The holy court in five tomes, the first treating of motives which should excite men of qualitie to Christian perfection, the second of the prelate, souldier, states-man, and ladie, the third of maxims of Christianitie against prophanesse ..., the fourth containing the command of reason over the passions, the fifth now first published in English and much augemented according to the last edition of the authour containing the lives of the most famous and illustrious courtiers taken out of the Old and New Testament and other modern authours / written in French by Nicholas Caussin ; translated into English by Sr. T.H. and others.

SAmuel that seemed to have been born for no∣thing but to pray, and to passe away his life in the Tabernacle of God, got very for∣ward at Court, and in the managing of the great affairs of State. His Birth is a Miracle, his Life an Example, and his Death the immortality of his virtues. He was one of those infants that are expected a long time before they come, that are the sons of so many vowes, and that pay the expectation of their Nativity by the happinesse of their Life. It belongs onely to great things to be seen before they are, by pre∣sages, by desires, by hopes, and to make themselves be seen, after they are no more, by an eternall memory.

Hannah his mother barren in children, but fruitfull in virtues, conceived him rather by her sighs then by her pleasures. He was a gift of the Tabernacle which she rendered to the Tabernacle, and as she had obtein∣ed him by supplication, she made of him a man of prayer, devoted from his infancy to the Divine Mini∣steries, and a Nazarite by expresse vow which lived in abstinence, and had no other profession but contem∣plation. It is by these exercises that God raises great Personages, and we cannot choose but expect brave a∣ctions on earth, from a man that hath much commerce with heaven.

So God began betimes to communicate himself to him, and to make him partaker of his secrets. He in∣formed him of the destruction of his Master, Eli the High-Priest, and powerfully fitted him for his Ser∣vice. This Eli was a reverend old man, a Judge of the People, that had lived in an high reputation and great glory amongst the Israelites, but his reign being too soft, his children that were now great abusing his au∣thority, practised a petty Larceny even as far as unto the sacrifice it self, and committed impurities and de∣baucheries of women; which are most ordinarily two of the chiefest things that make a change of Government, there being nothing that doth more exasperate the sub∣ject then the avarice and the luxury of those that rule; the one making attempts upon their goods, and the o∣ther upon their bed. A grave father of the Church ad∣dressing a spirituall direction to a Governour, admo∣nishes him, That it is not enough for him to be inno∣cent, if all his family doth not imitate him, and form themselves according to his examples; for, what profit is it, sayes he, to a miserable people to have a Prince or Governour wise and moderate, if, while he absteins from things not permitted, there be one of his servants that making use of his name and power takes occasion to satiate his Avarice?

These wicked sons of Eli, Hophni and Phineas com∣mitted a thousand extortions under the authority of their father, and dishonoured his gray hairs by the in∣continence of their dissolute youth. The complaints thereof came to their fathers ears, but instead of depri∣ving them of their Offices and Commissions which they held of him, which would have been a means to wash away the stain that was imprinted on his renown, he contented himself with giving them a weak admo∣nition, which having little force upon their passions, had yet lesse effect upon their actions.

God then took the businesse in hand after a very strange manner; for the Philistims the sworn enemies of the chosen people ran upon their Frontiers, and put an army into the field, which obliged the Israelites to arm, to hinder the waste that they made, but being come to the encountre they lost the Battell, wherein 4000 men were slain upon the place. The conquered people resuming heart and arms set on foot an huge Army that marched under the wings of the Ark of Covenant conducted by Hophni and Phineas to whom it appertei∣ned by office. But these debauched men, and ill-train'd for war, rather precipitated then gave a scond Battel, and did their businesses in it so ill, that thirty thousand men were cut in pieces, and they themselves increased the number of the dead, and were both slain in defence of the Ark that was taken and carried away by the Philistims.

This deplorable news being come to the ears of Eli gave him such a confusion of spirit, that he let himself fall, and dyed upon the place mourning for the Ark of Covenant above his own children. His house fell into

great contempt after his death, as had been foretold him, and none of his race came to old-age, the hand of God not ceasing to revenge the Injuries of his Taber∣nacle, and of his People, to instruct great ones that are in Offices to look carefully to this, that Religion and Justice, as two sisters, by an indissoluable knot be kept fast to one another.

