God seldom does us more good than by his frowns, and the devil never does us more hurt than by his kindnesses. It never fares better with God’s children than when they are crossed; nor ever fares it worse with the devil’s children, than when they are indulged; never suspect the devil more, than when he pretends to do you a courtesy; whatever it be, by which he usually pleases you, dread that as death and hell: mistake not God’s chastisements, nor the devil’s compliments; be content that God should displease you, and be afraid when the devil pleases you; be convinced that God’s smitings are a precious balm, and the devil’s strokings are stabs at your heart; fear not his thunder and storms so much as his warm sun.
Beware of this folly, Whatever pleases me is good for me. Beware of this madness, I must be pleased whatever comes of it: mine eyes must be pleased, my humour must be pleased, mine appetite must be pleased, I must be pleased whatsoever it costs me: if you be for that, the devil knows where to have you: though God does not please you, though holiness does not please you, though heaven does not please you, the devil that knows your palate, will find something that will : if money will do it, if mirth will do it, if meat and drink, and fine clothes, or merry company will do it, these he offers you, and by these he holds you captive at his will.
What a mighty enemy is here? who can stand before it? what is little David to Goliah : what are a sling and a pebble to a sword and a spear? to an helmet and a greaves, and a target of brass? the mighty Philistine comes blustering, and boasting, and fuming, and chafing, so that he made an earthquake in the camp of Israel; and what could a poor strip ling do to undertake this mighty champion? what hope is there of victory over him? little David tell us, 1 Sam. xvii. 45, “Thou comest to me with a sword and a spear, but I come unto thee in the name of the Lord of Hosts: this day will the Lord deliver thee into mine hand; and all this assembly shall know that the Lord saveth not with sword and spear, for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give you into our hands.”
The strength of Israel is this David; the strength of David is his faith; the strength of faith is the name of the Lord: “The name of the Lord is a strong tower, the righteous runneth into it, and is safe,” Prov. xviii. 10.
The strength of a Christian is his faith; “To him that believeth all things are possible,” Mark ix. 23. There’s nothing imposible to faith, because there’s nothing impossible to God.
Richard Alleine. The World Conquered.
