Judges 9

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. IX.—For the transgression of a land, many and base are the princes thereof. Such as have wicked purposes stick at nothing to gain their end; and, being conscious of their own bad designs, are apt to suspect, or at least accuse, others who are innocent of the same ill intentions; and instruments are never wanting to assist in the most bloody and rainous conduct.—Proud and evil men push after that elevation which wise and humble persons shun: nor is any one more overbearing and insolent than a low mind raised above his station. Such as enter into rule as foxes in craft often rule like lions in cruelty, and die like dogs in disgrace. Accompliers in wickedness readily become plagues and murderers to one another: and none are nearer to ruin than those upon whom fair warnings are lost. When kingdoms are once disjointed, one base villain readily sets up against another, and traitors mutually distrust and betray each other. When men are intoxicated with wine they are fit for murder, treason, and every other evil work: but insolent boastings of valour, in the times of wine, ordinarily issue in cowardice and shame. Nor can they, who are evils themselves, justly expect fidelity from their associates; for its bellows, even against evil princes, usually issue in the ruin of the traitors. Civil wars are usually the most infirmance, in which the innocent and guilty perish without distinction. But what miseries wicked rulers entail upon their poor subjects! And how terrible is their end at last, when God returns their murder and other wickedness on their heads! When God hath finished his work with them, he debases and destroys them. They die in their sins; and the methods they took to secure their fame do but serve to perpetuate their disgrace. But let us remember that there is no refuge for us amidst all our spiritual enemies, and from the hand of an angry God, but in Christ the Saviour of sinners, and the strong-hold of his chosen people. *