music was to calm passions: both together | his weapons answerable to his strength: gave ease to Saul; and God gave this effect his pride exceeded all: because he saw his to both, because he would have Saul train head higher, his arms stronger, his sword up his successor. This sacred music did and spear bigger, his shield heavier than not more dispel Satan, than wanton music any Israelite's, he defies the whole host; invites him, and more cheers him than us. and, walking between the two armies, He plays and dances at a filthy song; he braves all Israel with a challenge: "Why sings at an obscene dance. Our sin is his are ye come out to set your battle in array? best pastime; whereas psalms and hymns, Am not I a Philistine, and you servants to and spiritual songs, are torment unto the Saul? Choose you a man for you, and let tempter, and music to the angels in heaven, him come down to me. Give me a man, that whose trade is to sing Hallelujahs in the we may fight together." Carnal hearts are choir of glory. 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. CONTEMPLATION IV.-DAVID AND GOLIAH. AFTER the news of the Philistines' army, 1 hear no more mention of Saul's frenzy: whether the noise of war diverted those thoughtful passions, or 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 the Israelites faced each other: they pitched on two hills, one in 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 Ash. dod; both to show 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 Goliah, whose heart was as high as his head: his strength was answerable to his stature; The first challenge of a 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 whosoever 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 of 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 Goliah challenges, and is unanswered, the more he is 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 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 say, 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 Goliah 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 times 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 among 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 this errand? Early in the morning is David upon his way, yet not so early as to leave his flock unprovided. If his father's command dismiss him, yet will he stay till he have trusted his sheep with a careful keeper. We cannot be faithful shepherds if our spiritual charge be less dear unto us; if, when necessity calls us from our flocks, we depute not those who are vigilant and conscionable. Ere David's speed can bring him to the valley of Elah, both the armies are on foot ready to join: he takes not this excuse to stay without, as a man daunted with the horror of war; but, leaving his present with his servant, he thrusts himself into the thickest of the host, and salutes his brethren, who were now thinking of killing or dying. When the proud champion of the Philistines comes stalking forth before all the troops, and renews this insolent challenge against Israel, David sees the man, and hears his defiance, and looks about him, to see what answer would be given: and when he spies nothing but pale | faces, and backs turned, he wonders, not so much that one man should dare all Israel, as that all Israel should run from one man. Even when they fly from Goliah, they talk of the reward that should be given to that encounter and victory, which they dare not undertake; so those, who have not grace to believe, can yet say, there is glory laid up for the faithful. Ever since his anointing, was David possessed of God's Spirit, and thereby filled both with courage and wisdom: the more strange doth it seem to him, that all Israel should be thus dastardly. Those that are themselves eminent in any grace, cannot but wonder at the miserable defects of others: and the more shame they see in others' imperfections, the more is their zeal in avoiding those errors in themselves. While base hearts are moved by example, the want of example is encouragement enough for an heroical mind; therefore is David ready to undertake the quarrel, because no man else dare do it. His eyes sparkled with holy anger, and his heart rose up to his mouth, when he heard this proud challenge: "Who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should revile the host of the living God?" Even so, O Saviour, when all the generations of men run away affrighted from the powers of death and darkness, thou alone hast undertaken, and confounded them! Who should offer to daunt the holy courage of David, but his own brethren? The envious heart of Eliab construes this forwardness as his own disgrace. Shall I, thinks he, be put down by this puisne? shall my father's youngest son dare to attempt that, which my stomach will not serve me to adventure? Now, therefore, he rates David for his presumption; and instead of answering to the recompense of the victory which others were ready to give, he recompenseth the very inquiry of David with a check. It was for his brethren's sake that David came thither; and yet his very journey is cast upon him, by them, for a reproach: "Wherefore camest thou down hither ?" and, when their bitterness can meet with nothing else to shame him, his sheep are cast in his teeth. Is it for thee, an idle proud boy, to be meddling with our martial matters? Doth not yonder champion look as if he were a fit match for thee? What makest thou of thyself? or what dost thou think of us? I think it were fitter for thee to be looking to thy sheep, than looking at Goliah. The wilderness would become thee better than the field. Wherein art thou equal to any man thou seest, but in arrogancy and presumption? The pastures of Bethlehem could not hold thee; but thou thoughtest it a goodly matter to see the wars. I know thee, as if I were in thy bosom : this was thy thought, There is no glory to be got among fleeces, I will go seek it in arms now are my brethren winning honour in the troops of Israel, while I am basely tending on sheep; why should not I be as forward as the best of them? This vanity would make thee straight of a shepherd a soldier, and of a soldier a champion. Get thee home, foolish stripling, to thy hook and thy harp; let swords and spears alone to those that know how to use them. It is quarrel enough, amongst many, to a good action, that it is not their own. There is no enemy so ready, or so spiteful, as the domestical. The hatred of brethren is so much more, as their blood is nearer. The malice of strangers is simple, but of a brother is mixt with envy. The more unnatural any quality is, the more extreme it is a cold wind from the south is intolerable. David's first victory is of himself, next of his brother. He overcomes himself, in a patient forbearance of his brother; he overcomes the malicious rage of his brother, with the mildness of his answer. If David had wanted spirit, he had not been troubled with the insultation of a Philistine. If he had a spirit to match Goliah, how doth he so calmly receive the affront of a brother?" What have I now done? is there not a cause?" That which would have stirred the choler of another, allayeth his. It was a brother that wronged him, and that his eldest. Neither was it time to quarrel with a brother, while the Philistines' swords were drawn, and Goliah was challenging. O that these two motives could induce us to peace! If we have injury in our person, in our cause, it is from brethren, and the Philistines look on: I am deceived, if this conquest were less glorious than the following; he is fit to be God's champion, that hath learned to be victor of himself. It is not this sprinkling of cold water that can quench the fire of David's zeal, but still his courage sends up flames of desire; still he goes on to inquire, and to proffer. He, whom the regard of others' envy can dismay, shall never do aught worthy of envy. Never man undertook any exploit of worth, and received not some discouragement in the way. This courageous motion of David was not more scorned by his brother, than by the other Israelites applauded. The rumour flies to the ears of the king, that there is a young man desirous to en counter the giant. David is brought forth. Saul, when he heard of a champion that durst go into the lists with Goliah, looked for one as much higher than himself, as he was taller than the rest: he expected some stern face, and brawny arm; young and 66 ruddy David is so far below his thoughts, that he receives rather contempt than thanks. His words were stout; his person was weak. Saul doth not more like his resolution, than distrust his ability: "Thou art not able to go against this Philistine, to fight with him; for thou art a boy, and he is a man of war from his youth." Even Saul seconds Eliab in the conceit of this disparity; and if Eliab spake out of envy, Saul speaks out of judgment: both judge, as they were judged of, by the stature. All this cannot weaken that heart, which receives his strength from faith. David's greatest conflict is with his friends; the overcoming of their dissuasions, that he might fight, was more work than to overcome his enemy in fighting. He must first justify his strength to Saul, ere he may prove it upon Goliah. Valour is never made good but by trial. He pleads the trial of his puissance upon the bear and the lion, that he may have leave to prove it upon a worst beast than they : Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear, therefore this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them." Experience of good success is no small comfort to the heart; this gives possibility and hope, but no certainty. Two things there were on which David built his confidence: on Goliah's sin, and God's deliverance: "Seeing he hath railed on the host of the living God: the Lord, that delivered me out of the paws of the lion and the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine." Well did David know, that if this Philistine's skin had been as hard as the brass of his shield, his sin would make it penetrable by every stroke. After all brags of manhood, he is impotent that hath provoked God. While others labour for outward fortification, happy and safe were we, if we could labour for innocence. He that hath found God present in one extremity, may trust him in the next. Every sensible favour of the Almighty invites