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All Bible Meditations by King James VI & I

Written by the Most Christian King and Sincere Professer of the Truth,
JAMES, by the Grace of God: King of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, etc.

A Fruitful Meditation: Containing a Plain and Easy Exposition, or Laying Open of the 7, 8, 9 and 10th Verses of the 20th Chapter of the Revelation, in Form and Manner of a Sermon.

The Text

7. And when the thousand years are expired (or ended), Satan shall be loosed out of his prison.
8. And shall go out to deceive the people, which are in the four quarters of the earth, even Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle, whose number are as the sand of the sea.
9. And they went up to the plane of the earth, which compassed the tents of the saints about and the beloved city: but fire came down from God out of the heaven and devoured them.
10. And the devil that deceived them was cast into a lake of fire and brimstone, where that beast and that false prophet are, and shall be tormented even day and night forevermore.

The Meditation

As of all books the Holy Scripture is most necessary for the instruction of a Christian, and of all Scriptures, the book of the Revelation is most proper for this our last age* as prophecy of the latter times. So I have selected or chosen out of this place thereof, as most proper for the action we have in hand presently. For after the Apostle John had prophesied of the latter times, in the 19th chapter preceding, he now in this 20th chapter gathered up a sum of the whole†

1. First, the happy estate of the Church, from Christ's days, to the days of the defection or falling away of the Antichrist in the first six verses of this 20th chapter.
2. Next, the defection or falling away itself, in this place that I have in hand, to wit, the seventh, eighth, ninth, and tenth verses.
3. Thirdly, the general punishment of the wicked in the great day of judgment, from the tenth verse unto the end of the chapter.

The Apostle his meaning in this place then is this*; that after that Satan then had been bound a thousand years which did appear by his discourse preceding, of the saints triumphing in the earth, he shall at last break forth again loose, and for a space rage in the earth more than ever before: but yet shall in the end be overcome and confounded forever.

It rests now, knowing the sum†, that we come to the exposition or meaning of the verses; and first expound or lay open by way of paraphrase the hardness of the words, next declare the meaning of them, and thirdly note what we should learn of all.

The First Part

As touching these words in them for order sake, we may note: 1 first Satan his loosing, 2 next his doing after he is loosed, 3 and last his unhappy success.

Then for the first, by Satan is meant not only the dragon* (enemy to Christ and His Church), but also with him all the instruments in whom he rules and by whom he rules, and by whom he utters his cruel and crafty intentions, specially the Antichrist and his clergy, joined with the dragon before in the 16th chapter verse 17 and called the beast, and the false prophet. For as Christ and His Church are called after one name, Christ, by reason of their most straight and near union, and heavenly effects flowing there from, 1 Corinthians 12:12. So Satan and his synagogue are here rightly called Satan, by reason of their union, and cursed effects flowing therefrom. These thousand years are but a number certain for an uncertainty†, which phrase or manner of speaking is often used by the Spirit of God in the Scriptures, meaning a great number of years.

Moreover the prison whereout he is loosed is the hells*, which by the Spirit of God are called his prison for two causes: 1 one, because during the time of this world (at times appointed by God), he is debarred from walking on the earth†, and sent towards there, greatly to his torment, as was testified or witnessed by the miracle at Genezareth among the Gadarenes, Matthew 8:28. 2 Next, because that after the consummation or end of the world, he shall be perpetually or forever imprisoned therein, as is written in the same chapter, verse 10. Finally, he is loosed by interruption or hindering‡, and for the most part to the judgment of men, abolition or overthrow of the sincere preaching of the Gospel, the true use of the sacraments (which are seals and pledges of the promises contained therein), and lawful exercise of Christian discipline whereby both Word and sacraments are maintained in purity called in the first verse the great chain, whereby the devil is bound and signified by the white horse, governed by the Lamb, chapter 6 verse 2. So the meaning of all this 7th verse is this: the devil having been bound, and his power in his instruments having been restrained for a long space by the preaching of the Gospel, at the last he is loosed out of hell by the raising up of so many new errors and notable evil instruments, especially the Antichrist and his clergy; who not only infect the earth anew, but rule also over the whole through the decrease of true doctrine, and the number of the faithful following it, and the daily increase of errors, and nations following them believing lies, hating the truth, and taking pleasure in unrighteousness, 2 Thessalonians 2:11-12. And thus far for Satan his loosing.

Now to the next, his doing after he is loosed*. First he goes out to seduce or beguile the nations that are into the four corners of the earth, and they become his; though in certain degrees his tyranny and travail appear, and bursts out in some more than in others: for as all that do good are inspired of God thereto, and do utter the same in certain degrees (according unto the measure of Grace granted unto them): so all that do evil are inspired by Satan, and do utter the same in diverse degrees, according as that unclean spirit takes possession in them, and by diverse objects and means allures them to do his will; some by ambition, some by envy, some by malice, and some by fear, and so forth: and this is the first work.

Secondly, he gathers Gog and Magog to battle* in number like the sand of the sea, and so he and his inclined to battle and bloodshed have mighty armies, and in number many, inflamed with cruelty. The special heads and rulers of their armies, or rather ranks of their confederates, to go to battle and to fight are twain here named Gog and Magog. Gog in Hebrew is called Hid and Magog revealed, to signify that in two sorts of men chiefly Satan shall utter himself, to wit, hypocrites, and avowed or open enemies to God. It is said then that Satan in the latter times rule a new over the world, who shall stir up the nations under the banners of these two enemies to God, the hypocritical and open, to spread themselves in great multitudes upon the earth.

Thirdly, they shall ascend upon the plane of the earth presumptuously and proudly bragging of their numbers and force and thinking none shall be able to resist their rage. They shall compass and besiege the camps of the saints and beloved city, that is, the handful of the faithful beloved of the Lord against whom, trusting in their untellable number like the sane of the sea, they shall make a cruel and uncessable war.

The elect are called saints and beloved because they are in the love of God selected and severed out, and by Grace engrafted in Christ, in whom they are counted and found justified, sanctified, worthy of love, and endless glory. Their faithful fellowship is compared to tents and to a city beloved, to signify their continual warfare in the earth against Satan and sin, with all his instruments: their mutual amity, and friendly conjunction in love among themselves, and joining together to maintain the good cause that their God has clad them with; but chiefly to signify the mighty and all sufficient protection or defence in prosperity and adversity flowing from God for their just aid against all powers that can pursue whereby they also become fair as the moon, pure as the sun, terrible as an army with banners, Song of Solomon 1:6-9 Yea, as a defenced city and iron pillar: and walls of brass against the whole earth, Jeremiah 1:18.

The sum then of Satan his doing after he is loosed* is this: he shall deceive the nations, he shall gather an infinite number of hypocrites and open enemies together, inflamed with cruelty, and these shall in prideful presumption fiercely bend themselves against the chosen of God, and His truth professed by them. But what at last shall the success be? Surely most unhappy†; for fire shall come down from heaven and devour them, and the devil that deceived them, and all his instruments: chiefly the beast and false prophet shall be cast in a lake of fire and brimstone, and shall be tormented day and night incessantly forever and ever. That is, how greatly forever their brags be, how near forever they shall appear to be to obtain their purpose, God from heaven (as the palace and throne) wherefrom He give proof of His mercy towards His own, and of His justice toward his enemies shall send plagues and destruction, as well as ordinary, as extraordinary upon them. Ordinary by revealing their wickedness by the thundering mouths of true pastors (which is oft called fire in the Scriptures), extraordinary by all corporeal plagues to their utter destruction and untellable torment forever in the hells. Thus far for the exposition or paraphrase of the words.

The Second Part

Now follows the interpretation of the sentence according to the order used in the first part. And first we must know what time these thousand or many years was in, and when and how, Satan was loosed*. This time is to be found in the sixth chapter in the opening of the first three seals of the secret book of God His providence by the Lamb, to wit, the time when the white, red, and black horses had their course in the world. And to speak more plainly, the devil his power did lurk which is called his binding, and the Gospel did flourish in a reasonable purity many hundred years after Christ, as the ecclesiastical histories bear witness. For in great purity the Gospel did continue long, which is signified by the course of the white horse, albeit the professers were under the cross signified by the red horse and troubled wonderfully by heretics signified by the black horse; by wormwood that fell in the fountains of waters in the third trumpet, and by waters that the dragon spewed out of his mouth in the vision of the dragon and the woman, chapter 12. This time did endure from Christ a space after Augustine his days, when the bloody sword of persecution ceasing, the whole Church began to be defiled with diverse heresies which coming unto a mature and ripe heap, did produce or bring forth the Antichrist, signified by the pale horse in the fourth seal, by the king of locusts in the fifth trumpet by Babylon in the 11th and 18th chapter, by the second beast rising out of the sea in the 13th chapter, and by the woman clad with scarlet in the 17th chapter. The arisings of the heresies and the Antichrist breeding of their smoke is in this place called the loosing of Satan.

