Esther 5

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. V.—Prudence and courage must be joined to our prayers if we would succeed in any work for God. And a plentiful harvest of joy shall they reap who sow in the tears and mourning of faith. They, who venture all for God, shall find him able to do for them unspeakably better than their most sanguine hopes. While himself is easily accessible, casting out none that come to him, he can dispose the spirits of the haughtiest princes to whatever he pleases. But, in our dealing with great men, it is best first to conciliate their affection before we ask important favours; and to watch the favourable moment is the best way to ensure success. They, who are careful to please God, need neither fear nor care who are displeased with them for so doing. But pitiful and miserable is the condition of the proud. Easily they are puffed up with that which is intended to ruin them, and unmeasurably fretted at that which could never hurt them. Their pride and discontentment create them numberless miseries, and rob them of the enjoyment of their mercies; and the curse of God is often visible upon them in the midst of all their great possessions. But it is unhappy for proud spirits to have rash and imprudent advisers who spur them on to the most debasing resentment. And base are those minds which promote revenge, even the lowest, with alertness and pleasure