Judges 11

But Voveri non debet quod Deo displicet: such a vow should not be made, as is displeasing to God: as to vow voluntary poverty, as your friars; or to vow to live in nunneries. Jephthah's vow was rash and unlawful; he vowed to the Lord to sacrifice to him whatever he met with next…

2. They who shut the truth out of doors, hate God. Jephtha proves, that his brethren did hate him, because they laboured to shut him out of his father's house (Judges 11:7). The idolater shuts the truth out of doors: he blots out the Second Commandment: he makes a shape of the i…

God did abet the war between the tribes of Israel and Benjamin. When the iniquity of the Amorites was full, then God sent Israel to commence a war against them (Judges 11:21). Use 1. Lamentation, that this land is so defiled with blood (Numbers 35:33).

The hypocrite plays fast and loose, flies from his word; there is no more binding him with oaths and promises, than Samson could be bound with green withs (Judges 16:7). A sincere soul says as Jephthah (Judges 11:3, 5), I have opened my mouth to the Lord, and I cannot go back. 8…

The first is, Subduing of Kingdoms; which serves chiefly for the commendation of the faith of the four Judges there named, and of David. For, as we may read in the books of Judges, and of Samuel, all these subdued Kingdoms; as, the Canaanites, Judges 4, the Midianites, Judges 6,…

This did Samson, and therefore may justly be commended for his faith: neither is this fact of his any disgrace, but rather a notable commendation of his faith, and an evidence of great zeal for Gods glory, and of singular love to his people. The fourth person commended here, is…

1. If he be illegitimate: for such a one has no good title: The son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, says Sarah, and that justly. To like purpose say the sons of Gilead's wife to Jephthah, You shall not inherit in our father's house, for you are the son of a stran…

When we find ourselves dead in duty, our holy affections languishing, think thus: this is my sickness; sin has made me weak. As Jephthah said to his daughter (Judges 11:35): alas, my daughter, you have brought me very low. So may the soul say: alas, my sin, you have brought me v…

He who values his Saviour aright, has as precious thoughts of him in a day of prosperity, as in a day of adversity. The wicked make use of Christ, only when they are in straits; as the Elders of Gilead went to Jephthah when they were in distress, Judges 11:7. Themistocles compla…

The wicked he casteth down to the ground. Sin is a Planet of a bad Aspect; as Jephthah said to his daughter, when she met them with Timbrel and Dances, Judges 11:35. Alas my daughter, thou hast brought me very low.

It is no shame to die in Christ's debt, all the angels the Cedars of heaven are below Christ; angels and saints shall be Christ's debtors for eternity of ages, and so long as God is God, sinners shall be in grace's account-book. The truly humble is the most thankful soul that is…