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mine;" especially when, as Samuel had prophesied to him, he found himself to prophesy; his prophesying did enough foretell his kingdom.

No sooner did Samuel turn his back from Saul, but God gave him another heart; lifting up his thoughts and disposition to the pitch of a king: the calling of God never leaves a man unchanged; neither did God ever employ any man in his service, whom he did not enable to the work he set him, especially those whom he raiseth up to the supply of his own place, and the representation of himself. It is no marvel, if princes excel the vulgar in gifts, no less than in dignity: their crowns and their hearts are both in one and the same hand; if God did not add to their powers as well as their honours, there would be no equality. 1 Samuelir.

THE INAUGURATION OF SAUL.

GOD hath secretly destined Saul to the kingdom: it could not content Israel that Samuel knew this; the lots must so decide the choice, as if it had not been predetermined. That God, which is ever constant to his own decrees, makes the lots to find him out whom Samuel had anointed. If once we have notice of the will of God, we may be confident of the issue: there is no chance to the Almighty; even casual things are no less necessary in their first cause, than the natural.

So far did Saul trust the prediction and oil of Samuel, that he hides him among the stuff: he knew where the lots would light, before they were cast: this was but a modest declination of that honour, which he saw must come. His very withdrawing shewed some expectation; why else should he have hid himself, rather than the other Israelites? Yet could he not hope his subducing himself could disappoint the purpose of God: he well knew, that he, which found out and designed his name amongst the thousands of Israel, would easily find out his person in a tent. When once we know God's decree, in vain shall we strive against it: before we know it, it is indifferent for us to work to the likeliest.

I cannot blame Saul for hiding himself from a kingdom; especially of Israel. Honour is heavy when it comes upon the best terms: how should it be otherwise, when all men's cares are cast upon one? but most of all in a troubled estate? No man can put to sea without danger; but he, that launcheth forth in a tempest, can expect nothing but the hardest event. Such was the condition of Israel. Their old enemy the Philistines were stilled with that fearful thunder of God, as finding what it was to war against the Almighty. There were adversaries enough besides in their borders: it was but a hollow truce, that was betwixt Israel and their heathenish neighbours; and Nahash was now at their gates.

Well did Saul know the difference, between a peaceful govern ment, and the perilous and wearisome tumults of war. The quietest

throne is full of cares, but the perplexed, of dangers. Cares and dangers drove Saul into this corner, to hide his head from a crown these made him chuse rather to lie obscurely among the baggage of his tent, than to sit gloriously in the throne of state. This hiding could do nothing but shew, that both he suspected lest he should be chosen, and desired he should not be chosen. That God, from whom the hills and the rocks could not conceal him, brings him forth to the light; so much more longed for, as he was more unwilling to be seen; and more applauded, as he was more longed for.

Now then when Saul is drawn forth in the midst of the eager expectation of Israel, modesty and godliness shewed themselves in his face. The press cannot hide him, whom the stuff had hid : as if he had been made to be seen, he overlooks all Israel in height of stature, for presage of the eminence of his estate; From the shoulders upward, was he higher than any of the people.

Israel sees their lots are fallen upon a noted man; one whose person shewed he was born to be a king: and now all the people shout for joy; they have their longing, and applaud their own happiness and their king's honour. How easy is it for us to mistake our own estates! to rejoice in that, which we shall find the just cause of our humiliation! The end of a thing is better than the beginning the safest way is to reserve our joy, till we have good proof of the worthiness and fitness of the object. What are we the better for having a blessing, if we know not how to use it?

The office and observance of a king was uncouth to Israel; Samuel therefore informs the people of their mutual duties, and writes them in a book, and lays it up before the Lord; otherwise novelty might have been a warrant for their ignorance, and ignorance for neglect. There are reciprocal respects of princes and people, which if they be not observed, government languisheth into confusion: these Samuel faithfully teacheth them. Though he may not be their judge, yet he will be their prophet: he will instruct, if he may not rule; yea he will instruct him that shall rule. There is no king absolute, but he that is the king of all gods: earthly monarchs must walk by a rule, which if they transgress, they shall be accountable to him that is higher than the highest, who hath deputed them. Not out of care of civility, so much as conscience, must every Samuel labour to keep even terms betwixt kings and subjects; prescribing just moderation to the one, to the other obedience and loyalty, which whoever endeavours to trouble, is none of the friends of God or his Church.

