adversity ; and had begun almost to despair of ever seeing their hopes reahzed, respecting the extension and stabihty of their national power. But David tells them, that, in his advancement to the kingdom, and in their recent successes, " God had given them a banner," and had unfurled it, as it vv^ere, before their eyes, as a signal of his presence in the midst of them, and as a pledge of victory over all their enemies.
What God did for them as a pledge of temporal advancement, he has done for his people in all ages, to assure them of success in their spiritual warfare.
To illustrate this, I will shew,
I. What banners God has given us —
The Church has a warfare to maintain : and, if, human prowess alone were considered, it is a warfare which would afford not the smallest prospect of suc- cess. But God has given to us a banner,
1. In the elevation of his Son —
[David was an eminent type of Christ, and especially in the advancement of his kingdom : for Christ was aj)pointed " to sit upon the throne of David for ever and ever." Was David's elevation then a banner ? so also is that of Christ, who is now seated at the right hand of God, above all the princi- palities and powers whether of earth or hell. Believer, sur- vey thy Lord. Remember him in the manger, in the garden, on the cross, and in the grave. From a view of him in those scenes thou wouldst be ready to say, There is no hope. But behold him risen, ascended, glorified, and in full possession of his kingdom : and then say. What a change awaits you after your present conflicts''. His triumphs are a pledge of yours: " because he liveth, you shall live also :" and " as he has over- come and is set down with his Father upon his throne," so shall you, in your victories and in your triumphs, resemble him^.J
2. In the records of his word —
[Behold, what " a cloud of witnesses " present themselves to your view ! Read the catalogue of worthies, as recorded by God himself. Are your trials heavier than theirs*^? Or is the power that was sufficient for them withheld from you ? Will not faith bring Omnipotence to your support, even as it did for them ? They are set before you expressly for your encourage-
e Eph. i. 19, 20. d Lukexxii. 29, 30. Rev. iii. 21.
^ Heb. xi. 33—38.
597.] god's banner over his peofle, 443
ment, that you, seeing how they have succeeded, may be stirred up " to run your race vdth patience, looking unto Jesus as the author and finisher of your faith," even as he was of theirs^. Are you weak ? so were they. Are your enemies numerous and mighty ? so were theirs. Did they prevail through the grace of Christ? that same " grace shall be sufficient for you :" for He is the same gracious and Almighty Friend as ever : time has made no change in him : " his hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; nor is his ear heavy, that he cannot hear^:" as " he was mighty in them, so will he also be in you :" and " his strength shall be perfected in your weakness," even as it was in theii-s^.]
3. In the experience of his saints — [You have found a change in your views, desires, pur- suits : tell me, Whence has this change proceeded ? Must you not say, " He that hath ^vrought me to the self-same thing is God^?" If you will look within, you will find that you have rather resisted the change than helped it forward. " Your carnal mind has been enmity against God :" and it would have been so still, if God, by the light of his word, and the influences of his Spirit, had not subdued it to himself. If, then, the heart of stone has been taken away, and a heart of flesh been given to you, that is itself " a banner " erected in your heart, a token of God's presence, an earnest of his power, and a pledge of yet richer mercies in reserve : for, " if it have pleased him to make you of the number of his people, he will not forsake you"^;" and you may " be confident of this very thing, that he who hath begun a good work within you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ^"]