Of the Head Cornerstone, Chapter 11 (1 of 3)
CHAP. 11.
1 IT shall be good heere to remember how farre we hauehave gone. It pleased God to take vntounto him one people of all the world, to be a peculiar people to him: and, out of Abraham to raise the same. To Abraham he made (among others) two speciall promises: one, of the Land wherein hee soiourned; the other, of the Promised Seede. That of the Land, is now already performed vntounto them: the Land of Canaan beeing giuen to the Israclites, and they hauing it now (at the death of Iosuah) in quiet possession. And in this part of theyr Story it is not amisse to marke, that with this his people he dealt at the first, by faire meanes onelyonly: as Parents vse to deale with their Children in the time of their infancy, vntill they come to some vnderstanding. This he did till they had beene his people foure hundred and thirty yeares: and till the time that he had giuen them the law, with all the Ceremonies and Ordinaunces thereunto appertaining. But after that, though still they were in speciall fauour with him; yet did hee then diuers times mingle correction withall as they gaue him occasion: which, as wee hauehave seene in the Wildernesse already; so may wee see hence-forward also, wheresoeuer the people themselues are. Now at this time we are to see, what is their Story in that Land of theirs, vntill that Blessed Seede (the other of those two principall promises) be giuen vntounto them vntounto them: and first, so long as they stood one whole people; then, when after they began to be diuided. They continued one people, vnderunder all their Iudges, and vnderunder one of their Kinges also: but after that, they began to be diuided. Their Iudges were all those Magistrates, Captaines, Leaders, or Gouernors, that it pleased God, after the death of Iosuah to raise vp vntounto them as occasion was offered, vntill they had Kinges (at their owne motion) giuegive vntounto them: of the most of which Iudges, we hauehave the Story in this praesent Booke of the Iudges; but of part of them, in another ensuing. As touching this praesent Booke of the Iudges, one particular Story there is, which appertaineth to the time of these Iudges, and yet is nothing at all mentioned heere in this Booke: but followeth next after in a little Booke by it selfe. So are we first to consider of the Story of them, as by this Booke we are directed: then, to come to that other particular, in that other Booke next ensuing. As touching the Story of them, so farre as this Booke deliuereth it vntounto vsus, wee finde they were such, that the estate of the people vnderunder them, was reasonable good for a while at the beginning: but variable after. For a while at the beginning wee finde diuers thinges commendable in them, and so boading their estate then to bee good: some, that concerne the whole people; others, that concerne but certaine of their. Those that concerne the whole people, are two: one, that had his time immediately after the death of Iosuah; another, that en…ed somewhat after. That which had his time immediately after the death of Iosuah, was, that then the people besought the Lord to shew them, who should be their Leader now. A thing very commendable in Iud. 1 …1.them, for that now they did so wel depend vponupon God: and that none of them were so ambitious, as themselues to vsurpe the place vntounto them In the answere that God gaue vntounto them we are to note, not onelyonly that he did shew them who it should be: but that he sheweth them withall, how bee would prosper vntounto them that his Gouernement. He telleth them that it should be Iudah that should bee their Leader now: so, directly telling them, which should be the Tribe; and implicati…ely leauing vntounto them that the H…ad… man Ibid. 2.(or chiefe therof) should command or leade for the time. Which seemeth to me, to beare a farther sence, then for this time onelyonly; and to hauehave some speciall relation vntounto that which Iacob vttered of Iudah Prophetically, a little before his death: and so to direct them for the time following to be vnderunder the Gouernement Gen. 49: 8, 10.of Iudah, vnlesse it should please God at any time to appoint them some other. For whereas the Text seemeth to incline, a though the question were asked but for that time onelyonly, as if they had desired but to know who shold the begin to sight with the Canaanites, or first fight against them, as diuers there be that seeme so to take it: I should rather thinke that to begin, as there it is meant (so: so is the Originall Art Mo…tan. Fr. Vatatlus. Tremel. I…n. Bibl. …ngl. V…lgata …dit. In. Iud. 1 in. ….indeed, or seemeth at least so to indine) is not so much to be referred vntounto the time, or such an order of proceeding, as who to begin for this time first, and who to follow then next after, as to the vsuall maner of marching in battaile, the Leaders going first, and the rest following, as also it is so taken by some. Lyra likewise sheweth, that there hauehave beene diuers heeretofore that hauehave inclined to some such meaning as if there had beene a kind of perpetuitie so: leading in battell giuen vntounto the Tribe of Iudah. Himselfe (I grant) doth not like, that so it shuld be taken because diuers others were leaders after, who were not of that tribe. But that is no sufficient reason, for that if these did slip the dutie to them appertaining, then might others be after appointed in their default: and yet by Gods ordinance, that dignitie giuen vntounto them before. As touching that he addeth withall, of what force the Gouernment of Iudah should be vntounto them (telling them that Iud. 1: 2.he had giuen the land into his hands) the more comfortable that that might be vntounto them, the more carefull should it hauehave made them, to hauehave yeelded themselues to that direction. For, that some restraine it to be meant not of the whole land generally, Tremel. Iun.but of the Kingdome of Bezek onelyonly, as yet in the enemies hands, that seemeth to me to be nothing agreeable vntounto the text: both because the question was asked in generall, and not particularly for it (and at Sichem, it seemeth, and not neere Bezek); and because there is no mention of Bezek yet, for that relatiue to hauehave relation vntounto. That which endured somewhat after, was that while the elder Iud. 2: 6-9.sort remained that had seene many of these great workes of God, the people were kept (and so continued) in the seruice of God. How long that was, wee hauehave Num. 1: 3.not set downe: but seeing all that were twenty yeare olde and aboue, when they came new into the wildernesse, for their transgression perished there, sauing onelyonly Ibid. 14: 29. Ibid. 26. 64.Iosuah and Caleb, therfore the Eldest of these besides could not bee but about threescore yeere olde when they came first into the land; and so might diuers of them liue many yeares after the yonger of these. Those that concerne but certaine of them, are most of this people: but one of certaine strangers among them. Those that are of this people, are of one couple ioyning together: and of two others that are but single. The couple that ioyned together, were the Tribes of Iudah and Simeon. For at soone as Iadah was named vntounto the leading of the rest, Iud. 1: 3.he moued Simeon to helpe him in his Lot, or in the portion of his inheritance: offering vntounto Simeon withall to doe as much for him in his. And because afterward Iud. 1: 17.we reade that he went with Simeon indeed, therefore it seemeth there passed such a Leage betwixt them: and so is it taken by some. But if now wee consider what it was, that, by these two so ioyned together, was at this present done, though some part thereof we shall finde to be plaine ynough in it selfe: yet some other that may seeme now also to be done, we shall finde to lie somewhat doubtfull therein. That which is plaine inough of it selfe, is of two speciall Stories: one, that voyage of theirs against Bezek; the other, that which they made against the Philistims. In Ibid. 4-7.their voyage against Bezek they so preuailed, that they slew of the people of those parts tenne thousands, tooke the Lord or King thereof, and serued him as hee had serued many others before. In that other voyage of theirs against the Philistims, they tooke at that time three of their Citties, Azzah, Askelon, and Ekron, with the Ibid. 18.coasts or territories vntounto them appertaining: but how soeuer it came to passe, shortly after (as in those affaires it is often seene) it appeareth they had them not. Ibid. 3: 3.As touching those that lie so doubtfull, it shall be good, first to see, whence that doubtfulnesse ariseth vntounto them: then, what those seruices themselues are. The doubtfulnesse that ariseth vntounto them (so farre as my selfe doe yet see) commeth out of two principall heads: one, the mentioning of them else-where in the Text; the other, the interpretation of others thereon. Being elsewhere mentioned, as in the booke of Iosuah before, it may be theron more easily conceiued, that they were done then, rather than now. If vntounto that semblance or likelyhood of the Text, the interpretation of those that are of reckoning, doe sort it selfe also, then doe we account it so much the more likely, that in truth it should be so taken. Both which will appeare more plainely in the places themselues that wee are to deale in. Those places therefore that of this kinde we are to deale in, are all of such seruices as by them were done, but whether at this time or before, that is the question: but some of them, for the right of the tribe of Iudah; and the rest, for the right of Simeon. Those seruices that were for the right of Iudah, were two: one, that of Ierusalem; the other, that of the Hil-country. As touching that of Ierusalem, some doe reade, as if that peece of seruice were at this time done. But now Iud 1: 8. vulg. …dit Ari Montan. Ios 12: 10. Ibid. 15: 63. Fr. Vatab. Tremel. I…. Bibl. Angl. 1594. Iud 1: 8. Ibid. 9, 10 19.the truth is, there is mention before, in the daies of Iosuah, of the ouerthrow of the King of Ierusalem: and of the Iewes inhabiting part of Ierusalem. Hereupon it is, as it seemeth, that others doe read, as if that which of that matter is spoken of here, were but then onelyonly done, and not now: and to that end vse the Praeterpluperfect tense as they call it, as speaking of a time more than perfectly past; whereas the others vse the perfect-tense only. The English Bible hath another misse besides (but that may well be the Printers onelyonly) in that it setteth downe Israel there, insteed of Iudah. As touching that of the Hill-country, and of Hebron as one Cittie in those parts, and of the good successe that God did giuegive them therein, both against the ordinary sort of people, and against