SERMON XII.

1 SAMUEL XVII. 50.

SO DAVID PREVAILED OVER THE PHILISTINE WITH A SLING,

AND WITH A STONE.

MEN of war love to hear of martial deeds. Such things are to their taste. Not only so, they learn much from the recital of them. They learn from the tale of conquests gained by other and earlier combatants, how to gird themselves for the fight, and how to meet and overcome a foe.

The Christian is a warrior. He is "a soldier of Jesus Christ." And the word of command is given to him, as it is to all who follow Christ, Fight, fight the good fight of faith," and he must obey.

The warfare, however, is one for which He who hath called him to be a soldier has graciously made ample preparation. And among other helps He has given this, authenticated accounts of many who have already fought and conquered. These accounts the Christian combatant may read, and from them he shall gain much instruction and encouragement. Such is the narrative to which our text belongs the

history of David's conflict with the giant Philistine. If ever there was a fight of faith, this

was one.

Let me call to your remembrance some of the chief particulars in the transaction. Our aim shall be, by God's help, to gather thence some profitable hints for our own spiritual warfare. May the Captain of our salvation go with us over the field, and shew us the lessons of instruction it affords.

The first thing that arrests our attention is the appearing and bearing of the Philistines' champion, the giant Goliath.

Multitudes there were of enemies to Israel in the Philistine's camp: but this man far exceeded all, in the fearfulness of his character, and the vehemence of his hostility. He went forth, and stood out in front of his companions in arms, the foremost of the enemies of God. He was a man of enormous stature: more than nine feet in height. His armour corresponded to his size. The coat of mail he wore weighed five thousand shekels of brass. The staff of his spear was like a weaver's beam. The man's strength must have been immense. A foe more formidable, from his personal power and prowess, one could not conceive. His hand might crush any ordinary man. The giant was also fully aware of his own strength, and consequently he was very daring. "I defy," said he, "the armies of Israel: give me a man that we may fight together:" the ablest warrior of all your host, let him come to me, I am ready to meet

him. And so for forty days did he draw nigh, morning and evening, to renew the challenge.

What a picture have we here, brethren, of our grand enemy, the enemy of God, and of all God's Israel, that wicked one the Devil.

Multitudes indeed there are, foes to the people of the Lord: but Satan stands forth the champion of the host. Like Goliath, the foremost of the Philistines to harm Jehovah's servants, Satan presents himself, the Prince of the power of darkness, the God of this world, the first to act the part of an enemy against God's Church.

And he is indeed a powerful foe. Mighty men have been cast down by his hand. Adam our first father, strong as he was in the perfection of primeval innocence, fell by his assaults. And, alas, how many a servant of God has had reason to know his power to wound, and that most grievously, although, the love and faithfulness of the Lord forbidding it, he has not been able to destroy.

Nor is he powerful only. Like Goliath, he is daring too. He defies the armies of Israel. There is not one of all God's host whom he fears to combat. The wilderness of Judea bears witness to this. For forty days did he there present himself and to challenge whom? The incarnate Son of God! He knew it was the Son of God. He addressed Him as such. He ventured even to defy omnipotence: as bold as he is bad, as daring as he is strong.

Christian brethren, this is the foe whom you have to fear. He is set on seeking your harm,

if possible, your soul's eternal ruin. Apollyon is his name, i. e. the destroyer. "As a roaring lion," saith St. Peter, "he walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." It is well for us to

has done.

fear him. Think what he How many children of God has he maimed and injured. They thought not of their danger. They strayed carelessly within his reach. Or they went out to meet him unduly provided for the contest. And O how many have had therefore to walk softly all their days in the bitterness of their soul. "Simon, Simon," said Jesus to Peter, "behold Satan hath desired to have you." We know what this meant. How sorely did he thrust at Peter, and how severe was Peter's fall! Brethren, let us take warning.

We next observe a movement in the camp of Israel, and there comes forth one from among their ranks to take up the giant's challenge. It is David, the Son of Jesse, the Bethlehemite.

'But who is he? and what has he to give him hope of success in such an encounter? He is but a youth his father's youngest son: a very child in comparison of the champion of the Philistines. Besides, he is quite unused to war; he has never known what it is to be in battle yet; he is utterly inexperienced. How unequal a contest! He must surely be vanquished! The giant will easily take his life!' So doubtless spake many an Israelite, as David went out to the combat.

Not more unequal, brethren, is that contest, on which every Christian enters, so soon as he

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does in earnest begin to follow Christ. Satan at once presents himself. Look then at the two combatants. "Thou art but a youth," said Saul to David, "and he," the giant Goliath, “a man of war from his youth." Even so, young Christian, it is with thee and thy great enemy. Thou art but entering, as it were, on life. Whereas

thy adversary, the devil, has, ever since the world began, been practised in all the arts of warfare, warfare against the souls of men. It has been his occupation, his employment. And the warnings of God's word, as well as the history of God's Church, unite to shew how formidable and terrible is the foe that is sworn to seek the hurt of thy soul.

This is nothing imaginary. It is a fact, that there is such a being as the devil. It is a fact, that for thousands of years he has been engaged in destroying, or in seeking to destroy, the souls of men. It is a fact, that he has slain multitudes. By his own assaults and devices, or by the agency of other evil spirits, who act with him and under him, he has been carrying on a constant and destructive war, for near six thousand years, against our race.

Is it not then a fearful thing, youthful Christians, aye, and I may say, advanced and established Christians too, is it not a consideration fitted well to fill your breasts with apprehension, that this mighty, and malicious, and watchful spirit is resolved to force you to a contest with him. He has access to your souls. His aim is at your hearts. Meet him you must.

And you