2 Samuel 18

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. XVIII.—In dangerous times great care ought to be taken for the security and honour of princes: and good advice from inferiors ought to be readily complied with. No undutifulness can root out or obliterate strong parental affection. What then must be the affection of God to his children! How quickly, how easily the enemies of God are overthrown, and that by means the most unexpected! Both the hopes and joys of the wicked soon issue in misery and shame: and they who flee from God’s arm only rush into his not. Pride proves men’s shame at last. A head trimmed, at the expence of neglecting the soul, is like to prove ruinous to both. Monuments of fame often serve only to perpetuate the disgrace of the erectors. Fearful is the guilt, and dreadful the end, of rebellious children. But success, whether in work or warfare, should be wholly ascribed to the Lord; and messages of evil cannot be too tenderly delivered. Yet, is it not astonishing to find so great and good a man neglecting to praise God for his wonderful salvation; quarrelling with his kind providence; opposing the justice of the nation; uttering things unadvisedly with his lips; and so immoderately bewailing a son abandoned of heaven to every thing vile and hateful!