those Giants withall, those other againe, Vulg. …dit. Ari. Mont. Fr. Vatab. Tremel I….and one mo now, doe in such sort reade, as if those things were at this time done: but there be of these that so frame their reading in this place also, as if those things were not done now, but onelyonly before. The rest that were for the right of Simeon, were other two also: Debir, the one; Zephath the other. In both which Iud. 1; 11, 17. Vulg. Mont. Vatab. Tremel. Iun.the vsuall reading againe is, as of a Story of this present: and yet those others are in their Preterpluperfect-tense still, so turning them ouer to the former onelyonly. But now to examine the same a little, first it is cleare, that the proprietie of the tongue it selfe doth most properly yeeld, that we may so reade, and that such is the vsuall reading: namely, as of Histories of that present, and not of a former time before. If then we may so reade, and most men so doe, if any should in such sort vary, they had need to hauehave some reason for thē why so they would vary. Then also, it is most likely, that this part of the Booke as well as the rest, was most intended, to shew what was the Story of the people at that very time of which it treateth (and this Iud. 1: 1.doth plainely shew it selfe, there to beginne when Iosuah ended): and not to bee a recapitulation, or a recitall of other Stories passed before. Which if it should be, it should leaue very little for the Story of that present: and seeme to defraude many of those that then liued of that commendation that by right was due vntounto them. Both which considerations doe appertaine to all the places that hauehave beene noted, indifferently. But now if we enter into a more speciall consideration of the places themselues, true it is, that the Kings of Ierusalem, Hebron, Debir, and Chorma, were all ouerthrowne before, and that the Israelites in Iosuahs time made great spoile of Ios. 12: 10, 14 Ibid. 10: 29-42.the Hilly Country. But might not the enemies that escaped nestle againe, and make those that now liued much businesse also? Are not such things in all conquests very vsuall and rise? Is not one place, or one people in diuers cases, sundry times impugned and subdued, before they can bee brought to be quiet? Or is there any thing spoken heere, that may not be a seuerall Story from those others before rehearsed? Or may it not goe for a reasonable coniecture, that therefore they set fire on Ierusalem now, and put Zephath to vtter destruction, because they would Iud. 1: 8, 7.not yet be quiet for that which before was done vntounto them? So it seemeth to mee, that those also are Stories themselues, and seuerall from the others before recited. Those two others that were but single, are those that we hauehave heere set downe of the doings of Caleb at Hebron: and of the house of Ioseph at Bethel. Of Caleb it is Ibid. 20.saide, that he expelled from Hebron those three Gyants, the Sonnes of Anak. Of the house of Ioseph likewise, that they got Bethel which before was called Luz: sauing Ibid. 22-26.that heere that Praeterpluperfect Tense is againe very busie; and much more, as I doe take it, than it needeth to be. Those that were but strangers among them, were the Kenites, defended of Moses father in Law, of whom we reade, that they went Ibid. 16.vp with the children of Iudah to dwell among them: yet, as it seemeth, but in the Wildernesse or wast grounds neare vntounto them; more wise therein, then most of the people of God themselues, esteeming so little as many of them did, of such societie with the tribe of Iudah.
2 That their estate was variable after, the whole Story doth plainely and plentifully declare: but first it shall be good to consider, what may seeme to be the reason of it; then, what estate it was, that so they brought themselues vntounto. As touching the former me-thinketh there was a farther cause than is commonly conceiued by others, or my selfe doe know to be noted by any. That which is commonly conceiued by others, is that they spared the inhabitants of the land so much as they did: and thereby brought themselues to great inconuenience. How they spared the Inhabitants of the land wee hauehave set downe but of certaine of them in particular: and of them all generally. In particular, but Iudah, Beniamin, Manasses, Iud. 1: 19, 21, 27-33.Ephraim, Zebulon, Asher and Nepthalie, are noted to bee faulty therein: and one of them, the greatest tribe of all, is (after a sort) halfe excused in it, because it is said, that he was not able to doe it. But the reason is no more but this, because they had Ibid. 19.many Iron Charets. Which no doubt they had before, when neuerthelesse they were not able to stand against them. So that of Ruben, Simeon, Isacher, Gad, and Dan, we hauehave no such fault remembred in particular: sauing that being saide that the Ammorites droue the tribe of Dan (the greatest tribe next vntounto Iudah) into the Ibid. 34.mountaine, though it doe not necessarily conclude, that they spared theirs (for they might be others that so straigtned them); yet notwitstanding it is most likely, that they also were faultie therein. Generally it is saide of them all, that when they were strong, they did not expell them wholy, but onelyonly made them tributaries vntounto Ibid. 28.them: and so it is saide of diuers of them in particular, as Zabulon, Nephtalie and Ibid. 30, 33, 35.the familie of Ioseph. The inconuenience that thereby they brought themselues vntounto, was more, than may be well conceiued; but especially two principall heads, and whatsoeuer came in by them: one, that thence forward they should not bee able to cast them out; the other, that thereby themselues did fall to Idolatry also. By the former of which, it would come to passe, that they must be exceedingly troubled and vexed by them: and by the other, that God would poure forth his wrath vponupon them to their destruction. Of the former they are so seriously, and with such Iud. 2 11-5.contestation admonished, that they were wonderfull heauy to heare it, and poured forth teares so abundantly thereupon, that that one accident gaue name to the place where it was done. But it had beene good, they had wept before, and a good warning it is vntounto vsus, now that we are come to this promised land of Christian profession, vtterly to destroy those ancient Inhabitants of our land also, all the bad motions of our corrupt nature; otherwise to assure our selues, that we cannot but be much encombred with them, in whatsoeuer work of godlines at any time after we hauehave in hand. The latter tarryed not long after the former. For quickly they Iud. 2: 10-25,were by them corrupted: and for the same plentifully tasted of Gods displeasure. That farther cause that we finde not noted by others, doth so deepely touch them all, that few of them I thinke did stand cleare of it: especially, not the tribe of Iudah; then also it seemeth, none of the rest. The tribe of Iudah I take to be faulty, for that they did not take vponupon them, according as God himselfe had called them. So are we to see, first how it pleased God to call them: then, how farre they failed therin. It pleased God in such sort to cal them as that they especially ought to hauehave had a speciall good regard vntounto it: both for the direction that now was giuen them; and for some other things before concurring therewith, The direction that now was giuen them, was (as we heard before) that when the question was asked Iud. 1: 1, 2.vponupon the death of Iosuah, who should be their Leader next ensuing: answere was giuen, that it should be Iudah. By which answere wee may easily conceiue, that the Heads-man or Prince of that tribe was then to come in, and to take that charge vponupon him: and, if among themselues there had beene any question, who was the chiefest (which it seemeth there was, not because we read of no question of it) God no doubt, would hauehave answered that point also. But there is a farther matter to bee noted, that God there nameth the whole tribe, and not the chiefe and principall Father of it (as before, when the people were to be numbred, or when after the Land was first to be searched, and then to be diuided among them): but Num. 1: 7. Idid. 13: 7. Ibid. 34: 19.now as appointing a set Gouernement to be among them. For the principall Fathers die, one of them still succeeding another: but the tribe it selfe was euer to stand vntill the promised Seede should come, who should then take the Gouernement vponupon him, and of whose Kingdome there should be no end. So that heereby it seemeth, he rather pointeth to a continuall succession of Gouernours, euen vntill the time of Christ, then vntounto any one for that present; commending vntounto them that tribe, as the stock, familie or line, that euer should yeelde their Leaders vntounto them: that euen as Leuy should yeeld their Priest-hood; so should Iudah beare their Scepter. Those other things before that concurred with this now, were two: one, that Prophecy of Iacob; the other, a matter of fact a little before. The Prophecy of Iacob, for that dignity of Iudah, is more plaine, than that wee neede any thing to Gen. 49. 8. 12.vrge it: and the plainer it is, the better it should hauehave beene remembred now, and the more readily (on all hands) applyed to such resolution as now we speake of. And seeing that in all ages it was so imbraced of the godly-wise, for a special good prophetical description of the dignity and line of Christ, it might well hauehave been looked for of those also, so to hauehave taken their light thereby, on the occasion that now was giuen, as that euen their forme of Gouernment might hauehave led them from time to time, as it wereby the hand vntounto him. That which was but a matter of fact a little before, was, that the Tribe of Iudah was already appointed to the first place, both for their encamping or pitching of their tents; and for their Num. 2: 3. Ibid. 10: 14.Marching likewise in their aray: whereby in reason they might be thoght, to bee so well invred to take some state vponupon them, that when now it was in plain tearmes appointed vntounto them, it should hauehave beene much better regarded. That neuerthelesse they much failed heerein, is made resonable plaine vntounto vsus by the text it selfe: first in that which we hauehave not; then, in that which we hauehave therein. That which wee hauehave not, is, that we hauehave no mention made, that eyther the rest of the Tribes did so yeeld themselues vntounto Iudah (as to such case did appertaine) as vponupon the death of Moses they did vntounto Iosuah before (at least, those two Tribes and an halfe;) or, that Iudah it selfe, or the chiefe of that Tribe, did so take vponupon him, Ios. 1: 16-18.as their Generall, or as the Leader of them all. That which wee hauehave