2 Chronicles 13

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. XIII.—What multitudes do wicked princes render subservient to their lusts! Before men proceed to the extremities of war, every peaceable method of accommodation ought to be tried; as, at least, all the death on the one side is murder, and often so on both. Many can talk finely of God and his service, who have no heart love to them, or any correspondent practice. What an advantage in war is it to have a righteous cause and a powerful and gracious God on our side; and when we evidence it by not forsaking him, but by cleaving to his ministers and ordinances! But dangerous is their case who have ambition that cannot be satisfied, and who are emboldened by mere success! Prosperous iniquity is but a short-lived joy. They, who have God their enemy, will find all human efforts in vain. And the fair warnings, that render them inexcusable in their obstinacy, will occasion their more distinguished ruin. How often princes are occupied in laying ambushments of war and death when they should be treating of solid and lasting peace! But earnest supplications to God are more powerful than carnal stratagems: and he often lets his people fall into the most imminent danger, to awaken their cries, exercise their faith, and make their deliverance the more glorious. But, if we are enabled to trust in him, we shall not be moved. The prayer of faith and shouts of victory are inseparable. Civil wars and disputes among brethren are generally the most bitter and bloody; and what multitudes of souls doth a furious war harry headlong and thoughtless into an eternal state, and most of them into the depths of hell! Nor can the mightiest escape the strokes of God’s wrath and darts of death