The Affairs of the Jews were in a piteous estate af∣ter the losse of those two Battels, and there was need of a puissant hand to repair those losses. But the Sovereign Master lent his thereto, and raised up Samuel to settle again all that the furies of the wars had shaken. This good Pilot consecrated himself by a Tempest, and took the Government when every rationall man would have thought of quitting it. This was a sign that he entered into it by wayes very clean, coming in a time when there was more matter for compassion then Ambition. He had no other Love, but that of the Publick good, he knew no other Avarice, but that of time, nor other Pleasures but Businesses. His first aime in the Govern∣ment was to banish Idolatry, and to put in vigour a∣gain the worship of the true God, well knowing that the most fatall plagues of States come from the con∣tempt of Religion. He was a man of order, of a great understanding, and of a powerfull speech that never fell to the ground. He caused ordinarily whatsoever he had a mind to establish surest to passe Generall As∣semblies, that what concerned the good of every man might be done by the advice of all the World.

One of the first functions that he exercised was to make an excellent Oration to the People, and to tell them of their infidelity, making them see That Gods forsaking them came from that they had forsaken God, and that if they would enjoy the favours of his prote∣ction as their fathers did, they ought necessarily to ba∣nish the strange Gods, and to abolish eternally the names of Baal and Astaroth to whom many a∣mongst them had devoted themselves; that God the Sovereign Master could not endure any companion in his Throne, and would not have to do with hearts di∣vided to imaginary Deities; That if they served him faithfully, he hoped that he would deliver them from the hand of the Philistims, and would exalt again the glory of their nation that had been brought low by so many ill Encountres and extream lamentable losses.

He perswaded the whole assembly so powerfully by the force and sweetnesse of his discourse, that all those that had been defiled with those bad beliefs abjured their superstitions, and made a strong resolution to serve no more any, but the Living God, and to bury all their Idols in the Grave of forgetfullnesse. Whereto Samuel seeing them disposed called together the States Generall into a place named Mispah, where he promi∣sed to make very solemn prayers for all his Nation. The People failed not to be there in great number, and with a singular devotion, drawing water, and powring it out as in the presence of God; whether it was a fa∣shion of purification among the Hebrews, or whether by this Ceremony they would represent the vanity and weaknesse of all men, that are before God as little drops of water spread upon the earth, and that have no true contentment but in God alone who is the fountain of all good things. They disposed themselves to receive the mercy of God by a publick fast and a repentance of their faults, confessing aloud their ingratitude to God. Samuel comforted them, and having reconciled them to God again, united them among themselves by a mu∣tuall concord, deciding their differences, and judging their Law-suits in the place fore-named with so much equity that all the People thought that the golden age was raised again under his government.

But the Philistims that would perpetually bring them down, having intelligence that they made assem∣blies in Mispah which turned to their prejudice drew themselves again into the field to fight them, where∣at the people that had already experimented the disa∣sters that proceeded from such hostilities was seized with a great astonishment, and implored the aid of Samuel to secure them from the fury of their adversaries. This made him have a particular refuge to the good∣nesse of God, whom he invoked by his ardent prayers and by the sutable sacrifices which he offered, being a Priest by an extraordinary mission of God. The Israe∣lites encouraged by their Protectour bestir themselves to resist their enemies and combate them with firm footing not without great successe. For by good luck it happened that at the same time that the battell was gi∣ven Samuel was presenting to God a burnt offering for the whole army, which was so worthily accepted that the trumpet of heaven sounded aloud in great thunderings and menacing lightnings that affrighted the Philistims and put them into a rout, which drew the inhabitants of Mispah to the glory of the combat, and joyning their troops with those that had gone before them, defeated the army of the Philistims, and took from them the de∣sire of hazarding another battell.

Samuel took his time very opportunely, and seeing them in such a disposition hearkened to an honourable peace which he made, by recovering the Cities which the Philistims had usurped in those great advantages of their Arms. This was a most wise counsell and wor∣thy of that great States-man that knew by experience that the Nation of the Philistims was stirring and quarrelsome as much as possible, and that his had need of rest to shut up the wounds that so many stranger-warrs had opened. Further he considered that the wor∣ship of the true God perished and lost much of its lu∣stre by continuall warrs that rendred his subjects lesse docile in things Divine, and that the Licence of arms stifled the Laws and actions of Justice; In fine he had regard unto himself and was not ignorant that having not been bred in the exercises of war, he might succeed better in the Civill Government, and give much more satisfaction to all his people.

