to the earth before the Face of The LORD; for the King of Israel is come out to seek a flea, as when One doth hunt a partridge in the mountains." "—1 Sam. xxvi, 13. 20. It may seem that there was some degree of insincerity on the part of David in attributing the sleep, which had been produced by Supernatural Agency upon Abner and the whole Army of Saul, to carelessness and neglect of a most essential point of military discipline and duty; and in asserting that the mind of Saul had been set against David rather by the influence of Some of Saul's own Followers, than by the evil machinations of his own heart. It cannot be denied to be a rule of universal application to every situation and circumstance, that nothing can warrant a departure from truth; but it is assuming too much to say that David of a certainty knew his accusations to be false; the drowsiness might have been, in his idea, the effect of a natural cause, as without a DIVINE Revelation of its real origin, it would obviously appear so. Doeg, the Edomite, had found favour in the sight of Saul for his relentless desolation of the city of Nob and its unoffending Inhabitants, merely on David's account; it was not, therefore, unnatural to suppose that the continuance of that favour in the case of Doeg, and the obtainment of it in the case of Others, might induce to a systematic nourishment of Saul's dislike of David, by feeding his mind with suggestions hostile to David, which, however void of fact, might not be so of ingenuity; and as David could not possibly know all that was passing in the secret chambers of the heart of Saul, or of his corrupt Counsellors, such a conclusion on the part of David was far from a strained one. But the day will come, when to every eye will be unfolded the truth in this respect with reference to David, as in all respects whatsoever it will be with reference to ourselves, and to our every thought, and word, and deed, and the genuine and undisguised motive for each; and that a Righteous Judgment will be Passed upon every One, and in the necessary and unalterable Operation of DIVINE Justice, It will be Passed without Mercy upon All who have neglected the Salvation Offered them through the efficacy of the Merits and Mediation of JESUS CHRIST.

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Then said Saul, 'I have sinned! Return, my Son David! for I will no more do thee harm, because my Soul was precious in thine eyes this day: behold, I have played the Fool, and have erred exceedingly! And David answered and said, Behold the King's spear! and let One of the young Men come over and fetch it. The LORD Render to every Man his righteousness and his faithfulness: for The LORD Delivered thee into my hand to day but I would not stretch forth mine hand against The LORD'S Anointed. And, behold, as thy life was much set by this day in mine eyes, so let my life be much Set by in the Eyes of The LORD, and let Him Deliver me out of all tribulation !' Then Saul said to David, 'Blessed be thou, my Son David! thou shalt both do great things, and also shalt still prevail.”” -1 Sam. xxvi, 21 to first part of 25.

Saul had the candour not to accuse Others of his own faults, but to acknowledge them openly, and to avow, before his whole Army, the innocence and forbearance of David, And had Saul's repentance been sincere, David would have rejoiced in the opportunity of heartily forgiving him. So is it that through the efficacy of the Merits and Mediation of JESUS CHRIST, the SON of Abraham, the SON of David, The SON of GOD, all our iniquities against The AUTHOR and PRESERVER of our Lives, The DISPENSER of all Good, Whose Tender Mercies are over all His Works, would be Freely and Fully Pardoned, if we exhibited a godly sorrow for them. David, in the consciousness of his own innocence with respect to Saul, called upon GOD to Execute a Righteous Judgment upon the workings of David's own heart, thus bearing testimony equally to the Omniscience, as to the Omnipotence of JEHOVAH; and notwithstanding his own forbearance of the use of power, asks no other recompense than

the Protection of himself by The ALMIGHTY from the hands of all his Enemies, still leading the mind of Saul to consider and reflect how vain is the hope of opposing the Appointments of HEAVEN; and that the most acceptable exercise of power in the Sight of GOD is that of mercy, for "Earthly power doth then look likest GOD'S, when mercy seasons justice.' As far as words could extend, this lesson, supported as it was by example, wrought a momentary change at least in the disposition of Saul, for he not only owned his own folly and proclaimed the unmerited kindness of David towards him, but invoked the Favour of The LORD of Heaven and Earth upon him, and, in the spirit of Prophetic vision, avowed the final Glory of the faithful David. And how will the earthly Persecutors of the pious Soul acknowledge, in the Day of Judgment, to their everlasting shame and confusion, the kindness and forbearance of those hearts they vexed, and those bodies they tortured, in defiance of Heavenly Admonitions, to gratify a spiritual pride, or satiate a thirst for earthly distinction!

