IN the former verse we have seen how Saul ⟨p. 345⟩sought to hold Samuel with him, but not for the end which ought chiefly to have moved him: and in this 28. verse, Samuel takes occasion by the rending the lap of his garment, to give signification to him, that God would rend his kingdom from him, that so he might make no doubt, but that it should come so to pass: And this he did that he might have driven him to some sounder and heartier dislike and confession of his sins, (though we see he prevailed not with him) therefore he thus speaketh to him, as we see fearfully; and as well it teacheth all that list to learn, that while men remain hollow and double, and deal not truly and ⟨p. 346⟩plainly with God, they may look to hear no better then heavy tidings from him,1 to sound in their ears, and to check their consciences, whatsoever fair show they make of any repentance, but to gather more signs then before of their damnation, by how much more they rejected Gods offers in calling them:2 And should not this drive men from all their carnal shifts,3 and broken holds, when they see that God hunts them out of their dens, and plucks their mufflers from their faces?4 And yet as bad as Saul was, and as little as God set by all the outward shows that he made either here, or in the former chapter, verse 34. to the 46. (which were ⟨p. 347⟩many) yet it is clear and most manifest,5 that he went far before many that profess the Gospel at this day: among whom a man may be a long time, before he shall hear so many holy and religious speeches, as he uttered there (read the place) besides his upholding the true worship of God, in the which he declared his zeal in severe punishing such as should dishonour him, yea, although it fell out to be his own son. I say there be many found among us, (who have clearer knowledge of Gods will, then was revealed to him) who yet neither may be matched with Saul in sundry commendable points, neither in this one, to attribute so much ⟨p. 348⟩to Samuel the Lords Prophet, as he did: who desired his company, and held him with him. Which though it was not done in faithfulness, with desire to be reformed, yet who doubteth but that it was a good steppe to take profit by him in time, when he could yield him such reverence as he did, and give him leave to speak to him of the matters that were both harsh, toylish and unpleasant?6
IN the former verse wee haue seene how Saul ⟨p. 345⟩sought to hold Samuel with him, but not for the end which ought chiefely to haue moued him: and in this 28. verse, Samuel takes occasion by the rending the lappe of his garment, to giue signification to him, that God would rend his kingdome from him, that so hee might make no doubt, but that it should come so to passe: And this hee did that he might haue driuen him to some sounder and hartyer dislike and confession of his sinnes, (though wee see hee preuailed not with him) therefore hee thus speaketh to him, as we see fearefully; and as well it teacheth al that list to learne, that while men remaine hollow and double, and deale not truly and ⟨p. 346⟩plainely with God, they may look to heare no better then heauy tidings from him,1 to sound in their eares, and to checke their consciences, whatsoeuer faire shew they make of any repentance, but to gather more signes then before of their damnacion, by how much more they reiected Gods offers in calling them:2 And should not this driue men from all their carnall shiftes,3 and broken holdes, when they see that God hunts them out of their dennes, and pluckes their mufflers from their faces?4 And yet as bad as Saul was, and as little as God set by all the outward shewes that he made either heere, or in the former chapter, verse 34. to the 46. (which were ⟨p. 347⟩many) yet it is cleere and most manifest,5 that he went farre before many that professe the Gospell at this day: among whome a man may be a long time, before hee shal heare so many holy and religious speaches, as he vttred there (reade the place) besides his vpholding the true worship of God, in the which he declared his zeale in seuere punishing such as should dishonour him, yea, although it fell out to be his owne son. I say there be many found among vs, (who haue cleerer knowledge of Gods will, then was reuealed to him) who yet neither may be matched with Saul in sundry commendable points, neither in this one, to attribute so much ⟨p. 348⟩
- 1Note.
- 21 King. 13.
- 3Use.Vse.
- 4Chap. 14. 34. 35.
- 5Many that make some show, yet come far short of Saul.Many that make some shew, yet come farre short of Saul.
- 6Note well.
