JƲdges the Sixteenth declareth the last concerns of Samson's Life, Death and Burial: Where we have first the Remarks upon the last Actions of his Life. As,
First, His going down to Gaza, ver. 1. a chief City of the Philistines. Two things may justly be marvell'd at.
N. B. First, How he durst go so soon thither, after his late Slaughter of such a Mul∣titude of their Men? And,
Secondly, How he could be suffer'd to enter a fenced City?
N. B. To these two Questions, it is thus Answered.
First, He might go thither upon some weighty occasion, which is not here expressed.
Secondly, To make some new Attempt upon them, whom he feared not either in their Camps, or in their Cities, after such large experience both of his own Strength, and of God's Assistance.
Thirdly, It appeareth not that he was sent by God thither, but went of his own Mind, presuming upon former Successes, and therefore deserted, and ensnared.
Fourthly, He might go thither Incognito, by Night, unknown and unobserved till afterwards.
Fifthly, He went into a Publick House of Entertainment to refresh himself, in con∣tempt of his Enemies.
Sixthly, He went not to seek, see and have this Harlot for his Carnal Service, that had been to make Provision for the Flesh, &c. Rom. 13.14. And this is scarcely consistent with Saving Grace in a true Believer, so deliberately to contrive an Act of sin.
N. B. Therefore 'tis said, [he there saw an Harlot,] that is Accidentally, and giving way to Lustful Looks, he was overtaken to commit Filthiness with her. Here another,
Mars Videt hanc, Visamque Cupit, potiturque Cupitâ.
This Martial Man (more like Mars than Pan) was Overcome by a Wicked Woman, who had Overcome a Lyon.
Loenam non potuit, potuit Superare Leoenam Quem fera non potuit Vincere, Vicit Hera.
This Strong Man, being forsaken of God, as one out of God's Precincts, and so out of God's Protection, and being left to his own Humane Infirmity, forgeteth himself, that he was not only God's Servant, (as he stil'd himself, Judg. 15.18.) and called of God to be an Holy Nazarite, Judg. 13.5, 7. but also that he was both Judex and Senex, a publick Judge, and an Old Man; and notwithstanding all this, he falleth into that foul Sin of Fornication, having no Wife, &c. He should have pray'd with David, [Lord turn away mine Eyes from beholding Vanity, &c. Psal. 119.37.
The Second Remark is, The eminent danger that Samson plung'd himself into by this Iniquity: The Gazites got notice, compassed him in, but (as God ordered it in ten∣derness to his sinful and secure Servant, 1 Tim. 1.14.) it was hid from them in what House he was harbour'd.
N. B. Had they known, they might have seiz'd upon him in his Bed by Night, therefore not knowing, they set a strong Watch at the City Gate to surprize him at his Departure in the Morning, ver. 2. expecting that by Light they might better direct