It pleased God to hear Ahab’s prayer, yea, and the prayer of the devils, Luke viii. [32,] although their persons and prayers in themselves abominable.
Object.
If it be said, why did Christ approve this example?
Answer.
I answer, the Lord Jesus Christ did not approve the king of Nineveh’s compelling all to worship, but the men of Nineveh’s repentance at the preaching of Jonah.
Peace. It will be said, what shall kings and magistrates now do in the plagues of sword, famine, pestilence?
Truth. Kings and magistrates must be considered, as formerly, invested with no more power than the people betrust them with.
But no people can betrust them with any spiritual power in matters of worship; but with a civil power belonging to their goods and bodies.
2. Kings and magistrates must be considered as either godly or ungodly.
If ungodly, his own and people’s duty is repentance, and reconciling of their persons unto God, before their sacrifice can be accepted. Without repentance what have any to do with the covenant or promise of God? Psalm l. 16.