Having thus obtained a just and accurate view of the words before us, we may enter more largely into THE IMPROVEMENT which should be made of them. We may notice from them,
1. How frail the best of men are, when brought into heavy trials —
[On the whole, David's faith was remarkably strong : but here it failed ; and, if it had not been strengthened from above, he would utterly have fainted. This he himself acknowledges, after he had recovered from this momentary depression'^. It has justly been observed, that all the most eminent saints in Scripture have failed in that very grace for which they were most renowned : Abraham, the great pattern and example of faith, repeatedly denied his wife through unbelief : Moses, the meekest of the human race, '" spake unadvisedly with his lips:" and Job, whose patience is proverbial, " cursed the day of his birth." Thus all have been left to shew, that their strength was not in themselves ; that, if left, they were weak as other men ; and that it is in God only that any just confidence can be placed: " He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool."
Let us bear this in mind, both for our humiliation and our encouragement. If we have been enabled to maintain a holy
'> 1 Sam. xxvii. 1. ' Rom. viii. 31. ^ Ps. xxvii. 1,3, 5, l.J.
and consistent conduct, let us remember that it is " by the grace of God we are what we are ;" and if we are tempted to look up to the saints of old as soaring to heights that can never be attained by us, let us remember, that the grace which wrought eifectually for them, is equally sufficient for us ; and. that " we also can do all things through Christ strengthening us. J
2. What is the proper use and office of faith —
[Faith is not to supersede, but to encourage, our own endeavours, and to assure vis of our successful termination of them. When to human appearance the difficulties are insur- mountable, then is the season for faith to shew itself, and " against hope to believe in hope." This was the operation of Abraham's faith : he considered not the age of himself or of his wife, which precluded all hope of issue in the natural way, but expected that God would effect by miracle what could be effected in no other way. Doubting neither the power nor the veracity of God, he was willing to wait God's time, and confident that he should not be disappointed of his hope^ Had David's faith wrought thus on this occasion, it would have borne him up amidst the waves of trouble that rolled over him in quick succession.
This then is what we recommend to all. Are you bowed down vdth a sense of guilt ? Lay hold on that promise, that " Christ will in no wise cast out any who come imto him." Are you assaulted with grievous temptations? Remember who has said, that " you shall not be tempted above that ye are able, but that you shall have a way to escape, or be enabled to bear it." Do your corruptions appear invincible ? Rely on him who has said, " My grace is sufficient for you." And, if your troubles are of such a magnitude as to menace your immediate destruction, rest yourselves on the promise of Jeho- vah, that " all things shall work together for your good." Be satisfied that " He is faithful who hath promised," and that " not a jot or tittle of his word can fail."]
3. What is the wisdom of every child of man —
[None of us have any such warrant to expect a continuance of life as David had ; and therefore his observation respecting the shortness and uncertainty of life should be admitted in its utmost force. Ignorant then as we are whether the very next step may not carry us into the eternal world, we ought to in- quire wdth ourselves. Whether it would take us to heaven or to hell ? O what a thought is this ! What madness is it not to dwell upon it more than we do, or to delay for a moment