Deuteronomy 3

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. III.—Haughty sinners scorn to be warned by their neighbours’ fall, and dare to provoke their own judgments, in which they perish. But, amidst the strongest enemies, all slavish fears are altogether groundless when we have the Lord on our side: he kindly proportions his encouragements to his people’s fears, and the terrible appearances of their enemies. There is no might nor counsel against him. The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong. Created force is of little avail when God is the opposer. He can deal with giants as with grasshoppers.—It highly becomes those, who by faith have entered into their new-covenant rest, to look not on their own things, but every man also on the things of others; and to labour till their brethren, and especially Zion, enjoy rest along with them.—Every experience of God’s power and kindness ought to be improved as an antidote against slavish fears, and an encouragement to follow God in the hardest service: and every glimpse of God’s glory quickens the desires after more abundant displays of it. Thankfulness for former mercies is an excellent mean to obtain what blessings we need: and contentment under disappointments is a good evidence that our prayers were not rejected, though we obtain not what we ask. One single slip in the conversation of a saint sometimes renders his most earnest supplications unsuccessful; for God makes his own principal favourites the most distinguished examples of his righteous judgments. Often, for their own faults, as well as for the punishment of others, he removes them by death in a wrathful-like manner, when the continuance of their life seems to be most necessary; and yet readily he gratifies their innocent desires, as far as his own honour permits, whenever he finds them penitent. What a comfort is it for dying rulers, in church or state, to leave the flock of God in the hands of faithful successors: and it is pleasing to see aged saints on their death-beds encourage their younger brethren. 2