A defence of the vindication of the deprived bishops wherein the case of Abiathar is particularly considered, and the invalidity of lay-deprivations is further proved, from the doctrine received under the Old Testament, continued in the first ages of christianity, and from our own fundamental laws, in a reply to Dr. Hody and another author : to which is annexed, the doctrine of the church of England, concerning the independency of the clergy on the lay-power, as to those rights of theirs which are purely spiritual, reconciled with our oath of supremancy, and the lay-deprivations of the popish bishops in the beginning of the reformation / by the author of the Vindication of the deprived bishops.

§ XL. What Solomon did was only to fullfill what GOD had be∣fore threatned against the Fa∣mily of Eli. (Book 40)

And to make it probable that Solomon had these very considerations before him, to contribute nothing by his Legal Force to this depri∣vation, but what was agreeable to his own Station and the mind of GOD; I observe 5ly that the Text it self gives a Reason of what he did, perfectly Suitable to such thoughts, that he did it only as an Executioner of the Prediction of Samuel concerning the removal of the Priest-hood from the House of Ithamar. The Words are these: * 1.1 So Solomon thrust out Abiathar from being Priest to the Lord, THAT he might fulfil the Word of the Lord, which he spake concerning the house of Eli in Shilo. I know very well that this particle that, is used in the N. T. when a Prophesy was fullfilled in the Event, though he who fulfilled it knew nothing of the Matter. But the circumstances of this place make it probable that Solomon knew what he did, and intended the ac∣complishment of that Prophesy, and that what he did was done by him purposely, for that very end, that he might fullfill it. The Prediction was very notorious, being twice repeated, first by a Man of GOD, 1 Sam. II. 27, then by Samuel also, Chap. III. 11. as the first initia∣tion of him into his Prophetick Office, which recommended him to all Israel from Dan to Beersheba, as one that was established to be a Pro∣phet of the Lord, v. 20. It was also in both Cases notified to Eli himself, that all, as well Friends as Enemies, might know it. How therefore can we believe Solomon ignorant of it? Then the distance of the time between Eli and Abiathar was such, as that there was reason to expect that it should be fullfilled in Abiathar, if it were fullfilled at all. Such punishments of the Children for the Pa∣rents were not usually deferred beyond the fourth generation, as ap∣pears from the words of the 2d Commandment. So also in the Hea∣then History, the treachery of Gyges against Candaules was punished in Croesus, who was in the fourth generation descended from Gyges; as Jehu's Conspiracy was also, in his fourth generation, in the Sacred History. By these Examples we find a consent in those Traditions of the earlier Times. And the distance between Eli and Abiathar could

not be less. * 1.2 Josephus indeed makes Eli to have been the Grand-Father to Abiathar. But it is certain that they were further removed than so. Abiathar was himself the Son of Ahimelech, and Ahimelech the Son of Ahitub. So Ahitub must have been his Grand-Father. Thus it appears that Abiathar was, at least, in the fourth Generation from Eli, whose Sin was to be punished in him. Further yet, Ahitub is said to have been the Brother of Ichabod, the Son of Phineas, the Son of Eli, 1 Sam. XIV. 3. Thus Abiathar will be the Vth from Eli, (if both terms be included) and in the 4th Generation, in the utmost way of counting possible. There was therefore no reason to expect any further delay of that punishment which had been so long before pre∣dicted. And therefore Abiathar was the Person in whom it was to be expected. This being so, Solomon could not but look on it as very Providential, that Abiathar should be permitted by GOD to fall into the conspiracy of Adonijah, and thereby to incur his Royal displeasure, in whose Power it was to execute the Divine Sentence on him, by that Power of Force which GOD had committed to the Prince. It tended withal very much to confirm the same Observation, that, for above 40 Years since his first evil (for so many years were contained in Davids Reign reckoned from the death of Saul) Abiathar should have no Posterity that might Succeed him in his Office, if this was in∣deed his Case. For by this it appar'd necessary that if he were de∣priv'd, the whole family of Ithamar should be deprived also, at least the Family of Eli, as the Prophesies forementioned had foretold. For as for the rest of his Family, Saul seems to have destroyed it universally. These Observations put together might give reason to believe, that this was the very time design'd by GOD for the accomplishment of this Prophesy. At the same time Zadok was firm to Solomon's Interests, which seemed to tend to fullfil the Prophesy to Phineas of an everlasting Priest-hood, implying that the time should come, when the whole suc∣cession from Aaron should be confined to the Family of Phineas, which therefore was not to fail together with the other collateral Branches derived from Aaron. But I rather believe, that Abiathar's Fami∣ly did not fail intirely, which still makes further for my purpose, that what Solomon did in this matter, was really with a design and prospect on the Prophesy it self. Otherwise, had he only designed a Personal punishment for Abiathar, that might have been done by removing him form the Priest-hood, and Substituting the next of the Family of Ithamar in his place. What he did more is not, any other way, so well accountable, as by supposing him to have had a direct design of fullfilling the Prophesy. It is otherwise as apparent from the Prophesy

it self, that Eli was to have a Posterity that was to Survive the fulfilling of the Prophesy, as that they were to be deprived of the Priest hood by it. What else can be the meaning of those Words? * 1.3 And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left in thine House, shall come and crouch to him (the faithful Priest before mentioned, not of Eli's Family) for a piece of Silver, and a morsel of Bread, and shall say Put me (I pray thee) into one of the Priests Offices, that I may eat a piece of bread. Now, in this way of Reasoning here mentioned, GOD him∣self had declared his pleasure that Abiathar, and the House of Ithamar too, should be deprived of the Priest-hood; and deprived at that very time. So that Solomon had nothing more to do in it, than to use that Lawful Power God had given him for forcing him out of his Possession.

Notes

• * 1.1

  1 Kings II ••7.
• * 1.2

  Joseph Anti. Lib. VIII. c. 1
• * 1.3

  1 Sam. II. 36.