people, with impunity : and, if left, like Goliath, to prosper for a season, their presumption is proportionably increased^. But God is no unconcerned spectator of his creatures' conduct : he marks dowai every thing in the book of his remembrance ; and will vindicate his own honour at the appointed season ; perhaps in that moment, when his adversary conceives himself most secure. T-h i
Think of this, ye who abuse your strength to the purposes of criminal indulgence, and who vaunt of your excesses in wine or debauchery of any kind. Think of this also, ye who oppose and deride religion. Remember whom it is that you are in- sulting. Goliath thought that he was defying Israel ; but his defiance was in reality hurled against Jehovah himself. So you, though probably unconscious of it, are in reality fighting against God himself. And " will you continue to provoke iiiM to jealousy? Are you stronger than he ?" " Will you be strong in the day that he shall deal with you? or will you thunder mth a voice like his?" Ah, cease from this mad warfare, and cast down the weapons of your rebellion, and humble yourselves, while yet the sword of vengeance is un- sheathed. Behold Goliath prostrate on the ground, a monu- ment of human folly, and human weakness! Behold him placed for a monument to all succeeding ages, that " God resisteth the proud ;" and that " him who walks in pride. He is able to abase !" God delivered him into David's hand on purj)ose that " all the earth might know that there is a God in Israel^."]
2. For the consolation of God's Israel —
[Great and mighty are the enemies of God's people ; and most unequal is the contest in which they are engaged. They may well say, " We have no power or might against this great company that cometh against us." But in this dispensation God has especially provided for their encouragement : he gave success to David, that " all the assembly of his people might know, that the Lord saveth not with sword and spear ; for the battle is the Lord's'^." In him must be our trust: in his strength must we go forth against our enemies : we must " be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might." We must arm ourselves with the weapons which he has provided; and though they appear to the eye of sense to be as useless as a sling and stone, yet shall they be made effectual through his power. Let us " take hope as our helmet, righteousness as our breast-plate, truth for our girdle, the Gospel of peace for our greaves, faith for our shield, and the word of God for our sword," and we need not fear either men or devils; for " He
f Eccl. viii. 11. e ver. 46. ^^ ver. 47.