Every thing happned just as he had projected; for this Peace being well limited by his Counsels and by his cares was a second source of all blessings to his Na∣tions. He visited himself in Person the Cities that the Armies had ransacked, and to whom the commerce of the victorious Philistims had given some bad tincture of their Superstition, and went through all places as a favourable Constellation, bringing Light and health∣full Influences to his People. He marked his foot∣steps with the zeal of Justice, and all his journies with publick felicities.

But we must averre that the People is a motley Beast that cannot endure warr, and yet loathe a long peace. If it be in trouble, it doth nothing but sigh and groan, and if it hath too much ease, it is onely to kick and winch. It grows weary of its own feli∣cities, and is not sensible of its happinesse but by mise∣ry, nor tasts it its prosperities but by losing them. The Israelites at length disrellished Samuel, & inclined under pretence of an advantage, to change the Go∣vernment. The fashion of this sage Judge seemed to them too simple; they would see a Prince of the Peo∣ple that should have more state about his Person, and that should make a greater noise. And just as the Romans under the Empire Galba lamented the losse of Nero, because they were fallen from a Court full of Luxury and Dissolutenesse into another Face of Government under an old man, that had not a∣bout him the great Train of an Emperour, and that reduced the Libertines to the Antient Disciple; So

these blind Israelites disgusted a calm and temperate administration that produced good effects without o∣stentation. They took a colour from his age, and from the offices which he had given his sonnes, making them by a kind of Resignation Successours of his office, but not of his virtue, seeing that according to the publick voyce they had behaved themselves but with little honesty, studying more to content their own Ava∣rice, then to render justice. Upon this, they de∣manded a King whom they offered themselves to receive from Samuel his hand, so good an opinion had they of his sincerity and so much reverence to his Person.

This Proposition touched sensibly the heart of Samuel; for it is true, That good Officers, al∣though they adhere not to their Charges through Ambition, yet they cannot choose but have some displeasure, to see themselves put out by a Prince, or an ungratefull Common-wealth, after long and faithfull Services, and especially if they are Aged; They would not have their Age passe for a Crime, and think that they are alwayes vigorous enough to acquit themselves of their duty; But it is as cer∣tain that Samuel, that was a man of God, consi∣dered not so much his own interest as the Peoples, which he saw weary of their Liberty, and by a pro∣found infatuation, demand a Yoke, whose heavi∣nesse it should feel when it had no more the power to shake it off.

To speak sincerely, The Rule of one Man over another is a delicate piece, and when God establi∣shed the Dominion of Adam, he gave him all po∣wer over the Creatures, but he would not comprehend therein the Men that should descend from him. The World was more then two thousand years before it was knwon what Monarchy or Empire was; The Younger were ruled by the Elder with a sweet and amiable discretion, in which there was much satisfa∣ction and small constraint.

The People of God reteined alwayes very near this form of Governing; for the Antient Patriarchs presided over the rest as Masters of Families more by Reverence then by Command. Moses in that high Authority that could do every thing both upon Men and upon the Elements, never assumed the name of King, and his Successours till Samuel his time contented themselves with the Stile of Judges of the People.

Nimrod was the first amongst the Gentiles that usurped a new Domination over the liberty of the Nations that he subdued by Arms, having learned in the continuall Massacres of Beasts Cruelty towards Men. Not but that Kingdoms and Monarchies since that time have been holily instituted of God; But he hath alwayes willed that Kings should learn that there was none but he in the Universe of all the Crea∣tures that was an absolute Master, having alone the Power to Create, and to Annihilate what or whom he pleases. This is not permitted to the Greatest Mo∣narchs on the Earth, who remaining within the bounds of their charges ought to acknowledge them∣selves the Vicegerents and Substitutes of God, to Conduct Men to their End, making them arrive at the heighth of Felicity, by the wayes of Justice and of Religion. But when they stray from these inten∣tions, and abuse the Goods, the Bloud, and the Life of their Subjects, as if they were the Proprie∣tours of them, and not the Stewards, they render themselves responsible to Gods Judgement for all the abuses that are committed in the whole Kingdome through their default.

This change of Government projected by the Is∣raelites was not according to Gods Heart, who comforted Samuel and told him, that he ought not to be sad for that they were weary of him, seeing they were weary of God Himself which is an Infinite Goodnesse, and gave him Collegues in his Empire. He Commanded him to make known to them the Right of a King, which should be, to take their chil∣dren for his servants and to Employ them on such Trades as he should judge fit for the profit of his House, to usurpe their Lands and Inheritances to accommodate therewith his Minions, to exact Tithes of their Revenues, of their Vines, and of their Corn to enrich therewith his Officers, and in a word, that he would govern every thing after his own Fancy.

Those that take these words as a Right that God established in favour of Kings are very farre from the sense of the Scripture, for they are spoken by way of Menace and not of Approbation. Other∣wise we should avouch that King Ahab had right to take away Naboth his Vineyard, for which he was so sharply reprehended and so severely punish∣ed, with his Wife Queen Jesabel. Yet it is most Just that Kings and Sovereigns should have some reasonable Tributes from the People to support the Majesty of the Kingdome, to maintein their Fami∣ly, to protect their Subjects against Hostilities, to open them Trading, to give them means to pre∣serve and increase their Revenues, to make Friend∣ships, to live peaceably in their Commodities, and to defend them against the violent Usurpers of their Goods.

The School-Doctours, as Cajetan and Grego∣ry de Ʋalentia require four Conditions to justifie Imposts. The First is, The Power and Authority of the Prince. The Second, That they tend to a good End. The Third, That they be according to the abi∣lity of the Subject. The Fourth, That they be impo∣sed upon fit Persons, and rather upon certain Mar∣chandises, then upon that which is totally necessary to the Life of Man.

Samuel failed not well to aggravate to the People the Burdens that they should undergo by choosing them a King, and the Repentance that they should have of it, when the evil should be incureable. But (It being hard to make them believe Reason that ne∣ver use it but when it flatters their own will.) The Israelites were no way diverted from their Proposi∣tion by all possible Remonstrances, but continued to demand a King with great urgency, desiring to be like in that to so many other Nations. They were much like the Froggs in the Fable that prayed Ju∣piter to give them a King, whereto he agreeing, threw into their Lake a great piece of Wood which much astonished them at first, but seeing it without Motion they despised it, and said that they desired a King Robustuous, Active, and Nimble, whereup∣on he gave them a Bird of Prey that ceased not to de∣vour them; After which they made great Com∣plaints, but he would hearken to them no more. So God caused this miserable People to be advertised that when they should be weary of the Domination of Kings, and that they should desire another form of Government, he would have no ears for their Requests. All this inflamed them the more, so resolved were they upon their Misery.

Samuel being willing to deliver himself from their Importunities purposed to choose them a King, and to give him to them with his own hand, not for any mind that he had to keep yet the Go∣vernment, but for the zeal that he had of the Glory of God and of Justice, desiring that the pains that he had

taken to procure peace unto his people, and to pre∣serve it many years together, might not be made unpro∣fitable through the Caprichio's of an evill Succes∣sour that perhaps might take a pride in changing all that he had so carefully established. He did not cast his eyes upon his own Kindred to make himself a crea∣ture in whom he might reign according to flesh and blood, but he took by the Order of God a man very ignore, and little taken notice of amongst his brethren.

Here is a mervellous sport of Divinity, that calls things that are not as things that are, that makes the Light break out of Darknesse, and traces the rayes of his Glory upon an heap of dirt. Saul, of the Tribe of Benjamin, the least amongst the Hebrews, and one of the least qualified in that Tribe, a Countrey-man, into whose heart the Court and Royalty never entred, not so much as in a Dream, went to seek his fathers Asses that then were gone astray. A domestick servant that was with him seeing that he lost his labour in that search gives him notice that in the neighbouring vil∣lage there was a great Personage that was ignorant of nothing, and that he could well tell them news of their losse, and added, that he had a piece of silver that was worth about six pence which he would make a present to him. Saul consents to it, and they goe a∣long both together into the Village of Ziph, where Samuel was that was to be present that day at a Sa∣crifice and a Feast that was made among the Princi∣pall men. Without thinking on it, they meet him, and asked of him where was the Prophets house. Samuel knew by revelation that it was he of whom God had spoken to him, and whom he had chosen to be the King of his People, and enterteined him very courte∣ously, and invited him to the Feast, and to tarry that night in his house without going further, and promised him that he would tell him all that his heart thought on; and as for the Asses he needed not to trouble him∣self; for they were found again. But there were other affairs that concerned him, and that would suddenly make all the Glory and all the Riches of Israel fall in∣to his hands.

