A treatise of miscellany questions wherein many useful questions and cases of conscience are…A treatise of miscellany questions wherein many usefull questions and cases of conscience are…

'Tis objected also that the Maccabees had a Covenant with the Romans and Lac•monians, 1 Macca. 8, and 12. 1, 2. Answ. 1. That Covenant is disallowed by many good Writers; yet 'tis observed from the Story that they had not the better, but the worse success, nor the less but the more trouble following it. 2. The Story it self, 1 Macc. 1. 12. tells us that the first motion of a confederacy with the heathen in those times proceeded from the children of Belial in Israel. Lastly, it may be objected that persons discontented, and of broken fortunes were gathered to David; and that he received them, and became a Captain unto them, 1 Sam. 22. 2. Answ. 1. Some think (and 'tis probable) they were such as were oppressed and wronged by Sauls tyranny, and were therefore in debt and discontented, and that David in receiving them was a type of Christ who is a refuge for the afflicted, and touched with the feeling of their infirmities. 2. Whoever they were, David took care that no profane nor wicked person might be in his company, Psal. 101. yea, Psal. 34. 11. (which was penned at that same time when he departed from Achish and became ⟨p. 173⟩Captain of those 400 men) he saith to them, Come ye children hearken unto me, I will teach you the fear of the Lord. 3. I shall bring a better Argument from Davids example against the joining with such associates in Wa• as are known to be malignant and wicked, Psal. 118. 7. The Lord taketh my part with them that help me, therefore I shall see my desire upon mine enemies, Psal. 54. 4. The Lord is with them that uphold my soul. Upon this last place, both Calvin and Gesnerus observe, that although Davids helpers were few and weak, yet God being in them, and with them, his confidence was that they should prove stronger then all the wicked; he intimateth also, that if he had not known that God was with his helpers, leading and inspiring them, he had looked for no help by them: