2 Chronicles 16:14

REFLECTIONS

IT is impossible to close our view of the life of Asa without having the mind exercised with solemn thoughts concerning an history so very mysterious and extraordinary. The Holy Ghost hath twice caused it to be recorded in his history, that though the high places were not removed; nevertheless Asa's heart was perfect with the Lord all his days. Though his latter end therefore differed so materially from the beginning, yet are we led to hope that a work of grace had passed upon his soul; and though for his rebellion and departure, like a stubborn child, under correction, he was put to bed in the dark; yet a child still, and mercifully considered so by his gracious God and Father in Christ.

But Reader! leaving the history of Asa, let you and I endeavour to make the suitable and becoming improvements from it, which a case so solemn and striking is highly calculated to propose. When we see as in his instance, and in the instance of others, such as the apostle Paul speaks of, in whose hearts a work of grace hath been manifested, that they still carry about with them a body of sin, oh! let it serve to teach us with what wariness and caution believers in Jesus should have their conversation in the world. If Paul himself groaned in consequence of this, and years after his regeneration declared that he was carnal, sold under sin; that the good he would he did not; but that the evil which he would not that he did. Oh! think, my brother, what a mass of sin this unrenewed part of our nature the body is, and with what holy jealousy should we watch over it, lest it drag clown the soul! How oft doth Satan, joining with the remaining corrupt lusts of our nature, intice us from Jesus; and in what numberless instances do we find our hearts wandering from all that is truly precious, from Jesus, from our happiness, from his word, from his people!

Oh! thou Holy One of Israel! the Lord our righteousness! how endeared art thou to my soul in this among a thousand other views in which I see and feel my daily need of thee. Who shall deliver me from this body of death? None but Jesus can accomplish this mighty work, for all the angels of heaven are incompetent to such a service. And blessed, forever blessed be thy dear name, thou art truly called Jesus, because thou wilt save thy people from their sins. Thou hast redeemed them by thy blood from all the powers of hell and darkness; and thou hast, and wilt save them from themselves and their own corrupt nature. Shall the prey be taken from the mighty, (saith God by his servant the prophet) or shall the lawful captive be delivered. And Reader! recollect every sinner is a lawful captive, who by sin hath given himself to the service of Satan. But thus, saith the Lord, even the captives of the mighty, shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered. For I will contend with them that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children. Isaiah 49:24. Oh! precious, precious promise of a covenant God in Christ, made to the person of our dear Immanuel; and in him confirmed sure to all his seed.