The other was extreamly surprised to see himself entreated with so much honour, and confessed with all sincerity the meannesse of his family, and the lit∣tle cause that he had to pretend to such heighths as those. But Samuel taking him by the hand brings him with his servant into the Hall of the Feast, and sets them both at the upper end of the Table, where there were thirty Guests, and caused Saul to be ser∣ved with all that was most exquisite in the Banquet that was kept upon a little Hill very near the Burgh, to which they descended after their repast, and Sa∣muel led Saul into his House, and made him lodge that night in his own Chamber. The morrow he condu∣cted him to the Suburbs of the City, and having cau∣sed his servant to go before, poured on a sudden up∣on his head a precious ointment, and kissing him, told him That God had Anointed him King of his Peo∣ple which he should deliver from the hand of the Philistims. After which he foretold him many things that should befall him, and gave him evident signs of the verity of his words.

When he was returned, he had a curious Uncle that inquired after all that had happened to him, to whom he spake of the Asses, but was very wary not to discover the secret of the Royaltie. Some time after Samuel called a Generall Assembly of all the people to proceed to the Election of a King, and having disposed all the Tribes of Israel for that de∣sign, the lot fell upon that of Benjamin, and upon the Famely of Matri, and in fine, upon Saul, who had hid himself, that he might not expresse any am∣bition of that Royalty; But he was suddenly taken forth out of the place where he had retired himself, and was shewed to the whole Assembly, in which there was not a man that he did not out-passe by all the head.

This rejoyced Samuel, and made him say that they might plainly see that God took a care of their affairs in that Election, by giving them so brave a Man that had not the like amongst all the People, whereupon they all cryed, God save the King.

After this Establishment, Samuel called a second Assembly for his own Discharge, wherein he made a powerfull Oration, declaring to the People the Goodnesse and the Favours they had received from the Hand of God in all his Conduct, ever since their coming out of Egypt, and made a kind of Reca∣pitulation of those that had Governed, and deliver∣ed them from their Enemies even till this time; Then he repeated to them that they had plucked a King out of the hand of God with all importunity, and that it was not pleasing to his Divine Majesty. Whereof he gave them a good Pledge, making at the instant the Voyce of Heaven speak in a great tem∣pest, which affrighted them so much that all desired pardon of that sinne which they would never before acknowledge.

But before he came to those Reproaches, he high∣ly justified himself, calling them to give a Testi∣mony of his Conduct and Conversation amongst them; He Conjured them to speak before God and the new King, if he had ever injured them, or been excessive either upon their Persons, or upon their Goods, and that if they had any thing concerning his Life, or his Conversation, or the Administration of his Charge, he was ready to give them all satis∣faction.

The Reverend Old-man melted their hearts, and all rendered him the testimony of an Honesty and Ju∣stice irreproachable. Thereupon he protested that he would never forget them, and that being out of his Office, he would offer to God his most fervent Pray∣ers for their Wellfare, and would have a care of their Quiet, as farre as he should be able, exhort∣ing them furthermore to remain inviolable in the Re∣ligion of their Fathers, and in the true Worship of the Living God, and assuring them that he would never cast them off as long as they should adhere to him by the Submission and Duties of true Chil∣dren.

The People began to perceive what they had iost, in the discharge of so Venerable a Person, and were ashamed of their precipitation; but they were now embarked too far, and must sail to the liking of the Tempest.