set downe thereof, is no more in effect but this: that Iudah now ioyned with Simeon, mutually to helpe each other in their owne peculiar portions; which any other Tribes Iud 1: 3.might likewise hauehave done and most likely that so they did. Which kind of dealing, being so priuate as it was, is a reasonable good Testimony in it selfe (especially, seeing there is no mention of the other) that they did relinquish the publique, or, not so much as meddle with it. So it seemeth to mee, that according to that Prophecy, of Iacob, now did God, hauing already in the Wildernesse set them in some way towardes it, offer the full accomplishment thereof vntounto them; and so, that they were no sooner possessed of the land wherein they should dwell, but that Iudah was then also appointed to beare that Scepter or State among them: and that they euen all the sort of them, hauing a singular blessing therein offered vntounto them, did neuerthelesse depriue themselues of the benefite of it, eyther for that they did not so vnderstand that answer of god (which no doubt, was strange, hauing so good helpes to lead them thereunto as they had;) or else because they were nothing so disposed (neyther Iudah to take it vponupon them, nor the others to yeeld it vntounto them) and that was stranger. The blessing that I meane was offered vntounto them threin, was that better gouernment (both for ciuill order among thē, and for preseruation of Religion) that by likelihood they should this way hauehave had, in much better measure (God euer blessing his owne ordinance) than afterwardes we finde they had, by such as it pleased God, in default of these, to giuegive them, beeing also ofttimes without any at all for a season. Which things will appeare plainely enough in the story it selfe.
3 Now therefore as touching the latter, that is, what estate it was that so they brought themselues vntounto, wee hauehave the same set downe vntounto vsus, generally first: more specially after. Generally wee hauehave set downe, first that the people Iud. 2: 11-15.by sparing their enemies and by conuersing and matching marriages with them, grew to very grosse Idolatrie, and much prouoking God thereby, were sould ouer into all their enemies handes round about them, to be a spoyle to them at their pleasure: then, that neuerthelesse hee oft-times raised vp Iudges to deliuer them, Ibid. 16-23.and to helpe them out of the troubles that they had brought themselues into; but that after those Iudges were dead, they quickly returned vntounto their former waies againe, and euer grew worse therein than before. A notable patterne in them, of the great corruption and frailty that is in vsus. More specially, wee hauehave the same set downe vntounto vsus; first, in the body of the Story it selfe that doth go on all the people: then in certaine other particulars that doe touch but certaine of them. In the body of the Story it selfe that dooth goe on the whole people; first, wee hauehave set downe, what were those Nations that were left among them: then, what were the calamities of the people, by staining themselues with their infection. The Nations that heere are noted to be left among them, are but such (as it seemeth) as occupied some maine part of the Country, that the Children of Israell should hauehave taken vntounto themselues, but now was still held by these: and not any of those that yet held any Citties or holdes in the seuerall portions of those Tribes wherein they were, against whom they afterward praeuailed, and made them tributaries vntounto them. For those that heere are named, are but the fiue Philistian Princes, and all the Territories in the Iud. 3: 1-4.South: and all the North part of the Land, from Baal-Hermon in that halfe of the Tribe of Manasses which was beyond Iordan, and on the East-side of it, vntounto Emath in the Tribe of Nepthalim West-ward, and almost in the vttermost West-part of it, nere vntounto Libanus; together withall that hilly Countrey of Libanus it selfe. For as touching the Philistims in the South, they aboad till the time of Dauid, and al that 2. Sam. 5: 17.time were mighty till Dauid tooke them downe: and, in the North, Salomon in his time was faine to craue and vse the helpe of the people there, by Hiram their king. 1. King. 5: 6.So that in the daies of these, neyther were those Territories of the Philistims, nor these North partes, as yet become the possessions of any of the Israelites. The calamities that the people got by stayning themselues with the infection of these, and of such others as they suffered to dwell among them, were all such as people subdued vntounto a mightie and grieuous Enemy, vnderunder those Enemies of theirs, and at their handes are wont to sustaine: though first, not so much to the offence of God, but that he did readily helpe them so soone as euer they sought vntounto him; albeit that after they so offended that he would not easily help them. When he did so readily help them, it was the three first times that by their Idolatry they brought themselues into their Enemies hands: first, into the hands of strangers; then, into the hands of the Canaanites also in their own land. Those strangers were of two sortes: some of such as hauehave their Story set down withal; others that hauehave not. Those that hauehave their Story set downe withall; were the Syrians, and the Moabites. The Syrians were on the Iud. 3: 5-8.North of them: and when the people dwelling with these Remnants of the Canaanites so learned their wayes, and betooke themselues vntounto them, then the Lorde first deliuered them into the handes of the King of these Syrians, who held them in subiection to him eyght yeares. But when they cryed vntounto the Lord, then hee stirred vp Othoniel, and gaue him so great successe against the Syrians, that he deliuered the Ibid. 9-11.people out of their handes, and gouerned them at home, in peaceable manner, all the time that hee liued. The Moabites dwelt on the South-East corner of them, and at this time was Eglon their King, into whose handes, when the Children of Israell againe offended, the Lord did deliuer them, so that they were in subiection to Ibid. 12-14. Ibid. 15-30.him eighteene yeares. But when the people cryed to the Lord, he stirred vp Ehud, who killed the King, gathered the people together, went against the Moabites, praeuailed against them, slew ten thousand of them, and so deliuered the Children of Israell from their subiection. In whose Story one thing in particular is, that when Ibid. 20.comming in to the King, he told him he had a message vntounto him from God, the king then arose out of his Throne, in dutifull reuerence, to giuegive eare vntounto it: an example of an Heathen man, & an Enemy vntounto the people of God, hard to be matched among the Christians now, withall the greater sort in a manner, though very farre inferior to him. Those that hauehave not their Story set downe withall, were the Philistims, who, in what sort, or how long they vexed the people, or had them vnderunder, we cannot tell: but it is said, that Samgar slew sixe hundred of them with a Goad, and deliuered Israell; Ibid. 31. Ibid. 5: 6.and that in his daies it was so dangerous for the people to traiuaile (because of their Enemies) that the High-waies lay vnoccupyed among them. Againe it seemeth Samgar was but of very short time, because where he is set downe to be next Ibid. 3: 31.after Ehud, in the next verse after hee is in a manner omitted: beeing there said, that the people began againe to doe wickedly; and the same beeing said to bee after the Iud. 4: 1.death, not of Samgar who succeeded, but of Ehud that went before. Into the handes of the Cannanites they were deliuered, when next they sinned against God, Iud. 4: 1-3.who now (by their sparing of them) were growne so strong, that they had nine hundred Charets of Iron (whom might they thanke for the same, but themselues?) And verysore vexed them twenty yeares. But when they cryed vntounto the Lord, it pleased God to stirre vp Deborah, a Woman, who sending for Barak from out of the Ibid. 4-9.Tribe of Nepthalim (euen from those boarders, where the Canaanites were growne so strong now) appointed him to be the Generall of the fielde, or Leader of the people for that praesent, and told him withall, that it was of God, and how he should behaue himselfe therein. So he, according to her direction from the Lord, gathered Ibid. 10-23.out of the Tribes of Zabulon and Nepthalim, next adioyning vntounto the Enemy, ten thousand men to come vntounto him to Kedes in the face of the Enemy. But from thence, as he was directed, hee drew backe to Mount Thabor, in the South-edge of Zabulon, and neere vntounto the Riuer Kison (the bounder betwixt Issakar and Zabulon, from the Sea of Galile on the East, to the maine Sea on the West) whither Deborah told him, that the Lorde would drawe their Enemies, led by Sisera Iabins Generall. Sisera therefore following after thither, had there a great ouerthrow, and himselfe was slaine by the way as he fled. Whereupon Deborah and Barak gaue thankes vntounto Ibid. 5: 1-31.God: and the people of Israell hence-forward praeuailed more and more against Iab… King of Canaanites, euen to his vtter destruction in the end. But beeing thus Ibid. 4: 2….deliuered now, they so offended shortly after, that he brought a sharper scourge vponupon them, and would not so easily deliuer them neither, when they sought vntounto him: yet first, but onelyonly reproouing them for their so offending; but shortly after (for a time) refusing to helpe them. When hee did but reprooue them, it was, when for Iud. 6: 1-10.their reuolting againe, he had brought the Madianites on them: who, taking vntounto them the Amalakites, and others besides, came in great multitudes into the Land, yearely eating vp (with their Cattle, that they to that purpose brought with them) the encrease of the earth from the Children of Israel, and euer spoyling them of theyr Cattle besides; being so many, and of such force and strength, that the Israelites hauing no hope to doe any good by encountering with them, made themselues Dens and Caues in the Mountaines, wherein they might hide themselues from them, and fled into them. A very heauy and pittifull sight, that the people of God, should now be so greatly distressed by forraine power, and yet hauehave neither force nor heartes to stand against them, but faine so basely to runne into holes, to hide themselues from sight of the Enemy. But such are the miserable fruites of sinne. So when they sought vntounto the Lord, they got naught but a iust reproofe. Neuerthelesse hee did set in hand immediatly after with their deliuerance, and shortly after that performed the same. In which deliuerance of theirs, wee are to consider; first, of this deliuerance it selfe: then, of certaine particulars therein. This deliuerance it selfe was very miraculous, altogether shewing that it was not obtained by force of Man, but only the extraordinary power of God: and yet, a speciall scourge withall to diuers of them. Miraculous it was, both in Gideons calling vntounto it: and in the manner of giuing the victory. His calling vntounto it was miraculous, both in his appointing at the Iud. 6: 11-40. 