y."

6. When the high priest had spoken thus, he did not persuade Saul, his
fear was so prevalent, that he could not give credit to an apology that
was very just. So he commanded his armed men that stood about him to
kill him, and all his kindred; but as they durst not touch the high
priest, but were more afraid of disobeying God than the king, he ordered
Doeg the Syrian to kill them. Accordingly, he took to his assistance
such wicked men as were like himself, and slew Ahimelech and all his
family, who were in all three hundred and eighty-five. Saul also sent to
Nob, [21] the city of the priests, and slew all that were there, without
sparing either women or children, or any other age, and burnt it; only
there was one son of Ahimelech, whose name was Abiathar, who escaped.
However, these things came to pass as God had foretold to Eli the high
priest, when he said that his posterity should be destroyed, on account
of the transgression of his two sons.

7. [22] Now this king Saul, by perpetrating so barbarous a crime, and
murdering the whole family of the high-priestly dignity, by having no
pity of the infants, nor reverence for the aged, and by overthrowing the
city which God had chosen for the property, and for the support of the
priests and prophets which were there, and had ordained as the only
city allotted for the education of such men, gives all to understand and
consider the disposition of men, that while they are private persons,
and in a low condition, because it is not in their power to indulge
nature, nor to venture upon what they wish for, they are equitable and
moderate, and pursue nothing but what is just, and bend their whole
minds and labors that way; then it is that they have this belief about
God, that he is present to all the actions of their lives, and that he
does not only see the actions that are done, but clearly knows those
their thoughts also, whence those actions do arise. But when once
they are advanced into power and authority, then they put off all such
notions, and, as if they were no other than actors upon a theater,
they lay aside their disguised parts and manners, and take up boldness,
insolence, and a contempt of both human and Divine laws, and this at
a time when they especially stand in need of piety and righteousness,
because they are then most of all exposed to envy, and all they think,
and all they say, are in the view of all men; then it is that they
become so insolent in their act