SECT. CLIV.
THE impiety and wickedness of the times was now so great that the word of the Lord was precious, there was no open vision; that is, there was not a man openly known to whom the Lord appeared in Visions, or whom he sent forth among the people with a word of Prophesie in his mouth. So that the Lord did not now reveal his mind to them by his Prophets, as he used to do at other times. See Psal. 74.9. And this is mentioned probably for the honour of Samuel to whom the Lord was pleased to appear at such a time as this, and to re-establish in him the Prophetick Office; See 2 Chron. 35.18. and Act. 3.24. And the particular time when the Lord appeared to him is also set down, which was when Eli (being very old and his eyes dim) was laid down in his place, that is, to take his rest in that place and in that lodging which belonged to him as High-Priest near unto the Court of the Tabernacle, and it was to∣wards the morning before the Lamps that were in the Golden Candlestick in the Taber∣nacle were gone out, or the oyl spent. See Exod. 30.7. Samuel being laid down to sleep in a Chamber near unto him, the Lord calls him, who awaking, and suppo∣sing his Master Eli had called him, ran to him, but Eli told him that he did not call him, and therefore bids him lye down again. The Lord calls Samuel a second time, and he runs again to Eli, who tells him he did not call him, and bids him go to his bed again. Samuel was not yet acquainted with that way whereby the Lord did use to make known himself to his Prophets, viz. by Visions, neither had there been as yet any such revelation made unto him. The Lord calls him a third time, and he running again to Eli, supposing that he had called him, Eli then perceived that the Lord had appeared unto him, he bids him therefore go and lye down again, and if he heard the voice calling him any more, he should say, Speak Lord, for thy servant heareth. Sa∣muel lying down again, the Lord came and stood and called Samuel, Samuel, (appear∣ing possibly in a visible shape), he answered as Eli had bidden him, Speak Lord, for thy servant heareth; then the Lord said to him, Behold I will do a thing in Israel at which both the ears of every one that heareth it shall tingle, (See 2 King. 12.12.) meaning the discomfiture of the Israelites, the taking of the Ark, the death of Eli's Sons, and Eli's falling down backward, and breaking his neck; his daughter-in-law Phinehas's wife falling presently into the pains of Travel, and dying; Judgments so dreadful and hideous, that every one that heard of them must needs be filled with horrour, and astonishment. And then will I perform against Eli all things that I have spoken concerning his house. And though it may be some time e're I begin thus to visit him, yet when I have once begun I will not cease till I have made an end. For I have told him that I will judg his house for ever, (that is punish it till it be utterly ruined) for the iniquity which he knew his Sons committed, and yet he restrained them not, neither chiding them severely as he was a Father, nor deposing them from their office as he was the High-Priest, nor punishing them corporally as he was a Judg. Therefore I have sworn unto the house of Eli, that the iniquity of Eli's house shall not be purged with Sacrifice, nor offering for ever; that is, that the temporal punishment denounced against them should not be kept off, or averted by any Sacrifices or Oblations whatsoever, though by their unfeigned repentance they may prevent their eternal misery.
Samuel having heard these sad words, rose in the morning and opened the doors of the Tabernacle (which seems at this time to be housed as we shewed before) but he was affraid to acquaint Eli with the things revealed to him in this Vision, because he