Judges 17

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. XVII.—Covetousness most frequently besets people in their old age; and churlish parents and thievish children often meet together. It is dreadful when those losses, which should make men pray, cause them to curse and blaspheme. Hasty imprecations light unexpectedly where the curser least intended them. Reconcilement in sin is quickly effected; and the most covetous wretches liberally devote their idolized substance to the service of the devil. From what small beginnings are the vilest corruptions introduced into nations and churches! The grossest idolatries are often varnished with high pretences to religion. But sad are the times when faithful ministers are almost starved for want! And what an easy prey for Satan and his agents are unsettled professors, and especially rambling clergymen; God readily leaves those to debase themselves who have once abandoned themselves to a neglect of his worship and service; and permits those, who should be reprovers of sin, to be principal countenancers of it, for the sake of their belly. And upon what slight, nay, damnable grounds, do hardened sinners reckon themselves entitled to the favour of God