2 Samuel 4

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. IV.—Dreadful are the effects of war; numerous and great the perils of infancy; to have escaped them unhurt is a singular mercy. God soon removes every obstacle to the fulfilment of his purpose and promise; and the most flourishing families are quickly reduced to the most weak and abject conditions. The higher men’s station is, the more dangerous it is: and when once they begin to fall, every pretended friend is ready to hasten forward their ruin, and make religion a pretext for their conduct. Very precarious is their life who have only wicked men for their guardians: but sinners’ hands make the snares wherewith themselves are caught. And it is proper that magistrates should think the best of their opposers; and that they should punish treachery and murder, even when it seems calculated to promote their own interests