shameless_a unthankfulness_n to_o deny_v it_o when_o abraham_n have_v vanquish_v the_o five_o king_n &_o deliver_v lot_n and_o his_o family_n the_o king_n of_o salem_n meet_v he_o with_o bread_n and_o wine_n and_o now_o these_o son_n of_o abram_n after_o a_o equal_a victory_n ask_v dry_a bread_n and_o be_v deny_v by_o their_o brethren_n crafty_o yet_o &_o under_o pretence_n of_o a_o false_a title_n have_v they_o acknowledge_v the_o victory_n of_o gideon_n with_o what_o forehead_n can_v they_o have_v deny_v he_o bread_n now_o i_o know_v not_o whether_o their_o faithlesness_n or_o envy_v lie_v in_o their_o way_n be_v the_o hand_n of_o zeba_n and_o zalmunna_n in_o thy_o hand_n there_o be_v none_o of_o these_o prince_n of_o succoth_n and_o penuel_n but_o think_v themselves_o better_a man_n than_o gideon_n that_o he_o therefore_o alone_o shall_v do_v that_o which_o all_o the_o prince_n of_o israel_n dare_v not_o attempt_v they_o hate_v and_o scorn_v to_o hear_v it_o be_v never_o safe_a to_o 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of_o this_o business_n i_o do_v not_o see_v he_o run_v furious_o into_o the_o city_n and_o kill_v the_o next_o his_o sword_n have_v not_o be_v so_o drunken_a with_o blood_n that_o it_o shall_v know_v no_o difference_n but_o he_o write_v down_o the_o name_n of_o the_o prince_n and_o single_v they_o forth_o for_o revenge_n when_o the_o leader_n of_o god_n come_v to_o a_o jericho_n or_o ai_fw-fr their_o slaughter_n be_v unpartial_a not_o a_o woman_n or_o child_n may_v live_v to_o tell_v news_n but_o now_o that_o gideon_n come_v to_o a_o succoth_n a_o city_n of_o israelite_n the_o ruler_n be_v call_v forth_o to_o death_n the_o people_n be_v fright_v with_o the_o example_n not_o hurt_v with_o the_o judgement_n to_o enwrappe_v the_o innocent_a in_o any_o vengeance_n be_v a_o murderous_a injustice_n indeed_o where_o all_o join_v in_o the_o sin_n all_o be_v worthy_a to_o meet_v in_o the_o punishment_n it_o be_v like_a the_o citizen_n of_o succoth_n can_v have_v be_v glad_a to_o succour_n 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
wish_v short_a we_o do_v not_o more_o affect_v protraction_n of_o a_o easeful_a life_n then_o speed_v in_o our_o dissolution_n for_o here_o every_o pang_n that_o tend_v towards_o death_n renew_v it_o to_o lie_v a_o hour_n under_o death_n be_v tedious_a but_o to_o be_v die_v a_o whole_a day_n we_o think_v above_o the_o strength_n of_o humane_a patience_n oh_o what_o shall_v we_o then_o conceive_v of_o that_o death_n which_o know_v no_o end_n as_o this_o life_n be_v no_o less_o frail_a than_o the_o body_n which_o it_o animate_v so_o that_o death_n be_v no_o less_o eternal_a than_o the_o soul_n which_o must_v endure_v it_o for_o we_o to_o be_v die_v so_o long_o as_o we_o now_o have_v leave_n to_o hue_n be_v intolerable_a and_o yet_o one_o only_a minute_n of_o that_o other_o torment_a death_n be_v worse_a than_o a_o age_n of_o this_o oh_o the_o desperate_a infidelity_n of_o careless_a man_n that_o shrink_v at_o the_o thought_n of_o a_o momentany_a death_n and_o fear_v not_o eternal_a this_o be_v but_o a_o kill_n of_o the_o body_n that_o be_v a_o destruction_n of_o body_n and_o soul_n who_o be_v so_o worthy_a to_o wear_v the_o crown_n of_o israel_n as_o he_o that_o win_v