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gideon_n if_o their_o ruler_n have_v not_o forbid_v they_o must_v therefore_o escape_v while_o their_o prince_n perish_v i_o can_v think_v of_o gideons_n revenge_n without_o horror_n that_o the_o ruler_n of_o succoth_n shall_v have_v their_o flesh_n tear_v from_o their_o back_n with_o thorn_n &_o brier_n that_o they_o shall_v be_v at_o once_o beat_v and_o scratch_v to_o death_n what_o a_o spectacle_n it_o be_v to_o see_v their_o bare_a bone_n look_v somewhere_o through_o the_o bloody_a rag_n of_o their_o flesh_n and_o skin_n and_o every_o stroke_n worse_o than_o the_o last_o death_n multiply_v by_o torment_n justice_n be_v sometime_o so_o severe_a that_o a_o tender_a beholder_n can_v scarce_o discern_v it_o from_o cruelty_n i_o see_v the_o midianite_n fare_v less_o ill_n the_o edge_n of_o the_o sword_n make_v a_o speedy_a and_o easy_a passage_n for_o their_o life_n while_o these_o rebellious_a israelite_n die_v linger_o under_o thorn_n and_o brier_n envy_v those_o in_o their_o death_n who_o their_o life_n abhor_v howsoever_o man_n live_v or_o die_v without_o the_o pale_a of_o the_o church_n a_o wicked_a israelite_n shall_v be_v sure_a of_o plague_n how_o many_o shall_v unwish_a themselves_o christian_n when_o god_n revenge_n have_v find_v they_o out_o the_o place_n where_o jacob_n wrestle_v with_o god_n peni-el_a and_o prevail_v now_o have_v wrestle_v against_o god_n and_o take_v a_o fall_n they_o see_v god_n avenge_a which_o will_v not_o believe_v he_o deliver_v it_o be_v now_o time_n for_o zeba_n &_o zalmunna_n to_o follow_v those_o their_o troop_n to_o the_o grave_n who_o they_o have_v lead_v in_o the_o field_n those_o which_o the_o day_n before_o be_v attend_v with_o a_o hundred_o thirty_o five_o thousand_o follower_n have_v not_o so_o much_o as_o a_o page_n now_o leave_v to_o weep_v for_o their_o death_n and_o have_v live_v only_o to_o see_v all_o their_o friend_n and_o some_o enemy_n die_v for_o their_o sake_n who_o can_v regard_v earthly_a greatness_n that_o see_v one_o night_n change_v two_o of_o the_o great_a king_n of_o the_o world_n into_o captive_n it_o have_v be_v both_o pity_n and_o sin_n that_o the_o head_n of_o that_o midianitish_a tyranny_n into_o which_o they_o have_v draw_v so_o many_o thousand_o shall_v have_v escape_v that_o death_n and_o yet_o if_o private_a revenge_n have_v not_o make_v gideon_n just_a i_o doubt_v whether_o they_o have_v die_v the_o blood_n of_o his_o brother_n call_v for_o they_o and_o awake_v his_o sword_n to_o their_o execution_n he_o both_o know_v and_o complain_v of_o the_o madianitish_a oppression_n under_o which_o israel_n groan_v yet_o the_o cruelty_n offer_v to_o all_o the_o thousand_o of_o his_o father_n son_n have_v not_o draw_v the_o blood_n of_o zeba_n and_o zalmunna_n if_o his_o own_o mother_n son_n have_v not_o bleed_v by_o their_o hand_n he_o that_o slay_v the_o ruler_n of_o succoth_n and_o penuel_n &_o spare_v the_o people_n now_o have_v slay_v the_o people_n of_o midian_a and_o will_v have_v spare_v their_o ruler_n but_o that_o god_n which_o will_v find_v occasion_n to_o wind_v wicked_a man_n into_o judgement_n will_v have_v they_o slay_v in_o a_o private_a quarrel_n which_o have_v more_o deserve_v it_o for_o the_o public_a if_o we_o may_v not_o rather_o say_v that_o gideon_n revenge_v these_o as_o a_o magistrate_n not_o as_o a_o brother_n for_o governor_n to_o respect_v their_o own_o end_n in_o public_a action_n and_o to_o wear_v the_o sword_n of_o justice_n in_o their_o own_o sheath_n it_o be_v a_o wrongful_a abuse_n of_o authority_n the_o slaughter_n of_o gideons_n brethren_n be_v not_o the_o great_a sin_n of_o the_o midianitish_a king_n this_o alone_a shall_v kill_v they_o when_o the_o rest_n expect_v a_o