"So David went on his way; and Saul returned to his place. And David said in his heart, 1 shall now perish one day by the hand of Saul; there is nothing better for me than that I should speedily escape into the Land of the Philistines; and Saul shall despair of me, to seek me any more in any Coast of Israel; so shall I escape out of his hand.' And David arose, and he passed over with the six hundred Men that were with him, unto Achish, the Son of Maoch, King of Gath." -1 Sam. xxvi, last part of 25., xxvii, 1, 2. Still distrustful of Saul, as foreboding that his heart was not changed, notwithstanding the warmth of his professions, David confided rather in the mercy of his open Enemies, than in Saul. And as did Saul, so do All who surrender themselves up to the influence of the Spirit of evil, and drive from them The True COUNSELLOR, Whose Eye Seeth all the workings of the heart, and, however plausible and imposing to the Human mind may be its outward professions of religious love, Knoweth when hypocrisy and insincerity are at the bottom, and then Leaveth it to self-deception and destruction. May David thus teach us what The SON of David, the Spiritual DELIVERER of every true Israelite will Teach us, that in professing to love and serve Him, if we love and serve Him not in spirit and in truth, He will Leave us to become the willing Victims of those Philistines, which in the character of remorse, and confusion, and condemnation, and despair, will be our bitter portion for ever and ever.

"And David dwelt with Achish at Gath, he and his Men, every Man with his Household, even David with his two Wives, Ahinoam, the Jezreelitess, and Abigail, the Carmelitess, Nabal's Wife. And it was told Saul that David was fled to Gath; and he sought no more again for him. And David said unto Achish, 'If I have now found grace in thine eyes, let them give me a place in some Town in the Country, that I may dwell there! for why should thy Servant dwell in the royal City with thee?" Then Achish gave him Ziklag that day; wherefore Ziklag pertaineth unto the Kings of Judah unto this day."-1 Sam. xxvii, 3. 6.

The address of David is remarkable, and is a proof of the Self-government and prudence that usually belonged to him. Himself, the direst Enemy the Philistines had encountered, the Destroyer of their Country's Champions, and who had paid his Wife's dowry by the obscene sacrifice of so Many of their Sons, yet so ingraciates himself into the favour of One of their Kings, as to obtain from him, not only countenance and encouragement, but even the gift of one of his Cities. Though David thereby should seem to have virtually sold himself from his Country, and to have adopted that of her avowed and relentless Adversary.

"And the time, that David dwelt in the Country of the Philistines, was a full year and four months. And David and his Men went up and invaded the Geshurites, and the Gezrites, and the Amalakites; for those Nations were of old

the Inhabitants of the Land, as thou goest to Shur, even unto the Land of Egypt: and David smote the Land, and left neither Man nor Woman alive, and took away the sheep, and the oxen, and the asses, and the camels, and the apparel, and returned and came to Achish. And Achish said, Whither have ye made a road to day? And David said, Against the South of Judah, and against the South of the Jerahmeelites, and against the South of the Kenites.' And David saved neither Man nor Woman alive, to bring tidings to Gath, saying, Lest they should tell on us, saying, So did David, and so will be his manner all the while he dwelleth in the Country of the Philistines.' And Achish believed David, saying, 'He hath made his People Israel utterly to abhor him; therefore he shall be my Servant for ever. 1 Sam. xxvii, 7. 12.

Cruelty and deception seem to characterise this incident in the life of David. For the sins of these People it is probable that this Judgment of Destruction was Visited upon them, and the general cause of Israel was politically, to all appearance, advanced by these efforts of David, though himself a persecuted Exile from her bosom; but commendable as is the love of Country, and still more so when displayed towards an ungrateful one, yet cannot it be reconciled to general notions of propriety, to exhibit it at the expense of sacred obligations, voluntarily entered into, and with the adoption and utterance of falsehood. On David, personally, it is not necessary for us to pass sentence. To his GOD and Our GOD, Who Searcheth the deep recesses of the heart, and Weigheth in His Unerring Balance all the actions of Men, he must stand or fall. It behoves us, however, to take heed that, unless with motives conscientiously and Scripturally justifiable, we do not in this respect the like with David; if only the like circumstances, thus briefly detailed, should surround us. Neither the fear of death, nor the love of life, should induce us otherwise than to keep faith even with Heathens, especially when the pledge of that faith is of our own seeking: but neither must we arrogate to ourselves a fancied superiority over David, because we may not have in like manner offended, but rather ask our own hearts, in the spirit of sincerity, and after a careful examination of our own lives and conversation, and studying the nature and effect of our motives and desires, If GOD were Extreme to Mark what is done amiss, who should be able to stand?

