The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

But how did Ahab visit God again for his great benefit received? Did he remove his Idolatry? did he correct his Idolatrous wife Jezebel? No, we find no such thing, but the one and the other, we find to have continued and increased in former impiety: But what was the end hereof? The last visitation of God was, That dogs licked the blood of the one, and did eat the flesh of the other. In few words then we understand, what difference there is betwixt the visitation of God upon the Reprobate,¹ and his visitation upon his Chosen; the Reprobate are visited, but never truly humbled,² nor yet amended; the Chosen being visited, ⟨p. 112⟩they sob, and they cry unto God for mercy (which obtained) they magnify Gods Name, and after declare the fruits of repentance. Let us therefore that hear these judgements of our God, call for the assistance of his holy Spirit, that howsoever it pleaseth him to visit us, that we may stoop under his merciful hands, and unfeignedly cry to him when he correcteth us; And so shall we know in experience, that our cries and complaints were not in vain. But let us hear what the Prophet saith further.

But how did Ahab visite God again for his great benefit received? Did he remove his Idolatry? did he correct his Idolatrous wife Iezabel? No, we finde no such thing, but the one and the other, wee finde to have continued and increased in former impiety: But what was the end hereof? The last visitation of God was, That dogs licked the blood of the one, and did eate the flesh of the other. In few words then wee understand, what difference there is betwixt the visitation of God upon the Reprobate,¹ and his visitation upon his Chosen; the Reprobate are visited, but never truly humbled,² nor yet amended; the Chosen being visited, ⟨p. 112⟩they sob, and they cry unto God for mercy (which obtained) they magnifie Gods Name, and after declare the fruits of repentance. Let us therefore that hear these judgements of our God, call for the assistance of his holy Spirit, that howsoever it pleaseth him to visit us, that we may stoop under his mercifull hands, and unfainedly cry to him when he correcteth us; And so shall we know in experience, that our cryes and complaints were not in vain. But let us hear what the Prophet saith further.