Antiq. B. VI. ch. 7. sect. 2; though they all at last acquiesced in the
Divine conduct, as knowing that God is wiser than men.

[12] By this answer of Samuel, and that from a Divine commission,
which is fuller in l Samuel 13:14, and by that parallel note in
the Apostolical Constitutions just now quoted, concerning the great
wickedness of Saul in venturing, even under a seeming necessity of
affairs, to usurp the priest's office, and offer sacrifice without the
priest, we are in some degree able to answer that question, which I
have ever thought a very hard one, viz. Whether, if there were a city or
country of lay Christians without any clergymen, it were lawful for
the laity alone to baptize, or celebrate the eucharist, etc., or indeed
whether they alone could ordain themselves either bishops, priests, or
deacons, for the due performance of such sacerdotal ministrations; or
whether they ought not rather, till they procure clergymen to come
among them, to confine themselves within those bounds of piety and
Christianity which belong alone to the laity; such particularly as are
recommended in the first book of the Apostolical Constitutions, which
peculiarly concern the laity, and are intimated in Clement's undoubted
epistle, sect. 40. To which latter opinion I incline.

[13] This rash vow or curse of Saul, which Josephus says was confirmed
by the people, and yet not executed, I suppose principally because
Jonathan did not know of it, is very remarkable; it being of the essence
of the obligation of all laws, that they be sufficiently known and
promulgated, otherwise the conduct of Providence, as to the sacredness
of solemn oaths and vows, in God's refusing to answer by Urim till this
breach of Saul's vow or curse was understood and set right, and God
propitiated by public prayer, is here very remarkable, as indeed it is
every where else in the Old Testament.

[14] Here we have still more indications of Saul's affectation of
despotic power, and of his entrenching upon the priesthood, and making
and endeavoring to execute a rash vow or curse, without consulting
Samuel or the sanhedrim. In this view it is also that I look upon this
erection of a new altar by Saul, and his offering of burnt-offerings
himself upon it, and not as any proper instance of devotion or religion,
with other commentators.

[15] The reason of this severity is distinctly given, 1 Samuel 15:18,
"Go and utterly destroy the sinners the Amalekites:" nor in