both his gifts and our trust. Resolution, thus grounded, makes even Saul himself confident: David shall have both his leave and his blessing. If David came to Saul as a shepherd, he shall go toward Goliah as a warrior. The attire of the king is not too rich for him that shall fight for his king and country. Little did Saul think, that his helmet was now on that head, which should once wear his crown. Now, that David was arrayed in the warlike habit of a king, and girded with his sword, he looked upon himself, and thought this outside glorious: but when he offered to walk, and found that the attire was not so strong as unwieldy, and that it might be more for show than use, he lays down these accoutrements of honour, and, as caring rather to be a homely victor, than a glorious spoil, he craves pardon to go in no clothes but his own: he takes his staff instead of the spear, his shepherd's scrip instead of his brigandine, and instead of his sword he takes his sling, and instead of darts and javelins, he takes five smooth stones out of the brook. Let Saul's coat be never so rich, and his armour never so strong, what is David the better, if they fit him not? It is not to be inquired, how excellent any thing is, but how proper. Those things which are helps to some, may be encumbrances to others. An unmeet good may be as inconvenient as an accustomed evil. If we could wish another man's honour, when we feel the weight of his cares we should be glad to be in our own coat. Those that depend upon the strength of faith, though they neglect not means, yet they are not curious in the proportion of outward means to the effect desired. Where the heart is armed with an assured confidence, a sling and a stone are weapons enough; to the unbelieving, no helps are sufficient. Goliah, though he were presumptuous enough, yet had one shield carried before him; another he carried on his shoulder: neither will his sword alone content him, but he takes his spear too. David's armour is his plain shepherd's russet, and the brook yields him his artillery; and he knows there is more safety in his cloth, than in the other's brass; and more danger in his pebbles, than in the other's spear. Faith gives both heart and arms. The inward munition is so much more noble, because it is of proof for both soul and body: if we be furnished with this, how boldly shall we meet with the powers of darkness, and go away more than conquerors! Neither did the quality of David's weapons bewray more confidence than the number. If he will put his life and victory upon the stones of the brook, why doth he not fill his scrip full of them? why will he content himself with five? Had he been furnished with store, the advantage of his nimbleness might have given him hope, if one fail, that yet another might speed; but now this paucity puts the despatch to a sudden hazard, and he hath but five stones-cast either to death or victory: still the fewer helps, the stronger faith. David had an instinct from God that he should overcome; he had not a particular direction how he should overcome. For had | he been at first resolved upon the sling and stone, he had saved the labour of girding his sword. It seems while they were addressing him to the combat, he made account of hand blows; now he is purposed rather to send, than bring death to his adversary: in either, or both, he durst trust God with the success, and beforehand (through the conflict) saw the victory: it is sufficient, that we know the issue of our fight. If our weapons and wards vary, according to the occasion given by God, that is nothing to the event: sure we are, that if we resist, we shall overcome; and if we overcome, we shall be crowned. When David appeared in the lists to so unequal an adversary, as many eyes were upon him, so in those eyes diverse affections. The Israelites looked upon him with pity and fear, and each man thought, Alas! why is this comely stripling suffered to cast away himself upon such a monster? why will they let him go unarmed to such an affray? Why will Saul hazard the honour of Israel on so unlikely a head? The Philistines, especially their great champion, looked upon him with scorn, disdaining so base a combatant: "Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves ?" What could be said more fitly? Hadst thou been any other than a dog, O Goliah, thou hadst never opened thy foul mouth to bark against the host of God, and the God of hosts. If David had thought thee any other than a very dog, he had never come to thee with a staff and a stone. The last words that ever the Philistine shall speak, are curses and brags: "Come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the heaven, and the beasts of the field." Seldom ever was there a good end of ostentation. Presumption is at once the presage and cause of ruin. He is a weak adversary that can be killed with words. That man which could not fear the giant's hand, cannot fear his tongue. If words shall first encounter, the Philistine receives the first foil, and shall first let in death unto his ear, ere it enter into his forehead. "Thou comest to me with a sword, and a spear, and a shield; but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the