2 Chronicles 12

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. XII.—They, who in adversity appear faithful for God, often forsake him in their prosperity. Nay earthly prosperity is a common occasion of ruin to the soul.—Human supports and fenced cities prove but refuges of lies when God withdraws or becomes our destroyer. And, to punish men’s sins, he often turns their old friends, or even relations, into inveterate enemies. God’s word comes to men with peculiar advantage when awakening providences concur with it: and stupid and self-conceited sinners must have the plainest providences explained to them before they understand them. They, whom the Lord hath left, ought to blame themselves as the guilty cause, and to humble themselves under his mighty hand: for it is vain to project means of defence if we continue unhumbled for our sins. The greatest kings and princes must either be humbled or ruined: and we are never humbled aright till we justify God in our sufferings. But how God’s bowels yearn towards repenting prodigals! How forward he is to meet them with merciful deliverances who humble themselves before him! Whenever we have hearts humbled under troubles, they have done their work, and shall either be removed, or have their nature altered into tokens of kindness. And it is a great mercy to a sinful pple if God but grant a partial deliverance. It is well if the guilt be remov though we should smart in the flesh for it. They, who reckon God as master, and his service burdensome, will find the slavery and wages of the lusts but a miserable exchange. It is far more honourable and safe to end the utmost hardships in obeying God than to risk the punishments of the dience. But how easily God can restrain the fury of the most outrageous querors by his invisible arm, and set limits to their ravages! And happy when, in evil times, he preserves a remnant for himself. Judgments, make us to learn righteousness, are mercies in disguise. But if our heart not engaged in the service of God, all is naught. They, who never had heart fixed to him, and never made real religion their principal business easily drawn to any thing evil. Though God’s judgments may force us their prayers, nothing but almighty grace can convert them to himself. I alas! how many in his church do but cumber the ground while they live in a moment go down to their grave!