wicked Israelites, which is condemned upon
grounds common to this very case in hand. 5. We see not any ground for
such promiscuous calling forth of the people by the judges. Barak's
business, as that of Jephthah and Gideon, was done by no great multitudes
of people, but a few choice men. 6. As the oppression was heavy and
continued long, so the repentance of the people was solemn, and their
deliverance a fruit of this. 7. Their case and ours is very different.
None of Israel or Judah did fight against the profession of the true
religion, and shed the blood of their fellow subjects who were for the
defence of the same. Israel in the days of the judges, and Judah in the
time of the reforming kings, was not divided the one half against the
other, upon opposition and defence of the true religion, and the better
part, after many experiences of the treachery and enmity of the most of
the worst part, solemnly engaged to God not to admit them to employment
and trust, but upon real evidence of repentance of which they should judge
as in the sight of God. And last of all, did ever Israel or Judah, in the
days of their judges and reforming kings, admit into their armies a party
and faction of such as had given no real evidence of their abandoning
their former course, and such a party, as had been long studying to get
the power of armies and judicatories in their own hands for attaining
their own ends? But all those are in our case.

The third instance from scripture, is from 1 Sam. xi., which is alleged to
be a clear practice, and stamped with divine approbation. In the case of
Jabesh-Gilead besieged by a foreign enemy, Saul commands all to come forth
for defence of their brethren, under pain of a severe civil censure. Now,
what Saul did in this business, the Spirit of God is said to act him to
it, and what the people did, was from the fear of God, making them obey
the king. And then Samuel in this acting concurs jointly, and makes no
opposition. And last of all, the people came forth as one man, and yet
(chap. x. 27) many men of Belial were among them, who malignantly opposed
Saul's government, contrary to God's revealed will.

To which we answer, 1. The stamp of divine approbation is not apparent to
us, success doth not prove it. Neither the Spirit coming on Saul, nor the
fear of God falling on the people, will import a divine approbation of all
that was done in the managing that war. That motion of the Spirit is no
sanctifying