For first of all (putting on a brow of brass,1 and a fore-head of iron) he telleth Samuel, by way of prevention, and against the light of his own conscience,2 that he had fulfilled the commandment of the Lord. Secondly, being put from that starting hole, and ⟨image 7⟩plainly convinced of a flat untruth, he shifteth it off from himself to the people; whom yet he justifieth, in respect of their end and good intent, which was (as he saith) to do sacrifice to the Lord their God.3 Thirdly, being further convinced of his sin, and the root of it (that is, greedy avarice) being laid open, he hardeneth his heart yet more, and with an impudent face doth justify, both himself and the people, as thinking ⟨image 7⟩it great pity, to kill such a goodly Prince as Agag was, and to spoil and cast away such fat cattle, and make them a prey for the fowls and wild beasts, which might serve for better purposes; thus secretly taxing the commandment of the Lord, of too much rigour and severity, & making himself more wise & merciful then God.4 Fourthly, being driven from this hold, and so manifestly convinced, that he could not deny it to ⟨image 8⟩be a sin; yet he seeketh to extenuate and excuse it, as a sin of infirmity, which he committed not in contempt of God;5 but for fear of the people, which thing also moved Aaron to make the molten Calf.6 Lastly, being brought by main force, to acknowledge that his sin could not be cloaked, nor excused, he doth not go about to seek reconciliation, & make his peace with God; but all his care is, to maintain his honour, and to ⟨image 8⟩keep his credit with the people.
For first of all (putting on a brow of brasse,1 and a fore-head of iron) hee telleth Samuel, by way of preuention, and against the light of his owne conscience,2 that he had fulfilled the commandement of the Lord. Secondly, being put from that starting hole, and ⟨image 7⟩plainely conuinced of a flat vntruth, hee shifteth it off from himselfe to the people; whom yet hee iustfieth, in respect of their end and good intent, which was (as he saith) to do sacrifice to the Lord their God.3 Thirdly, being further conuinced of his sin, and the root of it (that is, greedy auarice) being layd open, hee hardneth his heart yet more, and with an impudent face doth iustifie, both himselfe and the people, as thinking ⟨image 7⟩it great pity, to kill such a goodly Prince as Agag was, and to spoyle and cast away such fat cattle, and make them a prey for the fowles and wilde beasts, which might serue for better purposes; thus secretly taxing the commandement of the Lord, of too much rigor and seuerity, & making himselfe more wise & merciful then God.4 Fourthly, being driuen from this hold, and so manifestly conuinced, that he could not deny it to ⟨image 8⟩be a sin; yet he seeketh to extenuate and excuse it, as a sin of infirmity, which hee committed not in contempt of God;5 but for feare of the people, which thing also mooued Aaron to make the molten Calfe.6 Lastly, being brought by maine force, to acknowledge that his sin could not bee cloked, nor excused, hee doth not goe about to seeke reconciliation, & make his peace with God; but all his care is, to maintaine his honor, and to ⟨image 8⟩keep his credit with the people.
- 1Vers. 13. 10. 12.
- 2Vers. 15.
- 3Vers. 20. 21.
- 4Vers. 24. 25.
- 5Exod. 32. 32.
- 6Verse 30.