the_o crown_n from_o midian_a their_o usurper_n be_v go_v now_o they_o be_v headless_a it_o be_v a_o doubt_n whether_o they_o be_v better_a to_o have_v have_v no_o king_n or_o tyrant_n they_o sue_v to_o gideon_n to_o accept_v of_o the_o kingdom_n &_o be_v repulse_v there_o be_v no_o great_a example_n of_o modesty_n than_o gideon_n when_o the_o angel_n speak_v to_o he_o he_o abase_v himself_o below_o all_o israel_n when_o the_o ephraimite_n contend_v with_o he_o he_o prefer_v their_o glean_n to_o his_o vintage_n and_o cast_v his_o honour_n at_o their_o foot_n and_o now_o when_o israel_n proffer_v he_o that_o kingdom_n which_o he_o have_v merit_v he_o refuse_v it_o he_o that_o in_o overcome_v will_v allow_v they_o to_o cry_v the_o sword_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o of_o gideon_n in_o govern_v will_v have_v none_o but_o the_o sword_n of_o the_o lord_n that_o which_o other_o plot_n and_o sue_v and_o swear_v and_o bribe_v for_o dignity_n and_o superiority_n he_o serious_o reject_v whether_o it_o be_v for_o that_o he_o know_v god_n have_v not_o yet_o call_v they_o to_o a_o monarchy_n or_o rather_o for_o that_o he_o see_v the_o crown_n among_o thorn_n what_o do_v we_o ambitious_o affect_v the_o command_n of_o these_o molehill_n of_o earth_n when_o wise_a man_n have_v refuse_v the_o proffer_n of_o kingdom_n why_o do_v we_o not_o rather_o labour_v for_o that_o kingdom_n which_o be_v free_a from_o all_o care_n from_o all_o uncertainty_n yet_o he_o that_o refuse_v their_o crown_n call_v for_o their_o earing_n although_o not_o to_o enrich_v himself_o but_o religion_n so_o long_o have_v god_n be_v a_o stranger_n to_o israel_n that_o now_o superstition_n go_v currant_n for_o devout_a worship_n it_o be_v pity_v that_o good_a intention_n shall_v make_v any_o man_n wicked_a here_o they_o do_v so_o never_o man_n mean_v better_a than_o gideon_n in_o his_o rich_a ephod_n yet_o this_o very_a act_n set_v all_o israel_n on_o whore_v god_n have_v choose_v a_o place_n and_o a_o service_n of_o his_o own_o when_o the_o wit_n of_o man_n will_v be_v over-pleasing_a god_n with_o better_a device_n then_o his_o own_o it_o turn_v to_o madness_n and_o end_n in_o mischief_n abimelechs_n usurpation_n gideon_n refuse_v the_o kingdom_n of_o israel_n when_o it_o be_v offer_v his_o seventy_o son_n offer_v not_o to_o obtain_v that_o sceptre_n which_o their_o father_n victory_n have_v deserve_v to_o make_v hereditary_a only_a abimelec_n the_o concubine_n son_n sue_v and_o ambitious_o plot_n for_o it_o what_o can_v abimelec_n see_v in_o himself_o that_o he_o shall_v overlook_v all_o his_o brethren_n if_o he_o look_v to_o his_o father_n they_o be_v his_o equal_n if_o to_o his_o mother_n they_o be_v his_o better_n those_o that_o be_v most_o unworthy_a of_o honour_n be_v horest_n in_o the_o chase_n of_o it_o while_o the_o conscience_n of_o better_a desert_n bid_v man_n sit_v still_o and_o stay_v to_o be_v either_o importune_v or_o neglect_v there_o can_v be_v no_o great_a sign_n of_o unfitness_n then_o vehement_a suit_n it_o be_v hard_o to_o say_v whether_o there_o be_v more_o pride_n or_o ignorance_n in_o ambition_n i_o have_v note_v this_o difference_n betwixt_o spiritual_a and_o earthly_a honour_n and_o the_o client_n of_o both_o we_o can_v