Now follows after this his loosing what he does: he deceives the nations universally*, he gathers Gog and Magog with untellable armies to fight, he climbs upon the plane of the earth, he compasses the tents of the saints, and the beloved city about: these are his doings.

Now because these actions are most lively declared in other places of the same book, I will shortly allege them to make the matter clear by conference of places, expounding every one another. It is said in the ninth chapter that the Antichrist shall send out his locusts or ecclesiastical orders by fair allurements to entice the world, to yield to his and their abominable heresies, and shall prevail over the most part. It is said in the 11th chapter that he shall persecute the saints, kill the two witnesses, and shall rejoice with the kings of the earth for their killing, as having been the only hindrances to his full glory. It is said in the 13th chapter that he shall blaspheme God in usurping his power that by the advice and assistance of the false prophet, or false Church; he shall send out his images to ambassadors through the world persecuting and destroying them that will not obey him and them, and acknowledge his supremacy. Yea, none shall be suffered to buy or sell or use civil society, that acknowledges not his supreme power and dignity. It is said in the 16th chapter that God plaguing him for these foresaid abuses, he shall be so far from repentance (as by the contrary he shall find out a new sort of vermin), that is, a new ecclesiastical order which are called their frogs, who shall move and entice the princes of the earth to join with him and make war against the faithful, pressing utterly to destroy them and of that battle, and the end thereof does this place make mention.

Now shortly join all these together, and so obtain the meaning. There shall arise an Antichrist and enemy to God and His Church: he shall be head of a false and hypocritical Church, he shall claim a supreme power in earth, he shall usurp the power of God, he shall deceive men with abusing locusts, he shall persecute the faithful, none shall be found that dare openly resist him. In the end feeling his kingdom decay, and the true Church beginning to prosper, he shall by a new sort of deceiving spirits, gather together the kings of the earth in great multitudes like the sands of the sea, and by joining or at least suffering of that other great open enemy, he shall with these numbers compass the camps of the faithful, besiege the beloved city, make war against the saints, but victory shall he not have, and shame and confusion shall be his and all his partakers' end.

Now whether the Pope bears these marks or not* let any indifferent man judge; I think surely it expounds itself. Does he not usurp Christ His office calling himself universal bishop and head of the Church? Playing he not the part of Apollyon and Abaddon the king of locusts and destroyer (or son of perdition), in chopping and changing of souls betwixt heaven, hell, and his fantastic or imagined purgatory at his pleasure? Blaspheme he not in denying us to be saved by the imputation of Christ His righteousness? Moreover, has he not sent forth and abused the world with innumerable orders of locusts and shavelings? Has he not so fully ruled over the world these many hundred years as to the fire went he, whosoever he was that dared deny any part of his usurped supremacy? And has he not of late days seeing his kingdom going to decay, sent out the Jesuits his last and most pernicious vermin† to stir up the princes of the earth his slaves, to gather and league themselves together for his defence, and rooting out of all them that profess Christ truly? And whereas the open enemy of God; the Muslim was under bloody wars with him ever before, is there not of late a truce among them that the faithful may be the more easily rooted out? And are not the armies presently assembled, yea, upon the very point of their execution in France against the saints there? In Flanders for the like and in Germany, by whom already the Bishop of Cologne is displaced? And what is prepared and come forward against this isle? Do we not daily hear, and by all appearance and likelihood shall shortly see? Now may we judge if this be not the time whereof this place that I have made choice does mean, and so the due time for the revealing of this prophecy. Thus far for the interpretation of the sentence or meaning.

The Third Part

Now I come to the last part, what we may learn of this place which I will shortly touch in a few points, and so, to make an end.

