2 Kings 1

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. I.—If we apostatize from God we need not wonder that our inferiors revolt from or rebel against us. Death often apprehends men when and where they least expected it. And much more ready are men curiously to inquire when they shall die than to prepare for a happy death. Many choose rather to risk their expense and toil, nay, their damnation, in consulting the devil, than to consult God freely, to their present and eternal advantage. Persecutors and mockers of God’s faithful prophets and messengers shall not escape unpunished. Such as have turned aside to idolatry, even after miraculous de- 2 monstrations of the wickedness of it, richly deserve death for their punishment; and, if they will harden their heart against the terrors of God, it is just that the destruction be uncommonly terrible. The way to prevail with God is not to insult him, but humbly to bow before him; and the sufferings of others should be our warning. God can endow his servants with such honourable bold that captains and kings look contemptible before them. And those who consult the devil, if superabounding mercy prevent not, may expect soon to have their lodging with him in hell. 1. Faithful saints have the good of the rising generation much on their art; and we should make the most of their conversation while we can have it. is very distressing, though hopeful, to part with dear friends, high in favour with God. And how easy and majestic is their composed retirement to the nervily state, even in their passage through Jordans of trouble and of death! The removal of such is indeed a great loss to churches and nations; especially if inquiry be come to a great height. But when God removes one eminent servant I can raise up another equally endowed with the Holy Ghost. And when an shunting pattern, a powerful prayer of faith, and the distinguished presence of God, concur, there is great ground of hope. They whom God honours ought the honoured; and the strong must bear with the infirmities of the weak. A people ought to make all the profitable improvement of their ministers they can and they have them for what bitterness, barrenness, and death, can God cure their gospel ministrations! They often bring, even to accursed places, the the distinguished mercies where providence orders their lot. But how terrible their consequences of idolatry, and of careless education of children! For them are often punished for their neglect or bad example in the loss, the pachedues, or ruin of their seed! on earth was mean, afflicted and persecuted. His holy zeal was ardent; his rebukes pungent; his denunciations of wrath terrible and effective; his prayers for mercy to his friends, or destruction to his foes, were always prevalent; his fast was long and afflicting; his great sacrifice was inflamed by infinite and unquenchable love from within, and by infinite wrath from above: and by means of it he shewed the Lord to be God, restored the true worship of God in the world, and made the unclean spirits and false prophets to pass out of the land. By him kings are appointed to death or dominion; and prophets, apostles, and ministers, called to, and furnished for, their office. In high sovereignty he removed his ordinances from the Jews, that he might dwell with raven-like publicans and sinners; dwell with long-widowed Gentiles, and restore to life their children, dend in trespasses and sins. Baptized in Jordan, and travelling through trouble and death, he ascended to heaven without seeing corruption. In vain have the Jews ever since searched for a promised Messiah. And dreadful and lasting vengeance has or shall overtake his Jewish, heathen, antichristian, or other obstinate enemies, according to the predictions of his mouth