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 selfconfidence argue the heart to be nothing but a lump of proud flesh.

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 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 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 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, who have given good proofs of magnanimity, at other times have bewrayed fear 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 dares 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 laid 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. 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 espies 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 Goliath, 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, yet can say, there is glory laid up for the faithful. Ever since his anointing, was David possessed with 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 dares do it. His eyes sparkled with holy anger, and his heart rose up to his mouth, when he heard this proud challenger: 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 ran 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 my father's youngest son who dares to attempt that, which my courage 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 enquiry 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 Goliath. 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 Goliath, 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 Goliath 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 enquire, 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 applauded by the other Israelites. The rumour flies to the ears of the king, that there is a young man desirous to encounter the giant. David is brought forth. Saul,-when he heard of a champion that durst go into the lists with Goliath, 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 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 judgement; both judge, as they were judged of, by the stature. All this cannot weaken that heart, which receives its 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 Goliath. Valour is never made good but by trial. He pleads the trial of his power upon the bear and the lion, that he may have leave to prove it upon a worse 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 Goliath'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 strength, he is impotent that hath provoked God. While others labour for outward defences, 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 Goliath 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 leave to go in no clothes but his own; he takes his staff instead of his 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 ever so rich, and his armour ever so strong, what is David the better, if they fit him not? It is not to be enquired, 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 unaccustomed 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.

VOL II.

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