Samuel's encounter with Saul. I Sam. chap. 15 from ver. 13 to ver. 30.…Samuels encounter with Saul. I Sam. chap. 15 from ver. 13 to ver. 30.…

The ground of the first doctrine.

1. 12. Thes. 3. 4.

And thereby we may see what little place there is for reproofs & reprehensions, among Christians (such a one as Saul was) though there be never so just cause given thereof; and how men harness & arm themselves against the same, by preventing them, and by defending and justifying that in themselves, which is vile and naught: yea, and they will have them, whose office it is to tell them of their faults, to know and think that they are as well reformed, as the best reformers themselves; and when all that live with ⟨p. 15⟩them see their lives full of disorder, yet not only they will acknowledge no such thing, but contrarily they boldly bear out all, and defend their own doings. True it is, they will not say they do wickedly and that they will do so still (for then it might be hoped that they might be made ashamed of so great boldness) but they do worse, for they call evil good, and so being wise in their own conceit, they show that there is more hope of a fool, then of them, Pro. 26. The best men and most approved servants of God that we read of, how good soever they were, yet in the time wherein they lived, would ordinarily and daily humble and cast down ⟨p. 16⟩themselves before God, because they were sinners, and say, Lord, if thou look straightly what is done amiss, who shall be able to abide it? Psal. 130. And our Saviour hath taught his, that when they have done God the best service, yet that they should count themselves but unprofitable servants, Luke 17. 10. If the best be but unprofitable, and that God may justly challenge them; who seeth not that they are far of from a good estate and condition, who blush not for the manifold sins which they are privy to in secret, and which men are able to bring against them openly? And yet as fearful a condition as this is, to this point multitudes are come ⟨p. 17⟩in this our age, that as some are grown so seared and hardened, that they will not at all come to the light, least their evil deeds should be made known, Joh. 3: So many other so handle the matter, that whatsoever reproofs they hear, that do most concern them, they will admit none, but hate to be reformed, because they love darkness more then light, and with the Adder stop their ears at the voice of the charmer, charm he never so wisely.

And thereby we may see what little place there is for reproofes & reprehensions, among Christians (such a one as Saul was) though there be neuer so iust cause giuen thereof; and how men harnesse & arme themselues against the same, by preuenting them, and by defending and iustifying that in themselues, which is vile and naught: yea, and they will haue them, whose office it is to tell them of their faults, to know and thinke that they are as well reformed, as the best reformers themselues; and when all that liue with ⟨p. 15⟩them see their liues full of disorder, yet not onely they will acknowledge no such thing, but contrarily they boldly beare out all, and defend their own doings. True it is, they will not say they doe wickedly and that they will doe so still (for then it might bee hoped that they might be made ashamed of so great boldnesse) but they doe worse, for they call euill good, and so being wise in their owne conceite, they shew that there is more hope of a foole, then of them, Pro. 26. The best men and most approued seruants of God that we read of, how good soeuer they were, yet in the time wherein they liued, would ordinarily and daily humble and cast down ⟨p. 16⟩themselues before God, because they were sinners, and say, Lord, if thou looke straightly what is done amisse, who shal be able to abide it? Psal. 130. And our Sauiour hath taught his, that when they haue done God the best seruice, yet that they should count themselues but vnprofitable seruants, Luke 17. 10. If the best be but vnprofitable, and that God may iustly challenge them; who seeth not that they are farre of from a good estate and condition, who blush not for the manifold sinnes which they are priuie to in secret, and which men are able to bring against them openly? And yet as fearefull a condition as this is, to this point multitudes are come ⟨p. 17⟩in this our age, that as some are growne so seared and hardned, that they will not at all come to the light, least their euill deedes should be made knowne, Ioh. 3: So many other so handle the matter, that whatsoeuer reproofes they heare, that doe most concerne them, they will admit none, but hate to be reformed, because they loue darknesse more then light, and with the Adder stop their eares at the voice of the charmer, charme he neuer so wisely.

