An exposition with practical observations continued upon the fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh chapters…

The word is applied to the taking in of Cities or Forts, places strengthened both by art and nature, and to the taking of them (which includes both senses) either by siege or sudden surprisal; Read Numb. 21. 32. Josh. 6. 2▪ Deut. 2. 34. And so the sense may be that, although these men think, they have so entrenched & fortified themselves by their wits, policies and counsels (as it were in a strong City or Castle) that they seem impregnable, and laugh at all opposite power: Yet, then God besieges, batters and takes them presently; he takes in, and sleights their works with ease, he levels to the ground their great thoughts, even the high Tower of their imaginations; That may be the force of the word [He taketh them.] For as every natural man labours to secure himself and his insts, against the power of the word of God, by carnal reasonings and pleadings for them. All which the Apostles calls strong holds (2 Cor. 10. 4, 5.) The weapons of our warfare are not carnal: but they are mighty thorough God to the casting down of strong holds. Now (I say) as natural men secure themselves (a• it were in strong-holds) by their carnal reasonings; so wicked Politicians think to secure themselves, and fortify their designs by plots and platforms of crafty counsel. But as God in the ministry of his word, casteth down all the arguments which a man frames in his heart, to protect his lusts. So the Lord in the administrations of his providence, throws down all the fortifications, ⟨p. 285⟩which crafty men frame in their hearts, to protect their law-less practises, and takes them in

The word is applied to the taking in of Cities or Forts, places strengthned both by art and nature, and to the taking of them (which includes both sences) either by siege or sudden surprisall; Reade Numb. 21. 32.