100 



torian, invented by Mursham and recognized by the marginal 

 notes on the text, and suppose cotemporary Judges? The 

 text itself, as we shall see in the sequel, would condemn us. 



But another remark occurs here, still more decisive on this 

 subject. It is that the supporters of the system, " that the re- 

 pose means the jurisdiction of the deliverer," are reduced to 

 this alternative, that they are compelled to make the years of 

 the succeeding servitude commence immediately after the 

 death of each Judge, or to suppose an anarchy always suc- 

 ceeds it.' The first is altogether indefensible, because the 

 text, in every instance, expressly assures us, that it was the 

 idolatry of the people that provoked the wrath of Heaven, 

 and subjugated them to their enemies. But this relapse al- 

 ways requires time to be consummated, for, " the Almighty is 

 slow to anger, and of great patience and long suffering;" or 

 else, we are to suppose their idolatry uniformly commenced 

 during the last years of the Judge who had saved them, on 

 their former repentance, and who now tolerates their disobe- 

 dience — a supposition contradicted as it is, in express terms 

 by the text, (Jud. 3. 19.) that, I trust, will not be lightly ha- 

 zarded. The second alternative only remains, that an 

 anarchy always succeeded the term of eacli jurisdiction 

 during which the people had time to relapse into idolatry — a 

 position totally unsupported by Scripture or reason, an.d 

 which at once abandons the series of sacred chronology to 

 i.Miccrtainty, system, and caprice ; and which, independent 



of 



