2 Samuel 23

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. XXIII.—It is an high honour to be endowed with gifts, and invested with offices, by the God of Israel, for the benefit of his people: for his gifts and graces are necessary for the faithful discharge of every office in church or state. What a mercy to mankind is Jesus and his new covenant! It is pleasant to die in his arms, beholding his glory, resting on his atonement, and cleaving to his promise: but great is the wickedness, and dreadful the end of those that oppose him and the interests of his church. God distributes in a most sovereign manner his endowments even in natural things, rendering men weak or strong, cowardly or brave, as he pleases. And it is sinful, for self-indulgence, or to please a superior’s humour, to hazard human life: and very necessary to repent bitterly of such conduct. But let me, refreshed with the living water which flows from Jesus the Bethlehemite, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might; so shall I put to flight the heroes and the armies of the aliens. No powers of hell or earth shall be able to withstand me; and with honour shall my deeds be recorded in the Lamb’s book of life. 2