Judges 19

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. XIX.—How great is the sovereignty of God in honouring Beth-lehem, which lately furnished an idolatrous priest, and now an adulterous concubine, with the birth of his distinguished King, and of his Only Son! Worthless clergymen and evil women are the greatest plagues to society: and parents’ indulgence of their children and infidelity to marriage vows often issue in wide-spread ruin. Frequently the intended kindness of friends is a real injury; and what was designed for our welfare becomes a trap to ensnare us. Where we might reasonably expect distinguished kindness we often meet with the most abominable neglect and most ruinous abuse. Apostates from God are often void of humanity and natural affection; while truly charitable sojourners on earth are patterns of hospitality and brotherly kindness; look out for, and are happy in finding, opportunities of doing good, particularly to ministers of Christ. We are apt to hope that our troubles are at an end when the worst storm is but gathering. To what horrible lengths in wickedness will not apostate professors go! and what barefaced impudence continuance in lewdness begets! When sinners are once given up to their own hearts’ lust, they easily sink into the most unnatural crimes; and, when they are become desperate in wickedness, they will neither bear restraint nor bear admonition. When we commit one sin to avoid a greater, we ordinarily plunge ourselves into further snares: and God fearfully marks sin in its punishment. The fleshly lust, which had been this woman’s sin, is now made her punishment. And in justice never will be extenuate men’s wickedness. With the most deliberate concern, unanimity, and faithfulness, ought the important affairs of churches and nations to be transacted. And such as would obtain God’s blessing on a land must seek to purge it by the execution of justice on notorious criminals