A compleat history and mystery of the Old and New Testament logically discust and theologically improved : in four volumes ... the like undertaking (in such a manner and method) being never by any author attempted before : yet this is now approved and commended by grave divines, &c. / by Christopher Ness ...

Judges, CHAP. V.

JƲdges the Fifth is Deborah's Song for this Miraculous Victory, the Historical part whereof after the Prologue is,

First, A Recognition, or Review of former Deliverances, which the Lord had most graciously granted unto Israel upon their Repentance, and returning to him, ver. 2, 4, 5.

Secondly, A Commemoration of the deplorable Condition of Israel, immediately be∣fore this eminent Victory, to wit, no Trading, no Travelling, &c. ver. 6, 7. upon which Remarks be made before, pag. 102. Paragraph last upon Chap. 3.

Thirdly, A Relation, or Narrative of this Victory in all its Commodities obtained thereby to all Ranks of Israel, from ver. 8. to 13. to the Princes, ver. 9. to the Elders, &c. ver. 10. to the Subjects in their Travel and Traffick, ver. 10. to Boys and Girls in their drawing of Water, ver. 11. to the Countrey-men, who now might live safely in their Country-Farms, to the Judges, who now might sit safely in places of Judicature, ver. 11. and lastly, to Deborah and Barak, ver. 12. who now sang forth God's Praises.

Fourthly, An high Commendation of those that had been Instruments in this Glorious Victory, as both of Men, Princes, ver. 14, 15. and People, ver. 18. and of Women, where the Heroick Act of Jael is most highly applauded, ver. 24, 25, 26, 27.

Fifthly, A Severe Reproof to the Deserters for their Neutrality and Treachery, both to the Tribes of Reuben, ver. 15, 16. and of Gad, Dan and Asher, ver. 17. and to the City Meroz, ver. 23. which was a City in Galilee belonging to Israel, and nigh the place of Battel, yet came not in to help, and therefore is for her cold Neutrality most bitterly Cursed, so that we never read of Meroz more, as no more of the Fig-tree which Christ Cursed, whereas Jael, not of Israel, but a Kenite, did act Heroically for the good of Israel, so is most highly Blessed.

Sixthly, A Graphical Draught and Description of this Famous Battel. (1.) Of Israel's Enemies, ver. 19. where they are commended for their Unanimity; all the Confe∣derate King's of Canaan could Combine under the great King Jabin against Israel,

whereas many of Israel stood Neuters, and could not Combine against the Common Enemy; and their Multitude is there likewise intimated (which gives a lustre to their Ʋnanimity, though many) for they were so vastly numerous as to fill all the Cham∣pion Countrey betwixt the Waters of Megiddo, and the River Kishon; yea and lastly, they could all be Voluntiers, while many Israelites were cursed Neuters; and for their Magnanimity too, they could serve Sisera freely without pay, [they took no gain of Money] such love they had to their Cause, or rather such Malice against Israel, whose Spoil they hoped for their Pay. (2.) Of Israel's Auxiliaries both the Stars above, ver. 20. having the upper ground of the Enemy, and Kishon below, ver. 21. swept them away, as a Be∣some doth Dust and Dirt out of a Room.

Seventhly, The Epiphonema, Conclusion, or Epilogue, is partly pleasant in a Poetical Sarcasm, or Scoff at Sisera's Mother, who was sure of her Son's Success, &c. ver. 28, 29, 30. Such was her Pride and Carnal Confidence upon sensual grounds, having no respect to the Power and Providence of God, and 'tis partly serious in praying that God would Dung his Vineyard with the dead Carcasses of his Enemies, ver. 31. Psal. 83.10. and that Israel might be as the Rising Sun: So the Land had rest Forty Years under Debo∣rah from Ehud's Death.