And as they shift off reproofs in the public place after this manner, so they have learned as cunningly to deceive themselves in private. For as this age affordeth not many, who are so careful to live innocently ⟨p. 16⟩[…] ⟨p. 17⟩[…] ⟨p. 18⟩in their own life, that they may be bold to tell others of their faults, so they, which are such that they dare rebuke a mortal man, for taking away honour from the immortal God, they are known well enough,¹ and noted for the most part: and they who are faulty and offensive in their lives, will be wary enough how they come into their companies; especially they will be sure to have no familiarity with them, that so they may be free from their reprehensions, counting such no better then mad men, 2. King. 9. 11.

And as they shift off reproofes in the publick place after this manner, so they haue learned as cunningly to deceiue themselues in priuate. For as this age affordeth not many, who are so careful to liue innocently ⟨p. 16⟩〈…〉 ⟨p. 17⟩〈…〉 ⟨p. 18⟩in their owne life, that they may be bold to tell others of their faults, so they, which are such that they dare rebuke a mortall man, for taking away honor from the immortall God, they are knowne well enough,¹ and noted for the most part: and they who are faultie and offensiue in their liues, will be wary enough how they come into their companies; especially they will be sure to haue no familiaritie with them, that so they may be free from their reprehensions, counting such no better then mad men, 2. King. 9. 11.

1. 1Men are shy of such as will reprove.Men are shy of such as will reproue.

Again, God his faithful servants pray with the man of God in the Psalm 141 Let the righteous smite me▪ And the Disciples of Christ¹ ⟨p. 19⟩when they were yet but weak, hearing their master complaining, that one of them should betray him, could not be quiet nor satisfied, until they might be resolved, which of them was the offender, and therefore said one after another, Master is it I, is it I? But how many on the contrary, are so far off from this readiness to hear of their sins, that if in public preaching they hear any thing to sound that way, and to come near them, they deadly dislike it: neither doth any thing make their lives more pleasant, and better liking to them, then in their deepest security, to be without reprehensions: nor nothing more sting & vex them, then when they are ⟨p. 20⟩constrained to hear just rebukes. So far are they off, from reproving themselves secretly, as (if one should mark it, or could know what they do) that he should not hear one of many to say,² what have I done? I grant that reproofs must be kindly, not arrogantly ministered, that it may beseem the reprovers. They therefore have great grace, who have learned and are resolved, to hear and admit the words of exhortation, & to be subject to reproofs with willingness, that they may be kept from evil. But (Lord) how many have turned away from receiving admonition and correction, till with the fool in the Prou. 5. they say, ³I was almost brought ⟨p. 21⟩to evil for it. And this be said by occasion of Sauls preventing the Prophets rebuke.

Againe, God his faithfull seruants pray with the man of God in the Psalme 141 Let the righteous smite me▪ And the Disciples of Christ¹ ⟨p. 19⟩when they were yet but weake, hearing their master cōplaining, that one of them should betray him, could not be quiet nor satisfied, vntill they might be resolued, which of them was the offender, and therefore said one after another, Master is it I, is it I? But how many on the contrary, are so far off from this readinesse to heare of their sinnes, that if in publique preaching they heare any thing to sound that way, and to come neare them, they deadly dislike it: neither doth any thing make their liues more pleasant, and better liking to them, then in their deepest securitie, to be without reprehensions: nor nothing more sting & vexe them, then when they are ⟨p. 20⟩constrained to heare iust rebukes. So farre are they off, from reprouing themselues secretly, as (if one should marke it, or could know what they doe) that hee should not heare one of many to say,² what haue I done? I graunt that reproofes must be kindly, not arrogantly ministred, that it may beseeme the reprouers. They therefore haue great grace, who haue learned and are resolued, to heare and admit the words of exhortation, & to be subiect to reproofes with willingnesse, that they may be kept from euill. But (Lord) how many haue turned away from receiuing admonition and correction, till with the foole in the Prou. 5. they say, ³I was almost brought ⟨p. 21⟩to euill for it. And this be said by occasion of Sauls preuenting the Prophets rebuke.

1. 1Psal. 141.
2. 2ler. 8. 6. Yet reprovers must be cautelous.ler. 8. 6. Yet reprouers must be cautelous.
3. 3P•• •. ••.

