1 Chronicles 20

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. XX.—We should conceal the faults of the godly with candour, if we can do it with faithfulness. Nay, if we cannot say good of persons, we had generally best say nothing of them. But, however long the powerful enemies of God and his church stand their ground, they shall be brought down at last, whether outward or inward. Nor need the saints be ever disheartened by their enemies’ insolence and pride, while they have the Almighty God on their side. Yes, ordinarily those are marked for visible ruin who reproach and defy God and his people. REFLECTIONS UPON YEAR. XXI.—While the saints remain on earth Satan never lets them alone, nor despairs of success in his temptations. And to nothing does he more tempt men than to pride; though there is nothing that God more hates, or more severely punishes. Yea, he will use the strangest methods to do the people of God an injury. Sometimes the wicked are wiser in some things of God than the saints. And always, when the heart is averse, the work goes on heavily, and is left imperfect. It is a great mercy to be quickly brought to a sense of our sins. But, even when the Lord enables to repent, he does not always turn away the external punishment which his saints must suffer in their flesh, even when their spirit is saved. Our folly and rashness often reduce us to the most fearful straits and perplexities, when we have none but ourselves to blame. It is an evil and bitter thing to depart from the living God. Spreading is the influence of sin: and, if God’s mercy were not infinite, it should be utterly consumed. Under the judgments which we have deserved, it is therefore our only resource to flee to that God whom we have offended. He is not only stop short the execution of his judgment, but bring good out of evil, to make even sin itself an occasion of planting his church, and of a more vigorous preparation for his service. How pleasant is it all along to observe the presence of God marking his intended favours to the accursed sinners of the Gentiles! When his temple is to be built, the gold, silver, and brass, must be secured from Gentiles: the place of it must be purchased from a Gentile: and almost all the workmen must be Gentiles, Tyrians, Canaanites, &c. And as to us Gentiles are preached, are given, the unsearchable riches of Christ!