2 Samuel 16

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. XVI.—Many, like Ziba, affect to be very generous of what is not really their own. The lying tongue of servants, and the presents of knaves, are snares and plagues to all concerned; and carnal and selfish designs are often concealed under the most seasonable and useful presents. But listening to slander, and a rich bestowal of valuable grants, prepare work for an after-shame and bitter repentance; for surely nothing is so base as to use infirmity for an occasion of injury; or to insult and abuse the miserable. Bitter is the state when an awakened conscience, and a railing neighbour, upbraid us with our guilt, while an angry God fearfully corrects us for it. Wicked revilers are fond of interpreting God’s righteous judgments as a patronizing of their malice; and innocence is no protection from a malicious and lying tongue. But no provocation can warrant our avenging ourselves, and returning evil for evil. The vilest reproaches should make us to search our ways, and condemn ourselves for our real faults. To see God’s hand in every trial is the way to bear it aright. Patience under reproaches will issue in our full vindication at last. And happy are they who can thus withstand the strongest temptations to revenge when they meet with the most insolent abuse. What an easy prey are proud men to every subtle flatterer! They take all those for friends whom they would wish to be such. It is hard for crafty politicians to confine themselves to untainted veracity and candour. Nay, such will often stick at nothing, however infamous or wicked, to secure their own purposes. But let us here observe how this most abominable conduct fulfils the righteous threatenings of God. He, who murdered his friend to conceal his adultery, has now too of his concubines publicly debauched by his son on the same top of the house where he began his crime. 2 **