching that muſt be then Have ye not a brave Tolleration of it then? For upon theſe Terms was it given; That Miniſters ſhould preach nothing that war Se…it…us …r Treaſonable or might any way tend to al…enat the hearts of the People from the King and his Government: And what is that? But that they ſh…uld preach nothing againſt the ſins of the Time, nothing of the Tyrannie of the Time, n…thing againſt that Abſ…lute Power he hath arrogated, nothing of the Incoming of P…pery at the Gate and Gap of this Tolleration, nor of the Snares of the Times, not what was the People's Duty in ſuch a Caſe; for that would be Sedit…us by the King, the Pope, And chriſt, and the Devil! And alas! it is ſad …, that this Toleration is complyed with, and that the Freedom and Faithfulneſs that ſhou…d be uſed in theſe things, is forborn by the Miniſters that Preaches in the Meeting Houſes, for this pleaſes the King and the Pope, and the Devil well.
Thirdly, When is the time that Miniſters ſhould be thus Free, Faithful and Publick to Witneſs againſt publick ſins, Samuel took a very fit time to reprove and convince Saul, juſt after the committing of the ſin: And if ever there was a time to Witneſs againſt publick Sins, this is it: But in Anſwer to this. I ſhall ſhew you from Scripture: when is the time and Seaſon of giving a publick Witneſs and Teſtimony for Truth and againſt Sin. As firſt, when Enemies are relenting a little from th…ir Cru…lty, former Rage and Fury againſt the Lord's People, yields ſomewhat, and offers Liberty upon eaſier Terms than before; when they are very accommodating and yielding, then that is the ver… Seaſon of a Teſtimony for Truth, without yeilding in the leaſt to them Thus it was with Pharaoh, he was very ſtubborn at firſt, but after that he had keeped the Children of …rael long in …ond, he yields much, and grants to let them go upon condition that they would let him but keep ſome of the Sheep; but Moſes thought this a fit time of giving a Teſtimony; he would not yeild to Pharaoh in this, not a Hoof ſays Moſes ſhall be left behind us, and we ſhould all be Slaves this Hundred Years, N…y though we ſhould never be delivered. The Tyrant upon the Throte hath ſomewhat relented of his former Fury, he hath yeilded ſomewhat, and offers Accommodation with the Lord's People, but yet upon c…ndition… Deſtructive to the cauſe of Chriſt: Then now is a time of giving a Teſtimony, declaring, th… we will not quite one H…of of Truth, nor yeild to him in the feaſt: So when ever Enemies will be pleaſed with leſs than formerly, that is the time to teſtifie againſt Sin.
Secondly, When ever there is a Tolerati…n granted when Idolatry and I…laters is Tollerated, as in Jud…es, 20. The Children … to the Cananites, there came an Angel of the Lord, to wit a Pr…phet and teſtified againſt th…m. And Soul h…re had given a Toleration to Agag, by ſparing of his Life, Sam… teſtified againſt him, and t…ld him, that he was but a Rebel to … for the doing if it… … when … gave a Tolerati…n to … he called him his Brother and … his Life there comes a Pr…phet … the Lord and reprove… him, 1 Kings …0, and ſays, Thy Life ſhall go … his Life, and … People … As alſo when Ah…z to…k a Toleration from the A…ſyrious, and entered into … Aſſ…ci…tion and Confederacy, with Tiglath Pelezar King …f …, the Prophet … thought this the Seaſon of giving a Teſtimony Chap 8, 12: Sa… ye, … a Con…ederacy to all them to whom this People ſhall ſay a C…n…ederacy And is not n…w Idolatry and Idolaters Tollerated, is not Papiſts and Quakers Tolerated? Then this is the time of giving a Teſtimony for Truth, and againſt every thing contrar… to it.
Then Thirdly, When People are halting between two Opinions; then is the time of giving a Testimony, as Elijah the Prophet did 1 Kings 18. When the Children of Iſrael were halting between two Opinions, he ſhewed himſelf to Achab, who has ſ…ught his Life many a day before, And at this time many People are halting between tw… Opinions; for ſome will go to the Curats one day, and to the Tolerated Meetings another, and come to the Field Meetings the Third, then this is the time of giving a Teſtimony. For we muſt tell you, not to halt between two Opinions, and as Elijah ſaid to them. if the Lord be God, follow Him, but if Beal▪ then follow Him: So we ſay unto you, if ye be for God then avouch it and of you be for Antichriſt, then be for Antichrist, it is no time now to keep Peace both with CHRIST and Antichriſt, for it is a thing imp…ſſible.
Fourthly, When the wicked are very high in Power, as H…man in the Days of Mordecal, then is the time of giving a Testimony: as we ſee Mordee… did he would not Reverence him, nor reveal his Cap to him, though his Life ſhould have gone for it, and the Life of all the Jews. So now, is not now the Papiſts high in P…wer! Hoſea 8 1 Set ye the Trumpet to thy mouth, and what ſhall he ſound when he hath it there? Even this among theſe things, Verſe 4. They have ſet up Kings but not by me: They have ſet up a Popiſh Tyrant upon the Throne of Britain, for which the Wrath of God ſhall come on this Land. When Enemies are come to a great height of Heaven daring Wickedneſs, is it not then a time for Miniſters to preach freely againſt them: To ſet the Trumpet to their mouth and give a certain ſound. O it was the Duty of all the Miniſters in Scotland when ever this Popiſh Tyrant mounted the Throne, to have ſet the Trumpet to their Mouth and ſounded an Alarm; and to have given the People Warning of the great danger they were in; thereby they ſhould have told them, they have ſet up a Tyrant yonder upon the Throne of Britain and Ireland, who is ſeeking to Subvert and overturn Religion, and all the Liberties of Mankind, and he hath now arrogate to himſelf an abſolute Power, whereby he may do what he pleaſes. O therefore have a care of your ſelves, have nothing ado with him, make no Bargain or Tranſaction with them.