Doct. 2. No mans way is evil in his own eyes.

Doct. 2. No mans way is euil in his own eyes.

We may further gather here by this, that Saul could make an evil matter, seem so good as he made his seem to be, that if every man may be allowed to tell his own tale, the worst person will seem honest, and the baddest case appear to be good. For why? men can so paint and disguise themselves, that they will nothing show themselves to be such as indeed they are, but far better and more gracious. For when God himself bewrayeth and setteth out here Saul to Samuel, to be so evil that he repented that he had made him king • yet doth ⟨p. 22⟩he at the first greeting and meeting of Samuel, so commends, and magnifies his own doings unto him, that he freed himself from all blame: so that no man, unless taught of God, would once have thought, that he had been faulty and worthy to be reproved, to the which end yet Samuel came unto him: like Gehazai, who when he had by shameless lying enriched himself, and deserved no more to remain in his place; yet appeared before his master boldly, as if he had done no such thing, & being asked from whence he came (which might secretly have made him appalled, knowing himself guilty) yet blushed not a whit, but answered,¹ saying, thy servant ⟨p. 23⟩hath been no where: even as the Harlot, who when she hath done wickedly,² wipeth her mouth, and saith, what evil have I done?

We may further gather here by this, that Saul could make an euill matter, seeme so good as hee made his seeme to be, that if euery man may be allowed to tell his owne tale, the worst person will seeme honest, and the baddest case appeare to be good. For why? men can so paint and disguise themselues, that they wil nothing shew themselues to be such as indeed they are, but farre better and more gracious. For when God himselfe bewrayeth and setteth out here Saul to Samuell, to be so euill that he repented that he had made him king • yet doth ⟨p. 22⟩he at the first greeting and meeting of Samuell, so commends, and magnifies his owne doings vnto him, that he freed himselfe from all blame: so that no man, vnlesse taught of God, would once haue thought, that he had beene faultie and worthie to be reproued, to the which end yet Samuell came vnto him: like Gehazai, who when he had by shamelesse lying inriched himselfe, and deserued no more to remain in his place; yet appeared before his master boldly, as if he had done no such thing, & being asked from whence he came (which might secretly haue made him appaled, knowing himselfe guitie) yet blushed not a whit, but answered,¹ saying, thy seruant ⟨p. 23⟩hath beene no where: euen as the Harlot, who when shee hath done wickedly,² wipeth her mouth, and saith, what euill haue I done?

1. 12 Kin. 5. 25
2. 2Pro. 30 20.

Talk with an hundred men who have suites and controversies with others;¹ scarcely shall ye find one, who hath told his tale simply and according to truth, as it will appear when they come face to face with their adversaries: so great cause saw the wise man to give a charge to all,² upon so good proof as he had, that a man should hear both parties: and that, who so giveth sentence in a matter when he hath heard but the one, it shall be a shame unto him when the other shall come forth to be heard.

Talke with an hundreth men who haue suites and controuersies with others;¹ scarcely shall yee finde one, who hath told his tale simply and according to truth, as it will appeare when they come face to face with their aduersaries: so great cause saw the wise man to giue a charge to all,² vpon so good proofe as he had, that a man should heare both parties: and that, who so giueth sentence in a matter when hee hath heard but the one, it shall be a shame vnto him when the other shall come forth to be heard.

1. 1Instances of this. I.
2. 2Pro. 18. 17.

Nay, to come to matters which do more nearly concern the Lord; how many of those that profess the Gospel, will seem to others to be a reproach to it, but will say we must be obedient to it, yea, and woe be to the workers of iniquity; but yet shall these sayings be found verified, even among the most of them: with their words they confess God, but with their deeds they deny him. ¹Tit. 1. Having a show of godliness, but denying the power of it. ²2. Tim. 3. 5. and that other saying of the Lord: this people hath said well all that they have said, but oh that there were an heart in them that they would fear me! ³Deut. 5. 29.

