in the eye of faith, it was impossible for him to fail. The issue is well known : the stripling slew the giant, and cut off his head with his own sword. And so shall the weakest strip- ling among the soldiers of Christ prevail, making the very weapons of his adversaries the means of advancing and com- pleting his own triumphs.]
2. The glory of God— [The whole land of Canaan trembled at this event, just as they had before done at the report of all the wonders which had been wrought in Egypt™. Had any thing been left for the Jewish army to execute, the glory might, in appearance, have been shared by them : but when nothing but a shout proceeded from them, the work was manifestly the Lord's alone.
And thus it is that God will work in behalf of all who trust in him. He makes our faith the measure of his communica- tions, saying to us, " According to your faith be it done unto you." It is owing to our want of faith that we behold so few manifestations of his power and grace : " He does not many mighty works amongst us because of our unbelief"." But where faith is in exercise, he honours it with peculiar appro- bation, passing by all other graces that are combined with it, and commending faith alone : " O woman, great is thy faith ;" " Thy faith hath saved thee ; go in peace"." This is the grace which, above all others, honours God; and, as " they who are strongest in faith give most glory to himP," so to those who exercise it he will not fail to giv^the brightest discoveries of his glory : for what he said to Martha, he says to every one of us, " Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God^?" Yes, he does say it, and will fulfil it, not only in the progressive triumphs of his grace, but in the ultimate and everlasting possession of his glory. Men may deride our expectations, as it is probable the men of Jeri- cho, after a few days, did the harmless processions of the Jewish hosts : but God will in due time make bare his arm, and gain himself the glory and the victory.] We will now endeavour to improve this subject,
1. In a way of caution — [Every one imagines that he has faith. But, if we come to inquire into the objects and grounds of men's faith, we find it for the most part, nothing but presumption. They expect heaven ; but not in the way of God's appointment, but in some way of their own, which he has never prescribed. In- stead of repenting deeply of their former sins, and fleeing to
m Josh.ii. 10, 11. with vi. 27. " Matt. xiii. 58.
0 Matt. XV. 28. Luke vii. 50. p Rom. iv. 20.
1 John xi. 40.