1 Kings 2

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. II.—Happy are they who die in the Lord, encouraging their survivors to their proper duty! But none can be faithful to God without holy courage answerable to their station. In the way of obedience to God’s precepts we may expect the fulfilment of his promises. And all, especially magistrates, ought to be careful in executing justice upon offenders, and discharging the obligations of gratitude. Some, however happy their lot, cannot rest till they ruin themselves: and the most dangerous designs have often fair pretences. While such as mean no ill themselves are, by the craft of others, rendered instruments of ambition. Such therefore, who have the ear of princes, ought carefully to consider their requests, lest they abuse their influence to the hurt of their benefactor. No station should protect criminals from justice. And often the awakening of their guilty conscience, and punishment of their sins, meet them in a time and manner which they never expected. But, while kindness to God’s suffering saints ought to be remembered even in criminals, nothing must satisfy for murder but the blood of the guilty. Wicked men entail a curse on their posterity; and negligent magistrates must bear the sin of those crimes which they are not duly careful to avenge: for the due execution of justice is the establishment of their throne. Men ruin themselves by sinning against 3 their own mercies. Our heart contains much wickedness, to which only God and our conscience are privy. And dreadful is the account to which God will call men at last for their perjury and other sins. But in David I behold a lively figure of Jesus, God’s chosen one; the man according to his own heart, born in Beth-lehem, and who fulfils all his counsels. How amazing his fidelity, meekness, humility, faith in God, love to him, zeal for his honour, and devout intimacy with him! Thrice—in his conception, at his baptism, and in his ascension—he was plentifully anointed with the Holy Ghost to his arduous and extensive office. He is the covenant head of all his spiritual seed, the chosen people, kings and priests unto God. He is our sweet Psalmist, who tunes our hearts and indites our songs of praise. He is our great Prophet, and King, who instructs, forms, and governs his church, the Israel of God. Through debasement, labour, reproach, and temptations on every side— and all endured with holy courage, steady regard to his Father’s honour, full resignation to his will, and firm confidence of an happy issue—he entered into his kingdom and glory. How skilful, prudent, kind, and righteous, is he in governing his subjects! and bow active in framing and fixing the worship of God, preparing the temple above for his people, and them for it! All his faithful soldiers are such as, convinced of their spiritual guiltiness, pollution, poverty, and debt, have been obliged to enlist in his service. His mighties, prophets, apostles, evangelists, pastors, and teachers, by the whole armour of God, particularly the sword of the Spirit, do marvellous exploits. He himself defeated the lions, the bears, the giants of hell. He fulfilled the law, destroyed death and the grave: and by the gospel he conquers the nations to the obedience of faith, and puts his chosen people in the full possession of their promised blessings