from the field of battle ; the demolition of all their cities ; the destruction also of the whole population of Jabesh Gilead, except four hundred virgins, who were preserved in order to prevent the utter extinction of the tribe of Benjamin; these and other miseries all arose out of this single circumstance, a want of a regular government sufficiently strong to prevent or punish the violations of the laws.
There is one circumstance in this history which seems un- accountable ; namely, That when the eleven tribes were united against Benjamin solely for the purpose of demanding justice against the perpetrators of that enormous Avickedness, and when Judali led the battle by divine appointment, no less than forty thousand of that tribe should be slain by Benjamin in two battles, whilst the impious Benjamites suffered no loss at all. But God intended by this to punish the supineness of all the tribes, who had neglected to espouse his cause against the idolatrous Danites. They had united as one man, when the interests of society demanded their interposition ; but they had taken no steps to vindicate God's honour against the intro- duction of idolatry, though God had expressly required in his law their most determined interference in his behalf^. On this account God first made use of the Benjamites to punish them, and then delivered the Benjamites into their hands, that justice sliould be executed on them also.
But whatever was God's design in these desolating judg- ments, they must still be all referred to that cause which we have already noticed.
If any further illustration of the point be wanted, we need only behold the evils which are perpetrated even in the best regidated governments, in defiance of the laws ; and then we shall see what evils would obtain, if all the restraints of law and justice were withdrawn ]
But a vigilant and energetic magistracy stems the torrent of iniquity —
[Where a good government is, there are known and esta- blished laws, to which the highest, as well as the lowest in the state, are amenable. Our persons, our property, yea even our reputation, are secured from injury ; or, if any injure them, the law affords us suitable redress. If any sons of Belial will break through the restraints which the law has imposed upon them, no sooner are they convicted of the crime, than they pay the penalty with the loss of their liberties or lives. Hence every man feels himself secure : the weak fears not the invasion of his rights any more than the strong ; but all sit under their own vine and fig-tree, none making them afraid.
*" Deut. xiii. 12 — 16.