7: …-15. Ibid. 7: 1-8, 16-22.first: and in his confirmation and strengthening after. The manner of giuing the victory was miraculous also, both in the choyce, and vse of those few Men: and, that they were no otherwise furnished. For they were but three hundred in all, and furnished but with a toy to speake of: and yet notwithstanding, euen by it onelyonly in effect, was, that great company discouraged and broken; and by weake and small forces immediatly after, were two of their Princes, and two of their Kinges, taken and Ibid 7: 23-25. 8: 4-12, 18-21.staine, and all their forces discomforted and destroyed. That as these aboue others, had taken a wicked and mercilesse way to distresse the people of God, and had thereby distressed them more than other before: so might their ouerthrow be so much the more steeped in lishonour and blood, and laid open to the reproach and derision of all. A scourge it was, both praesently after this his victory: and after that himselfe was deceased. Immediatly after this victory, this raising of Gideon was a scourge vntounto the people of Succoth and Pennell, who conceiuing it to bee a matter vnlikely Iud. 8: 5-9, 13 17.for him to praeuaile against those he pursued, denyed to giuegive them any releefe, but for the same were sharply punished at his returne. A good warning to vsus that followe, not to bee so hard-hearted to those that are imployed in any seruice of God, howe weake or simple soeuer their endeuour or purpose may seeme to be, or neuer so much destitute of earthly forces in the eye of the Worlde: as also to take heede, that wee neuer discourage them; especially, that wee hauehave them not in derision. After his Ibid. 2…-27.decease, he was likewise (after a sort) a scourge, both to his own house by that Ephod he made: and by leauing so vngracious an Imp behind him, as Abimelek his base son was, both to his owne more lawfull Children, and to many in Israell besides. Of those particulars that I wish to bee considered also, some went before the victory aforesaide: and some did follow. Of those that went before, some concerne Gedeon himselfe: others, the Souldiers that he brought with him. In Gedeon himselfe wee hauehave two thinges to bee noted: how hee must begin; and, what weakenesse was in him. He must begin with the ouerthrow of the Idoll there: wherein also is to bee Iud. 6: 25-27.noted, that to plead for that Idoll, was by Ioash accounted worthy of death: as thereby shewing, that they accounted so basely of him, as not able to helpe himselfe. That Ibid. 28-32. Ibid. 36-40. 7: 9-14. Ibid. 6: 12.there was great weaknesse in him, it is plaine by the tokens hee required, and by that farther supply that God gaue him out of that Dreame: and yet is he saluted by God himselfe a little before, as a man of speciall valour. A very good example to shew, that these two may lodge together; great magnanimitie, & great weakenesse too: and that magnanimity not onelyonly that is of Flesh and Blood (for it is not likely, that God would vouchsafe it such commendation) but euen that also, that is of Gods holy spirit; that being the speciall guift of God, and the weaknesse that lurketh with it, our owne corruption. Those that concerne the Souldiers he brought with him, are two: one, that such as were afraide of the euent of battaile, or to put themselues in Iud. 7: 2, 3.hazzard, had liberty giuen them to repaire home againe; the other, that when there was but few left, yet God himselfe caused the greedier sort of them also be dismissed, Ibid. 4-7.to the sending away of nine thousand and seauen hundred, and leauing but three hundred onelyonly. A sufficient warning to vsus, that as it is to little purpose to hauehave companies or ranckes neuer so well stuffed of men, vnlesse their hearts also bee such, as the action requireth: and that such as are greedily minded, and so either impatient of hunger and thirst, or bent on the spoyle, are like also to doe but little good seruice. Of those that did follow the victory, some did follow immediatly after: others, not till a good time betwixt. Those that followed immediatly after were two: one, of Ephraim; the other of Gedeon. That of Ephraim was, that they were so quarrelling Ibid. 8: 1.with him, when they saw he had sped so well, that hee had not called them vntounto it before: they beeing so neere vntounto that whole businesse, euen in the heart of all page missing to see, how they prouoked God to displeasure: then, how he thereupon dealt with them. They prouoked God to displeasure, as before, by leauing to serue him, and giuing themselues to much Idolatry: of which kinde there is more reckoning heere, than in any of the others before, and, in a maner, euen all the Idols round about them. Of which because it is so plainely set downe, that they serued those, and forsooke the Iud. 10: 6Lord and serued not him: it is good for vsus also to marke, that howsoeuer we may be perswaded, that we may serue the Lord and others too, or that the true worship of God and the worship of the later-found-Images may stand together; yet in truth they doe so badly agree, that we can neuer take them together. His manner of dealing with them hereupon was, that first he shewed himselfe offended with them: but yet after tooke compassion on them. He shewed himselfe offended with them, first by giuing them into their enemies hands: then, by refusing to helpe them, when they sought vntounto him. The enemies into whose hands it pleased God to deliuer them now, were two nations adioyning vntounto them: the Philistims on the South-west, in Ibid. 7.part of the Land which should hauehave beene theirs; and the Ammonites, out of the proper bounds of their Land, on the North-East. Of the Philistims wee hauehave no Story heere; and therefore doe some make the bondage of the people vnderunder the Philistims, Tremel. & Ion. in Iud. 10: 7.to concurre with that vnderunder the Ammonites: as though, when the Ammonites afflicted them one the East, at that time also did the Philistims preuaile against them on the West. Which also is the reason, why they set the childrens of Israels subiection vnderunder the Philistims (for that space of forty yeares that after is spoken of) to beginne before the time of Iephthe, as we saw before. But we hauehave diuers things Iud. 13: 1.mentioned in the Scriptures, of which we hauehave in particular no Originall Story: as we hauehave of the selfe-same Philistims a little before, a manifest token that in Samgars Iud. 3: 31.time they were grieuous to the people of God; and yet hauehave we no Story of them, but that Samgar slew sixe hundred of them with nothing else but onelyonly a Goad. As also we hauehave mention of a former deliuerance out of the hands of the Philistims, immediately after: and yet hauehave we no Story of it, vnlesse it be that of Samgers time. Iud. 10: 11.So it is not to be doubted, but that now also the Philistims were very troublesome and grieuous vntounto them: and yet we finde not, that this was any part of the forty yeeres that are mentioned after. And seeing it is so plainely set downe, that the Land of the Philistims should also appertaine to the children of Israel, we may easily conceiue, that the Philistims would euer on all occasions, seeke to molest and suppresse Ios 13: 2. Iud. 3: 3.them, that so themselues might euer inioy their owne seats the better. But of the Ammonites we hauehave the Story in particular deliuered vntounto vsus, how, & in what maner they were grieuous to the people of God; as namely, that they did oppresse and vexe them eighteene yeeres: first, but on the other side of Iordan onelyonly; but then after, on this Iud. 10: 8, 9.side also, and therein the chiefe of them all. By whom they were so very sore vexed, that in the end they sought the Lord: at which time though he refused now to Ibid. 10.helpe them; yet shortly after he tooke such compassion vponupon them, that neuerthelesse in the ende they were holpen. In this refusing to helpe them now, hee did both tell Ibid. 11-14.them the reason of it, for that hee had so oft deliuered them before, and yet was so little regarded by them: and willed them also to goe seeke for helpe at the hands of those Gods whom they had chosen. But yet when they did seeke the Lord still, and put away the strange Gods from among them, and serued the Lord, then the Ibid. 15, 16.Lord had compassion on their misery: and shortly after (though himselfe would not bee seene in the ordaining or choice of the party, whom notwithstanding he prospered) Iud. 11: 29, 32they had by Iephthe a good deliuerance. Concerning whom wee hauehave more especially deliuered vntounto vsus, in what sort he was taken to that charge: and, how hee acquirred himselfe therein. He was taken vntounto that charge, first but by some part of the people: but afterward, as it seemeth, by all. That part of the people that made the first choice of him, were the Gileadites that dwelt on the East-side of Iordan: and in that part of his calling vntounto that place, wee hauehave declared, what might seeme to mooue them to make choyce of him; and on what condition hee yeelded vntounto them. That which might seeme to mooue them vntounto it, is part of it plaine enough in it selfe: but other, that it is not so fully cleered. Plaine enough it is in it Iud. 11: 1-3.selfe, that he was a valiant man: and that, because he was but basely borne, hee was driuen out from among his Bretheren; but yet followed by a sort of loose and idle people. Whereby being put to his shiftes, he gat vntounto the Land of Tob, and there as it seemeth, carued for himselfe, or liued on the spoyle: that being in such case the most mens vsage; and that beeing the iudgement of some, that so it was with Iepthe Lir. in Iud. 1…. in lit …. Tremel. & I….now. By which course of life he might in seede giuegive such proofe of his valour, as they might the rather account him to bee a meete man to bee their Leader. That which is not so fully cleered, was, that hauing seated himselfe in Tob, which seemeth to be betwixt them and the Ammonites (as Adrichomius also doth place it towardes 2. Sam 10: 6, 1. Mat. 5: 13. In Theat. ter. sanctae, in God.that Coast, but a little within the Land it selfe) they might well feare, that hee would ioyne with their Enemies against them, if they did not giuegive him some satisfaction or contentment for their discourtisies doone vntounto him. Which also may seeme to be their meaning, when as, he expostulating that former dealing of theirs against him, they answere againe, that therefore they came in vntounto him now, to seek his sauour to Iud. 11: 4-8.be their Generall and Leader against the Ammonites, and to be their Gouernor too. The conditions whereon he would condescend vntounto them, and which they as readily Ibid. 9. 