2 Samuel 2

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. II.—It is proper to commence every important project with a solemn prayer to God. Such as wait upon God for direction shall be led in the right way to their kingdom; but ordinarily their advancement is gradual. Such as shared with us in our sufferings should share with us in our honours. If we suffer with Christ we shall also reign with him. Kindness to our friends, or even injurious predecessors in office, ought to be considered as an obligation conferred on ourselves. It is not enough to praise such as have well deserved; they should, if possible, be recompensed. And to have those for our friends, whose fidelity to others hath been tried, is a valuable acquisition. Through great tribulation saints must arrive at their honours, and especially their heavenly throne. But how inhuman the heart to which murder and bloodshed are a sport! False notions of honour are part of the wiles which Satan uses for the destruction of mankind. And they who are forward to rush on bloodshed and war have ordinarily reason to repent their rashness before it is concluded. The qualifications that render us proud and wilful are commonly the means of our ruin. And often, when we seem ready to grasp the prize of happiness, death stops our career, and lays our big swollen hopes and honour in the dust. But even in war human blood should be spared as much as possible.—Life, once lost, can never be recovered. 4