Nay, to come to matters which doe more nearly concerne the Lord; how many of those that professe the Gospell, will seeme to others to be a reproach to it, but will say we must be obedient to it, yea, and woe be to the workers of iniquitie; but yet shall these sayings be found verified, euen among the most of them: with their words they confesse God, but with their deedes they denie him. ¹Tit. 1. Hauing a shew of godlinesse, but denying the power of it. ²2. Tim. 3. 5. and that other saying of the Lord: this people hath said well all that they haue said, but oh that there were an heart in them that they would feare me! ³Deut. 5. 29.

1. 1[…]. •. •6.〈…〉. •. •6.
2. 22. Tim. 3. 5.
3. 3Deut. 5. 29.

All which and the like in ⟨p. 25⟩men,¹ do arise from the looseness of the heart, when they observe not, neither ponder their thoughts and ways; and from falsehood and an evil conscience, when they do not resolve to keep simplicity in their whole course: & from pride and self love, that they like,² & would have others allow all that they do. Which causeth that complaint in Prou. 20.³ The greatest part will boast every one of his own goodness, but where shall one find a faithful man? I grant that such evil men are found out and discerned of the godly, where they live, and to such they can do the less harm by their ill example, seeing they be contrary minded unto them: as Solomon saith of one kind ⟨p. 26⟩of such, The rich man is wise in his own conceit, but the poor that hath understanding, can find him out. But great offence these give to such as are strangers to them, who, when they hear them speak well, and after understand that their deeds are contrary, do cause them to cry out against such: and seeing they perceive them to be professors of the Gospel, they are set much further off from embracing it: but on the other side, they honour both God and Gospel who are faithful, and men of their word.

All which and the like in ⟨p. 25⟩men,¹ do arise from the loosnesse of the heart, when they obserue not, neither ponder their thoughts and wayes; and from falshood and an euill conscience, when they do not resolue to keepe simplicity in their whole course: & from pride and selfe loue, that they like,² & would haue others allow all that they do. Which causeth that complaint in Prou. 20.³ The greatest part will boast euery one of his owne goodnesse, but where shall one find a faithfull man? I graunt that such euill men are found out and discerned of the godly, where they liue, and to such they can do the lesse harme by their ill example, seeing they be contrary minded vnto them: as Salomon sayth of one kinde ⟨p. 26⟩of such, The rich man is wise in his owne conceite, but the poore that hath vnderstanding, can finde him out. But great offence these giue to such as are strangers to them, who, when they heare them speak well, and after vnderstand that their deedes are contrary, doe cause them to crie out against such: and seeing they perceiue them to bee professors of the Gospell, they are set much further off from embracing it: but on the other side, they honour both God and Gospell who are faithfull, and men of their word.

1. 1The cause of this evil.The cause of this euill.
2. 2Note.
3. 3Pro. 20. 6.

Use.

Vse.

The uses of this doctrine be many. §1First, that we be not partial in our own matters. §2Secondly, that we be not to hasty to commend ⟨p. 27⟩and allow of all such as can give a good show of godliness and honesty, but as we shall have better proof thereof. §3Thirdly, that our own speeches be few, but as they come from an upright and a well ordered heart: for, in many words there is much sin, ¹and only a word in season is like apples of gold, and pictures of silver. Fourthly, that we make §4much of such, of whose faithfulness we have good proofs there being so few of them. And fifthly, be we helpers §5to them, in whom we see good signs of well meaning, and of whom we have good hope.

The vses of this doctrine be many. §1First, that we bee not partiall in our owne matters. §2Secondly, that wee be not to hasty to commend ⟨p. 27⟩and allow of all such as can giue a good shew of godlinesse and honestie, but as we shall haue better proofe thereof. §3Thirdly, that our owne speeches bee few, but as they come from an vpright and a well ordered heart: for, in many words there is much sinne, ¹and only a word in season is like apples of gold, and pictures of siluer. Fourthly, that wee make §4much of such, of whose faithfulnesse wee haue good proofes there being so few of them. And fiftly, be we helpers §5to them, in whom wee see good signes of well meaning, and of whom we haue good hope.

1. 1Pro. 25.

Doct. 3. They that be bad, will sometime reverence the Ministers.

Doct. 3. They that be bad, wil sometime reuerence the Ministers.