10.accepted, was, that if hee praeuailed against the Ammonites, and came home safe, then, from that time forward should hee be their Gouernour. This being done betwixt Ibid. 11.him and the Elders of Gilead, it seemeth, that after they went to the rest of the people on the West-side of Iordan, and there transacted with them likewise on the same condition: and for the better dispatch of the matter, did it at Mizpah before the Lord, there also reciting the couenant betwixt them. Another Mizpeh, I Chr. Adric. pag. 33. 1. num 31.graunt, there was in Gilead it selfe, in the Tribe of Gad; wherein also it is …e, that Iephthe dwelt, when he iudged Israell sixe yeares: a thing indeed most likely, because the Ammonites in his time (the Philistims before beeing set by for a while) were the most dangerous Enemies vntounto the Israelites, and that Cittie was in the Frontiers of the Land of Gilead towardes the Ammonites, and so the meetest for him to make the place of his most aboad. But in this wee doe not read, that the Tabernacle was at any time placed; neyther was it meete for such purpose, being, as it was, in the outside of the Land: and Phinehas, together with those other ten, which were sent to Ios. 22: 19.the two Tribes and a halfe about their new erected Altar, doe so appropriat the west part of the Land (wherein most of them dwelt) to bee the seate for the Tabernacle, that (since they came ouer Iordan) they deny the place thereof to bee in the East. And whereas Samuell afterward assembled the people to Mizpeh, and their prayed 1. Sam. 7: 5. 11.for them against the Philistims (comming in with their forces against them, to surprize them there) and so had a fair day against thē: both the neernesse of that place vntounto the Philistims, and Eben-ezer the bounder stone shewing how farre the Lorde Ibid. 12. Chr. Adricom. pag. 23. nu. 42.did help them against their enemies, do both of them witnesse, that it was that Mizpeh where the Tabernacle was now likewise to be. To see how hee acquitted himselfe of the charge that now he had taken vponupon him, wee are to know, that most part of it, is of martiall affaires: but some part of it, of peaceable also. Of his martiall affaires, one onelyonly peece of seruice it was that was intended: but another there was that on the suddaine brake foorth besides. That which was intended, was to represse the force of the Ammonites: which that he may the better doe, first hee assayeth what he can doe by faire meanes onelyonly; and, when so he can doe nothing, rhen hee addresseth himselfe to the battaile. The faire meanes that hee vsed, were, first, that he sent to the King of the Ammonites, to know what cause he had so to come in Iud. 11: 12.hostile manner into his Countrey, then, when he vnderstood what cause he praetended, hee sendeth vntounto him againe to let him vnderstand, and to make it plaine vntounto Ibid. 13-27.him, that in that praetence of his, he had no iust cause to mooue warre against him; and therein appealeth to God. When this would take no place with the King of Ammon, but that he was faine (for his iust defence) to praepare himselfe vntounto battle, Ibid. 28.we hauehave likewise deliuered, how he addresseth himselfe vntounto it: and how hee performeth the action it selfe. In addressing himselfe vntounto it, he did something well: and something ill. That which hee did well, was, that hee went vntounto it with courage; and withall as it seemeth, was carefull to take those forces of his with him, that were Ibid. 29.next adioyning vntounto the Enemy: matters that are vsually subiect to the naturall man, and such as the naturall man can readily deale with; sauing that we else-where vnderstand, Heb. 11: 32, 33.that he had Faith in some measure mingled withall. That which hee did ill, was a matter of higher consideration: such as the naturall man can neuer behaue himselfe in as he ought; but euer is wrong, one way or other. Hee knew, that the High power of all was in such case to be sought vntounto; and so to be dealt with, as that he would prosper the action: and this might he know, onelyonly as a meere naturall man. But in what sort that was rightly to be done, of that he sheweth himselfe very ignorant: Ibid. 30, 31.and so doth ghesse accordingly at it. The action it selfe was not onelyonly his encountering with the Ammonites now: but by his owne vnaduised dealing, it had another appendant vntounto it, and the same, as it seemeth, very pittifull also. As for his encountering with the Ammonites, God did so prosper him therein, that he praeuailed Ibid. 32, 33.much against them, and brought them so low, that now the Children of Israell were safe enough from them. What that other appendant was, the learned themselues are not yet agreed: most of them taking it, that it was the sacrificing of his owne Daughter; others (of late) that it was but vowing her vntounto virginitie. Of which two opions Fra. Vatabl…. Tremel. Ion. & M. Broughton …n an. 2819. Ibid. 34, 35.whether of them it is that may seeme more likely, my selfe is not able to iudge: sauing that, at I take it, the likelyhoods are moe and greater for the former, than for the latter. For the great sorrow that the Father conceiued vponupon the first sight of his Daughter, remembring then what hee had vowed vntounto the Lorde, and his wordes sutable thereunto; that speciall request of the Daughter, for so long a time, for her selfe and for her fellowes to goe and bewaile (and that in the Mountaines, as a thing Ibid. 37. Ibid. 38.forlorne) her case in that matter; that she and her fellowes so did indeed; and that it grew to a custome in Israell (not onelyonly of his owne house, or of the Tribe whereof Ibid. 39, 40he was) that the Daughters of Israell (as afore) did yearely lament, for foure dayes space, the case of that Virgine: all these I say, and eueryevery of them doe seeme vntounto mee to boad a matter of greater sorrow, than her perpetuall virginity, or, for all her life to be a Nazarite to God, could be vntounto any of all the company. Againe, that request of hers of bewailing her virginity first, seemeth rather to import, that it was somewhat else that she conceiued should be inflicted on her, than perpetuall virginity: for that if it had beene naught else but it, she needed not to hauehave taken time before but might easily hauehave seene, that to such purpose shee had time enough after. That which seemeth to make for the latter, so farre as I see, is but one: namely, that whereas the vulgar Translation, and out English Byble readeth to lament or bewaile Ibid 40.the Daughter of Iephthe, the originall seemeth rather to yeelde, that they did goe and talke with her as it is translated by some, or did goe and speake vntounto her as T…emel. & I….it is translated by another; both which may import, that she liued still, and doe most Arias Mont inincline to that opinion. For as touching the Coniunction, that it may signifie Or, though for the most part it signifie and, that auaileth no more, but that so it may bee: Ibid. 31. Tremel. I….it tendeth not to prooue that so it is. The commendation of Faith likewise, that else-where is giuen him, is not so to be taken, as if hee might not therefore commit He. 11: 32, 33so grosse errors as cyther of these: no more than it excuseth Gedeon, Sampson, and Dauid (there also in like sort named) from those grosse slips that brake out in them, in Iud. 8: 27. Ibid 16: 1, 17, 30.Gedeon, to the destruction of him and his house: in Sampson, to the vtter defeating of the seruice he had to doe; and to his owne ouerthrow in the end: in Dauid, to the great trouble and hazzard of his owne state after, and to the ouerthrow of many of 2. Sam 11: 4. & 15 18.his owne house and of his people. Neither is it doubted of Iudas, but that so long as he kept his place with the rest, he did such workes of Faith as the rest did, preaching Christ, and doing great workes, when they were sent out to doe that seruice: as also it is certaine, that Saint Peter had faith, though he would hauehave stayed Christ from his Mat. 10: 1. Ibid. 22. Ibid. 26: 70, 72, 74.sufferinges; and thrice together denyed his Mayster. And though it were so, that hee did not make her a sacrifice, but onelyonly addicted her to perpetuall virginity, yet was that also against Faith, though not so odious, nor in so high a degree as the other: being such a thing, as no where by the word of God is commaunded vntounto vsus. But whether of these soeuer it was, there is no quaestion with any, but that he offended Rom. 10: 14, 71.greatly: both in making so vnaduised a vow at the first; and in the performance of it after. Another example, howe farre wide, in the truth of Religion, our best Polititians and Martiall-Men may bee: and so much the rather to bee marked, as these daies doe more abase those by whom the truth of Religion may bee best praeserued as accounting, that they hauehave enough in those others, both for the one and for the other. That other that on the suddaine brake forth besides, whereby Iepthe was occasioned to proceede somewhat farther in Martiall affaires, was that quarrell that the Ephramites did take against him, at his returne from the ouerthrowe of the Ammonites. Concerning which wee hauehave more specially set downe vntounto vsus, how farre they prouoked Iephthe to try it with them: and, how it pleased God, by his handes to chastice them for it. They did much prouoke him vntounto it, in abusing themselues so much as they did, both to his owne person, and to his company. On his owne person they were not ashamed to lay their reproofe: and then added threatenings besides. Their reproofe likewise they did not onelyonly lay vponupon him at the first: but afterward also, when he excused himselfe vntounto them, yet did they not accept of his answere. Their reproofe was, that he did not call vponupon them when hee went against Iud. 12: 1.the Ammonites, as they had quarrelled with Gedeon before, for not calling them against the Midianites. Whereunto Iepthe answered, that hee had called on Ibid. 2. 