The most and best applaud their new king; some wicked ones despised him, and said, How shall he save us? It was not the might of his parents, the goodliness of his person, the privilege of his lot, the fame of his prophesying, the panegyric of Samuel, that could shield him from contempt, or win him the hearts of all. There was never yet any man, to whom some took not exceptions. It is not possible either to please or displease all men, while some men

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are in love with vice, as deeply as others with virtue, and some (as ill) dislike virtue, if not for itself, yet for contradiction.

They well saw, Saul chose not himself; they saw him worthy to have been chosen, if the election should have been carried by voices, and those voices by their eyes; they saw him unwilling to hold or yield, when he was chosen: yet they will envy him. What fault could they find in him whom God had chosen? His parentage was equal, his person above them, his inward parts more above them than the outward: malcontents will rather devise than want causes of flying out; and rather than fail, the universal approbation of others is ground enough of their dislike. It is a vain ambition of those, that would be loved of all: the Spirit of God, when he enjoins us peace, withal he adds, If it be possible; and favour is more than peace. A man's comfort must be in himself, the conscience of deserving well.

The neighbouring Ammonites could not but have heard of God's fearful vengeance upon the Philistines; and yet they will be taking up the quarrel against Israel: Nahash comes up against JabeshGilead. Nothing but grace can teach us to make use of others' judgments; wicked men are not moved with ought that falls beside them; they trust nothing but their own smart. What fearful judgments doth God execute every day! Resolute sinners take no notice of them; and are grown so peremptory, as if God had never shewed dislike of their ways.

The Gileadites were not more base, than Nahash the Ammonite was cruel the Gileadites would buy their peace with servility; Nahash would sell them a servile peace for their right eyes. Jephthah the Gileadite did yet stick in the stomach of Ammon; and now they think their revenge cannot be too bloody. It is a wonder that he, which would offer so merciless a condition to Israel, would yield to the motion of any delay: he meant nothing but shame and death to the Israelites, yet he condescends to a seven days' respite. Perhaps his confidence made him thus careless. Howsoever, it was the restraint of God, that gave this breath to Israel, and this opportunity to Saul's courage and victory. The enemies of God's Church cannot be so malicious, as they would; cannot approve themselves so malicious, as they are: God so holds them in sometimes, that a stander-by would think them favourable.

The news of Gilead's distress had soon filled and afflicted Israel: the people think of no remedy, but their pity and tears. Evils are easily grieved for, not easily redressed. Only Saul is more stirred with indignation than sorrow. That God, which put into him a spirit of prophecy, now puts into him a spirit of fortitude: he was before appointed to the throne, not settled in the throne: he followed the beasts in the field, when he should have commanded men. Now, as one that would be a king no less by merit than election, he takes upon him and performs the rescue of Gilead; he assembles Israel, he leads them, he raiseth the siege, breaks the troops, cuts the throats of the Ammonites. When God hath any exploit to perform, he raiseth up the heart of some chosen instru

ment with heroical motions for the atchievement: when all hearts are cold and dead, it is a sign of intended destruction.

This day hath made Saul a complete king; and now the thankful Israelites begin to inquire after those discontented mutineers, which had refused allegiance unto so worthy a commander; Bring those men, that we may slay them. This sedition had deserved death, though Saul had been foiled at Gilead; but now his happy victory whets the people much more to a desire of this just execution. Saul, to whom the injury was done, hinders the revenge; There shall no man die this day, for to-day the Lord hath saved Israel; that his fortitude might not go beyond his mercy.