unjust_a remission_n how_o many_o lewd_a man_n have_v god_n pay_v with_o some_o one_o sin_n for_o all_o the_o rest_n some_o that_o have_v go_v away_o with_o unnatural_a filthiness_n &_o capital_a theft_n have_v clip_v off_o their_o own_o day_n with_o their_o coin_n other_o who_o bloody_a murder_n have_v be_v punish_v in_o a_o mutinous_a word_n other_o who_o suspect_a felony_n have_v pay_v the_o price_n of_o their_o unknown_a rape_n o_o god_n thy_o judgement_n be_v just_a even_o when_o man_n be_v unjust_a gideons_n young_a son_n be_v bid_v to_o revenge_v the_o death_n of_o his_o uncle_n his_o sword_n have_v not_o yet_o learned_a the_o way_n to_o blood_n especial_o of_o king_n though_o in_o iron_n deadly_a execution_n require_v strength_n both_o of_o heart_n and_o face_n how_o be_v those_o age_a in_o evil_a that_o can_v draw_v their_o sword_n upon_o the_o lawful_o anoint_v of_o god_n these_o tyrant_n plead_v not_o now_o for_o continuance_n of_o life_n but_o for_o the_o haste_n of_o their_o death_n fall_v thou_o upon_o us._n death_n be_v ever_o accompany_v with_o pain_n which_o it_o be_v no_o marvel_n if_o we_o
suppress_v it_o will_v rise_v but_o where_o it_o be_v encourage_v it_o insult_v &_o tyrannise_n it_o be_v more_o just_a that_o israel_n shall_v rise_v against_o benjamin_n then_o that_o benjamin_n shall_v rise_v for_o gibeah_n by_o how_o much_o it_o be_v better_a to_o punish_v offender_n then_o to_o shelter_v the_o offender_n from_o punish_v and_o yet_o the_o wickedness_n of_o benjamin_n speed_v better_o for_o the_o time_n than_o the_o honesty_n of_o israel_n twice_o be_v the_o better_a part_n foil_v by_o the_o less_o and_o worse_o the_o good_a cause_n be_v send_v back_o with_o shame_n the_o evil_a return_v with_o victory_n and_o triumph_n o_o god_n their_o hand_n be_v for_o thou_o in_o the_o fight_n and_o thy_o hand_n be_v with_o they_o in_o their_o fall_n they_o have_v not_o fight_v for_o thou_o but_o by_o thou_o neither_o can_v they_o have_v miscarry_v in_o the_o fight_n if_o thou_o have_v not_o fight_v against_o they_o thou_o be_v just_a &_o holy_a in_o both_o the_o cause_n be_v thou_o the_o sin_n in_o manage_v of_o it_o be_v their_o own_o they_o fight_v in_o a_o holy_a quarrel_n but_o with_o confidence_n in_o themselves_o for_o as_o presume_v of_o victory_n they_o ask_v of_o god_n not_o what_o shall_v be_v their_o success_n but_o who_o shall_v be_v their_o captain_n number_n &_o innocence_n make_v they_o too_o secure_a it_o be_v just_a therefore_o with_o god_n to_o let_v they_o feel_v that_o even_o good_a zeal_n can_v bear_v out_o presumption_n and_o that_o victory_n lie_v not_o in_o the_o cause_n but_o in_o the_o god_n that_o own_v it_o who_o can_v imagine_v how_o much_o the_o beniaminites_n insult_v in_o their_o double_a field_n and_o day_n and_o now_o begin_v to_o think_v god_n be_v on_o their_o side_n those_o sword_n which_o have_v be_v teach_v the_o way_n into_o forty_o thousand_o body_n of_o their_o brethren_n can_v fear_v a_o new_a encounter_n wicked_a man_n can_v see_v their_o prosperity_n a_o piece_n of_o their_o curse_n neither_o can_v examine_v their_o action_n but_o the_o event_n soon_o after_o they_o shall_v find_v what_o it_o be_v to_o add_v blood_n unto_o filthiness_n and_o that_o the_o victory_n of_o a_o evil_a cause_n be_v the_o way_n to_o ruin_v and_o confusion_n i_o shall_v have_v fear_v lest_o this_o double_a discomfiture_n shall_v have_v make_v israel_n either_o distrustful_a or_o weary_a of_o a_o good_a cause_n but_o still_o i_o find_v they_o no_o less_o courageous_a with_o more_o humility_n now_o they_o fast_o &_o weep_v and_o sacrifice_n these_o weapon_n have_v be_v victorious_a in_o their_o first_o assault_n benjamin_n have_v never_o be_v in_o danger_n of_o pride_n for_o over_o come_v if_o