"And it came to pass in those days, that the Philistines gathered their Armies together for warfare, to fight with Israel. And Achish said unto David, Know thou assuredly that thou shalt go out with me to battle, thou and thy Men.' And David said to Achish, Surely thou shalt know what thy Servant can do.' And Achish said to David, Therefore will I make thee Keeper of mine head for ever.' Now Samuel was dead, and all Israel had lamented him, and buried him in Ramah, even in his own City. And Saul had put away those that had familiar Spirits, and the Wizards out of the Land. And the Philistines gathered themselves together and came and pitched in Shunem; and Saul gathered all Israel together, and they pitched in Gilboa: and when Saul saw the Host of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart greatly trembled. And when Saul inquired of The LORD, The LORD Answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by Prophets: Then said Saul unto his Servants, Seek me a Woman that hath a familiar Spirit, that I may go to her, and inquire of her! And his Servants said to him, ‘Behold, there is a Woman, that hath a familiar Spirit, at En-dor. And Saul disguised himself, and put on other raiment; and he went and two Men with him; and they came to the Woman by night; and he said, I pray thee, divine unto me by the familiar Spirit, and bring me him up, whom I shall name unto thee!' And the Woman said unto him, Behold, thou knowest what Saul hath done, how he hath cut off Those, that have familiar Spirits and the Wizards, out of the Land! wherefore then layest thou a snare for my life, to cause me to die?' And Saul sware to her by The

LORD, saying, As The LORD Liveth, there shall no punishment happen to thee for this thing.' Then said the Woman, Whom shall I bring up unto thee? And he said, 'Bring me up Samuel! And when the Woman saw Samuel, she cried with a loud voice; and the Woman spake to Saul, saying, Why hast thou deceived me? for thou art Saul. And the King said unto her, Be not afraid! for what sawest thou?” And the Woman said unto Saul, I saw Gods ascending out of the Earth.' And he said unto her, What form is he of?" And she said, An old Man cometh up, and he is covered with a mantle.' And Saul perceived that it was Samuel, and he stooped with his face to the ground, and bowed himself. And Samuel said unto Saul, Why hast thou disquieted me, to bring me up? And Saul answered, I am sore distressed; for the Philistines make war against me, and GOD is Departed from me, and Answereth me no more, neither by Prophets nor by dreams; therefore I have called thee, that thou mayest make known unto me what I shall do.' Then said Samuel, Wherefore then dost thou ask of me, seeing The LORD is Departed from thee, and is Become thine Enemy? and The LORD hath Done to him, as He Spake by me; for The LORD hath Rent the Kingdom out of thine hand, and Given it to thy Neighbour, even to David: because thou obeyedst not the Voice of The LORD, nor executedst His Fierce Wrath upon Amalek; therefore hath The LORD Done this Thing unto thee this day: Moreover, The LORD will also Deliver Israel with thee into the hand of the Philistines; and to-morrow shalt thou and thy Sons be with me: The LORD also shall Deliver the Host of Israel into the hand of the Philistines.' Then Saul fell straightway all along on the earth, and was sore afraid, because of the words of Samuel; and there was no strength in him; for he had eaten no bread all the day, nor all the night. And the Woman came unto Saul, and saw that he was sore troubled, and said unto him, Behold thine Handmaid hath obeyed thy voice, and I have put my life in my hand, and have hearkened unto thy words, which thou spakest unto me: now, therefore, I pray thee, hearken thou also unto the voice of thine Handmaid, and let me set a morsel of bread before thee, and eat! that thou mayest have strength when thou goest on thy way! But he refused, and said, 'I will not eat.' But his Servants, together with the Woman, compelled him; and he hearkened unto their voice. So he arose from the earth, and sat upon the bed; and the Woman had a fat calf in the house, and she hasted and killed it, and took flour and kneaded it: and did bake unleavened bread thereof; and she brought it before Saul and before his Servants; and they did eat. Then they rose up, and went away that night."-1 Sam. xxviii.