Fifthly, When the Servants of God are in hazard to be deſtroyed for the Teſtimony, and are to be maſſacred and murdered by Cruel bloody Enemies, then is the Seaſon of a Teſtimony, and appearing publickly, to tell the People the hazard in orde… to the preventing of the ſame, as we ſee in the caſe of Mord…cai and Eſther, when the Jews were in hazard to be maſſacred and murdered. And now are we not all as really in hazard to be maſſacred and murdered as ever the Jews were? For it is well known, that the Papists have as great hatred at a…l Pre…byterians as they had at the Jews, and is not this the time of giving a Teſtim…ny againſt them? Alas! it is ſad to ſee many at peace with Papiſts, and like to live in Neighbourh…od with them But I muſt tell you it, there is not a Man this day in Scotland at Peace with Papiſts, but he is a R…bel to Chriſt: For if he were faithful to Chriſt, then he mi…ht exp…ct to have Satan and all his Inſtruments on his top.
Sixthly, The time … Defecti…n, eſpecially the time of Defections of Miniſters is the ſeaſon of giving a publick Teſtimony ſo Truth againſt them, as we ſee in the 13 of Ezek: 2 verſe He it bidden Propheſie againſt the Prophets, and alſo he is bidden tell them they are but Daubers and that the Wall ſhould …all which they had daubed with untempered Mortar▪ and we have alſo this to m…k… the S…ſ…n…f… a publick Teſtimony for truth, and we ſh…uld look up…n the havin…, of it as matter of Sorrow and Lamentation. But alas? hath not many M…ſters this day g…ne on in ſad ſt…ps of De…ection, are they not daubing with Ʋntempered Mortar? This ſh…uld be told them that they are unfaithful to Chriſt in doing ſuch things, and that by their ſo doing, that they bring not only the Wrath of GOD upon themſelves but upon the wh…le Land.
Seventhly, When the Teſtimony is diſcharged, and Duty interdicted by Law, then is the very Seaſon for a Teſtimony for it: As in Daniel's time, when Prayers were interdicted by Law, he would pr… then as well as ever; though he was a very wiſe man, and no Phariſee, yet he not only diſobeyed the wicked Law, but he wou…d let his Enemies know it, that he did not …bey it by opening his windows. And have we not this alſo to make this the very ſeaſon of a Teſtimony for tru…h and againſt enemies, when the Covenants are not only broken and burnt, but declared Criminal to be owned, and this makes it the very time of declaring publickly the Obliga…ion thereof up…n us, and our Adherence thereunto. Likewiſe is not Field-Meetings (which the LORD many times ſignally countenanced) ſtrictly interdicted by a wicked Law and diſcha…ged under pain of Death; and this makes it to be an inavoidable Teſtimony to keep them up, … bloud ſh…uld be mingled with our Sacr…fice. Now by theſe things may we not ſee when …he Se…ſon is for giving a publick Teſtimony for Truth, and againſt the Enemies there…f. And … have all theſe concur…ing in our C…ſe, which makes the giving of a publick Teſtimonie for Truth, and againſt in Enemies an indiſpenſible Duty: For in our Caſe the Object is …eat. Now …hen the Prerogatives of CHRIST, Who is the Prince of the Kings of the Earth is uſu…ped by this Abſolute Power which the Tyrant upon the Throne (this V…ſſe… … Antichriſt) hath blaſphemouſly arrogated to himſelf. When this Popiſh Tyrant claim this abſolute Power to himſelf, and when the Privileges of the Church and Liberties of Mankind is encroached upon by this Monſter, and when the Wrath of God is burning againſt the Generation▪ … then to keep ſilence: O who ca… hold his Peace, The Lyon hath Roared who can but …. There is none can hold their Tongue that hath any Zeal for the G…d of Iſrael, No, he, they cannot.
Secondly, The ſecond thing to be conſidered, is, Saul's acc…ſting of Samuel when they were met; Saul took the firſt word, for he had an ill Conſcience in this. There is theſe two things, Firſt, … flattering Complement., juſt like the Flatterers in our day. Secondly, A flauoring Profeſſion. Firſt then, There is here a flattering Complement; and Saul ſaid unto him, Bleſſed be thou of the Lord; O Terrible! this was a taking of the Lords Name … vain
Hence we obſerve, That H…pocritical Enemies of God are ſometimes very free of their Complements, and oftimes are very ready to ble…s as Saul was here; but their Bleſſing had better been wanting, for they are no…hing worth. We find this Expreſſion very frequent, bleſſed be thou of the Lord: As Firſt, When any body gives them any thing, then they will get their Bleſſing for it; as we ſee Micah…s Mother did, when he told her, that he had the eleven hundred Shekels of Silver, about which ſhe had curſed; and ſhe ſaid, Bl…ſsed be thou of the Lord my Son, Judges 17, 2. So if any Body will give the Enemies any thing they may expect their Bleſſing; but they will not be much the Richer of it when they have gotten it. Secondly, When any Body makes any Addreſs to them, or help them to do an …ll Turn, then they will get their Bleſſing for i…: As when the Ziph…tes, theſe Intelligencers came and told Saul where David was and Saul ſaid Bl…ſſed be ye of the Lord… as if he had ſaid, Bleſſed be ye of the Lord, for ye are …oyal Subjects, ſeing ye c…me to tell me where my Enemie David h…un…s, ble…ed be ye. Thirdlie, When ſuch an Occaſi…n is put it into the Hands of the Lords People, as that they ma… cut them off, and they ſpare them; as when David ſpared Sauls Life, 1 Samuel 24 16. Bleſſed be thou my Son David, thou ſhalt prevail, ſays Hypocritical Saul, And Fourthlie, When they have done an ill Turn, to ſtop the mouths of Reprovers, they will ſay, they have not ſinned as the Papiſts have d…ne this d…y. Fifthlie, When they have a mind to do an ill Turn to anie, then they will ſpeak fair, and fall to their Complements as we ſee Joab did when he killed Am…ſa 2 Samuel 20. 9 It is ſaid Proverbs 26, 25. When they ſpeak fair, believe them not, for there are ſeven Abominations in their heart..