this_o humiliation_n of_o israel_n have_v prevent_v the_o fight_n it_o be_v seldom_o see_v but_o that_o which_o we_o do_v with_o fear_n prosper_v whereas_o confidence_n in_o undertake_v lay_v even_o good_a endeavour_n in_o the_o dust_n wickedness_n can_v never_o brag_v of_o any_o long_a prosperity_n nor_o complain_v of_o the_o lack_n of_o payment_n still_o god_n be_v even_o with_o it_o at_o the_o last_o now_o he_o pay_v the_o beniaminites_n both_o that_o death_n which_o they_o have_v lend_v to_o the_o israelite_n and_o that_o wherein_o they_o stand_v indebt_v to_o their_o brotherhood_n of_o gibeah_n and_o now_o that_o both_o be_v metre_n in_o death_n there_o be_v as_o much_o difference_n betwixt_o those_o israelite_n and_o these_o beniaminites_n as_o betwixt_o martyr_n and_o malefactor_n to_o die_v in_o a_o sin_n be_v a_o fearful_a revenge_n of_o give_v patronage_n to_o sin_n the_o sword_n consume_v their_o body_n another_o fire_n their_o city_n whatsoev_a become_v of_o their_o soul_n now_o may_v rachel_n have_v justly_o weep_v for_o her_o child_n because_o they_o be_v not_o for_o behold_v the_o man_n woman_n and_o child_n of_o her_o wicked_a tribe_n be_v cut_v off_o only_o some_o few_o scatter_a remainder_n run_v away_o from_o this_o vengeance_n and_o lurk_v in_o cave_n and_o rock_n both_o for_o fear_n and_o shame_n there_o be_v no_o difference_n but_o life_n betwixt_o their_o brethren_n and_o they_o the_o earth_n cover_v they_o both_o yet_o unto_o they_o do_v the_o revenge_n of_o israel_n stretch_v itself_o and_o vow_n to_o destroy_v if_o not_o their_o person_n yet_o their_o succession_n as_o hold_v they_o unwoorthy_a to_o receive_v any_o comfort_n by_o that_o sex_n to_o which_o they_o have_v be_v so_o cruel_a both_o in_o act_n and_o maintenance_n if_o the_o israelite_n have_v not_o hold_v marriage_n &_o issue_n a_o very_a great_a blessing_n they_o have_v not_o thus_o revenge_v themselves_o of_o benjamin_n now_o they_o account_v the_o withholding_a of_o their_o wife_n a_o punishment_n second_o to_o death_n the_o hope_n of_o life_n in_o our_o posterity_n be_v the_o next_o contentment_n to_o a_o enjoy_n of_o life_n in_o ourselves_o they_o have_v swear_v and_o now_o upon_o cold_a blood_n repent_v they_o if_o the_o oath_n be_v not_o just_a why_o will_v they_o take_v it_o and_o if_o it_o be_v just_a why_o do_v they_o recant_v it_o if_o the_o act_n be_v lustifiable_a what_o need_v these_o tear_n even_o a_o just_a oath_n may_v be_v rash_o take_v not_o only_a injustice_n but_o temerity_n of_o swear_v end_n in_o lamentation_n in_o our_o very_a civil_a action_n it_o be_v a_o weakness_n to_o do_v that_o which_o we_o will_v after_o reverse_v but_o in_o our_o affair_n with_o god_n to_o check_v our_o self_n too_o late_o and_o to_o steep_v our_o oath_n in_o tear_n be_v a_o dangerous_a folly_n he_o do_v not_o command_v we_o to_o take_v voluntary_a oath_n he_o command_v we_o to_o keep_v they_o if_o we_o bind_v ourselves_o to_o inconvenience_n we_o may_v just_o complain_v of_o our_o own_o fetter_n oath_n do_v not_o only_o require_v justice_n but_o judgement_n wise_a deliberation_n no_o less_o than_o equity_n not_o conscience_n of_o their_o fact_n but_o commiseration_n of_o their_o brethren_n lead_v they_o to_o this_o public_a repentance_n o_o god_n why_o be_v this_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o this_o day_n one_o tribe_n of_o israel_n shall_v want_v even_o the_o just_a revenge_n of_o man_n be_v capable_a of_o pity_n insultation_n in_o the_o rigour_n of_o justice_n argue_v cruelty_n charitable_a mind_n be_v grieve_v to_o see_v that_o do_v which_o they_o will_v not_o wish_v undo_v the_o smart_n of_o the_o offender_n do_v not_o please_v they_o which_o yet_o be_v thorough_o displease_v with_o the_o sin_n and_o