over it through the power and grace of God. If not purged out, it will defile and destroy our whole souls.]
2. Of seeking help in the creature —
[God is the only refuge of sinful man : wherever we may look, there is no help for us in any other. Not only are men and devils unable to assist us; even aU the angels in heaven would be incapable of affording us any effectual help. What- ever creature we rest upon, it will prove only " as a broken reed, which wiU pierce the hand that rests upon it." We must learn in every difficulty to say with Jehoshaphat, " Lord, I have no power against this great company that cometh against me, neither know I what to do; but mine eyes are upon Thee^"]
3. Of giving way to despondency —
[To despair, is to seal our own condemnation. We must never conclude, that, because God has forsaken us, " he will be no more entreated." Had Saul himself truly and un- feignedly implored mercy at his hands, God would not have utterly cast him off. " God never did, nor ever will, say to any. Seek ye my face in vain'."]
J» 2 Chron. xx. 12. ^ Judg. x. 10—16.
1 Sam. XXX. 6. But David encouraged himself in the Lord
his God.
IN seasons of prosperity the superior happiness of a Christian is not visible to all, but in adverse cir- cumstances he has a manifest advantage over others. The ungodly, when the cisterns from whence they draw their water are broken or emptied, have no comfort left : but when every stream is dried up, the godly have still access to the Fountain itself. This was experienced by the Church of old% and it is beautifully exemplified in the history before us. "David was in great trouble, being suspected by the Philistines, plundered by the Amalekites, and threat- ened by his own soldiers : but in the midst of all he encouraged himself in God.
We shall shew,
=» Hab. iii. 17, 18.