Judges 12

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. XII.—Quarrels between brethren are often the bitter and violent; for the most causeless wrath is the most outrageous and. The most spotless characters are the fairest marks for envy: and the signal services often expose men to the most virulent abuse of those whom have saved from misery. But disregard of a calm self-vindication frequently forces the injured to harder measures. How mischievous is an insolentusive tongue! It sets on fire the whole course of nature, and is set on fire of ill, and often issues in the ruin of the proprietor. They, who are most in it, would often save themselves by being clamorous against the innocent: at the greatest boosters are usually the greatest cowards. Both God and men take pleasure in abasing the proud. These Ephraimites had gloried in their tribe; now they deny it. Lately they went over Jordan to burn Jephthah’s house upon him; now they sneak homeward, and are cut off from their own. Lately they reviled the Gileadites as fugitives; now, from an infirmity peculiar to their own country, they are discerned, and slain in their flight.—God sometimes calls men to an office without putting any remarkable work in their hand; and the days of the saints’ honour or life are often but few and evil. Death’s shafts fly thick—let us therefore so number our days as to apply our hearts unto wisdom