1 Samuel 2

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. II.—We owe to God the most exalted praises upon receipt of his favours. Yea, pleasant and valuable mercies should always lead to an affecting contemplation of the excellencies which are in God himself. The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him; and he often shews them things to come. Nothing is returned with such certainty and interest as that which is lent to the Lord: and early activity in God’s service is an hopeful presage of an eminently useful life. But dreadful and threatening is the appearance when those who fill the highest offices in church or state become absolute monsters in impiety, lust, and rapacity: it is criminal to administer to such only a soft rebuke: and their contempt of reproof is an awful prelude of near and certain destruction. God permits such contemners to proceed in their wickedness till they have ripened themselves for ruin. Parents’ indulgence of their children in sin may occasion fearful distresses to their family and nation. And the most tremendous judgments appear marked out for those who disregard even the 34 mildest reproofs of their parents. The more remarkable the favours which have been abused, the more tremendous the judgments which may be expected; and sharers in sin shall share in correspondent punishment. But God’s work and cause will never fall to the ground for want of hands to carry it on. Though ministers’ wickedness may destroy themselves, it cannot destroy the ministry. The church is founded on a Rock, which the gates of hell cannot prevail against. Jesus, the faithful priest on his throne, is her principal governor; who can turn out her wicked officers, and fill their room with such as will be faithful unto death