And first of the devil his loosing by the rising of Antichrist; for the just punishment of the unthankful world hating the truth, and delighting in lies, and manifesting of His own chosen that stuck to the truth, we have two things to note:

One for instruction that the justice of God* in respect of man his falling wilfully from the truth (as Paul says), justly did send to the world the great abuser with efficacy of lies, as well to tyrannise spiritually over the conscience by heresy as corporally over their bodies by the civil sword. And therefore we must fear to fall from the truth revealed and professed by us that we may be free from the like punishment.

The other for our comfort, that this tyranny of the Antichrist, sifting out the chaff from the corn (as our master says), shall tend to the double condemnation of the fallers back, and to the double crown of glory to the preservers or standers out to the end*. Blessed are they that preserve or stand out to the end, for they shall be saved.

2. Next of the number of nations in the four quarters of the earth deceived, and companies gathered together to fight like the sand of the sea, we are taught that the defection or falling away under the Antichrist was general*, and so, no visible Church was there: whereof two things do follow: one, the Church may be corrupted and err, another: the Church may lurk and be unknown for a certain space.

3. Thirdly, of that, that Satan is not content only to deceive except he also gather to the battle his instruments; we are informed of the implacable or unappeasable malice borne by Satan in his instruments against God in his members*, who never ceases like a roaring lion (as Peter says) to go about assailing to devour. This, his malice, is notably laid forth in the 12th and 13th chapter of this book: for it is said that when he had spewed out great rivers of waters, that is, infinite heresies and lies to swallow up the woman, and notwithstanding she was delivered therefore, yet again he raised up a beast out of the sea: the bloody Roman Empire by the sword to devour her, and her seed, and that being wounded deadly yet he raises another beast forth of the earth, which is the Antichrist by heresy and sword joined together to serve his turn. So the devil (seeing that no mist of heresies can obscure or darken the Gospel in the hearts of the faithful, and that the cruel sword of persecutors cannot stay the prosperous success of Christ His kingdom), he raises up the Antichrist with both his swords to the effect that as one of them says, that which Peter his keys could not, Paul his sword should. And so, has he done at this time, for seeing the true Church will not be abused with the absurd heresies, for last refuge now rooted out must they be by the civil sword.

4. Fourthly, of their great numbers able to compass about the tents of the saints, and to besiege the holy cities. We are informed that the wicked are ever the greatest part of the world: and therefore our master says: "many are called, few chosen"*, and again: "wide is the way that leads to destruction and many enter thereat, but narrow is the way that leads to life and few enter thereat". Also He calls them the world and the devil the prince of the same.

5. Fifthly, the agreeance of Gog and Magog: the Muslim the open enemy and the Pope the covered enemy, to this persecution declares the rooted hatred of the wicked against the faithful, who though they be otherwise in enmity among themselves, yet agree in this respect*, in odium tertij, as did Herod and Pilate.

6. Sixthly, the compassing of the saints, and besieging of the beloved city declares unto us a certain note of a false Church to be persecution*: for they come to seek the faithful, the faithful are those that are sought. The wicked are the besiegers; the faithful besieged.

7. Seventhly, in the form of language, and phrase or manner of speaking of fire coming down from the heaven here used, and taken out of the book of the Kings* where, at Elijah his prayers, with fire from heaven were destroyed Ahaziah his soldiers. As the greatest part of all the words, verses, and sentences of this book are taken and borrowed of other parts of the Scripture, we are taught to use only Scripture for interpretation of Scripture†, if we would be sure and never swerve from the analogy of faith in expounding, seeing it repeats so oft the own phrases, and thereby expounds them.

8. Eighthly, of the last part of the confusion of the wicked even at the top of their height and wheel, we have two things to note: one, that God although He suffers the wicked to run on while their cup be full, yet in the end He strikes them; first in this world and next in the world to come: to the deliverance of His Church in this world and the perpetual glory of the same in the world to come. The other note is, that after the great persecution and the destruction of the pursuers shall the day of judgment follow: for so declares the 11th verse of this same chapter, but in how short space it shall follow that is only known unto God. Only this far are we certain, that, in the last estate without anymore general mutations, the world shall remain till the consummation and the end of the same.

