1 Kings 22

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. XXII.—Wicked sovereigns pay little regard to the laws either of gratitude or of solemn treaties. It is taking hold of the opportunities which God puts in our hand, not leagues with perfidious princes, that will secure our rights; and least of all ought leagues extorted by distress to be trusted to. The worst of men, from selish motives, will court the friendship of the godly; but, whenever opportunity serves, are sure to expose them to danger. The conscience, the life of saints, yea, and all that they have, are endangered by sinful complacences to evil men: but tender saints can never delight in evil and flattering ministers, nor fail to regard the faithful servants of God. Unity and multitude are poor proofs of a good cause. Nothing is a surer sign of an evil minister than his encouraging wicked and hypocritical men to sleep on in their sin: nor is any thing a more dreadful plague to persons or nations than the united flattery of unfaithful ministers. When flatterers abound the men of God ought to be the more bold and faithful in opposition to them. Hardened sinners will indeed hate them for dealing faithfully with their conscience, but God will stand by them, when he gives up the lovers of flattery to be imposed on by it to their own ruin; and multitudes of evil spirits are always waiting his permission to delude into destruction their own most hearty votaries. Faithful ministers are commonly rewarded with persecution and abuse: and none are more bitter enemies than the teachers of lies. But God will quickly vindicate his servants in accomplishing the threatenings which they have denounced. Such as are guileless themselves are unsuspicious of others; but wicked men, to compass their own ends, will not stick to betray their best friends. And indeed, when the godly are out of the way of their duty, they need not wonder that they fall into mischief. But, if they cry unto the Lord, they will find him a present help in the time of trouble. When the hour of men is come, there is no avoiding their destiny. By events, which to us are purely accidental, God will execute his purpose and accomplish his word. No character on earth, except Christ’s is perfectly spotless. Even good men are apt to indulge long rooted customs of sinning. But how unwise is it for them to cultivate familiarity with the wicked, even after they have smarted for it! and it is a mercy if repeated strokes make them amend their error at the last