,illustration3 titlepage ,life and ,times of ,david ,miscellaneous ,writings of ,c4 ,h4 ,,mackintosh ,volume ,,vi ,,loizeaux ,,brothers ,new ,york ,,first ,,edition #ahih ,,tenth ,,printing #aifj ,,loizeaux ,,brothers1 ,,inc41 ,,publishers ,a ,nonprofit ,organization1 ,devoted to the ,lord's ,work and to the ,spread of ,his ,truth #ai ,,west #ba,,st ,,street1 ,,new ,,york #aj1 ,n4 ,y4 ,,printed ,,in ,,the ,,united ,,states ,,of ,,america ,,contents ,pages ,,christ ,,in ,,the ,,vessel1 #e-ac ,,bethany1 #ad-ee ,,love ,,divine--,poem ,,restoration1 #a-bd ,,jericho ,,and ,,achor1 #a-ci ,a ,,sacred ,,union--,poem ,,the ,,three ,,appearings1 #a-bf ,,the ,,two ,,musts1 #a-d ,,the ,,throne ,,and ,,the ,,altar1 #a-ab ,,legality ,,and ,,levity1 #a-e ,,the ,,veil ,,is ,,rent--,poem ,a ,,risen ,,saviour',s ,,challenge1 #a-ab ,,the ,,remnant3 ,,past ,,and ,,present1 #a-cb ,,the ,,life ,,and ,,times ,,of ,,david1 #a-bjd ,the original numbering of these writings has been retained4 ,many of the above may be had separately in pamphlet form4 ,,christ ,,in ,,the ,,vessel 7,mark iv4 #ce-da47 ,man's extremity is ,god's opportunity4 ,this is a very familiar saying4 ,it often passes among us2 and1 no doubt1 we fully believe it2 but yet1 when we find ourselves brought to our extremity1 we are often very little prepared to count on ,god's opportunity4 ,it is one thing to utter or hearken to a truth1 and another thing to realize the power of that truth4 ,it is one thing1 when sailing over a calm sea1 to speak of ,god's ability to keep us in the storm1 and it is another thing altogether to prove that ability when the storm is actually raging around us4 ,and yet ,god is ever the same4 ,in the storm and in the calm1 in sickness and in health1 in pressure and in ease1 in poverty and in abundance1 the same yesterday1 and to-day1 and forever--the same grand reality for faith to lean upon1 cling to and draw upon1 at all times and under all circumstances4 ,but alas1 alas1 we are unbelieving6 ,here lies the source of weakness and failure4 ,we are perplexed and agitated1 when we ought to be calm and confiding2 we are casting about1 when we ought to be counting on ,god2 we are beckoning to our partners1 when we ought to be looking unto ,jesus4 ,thus it is we lose immensely1 and dishonor the ,lord in our ways4 ,doubtless there are few things for which we have to be more deeply humbled than our tendency to distrust the ,lord when difficulties and trials present themselves2 and assuredly we grieve the heart of ,jesus by thus distrusting ,him1 for distrust must always wound a loving heart4 ,look1 for example1 at the scene between ,joseph and his brethren in ,gen4 #ej3 ,and when ,joseph's brethren saw that their father was dead1 they said1 ,joseph will peradventure hate us1 and will certainly requite us all the evil which we did unto him4 ,and they sent a messenger unto ,joseph1 saying1 ,thy father did command before he died1 saying1 ,so shall ye say unto ,joseph1 ,forgive1 ,i pray thee now1 the trespass of thy brethren1 and their sin2 for they did unto thee evil3 and now1 we pray thee1 forgive the trespass of the servants of the ,god of thy father4 ,and ,joseph wept when they spake unto him4 ,it was a sad return for the love and tender care which ,joseph had exercised towards them4 ,how could they suppose that one who had so freely and fully forgiven them1 and spared their lives when they were entirely in his power1 would1 after so many years of kindness1 turn upon them in anger and revenge8 ,it was indeed a grievous wrong1 and it was no marvel that ,joseph wept when they spake unto him4 ,what an answer to all their unworthy fear and dark suspicion6 ,a flood of tears6 ,such is love6 ,and ,joseph said unto them1 ,fear not3 for am ,i in the place of ,god8 ,but as for you1 ye thought evil against me2 but ,god meant it unto good1 to bring to pass1 as it is this day1 to save much people alive4 ,now therefore1 fear ye not3 ,i will nourish you1 and your little ones4 ,and he comforted them1 and spake kindly unto them4 ,thus was it with the disciples on the occasion to which our paper refers4 ,let us meditate a little on the passage4 ,and the same day1 when the even was come1 ,jesus saith unto them1 ,let us pass over unto the other side4 ,and when they had sent away the multitude1 they took ,him even as ,he was in the ship2 and there were also with ,him other little ships4 ,and there arose a great storm of wind1 and the waves beat into the ship1 so that it was now full4 ,and ,he was in the hinder part of the ship1 asleep on a pillow4 ,here1 then1 we have an interesting and instructive scene4 ,the poor disciples are brought to their extremity4 ,they are at their wits' end4 ,a violent storm--the ship full of water--the ,master asleep4 ,this was a trying moment indeed1 and assuredly we1 if we look at ourselves1 need not marvel at the fear and agitation of the disciples4 ,it is not likely that we should have done better had we been there4 ,still1 we cannot but see wherein they failed4 ,the narrative has been penned for our learning1 and we are bound to study it1 and seek to learn the lesson which it reads out to us4 ,there is nothing more absurd and irrational than unbelief when we come to look at it calmly4 ,in the scene before us this absurdity is very apparent2 for what could be more absurd than to suppose that the vessel could possibly sink with the ,son of ,god on board8 ,and yet this was what they feared4 ,it may be said they did not just think of the ,son of ,god at that moment4 ,true1 they thought of the storm1 the waves1 the filling vessel1 and1 judging after the manner of men1 it seemed a hopeless case4 ,thus it is the unbelieving heart ever reasons4 ,it looks only at the circumstances1 and leaves ,god out4 ,faith1 on the contrary1 looks only at ,god1 and leaves circumstances out4 ,what a difference6 ,faith delights in man's extremity1 simply because it is ,god's opportunity4 ,it delights in being shut up to ,god--in having the platform thoroughly cleared of the creature1 in order that ,god may display ,his glory--in the multiplying of empty vessels1 in order that ,god may fill them4 ,such is faith4 ,it would1 we may surely say1 have enabled the disciples to lie down and sleep beside their ,master in the midst of the storm4 ,unbelief1 on the other hand1 rendered them uneasy2 they could not rest themselves1 and they actually aroused the blessed ,lord out of ,his sleep by their unbelieving apprehensions4 ,he1 weary with incessant toil1 was snatching a few moments' repose while the vessel was crossing the sea4 ,he knew what fatigue was2 ,he had come down into all our circumstances4 ,he made ,himself acquainted with all our feelings and all our infirmities1 being in all points tempted like as we are1 sin excepted4 ,he was found as a man in every respect1 and as such ,he slept on a pillow1 rocked by the waves of the sea4 ,the storm and the billows beat upon the vessel1 although the ,creator was on board1 in the person of that weary1 sleeping ,workman4 ,profound mystery6 ,the ,one who made the sea1 and could hold the winds in ,his almighty grasp1 lay sleeping in the hinder part of the ship1 and allowed the sea and the wind to treat ,him as unceremoniously as though ,he were an ordinary man4 ,such was the reality of the human nature of our blessed ,lord4 ,he was weary--,he slept1 being tossed on the bosom of that sea which ,his hands had made4 ,o reader1 pause and meditate on this wondrous sight4 ,look closely1 think upon it4 ,we cannot expatiate upon the scene2 we can only muse and worship4 ,but1 as we have said1 unbelief roused the blessed ,lord out of ,his sleep4 ,they awake ,him1 and say unto ,him1 ,master1 carest ,thou not that we perish8 ,what a question6 ,carest ,thou not8 ,how it must have wounded the sensitive heart of the ,lord6 ,how could they ever think that ,he was indifferent to their trouble and danger8 ,how completely must they have lost sight of ,his love1 to say nothing of ,his power1 when they could bring themselves to say1 ,carest ,thou not8 ,and yet1 dear ,christian reader1 have we not in all this a mirror in which to see ourselves reflected8 ,assuredly we have4 ,how often1 in moments of pressure and trial1 do our hearts conceive1 if our lips do not utter the question1 ,carest ,thou not8 ,it may be we are laid on a bed of sickness and pain1 and we know that one word from the ,god of all power and might could chase away the malady and raise us up2 and yet the word is withheld4 ,or perhaps we are in need of temporal supplies1 and we know that the silver and gold1 and the cattle upon a thousand hills1 belong to ,god--yea1 that the treasures of the universe are under ,his hand--and yet day after day rolls on1 and our need is not supplied4 ,in a word1 we are passing through deep waters1 in some way or another2 the storm rages1 wave after wave rolls over our tiny vessel1 we are brought to our extremity1 we are at our wits' end1 and our hearts often feel ready to send up the terrible question1 ,carest ,thou not8 ,the thought of this is deeply humbling4 ,to think of our grieving the loving heart of ,jesus by our unbelief and suspicion should fill us with the deepest contrition4 ,and then the absurdity of unbelief6 ,how can that ,one who gave ,his life for us--who left ,his glory and came down into this world of toil and misery and died a shameful death to deliver us from eternal wrath--how can such a ,one ever fail to care for us8 ,but yet we are ready to doubt1 or we grow impatient under the trial of our faith1 forgetting that the very trial from which we so shrink and under which we so wince is far more precious than gold1 for the former is an imperishable reality1 whereas the latter must perish in the using4 ,the more genuine faith is tried1 the brighter it shines2 and hence the trial1 however severe1 is sure to issue in praise and honor and glory to ,him who not only implants the faith1 but also passes it through the furnace and sedulously watches it therein4 ,but the poor disciples failed in the moment of trial4 ,their confidence gave way1 they roused their ,master from ,his slumber with that most unworthy question1 ,carest ,thou not that we perish8 ,alas1 what creatures we are6 ,we are ready to forget ten thousand mercies in the presence of a single difficulty4 ,david could say1 ,i shall one day perish by the hand of ,saul2 and how did it turn out8 ,saul fell on ,mount ,gilboa1 and ,david was established on the throne of ,israel4 ,elijah fled for his life at the threat of ,jezebel2 and what was the issue8 ,jezebel was dashed to pieces on the pavement1 and ,elijah was taken to heaven in a chariot of fire4 ,so here1 the disciples thought they were going to be lost1 with the ,son of ,god on board2 and what was the result8 ,the storm was hushed into silence1 and the sea became as glass1 by that ,voice which of old had called worlds into existence4 ,and ,he arose and rebuked the wind1 and said unto the sea1 ,peace1 be still4 ,and the wind ceased1 and there was a great calm4 ,what a combination of grace and majesty is here6 ,instead of rebuking them for having disturbed ,his repose1 ,he rebukes those elements which had terrified them4 ,it was thus ,he replied to their question1 ,carest ,thou not8 ,blessed ,master6 ,who would not trust ,thee8 ,who would not adore ,thee for ,thy patient grace and unupbraiding love8 ,there is something perfectly beautiful in the way in which our blessed ,lord rises1 without an effort1 from the repose of perfect humanity into the activity of essential deity4 ,as man1 wearied with ,his work1 ,he slept on a pillow2 as ,god1 ,he rises1 and1 with ,his almighty voice1 hushes the storm and calms the sea4 ,such was ,jesus--very ,god and very man--and such ,he is now1 ever ready to meet ,his people's need1 to hush their anxieties and remove