2 Chronicles 25

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. XXV.—What multitudes are mere dissemblers in religious appearances! For some carnal end they apply their tongue and to religion while their heart hates it. But short-lived are the triumphs of murderers, particularly those of sovereigns. And strict equity ought to take place in the punishment of criminals, that the innocent may not be involved with the guilty. How fearfully sin diminishes and weakens nations! And rash undertakings, or alliances in war, make room for bitter repentance. Multitudes profit nothing when God is our enemy; and connection with his enemies but hastens the curse on our enterprises. But the loss of money goes very near the heart of worldlings, while they who trust in God find themselves gainers. How outnumber us is the fury, and cruel the tender mercies, of the wicked! Such as are fully unconcerned about piety, feel their pride hurt when treated as profane and wicked: and the proud, when baulked of their expected honours and booty, are greatly enraged. The conquests made by nations are often really to their own hurt: and those whom we imitated in wickedness become the instruments of our punishment. But base is the cruelty, and sottish the folly, to dash idolaters to pieces, and preserve, nay, worship, the idols which could not protect their votaries from such barbarous severity. Wicked men heartily hate a faithful reprover: and much sooner will they part with large sums of money than with the most useless and despicable idol! But near and certain is their destruction whom God has left off to reprove, and in whom pride swells to the brim. They that would not hearken to God’s servants will soon hearken to their own wicked counsellors and raging lusts, which hasten their temporal, nay, eternal destruction. And, however wicked the instruments may be, the judgments are always righteous. They, who go forth hastily to strive, will soon know not what to do when their neighbour has put them to shame. Man’s pride will certainly bring him low: and it will fare ill at last with them who forsake God and his way. For traitors to God and religion are often treacherously hurried into death and hell. 5 R