1 Chronicles 20:8

REFLECTIONS

BEHOLD, Reader! how the Ammonites were brought under with harrows of iron, and with axes. A lively representation how ill it will fare with the enemies of our spiritual David, when they shall be brought under his dominion. For the knee that will not bend to the sceptre of his grace, shall be broken under the iron rod of his justice. Oh! for grace to kiss the Son lest he be angry with unhumbled sinners, for their long standing out against the word of his gospel, and they perish from the right way. If his wrath be kindled, yea but a little, blessed are all they that put their trust in him.

Let me contemplate, in the crown of Ammon put upon the head of David, with all the precious stones in it, the sure presage that our Jesus must be crowned even in the presence of his enemies. And they who would not have this glorious man Christ Jesus to reign over them, shall be brought before him for destruction. Yes! thou precious Jesus! thy people shall see thee as the beloved Apostle saw thee, on thine head many crowns. The crown of thine eternal Godhead; the crown of thy Mediatorial kingdom. The crown of victory over all thine enemies. The crown of redemption for every poor sinner thou hast brought home to thy kingdom. And dearest Lord, amidst so many crowns shall not there be one more conspicuously great and illustrious as it will appear to my eye, and as it concerns my redemption, even the crown which I, a poor, ransomed, hell-deserving sinner, do now with joy unspeakable and full of delight, put upon thy sacred head, in ascribing the whole, and every part, from beginning to end, of my redemption from sin and Satan, my own dreadfully wicked heart, and a world of wickedness all around, to thee, my glorious, gracious, Almighty Redeemer, Jesus! for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed me to God by thy blood.