their fears4 ,oh that we trusted ,him more simply6 ,we have little idea of how much we lose by not leaning more on the arm of ,jesus1 day by day4 ,we are so easily terrified4 ,every breath of wind1 every wave1 every cloud1 agitates and depresses us4 ,instead of calmly lying down and reposing beside our ,lord1 we are full of terror and perplexity4 ,instead of using the storm as an occasion for trusting ,him1 we make it an occasion for doubting ,him4 ,no sooner does some trifling trouble arise than we think we are going to perish1 although ,he assures us that ,he has numbered the very hairs of our head4 ,well may ,he say to us as ,he said to ,his disciples1 ,why are ye so fearful8 ,how is it that ye have no faith8 ,it would indeed seem at times as though we had no faith4 ,but oh1 ,his tender love6 ,he is ever near to shield and succor us1 even though our unbelieving hearts are so ready to doubt ,his ,word4 ,he does not deal with us according to our poor thoughts of ,him1 but according to ,his own perfect love toward us4 ,this is the solace and stay of our souls in passing across life's stormy sea homeward to our eternal rest4 ,christ is in the vessel4 ,let this ever suffice4 ,let us calmly rely on ,him4 ,may there ever be1 at the very centre of our hearts1 that deep repose which springs from real trust in ,jesus6 and then1 though the storm rage and the sea run mountains high1 we shall not be led to say1 ,carest ,thou not that we perish8 ,is it possible we can perish with the ,master on board8 or can we ever think so with ,christ in our hearts8 ,may the ,holy ,spirit teach us to make a fuller1 freer1 bolder use of ,christ6 ,we really want this just now1 and shall want it more and more4 ,it must be ,christ ,himself1 laid hold of and enjoyed in the heart by faith4 ,thus may it be to ,his praise and our abiding peace and joy6 ,we may just notice1 in conclusion1 the way in which the disciples were affected by the scene on which we have been dwelling4 ,instead of the calm worship of those whose faith had been answered1 they manifest the amazement of those whose fears had been rebuked4 ,they feared exceedingly1 and said one to another1 ,what manner of man is this1 that even the wind and the sea obey ,him8 ,surely they ought to have known ,him better4 ,yes1 ,christian reader1 and so should we4 ,,bethany 7,john xi2 xii47 ,turn with us1 dear reader1 to ,john xi2 xii2 and if we mistake not1 you will find therein a very rare spiritual treat4 ,in chapter xi4 we see what the ,lord ,jesus was to the family of ,bethany2 and in chapter xii we see what the family of ,bethany was to ,him4 ,the entire passage is full of the most precious instruction4 ,in chapter xi we have three great subjects presented to us1 namely1 first1 our ,lord's own path with the ,father2 secondly1 ,his profound sympathy with ,his people2 and1 thirdly1 ,his grace in associating us with ,himself in ,his work1 in so far as that is possible4 ,now a certain man was sick1 named ,lazarus1 of ,bethany1 the town of ,mary and her sister ,martha4 7,it was that ,mary which anointed the ,lord with ointment1 and wiped ,his feet with her hair1 whose brother ,lazarus was sick47 ,therefore his sisters sent unto ,him1 saying1 ,lord1 behold1 he whom ,thou lovest is sick4 ,when ,jesus heard that1 ,he said1 ,this sickness is not unto death1 but for the glory of ,god1 that the ,son of ,god might be glorified thereby4 ,the sisters1 in their time of trouble1 turned to the true ,source--their divine ,friend3 ,jesus was a sure resource for them1 as ,he is for all ,his tried ones wherever1 however1 or whoever they are4 ,call upon ,me in the time of trouble2 ,i will deliver thee1 and thou shalt glorify ,me4 ,we make a most serious mistake when1 in any time of need or pressure1 we turn to the creature for help or sympathy4 ,we are sure to be disappointed4 ,creature-streams are dry4 ,creature-props give way4 ,our ,god will make us prove the vanity and folly of all creature-confidences1 human hopes1 and earthly expectations4 ,and on the other hand1 ,he will prove to us1 in the most touching and forcible manner1 the truth and blessedness of ,his own word1 ,they shall not be ashamed that wait for ,me4 ,no1 never6 ,he1 blessed be ,his name1 never fails a trusting heart4 ,he cannot deny ,himself4 ,he delights to take occasion from our wants1 our woes and weaknesses1 to express and illustrate ,his tender care and lovingkindness1 in a thousand ways4 ,but ,he will teach us the utter barrenness of all human resources4 ,thus saith the ,lord2 ,cursed be the man that trusteth in man1 and maketh flesh his arm1 and whose heart departeth from the ,lord4 ,for he shall be like the heath in the desert1 and shall not see when good cometh2 but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness1 in a salt land and not inhabited4 ,thus it must ever be4 ,disappointment1 barrenness and desolation are the sure and certain results of trusting in man4 ,but1 on the other hand--and mark the contrast1 reader--,blessed is the man that trusteth in the ,lord1 and whose hope the ,lord is3 for he shall be as a tree planted by the waters1 and that spreadeth out her roots by the river1 and shall not see when heat cometh1 but her leaf shall be green2 and shall not be careful in the year of drought1 neither shall cease from yielding fruit 7,jer4 xvii4 #e-h47 ,such is the unvarying teaching of ,scripture on both sides of this great practical question4 ,it is a fatal mistake to look even to the very best of men1 to betake ourselves1 directly or indirectly1 to poor human cisterns4 ,but the true secret of blessing1 strength and comfort is to look to ,jesus--to betake ourselves at once1 in simple faith1 to the living ,god whose delight ever is to help the needy1 to strengthen the feeble1 and lift up those that are cast down4 ,hence1 the sisters of ,bethany did the right thing1 when in the hour of need and pressure they turned to ,jesus4 ,he was both able and willing to help them3 yet that blessed ,one did not at once respond to their call4 ,he did not see fit at once to fly to their relief1 much as ,he loved them4 ,he fully entered into their sorrow and anxiety4 ,he took it all in and measured it perfectly4 ,he was thoroughly with them in it4 ,there was no lack of sympathy1 as we shall see in the sequel4 ,yet ,he paused2 and the enemy might cast in all sorts of suggestions2 and their own hearts might conceive all sorts of reasonings4 ,it might seem as though the ,master had forgotten them4 ,perhaps their loving ,lord and ,friend was changed toward them4 ,something may have occurred to bring a cloud between them4 ,we all know how the poor heart reasons and tortures itself at such times4 ,but there is a divine remedy for all the heart's reasonings1 and a triumphant answer to all the enemy's dark and horrible suggestions4 ,what is it8 ,unshaken confidence in the eternal stability of the love of ,christ4 ,christian reader1 here lies the true secret of the whole matter4 ,let nothing shake your confidence in the unalterable love of your ,lord4 ,come what may--let the furnace be ever so hot2 let the waters be ever so deep2 let the shadows be ever so dark2 let the path be ever so rough2 let the pressure be ever so great--still hold fast your confidence in the perfect love and sympathy of the ,one who has proved ,his love by going down into the dust of death--down under the dark and heavy billows and waves of the wrath of ,god1 in order to save your soul from everlasting burnings4 ,be not afraid to trust ,him fully--to commit yourself1 without a shadow of reserve or misgiving1 to ,him4 ,do not measure ,his love by your circumstances4 ,if you do1 you must1 of necessity1 reach a false conclusion4 ,judge not according to the outward appearance4 ,never reason from your surroundings4 ,get to the heart of ,christ1 and reason out from that blessed centre4 ,never interpret ,his love by your circumstances2 but always interpret your circumstances by ,his love4 ,let the beams of ,his everlasting favor shine upon your darkest surroundings1 and then you will be able to answer every infidel thought1 no matter whence it comes4 ,judge not the ,lord by feeble sense1 ,but trust ,him for ,his grace3 ,behind a frowning providence ,he hides a smiling face4 ,it is a grand thing to be able1 ever to vindicate ,god2 even if we can do nothing more1 to stand as a monument of ,his unfailing faithfulness to all who put their trust in ,him4 ,what though the horizon around be dark and depressing--though the heavy clouds gather and the storm rage1 ,god is faithful1 and will not suffer us to be tempted above that we are able2 but will1 with the temptation1 make a way of escape1 that we may be able to bear it4 ,besides1 we must not measure divine love by the mode of its manifestation4 ,we are all prone to do so2 but it is a great mistake4 ,the love of ,god clothes itself in varied forms1 and not unfrequently the form seems to us1 in our shallowness and short-sightedness1 mysterious and incomprehensible4 ,but1 if only we wait patiently and in artless confidence1 divine light will shine upon the dispensation of divine providence1 and our hearts shall be filled with wonder1 love1 and praise4 ,we leave it to ,himself1 ,to choose and to command3 ,with wonder filled1 we soon shall see ,how wise1 how strong1 ,his hand4 ,we comprehend ,him not2 ,yet earth and heaven tell1 ,god sits as ,sovereign on the throne ,and ruleth all things well4 ,god's thoughts are not as our thoughts2 nor ,his ways as our ways2 nor ,his love as our love4 ,if we hear of a friend in distress or difficulty of any kind1 our first impulse is to fly to his help and relieve him of his trial1 if possible4 ,but this might be a great mistake4 ,in place of rendering help1 it might be doing serious mischief4 ,we might actually be running athwart the purpose of ,god1 and taking our friend out of a position in which divine government had placed him for his ultimate and permanent profit4 ,the love of ,god is a wise and faithful love4 ,it abounds toward us in all wisdom and prudence4 ,we1 on the contrary1 make the gravest mistakes1 even when most sincerely desiring to do what is right and good4 ,we are not competent to take in all the bearings of things1 or scan the windings and workings of providence1 or weigh the ultimate results of the divine dealings4 ,hence1 the urgent need of waiting much on ,god2 and1 above all things1 of holding fast our confidence in ,his unchanging1 unfailing1 unerring love4 ,he will make all plain4 ,he will bring light out of darkness1 life out of death1 victory out of seeming defeat4 ,he will cause the deepest and darkest distress to yield the very richest harvest of blessing4 ,he will make all things work together for good4 ,but ,he is never in a hurry4 ,he has ,his own wise ends in view1 and ,he will reach them in ,his own time and way2 and1 moreover1 out of what may seem to us to be a dark1 tangled1 inexplicable maze of providence1 light will spring forth and fill our souls with praise and adoration4 ,the foregoing line of thought may help us to understand and appreciate our ,lord's bearing towards the sisters of ,bethany on hearing of their trouble4 ,he felt there was much more involved in the case than the mere matter of relieving those whom ,he1 nevertheless1 deeply loved4 ,the glory of ,god had to be considered4 ,hence1 ,he says1 ,this sickness is not unto death1 but for the glory of ,god1 that the ,son of ,god might be glorified thereby4 ,he saw in this case an occasion for the display of the divine glory1 and not merely for the exhibition of personal affection1 however deep and real that might be--and with ,him1 surely1 it was both deep and real1 for we read1 ,jesus loved ,martha and her sister and ,lazarus4 ,but1 in the judgment of our blessed and adorable ,lord1 the glory of ,god