what they have to bear ; or what obligations we owe to them for exposing themselves to so many fatigues and dangers in our defence. Shall we then grudge to the state whatever is necessary for their support ? Is not the murmuring on account of om- burthens, and the striving to elude them, highly criminal? The men of Succoth and of Penuel had some excuse for their ungenerous conduct : for they intimated, that, by contributing to aid Gideon in the pursuit, they should only bring on them- selves the heavier vengeance from the Midianites, as soon as ever they should have recovered from their panic. But what excuse have we ? Their interest seemed to lie on the side of neutrality ; but ours is altogether on the side of energy and exertion. Let us only consider what our enemies would exact of us, if they were to reduce us under their power : truly " their little finger would be heavier than the loins" of oixr own governors : instead therefore of grudging what is necessary for the support of our government, we should rejoice and bless God for the security that we enjoy under their watcliful care.]
2. In a religious view —
[The whole of that astonishing transaction tends to inspire us with confidence in God, and to encourage our exertions in his cause. But there are two lessons in particular which we shall do well to learn from it : the one is, To prosecute the spiritual ivarfare wider all discouragements ourselves ; and the other is, To put no discouragements in the way of others.
That we shall find discouragements in our warfare is certain ; sometimes from the number and power of our enemies ; some- times from the fewness and weakness of our friends ; sometimes from the inefficacy of our past exertions ; and sometimes from the protracted continuance of a struggle which we had fondly hoped to have seen terminated long before. But we must go forth, like Gideon, in the strength of the Lord, and, though " faint, must yet be pursuing^; " nor must we ever look for rest, till we have gotten the final victory over all our enemies. We must remember, Whose cause it is; Under whose banners we are enlisted ; Whom we have for our Guide and Protector ; and, Wliose word is pledged for our final success. What though he reduce the number of our friends to ever so low an ebb ? What though he send us forth with no better armour than a trumpet and a lamp? What though our enemies be so great and numerous, that, after having been vanquished by us a thousand times, they still appear, according to hmnan appre- hension, invincible by such an arm as ours ? What though we be so feeble that we seem incapable of continuing the contest any longer? Shall we give over? No : we must still fight on,
s ver. 4.
271.] jotham's parable. 47
assured of victory; knowing, that *' when we are weak, then are we strong;" that " God will perfect his own strength in our weakness;" and that, " if God be for us, none can" possibly succeed " against us."
At the same time that other lesson must be attended to. Not to put any discouragement in the way of others. Almost all people are ready to obstruct, rather than to aid, the Chris- tian in his spiritual progress. Those of the same family and kindred will discountenance his zeal ; and even some who pro- fess to be of the true Israel, will represent his duties as im- practicable, and his efforts as hopeless. But God is indignant with those who wovdd weaken the hands of his people. He would have us rather encourage one another to the utmost of our power. His command is, " Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees ; say unto them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not; your God will come and help you*^." It is said of our Lord, that " he will not break the bruised reed, nor quench the smoking flax, but will bring forth judgment unto victory : " let us, like liim, " cany the lambs in our bosom, and gently lead those that are with young; " yea, let us so unite our efforts with theirs, that we may be sharers in their triumphs, and partakers of their glory.]