be_v worthy_a of_o the_o one_o without_o earnest_a prosecution_n nor_o with_o earnest_a prosecution_n worthy_a of_o the_o other_o the_o violent_a obtain_v heaven_n only_o the_o meek_a be_v worthy_a to_o inherit_v the_o earth_n that_o which_o a_o aspire_a heart_n have_v project_v it_o will_v find_v both_o argument_n and_o mean_n to_o effect_v if_o either_o bribe_n or_o favour_n will_v carry_v it_o the_o proud_a man_n will_v not_o sit_v out_o the_o shechemite_n be_v fit_a broker_n for_o abimelec_n that_o city_n which_o once_o betray_v itself_o to_o utter_v depopulation_n in_o yield_v to_o the_o suit_n of_o hamor_n now_o betray_v itself_o and_o all_o israel_n in_o yield_v to_o the_o request_n of_o abimelec_n by_o they_o have_v this_o usurper_n make_v himself_o a_o fair_a way_n to_o the_o throne_n it_o be_v a_o easy_a question_n whether_o will_v you_o admit_v of_o the_o son_n of_o gideon_n for_o your_o ruler_n or_o of_o stranger_n if_o of_o the_o son_n of_o gideon_n whether_o of_o all_o or_o one_o if_o of_o one_o whether_o of_o your_o own_o flesh_n and_o blood_n or_o of_o other_o unknown_a to_o cast_v off_o the_o son_n of_o gideon_n for_o stranger_n be_v unthankful_a to_o admit_v of_o seventy_o king_n in_o one_o small_a country_n be_v unreasonable_a to_o admit_v of_o any_o other_o rather_o than_o their_o own_o kinsman_n be_v unnatural_a gideons_n son_n therefore_o must_v rule_v among_o all_o israel_n one_o of_o his_o son_n among_o those_o seventie_o and_o who_o shall_v be_v that_o one_o but_o abimelec_n natural_a respect_n be_v the_o most_o dangerous_a corrupter_n of_o all_o election_n what_o hope_n can_v there_o be_v of_o worthy_a superior_n in_o any_o free_a people_n where_o neereness_n of_o blood_n carry_v it_o from_o fitness_n of_o disposition_n while_o they_o say_v he_o be_v our_o brother_n they_o be_v enemy_n to_o themselves_o and_o israel_n fair_a word_n have_v win_v his_o brethren_n they_o the_o sechemite_n the_o sechemite_n furnish_v he_o with_o money_n money_n with_o man_n his_o man_n begin_v with_o murder_n and_o now_o abimelec_n reign_v alone_o flattery_n bribe_n and_o blood_n be_v the_o usual_a stair_n of_o the_o ambitious_a the_o money_n of_o baal_n be_v a_o fit_a hire_n for_o murderer_n that_o which_o idolatry_n have_v gather_v be_v fit_o spend_v upon_o treason_n one_o devil_n be_v ready_a to_o help_v another_o in_o mischief_n seldom_o ever_o be_v ill-gotten_a riches_n better_o employ_v it_o be_v no_o wonder_n if_o he_o that_o have_v baal_n his_o idol_n now_o make_v a_o idol_n of_o honour_n there_o be_v never_o any_o man_n that_o worship_v but_o one_o idol_n woe_n be_v to_o they_o that_o lie_v in_o the_o way_n of_o the_o aspire_a tho_o they_o be_v brother_n they_o shall_v bleed_v yea_o the_o near_a they_o be_v the_o more_o sure_a be_v their_o ruin_n who_o will_v not_o now_o think_v that_o abimelec_n shall_v find_v a_o hell_n in_o his_o breast_n after_o so_o barbarous_a and_o unnatural_a a_o massacre_n and_o yet_o behold_v he_o be_v as_o senseless_a as_o the_o stone_n upon_o which_o the_o blood_n of_o his_o seventy_o brethren_n be_v spill_v where_o ambition_n have_v possess_v itself_o thorough_o of_o the_o soul_n it_o turn_v the_o heart_n into_o steel_n and_o make_v it_o uncapable_a of_o a_o conscience_n all_o sin_n