took precedence of every other consideration4 ,neither personal affection nor personal fear had the smallest sway over ,his movements4 ,he was ruled1 in all things1 by the glory of ,god4 ,from the manger to the cross1 in life and in death1 in all ,his words1 and all ,his works1 and all ,his ways1 ,his devoted heart was set1 with firm and unalterable purpose1 upon the glory of ,god4 ,hence1 though it might be a good thing to relieve a friend in distress1 it was far better and higher to glorify ,god2 and we may be sure1 that the beloved family of ,bethany sustained no loss by a delay which only made room for the brighter out-shining of the divine glory4 ,let us all remember this in seasons of trial and pressure4 ,it is an all-important point1 and when fully apprehended1 will prove a very deep and blessed source of consolation4 ,it will help us marvellously to bear up under sickness1 pain1 death1 bereavement1 sorrow1 and poverty4 ,how blessed to be able to stand beside the sick bed of a friend and say1 ,this sickness is not unto death1 but for the glory of ,god6 ,and this is faith's privilege4 ,yea1 not only in the sick chamber1 but by the open grave1 the true believer may see the beams of the divine glory shining forth over all4 ,no doubt the skeptic might cavil at the statement that ,this sickness is not unto death4 ,he might object and reason and argue on the ground of the apparent fact that ,lazarus did die4 ,but faith reasons not from appearances3 it brings ,god in1 and there finds a divine solution for all difficulties4 ,such is the moral elevation--the reality of a life of faith4 ,it sees ,god above and beyond all circumstances4 ,it reasons from ,god downward--not from circumstances upward4 ,sickness and death are nothing in the presence of divine power4 ,all difficulties disappear from the pathway of faith4 ,they are1 as ,joshua and ,caleb assured their unbelieving brethren1 simply bread for the true believer4 ,nor is this all4 ,faith can wait ,god's time1 knowing that ,his time is the best4 ,it staggers not1 even though ,he may seem to linger4 ,it rests with calmness in the assurance of ,his unchanging love and unerring wisdom4 ,it fills the heart with the sweetest confidence that if there be delay--if the relief be not sent all at once--it is all for the best1 inasmuch as all things work together for good to them that love ,god1 and all must in the long run redound to the glory of ,god4 ,faith enables its happy possessor to vindicate ,god amid the greatest pressure1 and to know and confess that divine love always does the very best for its object4 ,,ii ,it gives great rest to the heart to know that the ,one who has undertaken for us1 in all our weakness1 our need1 and the exigencies of our path from first to last1 has first of all secured1 in every respect1 the glory of ,god4 ,that was ,his primary object in all things4 ,in the work of redemption1 and in all our history1 the glory of ,god has the first place in the heart of that blessed ,one with whom we have to do4 ,at all cost to ,himself ,he vindicated and maintained the divine glory4 ,to that end ,he gave up everything4 ,he laid aside ,his own glory1 humbled1 emptied ,himself4 ,he surrendered ,himself and yielded up ,his life1 in order to lay the imperishable foundation of that glory which now fills all heaven--and shall soon cover the earth1 and shine through the wide universe for ever4 ,the knowledge and abiding sense of this must give profound repose to the spirit in reference to everything that concerns us1 whether it be the salvation of the soul1 the forgiveness of sins1 or the needs for the daily path4 ,all that could possibly be a matter of exercise to us1 for time or for eternity1 has been provided for1 all secured on the selfsame basis that sustains the divine glory4 ,we are saved and provided for2 but the salvation and provision--all praise to our glorious ,saviour and ,provider6--are inseparably bound up with the glory of ,god4 ,in all that our ,lord ,jesus ,christ has done for us1 in all that ,he is doing1 in all that ,he will do1 the glory of ,god is fully maintained4#a #a ,entering the ,sanctuary1 ,israel's high priest had over his forehead the plate of pure gold on which was engraved ,holiness to the ,lord2 and on the breastplate1 securely fastened upon his breast over the ephod1 were engraved on twelve jewels the names of each tribe in ,israel4 ,so1 in perfect love1 our blessed ,lord bears every one of ,his people upon ,his heart1 maintaining at the same time ,god's holy character with ,his people4 ,ed4 ,and1 further1 we may add that in our trials1 difficulties1 sorrows1 and exercises1 if instant relief be not afforded1 we have to remember there is some deep reason connected with the glory of ,god and our real good1 why the desired relief is withheld4 ,in seasons of pressure we are apt to think only of the one thing1 namely1 relief4 ,but there is very much more than this to be considered4 ,we should think of the glory of ,god4 ,we should seek to know ,his object in putting us under the pressure4 ,we should earnestly desire that ,his end might be gained1 and ,his glory promoted4 ,this would be for our fullest and deepest blessing1 while the relief which we so eagerly desire might be the worst thing we could get4 ,we must always remember that1 through the marvellous grace of ,god1 ,his glory and our true blessing are so inseparably bound up together1 that when the former is maintained1 the latter must be perfectly secured4 ,this is a most precious consideration1 and one eminently calculated to sustain the heart in all seasons of affliction4 ,all things must ultimately redound to the glory of ,god1 and all things work together for good to those that love ,god1 to them who are the called according to ,his purpose4 ,it may not1 perhaps1 be so easy to see this when the pressure is upon us4 ,when anxiously watching by the sick-bed of a beloved friend2 or when treading the chamber of sorrow2 or when laid on a bed of pain and languishing ourselves2 or when overwhelmed by sudden tidings of the loss of our earthly all3 under such circumstances it may not be so easy to see the glory of ,god maintained1 and our blessing secured2 but faith can see it for all that2 and as for blind unbelief1 it is always sure to err4 ,if those beloved sisters of ,bethany had judged by the sight of their eyes1 they would have been sorely tried during those weary days and nights spent at the bedside of their much loved brother4 ,and not only so1 but when the terrible moment arrived1 and they were called to witness the closing scene1 many dark reasonings might have sprung up in their crushed and desolate hearts4 ,but ,jesus was looking on4 ,his heart was with them4 ,he was watching the whole process1 and that1 too1 from the very highest standpoint--the glory of ,god4 ,he took in the entire scene1 in all its bearings1 its influences and its issues4 ,he felt for those afflicted sisters--felt with them--felt as only a perfect human heart could feel4 ,though absent in person1 ,he was with them in spirit1 as they traveled through the deep waters4 ,his loving heart perfectly entered into all their sorrow1 and ,he only waited for ,god's due time to come to their aid1 and light up the darkness of death and the grave with the bright beams of resurrection glory4 ,when ,he had heard that ,lazarus was sick1 ,he abode two days still in the same place where ,he was4 ,things were allowed to take their course as we say2 death was allowed to enter the much loved dwelling2 but all this was for the glory of ,god4 ,the enemy might seem to have it all his own way1 but it was only in appearance2 in reality death itself was but preparing a platform on which the glory of ,god was to be displayed4 ,this sickness is not unto death1 but for the glory of ,god1 that the ,son of ,god might be glorified thereby4 ,such1 then1 was the path of our blessed ,lord--,his path with the ,father4 ,his every step1 ,his every act1 ,his every utterance1 had direct reference to the claims of the ,father's glory4 ,much as ,he loved the family of ,bethany1 ,his personal affection led ,him not into the scene of their sorrow till the moment was come for the display of the divine glory1 and then no personal fear could keep ,him away4 ,then after that ,he saith to ,his disciples1 ,let us go into ,judea again4 ,his disciples say unto ,him1 ,master1 the ,jews of late sought to stone ,thee1 and goest ,thou thither again8 ,jesus answered1 ,are there not twelve hours in the day8 ,if any man walk in the day1 he stumbleth not1 because he seeth the light of this world4 ,but if a man walk in the night he stumbleth1 because there is no light to him4 ,thus that blessed ,one walked1 in the full blaze of the glory of ,god4 ,his springs of action were all divine--all heavenly4 ,he was a perfect stranger to all the motives and objects of the men of this world1 who are stumbling along in the thick moral darkness that enwraps them--whose motives are all selfish1 whose objects are earthly and sensual4 ,he never did a single thing to please ,himself4 ,his ,father's will1 ,his ,father's glory1 ruled ,him in all things4 ,the stirrings of deep personal affection took ,him not to ,bethany1 and no personal fear could keep ,him away4 ,in all ,he did1 and in all ,he did not do1 ,he found ,his motive in the glory of ,god4 ,precious ,saviour6 teach us to walk in ,thy heavenly footsteps6 ,give us to drink more into ,thy spirit6 ,this1 truly1 is what we need4 ,we are so sadly prone to self-seeking and self-pleasing1 even when apparently doing right things and ostensibly engaging in the ,lord's work4 ,we run hither and thither1 do this and that1 travel and preach and write1 and all the while we may be pleasing ourselves1 and not really seeking to do the will of ,god and promote ,his glory4 ,may we study more profoundly our divine ,exemplar6 ,may ,he be ever before our hearts as the ,one to whom we are predestinated to be conformed6 ,thank ,god for the sweet and soul-sustaining assurance that we shall be like ,him1 for we shall see ,him as ,he is4 ,it is but a little while and we shall be done forever with all that now hinders our progress and interrupts our communion4 ,till then may the blessed ,spirit work in our hearts1 and keep us so occupied with ,christ1 so feeding by faith on ,his preciousness1 that our practical ways may be a more living expression of ,himself1 and that we may bring forth more abundantly the fruits of righteousness which are by ,jesus ,christ to the glory and praise of ,god4 ,,iii ,we may now meditate for a few moments on the deeply interesting theme of ,christ's sympathy with ,his people1 so touchingly illustrated in ,his dealings with the beloved family of ,bethany4 ,he allowed them to go through the exercise1 to wade through the deep waters1 to be thoroughly tested1 in order that the trial of their faith1 being much more precious than of gold that perisheth1 though it be tried with fire1 might be found unto praise and honor and glory4 ,looked at from nature's standpoint1 it might seem as though all hope was gone and every ray of light faded away from the horizon4 ,lazarus was dead and buried4 ,all was over4 ,and yet the ,lord had said1 ,this sickness is not unto death4 ,how was this8 ,what could ,he mean8 ,thus nature might reason2 but we must not listen to the reasonings of nature1 which are sure to carry us down into the regions of the shadow of death4 ,we must listen to the voice of ,jesus2 we must harken to ,his living1 cheering1 strengthening1 encouraging accents4 ,in this way we shall be able to vindicate and glorify ,god1 not only at the sick-bed1 but in the chamber of death1 and at the very grave itself4 ,death is not death if ,christ be there4 ,the grave itself is but the sphere in which the glory of ,god shines out in all its