Well, one word by way of Application: There are many in Scotland, hath win the Bleſſing of Enemies; well, hold them with it, but it is not much worth when they have gotten it will do them little good. Many of you by Com…lying in hearing of Curats, taking of Oaths and Bonds, and paying the Ceſs, have win Antichriſ…s Bleſſing, and the Devil's Bleſſing; but when ye have gotten it, you will win nothing by it, not be the Richer b… it, And many of you by imbracing this Tolleration, have given your Helping hand, when they are going to ſet up Dagon, and when you ly by from giving a Teſtimony againſt it, and when there is ſuch ſmooth preaching that will trouble Antichriſt much, O but he will be well pleaſed with it. Oh! conſider it, Ye who have had any hand in this? for Ye have given your Helping hand to ſet up Poper…e, and ſo you have got their Bleſſing.
The ſecond thing to be conſidered an Saul's accoſting of Samuel, …, Saul's Flau…ing profeſſion, I have performed the Commandment of the LORD, I ſhall note this from it, That Hipocrites are very ready to make a ſhew of their Profeſſion, and to …unt of their performances, which is alwiſe the Mark of a Hipocrite. For if Ye would ſpeak to ſome Folk, they will tell You that they have done as much and ſuffered as much for the Cauſe as any, and they will make a ſhew of their Profeſſion, and boaſt of their Performances oft times for theſe ends. … To be in Favour with People, that they may eſteem much of them … …erformances:) ſeeking to be advanced; they …ill tell you, they have done … Duty and the … Duty; and O out they have done much for the LORD. O this is … in His Sight … of what he had done, when he ſaid, Come with me, and ſee … the LORD, 2 King… … So many Hypocrites in Scotland have made a great …in of their profeſſion, and … of what they had done, that they might be much eſte…med, and in Favour with people: Many … their Talking of owning the Covenant, a … to moun… themſelves into the … of Pre…ment, who have helped to But… i… ſince; it which the LORD's Sp… has been grieved. Secondly, … did boaſt of their pretended performances, and do make them a ſc…gg to … their Knavery …; whereas their pre…enc… is, to …ke themſelves Rich: I have done bravely, ſays he, This … been much in Scotland: Many have had a great ſhew of P…ſſion, and …gged much of that they had done. So, many Fo…ks will …ke up a Profeſſion of Re…igion, to … t…eir Knavery … bu… GOD will diſcover ſuch to … ſhame. There will ſome Folks appear for the Lord with … Sworns; w…ereas their En… is to make themſelves Rich: For there … many who came out … Bridge, th…t came out for no other End, … to get a Booty and a Spoil, to make themſelves Rich▪ Thirdly, H…pocrites … much o… their Performances, that they may perſwade others to ſin; and all that I can ſay for this End, is, as … to allu…e People to that which is ſinful. Tu… W…riſh Woman ſpoken of by … ▪ Prov 4 When ſhe is allu…ing the Young Men to commit Fornication with her, ſhe make… uſe of this is …n Argument to perſwade him, 14 Ver. I have Peace-Off…rings with me this day; I have performed my Vows. So when they would have others to concur in a Conſpiracy with them, they are brave Men then, and they will talk much o… their performances. They boaſt of their Performances, that they may make the ſome a Prop to le…n upon: They have nothing to bragg of but their own works, and they build upo… that, and go about to eſtabliſh their own Righ…eouſneſs; and ſome Folks lean upon their own principles, great profeſſion, and much ſuff…ring. O …our … Foundation! poor Saul thought that what he had done would me…it Favour from GOD: ſo Hypo…i…es lean on many things (that are not CHRIST) as props. Laſtly, Hypocrites may make their great p…ofeſſion and performances, a ple… to extenuate and defend, and juſtifie their …; as Saul did here to juſt…fie and ex…enuate his ſin of diſobeying the Commandment o… the LORD, I have performed the Commendment of the Lord. So alas! fo… a … De…ections …hat have been in Scotland, for which the Heavens may ſtand aſtoniſhed, and all N…io…s that have …: Yet this is the common plea, and pretext of many Complyers to ex…enuat their De…ction: Yet they will ſay, O they have performed the Commandment of the LORD, they have done much, and ſuffe…ed much. Ay, if ye will ſpeak to ſome of the greateſt Complyers in …ll the Land, that …ave gone on in all the Compliances in all the Land, bearing of Curates, taking of Oaths, …, and the reſt; and all this to covet their Defection, as Saul did here. O this is abominable in the LORD's ſight.