will_v easy_o down_o with_o the_o man_n that_o be_v resolve_v to_o rise_v only_o jotham_n fall_v not_o at_o that_o fatal_a stone_n with_o his_o brethren_n it_o be_v a_o hard_a battle_n where_o none_o escape_v he_o escape_v not_o to_o reign_v not_o to_o revenge_v but_o to_o be_v a_o prophet_n and_o a_o witness_n of_o the_o vengeance_n of_o god_n upon_o the_o usurper_n upon_o the_o abettor_n he_o live_v to_o tell_v abimelec_n he_o be_v but_o a_o bramble_n a_o weed_n rather_o than_o a_o tree_n a_o right_a bramble_n indeed_o that_o grow_v but_o out_o of_o the_o base_a hedg-row_n of_o a_o concubine_n that_o can_v not_o lift_v up_o his_o head_n from_o the_o earth_n unless_o he_o be_v support_v by_o some_o bush_n or_o pale_a of_o shechem_n that_o have_v lay_v hold_n of_o the_o fleece_n of_o israel_n and_o have_v draw_v blood_n of_o all_o his_o brethren_n and_o last_o that_o have_v no_o substance_n in_o he_o but_o the_o sap_n of_o vainglory_n and_o the_o prick_v of_o cruelty_n it_o be_v better_a than_o a_o kingdom_n
that_o god_n have_v raise_v he_o up_o on_o purpose_n to_o be_v a_o scourge_n to_o the_o philistines_n who_o as_o yet_o he_o have_v anger_v more_o than_o punish_v as_o if_o these_o therefore_o have_v be_v but_o flourish_n before_o the_o fray_n he_o stir_v up_o his_o courage_n &_o strike_v they_o both_o hip_n and_o thigh_n with_o a_o mighty_a plague_n that_o god_n which_o can_v do_v nothing_o imperfecty_a where_o he_o begin_v either_o mercy_n or_o judgement_n will_v not_o leave_v till_o he_o have_v happy_o finish_v as_o it_o be_v in_o his_o favour_n so_o in_o his_o punishment_n one_o stroke_n draw_v on_o another_o the_o israelite_n be_v but_o slave_n &_o the_o philistines_n be_v their_o master_n so_o much_o more_o indign_o threfore_o must_v they_o needs_o take_v it_o to_o be_v thus_o affront_v by_o one_o of_o their_o own_o vassal_n yet_o shall_v we_o commend_v the_o moderation_n of_o these_o pagan_n samson_n be_v not_o mortal_o wrong_v by_o one_o philistim_n fall_v foul_a upon_o the_o whole_a nation_n the_o philistines_n heinous_o offend_v by_o samson_n do_v not_o fall_v upon_o the_o whole_a tribe_n of_o judah_n but_o be_v muster_v together_o call_v to_o they_o for_o satisfaction_n from_o the_o person_n offend_v the_o same_o hand_n of_o god_n which_o wrought_v samson_n to_o revenge_v restrain_v they_o from_o it_o it_o be_v no_o thank_n to_o themselves_o that_o sometime_o wicked_a man_n can_v be_v cruel_a the_o man_n of_o judah_n be_v by_o their_o fear_n make_v friend_n to_o their_o tyrant_n &_o traitor_n to_o their_o friend_n it_o be_v in_o their_o cause_n that_o samson_n have_v shed_v blood_n and_o yet_o they_o conspire_v with_o â—he_n philistines_n to_o destroy_v their_o own_o flesh_n and_o blood_n so_o shall_v the_o philistines_n be_v quit_v with_o israel_n that_o as_o samson_n by_o philistines_n revenge_v himself_o of_o philistines_n so_o they_o of_o a_o israelite_n by_o the_o hand_n of_o israelite_n that_o which_o open_a enemy_n dare_v not_o attempt_v they_o work_v by_o false_a brethren_n and_o these_o be_v so_o much_o more_o perilous_a as_o they_o be_v more_o entire_a it_o have_v be_v no_o less_o easy_a for_o samson_n to_o have_v slay_v those_o thousand_o of_o judah_n that_o come_v to_o bind_v he_o than_o those_o other_o