3.them, but they came not; and so was he faine himselfe to deale with them so well as he could: therefore that they had no cause, thus to come foorth in hostile manner against him as they did. This his excuse the euent doth declare, that they did not accept of: and the Text doth plainely declare, that they had added threatnings besides, Ibid. 1.euen to burne his house vponupon him. His company then, were, as it seemeth, most of the Gileadites: and those did the Ephramites reproachfully vpbraid to bee Runnagates. Ibid. 4.The chasticement that it pleased GOD, for these quarrellous and insolent parts of theirs, by his handes to cast vponupon them, was a praesent ouerthrow, and great Ibid. 4-6.slaughter of them in the chace besides. For the Gileadites, beeing so netled with them, as before they were, not contented to giuegive them the ouer-throw in the fielde, intercepted from them the passages of Iordan besides, and there likewise put to the Sword so many of that side as they found to bee Ephramites indeede: so that there fell that day, of that company onelyonly, to the number of two and forty thousand. A faire warning to all, not to stand so much in conceit with our selues, as that wee cannot well abide that others hauehave good atchiuements besides vsus; especially if they bee our Inferiors: at least, that wee doe not quarrell with them, nor vse any reproach to their persons. Gedeon had put vp such a matter at their handes more quietly before: but men may not looke, in any such case, to bee spared still; but that one time or other Ibid. 8: 1-3.they will bee remembred, if they take not vp the sooner. That part of his charge which was more peaceable, was his gouernment all his time after: of which we hauehave neither good nor ill; but onelyonly that it was sixe yeares in all. Comming to that other, wherein it pleased God to praeuent them, heere againe wee hauehave some other going betwixt: then, the Story it selfe that wee speake of. Those others that goe betwixt, are of three seuerall Gouernours that were next Iephthe, Ibzan, Elon, Iud. 12: 8-15.and Abdon: they iudging Israell eueryevery one his time, the first seauen yeares; the next ten; and the third, eyght. Of whom wee hauehave nothing else recorded; sauing that two of them did much braue it: the first of them, in Sonnes and Daughters; and the last, in Sonnes and Nephewes. But so it is the manner of many to gouerne, that besides their effeminatenesse, and Peacocks-taile, there is nothing worthy of memory in them: and those thinges not worthy neither, but of most silent and darke obliuion. Neuerthelesse, euen this their brauing is great probability, that those fortie yeares of the Philistims oppression of the people, were none of these, as we saw before, that some did reckon: because it is not likely, that these could hauehave borne their heades so high, if the Philistims were then Lordes ouer them; the one of them, seeming to hauehave his seat but in Bethlehem in Iudah, and the farther of them, but in Ephraim, both of them neere vntounto the Philistims. The Story it selfe that now we speak of, is how it pleased God to deale with his people, when now again they did offend him: and, so first of the peoples offending; then of Gods dealing with them. As touching the peoples offending, heere wee reade, that againe they behaued themselues wickedly towardes God, and at this time so continued in that their wickednesse very long: at least, that we reade of no repentance in them vntill the time of Samuell the Prophet. And a perrilous thing it is, when at any time wee hauehave professed repentance, and to abandon the sinnes we are in, yet after to returne vntounto them againe. For so commeth it to passe oft-times, that thence-forward wee settle our selues therein, without remorse or feeling of them. The dealing that God had with them therein, was some part of it appertaining vntounto their chasticement for the same: and some part againe, to his gracious fauour. For their chasticement he deliuered them ouer into the handes of the Philistims for the space of forty yeares. Concerning which, Ibid.there is some quaestion made by the learned, at what time those forty yeares should bee: one beeing of opinion, that it is vncertaine, where to place them; or to finde, Co…. Polli…. in Iud. 13: 1.where to begin them, or where to end them. And yet the nature of the Story doth require, by the reason of other reckonings, that doe in some part depend on this, that if it may be, the certainty thereof were to be sought out, and set downe more plainely for all. Of those that varry in this matter, some there are who leaue no special or proper place for those forty yeares of the Philistims oppression of Israell, to stand by themselues: but there are others that doe. Of the former sort, Lyranus accounteth, that those forty yeares are to be reckoned from the time of Sampson and Helie (a speech somewhat doubtfull): and giueth in for reason, because that by In I…d. 13: 1. … lit. b.Sampson the children of Israel were not cleane deliuered out of the bondage of the Philistims, but only that the Tyranny of them was restrayned. Tremelius and Iunius likewise as by other occasion wee saw before, would hauehave them all to bee taken In Iud. 13: 1.backward; and so to beginne from the fourteenth yeare of Iair going before, and to ende with the last yeare of Abdon, next and immediately after Sampson, which indeede, taking in that fourteenth yeare of Iair, make forty in all, besides those twenty yeares giuen vntounto Sampson next ensuing. Functius in his Chronologie, Fol. 43. in …. M…i. 2794.doth in like sort (out of Luther) leaue no time for those forty yeares of the Philistimes oppression of Israel, to stand by themselues, but filleth all the time that he doth count of, with the times of the Iudges: but supposeth, that those yeares may best bee vnderstood, of all Sampsons twentie yeares, and of twenty mo that are ascribed to Elie. Hee also accounteth that the place in the Acts of the Apostles, for the which men are the more ready to take the aduantage of greatest reckoning in the time of the Iudges, is by the writer made more then it should be by the likenesse of the Greek Ibid. 44, 45. Act. 13: 20. Mat. Beroald. Chron. lib 3. cap. 4. pag. 118. L…r. Codoma…. Chron. lib. 2. Qu…. 16. Ibid. Ibid. Act. 13: 20. 1. Sam. 7: 6.wordes Triacosiois and Tetracosiois. But others there bee that doe assigne a proper place for those forty yeares of the Philistims oppression of Israel: namely, betwixt Abdon and Hetie. But yet in this they varry also, that the former of them alloweth the yeares of Sampson to hauehave place by themselues likewise, and immediately after the Philistims forty: and the latter alloweth them, not to stand by themselues, but to be included within those forty of the Philistims. How this variance may best bee composed I doe not see: at least, vnlesse that Samuells time also, might be taken into the time of the Iudges and so vnderstood in that place of the Acts, inclusiuely, as diuers doe terme it; and it may not be denyed, but that Samuel is saide to hauehave iudged Israel. If that may be granted, then, because the matter were not hard, rightly to set down that time of oppression, if either we hauehave the beginning or ending of it, I thinke we might soone resolue our selues, where to place it: namely, with those yeares of Elie. For we hauehave some reasonable good matter to leade vsus to thinke that it ended immediately after his time, For then did the people grow, by the meanes of Samuel, to a speciall repentance: and then had they so faire a day against the Philistims, that it is plainely saide of them, that they were so brought vnderunder, that they came no more againe vntounto the coasts of Israel, and that the hand of the Lord was against 1. Sam. 7: 13.them all the dayes of Samuell. If that be the end of it (and there is no question, but that it is of all others that we know of, the likelyest) then must the beginning of it be but forty yeares before: and so hauehave wee both the beginning and ending of it. But then there bee two doubts which may easily bee conceiued heere: one, of that which is saide of Sampson; the other, of that which is saide of Elie. That which is of Iud. 15: 20-16: 31.Sampson, is that he Iudged Israel twentie yeares: and that those yeares were in the dayes of the Philistims. And the doubt that is of this matter, is, that if the oppression of the people by the Philistims should be allotted to the time of Elie (which being forty yeares also, would take vp, the whole time of the Philistims): then, how could Sampsons twenty yeares, be saide to be in the Philistims dayes? To this I can say no more but thus, that as the Philistims, it appeareth, were busie before in the dayes of Samgar and Iephthe, and before that Sampson was yet borne: so not vnlikely, but that Iud. 3: 31. 10: 7. 13: 15.now also they were a good while brogging about it, before they could so fully-preuaile against them, as to hauehave them in subiection vntounto them. In which meane time it seemeth that Sampson was a let vntounto them, and there had his twenty yeares. Which notwithstanding, I grant, is not vnlikely, to be so meanely accomplished by him, that it Tremel. Iun. in Iud. 12▪ 7, 8, 9, 11, 13.is lesse maruell that others, out of the selfe same word in the Original, that themselues still interpreted to Iudge Israel before, when they come vntounto him, can finde no more in it, but that he auenged some wrongs that were done them. That which is of Elie is, that if the Philistims in all his time had the children of Israel in subiection vntounto Ibid. 15: 20. 16: 31. Iud 4: 18.them, how then may Elie be saide, all those forty yeares of his to hauehave Iudged the people of Israel. To which I know no more to be saide neither, but onelyonly this, that he being but the High-Priest, it is not vnlikely, but that the Philistims might tollerate him to Iudge the people in such matters as concerned their Lawes, and inferiour matters of Ciuill Gouernment also, thereby to keepe them more easily, in subiection vntounto them: as Alexander, for his time afterward did; and after him, the Romans likewise. In gracious fauour he gaue vntounto them some little helpe and hope in the meane season (and that without any seeking vntounto him on their part for it): and then after, a farther deliuerance. The helpe and hope that in the meane season he gaue them, was by Sampson, who forgat himselfe so much in that his dutie, that hee did them but little good: and yet was, in diuers things, a figure of Christ. So are wee first to consider of him as the Story goeth of himselfe: then, as hee was a figure of Christ. As the Story goeth of himselfe we are to consider, first how farre it may seeme, that he was called to be some speciall helpe vntounto them: then, how farre it may likewise seeme, that he did forget himselfe therein. It may seeme he was called to be some speciall helpe vntounto them, first by such dealing as the Lord had with his Parants before: then, by such as he had with himselfe after. His dealing with his Parents before was such, as that (by all likelyhood) they had fully acquainted him therewith: both for the substance; and manner of it. The substance of it was, but to signifie vntounto them, what a childe they should hauehave: and how farre the Mother was to forbeare her owne freedome in some few things (otherwise lawfull) in the meane season. The child they should hauehave, hee gaue them to vnderstand, should be a Nazarite vntounto the Lord from his birth: and should beginne to saue Ibid. 13: 5.Israel out of the hands of the Philistims. The Mother was now thenceforward (vntill she should be diliuered of him) to forbeare to eate any thing that grew on the Vine; and eueryevery vncleane thing whatsoeuer: and to drinke no Wine, nor Ibid. 3. 