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assembling to seize and to deliver up their avenger, in tht 

 case of Samson, proves the extreme distinction between the 

 designation of Heaven and the choice of men. The text ex- 

 pressly assures us, " the Philistines had dominion at that time 

 over Israel," and that time was the commencement of his mi- 

 nistry. (Jud. 14. 4.) (XV. 9. 10.) The Philistines came up 

 against him, and his countrymen address him, " Knowest 

 thou not, that the Philistines are rulers over us," (v. 11.) and, 

 (v. 20.) " He judged Israel in the days of the Philistines, 

 twenty years." Can any thing be more express, definite, or 

 precise ? And, on what principle can Vignoles state, " the 

 period of his jurisdiction Avas neither absolute servitude, as 

 during the forty years preceding, nor absolute liberty, as under 

 the other Judges." (p-67.) I can see nothing in the narrative 

 of Scripture, that bears even the marks of relative freedom, 

 much less of the civil or internal jurisdiction of independence. 

 He is, indeed, a great avenger of Israel, but there is not a 

 single passage that can lead us to suppose he ever led the 

 thousands of Israel against their enemies.' Vignoles remarks, 

 as a great singularity in his history, that the period of his ju- 

 risdiction is recorded twice in Scripture, (Jud. 15. 20. 16.31.) 

 I would remark another, that a greater space is granted to the 

 account of his exploits, than to those of any other of the 

 Judges. Surely, therefore, if any other distinguishing at- 

 cliievement or memorable action had occurred, if he had led 

 the armies of his country against the enemy with triumph and 



success, 