Now the Third thing …o be ſpoken to, is, The Prophet's challenging Saul, and telling …, that he was a Lying H…pocrite; as if the Prophet had ſaid, ye talk much of performing of the Comm…ndment of the LORD, but there are many Witneſſes to the contrary: Ye ſay yet have performed and obeyed the LORD's Comm…n…, have ye done ſo? What means then the ble…ting of the Sheep, and the …owing of the Oxen which I hear? Every Rout and every Ble… decla…es the …, Whence we obſerve, that Defection ſhall be diſcovered by their Effects, as Math 9. 14, The Tree is known by us …: Though we may ſay, we have performed the Com…ndmen…s of the Lord, there are many things that evidence the …: For if we will … the ſins of out time, we may ſee many evide…ces of our Defections, our Ble…ing of the Sheep, and Lowing of the Oxen … Witneſs … Alas! Our De…ections are great and many, and very …ai…our and yet it is ſ…d to he…r ſuch a juſti…yin… of our ſelves, as there is, I ſhall only tell you ſome o… them that we may think upon and … for the ſame.
As for Example, we have ſwor… away our ſelves and all that we have to the Lord in a Solem… League and Covenant; and we are co…manded … which we have received. Let … run through ſhortly all the Ar…icles thereof, … ſhall ſee we have broken them all.
Firſt, According to the firſt Article of the …, we are ſworn through Grace to endeavour in our Places and Stations, the …wor… of our Reforme… Religion in the Church of Scotland in Doctrine, Worſhip. Diſcipline and Government. Well, have no done this? Ay, ay, Miniſter and People will born ſay they have done it: But now I ſay, if we have done it What … Blea…ing of the Sheep and Lowing of the Oxen: If we have keepes this A…icle of our Covenant then how comes it, that the Overtu…ne… … to ſit upon the Throne, and ſubmitted unto And in Abſolute Power claimed by the Granter of this Toler…tion, and the Accepters do re…cognoſ…e that Abſolute power to be in him, for that Toleration flows from it: The Deſign whereof, is, to overturn Religion, and introduce Idolatry; yet how is the ſame not only embraced and accepted by the moſt part, but thanked for by all the Presbyterian Miniſterses, their Addreſs bears. O can this conſiſt with Presbyterian Principles, and yet the obligation of the Covenant dare not be preached in no Tollerated Meeting this day in Scotland▪ And yet it was the Doctrine of the Reformers of the Church of Scotland, that Folk ſhould Witneſs for theſe things. But now nothing may be preached that may tend to alienate the hearts of the people from Papiſts; and is not the Doctrine encroached upon by this Tolleration? when it is preſcribed to Miniſters how they ſhould preach: And is not the Diſcipline enc…o…ched upon? For none are Tollerated, but thoſe whom the Enemies pleaſe, and theſe have no power to exerciſe, Diſcipline: And the Goverument is alſo Enc…oached upon. So that it is the moſt ſhameful thing, and moſt deſtructive thing that ever was in the C…urch before. For there was never ſuch a Bondage is this: What means the ble…ing of the ſheep, and l…wing of the …xen? O! may we not ſee how we have broken this Article.
Secondly, We are commanded to keep the Lords Land cle…n, we are bou…d in the ſecond Article to extirpate Popery and Prelacy, &c: Now have we done this? …, Miniſters and Profeſſors will ſay that they have done it, but … we have done it, then what means the bleeting of the deep and lowing of the …xen? if we have extirpated Prelacy; then what meaneth the Ringing of the Bells to the Curates preaching, which ſome of you might have heard the day by the way? For if we had been Faithful in keeping this Article, there would none of them been in the Kirks this day. If we have endeavoured to extirpate Pop…ry: Then what means the Mumbling o… the Maſs in many places of the Land? Do ye not hear tell of Maſſes? Do ye not he…r of a Popiſh Tyrant on the Throne, a V…ſſel of Antichriſt? And yet Acknowledged …s the Vicegere…t of JEHOVAH? Have you been ex…irpating thoſe, when you have been Hyring them by paying them theſe things that they Requ…e of you: And what means the imbracing of and Accepting A Tolleration? The Deſign of the grauting of which, is, to introduce Popery: For was ever Popery introduced …here once it was Rooted out without A Tolleration? And is this the way to extirpate Popery? O! no, no, Are there not many of you br…ve Coven…nters indeed, when ye countenance A Tolleration which opens … Gap to let in Popery? But ſome of you will ſay, may not Papiſts do good? For Cyrus was a Heathen, and he gave Libertie to the Jews to go Home to their own Land and build the Temple of Jeruſalem; there we ſee he did good? O ye who ple…d thus, have a care what you ſay, and do not Father your Ill gotten Get…s on the Holy ſcripture? Do not wreſt the ſcriptures of Truth? for ye have no ground to plead the Lawfulneſs of your practice from this Example of Cyrus. This Antichriſtian Tolleration now ſo Univerſally Accepted, improved and App…uded of, is no way… like that Liberty granted by Cyrus to the Lords people; it is neither like it in the Gra…ter, nor in the Terms whereupon it is gran…ted, nor in the Deſign wherefore it was granted, nor in any other thing are they like other: For Cyrus was propheſied of, long before he was born, by … Prophet Iſaiah that he ſhould build the LORD's Houſe, and let go his Captives: He was ex…traordinarlie … up by the Lord, and called of GOD to give Liberty to His people, and to Eſtabliſh their Religion by a Decree: Now