have_v give_v their_o hand_n to_o punish_v it_o god_n himself_o take_v no_o pleasure_n in_o the_o death_n of_o a_o sinner_n yet_o love_v the_o punishment_n of_o sin_n as_o a_o good_a parent_n whip_v his_o child_n yet_o weep_v himself_o there_o be_v a_o measure_n in_o victory_n and_o revenge_n if_o never_o so_o just_a which_o to_o exceed_v leese_v mercy_n in_o the_o suit_n of_o justice_n if_o there_o be_v no_o fault_n in_o their_o severity_n it_o need_v no_o excuse_n and_o if_o there_o be_v a_o fault_n it_o will_v admit_v of_o no_o excuse_n yet_o as_o if_o they_o mean_v to_o shift_v off_o the_o sin_n they_o expostulate_v with_o god_n o_o lord_n god_n of_o israel_n why_o be_v this_o come_v to_o pass_v this_o day_n god_n give_v they_o no_o command_n of_o this_o rigour_n yea_o he_o twice_o cross_v they_o in_o the_o execution_n and_o now_o in_o that_o which_o they_o entreat_v of_o god_n with_o tear_n they_o challenge_v he_o it_o be_v a_o dangerous_a injustice_n to_o lay_v the_o burden_n of_o our_o sin_n upon_o he_o which_o tempt_v no_o man_n nor_o can_v be_v tempt_v with_o evil_a while_o we_o will_v so_o remove_v our_o sin_n we_o double_v it_o a_o man_n that_o know_v not_o the_o power_n of_o a_o oath_n will_v wonder_v at_o this_o contrariety_n in_o the_o affection_n of_o israel_n they_o be_v sorry_a for_o the_o slaughter_n of_o benjamin_n and_o yet_o they_o slay_v those_o that_o do_v not_o help_v they_o in_o the_o slaughter_n their_o oath_n call_v they_o to_o more_o blood_n the_o excess_n of_o their_o revenge_n upon_o benjamin_n may_v not_o excuse_v the_o man_n of_o gilead_n if_o ever_o oath_n may_v look_v for_o a_o dispensation_n this_o may_v plead_v it_o now_o they_o dare_v not_o but_o kill_v the_o man_n of_o jabesh_n gilead_n lest_o they_o shall_v have_v leave_v upon_o themselves_o a_o great_a sin_n of_o spare_v then_o punish_v jabesh_n gilead_n come_v not_o up_o to_o aid_n israel_n therefore_o all_o the_o inhabitant_n must_v die_v to_o exempt_v ourselves_o whether_o out_o of_o singularity_n or_o stubbornness_n from_o the_o common_a action_n of_o the_o church_n when_o we_o be_v lawful_o call_v to_o they_o be_v a_o offence_n worthy_a of_o judgement_n in_o the_o main_a quarrel_n of_o the_o church_n neutral_n be_v punish_v this_o execution_n shall_v make_v amends_o for_o the_o former_a of_o the_o spoil_n of_o jabesh_n
to_o he_o but_o they_o faint_v in_o the_o way_n we_o may_v call_v long_o enough_o if_o we_o cry_v not_o to_o he_o the_o same_o hand_n that_o raise_v up_o eglon_n against_o israel_n raise_v up_o also_o ehud_n for_o israel_n against_o eglon_n when_o that_o tyrant_n have_v revenge_v god_n of_o his_o people_n god_n will_v revenge_v his_o people_n of_o he_o it_o be_v no_o privilege_n to_o be_v a_o instrument_n of_o god_n vengeance_n by_o evil_a mean_n though_o eglon_n be_v a_o usurper_n yet_o have_v ehud_n be_v a_o traitor_n if_o god_n have_v not_o send_v he_o it_o be_v only_o in_o the_o power_n of_o he_o that_o make_v king_n when_o they_o be_v once_o settle_v to_o depose_v they_o it_o be_v no_o more_o possible_a for_o our_o modern_a butcher_n of_o prince_n to_o show_v they_o be_v employ_v by_o god_n then_o to_o escape_v the_o revenge_n of_o god_n in_o offer_v to_o do_v this_o violence_n not_o be_v employ_v what_o a_o strange_a choice_n do_v god_n make_v of_o a_o executioner_n a_o man_n shut_v of_o his_o right_a hand_n either_o he_o have_v but_o one_o hand_n or_o use_v but_o one_o and_o that_o the_o worse_a and_o more_o unready_a who_o will_v not_o have_v think_v both_o hand_n too_o little_a for_o such_o a_o work_n or_o if_o either_o may_v have_v be_v spare_v how_o much_o rather_o the_o left_a god_n see_v not_o as_o man_n see_v it_o be_v the_o ordinary_a wont_a of_o the_o almighty_a to_o make_v choice_n of_o the_o unlik_n