2 Chronicles 32

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. XXXII.—Never are Satan and his agents more ready to harass the people of God than when they are employed in the work of who motion: and thus God justly punishes his people for their hypocrisy and indifference in his service. Proud men hone to carry all to their mind, if their first attempts are successful. But, when war or danger is threatened, we must prepare for it by every proper mean, remembering after all to rest chiefly on the awful protection and assistance of God. Strong faith in him will help us the fear of man. If our adversaries discover their enmity to God and our is, by boasting and blasphemy, let us give ourselves to mourning and prayer: so shall the issue be terrible to them, and happy and honourable to us. But how criminal is ingratitude to God for his singular, his miraculous, favours! The pride of his own children is especially odious and provoking to him; and it becomes us carefully to guard against, and heartily to hate it. Astonishing is the wisdom of God, that can make sins, as well as sufferings, the means of his people’s trial and humiliation. He delights to honour those whom his grace faith enabled remarkably to honour him. And noted piety and activity for God are the true way to be happy and prosperous in life, and to die revered and justly lamented. 5 T