An exposition with practical observations continued upon the eleventh, twelfth, & thirteenth chapters of…

This shows, for people to do thus, 1. A base levite of spirit: 2. An abominable ingratitude of spirit, and vile injustice, and God will avenge these things. We have a notable Scripture in Judg. 8. 34, 35. and in Judg. 9. 16. In the 8. Chapter of Judges, you read there, how God charges the People; And it came to pass as soon as Gideon was dead, that the Children of Israel turned again, and went a whoring after Baalim, and made Baalberith their god; and the Children of Israel remembered not the Lord their God, who had delivered them out of the hands of their enemies on every side: neither showed they kindness to the house of Jerubbaal, namely Gideon, according to all the goodness which he had showed unto Israel. Gideon had been a famous Instrument of good to Israel, that they received forty years prosperity by him, but as soon as he was gone, the people went a whoring from God, and then they were unkind towards his posterity; so you find in Chap. 9. Vers. 16. All the men of Shechem gathered themselves together; and all the house of Millo, and went and made Abimelech King. And one of Gideon's Sons goes and expostulates the matter with them, and tells them the Parable of the Trees that did desire a King, but saith Jotham to them afterwards in the 19. Vers. If ye have dealt truly and sincerely with Jerubbaal, and with his house this day, then rejoice in Abimelech, and let him also rejoice in you: but if not, let fire come out from Abimelech, and devour the men of Shechem, and the house of ⟨p. 401⟩Millo; and let fire come out from the men of Shechem, and from the house of Millo, and devour Abimelech. As if he should have said, God will avenge this: What, did God make my Father an Instrument of so great good to you, and do you so ill requite all his kindness and service that he did for you? The Lord judg, and if it be so indeed as now I charge you, let this be a manifestation of Gods displeasure, That fire come from Abimelech, &c. As if he should say, Do not think that you can have peace and quiet in such kind of ways as you are in, you think you have provided well for your selves in setting up of Abimelech, and now you bless your selves; We shall have peace, and go on and be quiet;

This shews, for people to do thus, 1. A base levite of spirit: 2. An abominable ingratitude of spirit, and vile injustice, and God will avenge these things. We have a notable Scripture in