1 Kings 20

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. XX — Weak and defenceless are those who have provoked God to forsake them, however former successes may make them proud or insolent. There is no satisfying the covetous mind: and mean spirits delight to tyrannize over those who they think dare not resist them. But pride and insolent boasting go before destruction. The greatest talkers are seldom the greatest actors. And, the more secure men are, the more certain is their ruin. God often heaps mercies on his sinful people when they are almost ripe for destruction. Inadequate means must be used when God directs, but no means ever trusted to. By the weakest instruments God can abuse the proud, and defeat the most powerful armies, even when flushed with victory and success. But we must never on earth think the danger over. Earth and hell cannot long lie quiet. Atheistical apprehensions of God effectually plunge men headlong into misery. For they that fight against him will at last be covered with confusion and despair. Malicious persecutors are in general extremely indulgent to horrid murderers and blasphemers. But sinful indulgence issues in men’s own ruin. God’s servants have need of great boldness and zeal, that they may declare his mind to the most powerful transgressors. And it is peculiarly stinging when men are condemned out of their own mouth. Learn, O my soul, notwithstanding all my emptiness, to be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might. If my spiritual enemies compass me about like bees, let me attack them in the name of the Lord. If I obtain one victory, let me prepare for another assault. But let me never shew mercy to the most humble and suppliant lust: to pity those is to be careless of God’s honour, and cruel to myself. —