On this particular evening Mr. Bradshaw took the story of Jephthah's
daughter: --"The Spirit of the Lord came upon Jephthah." Here is an
abstract of his discourse. "It WAS the Spirit of the Lord,
notwithstanding what happened. I beg you also to note that there is
a mistranslation in our version. The Hebrew has it, 'Then it shall
be, that WHOSOEVER'--not WHATSOEVER--'cometh forth of the doors of my
house to meet me, when I return in peace from the children of Ammon,
shall surely be the Lord's, and I will offer HIM'--not IT--'up for a
burnt-offering.' Nevertheless I believe my text--it WAS the Spirit
of the Lord. This Hebrew soldier was the son of a harlot. He was
driven by his brethren out of his father's house. Ammon made war
upon Israel, and in their distress the elders of Israel went to fetch
Jephthah. Mark, my friends, God's election. The children of the
lawful wife are passed by, and the child of the harlot is chosen.
Jephthah forgets his grievances and becomes captain of the host.
Ammon is over against them. Jephthah's rash vow--this is sometimes
called. I say it is not a rash vow. It may be rash to those who
have never been brought to extremity by the children of Ammon--to
those who have not cared whether Ammon or Christ wins.
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