How noble were these beginnings of Saul! His prophecy shewed him miraculously wise, his battle and victory no less valiant, his pardon of his rebels as merciful: there was not more power shewed in overcoming the Ammonites, than in overcoming himself, and the impotent malice of these mutinous Israelites. Now Israel sees they have a king, that can both shed blood, and spare it; that can shed the Ammonites' blood, and spare theirs: his mercy wins those hearts, whom his valour could not. As in God, so in his deputies, mercy and justice should be inseparable. wheresoever these two go asunder, government follows them into distraction, and ends in ruin.

If it had been a wrong offered to Samuel, the forbearance of the revenge had not been so commendable; although upon the day of so happy a deliverance, perhaps it had not been seasonable: a man hath reason to be most bold with himself. It is no praise of mercy (since it is a fault in justice) to remit another man's satisfaction; his own he may. 1 Sam. x.

SAMUEL'S CONTESTATION.

EVERY one can be a friend to him that prospereth: by this victory hath Saul as well conquered the obstinacy of his own people: now there is no Israelite that rejoiceth not in Saul's kingdom.

No sooner have they done objecting to Saul, than Samuel begins to expostulate with them. The same day, wherein they began to be pleased, God shews himself angry. All the passages of their proceedings offended him: he deferred to let them know it till now, that the kingdom was settled, and their hearts lifted up. Now doth God cool their courage and joy, with a back-reckoning for their forwardness. God will not let his people run away with the arrearages of their sins, but when they least think of it, calls

them to an account.

All this while was God angry with their rejection of Samuel; yet, as if there had been nothing but peace, he gives them a victory over their enemies; he gives way to their joy in their election: now he lets them know, that, after their peace-offerings, he hath a quarrel with them. God may be angry enough with us, while we outwardly prosper. It is the wisdom of God, to take his

best advantages: he suffers us to go on, till we should come to enjoy the fruit of our sin; till we seem past the danger, either of conscience or punishment; then, even when we begin to be past the feeling of our sin, we shall begin to feel his displeasure for our sins. This is only where he loves, where he would both forgive and reclaim he hath now to do with his Israel: but where he means utter vengeance, he lets men harden themselves to a reprobate senselessness, and make up their own measure without contradiction, as purposing to reckon with them but once for ever.

Samuel had dissuaded them before; he reproves them not until now. If he had thus bent himself against them, ere the settling of the election, he had troubled Israel in that, which God took occasion by their sin to establish: his opposition would have savoured of respects to himself, whom the wrong of this innovation chiefly concerned now therefore, when they are sure of their king and their king of them, when he hath set even terms betwixt them mutually, he lets them see how they were at odds with God. We must ever dislike sins; we may not ever shew it. Discretion in the choice of seasons for reproving, is no less commendable and necessary, than zeal and faithfulness in reproving: good physicians use not to evacuate the body in extremities of heat or cold: wise mariners do not hoist sails in every wind.

First doth Samuel begin to clear his own innocence, ere he dare charge them with their sin. He that will cast a stone at an offender must be free himself, otherwise he condemns and executes himself in another person. The conscience stops the mouth of the guilty man, and chokes him with that sin which lies in his own breast; and having not come forth by a penitent confession, cannot find the way out in a reproof; or if he do reprove, he doth more shame himself than reform another. He that was the judge of Israel would not now judge himself, but would be judged by Israel; Whose or have I taken? whose ass have I taken? or to whom have I done wrong? No doubt, Samuel found himself guilty before God of many private infirmities, but for his public carriage he appeals to men. A man's heart can best judge of himself; others can best judge of his actions. As another man's conscience and approbation cannot bear us out before God, so cannot our own before men; for oft-times that action is censured by the beholders as wrongful, wherein we applaud our own justice. Happy is that man, that can be acquitted by himself in private, in public by others, by God in both: standers-by may see more. It is very safe for a man to look into himself by others' eyes: in vain shall a man's heart absolve him, that is condemned by his actions.

It was not so much the trial of his carriage that Samuel appeak ed for, as his justification; not for his own comfort, so much as their conviction. His innocence hath not done him service enough, unless it shame them, and make them confess themselves faulty. In so many years wherein Samuel judged Israel, it cannot be, but many thousand causes passed his hands, wherein both parties could not possibly be pleased; yet so clear doth he find his heart

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