1 Chronicles 13

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. XIII.—To have God with us, as the foundation of all true felicity, should be our first and principal desire. But respect paid to those whom we command engages their consent, and is the way to be obeyed with cheerfulness. In the multitude of counsellors there is much, but not all, safety. In the settlement of true religion magistrates ought to manage so as to recommend it to the approbation of all their subjects, and to act as nursing parents, not as ravening wolves. All who fear God ought to rejoice when religion is countenanced and promoted; and, when princes are active, ministers should heartily correspond with their godly designs. Great care ought to be taken in correcting the mistakes of former times, which have passed unpunished. But not the least commandment of God ought ever to be overlooked; for the ignorance of those, who minister before God’s ark is especially criminal and dangerous. With all our joys we had need to join trembling. For a seemingly small miscarriage God may quickly turn our temple songs into howlings; and discouragements are apt to cool our zeal in the way of duty. But how profitable may the ark, the Christ, the gospel, of God, be to some, while it is the savour of death unto others!