4, 12-14. Ibid. 2-5. Ibid. 4-14.strong drinke. The manner of it was such likewise, as might helpe well to confirme him in it both because it was twice deliuered vntounto them: and because therein they were vsed with so great fauor besides. It was first deliuered vntounto the wife alone: but then, she telling her Husband of it, and he desiring the Lord, that he would vouchsafe them some farther direction how to vse the child when they had him; by that occasion, the Angell appearing to the woman againe in the field, and she running for her Husband, he told the Husband the same againe, but in one point a little more fully. The fauourable dealing that was vsed therein besides, was so much the greater, if it were the Lord indeed that so appeared vntounto him, as some doe take Tre…l. Iu….it: but being no more but onelyonly an Angell (as I see not any sufficient reason otherwise to take it, and yet not vponupon our English translation, setting downe Manoah to hauehave knowne that he was an Angell of the Lord, which is defectiue, but likelyest to Iud. 13: 1…. 1594. Ibid. 15-23.be the fault of the Printer) he neuerthelesse dealeth so fauourably with them, that whereas themselues beganne to feare (according to the common opinion then) that hauing had so extrordinary a vision, they were not like to liue long after it; they tooke vntounto them better heart therein, euen onelyonly out of that fauourable dealing that to them was vsed. One thing also there is, that, if he were but an Angel, may very well put vsus in mind, and gather vsus to some consideration of the great ods, that is betwixt those Coelestiall, and these Terrestrial bodies here; namely, that when Ibid▪ 17, 18.… asketh his name, he telleth him (after that first he asked of him wherefore he inquired thereof) that it was wonderfull, or secret to vsus: thereby giuing vsus to vnderstand, as it seemeth, that there is so great ods betwixt their estate there, and ours here, that there is as it were, no affinitie or likenesse at al betwixt them; in such Mat. 22: 30.sense as Christ telleth the Saduces, that in the resurrection there was no marriage but that men shuld then be as the Angels of God in Heauen. The dealing that God had with him after, was altogether gracious al his life long to speake of: at the first (indeede) none other then might wel be expected vponupon those promises made before; but afterward exceeding al expectation. That which was none other than might well be expected vponupon the promised before made, was, that God did blesse him in his childhood in such sort, that thence hee grew vntounto very great and incredible strength: yea and to an Heroycall minde also, as some doe take it; but my selfe doe Ibid. 1…: 24. Tremel. & I…. In Iud. 13: 24.not see, how the same may be soundly gathered. That fauour of God towards him afterward, which exceeded al expectation, was, as it seemeth vntounto me, of two kinds: one, to call him to better wayes, and more agreeable to his vocation, than such as he tooke; the other, that he did so graciously preserue and assist him, in those meaner wayes that himselfe did rather chuse. Of the former sort, one there is, that, as I take it, may best be thought to be of that kind, though we hauehave no expresse warant so to take it: and one other besides, that is more expresly warranted to bee one of that sort indeede. That which seemeth to bee of that nature, as that so it might best bee taken, though wee hauehave no expresse warrant for it, is of the Lyon that met him out of the Vineyards roaring vponupon him, as hee was Iud. 14: 5, 6.going downe to Timnah to match himselfe with a Philistim there: which the Lord at that time gaue into his hands. Concerning which, there is one thing, I graunt, that seemeth to crosse directly the sense wherein I do take it: and therefore are we first to see, what that sense is; thē, what may be said vntounto that which seme to crosse it. The sense that I speake of, is, that because God did so directly forbid all the people Exod. 34: 12. Deut. 7: 3.to make any marriages with the people of that land, & had chosen this man to be of so special regard vntounto him; he therfore did not well, now to make his match there: & Iud. 13: 5.that therfore the Lord sent the Lion as his Messenger, to challenge him as it were for his prey; and yet that he gaue him into his hands, that he being praeserued from him, might afterward take some better course. As before that time God himselfe both came roughly vponupon Moses as though he would hauehave killed him, because there was a Exod. 4▪ 14.fault in him: and yet meaning to hauehave his seruice, did him no hurt in the end. That which doth seeme to crosse it, is, that it is ascribed vntounto the Lord, that hee was so wedded to match there, so to seeke occasion against the Philistims. But it is sufficiently Iud. 14: 4.knowne, that God may well vse the inordinate waies of men, to execute his iudgementes: and yet not approue them to those that do them. God may well 1 King 22: 22. Iob. 1. 16. Hab. 2. 13.vse the greatest sinnes that are committed (and in that sense may they also be said to be of the Lord) and yet hath no man excuse with God, but onelyonly in following the rule praescribed. That which is more expresly warranted to be one of that sort indeed, is that his dealing with the Philistims in Ramath-Lechi, where hee slue a thousand of them with the Iaw-bone of an Asse. The story is, that being prouoked by Iud. 15: 15.the Philistims before, hee had without any weapon at all mightily praeuailed against many of them, by Horse-play onelyonly (as we tearme it) euen with his soote: and then Ibid. 6 8.went to the West parts of Iudah, hauing there a Rocke and a Caue for his defence Adric. In Iuda, … 27.and harbour, and a faire Riuer neere adioyning. The Philistims followed with great forces to Lechi and there pitched, somewhat short of the place whether Samson was gon. The inhabitanes of Iudah sory to see the Philistims to bee come so Iud. 15: 9-13.neere vntounto them, because they had then gotten the Mastery of them, vnderstanding the cause of their comming to be but for Samson onelyonly, for their owne quietnesse deliuered him bound (and with his owne consent withall) into the hands of the Philistims: who being thus deliuered vntounto them, suddenly brake the new cords wherewith Ibid. 14-16.he was bound, caught the Iaw-bone lying thereby, and so performed that execution. The reason why I take this to be of that sort, rather than the rest, is chiefly the Text: and partly one coniecture besides, that, by circumstance of the time, secmeth to lead to that sense also. The Text is, that immediately before shewing that Ibid. 13: 24. Ibid. 25. 24: 6, 14.God did blesse him, it doth presently follow, and afterward againe, that the Spirit of God was it this time with him: as also at the destroying of the Lyon, that in the Text doth follow next after. But now it is else-where said, that the spirit of God another Ibid. 14: 19.time also came vponupon him, when his action by our rule, was not so good: at which time it seemeth to signifie no more, but onelyonly, that God raised vppe his heart extraordinarily, or gaue him speciall courage against them; yet not as vntounto a peece of seruice by his word approued, but to such reuenge as they at Gods handes deserued. Whereas in those others before, it is spoken of such actions, as by the word are very allowable, his owne needfull and iust defence: first against the ramping Lyon; then against the Philistims, seeking his ruine as much as the other. The circumstance of time that I speake of, is, that when he had runne a good peece of his course now, as it seemeth (this being one halfe of his story) and done so little good in his chiefe and principall businesse, that the Philistims were yet rulers ouer them: heereby it seemeth (by such other workes of God of like nature, as by the Angels meeting Ibid. 15: 11. Num. 22: 22-31. Ioh. 1: 1. 1-3: 2.so roughly with Balaam, and by Ionas his casting into the Sea) that God did therefore bring him into that danger, and then set him free of it againe; that hee might thenceforth giuegive himselfe better to his vocation than yet he had done. That some do account this to hauehave been done in that place of the Countrey, that is properly called the Tents of Dan, by the reason of that expedition that is afterward described Con. Pel. Fra, Vatab. Tremel. & I…n. in Iud. 13: 25. Iud. 18: 11, 12.that the Danites had towardes Lais, they deceiue themselues in not heeding the Text. For the place that now we speake of, was betwixt Zorah and Estaoll (as themselues also reade) the two first Citties that are named to the Tribe of Dan: from whence the fiue men whom they first sent to search out some other dwelling place, and those sixe hundred that went after to win it, began their iourney, and whither Ios. 19: 41. Iud. 18: 2, 8, 11.the fiue in their first iourney returned to their bretheren againe. But where first they pitched their tents, as by likelihood it should be some good distance from those two Citties, and North ward from them, about so farre as might serue for the first daies iourney, considering the cumber of the first getting together and setting forth: so the Text it selfe saith, that it was neere to Kirtath-iarim in the Tribe of Iudah; & so nothing neere betwixt these two Citties. Adrichomius doth indeed set the Citty Ibid. 12.Kiriath-iarim within the boundes of Dan; making his prickes of diuision to goe a compasse to fetch it in: but in his description hee graunteth it to bee of Iudah though it bee in the boundes of Dan. In that therefore, that In Dan, 17.the Text sayth, it was in the Tentes of Dan, the other discription (of being betweene those two Citties aforesaide) doth not suffer it to bee taken of the place that properly was so called: but teacheth vsus to vnderstand it generally, as that it was in that part of the Countrie where the Danites did inhabit, and so might in some sense bee called the Hoast or Tents of Dan; especially, when they had so little room, that it is not vnlikely, but that many of thē dwelt yet in theyr Ios. 19: 47.Tents. What mooued Lyra so to Interpret, himselfe doth not shew: but that doth hee giuegive to bee the reason of that place, because, saith he, at that time they dwelt in In Iud. 13. in. lit. ….Tents. It may seeme likewise that Sampson did much forget himselfe in this his calling; first, if we consider of his Story but generally: then, much more if wee enter into particulars. If we consider of it but generally, we are diuen to vnderstand twice, Iud. 15: 20. 