1 Samuel 16

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. XVI.—God tenderly sympathizes with his people’s griefs; and yet what fear of man remains in the most noble hearts! How awful are the faithful ministers of Christ to all around: and what need have we to prepare ourselves for God’s noted favours by solemn repentance, application to Jesus’ blood, and surrender of ourselves to his service! The choicest saints are apt to dote too much on external appearances, even after they have, to their grief, got proof of its vanity. For God in sovereign authority distributes his • favours and honours; yea, often to those who seem least likely to manage them aright. But where he sends on his work he abundantly qualifies for the employ. How quickly the devil takes possession of those whom God has deserted! Yet, notwithstanding the numerous expedients which carnal men devise for the removal of their inward troubles, they will all at last prove only ruinous and deceitful. 1