Here is a great Secret of Divine Policy which hath tormented Curious Spirits in their search into it, that demand wherefore God (making use of the Ministery of the wisest Man that was at that time on Earth to give a King to his own People, that was to be as the Foundation-Stone, and the Basis of the Royalty of Judea) made so ill a choice, that he was as it were forced by the deportments of Saul to break in pieces his own work. But we ought to con∣sider that in the choice of Princes and Sovereigns, God approves not alwayes all that he gives, nor gives not also all that he approves. There are Kings that are given by favour, and others by wrath; Those are sent into the world as Starres, and these as Comets. He saith in his Prophet, That he will give a King in his fury, to expiate the sinnes of his people; and S. Gregory

hath worthily observed, that Kings are measured out by Providence, according to the disposition of the Sub∣jects; and which is more, that God permits the sins of good Kings for the chastisement of the people, and that there is such a connexion between the manners of the Master and the Servants, that the fault of the Master causes the wicked life of the Servants; and the good life of the Servants, the amendment of the Master. God was provoked against the Israelites by reason of their Idolatry, of their Obstinacy, and of their Ingra∣titude towards Samuel, and this was the cause that he gave them Saul, not so much to govern, as to punish them, and make them regret the virtue of their con∣temned Prophet by the comparison of the two Go∣vernments. He suffers also Samuel to be deceived in that choice, to teach us, that it belongs onely to the eternall Wisdome to know, and to make tums of State that surpasse the capacity of the ablest men.

If the stature of the body made the Excellency of Kings, Saul (without controversie) was one of the chief; he had a very fair appearance to the exteriour, but within were found great defects of virtues and Royall qualities. He was a guilded portall that na∣ture had built for an house of straw. The people at first were ravished with him, and measuring him by the greatnesse of the body, judged him the prime man of their Nation, not seeing that making that judge∣ment, they preferred a flint before a pearl. The first unhappinesse of his conduct was, that he had not an heart for God, but for his own interest, and that he did not unite himself close enough to Samuel, that had made him King, and that was the Oracle from which he should have learned the divine Will. The second was a furious State-jealousie, his capitall devil that put his Reason into a disorder, and infected all the pleasures and contentments of his life. He was but weak to hold an Empire, and govern with love, and yet he loved passionately all that he could least com∣passe, and would do every thing of his own head, thinking that the assistance of a good Councel was the diminution of his Authority. Sometimes he was sen∣sible of his defects, but instead of amending them, he desired to take away the eyes of those men that per∣ceived them. His Spirit was little in a great body; his Reason barren in a multitude of businesse; his Pas∣sions violent with small reservednesse; his Breakings out impetuous; his Counsels sudden, and his Life full of inequalities.

Samuel had prudently perceived that the Philistims were dangerous enemies to the State of Judea, because they knew its weaknesse, and kept it in subjection a long time, depriving it of the means of thinking fully upon its liberty. And therefore he maintained a peace with them, and used them courteously, gaining all that he could by good Treaties, and would not precipitate a Warre, which was to weaken the Israelites without recovery. But Saul thought not himself an able man, if he had not spoiled all, and without making any other provision of necessary things, he made a great levy of Souldiers, and a mighty Army to go against the enemies, in which there was but two swords. It was a plot that permitted not the Hebrews to have Armorers, nor other men that laboured in Iron, to∣tally to disarm them, and at the least motion that they should make, expose them for a p••ey. These assault∣ed Philistims found him businesse enough through the whole course of his Government and Life, and in the end, buried him with his children in the ruines of his State.

But God that would give some credit to Samuel's choice, sent at first prosperities to Gods people under the conduct of that new King, wherein, that which served for a glory to that holy man, was a vain bait to Saul, to make him enterprise things that could give him no other ability but to destroy himself.