16: 31.that hee iudged Israel twenty yeares: or at least, as I noted before, that some did read, so long auenged them of their enemies. But what hauehave wee in all his Storie, that may in any good measure import eyther of these: at least the former, which is the thing that the Text doth most require? So it seemeth, that because he was a Man of so rare a strength, and a professed Nazarite withall, many repaired vntounto him, had many of their causes decided by him, and were euer in hope of some speciall deliuerance dy his handes to be obtained. But that he did any thing worthy of memorie of that kinde, that wee finde not: and yet is it likely, that such thinges would hauehave beene remembred if any such there had beene, altogether as soone as most of those that we hauehave recorded of him. That God did make him such an Instrument of his, in many of those his actions to shewe foorth his displeasure and power against the enemy; which also himselfe could, neuer hauehave attempted onelyonly by his owne force Ibid. 16: 17.(were it neuer so great) against so many, but onelyonly by Faith in GOD withall; in that also hee outwardly bare that testification of his profession towardes God; Ibid. 15: 18. 16: 28.and in that, in his necessitie hee could so readily seeke vntounto GOD, both in his life, and at his death: all these are very good tokens, that much was in him; but yet exceeding pittifully ouer-layd by his owne infirmitie, euen as a little fire raked vp in a great heape of Ashes. If we goe to particulars, when do we finde, that he bloweth the Trumpet, encourageth his people, stoppeth the wayes, layeth his Garrisons, or any such like, as the case of the people did then require, and is vsually doone by such as professe themselues to be their Leaders against their Enemies? Or when doth hee hold any assemblies for Execution of Iustice among them: or but to call vppon them in some good time to seeke the Lord, that he may bring downe their Enemies before them? In stead of these and such like, what else doe we finde, but that hee giueth Ind. 14: 1-5, 7, 17. 15: 1-8. 16: 1, 4.himselfe most vntounto Women (and that, not in any honourable manner, but basely rather) and to such priuate quarrels and reuenges as by them he entangled himselfe withall, sometimes performed as basely too? As, when his Wife was giuen to another, Ibid. 15: 1-5.because hee left her before in displeasure, besides that it was nothing heroicall, nor so beseeming one that was of such force, to deale by such wiles, by so many fires to make so great destruction of the Philistims Corne, how vnaduisedly also may it be conceiued the same was doone, in respect of his owne people the Israelites? For it Ibid 14: 4. Ibid. 15: 11.goeth a little before, that at that time the Philistims raigned ouer Israel: and it followeth a little after, knowest thou not, said the people of Iudah, when they came to binde him, and to make deliuery of him, that the Philistims are Rulers ouer vsus? As also wee may assure our selues, that the Tribe of Iudah would not hauehave yeelded to hauehave deliuered him into their handes, as they did, vnlesse they had beene strongly ouermatched with them indeed. Then being so that the Philistims had Israell in such Ibid. 12, 13.subiection, could hee so destroy the Philistims Corne, but that the Israelites must needes make vp that want with theirs? Now in that inordinate lust of his vntounto Women, doe we finde, that at any time he tooke vp and left them? Or may wee not rather doubt, that seeing he was so much besotted with them as we finde that hee was, both in vttering to one the secret of his parable to his owne dishonour and losse, and especially in vttering to another of them wherein his strength lay, to his owne vtter ouerthrow (and that when hee had so often found before, that her meaning was to betray him into his enemies hands) may wee not (I say) rather doubt, that, seeing by occasion hereof he did so much neglect his calling, and would not take any warning before, therefore God himselfe also did now take no pleasure in him, and woulde no longer worke by him, and so gaue him vp to so dishonourable and great a ruine? A very good patterne to all that are called to any speciall seruice: either in some good measure to performe it indeede, or else to looke for none other at the hands of God, but to be swept out as the dust of the Floower, with as great reproach, as euer they were taken in vntounto it with honour. But he at the best, was but a figure: and meet it was wee should hauehave no full contentment in him; that so more readily wee might passe ouer vntounto the other, whose figure he was, and to seeke it onelyonly in him. Now therfore as he was a figure of Christ, there be diuers things in this his Story, that we may apply to our comfort: one, who that stood with him all his whole life; others, no more but certaine of his particular actions. That one that stood with him all Iud. 13: 5.his whole life, was, that God had appointed (before he was borne) that hee should be a Nazarite to him, euen from his birth, and so to stand (as his Mother acknowledged) Ibid. 7.to the day of his death: that is, that in very speciall manner hee should euer bee separate from the world vntounto God; and euer beare with him in the haire of his head, some open testification of it. The vowe of the Nazarite wee saw before: that was but for a time, at the parties owne election; but yet for the time it made them like bright Starres among men, glorious in themselues, and good examples vntounto others. But this being for all his life, had he rightly performed the same, it had beene exceeding glorious to himselfe: and a great condemnation to the loosenesse of others. And then, though the Lord did in plaine tearmes promise no more, but Ibid 5.onelyonly that he should begin to saue Israell out of the handes of the Philistims: yet it is not to say what wonderfull deliuerance, God by his handes, was like enough to hauehave giuen vntounto them. For that subiection of theirs vnderunder the Philistims being but a figure or shaddow of a greater subiection, that both they and we were in vnderunder sin, and the cursse of the Law for the same, from which we could no way bee deliuered but onelyonly by him that was to come, that onelyonly true Nazarite indeede: although hee had deliuered the people then neuer so fully, neuer so gloriously from those theyr Enemies; yet had all that beene but onelyonly some little beginning by that Nazarite then, in comparison of the other to bee performed by the true Nazarite after. And to what ende may wee conceiue, that GOD endewed him with so rare and inuincible strength, but to performe some rare and wonderfull deliueraunce then, to some speciall aduancement of the glory of GOD the giuer of it: and to raise vp the hearts of his people to an assured and ioyfull expectation of that greater and more wonderfull deliuerance (into which euen the very Angels, which daily 1. Pet. 1: 12.see the glory of God in Heauen, for the strangenesse and excellency of it, desire to looke) which in time succeeding should bee by the true Nazarite performed? May we conceiue: that hee had no farther meaning in it, than for the accomplishment of those atchiuements wherein onelyonly he did imploy it: beeing lightly none other, but quarrels and brables of vnbridled lust, and some others that came by occasion of those? So no doubt that rare strength was giuen him, to hauehave manned forth the dignity of that his separation to God, and to hauehave adorned it with the bright beames of some rar… honour and glory: so to be a figure of that most holy Nazarite to come, Heb. 7: …6.separate from Sinners; and to raise vp the heartes of all his people, to expect some wonderfull deliuerance in him. True indeede, that there was no such absolute deliuerance to be expected, but of him that should be an absolute Nazarite: and in that respect it was needfull, that the figure should giuegive place vntounto the truth. But euen that figuratiue Nazarite also might well hauehave done whatsoeuer heroicall and honourable exploites in that peece of seruice which that rare strength of his (though that seruice of his had bin greater) might hauehave reached vntounto, and so hauehave made himselfe more glorious in the Church of God: and yet hauehave left roome enough for that other to hauehave gone beyond him infinitely, & with his brightnes to hauehave ecclipsed his glorie more, than the Sun in his brightnes obscureth the dimmest star in the element. But seeing we see, that doing this good to the people heere, is not ioyned but with separation, let vsus also take this lesson vntounto vsus, that in any wise we must be Nazarites, or separated from the louelove of the world, our selues, if euer we shal do that good vntounto others, that in duty we owe vntounto them: and that no man, whatsoeuer good guifts he may hauehave besides, doth any good duty to his neighbour, but so farre as he hath yeelded himselfe to be a Nazarite also. Those particular actions of his were two: one, while hee was at his owne libertie; the other, when hee was in his Enemies handes. While hee was at his owne liberty, for the louelove of an Harlot, it seemeth, hee went Iud. 16: 1, 2.down to one of the chiefe Citties of the Philistims, but there being knowne, they made fast the Gates against him for that night, meaning to fall vponupon him and kill him in the morning. But he rising vp betimes in the morning pulled downe the leaues of the Gate, and the posts whereon they hung, together with the Bars therof: and laying them all on his shoulders, carryed them al to the toppe of an Hill beyond, whence, Hebron in Iudah farre off from that place, might be decerned. And true it is that Iesus Christ comming downe among vsus for the louelove of men, Harlots to him, was here among vsus closed vp to death: but yet that hee by his owne mighty power made himselfe away from death, and tooke vntounto him his life againe; and hath left open that way to others also. When he was in his enemies hands, by yeelding Ibid. 25-31.himselfe vntounto death, he destroyed many of them; euen all the Princes of the Philistims, & much people besides: Christ hauing by his death, not only destroyed the whole power of the enemie, head and taile; but also hauing brought by the vertue of it, infinite numbers of people to God.