ely_o mean_v the_o instrument_n of_o god_n must_v not_o be_v measure_v by_o their_o own_o power_n or_o aptitude_n but_o by_o the_o will_n of_o the_o agent_n though_o ehud_n have_v no_o hand_n he_o that_o employ_v he_o have_v enable_v he_o to_o this_o slaughter_n in_o humane_a thing_n it_o be_v good_a to_o look_v to_o the_o mean_n in_o divine_a to_o the_o worker_n no_o mean_n be_v to_o be_v contemn_v that_o god_n will_v use_v no_o mean_n to_o be_v trust_v that_o man_n will_v use_v without_o he_o it_o be_v good_a to_o be_v suspicious_a where_o be_v 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it_o as_o unlikely_a to_o speed_v to_o see_v a_o maim_a man_n go_v alone_o to_o a_o great_a king_n in_o the_o midst_n of_o all_o his_o troop_n to_o single_v he_o out_o from_o all_o witness_n to_o set_v upon_o he_o with_o one_o hand_n in_o his_o own_o parlour_n where_o his_o courtier_n may_v have_v hear_v the_o least_o exclamation_n and_o have_v come_v in_o if_o not_o to_o the_o rescue_n yet_o to_o the_o revenge_n every_o circumstance_n be_v full_a of_o improbability_n faith_n evermore_o overlook_v the_o difficulty_n of_o the_o way_n &_o bend_v her_o eye_n only_o to_o the_o certainty_n of_o the_o end_n in_o this_o intestine_a slaughter_n of_o our_o tyrannical_a corruption_n when_o we_o cast_v our_o eye_n upon_o ourselves_o we_o may_v well_o despair_v alas_o what_o can_v our_o left-hand_n do_v against_o these_o spiritual_a wickedness_n but_o when_o we_o see_v who_o have_v both_o command_v and_o undertake_v to_o prosper_v these_o holy_a design_n how_o can_v we_o misdoubt_v the_o success_n i_o can_v do_v all_o thing_n through_o he_o that_o strengthen_v i_o when_o ehud_n have_v obtain_v the_o convenient_a secrecy_n both_o of_o the_o weapon_n &_o place_n now_o with_o a_o confident_a forehead_n he_o approach_v the_o tyrant_n and_o salute_v he_o with_o a_o true_a and_o awful_a preface_n to_o so_o important_a a_o act_n i_o have_v a_o message_n to_o thou_o from_o god_n even_o ehuds_n poniard_n be_v god_n message_n not_o only_o the_o vocal_a admonition_n but_o also_o the_o real_a judgement_n of_o god_n be_v his_o errand_n to_o the_o world_n he_o speak_v to_o we_o in_o rain_n &_o water_n in_o sickness_n &_o famine_n in_o unseasonable_a time_n &_o inundation_n these_o be_v the_o secondary_a message_n of_o god_n if_o we_o will_v not_o hear_v the_o first_o we_o must_v hear_v these_o to_o our_o cost_n i_o can_v but_o wonder_v at_o the_o devout_a reverence_n of_o this_o heathen_a prince_n he_o sit_v in_o his_o chair_n of_o state_n the_o unweildinesse_n of_o his_o fat_a body_n be_v such_o that_o he_o can_v not_o rise_v with_o readiness_n and_o ease_n yet_o no_o soon_o do_v he_o hear_v news_n of_o a_o message_n from_o god_n but_o he_o rise_v up_o from_o his_o throne_n &_o reverent_o attend_v the_o tenor_n thereof_o though_o he_o have_v no_o superior_a to_o control_v he_o yet_o he_o can_v abide_v to_o be_v unmannerly_a in_o the_o business_n of_o god._n this_o man_n be_v a_o idolater_n a_o tyrant_n yet_o what_o outward_a respect_n do_v he_o give_v to_o the_o true_a god_n external_a ceremony_n of_o piety_n and_o compliment_n of_o devotion_n may_v well_o be_v find_v with_o falsehood_n in_o religion_n they_o be_v a_o good_a shadow_n of_o truth_n where_o it_o be_v but_o where_o it_o be_v not_o they_o be_v the_o very_a body_n of_o hypocrisy_n he_o that_o have_v rise_v up_o in_o arm_n against_o god_n people_n and_o the_o true_a worship_n of_o god_n now_o rise_v up_o in_o reverence_n to_o his_o name_n god_n will_v have_v like_v well_o to_o have_v have_v less_o of_o his_o courtesy_n more_o of_o his_o obedience_n he_o look_v to_o have_v hear_v the_o message_n with_o his_o ear_n and_o he_o feel_v it_o in_o his_o gut_n so_o sharp_a a_o message_n that_o