Esther 1

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. I.—Insatiable is the nature of covetousness and ambition, which gathers to itself all people and countries, yet is nothing nearer contentment. Yea kingdoms, when once they are overgrown, are near the brink of decay and ruin. What vast expences do many sacrifice to the idol of pride, expenses which might have relieved many helpless families. In what awful manner shall those heathens, who would urge none to drink, rise up in judgment against those professed Christians who send round their healths, their toasts, and send round sin and death along with them! Yea, ordinarily hard drinking, however unforced, issues in the misery or shame of those who occasioned it. If persons be once intoxicated with liquor, how imprudent their conduct! they are ready to dishonour themselves, or their nearest relations and to require what cannot be decently granted. And, when pride meets with pride, the issue is contention and ruin. It is easier to govern a kingdom than to rule our own proud spirit. But especially unhappy are those contentions between married persons which happen before company. The bad consequences of them may never be cured. It is indeed dangerous for kingdoms to indulge disobedience in the wives of rulers; but death or divorce ought to be the last means used to prevent it. Nor ought even the general welfare of kingdoms to be founded in injustice to particulars. But O the wisdom and power of God! he makes all the follies and wickedness, as well as the counsels, of mankind to work for his own glory and the good of his church and people