I ask too, " Is there not a cause" for all that I have done? Does not the great enemy of God and man carry, as it were, all before him? Is there not a want of bold and intrepid soldiers to face him? Do not even the armies of God's Israel need to be encouraged by some bright example ? Does not the king of Israel, by " exceeding great and precious promises," call us to the conflict? and will not the honour that he will award to us be a rich recompence for our utmost exertions ? As for David, he might have been preserved, though all his brethren had perished : but who shall live, if he forbear to fight the good fight of faith? Surely, if God's honour be impugned; if his enemies triumph ; if we, in our very baptism, engaged ourselves to be soldiers of Jesus Christ, and to fight under his banners ; if there be no safety for us but in fighting ; and if eternal happiness depend on our maintaining the conflict till we have gained the victory ; then "is there a cause" for our most strenuous efforts ; and all blame must attach, not to us, who fight, but to those who decline, and discountenance, the combat.]
Application —
1. Let none be discouraged from engaging in the service of Christ —
[You must expect to " endure hardness, as good soldiers of Jesus Christ," and that your greatest foes will be those of your own household. You know that a martial spirit is in- fused with care into the minds of those who enlist into the armies of an earthly prince : and shall not the same pervade those who have undertaken to fight the Lord's battles ? I say then to all of you. Offer yourselves as volunteers in His ser- vice : fear no danger to which you may be exposed : and rely altogether upon Him who has called you to this warfare. *' Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might : " and