Judges 20

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. XX.—It is comely when professors of the true religion are unanimous and hearty in their zeal against enormous crimes; and when, with prudent deliberations and proper dispatch, they proceed to the punishment of them. But infatuated are they who patronize and protect the vicious, especially when at the expence of their own liberties and lives. Proud self-dependance is the ruin of sinners; and such as draw the sword in a bad cause may expect to see it bathed in their own blood. The dispensations of providence appear very mysterious in thus calling men to work, and yet frowning upon them in the execution of it. But let us not be so inconsiderate as to judge of a cause from the prosperity or adversity which attends it. There is need to wait patiently for the issue of things: and such as punish others should be innocent or at least penitent, themselves. Short is the triumphing of the wicked and fatal to them at last. It is vain to fight where God is our enemy, or to fly when he pursueth. What desolation sin makes in the earth! But dreadful indeed will be the case of sinners at the last day, when there shall be no rock hide them, nor mountain to cover them. And who knows what extensive and everlasting woe may proceed from one moment of indulged lust!