As for the Objections from Scripture, they are before answered. There are many other exceptions of mens corrupt reason, which yet may be easily taken off, if we will receive Scripture light. That very case of Jehoshaphat's confederacy with Ahab, taketh off many of them; for although, 1. Jehoshaphat was a good man, and continued so after that association, not drawn away into Idolatry, nor infected with Ahab's Religion, but only assisting him in a civil business▪ 2. Ahab lived in the Church of Israel, which was still a Church, although greatly corrupted, and he was no professed hater of God, (only he had professed to hate Micajah the man of God,) yea, lately before this he appeared very penitent, and some think Jehoshaphat now judged charitably of Ahab, because of that great humiliation and repentance of his, which God did accept, so far, as to reward it with a temporal sparing mercy, 1 Kings 21. at the end: then follows immediately, Chap: 22. Jehoshaphat's association with him. Although Jehoshaphat was also joined in affinity with Ahab, Ahab's daughter being married to his son. 3. The enemy was the King of Syria; and Jehoshaphat doth not join with a wicked Man against any of Gods people, but against the infidel Syrians; even as Amaziah was beginning to join with those of the ten Tribes against the Edomites. 4. The cause seems to have been good, as Carthusian on 1 Kings 22. 3. and Lavater upon1 2 Chron: 19. 2. note. For Ramoth-Gilead was a city of refuge, pertaining to the Levites in the Tribe of Gad, and should have been restored by the King of Syria to Ahab, according to their Covenant, 1 Kings 20. 34. Daneus▪ brings that same example of Ahab's going up against Ramoth-Gilead, to prove that 'tis just to make war against these who have broken Covenant with us. 5, Jehoshaphat's manner of proceeding, was pious ⟨p. 180⟩in this respect, that he said to Ahab, enquire I pray thee of the word of the Lord to day, and again, is there not here a Prophet of the Lord besides, he enquireth ultrà, and seeks all the light he could there have in point of conscience from Prophets of the Lord, which makes it probable, that those 400. Prophets did not profess, or were not known to Jehoshaphat to be Prophets of Baal; but were looked upon as Prophets of the Lord, as Cajetan thinketh. Therefore they answer also in the name of the Lord, the Lord shall deliver it.
As for the Objections from Scripture, they are before answered. There are many other exceptions of mens corrupt reason, which yet may be easily taken off, if wee will receive Scripture light. That very case of Iehosophats confederacy with Ahab, taketh off many of them; for although, 1. Iehosophat was a good man, and continued so after that association, not drawn away into Idolatry, nor infected with Ahabs Religion, but onely assisting him in a civil businesse▪ 2. Ahab lived in the Church of Israel, which was still a Church, although greatly corrupted, and hee was no professed hater of God, (only he had professed to hate Micajah the man of God,) yea, lately besore this he appeared very penitent, and some think Iehosaphat now judged charitably of Ahab, because of that great humilation and repentance of his, which God did accept, so far, as to reward it with a temporall sparing mercy, 1 Kings 21. at the end: then followes immediatly, Chap: 22. Iehosaphats association with him. Although Iehosaphat was also joyned in affinity with Ahab, Ahabs daughter being married to his sonne. 3. The enemy was the King of Syria; and Iehosaphat doth not joyne with a wicked Man against any of Gods people, but against the infidell Syrians; even as Amaziah was beginning to joyne with those of the ten Tribes against the Edomites. 4. The cause seemes to have been good, as Carthusian on 1 Kings 22. 3. and Lavater upon1 2 Chron: 19. 2. note. For Ramoth-Gilead was a city of refuge, pertaining to the Levites in the Tribe of Gad, and should have been restored by the King of Syria to Ahab, according to their Covenant, 1 Kings 20. 34. Daneus▪ brings that same example of Ahabs going up against Ramoth-Gilead, to prove that 'tis just to make warre against these who have broken Covenant with us. 5, Iehosaphats manner of proceeding, was pious ⟨p. 180⟩in this respect, that he said to Ahab, enquire I pray thee of the word of the Lord to day, and again, is there not here a Prophet of the Lord besides, he enquireth ultrà, and seeks all the light he could there have in point of conscience from Prophets of the Lord, which makes it probable, that those 400. Prophets did not professe, or were not known to Iehosaphat to be Prophets of Baal; but were lookt upon as Prophets of the Lord, as Cajetan thinketh. Therefore they answer also in the name of the Lord, the Lord shall deliver it.
- 1Polit. Christ. lib 7. Cap. 1.