To conclude then with exhortation: it is all our duties in this isle at this time to do two things: one, to consider our estate, another to conform our actions according thereunto. Our estate is, we are threefold besieged:

1. First, spiritually by the heresies of the Antichrist
2. Secondly, corporally & generally (as members of that Church) the which in the whole they persecute
3. Thirdly, corporally and particularly by this present army

Our actions then conformed to our estate are these:

1. First, to call for help at God His hands
2. Next, to assure us of the same, seeing we have a sufficient warrant; His constant promise expressed in His Word
3. Thirdly, since with Good conscience we may, being in the tents of the saints & beloved city, stand in our defence, encourage one another to use lawful resistance*, and concur or join one with another as warriors in one camp, and citizens of one beloved city: for maintenance of the good cause God has clad us with, and in defence of our liberties, native country, and lives.

For since we see God has promised not only in the world to come, but also in this world to give us victory over then, let us in assurance hereof strongly trust in our God, cease to mistrust His promise and fall through incredulity or unbelief: for then are we worthy of double punishment. For the stronger they wax and the nearer they come to their light, the faster approaches their wreck and the day of our delivery. For kind, and loving, true, and constant careful, and watchful, mighty, and revenging is He that promises it: to whom be praise and glory forever.

AMEN.

A Meditation Upon the 25, 26, 28 and 29 Verses of the 15th Chapter of the First Book of the Chronicles of the Kings

The Text

25. So David and the elders of Israel and the captains of thousands went to bring up the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord, from the house of Obed-Edom with joy.
26. And because that God helped the Levites that bare the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord, they offered seven bullocks and seven rams.
27. And David had on him a linen garment, as all the Levites that bare the ark, and the singers and Chenaniah that had the chief charge of the singers: and upon David was a linen ephod.
28. Thus all Israel brought up the Ark of the Lord's Covenant with shouting and sound of cornet, and with trumpets, and with cymbals, making a sound with viols and with harps.
29. And when the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord came into the city of David, Michal the daughter of Saul looked out at a window, and saw King David dancing and playing, and she despised him in her heart.

The Meditation

As of late when greatest appearance of peril was by that foreign and godless fleet, I took occasion by a text selected for the purpose to exhort you to remain constant, resting assured of a happy deliverance. So now by the great mercies of God, my speeches having taken an evident effect I could do no less of my careful duty than out of this place cited, teach you what rests on your part to be done. Not of any opinion I have of my ability to instruct you, but that these meditations of mine may after my death remain to the posterity as a certain testimony of my upright and honest meaning in this so great and weighty cause. Now I come to the matter. David that godly king you see, has no sooner obtained victory over God's and his enemies the Philistines, but his first action which follows, is with concurrence of his whole estates to translate the Ark of the Lord's Covenant to his house in great triumph and gladness accompanied with the sound of musical instruments. And being so brought to the king's house, he himself dances and rejoices before it: which thing Michal the daughter of Saul and his wife perceiving, she despised and laughed at her husband in her mind. This is the sum.

The First Part

As to the first part; the causes moving David passing all others, I note two: one internal the other external. The internal was a fervent and zealous mind in David fully disposed to extol the glory of God that had called him to be king as he says himself*. The zeal of your house it eats me up, Psalm 69:9. But more largely expressed in the 132th Psalm composed at the same time while this work was a doing. The external was a notable victory newly obtained by the power of God over and against the Philistines; old and pernicious enemy to the people of God expressed in the last part of the 14th chapter preceding. By this victory or cause external, the internal causes and zeal in David is so doubly inflamed that all things set aside; in this work only he will be occupied. These are the two weighty causes moving him. Whereof we may learn: first that the chief virtue which should be in a Christian prince and which the Spirit of God always chiefly praises in him, is a fervency and constant zeal to promote the glory of God that has honoured him. Next, that where this zeal is unfeigned God leaves never that person without continual powering of His blessings on him, thereby to stir up into him a double measure of zeal and thankfulness towards God. Thirdly, that the Church of God never wanted enemies and notable victories over them to assure them at all times of the constant kindness of God towards them; even when as by the cross as a bitter medicine†, he cures their infirmities, saves them from gross sins, and tries their faith. For we find plainly in the Scriptures that no sooner God Himself chose Israel to be His people. But as soon & ever thereafter as long as they remained His, the devil so envied their prosperity as he hounded out his instruments the nations, at all times to trouble and war against them, yet to the comfort of His Church afflicted and wreck of their afflicters in the end. This first was practiced by Pharaoh in Egypt: and after their deliverance first by the Ammonites and then by the Philistines continually thereafter until the rising of the monarchies who every one did exercise themselves in the same labour. But to note here the rage of all profane princes and nations which exercised their cruelty upon the Church of God were superfluous and tedious in respect of that which I have set down in my former meditation: wherefore I only go forward than in this. As this was the continual behaviour of the nations towards Israel. So it was most especially in the time of David, and among the rest at this time here cited at what time having newly invaded Israel and being driven back, they would yet assemble again in great multitudes to war against the people of God and not content to defend their own countries as the Israelites did, would needs come out of the same to pursue them and so spread themselves in the valley. But David by God's direction brings forth the people against them who fights, and according to God's promises overcomes them only by the hand of God and not by their power, as the place itself most plainly does show. So the Church of God may be troubled but in trouble it cannot perish and the end of their trouble is the very wreck and destruction of God's enemies.

