2 Kings 3

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. III.—To be better than monsters in crimes is no evidence of real goodness: and a partial reformation is often made without real conversion. To forbear the sins which we no longer love, while we cleave to those which are more pleasing and profitable, shews the insincerity of our pretended repentance. Sinners prefer the recovery of outward losses to all the advantages of real godliness; and they readily court the friendship of such saints as are remarkably prosperous in outward things. Rash counsels generally drive men into great straits; and these into murmuring against the providence of God. And, if we keep company with sinners, we are in danger of smarting under their rod. Afflictions often drive those to God who in their prosperity neglected him. His mercies are not only beyond our desert, but beyond our expectation; and others fare the better for their connections with his people; for he will not lose his own who cry unto him, even in the straits into which their folly has plunged them. What a remarkable blessing are pious commanders and faithful ministers to armies! and the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availed much. How composed ought our minds to be in all our approaches to God And never must we expect a gracious answer to our requests, but only through Jesus’ offering of himself a sacrifice for sins. How strangely men fancy with they wish! for God often infatuates those whom he intends to destroy; makes them to rush headlong upon their own destruction. What inhuman bloody courses will people take to procure the favour of their idol, or to themselves desperately obstinate!