An exposition with practical observations continued upon the eighth, ninth, & tenth chapters of…

But now to answer the Case more clearly,¹ They set up Kings, but not by me; though GOD had foretold that the ten Tribes should be rent away from the house of David, and that Jeroboam should be set up, yet they did not do this thing in a lawful way as they ought, for they should have consulted with God about the time and manner of it when God would have it done; it was not enough that God did foretell it should be done, but when they did it they ought to have done it in a way of consulting with God, and they ought to have been ordered by God for the way and manner of it, and they did not do it in way of fulfilling the Prophecy, for the people generally knew no such thing but merely minding their own passions and lusts, they looked at no further, though God did over-rule it to fulfil his own Counsels, yet they aimed at no such thing. Whence we have these useful Notes for our edification:

But now to answer the Case more cleerly,¹ They set up Kings, but not by me; though GOD had foretold that the ten Tribes should be rent away from the house of David, and that Jeroboam should be set up, yet they did not do this thing in a lawful way as they ought, for they should have consulted with God about the time and manner of it when God would have it done; it was not enough that God did fortell it should be done, but when they did it they ought to have done it in a way of consulting with God, and they ought to have been ordered by God for the way and manner of it, and they did not do it in way of fulfilling the Prophesie, for the people generally knew no such thing but meerly minding their own passions and lusts, they look'd at no further, though God did over-rule it to fulfil his own Counsels, yet they aimed at no such thing. Whence we have these useful Notes for our edification:

1. 1A direct Exposit.

First,¹