The Second Part

Now follows secondly the persons who did concur with David in this action*: the Spirit notes three ranks of them. In the first are the elders of Israel, in the next are the captains over thousands, in the third are the priests and Levites of whom summarily I will speak. These elders were substituted under Davind in the kingdom, and as his hands in all parts of the country ministering justice and judgment to the king's subjects. And they were of two sorts, magistrates in walled towns who in the gates of the cities executed judgment, and chief in tribes and fathers of families who in the country did judge and minister judgment as the Scripture reports. They were not unlike to the two of the estates of our kingdom: the baron and the burgess. The captains over thousands were godly and valiant men, who, under the king did rule in time of war, had the custody of the king's person, and found his battles. These were necessary officers for David who was appointed by God in his time (as we are taught out of God's own words, speaking by Nathan to David), to fight God's battles, to subdue the enemies of His Church, and to procure by so doing, a peaceable kingdom for Solomon his son, who should in peace as a figure of Christ the prince of peace, build the Lord's temple. These are spoken of here to teach us first, that their calling is lawful. Next, that in their calling they should be earnest to honour God, and thirdly that these captains chiefly were lawfully called, and lawfully walked therein as we have plain declaration out of David's own mouth expressed in the whole 101th Psalm. Seeing none were admitted in his service or household but such as unfeignedly feared God. And without all question godly and zealous David would never have committed the guard of his person, nor the fighting of God's battles to the enemies of God, or men of war of whose godliness and virtue he never had proof. See then their names and praise, 1 Chronicles 11:26. The third rank of priests and Levites are set down in the same chapter, verses 4-11. So men of all estates were present in this godly work. This is to be marked well of princes, and of all those of any high calling or degree that have to do in God's cause. David does nothing in matters appertaining to God without the presence and special concurrence of God's ministers, appointed to be spiritual rulers in His Church: and at the first meant to convey the same Ark to Jerusalem finding their absence and want of their counsel hurtful. Now in this chapter, verses 12-13, he says to them: "you are the chief fathers of the Levites, sanctify yourselves and your brethren, and bring up the Ark of the Lord God of Israel unto the place that I have prepared for it. For because you were not there at first, the Lord our God made a breach among us: for we sought him not in due order". And thus far for the second part concerning persons wherein we may learn: first, that a godly king finds as his heart wishes, godly estates concurring with him. Next, a godly king of his godly foresight in choosing good under-rulers repeat this profit and pleasure, that as he goes before, so they with zealous hearts do follow.

The Third Part

The sum of this joyful convoy may be digested in three actions which are these:

1. the transporting of the Ark*;
2. the harmony of musical instruments;
3. and David's dancing and rejoicing before it.

