motion, but a common, though extraordinary, impulse of Saul's
spirit to the present work, which, doubtless, was in the king of Babylon,
whom God raised up, fitted and sent for the destruction of many nations
albeit that work in his hand was iniquity. That fear of God that fell upon
the people, was but a fear of the king imprinted by God, and it is more
peculiarly attributed to God, because the people did despise and contemn
him, which makes their reverence and fear to be a more extraordinary thing
upon a sudden. Then Samuel, not opposing the course in hand, doth no more
import his approbation of all that was done in it, than his not reproving
the men of Belial doth prove that he approved of their opposition. 2. It
doth not appear that the men of Belial were a great faction and party,
there is something in ver. 12 speaks against it. It is not like the people
would put a faction and party to death. 3. Neither doth it appear that
they were in the army. For that which is said, that all the people came
out as one man, doth only import, that the body and generality of them
came forth, and that it was a wonder so many came forth so suddenly at the
command of the king, who was but mean and abject in their eyes. It is
certain that all fencible persons were not present, because the whole army
being numbered, ver. 8, was but 330,000. And who will say there was no
more men in Israel, when they had 600,000 such, and above, before their
coming into the land? Seeing then, many have staid at home, it is most
probable that these men of Belial would not come, seeing they despised
Saul's mean and low condition in their heart and thought him unfit to lead
their armies, till he should prove what was in him. That which is said,
ver. 12, doth not prove they were in the camp. It might be conveniently
spoken of absent persons. 4. It is not certain that these men were wicked
and scandalous in their conversation, haters of godliness and of their
brethren, but that they stood at distance only with Saul, in the point of
his election, which indeed was blame worthy, seeing God had revealed his
mind in it. And therefore they are called men of Belial, as Peter was
called Satan, for opposing Christ's suffering.

Some other scriptures are alleged by some, as David's employing of such
men, &c., all which are cleared in Mr. Gillespie's Treatise of Miscellany
Questions, quest. 14.

Third. It is argued from reason. And, 1. That which any is obliged to do
for