1 Samuel 21

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. XXI.—High stations are slippery places. Often a person is scarcely fixed in when he is driven from them. How weak are the best of men when left to themselves; and how unreasonable therefore to be secure or self-confident! We know not what temptations are before us, or how weak we are to resist them. God will have mercy, and not sacrifice: and what we have devoted to his honour may become the means of our protection. But, even in the house of God Satan has his spies, who come pretending to worship, but are sent by him for mischief. Oppression sometimes makes a wise man mad; and the fear of man causeth a snare. But in every trial God can open a way for our escape, and make even our enemies instruments of our deliverance. In distress let me flee to God’s sanctuary, where I may have spiritual armour, comfort, and direction. However providence alter my lot, let me always retain my Christian candour: and, if my troubles be great, let strong faith and prudent circumspection attend me, not craftiness or dissimulation