He built a tabernacle for the ark in Mount Zion & transported it thereunto, to signify his thankfulness for the many victories God had put in his hands; and this transporting was the occasion of all this solemnity and rejoicing that followed thereupon. As to the ark itself, we know it was built by Moses at the command of God in the wilderness of Sinai. This Ark was made of shittim wood which admits not corruption. It was of most comely shape and form, two cubits and a half in length, a cubit and a half in height, and a cubit and a half in breadth; overlaid within and without with pure beaten gold†, and was not only a figure of Jesus Christ our perfect saviour in whom all the promises of God are yea and amen, 2 Corinthians 1:20. And in whom as a sure Ark, all abundance of God's blessings are placed that out of His fulness we may all receive grace upon grace, John 1:16. Seeing HE is made unto us of God, wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption, 1 Corinthians 1:30. But also, a sure pledge of God's continual presence in Christ with His people, to bless them with all manner of blessings. And to signify this purpose more particularly; within the Ark was placed the Tables of the Covenant, and law written by God (for which cause also it was called the Ark of the Covenant), Romans 10:4, to teach them in Christ promised, the perfection of the whole law to be found for all that believe in Him. Above the Ark was a cover or lid called the mercy seat, and above the lid figures of two cherubims covering with their wings the mercy seat: betwixt the which two, the living God did lovingly speak to the instruction and comfort of His people, to assure them that all God's merciful dealings with man (either in communicating His knowledge to then or sending His angels ministering spirits for their comfort‡), has the ground and foundation Christ Jesus eternally§. This ark then being a sure sacrament of God's favour towards them, and a Covenant of Jesus Christ wherein corporally God's merciful promises did ensue follows the third part; the form of doing used therein by these persons. Generally, the action was to bring up the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord from the house of Obed-Edom with joy, and to be placed in the tabernacle built for it by the king in Mount Zion. The form of doing used by every person is: the priests offer bullocks and rams because that God blessed the work. The king clad in a linen garment, dances and plays before the Ark. Chenaniah the chief of the singers with his fellows, praises God with Psalms and all the estates in Israel bring the Ark of the Covenant with shouting, sound of cornett, trumpet, cymbals, viols, and harps, and place it in the city of David. Briefly then, David upon his victories does transport to his house the same, to testify hereby his care to receive God's favour towards him and his people. Not thinking it enough to have once or twice proof thereof, but also to procure a continuance by the presence of His holy Ark, esteeming this the worthiest trophy or triumph he could make or erect for his notable victories. A triumph indeed far surpassing the Egyptian pyramids, the Grecian trophies, or yet the Roman triumphal chariots. As to the harmony and musical instruments that accompanied this holy Ark, I trust no man is ignorant of the custom that was among the Jews in praising God with all kind of instruments as David's Psalms innumerable times bear witness. But in case some would demand wherefore the Church of God should more extraordinarily rejoice at one time than at another, seeing we are assured that all God's actions towards us are for our prosperity, either spiritually or corporally, suppose we cannot at every time comprehend it. I answer, that although I must confess that sentence to be most orthodox, yet must I also confess that whensoever it shall please God to manifest by outward signs to the world (as at one time more than another the great love to His Church) by some notable work for their deliverance; we are then of duty bound in the highest degree to praise God, as well for confirming of the weak ones amongst us, as for the stopping of the mouths, and dashing of the proud wicked without us, to make the glory of His Name, as far as in us lies, to resound. The manifold examples of the saints of God through the whole Scriptures prove this more than evidently, besides the examples of the prayers of various of the godly, who for the glory of His Name more than for their particular prosperity, have prayed Him to give public testimony of His love towards them. So did Moses, Joshua, David, Elijah, Elisha, and innumerable others of the Prophets and servants of God. As to the dancing of David: dancing, playing, and such like actions we know are of themselves indifferent, and good or evil according to their use and the intention of their user. And therefore being used at this time with a comely zeal for the setting forth of God's glory are not only to be borne with and excused, but even most highly to be praised and commended, although that Michal dispraised the same. Moreover, it is to be marked that David in this doing, did nothing without the special motion of the Spirit of God as an extraordinary work, which so fully possessed his soul at this present, that forgetful (as it were), of the actions of his body, he gave his whole person over to be governed as it pleased Him, always seeking in all the honour and glory of his God without respect to himself. And thus far for the third part: whereof we have to note first in the Ark, the ground of all true and ancient religion and the body of the whole service of God that brings salvation¶, is to be situate in Jesus Christ only as is plainly set down: Acts 4:12, John 14:6, 1 Corinthians 2:11, 1 John 1:17. Next, that they which will be saved by this Ark must bear this Ark in their heart by faith, in their mouth by open confession, Romans 1, and in their actions confirming their whole doing in their calling to His will, Matthew 7:21-23. Thirdly, that they who are sincerely joined with Christ rejoice in the bearing of Christ, and count it in their highest joy to be occupied continually in His bearing.