of_o the_o philistines_n that_o mean_v to_o kill_v he_o bind_v and_o what_o if_o he_o have_v say_v be_v you_o turn_v traitor_n to_o your_o deliverer_n your_o blood_n be_v upon_o your_o own_o head_n but_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n without_o who_o he_o can_v not_o kill_v either_o beast_n or_o man_n will_v never_o stir_v he_o up_o to_o kill_v his_o brethren_n though_o degenerate_v into_o philistines_n they_o have_v more_o power_n to_o bind_v he_o than_o he_o to_o kill_v they_o israelitish_n blood_n be_v precious_a to_o he_o that_o make_v no_o more_o scruple_n of_o kill_v a_o philistim_n then_o a_o lion_n that_o bondage_n and_o usury_n that_o be_v allow_v to_o a_o jew_n from_o a_o pagan_a may_v not_o be_v exact_v from_o a_o jew._n the_o philistines_n that_o have_v before_o plough_v with_o sampsons_n heifer_n in_o the_o case_n of_o the_o riddle_n be_v now_o plough_v a_o worse_a furrow_n with_o a_o heifer_n more_o his_o own_o i_o be_o ashamed_a to_o hear_v these_o cowardly_a jew_n say_v know_v thou_o not_o that_o the_o philistines_n be_v lord_n over_o we_o why_o have_v thou_o do_v thus_o unto_o we_o we_o be_v therefore_o come_v to_o bind_v thou_o whereas_o they_o shall_v have_v say_v we_o find_v these_o tyrannical_a philistines_n to_o usurp_v dominion_n over_o we_o thou_o have_v happy_o begin_v to_o shake_v off_o their_o yoke_n and_o now_o we_o be_v come_v to_o second_v thou_o with_o our_o service_n the_o valour_n of_o such_o a_o captain_n shall_v easy_o lead_v we_o forth_o to_o liberty_n we_o be_v ready_a either_o to_o die_v with_o thou_o or_o to_o be_v free_v by_o thou_o a_o fearful_a man_n can_v never_o be_v a_o true_a friend_n rather_o than_o incur_v any_o danger_n he_o will_v be_v false_a to_o his_o own_o soul_n oh_o cruel_a mercy_n of_o these_o man_n of_o juda_n we_o will_v not_o kill_v thou_o but_o we_o will_v bind_v thou_o and_o deliver_v thou_o to_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o philistines_n that_o they_o may_v kill_v thou_o as_o if_o it_o have_v not_o be_v much_o worse_a to_o die_v a_o ignominious_a and_o torment_a death_n by_o the_o hand_n of_o philistines_n then_o to_o be_v at_o once_o dispatch_v by_o they_o which_o wish_v either_o his_o life_n safe_a or_o his_o death_n easy_a when_o saul_n be_v pursue_v by_o the_o philistines_n upon_o the_o mountain_n of_o gilboa_n he_o can_v say_v to_o his_o armor-bearer_n draw_v forth_o thy_o sword_n and_o kill_v i_o lest_o the_o uncircumcised_a come_v and_o thrust_v i_o through_o &_o mock_v i_o and_o at_o last_o will_v rather_o fall_v upon_o his_o own_o sword_n then_o they_o and_o yet_o these_o cousin_n of_o samson_n can_v say_v we_o will_v not_o kill_v thou_o but_o we_o will_v bind_v thou_o &_o deliver_v thou_o it_o be_v no_o excuse_n to_o these_o israelite_n that_o sampsons_n bind_v have_v more_o hope_n than_o his_o death_n it_o be_v more_o in_o the_o extraordinary_a mercy_n of_o god_n than_o their_o will_n that_o he_o be_v not_o tie_v with_o his_o last_o bond_n such_o be_v the_o goodness_n of_o the_o almighty_a that_o he_o turn_v the_o cruel_a intention_n of_o wicked_a man_n to_o a_o advantage_n now_o these_o jew_n that_o may_v have_v let_v themselves_o loose_a from_o their_o own_o bondage_n be_v bind_v their_o deliverer_n who_o