Thus have we seen Saul his shameless justifying himself, wherein he was most ⟨p. 28⟩guilty. And yet as much unbeseeming as this speech of Saul was, he is in one thing to be preferred before many of our time. For whereas many, not only refuse to be guided by the instruction and doctrine of their teachers, but also despise them in their hearts, as Ahab did Michaiah. 1 King. 22. 8. and count them their utter enemies, for telling them of the truth, as some of the Galatians did Paul Cap. 4. yea, fall upon them cruelly, as Saul himself did afterward (when he grew notorious and far worse then here he seemed to be) yet was he not yet so exasperated against the Prophet (though he were the man that had before sharply rebuked ⟨p. 29⟩him) but that he gave him a reverend title, as the blessed of the Lord, 1. Sam. 13. 13. and therefore thought him an happy man, though he himself could not seek and embrace, the same love and favour of the Lord that he did. I do not so much note this, to ascribe any thing to Saul, whom the holy Ghost condemneth, as to bewray too many professors of our time,¹ especially the mighty and wealthy, though in degree and place, far under him: who are not content to cast behind their backs, the worthy admonitions, exhortations and lessons of those messengers of God, which are sent unto them (if at any time they will hear any of them) but ⟨p. 30⟩hate and bite, yea and also rend them (as we say with their teeth) who are reverend men of God: which doth show that there is another manner of spirit in them (that is more poysonfull) then that which was in Saul. For he that beareth reverence to the messengers, though he obey not their message, is to be hoped of in many respects, more then he which contemns them in his heart, whether he bewray the same by malicious words, and a fiery face, or whether he counterfeit better things to them by glossing speech and dissembling countenance. And therefore to what a fearful point are our days come, wherein the Ministry, which is Gods ordinance ⟨p. 31⟩for the salvation and happiness of the people, is in such contempt? and that not with a few, but almost universally, that the most are so far off from receiving their Ministers, as the Angels of God for their message sake, that they are vile in their eyes, and of all people may best be spared of them.

Thus haue we seene Saul his shameles iustifying himselfe, wherein hee was most ⟨p. 28⟩guilty. And yet as much vnbeseeming as this speech of Saul was, hee is in one thing to be preferred before many of our time. For whereas many, not onely refuse to bee guided by the instruction and doctrine of their teachers, but also despise them in their hearts, as Ahab did Michaiah. 1 King. 22. 8. and count them their vtter enemies, for telling them of the truth, as some of the Galathians did Paul Cap. 4. yea, fall vpon them cruelly, as Saul himselfe did afterward (when he grew notorious and farre worse then here hee seemed to bee) yet was hee not yet so exasperated against the Prophet (though hee were the man that had before sharpely rebuked ⟨p. 29⟩him) but that he gaue him a reuerend title, as the blessed of the Lord, 1. Sam. 13. 13. and therefore thought him an happy man, though hee himselfe could not seeke and embrace, the same loue and fauour of the Lord that he did. I doe not so much note this, to ascribe any thing to Saul, whom the holy Ghost condemneth, as to bewray too many professors of our time,¹ especially the mighty and wealthy, though in degree and place, farre vnder him: who are not content to cast behinde their backs, the worthy admonitions, exhortations and lessons of those messengers of God, which are sent vnto them (if at any time they will heare any of them) but ⟨p. 30⟩hate and bite, yea and also rend them (as wee say with their teeth) who are reuerend men of God: which doth shew that there is another manner of spirit in them (that is more poysonfull) then that which was in Saul. For hee that beareth reuerence to the messengers, though hee obey not their message, is to be hoped of in many respects, more then he which contemnes them in his heart, whether he bewray the same by malicious words, and a fiery face, or whether hee counterfeit better things to them by glosing speech and dissembling countenance. And therefore to what a fearefull point are our daies come, wherein the Ministery, which is Gods ordinance ⟨p. 31⟩for the saluation and happinesse of the people, is in such contempt? and that not with a few, but almost vniuersally, that the most are so farre off from receiuing their Ministers, as the Augels of God for their message sake, that they are vile in their eyes, and of all people may best be spared of them.

1. 1They that come not thus far, are far off.They that come not thus farre, are farre off.