power4 ,it is when all that belongs to the creature is gone from the scene--when the platform is thoroughly cleared of all that is merely of man1 it is then that the beams of the divine glory can be seen in all their brightness4 ,it is when all is gone1 or seems to be1 that ,christ can come in and fill the scene4 ,this is a grand point for the soul to get hold of and understand4 ,it is only faith that can really enter into it4 ,we are all so terribly prone to lean on some creature-prop1 to sit beside some creature-stream1 to trust in an arm of flesh1 to cling to what we can see1 to rest in the palpable and tangible4 ,the things that are seen and temporal have ofttimes more weight with us than the things which are unseen and eternal4 ,hence it is our ever-faithful ,lord sees it right and good to sweep away our creature-props1 and dry up our creature-streams1 in order that we may lean on ,himself1 the eternal ,rock of our salvation1 and find all our springs in ,himself1 the living and exhaustless ,fountain of all blessing4 ,he is jealous of our love and confidence1 and ,he will clear the scene of everything that might divide our hearts with ,himself4 ,he knows it is for our souls' full blessing to be wholly cast upon ,himself1 and hence ,he seeks to purify our hearts from every hateful idol4 ,and should we not praise ,him for all this8 ,yes1 truly2 and not only so1 but we should welcome whatever means ,he is pleased to use for the accomplishment of ,his wise and gracious end1 even though1 to nature's view1 it may seem harsh and severe4 ,he may often have to say to us as ,he said to ,peter1 ,what ,i do thou knowest not now1 but thou shalt know hereafter4 ,yes1 beloved reader1 by and by we shall know and appreciate all ,his dealings4 ,we shall look back upon the whole course from the light of ,his own blessed presence1 and see and own that the very heaviest stroke of ,his hand was the very strongest expression of ,his love at the time4 ,martha and ,mary might wonder why death had been allowed to enter their dwelling4 ,doubtless they looked day after day1 hour after hour1 moment after moment1 for their beloved ,friend to enter2 but instead of that ,he kept away1 and death entered1 and all seemed gone4 ,why was this8 ,let ,himself reply4 ,these things said ,he3 and after that ,he saith unto them1 ,our friend ,lazarus sleepeth4 ,what touching affection6 ,what gracious intimacy6 ,what a tender linking of ,himself with the family of ,bethany on the one hand1 and ,his disciples on the other6 ,our friend ,lazarus sleepeth4 ,it was but a gentle sleep4 ,death is not death in the presence of the ,prince of life4 ,the grave is but a sleeping-place4 ,i go1 that ,i may awake him out of sleep4 ,such words could not have been uttered had ,lazarus been raised from a sick-bed4 ,man's extremity is ,god's opportunity2 and we can see without difficulty that the grave afforded ,god a far better opportunity than a sick-bed4 ,this1 then1 was the reason why ,jesus kept away from ,his beloved friends4 ,he waited for the fitting moment1 and that moment was when ,lazarus had lain in the grave four days already2 when every human hope had vanished2 when all human agency was powerless and valueless4 ,i go--not to raise him from a sick-bed1 but that ,i may awake him out of sleep4 ,the platform was cleared of the creature in order that the glory of ,god might shine out in all its brightness4 ,and is it not well to have the scene thus cleared of the creature8 ,is it not a mercy--not in disguise1 as some people say1 but a plain1 positive1 palpable mercy--to have every human prop gone8 ,faith says1 ,yes--unhesitatingly and emphatically4 ,nature says1 ,no6 ,the poor heart craves something of the creature to lean upon1 something that the eye can see4 ,but faith--that most precious1 priceless1 divinely-wrought principle--finds its true sphere in being called to lean absolutely and abidingly upon the living ,god4 ,but it must be a real thing4 ,it is of little use talking about faith if the heart be a stranger to its power4 ,mere profession is perfectly worthless4 ,god deals in moral realities4 ,what doth it profit1 my brethren1 though a man say he have faith8 ,he does not say1 ,what doth it profit though a man have faith8 ,blessed be ,god1 those who through grace have it1 know that it profits much every way4 ,by faith the sinner is brought in living relationship with ,god1 is justified1 and lives unto ,him4 ,faith glorifies ,god as nothing else can4 ,it lifts the soul above the depressing influences of things seen and temporal4 ,it tranquilizes the spirit in a most blessed manner4 ,it enlarges the heart1 by leading us out of our own narrow circle of personal interests1 sympathies1 cares and burdens1 and connecting us livingly with the eternal1 exhaustless spring of goodness4 ,it works by love1 and draws us out in gracious activity toward every object of need1 but especially toward those who are of the household of faith4 ,it is faith alone that can move along the path where ,jesus leads4 ,to mere nature that path is dreadful4 ,it is rough1 dark1 and lonely4 ,even those who surrounded our blessed ,lord on the occasion of the death of ,lazarus seemed wholly unable to comprehend ,his thoughts or follow intelligently in ,his footsteps4 ,when ,he said1 ,let us go into ,judea again1 they could think only of the ,jews stoning ,him4 ,when ,he said1 ,i go1 that ,i may awake him out of sleep1 they replied1 ,if he sleep1 he shall do well4 ,when ,he spoke of his death1 they thought that ,he had spoken of taking rest in sleep4 ,when ,he said unto them plainly1 ,lazarus is dead3 and ,i am glad for your sakes that ,i was not there1 to the intent that ye may believe poor unbelieving nature1 speaking through the lips of ,thomas ,didymus1 said1 ,let us also go1 that we may die with ,him4 ,in a word1 we see total inability to take in the true bearing of the case1 as viewed from a divine standpoint4 ,nature sees nothing but death and darkness1 where faith basks in the sunlight of the divine presence4 ,let us also go1 that we may die with ,him4 ,alas1 alas6 was this all that even a disciple had to say8 ,how absurd are the conclusions of unbelief6 ,let us go with the ,prince of life1 that--what8 we may die with ,him6 ,what blindness even while attached to the ,lord6 ,should not ,thomas have said3 ,let us go1 that we may behold ,his glory2 that we may see ,his marvelous doings in the very region of the shadow of death2 that we may share in ,his triumphs2 that we may shout1 at the very gates of the grave1 our hallelujahs to ,his deathless name8 ,,iv ,we have already noticed the three prominent subjects presented to us in ,john xi41 namely1 our ,lord's own path with the ,father2 secondly1 ,his profound sympathy with us2 thirdly1 ,his grace in linking us with ,himself1 in so far as that is possible1 in all ,his blessed work4 ,he ever walked with ,god1 in calm1 unbroken communion4 ,he walked in the most implicit obedience to the will of ,god1 and was ruled in all things by ,his glory4 ,he walked in the day1 and stumbled not4 ,the will of ,god was the light in which the perfect workman ever carried on ,his work4 ,he found ,his only motive for action in the divine will--,his only object in the divine glory4 ,he came down from heaven1 not to do ,his own will1 but the will of the ,father1 in which ,he ever found ,his meat and drink4 ,but ,his great1 loving heart flowed out in perfect sympathy with human sorrow4 ,this we see attested in the most touching manner as ,he moved1 in company with the afflicted sisters1 to the tomb of their brother4 ,if any question had arisen in their hearts during the season of trial1 in the absence of their ,lord1 it was abundantly answered1 yea1 we may add1 completely demolished1 by the manifestation of ,his deep and tender affection as ,he moved toward the spot where the beams of the divine glory were so soon to shine out over the dreary region of death4 ,we do not here dwell upon the interesting interview between the two sisters and their beloved ,lord1 so full of teaching1 so illustrative of ,his perfect mode of dealing with ,his people in their varied measures of intelligence and communion4 ,we pass at once to the inspired statement in verse #cc of our chapter4 ,when ,jesus therefore saw her weeping1 and the ,jews also weeping which came with her1 ,he groaned in the spirit1 and was troubled1 and said1 ,where have ye laid him8 ,they said unto ,him1 ,lord1 come and see4 ,jesus wept4 ,how wonderful6 ,the ,son of ,god groaned and wept4 ,let us never forget it4 ,he1 though ,god over all1 blessed forever2 though the resurrection and the life2 though the ,quickener of the dead2 though the ,conqueror of the grave2 though on ,his way to deliver the body of ,his friend from the grasp of the enemy--sample of what ,he will soon do for all who belong to ,him--yet1 so perfectly did ,he enter into human sorrow1 and take in all the terrible consequences of sin1 all the misery and desolation of this sin-stricken world1 that ,he groaned and wept6 ,and those tears and groans emanated from the depths of a perfect human heart that felt as only a perfect human heart could feel--felt according to ,god--for every form of human sorrow and misery4 ,though perfectly exempt1 in ,his own divine person1 from sin and all its consequences--yea1 because exempt--,he could in perfect grace enter into it all and make it ,his own as only ,he could do4 ,jesus wept6 ,wondrous1 significant fact6 ,he wept not for ,himself1 but for others4 ,he wept with them4 ,mary wept4 ,the ,jews wept4 ,all this is easily grasped and understood4 ,but that ,jesus should weep reveals a mystery which we cannot fathom4 ,it was divine compassion weeping through human eyes over the desolation which sin had caused in this poor world1 weeping in sympathy with those whose hearts had been crushed by the inexorable hand of death4 ,let all who are in sorrow remember this4 ,jesus is the same yesterday1 to-day1 and forever4 ,his circumstances are changed1 but ,his heart is not4 ,his position is different1 but ,his sympathy is the same4 ,we have not a high priest that can not be touched with the feeling of our infirmities1 but was in all points tempted like as we are1 apart from sin4 ,there is a perfect human heart on the throne of the ,majesty of the heavens1 and that heart sympathizes with us in all our sorrows1 in all our trials1 in all our infirmities1 in all our pressure and exercise4 ,he perfectly enters into it all4 ,yea1 ,he gives ,himself to each one of ,his beloved members here upon earth as though ,he had only that one to look after4 ,how sweet and soothing to think of this6 ,it is worth having a sorrow to be allowed to taste the preciousness of ,christ's sympathy4 ,the sisters of ,bethany might say1 ,lord1 if ,thou hadst been here1 my brother had not died4 ,but if their brother had not died1 they would not have seen ,jesus weeping1 or heard ,his deep groan of sympathy with them in their sorrow4 ,and who would not say that it is better to have the sympathy of ,his heart with us in our sorrow than the power of ,his hand in keeping or taking us out of it8 ,was it not much better1 much higher1 much more blessed1 for the three witnesses in ,dan4 iii4 to have the ,son of ,god walking with them in the furnace than to have escaped the furnace by the power of ,his hand8 ,unquestionably4 ,and thus it is in every case4 ,we have ever to remember that this is not the day for the display of ,christ's power4 ,by and by ,he will take to ,himself ,his great power1 and reign4 ,then all our sufferings1 our trials1 our tribulations1 will be over forever4 ,the night of weeping will give place to the morning of joy--the morning without clouds--the morning that shall never know an evening4 ,but now it is the time of ,christ's patience1 the time