of Saul! Who would not have looked, that aged Samuel should have emulated rather the glory of his young rival, and have looked churlishly upon the man that should rob him of his authority? Yet now, as if he came on purpose to gratify him, he bids him to the feast, he honours him with the chief seat, he reserves a select morsel for him, he tells him ingenuously the news of his ensuing sovereignty, "On whom is set the desire of all Israel, is it not upon thee, and thy father's house?" Wise and holy men, as they are not ambitious of their own burden, so they are not unwilling to be eased, when God pleaseth to discharge them; neither can they envy those whom God lifteth above their heads. They make an idol of honour, that are troubled with their own freedom, or grudge at the promotion of others.

Doubtless Saul was much amazed with this strange salutation, and news of the prophet; and how modestly doth he put it off! as that which was neither fit nor likely, disparaging his tribe, in respect of the rest of Israel; his father's family, in respect of the tribe; and himself, in respect of his father's family. Neither did his humility stoop below the truth for, as Benjamin was the youngest son of Israel, so he was now by much the least tribe of Israel. They had not yet recovered that universal slaughter which they had received from the hands of their brethren, whereby a tribe was almost lost to Israel: yet, even out of the remainder of Benjamin, doth God choose the man that shall command Israel: out of the rubbish of Benjamin doth God raise the throne. That is not ever the best and fattest which god chooseth; but that which God chooseth is ever the fittest. The strength or weakness of means is neither spur nor bridle to the determinate choices of God; yea, rather, he holds it the greatest proof of his freedom and omnipotence to advance the unlikeliest. was no hollow and feigned excuse that Saul makes, to put off that which he would fain enjoy, and to cause honour to follow him the more eagerly: it was the sincere truth of his humility, that so dejected him under the hand of God's prophet. Fair beginnings are no sound proof of our proceedings and ending well. How often hath a bashful childhood ended in an impudency of youth; a strict entrance, in licentiousness; early forwardness, in atheism! There might be a civil meekness in Saul; true grace there was not in him. They that be good bear more fruit in their age.

It

Saul had but five pence in his purse to give the prophet. The prophet, after much good cheer, gives him the kingdom: he bestows the oil of royal consecration on his head, the kisses of homage upon his face, and sends him away rich in thoughts and expectation. And now, lest his astonishment should end in distrust, he settles his assurance, by forewarnings of those events which he should find in his way: he tells him whom he shall meet, what they shall say, how himself shall be affected. That all these, and himself, might be so many witnesses of his following coronation, every word confirmed him. For well might he think, He that can foretell me the motions and words of others, cannot fail in mine: especially, when (as Samuel had prophesied to him) he found himself to prophesy: his prophesying did enough foretell his kingdom. No sooner did Samuel turn his back from Saul, but God gave him another heart, lifting up his thoughts and disposition to the pitch of a king. The calling of God never leaves a man unchanged: neither did God ever employ any man in his service, whom he did not enable to the work he set him; especially those whom he raiseth up to the supply of his own place, and the representation of himself. It is no marvel if princes excel the vulgar in gifts, no less than in dignity. Their crowns and their hearts are both in one and the same hand. If God did not add to their powers, as well as their honours, there would be no equality.

CONTEMPLATION V.

The Inauguration of Saul."

GOD hath secretly destined Saul to the kingdom. It could not content Israel, that Samuel knew this; the lots must so decide the choice, as if it had not been predetermined: that God, which is ever constant to his own decrees, makes the lots to find him out whom Samuel had anointed. If once we have notice of the will of God, we may be confident of the issue. There is no chance to the Almighty; even casual things are no less necessary, in their first cause, than the natural. So far did Saul trust the prediction and oil of Samuel, that he hides him among the stuff. He knew where the lots would light before they were cast; this was but a modest declination of that honour which he saw must come; his very

withdrawing shewed some expectation, why else should he have hid himself, rather than the other Israelites? Yet could he not hope, his subduing himself could disappoint the purpose of God: he well knew, that he which found out and designed his name amongst the thousands of Israel, would easily find out his person in a tent. When once we know God's decree, in vain shall we strive against it: before we know it, it is indifferent for us to work to the likeliest.

I cannot blame Saul for hiding himself from a kingdom, especially of Israel. Honour is heavy, when it comes upon the best terms: how should it be otherwise, when all men's cares are cast upon one; but most of all in a troubled estate? No man can put to sea without danger; but he that launcheth forth in a tempest, can expect nothing but the hardest event; such was the condition of Israel. Their old enemy the Philistines were stilled with that fearful thunder of God, as finding what it was to war against the Almighty. There were adversaries enough besides in their borders: it was but an hollow truce that was betwixt Israel and their heathenish neighbours, and Nahash was now at their gates. Well did Saul know the difference between a peaceful government, and the perilous and wearisome tumults of war. The quietest throne is full of cares; but the perplexed, of dangers. Cares and dangers drove Saul into this corner, to hide his head from a crown: these made him choose rather to lie obscurely among the baggage of his tent, than to sit gloriously in the throne of state. This hiding could do nothing but shew, that he both suspected lest he should be chosen, and desired he should not be chosen. That God from whom the hills and the rocks could not conceal him, brings him forth to the light, so much more longed for, as he was more unwilling to be seen, and more applauded, as he was more longed for.