this cannot be ſaid of him who grants this Tolleration. Again Cyrus in his Proclamation gives Libertie to the Lords people, the Jews only, and not to any of the Nations as Ammanites, Philiſtians or the Reſt; and the thing he granted, is, the Free Exerciſe of their Religion in their own Land, Ezra 1, …. And he gives a Noble Teſtimonie to the Glorie of GOD: But he does not give any Libertie to the Idolatrous … to Exerciſe their Idolatries. Now this cannot be ſaid of the Tyrant and his Proclamation for this Tolleration: For is gives Libertie to Idolaters and Hereticks, Papiſts and Quakers; And he grants Religion among …ther things to be Tollerated. But Cyrus does not Tollerate the Religion of the Je…s as a thing to … ſuffered: but by a real Decree, and he gives Teſtimonie to Truth and people of GOD: …ut this Tyrant gives no Teſtimonie to the Gorie of GOD, he does not Encourage and Eſtabliſh …eligion as Dutie; but Toller…s it under the Notion of a Crime, And gives Libertie to it under …e Notion of a Fru…t to be pardoned. Now Religion cannot be Tollerated; but ſhould be …wned, encouraged, and eſtabliſhed as ſuc…: Likewiſe he gives Libertie to Idol…ters to Exerciſe …eir Idolatries; and to Hereticks to ſpread Abroad and vent their Heretics; he gives Papiſts libertie to ſay their Maſs; and Quakers to vent their …ſphemies: So that now, as it were, the … of the Lord is ſet up beſide Dagon. Moreover Cy…us granted the Jews the … Exerciſe of their …eligion, without any Bonds, Reſtriction or Limitatio…s: But this cannot be ſaid of this Toller… …on; For it is clogged with Reſtrictions and Limitations: By it Miniſters are Reſtricted in … Doctrine; For they muſt pre…ch nothing that any way may tend to Allenate the Hearts of the ſubjects from the Granter of it or his Government; and the place of their preaching is alſo Reſtricted, it muſt be in Houſes, and not in the Fields. Likeways the Deſign of Cyrus granting Libertie to the Jews was good; For he gave them Libertie to go up to Jeruſalem to Build the Houſe of the LORD: But this is not the Deſign of this Granter, it is to Introduce Popery; And he intends not to Build the Houſe of the LORD; but to Build Babylon: And he will make uſe of this Tolleration as a ſcaffolding to keep up that Tower of Babylon; And when ever he hath the building finiſhed, then he will pull down the ſcaffold again. Then again, ſome plead for the Lawfulneſs of Accepting and making uſe of this Libertie from the Philiſtians ſending Home the Ark. A…, ay, ſay they, ſeing the Philistians ſends us Home the Ark, why may we not Receive it? may not the Philiſtians Kin… … home the Ark of the LORD? But they have no ground for this neither: For the Ark and Dagon cannot ſtand together under one ſconce: For no ſooner was the Ark ſet up but Dagon went down, But now if ye will look upon the Libertie granted by this Tolleration, is the bringing back of the Ark, then the Ark and Dagon are ſtanding very peaceably and pleaſan…y together under one ſconce; this c…nnot be, for they cannot ſtand together, and now many, both Miniſters and Profeſſors are living peaceably. And in good Neighbourhood with Papiſts and Quakers. O abominable! what is this? O this is ſad, that ever this ſhould have been heard of in Scotland. Moreover when the Lords of the Philiſtians ſent back the Ark, the Kine that carried it, went ſtraight to Bethſ…meſh in the Land of Iſrael; but now they are going away to Babylon: And if this Liberty granted by this Tolleration be the Ark, then they are carrying it the high-gate to Rome.
Then Thirdly, In the third Article of our Solemn League and Covenant, we are bound to ſtand faſt in the Defence, and to maintain the Liberties of the Church, and Privileges of the Kingdom, as We are Men and Chriſtians. We have obſerved this, that ſome will plead on this Article of the Covenant for owning a Popiſh King: But O…! is there not an expreſs Condition and Qualification there, that we ſhall own no Magiſtrats over us, but in ſubordination to the Law of GOD, and thoſe who will give us ſecurity for our Religion and Liberty: And have we not the Laws of GOD againſt Tyranny, and alſo the Laws of the Land, which we are bound to maintain every Soul of us; and now we do ſubſcribe our ſelves Breakers of it, when we own a Papiſt. Now have we performed this? Ay, ay, it may be ſome Miniſters and Pro…eſſors will ſay they have; but if we have done it, then what meaneth the ble…ting of the ſheep, and l…wing of t…e oxen? What meaneth the lowing of the Bulls of Baſ…an? What meant the Wicked walking on every ſide? And what means the Bloo…ſhed? All theſe things do Witneſs againſt us, if We have keeped this Article in refuſing to ſet up Magiſtrats over us without ſecurity given for our Religion and Liberty: Neither was it Requi…ed of him, now when he is ſet up, and hath Arrogate to himſelf an abſolute power; by vertue whereof he hath ſtoped and diſabled all our Penal ſtatutes made againſt Idolaters: and is intending to … us of all Privileges and Liberties, as we are Men and Chriſtians. And if we have maintained and Defended out Privileges as we are Men and Chriſtians, then what meaneth the great Oppreſſion both of Bodies and Conſciences in the Land? What me…neth the Gro…ing of many poor people under heavy Burdens and great Bondage. Nay, we are obliged to cut off Idolat…rs: The Idolater ſhould be put to Death, according to the Law of GOD; and thoſe Penal ſtatutes in the Old Teſtament are not abrogated yet, for they are Moral.
