heal; there is no safety in the redress of evils, but to strike at the root. Yet, since it is no better with Saul and his courtiers, it is well it is no worse: I do not hear either the master or servants say, This is an ill spirit; send for some magician that may countermand him. There are forcible enchantments for these spiritual vexations; if Samuel will not, there are witches that may give ease. But as one that would rather be ill than do worse, he contents himself to do that which was lawful, if insufficient. It is a shame to say, that he, whom God had rejected for his sin, was yet a saint to some that should be Christians, who care not how much they are beholden to the devil in their distresses, affecting to cast out devils by Beelzebub. In cases of loss, or sickness, they make hell their refuge, and seek for patronage but of an enemy. Here is a fearful agreement; Satan seeks to them in his temptations; they, in their consultations, seek to him: and now they have mutually found each other, if ever they part it is a miracle.

David had lived obscurely in his father's house; his only care and ambition was the welfare of the flock he tended; and now, while his father and his brothers neglected him, as fit for nothing but the field, he is talked of at the court. Some of Saul's followers had been at Jesse's house, and taken notice of David's skill; and now that harp, which he practised for his private recreation, shall make him of a shepherd a courtier. The music, that he meant only to himself and his sheep, brings him before kings. The wisdom of God thought fit to take this occasion of acquainting David with that court which he shall once govern. It is good, that education should perfect our children in all those commendable qualities whereto they are disposed. Little do we know, what use God means to make of those faculties, which we know not how to employ. Where the Almighty purposes an advancement, obscurity can be no prejudice; small means shall set forward that which God hath decreed.

Doubtless, old Jesse noted, not without admiration, the wonderful accordance of God's proceedings, that he, which was sent for out of the field to be anointed, should now be sent for out of the country into the court; and now he perceived, God was making way for the execution of that which he purposed; he attends the issue in silence, neither shall his hand fail to give furtherance to the project of God: he therefore sends his son laden with a present to Saul. The same God, which called David to the court, welcomes him thither: his comeliness, valour, and skill, have soon won him favour in the eyes of Saul. giver of all graces hath so placed his favours, that the greatest enemies of goodness shall see somewhat in the holiest men, which they shall affect, and for which they shall honour the persons of them whose virtues they dislike; as, contrarily, the saints on earth see somewhat to love even in the worst creatures.

The

No doubt David sung to his harp; his harp was not more sweet than his song was holy. Those psalms alone had been more powerful to chase the evil spirit, than the music was to calm passions; both together gave ease to Saul; and God gave this effect to both, because he would have Saul train up his successor. This sacred music did not more dispel Satan, than wanton music invites him, and more cheers him than us. He plays and danceth at a filthy song; he sings at an obscene dance. Our sin is his best pastime; whereas psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs, are torments unto the tempter, and music to the angels in heaven, whose trade is to sing Hallelujahs in the choir of glory.

CONTEMPLATION IV.

DAVID AND GOLIATH.

AFTER the news of the Philistines' army, I hear no more mention of Saul's frenzy; whether the noise of war diverted those thoughtful passions; whether God, for his people's sake, took off that evil spirit, lest Israel might miscarry under a frantic governor. Now David hath leisure to return to Bethlehem: the glory of the court cannot transport him to ambitious vanity; he had rather be his father's shepherd than Saul's armour-bearer. All the magnificence and state which he saw could not put his mouth out of the taste of retired simplicity; yea, rather, he loves his hook the better, since he saw the court; and now his brethren serve Saul in his stead. A good heart hath learned to frame itself unto all conditions, and can change estates without change of disposition, rising and falling according to occasion. The worldly mind can rise easily, but, when it is once up, knows not how to descend either with patience or safety.

Forty days together had the Philistines and Israelites faced each other; they pitched on two hills, one in the sight of the other, nothing but a valley was betwixt them. Both stand upon defence and advantage: if they had not meant to fight, they had never drawn so near; and if they had been eager to fight, a valley could not have parted them. Actions of hazard require deliberation; not fury, but discretion, must be the guide of war.

So had Joshua destroyed the giantly Anakims out of the land of Israel, that yet some were left in Azzah, Gath, and Ashdod; but to shew Israel what adversaries their forefathers found in Canaan, and whom they mastered as also, that God might win glory to

himself by these subsequent executions. Of that race was Goliath, whose heart was as high as his head, his strength was answerable to his stature, his weapons answerable to his strength, his pride exceeded all: because he saw his head higher, his arms stronger, his sword and spear bigger, his shield heavier than any Israelite's, he defies the whole host; and, walking between the two armies, braves all Israel with a challenge; "Why are ye come out to set your battle array ? Am not I a Philistine, and you servants to Saul? Choose you a man for you, and let him come down to me. Give me a man that we may fight together." Carnal hearts are carried away with presumption of their own abilities, and, not finding matches to themselves in outward appearance, insult over the impotency of inferiors, and, as those that can see no invisible opposition, promise themselves certainty of success. Insolence and self-confidence argue the heart to be nothing but a lump of proud flesh.

in

The first challenge of duel, that ever we find, came out of the mouth of an uncircumcised Philistine; yet was that in open war, and tended to the saving of many lives, by adventuring one or two; and whoso ever imitateth, nay surpasseth him in challenge to private duels, in the attempt, partaketh of his uncircumcision, though he should overcome, and of his manner of punishment, if in such private combats he cast away his life. For all such desperate prodigals we may say, that their heads are cut off by their own sword, if not by their own hand. We cannot challenge men, and not challenge God, who justly challengeth to himself both to take vengeance, and to give success. The more Goliath challenges, and is unanswered, the more is he puffed up in the pride of his own power. And is there none of all Israel that will answer this champion otherwise than with his heels? Where is the courage of him, that was higher than all Israel from the shoulders upward? The time was,

when Nahash the Ammonite had made that tyrannous demand of the right eyes of the Gileadites, that Saul could ask unasked, "What aileth the people to weep?" and could hew his oxen in pieces to raise the spirits of Israel; and now he stands still, and sees the host turn their back, and never so much as asks, What aileth the people to flee? The time was, when Saul slew forty thousand Philistines in one day, and perhaps Goliath was in that discomfiture, and now one Philistine is suffered by him to brave all Israel forty days; whence is this difference? The Spirit of God, the spirit of fortitude, was now departed from him. Saul was not more above himself, when God was with him, than he is below others now that he is left of God. Valour is not merely of nature: nature is ever like itself; by this rule, he that is once valiant should never turn coward. But now we see the greatest spirits inconstant, and those, which have given good proofs of magnanimity, at other times have bewrayed white livers unto their own reproach. He, that is the God of hosts, gives and takes away men's hearts at his pleasure. Neither is it otherwise in our spiritual combats; sometimes the same soul dare challenge all the powers of darkness, which other whiles gives ground to a temptation. We have no strength but what is given us; and if the author of all good gifts remit his hand for our humiliation, either we fight not, or are foiled.

David hath now lain long enough close amongst his flock in the fields of Bethlehem; God sees a time to send him to the pitched field of Israel. Good old Jesse, that was doubtless joyful to think, that he had afforded three sons to the wars of his king, is no less careful of their welfare and provision; and who, amongst all the rest of his seven sons, shall be picked out for this service, but his youngest son David, whose former and almost worn-out acquaintance in court, and employment under Saul, seemed to fit him best for his errand. Early in the morning is David