Now then, when Saul is drawn forth in the midst of the eager expectation of Israel, modesty and godliness shewed themselves in his face. The crowd cannot hide him, whom the stuff had hid: as if he had been made to be seen, he overlooks all Israel in height of stature, for presage of the eminence of his state; "From the shoulders upwards, was he higher than any of the people." Israel sees their lots are fallen upon a noted man, one whose person shewed he was born to be a king and now all the people shout for joy; they have their longing, and applaud their own happiness, and their

king's honour. How easy is it for us to mistake our own estates! to rejoice in that which we shall find the just cause of our humiliation! The end of a thing is better than the beginning. The safest way is to reserve our joy, till we have good proof of the worthiness and fitness of the object. What are we the better for having a blessing, if we know not how to use it? The office and observance of a king was uncouth to Israel Samuel therefore informs the people of their mutual duties, and writes them in a book, and lays it up before the Lord; otherwise, novelty might have been a warrant for their ignorance, and ignorance for neglect. There are reciprocal respects of princes and people, which, if they be not observed, government languisheth into confusion; these Samuel faithfully teacheth them. Though he may not be their judge, yet he will be their prophet; he will instruct, if he may not rule; yea, he will instruct him that shall rule. There is no king absolute, but he that is the King of all gods. Earthly monarchs must walk by a rule, which, if they transgress, they shall be accountable to him that is higher than the highest, who hath deputed them. Not out of care of civility, so much as conscience, must every Samuel labour to keep even terms betwixt kings and subjects, prescribing just moderation to the one, to the other obedience and loyalty, which, whoever endeavours to trouble, is none of the friends of God, or his church.

The most and best applaud their new king: some wicked ones despised him, and said, "How shall he save us?" It was not the might of his parents, the goodliness of his person, the privilege of his lot, the fame of his prophesying, the panegyric of Samuel, that could shield him from contempt, or win him the hearts of all. There was never yet any man, to whom some took not exceptions. It is not possible either to please or displease all men; while some men are in love with vice, as deeply as others with virtue, and some as ill dislike virtue, if not for itself, yet for contradiction. They well saw Saul choosed not himself; they saw him worthy to have been chosen, if the election should have been carried by voices, and those voices by their eyes; they saw him unwilling to hold, or yield, when he was chosen; yet they will envy him. What fault could they find in him whom God had chosen? his parentage was equal, his person above them, his inward parts more above them than the outward. Malecontents will rather devise than want causes

of flying out; and rather than fail, the universal approbation of others is ground enough of their dislike. It is a vain ambition of those that would be loved of all. The Spirit of God, when he enjoins us peace, withal he adds, "If it be possible;" and favour is more than peace. A man's comfort must be in himself, the conscience of deserving well.

The neighbouring Ammonites could not but have heard of God's fearful vengeance upon the Philistines, and yet they will be taking up the quarrel against Israel. Nahash comes up against Jabesh-gilead. Nothing but grace can teach us to make use of others' judgments. Wicked men are not

moved with ought that falls beside them; they trust nothing but their own smart. What fearful judgments doth God execute every day! Resolute sinners take no notice of them, and are grown so peremptory, as if God had never shewed dislike of their ways.

The Gileadites were not more base than Nahash the Ammonite was cruel. The Gileadites would buy their peace with servility, Nahash would sell them a servile peace for their right eyes. Jephthah the Gileadite did yet stick in the stomach of Ammon; and now they think their revenge cannot be too bloody. It is a wonder that he, which would offer so merciless a condition to Israel, would yield to the motion of any delay: he meant nothing but shame and death to the Israelites, yet he condescends to a seven days' respite: perhaps his confidence made him thus careless. Howsoever, it was the restraint of God that gave this breath to Israel, and this opportunity to Saul's courage and victory. The enemies of God's church cannot be so malicious as they would, cannot approve themselves so malicious as they are. God so holds them in sometimes, that a stander-by would think them favourable. The news of Gilead's distress hath soon filled and afflicted Israel; the people think of no remedy but their pity and tears. Evils are easily grieved for, not easily redressed only Saul is more stirred with indignation than sorrow: that God, which put into him a spirit of prophecy, now puts into him a spirit of fortitude. He was before appointed to the throne, not settled in the throne; he followed the beasts in the field, when he should have commanded men.

Now, as one that would be a king no less by merit than