it_o pierce_v the_o body_n &_o let_v out_o the_o soul_n through_o that_o unclean_a passage_n neither_o do_v it_o admit_v of_o any_o answer_n but_o silence_n and_o death_n in_o that_o part_n have_v he_o offend_v by_o pamper_v it_o and_o make_v it_o his_o god_n and_o now_o his_o bane_n find_v the_o same_o way_n with_o his_o sin_n this_o one_o hard_a and_o cold_a morsel_n which_o he_o can_v digest_v pay_v for_o all_o those_o gluttonous_a delicate_n whereof_o he_o have_v former_o surfeit_v it_o be_v the_o manner_n of_o god_n to_o take_v fearful_a revenge_n of_o the_o profess_a enemy_n of_o his_o church_n it_o be_v a_o marvel_n that_o neither_o any_o noise_n in_o his_o die_a nor_o the_o fall_n of_o so_o gross_a a_o body_n called-in_a some_o of_o his_o attendant_n but_o that_o god_n which_o have_v intend_v to_o bring_v about_o any_o design_n dispose_v of_o all_o circumstance_n to_o his_o own_o purpose_n if_o ehud_n have_v not_o come_v forth_o with_o a_o calm_a and_o settle_a countenance_n and_o shut_v the_o door_n after_o he_o all_o his_o project_n have_v be_v in_o the_o dust_n what_o have_v it_o be_v better_a that_o the_o king_n of_o moab_n be_v slay_v if_o israel_n have_v neither_o have_v a_o messenger_n to_o inform_v nor_o a_o captain_n to_o guide_v they_o now_o he_o depart_v peaceable_o &_o blow_v a_o trumpet_n in_o mount_n ephraim_n gather_v israel_n and_o fall_v upon_o the_o body_n of_o moab_n as_o well_o as_o he_o have_v do_v upon_o the_o head_n and_o procure_v freedom_n to_o his_o people_n he_o that_o will_v undertake_v great_a enterprise_n have_v need_n of_o wisdom_n and_o courage_n wisdom_n to_o contrive_v and_o courage_n to_o execute_v wisdom_n to_o guide_v his_o courage_n &_o courage_n to_o second_v his_o wisdom_n both_o which_o if_o they_o meet_v with_o a_o good_a cause_n can_v but_o succeed_v jael_n and_o sisera_n it_o be_v no_o wonder_n if_o they_o who_o ere_o fourscore_o day_n after_o the_o law_n deliver_v fall_v to_o idolatry_n alone_o now_o after_o fourscore_o year_n since_o the_o law_n restore_v fall_v to_o idolatry_n among_o the_o canaanite_n peace_n can_v in_o a_o short_a time_n work_v looseness_n in_o any_o people_n and_o if_o forâ—ie_v year_n after_o othniels_n deliverance_n they_o relapse_v what_o marvel_n be_v it_o that_o in_o twice_o forty_o after_o eâ—ud_n they_o thus_o miscarry_v what_o â—re_n they_o the_o better_a to_o have_v kill_v eglon_n the_o king_n of_o moab_n if_o the_o idolatry_n of_o moab_n have_v kill_v they_o the_o sin_n of_o moab_n shall_v be_v
but_o such_o entertainment_n with_o the_o jebusite_n whither_o be_v the_o posterity_n of_o benjamin_n degenerate_v that_o their_o gibeah_n shall_v be_v no_o less_o wicked_a than_o populous_a the_o first_o sign_n of_o a_o settle_a godlessness_n be_v that_o a_o levite_n be_v suffer_v to_o lie_v without_o door_n if_o god_n have_v be_v in_o any_o of_o their_o house_n his_o servant_n have_v not_o be_v exclude_v where_o no_o respect_n be_v give_v to_o god_n messenger_n there_o can_v be_v no_o religion_n gibeah_n be_v a_o second_o sodom_n even_o there_o also_o be_v another_o lot_n which_o be_v therefore_o so_o much_o more_o hospital_n to_o stranger_n because_o himself_o be_v a_o stranger_n the_o host_n as_o well_o as_o the_o levite_n be_v of_o mount_n ephraim_n each_o man_n know_v best_a to_o commiserate_v that_o evil_a in_o other_o which_o himself_o have_v pass_v through_o all_o that_o profess_v the_o name_n of_o christ_n be_v countryman_n and_o yet_o stranger_n here_o below_o how_o cheerful_o shall_v we_o entertain_v each_o other_o when_o we_o meet_v in_o the_o gibeah_n of_o this_o inhospitall_n world_n this_o good_a old_a man_n of_o gibeah_n come_v home_o late_o from_o his_o work_n in_o the_o field_n the_o sun_n be_v set_v ere_o he_o give_v over_o and_o