The Fourth Part

As to the person of Michal, she was Saul's daughter and David's wife; a woman apparently evil brought up by a most wicked father, which the Spirit of God will signify by calling her Saul's daughter, as she was in hypocrisy his daughter in deed*, as well as by nature. Yet, she was joined with the body of the Church visible, which is signified by the style given her, when she was called David's wife. And so, she was outwardly a person joined by marriage in society with the Church, yet in effect a lurking hypocrite within the bowels of the same. Such kind of folks (hypocrites I mean) are malum necessarium inseparably and continually joined with the true Church, never to be sifted while the Master of the Harvest come with the fan in His hand.

The Fifth Part

Her doings* are being quiet in her lodging all the time of her husband's great and public rejoicing with the people not the coming out; for not being able (as appears), to counterfeit finely enough a dissimulate joyful countenance. And therefore looking out at a window she spies her husband dancing before the Ark, incontinent interprets she this indifferent action in malaam partem, as not being touched with a true feeling of the cause of his joy, and so despises she his doing in her mind as only proceeding of a lascivious wantonness. A marvellous case; she that before of natural love to her husband did preserve him, although to her own great peril from the hands of her own father Saul, cannot now abide to see him use aright that indifferent action which she herself (I doubt not) did oft through licentiousness abuse. By this we may note the nature of the hypocrites, and interior enemies of the Church who although in their particulars not concerning religion, there will be none in show more friendly to the godly than they; yet how soon matters of religion or concerning the honour of God comes in hand, oh then are they no longer able to contain or bridle their passions, even as here Michal defended her husband even in the particulars betwixt him and her own father. But his dancing before the Ark to the honour of God she could no wise abide.

Now thus far being said for the methodical opening up of the text; it rests only to examine how pertinently this place does appertain to us and our present estate*. And first, as to the persons, the people of God and the nations their enemies, together with their prideful pursuit of David and God's most notable deliverance. Is there not now a sincere profession of the truth amongst us in this isle, oppugned by the nations about, haters of the holy Word? And do we not also as Israel, profess one only God and are ruled by His pure Word only? On the other part, are they not as Philistines, adorers of legions of gods and ruled by the foolish traditions of men? Have they not as the Philistines been continually the pursuers, and we as Israel the defenders of our native soil and country? Next, have they not now at the last even like the Philistines come out of their own soils to pursue us and spread themselves to that effect upon the great valley of our seas, presumptuously threatening the destruction and wreck of us? But thirdly, had not our victory been far more notable than that of Israel and have not the one been as well wrought by the hand of God as the other? For as God by shaking the tops of the mulberry trees with His mighty winds, put the Philistines to flight, has He not even in the like manner by brangling with His mighty winds their timber castles, scattered and shaken them asunder to the wreck a great part and confusion of the whole? Now that we may resemble Israel as well in the rest of this action, what triumph rests us to make for the crowning of this blessed comedy? Even to bring amongst us the Ark with all rejoicing. What is the Ark of Christians under Grace, but the Lord Jesus Christ, whom with joy we bring amongst us when as receiving with sincerity and gladness the New Testament in the blood of Christ our Saviour, in our heart we believe His promises and in the Word and deed we bear witness thereto before the whole world, and walk so in the light as it becomes the sons of the same? This is the worthiest triumph of our victory that we can make. And although there will doubtless be many Michals amongst us, let us rejoice and praise God for the discovery of them, assuring ourselves they were never of us, accounting all them to be against us that either rejoice at the prosperity of our enemies, or rejoice not with us at our miraculous deliverance. For all they that gather not with us, they scatter. And let us also diligently and warily try out these crafty Michals: for it is in that respect that Christ recommends unto us the wisdom of serpents, not thereby to deceive and betray others (no, God forbid), but to arm us against the deceit and treason of hypocrites that go about to trap us. And lest that these great benefits which God has bestowed upon us, be turned through our unthankfulness into a greater curse, in serving for testimonies at the latter day against us, to the procuring of our double stripes, let us now conclude; bring in the Ark amongst us in two respects before mentioned seeing we have already received the Gospel. First, by constant remaining in the purity of the truth which is our most certain covenant of salvation in the only merits of our saviour. And next, let us reform our defiled lives as becomes regenerate Christians to the great glory of our God; the utter defacing of our adversaries the wicked, and our unspeakable comfort both here and also forever.

AMEN.