yet_o they_o know_v able_a to_o have_v resist_v in_o the_o great_a strength_n there_o be_v use_v of_o patience_n there_o be_v more_o fortitude_n in_o this_o suffering_n then_o in_o his_o former_a action_n samson_n abide_v to_o be_v tie_v by_o his_o own_o countryman_n that_o he_o may_v have_v the_o glory_n of_o free_v himself_o victorious_o even_o so_o o_o saviour_n our_o better_a nazarite_n thou_o which_o can_a have_v call_v to_o thy_o father_n and_o have_v have_v twelve_o legion_n of_o angel_n for_o thy_o rescue_n will_v be_v bind_v voluntary_o that_o thou_o may_v triumph_v so_o the_o bless_a martyr_n be_v rack_v &_o will_v not_o be_v lose_a because_o they_o expect_v a_o better_a resurrection_n if_o we_o be_v not_o as_o well_o ready_a to_o suffer_v ill_a as_o to_o do_v good_a we_o be_v not_o fit_a for_o the_o consecration_n of_o god_n to_o see_v samson_n thus_o strong_o manacle_v and_o expose_v to_o their_o full_a revenge_n can_v not_o but_o be_v a_o glad_a spectacle_n to_o these_o philistines_n &_o their_o joy_n be_v so_o full_a that_o it_o can_v not_o but_o fly_v forth_o of_o their_o mouth_n in_o shout_v and_o laughter_n who_o they_o see_v loose_a with_o terror_n it_o be_v pleasure_n to_o see_v bind_v is_n be_v the_o sport_n of_o the_o spiritual_a philistines_n to_o see_v any_o of_o god_n nazarite_n fetter_v with_o the_o cord_n of_o iniquity_n and_o their_o imp_n be_v ready_a to_o say_v aha_o so_o will_v we_o have_v it_o but_o the_o event_n answer_v their_o false_a joy_n with_o that_o clause_n of_o triumph_n rejoice_v not_o over_o i_o o_o my_o enemy_n though_o i_o fall_v yet_o i_o shall_v rise_v again_o how_o soon_o be_v the_o countenance_n of_o these_o philistines_n change_v and_o their_o shout_n turn_v into_o shrieking_n the_o spirit_n of_o the_o lord_n come_v upon_o samson_n and_o then_o what_o be_v cord_n to_o the_o almighty_a his_o new_a bond_n be_v as_o flax_n burn_v with_o fire_n and_o he_o rouze_v up_o himself_o like_o that_o young_a lion_n who_o he_o first_o encounter_v &_o fly_v upon_o those_o cowardly_a adversary_n who_o if_o they_o have_v not_o see_v his_o cord_n dare_v not_o have_v see_v his_o face_n if_o they_o have_v be_v so_o many_o devil_n as_o man_n they_o can_v not_o have_v stand_v before_o that_o spirit_n which_o lift_v up_o the_o hart_n &_o hand_n of_o samson_n wicked_a man_n never_o see_v fair_a prospect_n then_o when_o they_o be_v upon_o the_o very_a threshold_n of_o destruction_n security_n and_o ruin_n be_v so_o close_o border_v upon_o each_o other_o that_o where_o we_o see_v the_o face_n of_o the_o one_o we_o may_v be_v sure_a the_o other_o be_v at_o his_o back_n thus_o do_v thou_o o_o bless_a saviour_n when_o thou_o be_v fasten_v to_o the_o cross_n when_o thou_o lay_v bind_v in_o the_o grave_n with_o the_o cord_n of_o death_n thus_o do_v thou_o miraculous_o raise_v up_o thyself_o and_o vanquish_v thy_o enemy_n and_o lead_v captivity_n captive_a thus_o do_v all_o thy_o holy_a one_o when_o they_o seem_v most_o forsake_v &_o lay_v open_a to_o the_o insultation_n of_o the_o world_n find_v thy_o spirit_n mighty_a to_o their_o deliverance_n and_o the_o discomfiture_n of_o their_o malicious_a adversary_n those_o three_o thousand_o israelite_n be_v not_o
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