of ,his precious sympathy2 and the sense of this is most blessedly calculated to sustain the heart in passing through the deep waters of affliction4 ,and there are deep waters of affliction4 ,there are trials1 sorrows1 tribulations1 and difficulties4 ,and not only so1 but our ,god means that we should feel them4 ,his hand is in them for our real good1 and for ,his glory4 ,and it is our privilege to be able to say1 ,we glory in tribulation also2 knowing that tribulation worketh patience2 and patience1 experience2 and experience1 hope2 and hope maketh not ashamed1 because the love of ,god is shed abroad in our hearts by the ,holy ,ghost1 which is given unto us4 ,the ,lord be praised for all this6 ,but it were folly to deny that there are trials1 sorrows and tribulations of all sorts4 ,nor would our ,god have us insensible to them4 ,insensibility to them is folly2 glorying in them is faith4 ,the consciousness of ,christ's sympathy1 and the intelligence of ,god's object in all our afflictions1 will enable us to rejoice in them2 but to deny the afflictions1 or that we ought to feel them1 is simply absurd4 ,god would not have us to be stoics2 ,he leads us into deep waters to walk with us through them2 and when ,his end is reached1 ,he delivers us out of them1 to our joy and ,his own everlasting praise4 ,he said unto me1 ,my grace is sufficient for thee2 for ,my strength is made perfect in weakness4 ,most gladly therefore will ,i rather glory in my infirmities1 that the power of ,christ may rest upon me4 ,therefore ,i take pleasure in infirmities1 in reproaches1 in necessities1 in persecutions1 in distresses1 for ,christ's sake2 for when ,i am weak then ,i am strong4 ,at the first1 ,paul longed to be rid of the thorn in the flesh1 whatever it was4 ,he besought the ,lord thrice that it might depart from him4 ,but the thorn in the flesh was better than pride in the heart4 ,it was better far to be afflicted than puffed up--better to have ,christ's sympathy with him in his temptation than the power of ,his hand in delivering him out of it4 ,v ,it is deeply touching to mark the two groans of our ,lord1 as ,he moved toward the tomb of ,his friend4 ,the first groan was called forth by the sight of the weeping mourners around ,him4 ,when ,jesus therefore saw her weeping1 and the ,jews also weeping which came with her1 ,he groaned in the spirit1 and was troubled4 ,the margin reads1 ,he troubled ,himself4 ,how precious is the thought of this to the crushed and sorrowing heart6 ,the sight of human tears drew forth a groan from the loving1 sympathizing heart of the ,son of ,god4 ,let all mourners remember this4 ,jesus did not rebuke ,mary for weeping4 ,he did not rally her on account of her sorrow4 ,he did not tell her she ought not to feel2 that she ought to be above everything of that sort4 ,ah1 no6 this would not be like ,him4 ,some heartless folk may talk in this style2 but ,he knew better4 ,he1 though ,son of ,god1 was a real man2 and hence1 ,he felt as a man ought to feel1 and ,he knew what man must feel1 while passing through this dark vale of tears4 ,some of us talk largely and loftily about being above nature1 and not feeling the snapping of tender links1 and much in that strain4 ,but in this we are not wise4 ,we are not in sympathy with the heart of the ,man1 ,christ ,jesus4 ,it is one thing to put forth1 in heartless flippancy1 our transcendental theories1 and it is quite another to pass through the deep waters of grief and desolation with a heart exercised according to ,god4 ,it will generally be found that those of us who declaim the loudest against nature1 prove ourselves to be just like other people1 when called to meet bodily sickness1 sorrow of heart1 mental pressure1 or pecuniary loss4 ,the great point is to be real1 and to go through the stern realities of actual life with a heart truly subject to ,god4 ,fine-drawn theories will not stand the test of real sorrow1 trial1 and difficulty2 and nothing can be more absurd than to talk to people1 with human hearts1 about not feeling things4 ,god means us to feel2 and--precious1 soothing1 consolatory thought6--,jesus feels with us4 ,let all the sons and daughters of sorrow remember these things for the consolation of their sorrowing hearts4 ,god comforts those that are cast down4 ,if we were never cast down1 we should not know ,his precious ministry4 ,a stoic does not need the comfort of ,god4 ,it is worth having a broken heart to have it bound up by our most merciful ,high ,priest4 ,jesus groaned--,jesus wept4 ,what power1 what divine sweetness in these words6 ,what a blank there would be were these words erased from the page of inspiration6 ,surely we could not do without them1 and therefore our own most gracious ,god has1 by ,his ,spirit1 penned these unspeakably precious words for the comfort and consolation of all who are called to tread the chamber of sorrow1 or to stand at the grave of a friend4 ,but there was another groan evoked from the heart of our blessed ,lord4 ,some of the ,jews1 when they heard ,his groan1 and saw ,his tears1 could not help exclaiming1 ,behold how ,he loved him6 ,but alas6 others only found1 in such affecting proofs of true and profound sympathy1 occasion for the display of heartless skepticism and skepticism is always heartless4 ,some of them said1 could not this man1 that opened the eyes of the blind1 have caused that even this man should not have died8 ,here the poor human heart lets itself out1 in its ignorant reasonings4 ,how little did these skeptics understand either the person or the path of the ,son of ,god6 ,how could they appreciate the motives that actuated ,him either in what ,he did1 or in what ,he did not do8 ,he opened the eyes of the blind1 in order that the works of ,god might be made manifest in him4 ,and ,he did not prevent the death of ,lazarus1 that ,god might be glorified thereby4 ,but what did they know about all this8 ,absolutely nothing4 ,the blessed ,one moved at far too high an elevation to be within the ken of worldly religionists and skeptical reasoners4 ,the world knew ,him not4 ,god understood and appreciated ,him perfectly4 ,this was enough4 ,what were the thoughts of men to ,one who ever walked in calm communion with the ,father8 ,they were utterly incapable of forming a correct judgment either of ,himself or of ,his ways4 ,they carried on their reasonings in that thick moral darkness in which they dwelt4 ,thus it is still4 ,human reasonings are begun1 continued1 and ended in darkness4 ,man reasons about ,god2 reasons about ,christ2 reasons about ,scripture2 reasons about heaven1 about hell1 about eternity2 about all sorts of things4 ,but all his reasonings are worse1 far worse1 than worthless4 ,men are no more capable of understanding or appreciating the written ,word now1 than they were of understanding or appreciating the living ,word1 when ,he was amongst them4 ,indeed1 the two things must go together4 ,as the living ,word and the written ,word are one1 so to know the one we must know the other2 but the natural1 the unrenewed1 the unconverted man knows neither4 ,he is totally blind1 in utter darkness1 dead2 and when1 without reality1 he makes a religious profession1 he is twice dead--dead in nature and dead in his religion4 ,what are his thoughts1 his reasonings1 his conclusions worth8 ,they are baseless1 false1 ruinous4 ,nor is there the slightest use in arguing with unconverted people4 ,it only tends to deceive them by leading them to suppose that they can argue4 ,it is always the best way to deal solemnly with them as to their own moral condition before ,god4 ,we do not find our ,lord taking any notice of the unbelieving reasonings of those around ,him4 ,he only again groans and goes on ,his way4 ,jesus therefore1 again groaning in ,himself1 cometh to the grave4 ,it was a cave1 and a stone lay upon it4 ,this second groan is deeply affecting4 ,he groaned1 at first1 in sympathy with the mourners around ,him4 ,he groaned again over the hardness and dark unbelief of the human heart1 and of the heart of ,israel in particular4 ,but1 be it carefully noted1 ,he does not attempt to explain ,his reasons for not having hindered the death of ,his friend1 although ,he had opened the eyes of the blind4 ,blessed1 perfect ,servant6 ,it was no part of ,his business to explain or apologize4 ,he had to work on in the current of the divine counsels1 and for the promotion of the divine glory4 ,he had to do the ,father's will1 not explain ,himself to those who could not possibly understand the explanation4 ,this is a weighty point for us all4 ,some of us lose a quantity of time in argument1 apology1 and explanation1 in cases where such things are not the least understood4 ,we really do mischief4 ,better far pursue1 in holy calmness of spirit1 singleness of eye1 and decision of purpose1 the path of duty4 ,that is what we have got to do1 not to explain or defend ourselves1 which is sorry work at best for any one4 ,but let us look a moment at the tomb of ,lazarus1 and there see with what lovely grace our adorable ,lord and ,master sought to associate ,his servants with ,himself in ,his work1 in so far as that was possible2 though1 even here1 too1 ,he is sadly intruded upon by the dark unbelief of the human heart4 ,jesus said1 ,take ye away the stone4 ,this they could do1 and hence ,he graciously calls upon them to do it4 ,it was all they could do1 so far4 ,but here unbelief breaks in and casts its dark shadows over the heart4 ,martha1 the sister of him that was dead1 saith unto ,him1 ,lord1 by this time he stinketh2 for he hath been dead four days4 ,and what of that8 ,could the humiliating process of decomposition1 even if completed1 stand for one moment in the way of ,him who is the resurrection and the life8 ,impossible6 ,bring ,him in1 and all is clear and simple2 leave ,him out1 and all is dark and impracticable4 ,let but the voice of the ,son of ,god be heard1 and death and corruption must vanish like the darkness of night before the beams of the rising sun4 ,behold1 ,i shew you a mystery3 ,we shall not all sleep1 but we shall all be changed1 in a moment1 in the twinkling of an eye1 at the last trump2 for the trumpet shall sound1 and the dead shall be raised incorruptible1 and we shall be changed4 ,so when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption1 and this mortal shall have put on immortality1 then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written1 ,death is swallowed up in victory4 ,o death1 where is thy sting8 ,o grave1 where is thy victory8 ,the sting of death is sin2 and the strength of sin is the law4 ,but thanks be to ,god1 which giveth us the victory through our ,lord ,jesus ,christ4 ,how magnificent6 ,what are death1 the grave1 and decomposition in the presence of such power as this8 ,talk of being dead four days as a difficulty6 ,millions that have been mouldering in the dust for thousands of years1 shall spring up in a moment into life1 immortality1 and eternal glory1 at the voice of that blessed ,one to whom ,martha ventured to offer her unbelieving and irrational suggestion4 ,,vi ,in our ,lord's reply to ,martha we have one of the most blessed utterances that ever fell on the human ear4 ,said ,i not unto thee1 that1 if thou wouldest believe1 thou shouldest see the glory of ,god8 ,what living depth1 what divine power1 what freshness and comfort in these words6 ,they present to us the very gist and marrow1 the essential principle of the divine life4 ,it is only the eye of faith that can see the glory of ,god4 ,unbelief sees only difficulties1 darkness1 and death4 ,faith looks above and beyond all these1 and ever basks in the blessed beams of the divine glory4 ,poor ,martha saw nothing but a decomposed human body1 simply because she was under a spirit of dark and depressing unbelief4 ,had