1 Samuel 8

3. The Lord charges men with this (Matthew 23:37): "I would, you would not." 4. Conscience takes it on its will, and fathers disobedience on the will (1 Samuel 8:19). "No, but we shall, or we will have a King" (Jeremiah 44:16).

For although it be true of all and every sin, which David confesses of his own particular murder and adultery, that it is against God, yea against him alone (Psalm 51:4), yet in these and such like cases which tend to the undermining of his Church, and the decay of his religion…

The kingly office had been formerly held by Saul; but, as he reached it through tumult and the ungodly wishes of the people, the lawful possession of the office is supposed to have commenced with David, more especially in reference to the covenant of God, who promised that "his…

But sin wholly possessing and wholly acting the soul it makes the mind and heart apprehend, not according to the nature of the soul and impression left upon it when created, but according to the distemper by which it is possessed and carried. So did they to Samuel (1 Samuel 8:19…

The truth is, it will stand out against all reasons and arguments, and nothing can move the will except God work upon it. As they said (1 Samuel 8:19), when Samuel gave them reasons against monarchy; they say not, your reasons are not good, we will answer them, and bring better…

Lo, I come to do your will, O God. O! but there is a hard stone in our will, the stony heart is the stony will; Hell cannot break the rock and the adamant, and the flint in our will (1 Samuel 8:19). No, but we will have a King; whether God will or no (Jeremiah 18:12).