2 Chronicles 21

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. XXI.—What monsters are bred in the best of families, or, at least, are made so by unhallowed marriages! And none are such plagues to families and kingdoms as ungrateful heirs. Ambition is deaf to the cries of nature or humanity; and those, whom duty and interest require to protect us, become our destroyers. But how tormented are the minds of tyrants, and how rottering those thrones which are established in blood! God can take the most unthought of methods to threaten or to punish his inveterate enemies. And torment, misery, and disgrace, most surely await them. Dreadful is the situation, when tormenting agonies, an awakened conscience, and an opening hell, meet the sinner on his death-bed! But miserable are the happiest tyrants.—When alive they are hated; and when dead they are branded with infamy, and tormented in hell!