now_o see_v this_o man_n a_o stranger_n a_o israelite_n a_o levite_n a_o ephraimite_n and_o that_o in_o his_o way_n to_o the_o house_n of_o god_n to_o take_v up_o his_o lodging_n in_o the_o street_n he_o proffer_v he_o the_o kindness_n of_o his_o houseroom_n industrious_a spirit_n be_v the_o fit_a receptacle_n of_o all_o good_a motion_n whereas_o those_o which_o give_v themselves_o to_o idle_a and_o loose_a course_n do_v not_o care_v so_o much_o as_o for_o themselves_o i_o hear_v of_o but_o one_o man_n at_o his_o work_n in_o all_o gibeah_n the_o rest_n be_v quaff_v and_o revel_v that_o one_o man_n end_v his_o work_n in_o a_o charitable_a entertainment_n the_o other_o end_v their_o play_n in_o a_o brutish_a beastliness_n &_o violence_n these_o villain_n have_v learn_v both_o the_o action_n and_o the_o language_n of_o the_o sodomite_n one_o unclean_a devil_n be_v the_o prompter_n to_o both_o &_o this_o honest_a ephraimite_n have_v learn_v of_o righteous_a lot_n both_o to_o entreat_v and_o to_o proffer_v as_o a_o perplex_a mariner_n that_o in_o a_o storm_n must_v cast_v away_o something_o although_o precious_a so_o this_o good_a host_n rather_o will_v prostitute_v his_o daughter_n a_o virgin_n together_o with_o the_o concubine_n than_o this_o prodigious_a villainy_n shall_v be_v offer_v to_o a_o man_n much_o more_o to_o a_o man_n of_o god_n the_o detestation_n of_o a_o foul_a sin_n draw_v he_o to_o overreach_v in_o the_o motion_n of_o a_o lesser_a which_o if_o it_o have_v be_v accept_v how_o can_v he_o have_v escape_v the_o partnership_n of_o their_o uncleanness_n and_o the_o guilt_n of_o his_o daughter_n ravishment_n no_o man_n can_v wash_v his_o hand_n of_o that_o sin_n to_o which_o his_o will_n have_v yield_v bodily_a violence_n may_v be_v inoffensive_a in_o the_o patient_a voluntary_a inclination_n to_o evil_n though_o out_o of_o fear_n can_v never_o be_v excusable_a yet_o behold_v this_o wickedness_n be_v too_o little_a to_o satisfy_v these_o monster_n who_o will_v have_v look_v for_o so_o extreme_a abomination_n from_o the_o loin_n of_o jacob_n the_o womb_n of_o rachel_n the_o son_n of_o benjamin_n can_v the_o very_a jebusite_n their_o neighbour_n be_v ever_o accuse_v of_o such_o unnatural_a outrage_n i_o be_o ashamed_a to_o say_v it_o even_o the_o worst_a pagan_n be_v saint_n to_o israel_n what_o avail_v it_o that_o they_o have_v the_o ark_n of_o god_n in_o shiloh_n while_o they_o have_v sodom_n in_o their_o street_n that_o the_o law_n of_o god_n be_v in_o their_o sringe_n while_o the_o devil_n be_v in_o their_o heart_n nothing_o but_o hell_n itself_o can_v yield_v a_o worse_a creature_n than_o a_o deprave_a israelite_n the_o very_a mean_n of_o his_o reformation_n be_v the_o fuel_n of_o his_o wickedness_n yet_o let_v speed_v so_o much_o better_a in_o sodom_n than_o this_o ephraimite_n do_v in_o gibeah_n by_o how_o much_o more_o holy_a guest_n he_o entertain_v there_o the_o guest_n be_v angel_n here_o a_o sinful_a man_n there_o the_o guest_n save_v the_o host_n here_o the_o host_n can_v not_o save_v the_o guest_n from_o brutish_a violence_n those_o sodomite_n be_v strike_v with_o outward_a blindness_n and_o defeat_v these_o beniamite_n be_v only_o blind_v with_o lust_n and_o prevail_v the_o levite_n come_v forth_o perhaps_o his_o coat_n save_v his_o person_n from_o this_o villainy_n who_o now_o think_v himself_o well_o that_o he_o may_v have_v leave_n to_o redeem_v his_o own_o dishonour_n with_o his_o concubine_n if_o he_o have_v not_o love_v she_o dear_o he_o have_v never_o seek_v she_o so_o far_o after_o so_o foul_a a_o sin_n yet_o now_o his_o hate_n of_o that_o unnatural_a wickedness_n overcome_v his_o love_n to_o she_o she_o be_v expose_v to_o the_o furious_a lust_n of_o barbarous_a ruffian_n and_o which_o he_o