Fourthly, In the Fourth Article of the ſolemn League and Covenant, we are bound to bring the Malignant Enemies of GOD to Condign puniſhment. By the Law of GOD Idolaters ſhould die the Death; and M…rderers ſhould Die the Death; that the Land ſhould not be defiled with Blood … Well have we done this? ay, ay, Miniſters and Profeſſors will ſay they have done it: But if we have performed this, then what meaneth the bleeting of the ſheep, … lowing of the Oxen? If we have Endeavoured to bring the Enemies of GOD to condign Puniſhment: Then what means the ſetting them up in places of Power and Truſt, and inſtead of bringing Idolaters and Murderers to puniſhment; We have ſet them up Con…ederate with them, and taken Protection from them, and inſtead of bringing them to puniſhment, we have maintained them: For whats your C…ſs but a Graſſing of Antichriſts Bulls to puſh and deſtroy the LORDS people. The Devil has ſo many Oxen to Feed, and … Requires you to Feed them, that they may … down the Work of GOD: and where is there any that ſtands up and juſtifies themſelves? O is that a keeping of the Covenant, to maintain its Deſtroyers? And is that a bringing of theſe Enemies, Idolaters and Murderers to puniſhment, to Feed them, and Confederate with them? O ye have made thereby an unhappy Conjunction.
Fifthly, By the fifth Article of our Solemn League and Covenant, we are obliged to ſeek and promote Peace and Union. Now can we ſay we have done this? Ay, ay, Miniſters and Profeſſo… will ſay they …ave done it; then what meaneth our Joining in this unhappy and unhallowed Union for our bitter Debates and Contentions have been the Fruit of our Defections: For our Defection hath brought on Diviſion, and Diviſion hath brought on Confuſion; our yet we muſt not Unite in this Tolleration; We muſt not Unite in a courſe of Def…ction from the LORD, for that would bring on Wrath and Indignation, and the Judgement of the Lord upon us. But …; we have United with Antichriſts▪ The Reek of our Chimneys, and the Bleeting of your ſheep, ones Witneſs againſt you. I do not envy your Peice in the Way of Righteouſneſs: But this I may ſay, if ye be Confeſſors of His Name, and appear for Him as ye ought to do, ye will no… get ſitting long▪ and I fe…r there is not a Man that can … himſelf of the bre…ch of this Article.
Sixthly, By the ſixth Article of the Covenant, we are bound to Defend our Brethren in their purſuing the Ends of the Covenant; and we are oblige… to take what is … to one …s done to all: Well, have we not done this? Have we defended but Brethren? Ay, ay, may be ſome Miniſters and Profeſſors will ſay they have done it, if we have done it, What meaneth the Bl…ing of the ſheep, and Lowing of the Oxen? What means your w…th…rawing your Help from your brethren when in Hazard? What means your not Relieving your brethren (when in your power to do it) when drawn to Death by Enemies? Oh! many of you inſtead of …elping your brethren, you have helped the Enemies, Alas! We are Guilty of the Breach of Covenant; We have not endeavoured to perform theſe things which we are bound to perform: For there is not one Article of the Solemn League and Covenant, but we have …oken: And we have not endeavoured as we ſhould …ave done in our ſeveral places and Callings to preſerve the Reformed Religion in the Church of Scotland, in Doctrine, Worſhip, Diſcipline and Government. We have not endeavoured as we ſhould have done to ex…pate Popery and Prelacy, And the Accepting this Tolleration is a Breach of every Article of the Covenant. For how can the… extirpate Popery and Prelacy, ſeing they make uſe of this Tolleration that Tollerates then: And ye who go to theſe Tolleration Meetings ye are guilty of br…ach of Covenant, for ye ſtrengthen the Hand… of Papiſts …; ye cannot endeavour the Ex…irp…tion of Popery when ye are at peace with Papiſts. And then we are to Repeat and turn to the LORD, and Acknowledge our Sins, and engage to our Duty. Well, have we performed this, what means then our juſtifieing of our ſe…ves in main…aining of this preſen… courſe For that is inconſiſtent with true Repentance and mourning for ſin, which is clear from …7 Cor. 7. 10, 11. If we had mourned for the ſin of forme… Indulgences, we could not … on this Tolleration but with Deteſtation; for it has lo…ded us with many Reproaches … may pretend to what they will, it is impoſſible that they ſhall be …ound among the … of Zion, while they continue in that Courſe, which is clear from that forecited place of …: For you give all that that is Required of you? and by ſo doing you make your … guilty of the bre…th of Covenant. O conſider the ſin thereof, and the Judgement that GOD will aſſ…redly purſue for ſuch a… Indignity done unto Hi…. Remember Si…s, and take Warning: And I Charge you to take Warning: For if ever there was a Defection in Scotland, this is one: For this hundred and Twenty Years, there hath not a Teſtimony been wanting to the Truth; And this Tolleration Condemns them all. O will not the ſ…a of Hearing the Curats make us guilty of the ſin of Prelacy?