About a moneth after his election, Nahash the Am∣monite, raised an Army to fall upon the Jabites that were in league with the people of Israel; and those seeing that they were not strong enough to resist so terrible an enemy, dispatched an Embassage to him to treat about a Peace. But that insolent Prince made an∣swer to their Embassadours, that he would not make any treaty of Peace with them on any other conditi∣on, then by plucking out their right Eyes, and covering them with a perpetuall ignominy. These poor people that were reduc'd almost to a despair, implored on all sides the assistance of their neighbours, and failed not to supplicate to the Israelites (their friends) to do some∣thing in their favour. Their Messengers being arriv'd at Gibeah, related the sad news of the cruelty of Nahash, that filled the people with fear and tears. Saul re∣turning from the fields, was driving his oxen, when hearing the groans of his Subjects, demanded the cause of it, and having been informed, entred into so great a rage at the pitilesse extremities of that fierce Ammonite, that he instantly tore in pieces his two oxen, and sent the pieces of them through all the cities and villages of his Dominion, commanding every one to follow him to revenge that injury, otherwise their cattle should be dealt with, as he had done with his two oxen. The Israelites mov'd, partly by compassi∣on, and partly also by fear of those menaces, poured out themselves from all parts to this Warre in such a sort, that he had got together three hundred thousand men. He divided them into three Battalions, and went to meet the Ammonite, whom he set upon so vigorously, and combated so valiantly, that he totally defeated his Army, and humbled that proud Giant that thought on nothing but putting out mens eyes, making him know that pride goes before reproach, as the lightning before the thunder.

All the great people that compos'd that Army re∣turned unto their houses, and Saul retained onely three thousand men, whereof he gave one thousand to his son Jonathan, that was a man full of spirit and gene∣rosity, and farre better liked then his father Saul. This Militia was too little considerable for so great enemies, yet he had a courage to assault a place of the Phili∣stims, and routed their Garrison; whereat they being pricked beyond measure betake themselves into the field with an Army, in which there were thirty thou∣sand chariots of warre, and people without end; whereat the Israelites were so affrighted, that all scat∣ter'd themselves, and went to hide themselves in caves, so that there remained but about six hundred men with Saul, who marched with a small noise, and durst not appear before his adversaries. Samuel had promised to see him within seven dayes, to sacrifice to God and en∣courage the people.

But Saul seeing that the seventh day was come with∣out having any tidings of him, takes himself the burnt offering, offers the Sacrifice, and playes the Priest, without having any Mission either ordinary or extra∣ordinary. As soon as he had made an end of burning the Holocaust, Samuel arrives, to whom he related, how that seeing all the people debauch themselves and quit the Army, and how that being pressed by his ene∣mies, in a time wherein it behoved them to have re∣course to prayer before they gave battle, he was per∣swaded that God would like well enough that in the necessity, and long absence of Samuel, he should per∣form the office of a Priest by presenting the burnt offer∣ing, which he had done with a good intention, without

pretending to usurp any thing upon his office. Samuel rebuked him sharply for that action, to shew, that there is no pretense nor necessity that is able to justifie a sin; and that it no way belongs to Lay-people to meddle with the Censer, and to do the Functions that regard the Priests. Then Samuel fore-told him that his Kingdome should not be stable, and that God would provide himself another that should be a more religious observer of his Law: thereupon he left him for a time, and Saul having recollected all the people that he could endeavoured to oppose the enemy.

The brave Jonathan, accompanied with his armour-bearer, found a way to climb over rocks, and to sur∣prise a court-of-Guard of the Philistims which they thought had been inaccessible, which put them in a ter∣rible fright, imagining that those that had got so farre had great forces, though they did not yet appear.

This brought their Army into a confusion, and God also putting his hand farre into the businesse fill'd them with such an amazement, that their ranks being in disorder, they killed one another without knowing their own party. The people of Israel having received intelligence of that rout take heart again, and get them out of the caves into which they had retired themselves, to range themselves about Saul's person, who was thereby transported with such an ardour, that he conjur'd all his Army to follow the Philistims (without drinking or eating) till they were all destroyed.

This was a precipitation of his unequall spirit and a true Chimaera; yet desiring to make that passe for Zeal which was a pure Passion, he would needs cause his son Jonathan to be put to death for having sucked a little honey at the end of his rod; but the people rescued him out of his hands, and desisted to pur∣sue the Philistims, being not in a condition to fight with them.