she been swayed by an artless faith1 she would have walked to the tomb in company with ,him who is the resurrection and the life1 assured that1 instead of death and decomposition1 she should see the glory of ,god4 ,reader1 this is a grand principle for the soul to grasp4 ,it is utterly impossible for human language to overstate its value and importance4 ,faith never looks at difficulties1 except indeed it be to feed on them4 ,it looks not at the things that are seen1 but at the things that are unseen4 ,it endures as seeing ,him who is invisible4 ,it takes hold of the living ,god4 ,it leans on ,his arm2 it makes use of ,his strength2 it draws on ,his exhaustless treasury2 it walks in the light of ,his blessed countenance1 and sees ,his glory shining forth over the darkest scenes of human life4 ,the inspired volume abounds in striking illustrations of the contrast between faith and unbelief4 ,let us glance at one or two of them4 ,look1 for example1 at ,caleb and ,joshua1 in contrast with their unbelieving brethren1 in ,num4 xiii4 ,these latter saw only the difficulties which stood in their way4 ,nevertheless the people be strong that dwell in the land1--not stronger than ,jehovah1 surely1--and the cities are walled1 and very great--not greater than the living ,god3--and moreover we saw the children of ,anak there4 ,it is very clear that they did not see the glory of ,god2 indeed1 they saw anything and everything but that4 ,they were wholly governed by a spirit of unbelief1 and hence they could only bring up an evil report of the land which they had searched unto the children of ,israel1 saying1 ,the land1 through which we have gone to search it1 is a land that eateth up the inhabitants thereof2 and all the people that we saw in it are men of great stature--they did not see a single small man3 they looked at everything through the magnifying-glass of unbelief4 ,there we saw the giants--no doubt6--the sons of ,anak1 which come of the giants4 ,anything more8 ,ah1 ,god was shut out2 they could not see ,him at all through the glasses they used4 ,they could only see the terrible giants and towering walls3 and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers1 and so were we in their sight4 ,but what of ,jehovah8 ,alas1 ,he was left out6 ,unbelief invariably leaves ,god out of its calculations4 ,it can take a very full account of the difficulties1 the hindrances1 the hostile influences2 but as for the living ,god1 it sees ,him not4 ,there is a melancholy consistency in the utterances of unbelief1 whether we listen to them in the wilderness of ,kadesh1 or1 fourteen hundred years afterwards1 at the tomb of ,lazarus4 ,unbelief is always and everywhere the same2 it begins1 continues and ends with the absolute exclusion of the one living and true ,god4 ,it can do naught save to cast dark shadows over the pathway of every one who will listen to its voice4 ,how different are the accents of faith6 ,harken to ,joshua and ,caleb1 as they seek to stem the rising tide of unbelief4 ,and ,joshua the son of ,nun1 and ,caleb the son of ,jephunneh1 which were of them that searched the land1 rent their clothes3 and they spake unto all the company of the children of ,israel1 saying1 ,the land1 which we passed through to search it1 is an exceeding good land4 ,if the ,lord delight in us1--here lies the secret1--then ,he will bring us into this land1 and give it us2 a land which floweth with milk and honey4 ,only rebel not ye against the ,lord1 neither fear ye the people of the land2 for they are bread for us--faith actually feeds on the difficulties which terrify unbelief3--their defence is departed from them1 and the ,lord is with us3 fear them not4 ,glorious words6 ,it does the heart good to transcribe them4 ,said ,i not unto thee1 that1 if thou wouldest believe1 thou shouldest see the glory of ,god8 ,thus it is always4 ,if there is a melancholy consistency in the utterances of unbelief1 there is a glorious consistency in the accents of faith1 wherever we harken to them4 ,caleb and ,joshua saw the glory of ,god1 and in the light of that glory what were giants and high walls8 ,simply nothing4 ,if anything1 they were bread for the nourishment of faith4 ,faith brings in ,god1 and ,he dispels all difficulties4 ,what walls or giants could stand before the ,almighty ,god8 ,if ,god be for us1 who can be against us8 ,such is ever the artless but powerful reasoning of faith4 ,it conducts its arguments and reaches its conclusions in the blessed light of the divine presence4 ,it sees the glory of ,god4 ,it looks above and beyond the heavy clouds which at times gather upon the horizon1 and finds in ,god its sure and never-failing resource4 ,precious faith6--the only thing in the world that really glorifies ,god1 and makes the heart of the ,christian truly bright and happy4 ,take another illustration4 ,turn to #a ,kings xvii41 and contrast the widow of ,sarepta with ,elijah the ,tishbite4 ,what was the difference between them8 ,just the difference that ever exists between unbelief and faith4 ,listen again to the utterances of unbelief4 ,and she said1 ,as the ,lord thy ,god liveth1 ,i have not a cake1 but a handful of meal in a barrel1 and a little oil in a cruse3 and1 behold1 ,i am gathering two sticks1 that ,i may go in and dress it for me and my son1 that we may eat it1 and die4 ,here1 truly1 is a gloomy picture4 ,an empty barrel1 an exhausted cruse1 and death6 ,was that all8 ,that was all for blind unbelief4 ,it is the old story of the giants and lofty walls over again4 ,god is shut out1 though she could say1 ,as the ,lord thy ,god liveth4 ,in reality she was out of ,his presence1 and had lost the sense of ,his all-sufficiency to meet her need and that of her house4 ,her circumstances excluded ,god from the vision of her soul4 ,she looked at things that were seen1 not at the things which were unseen4 ,she saw not the invisible ,one2 she saw nothing but famine and death4 ,as the ten unbelieving spies saw nothing but the difficulties2 as ,martha saw nothing but the grave and its humiliating results2 so the poor ,sareptan saw nothing but starvation and death4 ,not so the man of faith4 ,he looked beyond the barrel and the cruse4 ,he had no thought of dying of hunger4 ,he rested on the word of the ,lord4 ,here was his precious resource4 ,god had said1 ,i have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee4 ,this was quite enough for him4 ,he knew that ,god could multiply the meal and the oil to sustain him and her4 ,like ,caleb and ,joshua1 he brought ,god into the scene1 and found in ,him the happy solution of every difficulty4 ,they saw ,god above and beyond the walls and the giants4 ,they rested on ,his eternal word4 ,he had promised to bring ,his people into the land1 and hence1 though there were nothing but walls and giants from ,dan to ,beersheba1 ,he would most surely fulfil ,his word4 ,and so with ,elijah the ,tishbite4 ,he saw the living and almighty ,god above and beyond the barrel and the cruse4 ,he rested upon that word which is settled forever in heaven1 and which never can fail a trusting heart4 ,this tranquilized his spirit1 and with this he sought to tranquilize the widow too4 ,and he said unto her1 ,fear not2--precious1 soul-stirring utterance of faith6--go1 and do as thou hast said4444 ,for thus saith the ,lord ,god of ,israel1 ,the barrel of meal shall not waste1 neither shall the cruse of oil fail1 until the day that the ,lord sendeth rain upon the earth4 ,here was the solid ground on which the man of ,god rested when he ventured to offer a word of encouragement to the poor1 desponding widow of ,sarepta4 ,it was not in the light-heartedness1 or blind recklessness1 of nature that he spoke to her4 ,he did not deny that the barrel and cruse were almost empty1 as the woman had said4 ,this could have given her no comfort1 inasmuch as she knew too well the facts of her case4 ,but he brought the living ,god and ,his faithful ,word before her aching heart2 and hence he could say1 ,fear not4 ,he sought to lead her soul to that true resting-place where he himself had found repose1 namely1 the word of the living ,god--blessed1 unfailing1 divine resting place for every anxious soul6 ,thus it was with ,caleb and ,joshua4 ,they did not deny that there were giants and high walls3 they brought ,god in1 and sought to place ,him between the hearts of their desponding brethren and the dreaded difficulties4 ,this is what faith always does1 and thus gives glory to ,god and keeps the soul in peace1 let the difficulties be ever so great4 ,it would be folly to deny there are obstacles and hostile influences in the way3 and there is a certain style of speaking of such things which cannot possibly minister comfort or encouragement to a poor1 troubled heart4 ,faith accurately weighs the difficulties and trials1 but1 knowing that the power of ,god outweighs them all1 it rests in holy calmness on ,his word1 and in ,his perfect wisdom and everlasting love4 ,the reader's mind will no doubt recur to many other instances in which the ,lord's people have been cast down by looking at circumstances1 instead of looking at ,god4 ,david1 in a dark moment1 could say1 ,i shall one day perish by the hand of ,saul4 ,what a sad mistake6--the mistake of unbelief4 ,what should he have said8 ,denied that the unrelenting hand of ,saul was against him8 ,surely not4 ,what comfort would that have given him1 inasmuch as he knew too well that it was really so4 ,but he should have remembered that the hand of ,god was with him1 and that hand was stronger than ten thousand ,sauls4 ,so with ,jacob in his day of darkness and depression4 ,all these things1 said he1 are against me4 ,what should he have added8 ,but ,god is for me4 ,faith has its buts and ifs as well as unbelief2 but faith's buts and ifs are all bright1 because they express the passage of the soul--its rapid passage--from the difficulties to ,god ,himself4 ,but ,god who is rich1 etc4 ,and again1 ,if ,god be for us1 who can be against us8 ,thus faith ever reasons4 ,it begins with ,god1 it places ,him between the soul and all its surroundings1 and thus imparts a peace which passeth all understanding1 a peace which nothing can disturb4 ,but we must1 ere closing this paper1 return for a moment to the tomb of ,lazarus4 ,the rapid glance we have taken through the inspired volume will enable us to appreciate more fully those most precious words of our ,lord to ,martha1 ,said ,i not unto thee1 that1 if thou wouldest believe1 thou shouldest see the glory of ,god8 ,men tell us that seeing is believing2 but we can say that believing is seeing4 ,yes1 reader1 get hold of this grand truth4 ,it will carry you through and bear you above the darkest and most trying scenes of this dark and trying world4 ,have faith in ,god4 ,this is the main-99spring of the divine life4 ,the life that ,i live in the flesh1 ,i live by the faith of the ,son of ,god1 who loved me1 and gave ,himself for me4 ,faith knows1 and is persuaded1 that there is nothing too hard1 nothing too great--yea1 and nothing too small--for ,god4 ,it can count on ,him for everything4 ,it basks in the very sunlight of ,his presence1 and exults in the manifestations of ,his goodness1 ,his faithfulness1 and ,his power4 ,it ever delights to see the platform cleared of the creature1 that the glory of ,god may shine forth in all its lustre4 ,it turns away from creature streams and creature props1 and finds all its resources in the one living and true ,god4 ,only see how the divine glory displays itself at the grave of ,lazarus1 even spite of the unbelieving suggestion of ,martha's heart2 for ,god1 blessed be ,his name1 delights at times to rebuke our fears as well as to answer our faith4 ,then they took away the stone where the dead was laid4 ,and ,jesus lifted up ,his eyes1 and said1 ,father1 ,i thank ,thee that ,thou hast heard ,me4 ,and ,i knew that ,thou hearest ,me always3 but because of the people which stand by ,i said it1 that they may believe that ,thou hast sent ,me4 ,and when ,he thus had spoken1 ,he cried with a loud voice1 ,lazarus1 come forth6 ,and he that was dead came forth1 bound hand and foot with grave clothes2 and his face was bound about with a napkin4 ,jesus saith unto them1 ,loose him1 and let him go4 ,glorious scene6 displaying our ,jesus as the ,son of ,god with power1 by resurrection of the dead4 ,gracious scene6 in which the ,son of ,god condescends to use man in rolling away the stone and removing the grave clothes4 ,how good of ,him to use us in any little way6 ,may it be our joy to be ever ready--in a holy readiness to be used1 that ,god in all things may be glorified6 ,,love ,,divine4 ,father6 ,thy sovereign love has sought ,captives to sin1 gone far from ,thee3 ,the work that ,thine own ,son hath wrought ,has brought us back--in peace1 and free6 ,and now1 as sons before ,thy face1 ,with joyful steps the path we tread1 ,which leads us on to that blest place ,prepared for us by ,christ1 our ,head4 ,thou gav'st us in eternal love ,to ,him1 to bring us home to ,thee-- ,suited to ,thine own thoughts above2 ,as sons1 like ,him1 with ,him to be ,in ,thine own house6 ,there ,love ,divine ,fills the bright courts with cloudless joy3 ,but 'tis the love that made us ,thine ,fills all that house without alloy6 ,oh1 boundless grace6 ,what fills with joy ,unmingled all that enter there-- ,god's nature1 love without alloy-- ,our hearts are given e'en now to share6 ,o ,mind ,divine6 so must it be1 ,that glory1 all1 belongs to ,god6 ,o ,love ,divine6 that did decree ,we should be part1 through ,jesus' blood6 ,o1 keep us1 ,love ,divine1 near ,thee1-- ,that we our nothingness may know2 ,and ever to ,thy glory be-- ,walking in faith while here below4 ,j4 ,n4 ,d4 ,,restoration 7,gen4 xxxv47 ,the words ,arise1 go up to ,bethel contain a great practical truth to which we desire to call the reader's attention4 ,it has been well remarked by some one that ,god1 in ,his dealings with us1 always keeps us up to the original terms4 ,this is true2 but some may not exactly understand it4 ,it may1 perhaps1 savor of the legal element4 ,to speak of ,god as keeping us up to certain terms may seem to militate against that free grace in which we stand1 and which has reigned through righteousness unto eternal life by ,jesus ,christ our ,lord4 ,many1 we are aware1 have a kind of horror of everything bordering1 in the most remote way1 upon the legal system2 and we may say we sympathize with such4 ,at the same time1 we must take care not to carry that feeling to such an extent as would lead us to throw overboard aught that is calculated to act in a divine way upon the heart and conscience of the believer4 ,we really want practical truth4 ,there is a vast amount of what is called abstract truth in circulation among us1 and we prize it1 and would prize it more4 ,we delight in the unfolding of truth in all its departments4 ,but then we must remember that truth is designed to act on hearts and consciences1 and that there are hearts and consciences to be acted upon4 ,we must not cry out1 ,legal6 legal6 whenever some great practical truth falls upon our ears1 even though that truth may come before us clothed in a garb which at first sight seems strange4 ,we are called to suffer the word of exhortation--to listen to wholesome words--to apply our hearts diligently to everything tending to promote practical godliness and personal holiness4 ,we know that the pure and precious doctrines of grace--those doctrines which find their living centre in the person of ,christ1 and their eternal foundation in ,his work--are the means which the ,holy ,ghost uses to promote holiness in the life of the ,christian2 but we know also that those doctrines may be held in theory1 and professed with the lips1 while the heart has never felt their power1 and the life never exhibited their moulding influence4 ,yes1 we frequently find that the loud and vehement outcry against everything that looks like legality proceeds from those who1 though they profess the doctrines of grace1 do not realize their sanctifying influence2 whereas those who really understand the meaning of grace1 who feel its power to mould and fashion1 to purify and elevate1 are ever ready to welcome the most pungent appeals to the heart and conscience4 ,but the pious reader may want to know what is meant by the expression quoted above1 namely1 ,god always keeps us up to the original terms4 ,well1 it simply means this1 that when ,god calls us to any special position or path1 and we fall short of it1 or wander from it1 ,he will recall us to it again and again4 ,and further1 when we set out under some special principle of action or standard of devotedness1 and swerve from it1 or fall below it1 ,he will remind us of it1 and bring us back to it4 ,true1 ,he bears with us patiently1 and waits on us graciously2 but ,he always keeps us up to the original terms4 ,and can we not praise ,him for this8 ,assuredly we can4 ,could we endure the thought of ,his allowing us to fall short of ,his holy standard1 or to wander hither and thither without ,his uttering a word to urge us on or call us back8 ,we trust not4 ,well1 then1 if ,he does speak1 what must ,he say8 ,he must just remind us of the old terms4 ,thus it is1 and thus it has ever been4 ,when ,peter was converted at the lake of ,gennesaret he forsook all and followed ,jesus1 and the last words that fell on his ear from the lips of his risen ,lord were1 ,follow thou ,me4 ,this was simply keeping him to the original terms4 ,the heart of ,jesus could not be satisfied with less1 and neither should the heart of ,his servant4 ,by the lake of ,gennesaret1 ,peter set out to follow ,jesus4 ,what then8 ,years rolled on2 ,peter had stumbled2 he had denied his ,lord2 he had gone back to his boats and nets4 ,what then8 ,after the ,lord's resurrection1 as ,peter1 restored in soul1 stood by the side of his loving ,lord at the sea of ,tiberias1 he was called to listen to that one brief1 pointed utterance4 ,follow ,me--an utterance embracing in its comprehensive grasp all the details of a life of active service and of patient suffering4 ,in a word1 ,peter was brought back to the original terms--the terms between his soul and ,christ4 ,he was brought to learn that the heart of ,jesus had undergone no change toward him--that the love of that heart was inextinguishable and unaltered2 and1 because it was so1 it could not tolerate any change in ,peter's heart--neither decline nor departure from the original terms4 ,now we see the same thing precisely in the history of the patriarch ,jacob4 ,let us just turn to it for a moment4 ,at the close of ,gen4 xxviii4 we have the record of the original terms between the ,lord and ,jacob4 ,we shall quote it at length4 ,and ,jacob went out from ,beersheba1 and went toward ,haran4 ,and he lighted upon a certain place1 and tarried there all night1 because the sun was set2 and he took of the stones of that place1 and put them for his pillows1 and lay down in that place to sleep4 ,and he dreamed1 and behold a ladder set up on the earth1 and the top of it reached to heaven3 and behold the angels of ,god ascending and descending on it4 ,and1 behold1 the ,lord stood above it1 and said1 ,i am the ,lord ,god of ,abraham thy father1 and the ,god of ,isaac3 the land whereon thou liest1 to thee will ,i give it1 and to thy seed3 and thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth2 and thou shalt spread abroad to the west1 and to the east1 and to the north1 and to the south3 and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed4 ,and1 behold1 ,i am with thee1 and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest1 and will bring thee again into this land2 for ,i will not leave thee1 until ,i have done that which ,i have spoken to thee of4 ,here1 then1 we have the blessed statement of what the ,god of ,abraham1 ,isaac and ,jacob undertook to do for ,jacob and for his seed--a statement crowned by these memorable words1 ,i will not leave thee1 until ,i have done that which ,i have spoken to thee of4 ,such are the terms by which ,god binds ,himself to ,jacob2 which terms1 blessed be ,his name1 have been and will be fulfilled to the letter1 though earth and hell should interpose to prevent4 ,jacob's seed shall yet possess the whole land of ,canaan as an everlasting inheritance1 for who shall prevent ,jehovah ,elohim1 the ,lord ,god ,almighty1 from accomplishing ,his promise8 ,let us now harken to ,jacob4 ,and ,jacob awaked out of his sleep1 and he said1 ,surely the ,lord is in this place2 and ,i knew it not4 ,and he was afraid1 and said1 ,how dreadful is this place6 this is none other but the house of ,god1 and this is the gate of heaven4 ,and ,jacob rose up early in the morning1 and took the stone that he had put for his pillows1 and set it up for a pillar1 and poured oil upon the top of it4 ,and he called the name of that place ,bethel4444 ,and ,jacob vowed a vow1 saying1 ,if ,god will be with me1 and will keep me in this way that ,i go1 and will give me bread to eat1 and raiment to put on1 so that ,i come again to my father's house in peace2 then shall the ,lord be my ,god3 and this stone1 which ,i have set for a pillar1 shall be ,god's house3 and of all that ,thou shalt give me ,i will surely give the tenth unto ,thee4 ,thus much as to ,bethel and the terms entered into there4 ,god pledged ,himself to ,jacob2 and though heaven and earth should pass away1 that pledge must be maintained in all its integrity4 ,he revealed ,himself to that poor lonely one who lay sleeping on his stony pillow2 and not only revealed ,himself to him1 but linked ,himself with him in a bond which no power of earth or hell can ever dissolve4 ,and what of ,jacob8 ,why1 he dedicated himself to ,god1 and vowed that the spot where he had enjoyed such a revelation and harkened to such exceeding great and precious promises1 should be ,god's house4 ,all this was deliberately uttered before the ,lord1 and solemnly recorded by ,him2 and then ,jacob went on his journey4 ,years passed--twenty long and eventful years--years of trial and exercise1 during which ,jacob experienced many ups and downs1 changes1 and varied trials2 but the ,god of ,bethel watched over ,his poor servant1 and appeared unto him in the midst of his pressure1 and said unto him1 ,i am the ,god of ,bethel1 where thou anointedst the pillar1 and where thou vowedst a vow unto ,me3 now arise1 get thee out from this land1 and return unto the land of thy kindred4 ,god had not forgotten the original terms1 neither would ,he let ,his servant forget them4 ,is this legality8 ,nay2 it is the exhibition of divine love and faithfulness4 ,god loved ,jacob1 and ,he would not suffer him to stop short of the old standard4 ,he jealously watched over the state of ,his servant's heart2 and1 lest it should by any means remain below the ,bethel mark1 ,he gently reminds him by those touching and significant words1 ,i am the ,god of ,bethel1 where thou anointedst the pillar1 and where thou vowedst a vow4 ,this was the sweet expression of ,god's unchanging love1 and of the fact that ,he counted on ,jacob's remembrance of ,bethel scenes4 ,how amazing that the ,high and ,mighty ,one1 who inhabiteth eternity1 should so value the love and remembrance of a poor worm of the earth6 ,yet so it is1 and we ought to bear it more in mind4 ,alas1 we forget it6 ,we are ready enough to take mercies and blessings from the hand of ,god1 and most surely ,he is ready enough to bestow them4 ,but then we ought to remember that ,he looks for the loving devotion of our hearts to ,him2 and if we1 in the freshness and ardor of other days1 set