And will not the hearing of theſe Tollerated Meetings, make us guilty of the ſin of this Tolleration? I am no… impoſing upon you my own N…tions; I invite you to nothing; but the Scripture …: For if you will ſearch them, and the Antient Records of our C…urch, the Acts and Conſtitutions of her General Aſſemblies, and the Writings of True and Faithfull Champions, you would … theſe things not to be my Whimſi…s, but to be the Truth which I tell you; I invite you the… to ſe…rch them, and I …
The Fourth Thing in the Words … be ſpoken unto is, Sou…s Excuſe and Extenuation of his Sin … and there is a Fourfold Excuſe in i…, I ſhall Obſerve this from it in general; whatever Men as Hypocrites pretend to in Excuſing their Sin, it will not do the Turn, but it makes it th… mo… …, N…w, the firſt Excuſe … Saul makes, is …his, the… have brought them from the Amal…kites, and this doth diſcover his ignor…nce: For i… was … to ſpare them; they ſhould all have been … ▪ For the Amalekites were Devoted Enemies among o…her N…ions. They might have … theſe things, … they had an expreſs Charge, Deut. 25. 17, 18, 19 Verſes, To blot out the Remembrance of Amal…k from under Heaven: Fo… they were accurſed Enemies of GOD, and they were Idolaters, and they ought not to have been ſp…red by tampering with them: No, no, they were all to be cut off, M…n, Woman, and Child, and all that belon…ed to them; nothing was to be ſp…red. The Children of Iſrael was to keep up and to have mantained a War againſt them without any Ceſſ…on, Peace, or T…ſaction with them. And if it was S…ule ſin to ſp…re Agag, and the beſt of the Sheep, and of Oxen? and if it was Iſraels Intereſt to have ma…ntained a Wit aga…nſt Amalek. It is as … our duty and the duty of all the People of CHRIST to keep up and maintain War without any Ceſſ…tion, Peace, or Tranſaction againſt Antichriſt, …nd ag…inſt Papiſts, now under the New Teſtament; as it was theirs under the Old, For they are great Enemies to Truth, and as great Idolaters as they were, it was Iſraels ſin to ſpare Agag: But we have not only ſpared the Papiſ… but we have ſet up a Papist over us! And if it was Sauls ſin, and th… peoples ſin to ſp…re Agag. So it it would have been greater ſin and a ſhame to have ſet up Agag on the Throne of Iſrael, So it was cut ſin to ſpare Papiſts; but more to ſet np a Papiſt over us; ſo … is our ſin ſurpaſſing theirs. Well, remember Sir…, you have many Oxen, and many Sheep bleeting; but will you Examine how you got them? there are many of you that h…s p…ace uo…, you have Houſes and L…nds; well, got you them and your Conſciences keeped both? was you Wiſer than other Folk; or was you Honeſter nor others? or was you more Falſe an others have been? ſome will ſay, I got mine keeped by hearing the Curats; others will ſay, I got mine keeped by countenancing this Tolleration: Well, you got it from the Amalekites the Enemies of GOD and you may have little Peace by reflecting on the Way that you have them, and them you have it from, O conſider … ſinfuln…ſs of making Pe…ce with Papiſts, theſe Enemies of God, againſt whom we are to maintain a War wi…hout any Ceſſ…tion: For CHRIST has proclaimed a War ag…inſt all ſuch. Look and ye will ſee the Declaration of War in the 14 of the Revelation 9 verſe. And any of you that have got any thing that you have this way; O ſtrive to get a better …ck of them.
The ſecond Excuſe which Saul makes, is this. That it was the People did it, and not he: (juſt like many in out day▪ but he lied like a Traitor; for it was by his Command. Whence we Obſerve, that Hypocrites will ay lay the Blame on others: For if he asked at the People, they would▪ hauehave laid the Blame on Saul. So in our day, ſpe…r at the Miniſters who is to Blame for all …his Defection, and they will ſay the Blame lyes upon the people; and if we ſpear at the people, they will the ſay Flame upon the Miniſters, and ſay, they left them, and would not preach to them in the … of Temptations and Trials; and Miniſters will ſay, that they would h…ve preached, if the people would have heard them: But where theſe Excu…es are, there is little Senſe of ſin, and Humiliation for ſi… and little fear of the Judgements of GOD that will purſue ſuch ſits, where every one is laying the Charge off themſelves: For Miniſters ſay, they would have keeped their Kirks and preache…, but the people would not bide with us, and what could we do? For we wanted our Judg…g … and what could we do? It is not the Miniſters; it is the people. Come to the people and they will ſay, the Miniſters went to the Kirks and heard the Curats, and we went too; and the … counſelled us to take the Bond, and what could we do? But God will lay the blame upon the whole Ware, both Miniſters and people.
A Third excuſe that Saul makes, is, that he ſpared the Sheep and Oxen for a Sacrifice to the Lord thy God. Whence we Obſerve, that it is the Mark and Pſea of Hypocrites to juſtifie all their Detections from the good end that they have in going about them. We are ready to juſtifie our Actions, tho they be bad, becauſe of the good end we think we have in going about them; A good end will not juſtifie a bad Action. If we ſhould ſpear at ſome Miniſters, wherefore bowed ye to the Supremacy, wherefore accepted ye the Indulgence? It was …o get liberty to Pre…ch the Goſpel ſay they. Wherefore did ye accept this Toleration? They will Anſwer, it was to Preach the Goſpel that we did it, and it was the Salvation o… Souls that we intended th…reby; and is not that a very good end? Poor Man has thy Preaching no other end but the Salvation of Souls? Ay, ay, ye think ye have a brave Ple… of it, but remember, though it be the indiſpenſible Duty of Miniſters to Preach the Goſpel,; yet to accept of a Liberty to preach the Goſpel no way which encroaches upon and wrongs the Prerogatives of the great King and head of the Church, is a ſin, though their end be good in accepting the ſame: Where is thy Obedience Man▪ For Obedience is better than Sacrifice. Conſtancy and Faithfulneſs in the Matters of God, is called for at Miniſters hands. The converſion and edification of Souls is indeed the great end of p…eac… ing the Goſpel, but that is not all, it is but the one half of the end of it. There is alſo the Glory of Chriſt, He muſt and will be Glo…ified, whether Souls get good by i… or no: For the Preaching of the Goſpel is not only the Teſtimony of Chriſt, but the Teſtimony for Chriſt. Miniſters muſt obey all Chriſts Commands, For what cares the Lord for thy Sacrifice or thee either, that thou has gott… from the A…lekites ▪ For the pre…ching of the Goſpel by accepting and improving of the Liberty granted by this Toleration, is not a Teſtimony for Chriſt, ſeing it ſo wro…gs and … upon the Prerogatives of Chriſt. And it is no leſs than preſumption for any to expect the Lord's preſence at any of the Tolerated Meetings: For they have not a promiſe for i… … … And now …ough we ſuffer under their H…nds for this, we have nothing to ſay, ou… …dore the Righteouſneſs of the LORD therein.
