1 Kings 15

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. XV.—How few great men, especially kings, have any real piety! And what a plague to their subjects is their want of it! Parents’ ill example is very pernicious to their children: and it is a double reproach on those who degenerate from the piety of their ancestors. Sin often shortens men’s days, and hastens them to an untimely end. But what a remarkable blessing to nations and families are God’s noted favourites! Even after their death God often pities, from regard to them, and to his promises made to them. It is a 44. 47. mercy when God shortens the reign of wicked rulers to make way for better, and who will begin reformation at themselves and their court. Many defects are in the best, much imperfection in their works of reformation; and great proneness to rely upon an arm of flesh in the time of trouble. But God generally imbittered to his people the success of their own sinful projects. How wretched are nations when one wicked prince still follows another! when successors murder their wicked sovereigns, but continue clearing to their ruinous wickedness! 4 S 1