Some time after, Samuel exhorted him to enterprise a puissant Warre against the Amalekites (sworn ene∣mies of the people of God) and conjur'd him to make every thing passe through the edge of the sword, with∣out sparing any body; and above all, to reserve no∣thing of the booty that should be made upon them, that should not be consumed with fire. To this, Saul seem'd to be inclin'd with vigour, and raised an Army of more then two hundred thousand men; so great was the weight of the Authority, when Samuel put him∣self into party. He fell suddenly upon the Amalekites and defeated them with a generall rout, so farre, as to take their King prisoner; but he contented himself with destroying and burning all that was caytiffe and unprofitable, reserving Agag the King, with the best flocks and herds, and choicest moveables. In the mean while, he was so much puft up with this victory, that he caused an Arch of Triumph to be erected to him∣self, and spread himself in the vanities of his spirit while God was thinking of rejecting him, and giving orders to Samuel to tell him his unhappinesse. Yet Saul (blind in his sin) received the man of God into his Camp with an extraordinary joy, vaunting himself for having efficaciously fulfilled the commandment of God; and while he was speaking it, the voyce of the Flocks that he had put aside was heard; where∣upon Samuel said, What means this Cattle that strikes my ears with its bleatings? To which he an∣swered, That he had reserved them expresly for an offering to the living God. But Samuel replyed, That there was no Sacrifice so pleasing to God as Obedi∣ence; and that Sin, which was contrary to him, was a kind of Idolatry; and that since he had despised the Word of God, he should be cast off, and deprived of the Kingdome; whereat he being astonished; con∣fessed that he had offended hearkning more to the voyce of the People then to that of God, and be∣seeched Samuel to excuse his sinne, to bear with his infirmities, and to go with him to the sacrifice to adore God in sign of reconciliation. Whereto Samuel replyed that he would have no more any thing common with a man whom God had abandon'd, and saying this, steps forward, and turns his back to him: the other layes hold on the fringe of his robe which remained in his hands, which when the Prophet saw, Behold (said he) how your King∣dome shall be divided and given to a better then your self. The Triumpher of Israel, the true God of hosts is not as a man, to change his purposes, and repent him of his counsels. The King hum∣bled himself again acknowledging his fault, and beseeching Samuel earnestly not to leave him, but to render him the ordinary respect before the Princes of the people, and to come and wor∣ship God with him. Samuel, fearing the disorder of the Army, consented for that time, but after∣ward never saw Saul any more to the day of his death.

He ceased not to weep bitterly for him, consider∣ing that he that had been chosen by his hand had come to so little good, and had carried himself with so much contempt of the commandments of God. This wounded his heart, and would not let him put an end to his mournings, till his great Master comforted him, and suggested David to him, who should fill up worthily the place that Samuel was about to lose by his iniquity. And (indeed) he performed then a bold enterprise, going to Beth∣leem, under colour of a Sacrifice, and Anointing David King in Saul's life time, although that de∣sign was secret, that it might be managed with more successe. After that time, Saul was left visibly by God, possessed with an evil spirit, and gnawed perpetually with jealousies of State which the person of David caused in him by reason of his valour and great virtues, as I shall declare in the follow∣ing Elogy. In the mean while, Samuel lived retired from Court, without meddling with Sate-affairs; and Saul, by his departure, changed the sins of Va∣nity and of Fearfulnesse into Sacrilegies and Mas∣sacres, letting loose the bridle to his fury, to retain the phantasme of an Empire that flew out of his hands. Good Samuel ceased not in his solitude to bewail two King that he had made, looking upon one as an homicide, and the other as a sacrifice of death. He was afflicted inconsolably to hear of the deportments of that furious Saul that made of one wickednesse a degree to passe unto another, in∣venting every day new butcheries to cement his Throne with the bloud of his brethren. He melted himself with compassion for his poor David, seeing Saul's sword hang but by a little thread, alwayes ready to fall upon his innocent head. He deplored the miseries of the poor people which he could not any longer remedy, and passing over again in his remembrance all the vicissitudes of mans life, and the treacheries of the Court, he had an ardent thirst to depart out of this world to go to find Innocence in the bosome of his Fathers. God heard him, and drew him to himself by a peaceable death the seventy and seventh year of his age, the eight and thirtieth of his Government, and the seventh after his retreat from Court. He was mourned and lamented for, by all the people, as the Father of his Countrey: and magnificent Funeralls were made for him, to render him a testimony at his death of the

commendable actions of his holy and generous life. Saul remained yet two years upon the Throne after him, and the Even before his great over∣throw, the Soul of Samuel returned from Limbus, not by the work of the Pythonesse, but by the will of God and spake to him, and told him of his disastre, as I have said in the Maxim of the Immor∣tality of Souls.