The confidence reposed by Achish in David, bore testimony, at least, to David's valour and prudence; but whether the pledge of assistance, virtually given by David (for equivocation can be no admissible excuse in the Sight of GOD, Who Tricth the heart and Searcheth the very thoughts) was sincere, or not, is left in uncertainty: the jealousy of Philistia's other Princes prevented its being put to the test. Faith should be kept even with Heathens and with Heretics. The Soul devoted entirely to its GOD, conscious of His Unceasing and Unavoidable Presence, is incapable of deliberately offending Him, Who is The GOD of Truth, and Loveth It in the inward parts: and however heretofore we may have offended in this respect, and though the hope of Forgiveness through CHRIST JESUS may be extended towards us, let us not presume on a continuance of such Forbearance and Mercy, and continue in such sin; for the Measure of Pardon towards us, as still greater Offenders and much less zealous Servants of GOD, may be full, and the addition of one more such premeditated despites to The SPIRIT of GOD, may involve us in irretrievable ruin in the Life

to come.

The death of Samuel, as the acknowledged Prophet of The LORD, should have awakened in Saul the apprehension that That LORD had Withdrawn His

Light from Israel, and that in such a night of Spiritual darkness, David, also the great Instrument of Israel's defence, being away, she would become the easy prey of her sanguinary Enemies; and such apprehension should have led Saul on to seek, in penitence and prayer, that Reconciliation and Help, Which it is of The LORD of Hosts alone to Yield. But destitute of that Guide, who had pointed to him the way to attain and secure The DIVINE Favour, unwilling to do that, which his own conscience must have proclaimed to him was indispensable to his recovery of It, he prays under the influence of alarm, but prays without the suitable preparation of the heart, and consequently without deriving any salutary effect from such prayer. And hence is seen, how vain it is to suppose that if GOD be only in our thoughts, when calamity overtakes us, He will not Mock when our fear cometh; and that the approaching him with our lips cannot be Acceptable unto Him, or beneficial to ourselves, if our hearts are far from Him, from Whom all real Benefits are Derived, and to Whom, therefore, all obedience, as well as praise, is due.

Το pray to God, and not to be Heard of Him, or rather to have our prayers Rejected, for it cannot be but that, Humanly speaking, His Ear is every where and ever Open, is indeed the most awful state that in this Life the Soul can be subjected to-it is the forerunner of that state of horror which awaits those, who are Rejected from DIVINE Mercy in the Life to Come; and that too with the full consciousness that they are so, as the bitter but Predicted Consequences of their own folly. Saul's aim in his prayer was to confirm himself in his temporal power; he offered no contrite spirit, which is so Acceptable unto GOD; or, great as his sins were, he might have been Favourably Heard: he pledged himself to no newness of conduct, whereby alone, if sincerely proffered, he could reasonably hope to regain The DIVINE Favour: alienated as his affections were from his GOD and His Holy Law, it was not consistent with DIVINE Wisdom that DIVINE Power should be Manifested in him; his Soul had become the willing Votary of Satan, and Heaven and Hell cannot unite. If, therefore, we would pray that we may be Favourably Heard by Him, Who Heareth prayer, we must pray, whether in the day of trouble or the hour of death, with another heart and disposition than those of Saul; for otherwise though we may be afraid and our hearts tremble, yet when we inquire of The LORD, The LORD will Answer us not, neither by His Word nor by His SPIRIT.

Miraculous as the history of the appearance of the Spirit or Ghost of Samuel is, yet if it be considered as the Appointment of The LORD, it may be easily reconciled to us by being referred to the Source of all other Mirac'es, the Universality of GOD's Power: as far as David's history is affected by it, or observations to any practical purpose are to be drawn from it (beyond the general consideration that the appearance of Samuel's Spirit after death is one amongst the many proofs of the Immortality of the Soul, and of the Spirit's existence in some intermediate state, in the interval of its separation from the body between the death and resurrection of the latter), the answer of Samuel prophetically confirmed the Faithfulness of GOD'S Promises, and that His Eye is over the Righteous, and ever Open to his prayer: that GOD Regardeth disobedience as the sin of witchcraft; and, though He may be Slow to Anger in the Punishment of that offence (as was indeed verified in the instance of Saul's commission of it), yet it assuredly shall not go unpunished if unrepented of. The effect of Samuel's prophecy, that Saul's death was near at hand, exemplifies that sorrow of heart is not always repentance, or that repentance may be such as to need to be repented of, or that it may come too late, when the Door of Mercy is Closed for ever, and DIVINE Justice must Take Its Course. Had Saul listened to the first admonitions of this holy Prophet, The LORD would not have