host of Israel, whom thou hast railed upon. This day shall the Lord close thee in my hand, and I shall smite thee, and take thine head from thee." Here is another style, not of a boaster, but of a prophet. Now shall Goliah know whence to expect his bane, even from the hands of a revenging God, that shall smite him by David, and now shall learn, too late, what CONTEMPLATION V. —. -JONATHAN'S Love, AND SAUL'S ENVY. it is to meddle with an enemy that goes own weapon; that whereby he meant deunder the invisible protection of the Al-struction to thee and us, vanquished him mighty. No sooner hath David spoken, through thy mighty power, and raised thee than his foot and hand second his tongue; to that glorious triumph and super-exaltahe runs to fight with the Philistine. It is tion wherein thou art, wherein we shall be a cold courage that stands only upon de- with thee. fence as a man that saw no cause of fear, and was full of the ambition of victory, he flies upon that monster, and, with a stone out of his bag, smites him in the forehead. There was no part of Goliah that was capable of that danger, but the face, and that piece of the face; the rest was defended with a brazen wall, which a weak sling would have tried to batter in vain. What could Goliah fear, to see an adversary come to him without edge or point! And, behold, that one part hath God found out for the entrance of death. He, that could have caused the stone to pass through the shield and breast-plate of Goliah, rather directs the stone to that part whose nakedness gave advantage. Where there is power or possibility of nature, God uses not to work miracles, but chooses the way that lies most open to his purposes. The vast forehead was a fair mark; but how easily might the sling have missed it, if there had not been another hand in this cast besides David's! He that guided David into this field, and raised his courage to this combat, guides the stone to his end, and lodges it in that seat of impudence. There now lieth the great defier of Israel, grovelling and grinning in death, and is not suffered to deal one blow for his life, and bites the unwelcome earth, for indignation that he dies by the hand of a shepherd! Earth and hell share him betwixt them. Such is the end of insolence and presumption. O God, what is flesh and blood to thee, who canst make a little pebble-stone stronger than a giant, and, when thou wilt, by the weakest means, canst strew thine enemies in the dust! Where now are the two shields of Goliah, that they did not bear off this stroke of death? or wherefore serves that weaver's beam, but to strike the earth in falling? or that sword, but to behead his master? What needed David load himself with an unnecessary weapon! one sword can serve both Goliah and him. If Goliah had a man to bear his shield, David had Goliah to bear his sword, wherewith that proud blasphemous head is severed from his shoulders. Nothing more honours God, than the turning of wicked men's forces against themselves. There are none of his enemies but carry with them their own destruction. Thus didst thou, O son of David, foil Satan with his BESIDES the discomfiture of the Philistines, David's victory had a double issue: Jonathan's love, and Saul's envy, which God so mixed, that the one was a remedy of the other. A good son makes amends for a wayward father. How precious was that stone that killed such an enemy as Goliah, and purchased such a friend as Jonathan! All Saul's courtiers looked upon David: none so affected him, none did match him but Jonathan; that true correspondence, that was both in their faith and valour, hath knit their hearts. If David did set upon a bear, a lion, a giant; Jonathan had set upon a whole host, and prevailed: the same spirit animated both; the same faith incited both; the same hand prospered both. All Israel was not worth this pair of friends, so zealously confident, so happily victorious. Similitude of dispositions and estates ties the fastest knots of affection. A wise soul hath piercing eyes, and hath quickly discerned the likeness of itself in another; as we do no sooner look into the glass of water, but face answers to face, and, where it sees a perfect resemblance of itself, cannot choose but love it with the same affection that it reflects upon itself. No man saw David that day, which had so much cause to disaffect him; none in Israel should be a loser by David's success, but Jonathan. Saul was sure enough settled for his time: only his successor should forego all that which David should gain ; so as none but David stands in Jonathan's light; and yet all this cannot abate one jot or dram of his love. Where God uniteth hearts, carnal respects are too weak to dissever them, since that, which breaks off affection, must needs be stronger than that which conjoineth it. Jonathan doth not desire to smother his love by concealment, but professes it in his carriage and actions; he puts off the robe that was upon him, and all his garments, even to his sword, and bow and girdle, and gives them unto his new friend. It was perhaps not without a mystery, that Saul's clothes fitted not David, but Jonathan's |