Thirdly, Another Aggravation of Saul's Sin, was a diſobeying a per…mptor Commiſſion which he got to go and deſt…oy the Amalekites, beſide what the Children of … go… in commandment from the Lord, to blot out the remembrance of them from under He…n. Deut. 25, 17. …aul got a particular Commi…on to go and deſtroy them all, and to have nothing …o do with the…. The Lord hath told us, and we are comm…nded peremp…orly not to meddle with his Enemies, and to have a …, not to … It is utterly unlawful in matters of Religion to tamper with the E…emies of God, and yet for all this, we cannot forbear to take and give with them, out Fathers … with them when they fell upon theſe Reſolu…ons, and all alongſt … our …ampering with them, … deſtroyed us, and we con…inue this day to run ou… Heads againſt the Boſſes of …'s Back…ers; and on theſe Rocks on which the People of God have periſhed formerly.
Then in the l…t p…ce, the Prophe… convinc…ng him of his ſin: Wherefore … thou not Obey, the Voice of the LOR…? And here the Pro…het … i… Rebellion. Hence we Note, that all Rebellions in the World, Rebellion againſt GOD is the greateſt; and of all Rebellions in the World, the Rebellion of a King againſt GOD is the greateſt: For it is called here as the ſin of Witchcraft The Brutiſhneſs of the Enemies appeared much in uſing this Argument: that Rebellion was is the ſin of …) againſt ſome of the Priſoners taken at Pentland; but ſome of them …nſwered very pertinently, (which was to this purpoſe) that the Rebellio… there ſpoken of, was not the Rebellion of a People againſt a King; But the Rebellion of a King againſt GOD; and this was Sauls ſin. It i… true, to Rebell againſt Lawfull M…iſtrates that are Ordained of GOD, … ſin: but it is no Rebellion to …; But now what is this Rebellion? There … ſeveral things in Scripture called Rebellion againſt GOD.
I ſhall ment…on theſe five or ſix of them, Firſt, Murmuring againſt the LORD, is called … Numb. 14, 9. O there hath been much ſed Murmuring in ou… days, many of us hath murmured in the Wilderneſs. We have … againſt him: And it is to be feared that many of u… ſhall die in Ordinances appointed by Him … His word, Joſh. 22, 19. But … not againſt the Lord, nor againſt us, in building you an Altar … the Altar of the Lord our God. Alas! … h…th been much of this Rebellion in Scotland▪ ſetting up Worſhip not according to his …. Inve…ting, preverting, and corrup…ng the Worſhip of GOD▪ Hence conformity with Prelacy, … Rebellion againſt God: For he never appoint … Lord his … Word: It is none of his Ordinances, Hence this Antichriſtian Toleration is … againſt GOD: There is no Warrant for it in his Word: The … of this Toleration (whereby the power which the … claims in …, is Recog…oſ…: the Evils in it in …ffect juſtified, and not witneſſed ag…inſt; and the wicked Deſign of its g…nting ſtrengthened) is Rebellion againſt GOD; and this Toleration is a … againſt GOD: The Cl…iming an Abſolute power which is the prerogative of God O ſuch a dreadful day … coming upon him, and all that take part with him! Thirdly, … i… called Rebelli…n againſt GOD, Iſa. 1, 2, O there hath been much … and Ways in Scotland: There is a great Backſliding from Pr…ctice, Princ…ples … it was always the P…ciple of the Church o… Scotland to oppoſe Tyranny and … the Doctrine of the Church of Scotland to be againſt a Toleration: It was their con…ant Principles neither …o give Toleration to Papiſts, no… take … from Papiſts. But O there is a great Backſliding from former F…ithfulneſs, and from former Love and Ze…l. Fourthly: Obſtinary, and …e…uſing to hearken to the Co…andments of the Lord, and to turn again unto Him, is … Rebellion, Ezek. 20, …. Dan. 9. 5. O there hath been much Rebellion in Scotlands Fifthly, Confederacy and Aſ…ociation with the Enemies of GOD, it called Religion ag…inſt Him, Hoſea 7. 14. And they Rebelled againſt ME. And one of the ways whereby they Rebelled againſt … calling to Eg…. and going to Aſſyria, … 11. they were going back to Egypt to ge… help from them; that was in Con…ede… and making … with them. O there is much of this Rebellion in Scotland, many …re ſaying a Confeder…cy with enemies, and are at Peace with them, and this Rebellion is the ſin and ſhame, and the Judgment of Backſliding Scotland, And w… to …ll them that have any …cceſſion to this dreadful Confederacy, I ſhall ſay no more at this time. The LORD Himſelf give you to conſider what is ſaid, Amen.
End of the text · Alexander Shields, Lecture Preached at Distinckorn-Hill (1688)