1 Samuel 3

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. III.—Dreadful is the case of a church when her fellowship with God is interrupted: but great the mercy that God raises up new instruments in his church to carry on his work when others have proved unfaithful. Early piety is often honoured with special intimacy with God; when 3 Y God passes by his aged saints, who have offended him, and perfects praise out of the mouths of babies and sucklings. But it becomes aged ministers to be well satisfied with the Lord’s carrying on his work, even at the expense of dishonouring themselves; and to be ready to assist those whose rising glory may eclipse their own. It is an unspeakable mercy when God repeats his calls to men till he renders them effectual; and promising is the appearance when such extraordinary revelations animate men to the very lowest offices in religion, instead of rendering them proud: especially when humble modesty and exact fidelity meet together. Ministers must often begin their work with fearful denunciations of God’s wrath against sinners. Yes, how terribly God revenges even the sins of his own people, and of their families! He renders their condition base, tormenting, and in appearance desperate; and the most abundant measure of grace is requisite to render one resigned to such a stroke; yet resignation is the proper and only way to lighten the burden. But frequently he renews his visits to those who had been early seekers of him: and such as improve one gracious visit shall not be long without a second. Yes, the most abundant care shall be taken to honour his faithful servants, and to verify their words in the salvation or destruction of mankind