misdoubt_v not_o abuse_v to_o death_n oh_o the_o just_a and_o even_o course_n which_o the_o almighty_a judge_n of_o the_o world_n hold_v in_o all_o his_o retribution_n this_o woman_n have_v shame_v the_o bed_n of_o a_o levite_n by_o her_o former_a wantonness_n she_o have_v thus_o far_o go_v smooth_o away_o with_o her_o sin_n her_o father_n harbour_v she_o her_o husband_n forgive_v she_o her_o own_o hart_n find_v no_o cause_n to_o complain_v because_o she_o smart_v not_o now_o when_o the_o world_n have_v forget_v her_o offence_n god_n call_v she_o to_o reckon_v and_o punish_v she_o with_o her_o own_o sin_n she_o have_v voluntary_o expose_v herself_o to_o lust_n now_o be_v expose_v forcible_o adultery_n be_v her_o sin_n adultery_n be_v her_o death_n what_o smile_v soever_o wickedness_n cast_v upon_o the_o heart_n while_o it_o solicit_v it_o will_v owe_v we_o a_o displeasure_n and_o prove_v itself_o a_o faithful_a debtor_n the_o levite_n look_v to_o find_v she_o humble_v with_o this_o violence_n not_o murder_v and_o now_o indignation_n move_v he_o to_o add_v horror_n to_o the_o fact_n have_v not_o his_o heart_n be_v raise_v up_o with_o a_o excess_n of_o desire_n to_o make_v the_o crime_n as_o odious_a as_o it_o be_v sinful_a his_o action_n can_v not_o be_v excuse_v those_o hand_n that_o may_v not_o touch_v a_o carcase_n now_o carve_v the_o corpse_n of_o his_o own_o dead_a wife_n into_o morsel_n and_o send_v these_o token_n to_o all_o the_o tribe_n of_o israel_n that_o when_o they_o shall_v see_v these_o gobbet_n of_o the_o body_n murder_v the_o more_o they_o may_v detest_v the_o murderer_n himself_o put_v on_o cruelty_n to_o the_o dead_a that_o he_o may_v draw_v they_o to_o a_o just_a revenge_n of_o her_o death_n action_n notorious_o villainous_a may_v justly_o countenance_v a_o extraordinary_a mean_n of_o prosecution_n every_o israelite_n have_v part_n in_o a_o levit_n wrong_n no_o tribe_n have_v not_o his_o share_n in_o the_o carcase_n and_o the_o revenge_n the_o desolation_n of_o benjamin_n these_o morsel_n can_v not_o choose_v but_o cut_v the_o heart_n of_o israel_n with_o horror_n and_o compassion_n horror_n of_o the_o act_n and_o compassion_n of_o the_o sufferer_n and_o now_o their_o zeal_n draw_v they_o together_o either_o for_o satisfaction_n or_o revenge_n who_o will_v not_o have_v look_v that_o the_o hand_n of_o benjamin_n shall_v have_v be_v first_o upon_o gibeah_n and_o that_o they_o shall_v have_v ready_o send_v the_o head_n of_o the_o offender_n for_o a_o second_o service_n after_o the_o gobbet_n of_o the_o concubine_n but_o now_o instead_o of_o punish_v the_o sin_n they_o patronize_v the_o actor_n and_o will_v rather_o die_v in_o resist_a justice_n then_o live_v and_o prosper_v in_o further_a it_o sure_o israel_n have_v one_o tribe_n too_o many_o all_o benjamin_n be_v turn_v into_o gibeah_n the_o son_n not_o of_o benjamin_n but_o of_o belial_n the_o abet_v of_o evil_a be_v worse_a than_o the_o commission_n this_o may_v be_v upon_o infirmity_n but_o that_o must_v be_v upon_o resolution_n easy_a punishment_n be_v too_o much_o favour_n to_o sin_n connivance_n be_v much_o worse_o but_o the_o defence_n of_o it_o and_o that_o unto_o blood_n be_v intolerable_a have_v not_o these_o man_n be_v both_o wicked_a and_o quarrellous_a they_o have_v not_o draw_v their_o sword_n in_o so_o foul_a a_o cause_n peaceable_n disposition_n be_v hardly_o draw_v to_o fight_v for_o innocence_n yet_o these_o beniaminites_n as_o if_o they_o be_v in_o love_n with_o villainy_n and_o out_o of_o charity_n with_o god_n will_v be_v the_o wilful_a champion_n of_o lewdness_n how_o can_v gibeah_n repent_v they_o of_o that_o wickedness_n which_o all_o benjamin_n will_v make_v good_a in_o spite_n of_o their_o conscience_n even_o where_o sin_n be_v