out to follow ,christ1 give up all for ,him1 can we suppose for a moment that ,he could coldly and indifferently forego ,his claim upon our heart's affections8 ,should we like ,him to do so8 ,could we endure the thought of its being a matter of indifference to ,him whether we loved ,him or not8 ,god forbid6 ,yea1 it should be the joy of our hearts to think that our blessed ,lord seeks the loving devotion of our souls to ,him2 that ,he will not be satisfied without it2 that when we wander hither and thither1 ,he calls us back to ,himself1 in ,his own gentle1 gracious1 touching way4 ,when1 weary of ,his rich repast1 ,i've sought1 alas1 to rove2 ,he has recalled ,his faithless guest1 ,and showed ,his banner1 ,love4 ,yes1 ,his banner ever floats1 bearing its own inscription upon it to win back our vagrant hearts1 and remind us of the original terms4 ,he says to us1 in one way or another1 as ,he said to ,jacob1 ,i am the ,god of ,bethel1 where thou anointedst the pillar1 and where thou vowedst a vow4 ,thus ,he deals with us1 in the midst of all our wanderings1 our haltings1 and our stumblings4 ,he makes us to know1 that as we cannot do without ,his love1 so neither can ,he do without ours4 ,it is truly wonderful2 yet so it is4 ,he will keep the soul up to the old terms4 ,harken to those touching appeals of the ,spirit of ,christ to ,his saints in other days3 ,thou hast left thy first love2 ,remember from whence thou art fallen2 and repent1 and do thy first works 7,rev4 ii472 ,call to remembrance the former times 7,heb4 x4 #cb72 ,where is the blessedness ye spake of8 7,gal4 iv4 #ae74 ,what is all this but calling ,his people back to the old point from which they had declined8 ,it may be said1 they ought not to have needed this4 ,no doubt2 yet they did need it2 and because they needed it1 ,jesus did it4 ,it may be said1 further1 that tried love is better than first love4 ,granted2 but do we not find1 as a matter of fact in our spiritual history1 that upon our first setting out to follow ,jesus there is a simplicity1 an earnestness1 a freshness1 fervor and depth of devotion1 which1 from various reasons1 we fail to keep up8 ,we become cold and careless2 the world gets in upon us and eats up our spirituality2 nature gains the upper hand1 in one way or another1 and deadens our spiritual sensibility1 damps our ardor1 and dims our vision4 ,is the reader conscious of anything like this8 ,if so1 would it not be a peculiar mercy if at this very moment he were called back to the old terms8 ,doubtless4 ,well1 then1 let him be assured that the heart of ,jesus is waiting and ready4 ,his love is unchanging2 and not only so1 but ,he would remind you that ,he cannot be satisfied without a true response from you4 ,wherefore1 beloved friend1 whatever has drawn you away from the measure of your earliest dedication to ,him1 let your heart now spring up and get back at once to ,him4 ,do not hesitate4 ,linger not4 ,cast yourself at the feet of your loving ,lord--tell ,him all--and let your heart fully turn to ,him1 and let it be only for ,him4 ,this is the secret spring of all true service4 ,if ,christ has not the love of your heart1 ,he does not want the labor of your hands4 ,he does not say1 ,son1 give ,me thy money1 thy time1 thy talents1 thine energies1 thy pen1 thy tongue1 thy head4 ,all these are unavailing1 unsatisfying to ,him4 ,what ,he says to you is1 ,my son1 give ,me thy heart4 ,where the heart is given to ,jesus1 all will come right4 ,out of the heart come all the issues of life2 and if only ,christ have ,his right place in the heart1 the work and the ways1 the walk and the character1 will be all right4 ,but we must return to ,jacob1 and see further how our subject is illustrated in his fruitful history4 ,at the close of ,gen4 xxxiii4 we find him settling down at ,shechem1 where he gets into all sorts of trouble and confusion4 ,his house is dishonored1 and his sons in avenging the dishonor endanger his life4 ,all this ,jacob feels keenly1 and he says to his sons ,simeon and ,levi1 ,ye have troubled me 444 among the inhabitants of the land1 among the ,canaanites and the ,perizzites2 and ,i being few in number1 they shall gather themselves together against me2 and ,i shall be destroyed1 ,i and my house4 ,all this was most deplorable2 but it does not appear to have once occurred to ,jacob that he was in a wrong place4 ,the defilement and confusion of ,shechem failed to open his eyes to the fact that he was not up to the old terms4 ,how often is this the case6 ,we fall short of the divine standard in our practical ways2 we fail in walking up to the height of the divine revelation2 and although the varied fruits of our failure are produced on every side1 yet our vision is so dimmed by the atmosphere around us1 and our spiritual sensibilities so blunted by our associations1 that we do not discern how low we are1 and how very far short of the proper mark4 ,however1 in ,jacob's case we see the divine principle again and again illustrated4 ,and ,god said unto ,jacob1 ,arise1 go up to ,bethel1 and dwell there2 and make there an altar unto ,god1 that appeared unto thee when thou fleddest from the face of ,esau thy brother4 ,reader1 note this4 ,we have here a most exquisite feature in the divine method of dealing with souls4 ,there is not one word said about ,shechem1 its pollutions and its confusions4 ,there is not a word of reproof for having settled down there4 ,such is not ,god's way4 ,he employs a far more excellent mode4 ,had we been dealing with ,jacob we should have come down upon him with a heavy hand1 and read him a severe lecture about his folly in settling at ,shechem1 and about his personal and domestic habits and condition4 ,but oh1 how well it is that ,god's thoughts are not as our thoughts1 nor ,his ways like ours6 ,instead of saying to ,jacob1 ,why have you settled down in ,shechem8 ,he simply says1 ,arise1 go up to ,bethel2 and the very sound of the word sent a flood of light into ,jacob's soul by which he was enabled to judge himself and his surroundings4 ,then ,jacob said unto his household1 and to all that were with him1 ,put away the strange gods that are among you1 and be clean1 and change your garments3 and let us arise1 and go up to ,bethel2 and ,i will make there an altar unto ,god1 who answered me in the day of my distress1 and was with me in the way which ,i went4 ,this was1 assuredly1 getting back to the original terms4 ,it was the restoring of a soul and a leading in the paths of righteousness4 ,jacob felt that he could not bring false gods and defiled garments to ,bethel3 such things might pass at ,shechem1 but they would never do for ,bethel4 ,and they gave unto ,jacob all the strange gods which were in their hand1 and all their earrings which were in their ears2 and ,jacob hid them under the oak which was by ,shechem4444 ,so ,jacob came to ,luz1 which is in the land of ,canaan1 that is1 ,bethel1 he and all the people that were with him4 ,and he built there an altar1 and called the place ,el-beth-el2 because there ,god appeared unto him1 when he fled from the face of his brother4 ,,el-beth-,,el4 ,precious title1 which had ,god for its ,alpha and its ,omega6 ,at ,shechem1 ,jacob called his altar ,el-elohe-,israel1 that is1 ,god1 the ,god of ,israel2 but at ,bethel1 the true standpoint1 he called his altar ,el-beth-el1 that is1 ,god--the house of ,god4 ,this was true restoration4 ,jacob was brought back1 after all his wanderings1 to the very point from which he had started4 ,nothing less than this could ever satisfy ,god in reference to ,his servant4 ,he could wait patiently on him--bear with him--minister to him--care for him--look after him2 but ,he never could rest satisfied with anything short of this--,arise1 go up to ,bethel4 ,christian reader1 pause here4 ,we want to ask you a question4 ,are you conscious of having wandered from ,jesus8 ,has your heart declined1 and grown cold8 ,have you lost the freshness and ardor which once marked the tone of your soul8 ,have you allowed the world to get in upon you8 ,have you1 in the moral condition of your soul1 got down into ,shechem8 ,has your heart gone after idols1 and have your garments become defiled8 ,if so1 let us remind you of this1 that the ,lord wants you back to ,himself4 ,yes1 beloved1 this is what ,he wants2 and ,he wants it now4 ,he says to you at this moment1 ,arise1 go up to ,bethel4 ,you will never be happy1 you will never be right1 until you yield a full response to this blessed and soul-stirring call4 ,o yield it now1 we beseech you4 ,rise up1 and fling aside every weight and every hindrance2 put away the idols and change your garments1 and get back to the feet of your ,lord1 who loves you with a love which many waters cannot quench1 neither can the floods drown2 and who cannot be satisfied until ,he has you with ,himself1 according to the original terms4 ,say not this is legal2 it is nothing of the sort4 ,it is the love of ,jesus--,his deep1 glowing1 earnest love--love which is jealous of every rival affection--love which gives the whole heart1 and must have a whole heart in return4 ,may ,god the ,holy ,ghost bring back every wandering heart to the true standard6 ,may ,he visit with fresh power every soul that has gone down to ,shechem1 and give no rest until a full response has been yielded to the call1 ,,arise1 ,,go ,,up ,,to ,,bethel4 7,john xxi4 #a-ai47 ,a careful study of these verses will enable us to trace in them three distinct kinds of restoration1 namely1 restoration of conscience1 restoration of heart1 and restoration of position4 ,i4 ,the first of these1 restoration of conscience1 is of all-importance4 ,it would be utterly impossible to overestimate the value of a sound1 clear1 uncondemning conscience4 ,a ,christian cannot get on if there is a single soil on his conscience4 ,he must walk before ,god with a pure conscience--a conscience without stain or sting4 ,precious treasure6 ,may my reader ever possess it6 but in each it must be a restoration to the original terms4 ,it is very obvious that ,peter possessed it in the touching scene at the sea of ,tiberias4 ,and yet he had fallen--shamefully1 grievously fallen4 ,he had denied his ,lord with an oath2 but he was restored4 ,one look from ,jesus had broken up the deep fountains of his heart1 and drawn forth floods of bitter tears4 ,and yet it was not his tears1 but the love that drew them forth1 which formed the ground of his thorough restoration of conscience4 ,it was the changeless and everlasting love of the heart of ,jesus--the divine efficacy of the blood of ,jesus--and the all-prevailing power of the advocacy of ,jesus1 that imparted to ,peter's conscience the boldness and liberty so strikingly and beautifully exhibited on the memorable occasion before us4 ,the risen ,saviour is seen in these closing chapters of ,john's ,gospel watching over ,his poor1 feeble1 erring disciples--hovering about their path--presenting ,himself in various ways before them--taking occasion from their very necessities to make ,himself known in perfect grace to their hearts4 ,was there a tear to be dried1 a difficulty to be solved1 a fear to be hushed1 a bereaved heart to be soothed1 an unbelieving mind to be corrected8 ,jesus was present1 in all the fulness and variety of ,his grace1 to meet all these things4 ,so also when1 under the guidance of the ever forward ,peter1 they had gone forth to spend a night in fruitless toil1 ,jesus had ,his eye upon them4 ,he knew all about the darkness1 and the toil1 and the empty net2 and there ,he was on the shore to prepare a dinner for them4 ,yes1 the self-same ,jesus who had died on the cross to put away their sins1 now stood on the shore to restore them from their wanderings1 gather them round ,himself1 and minister to all their need4 ,have ye any meat8 developed the fruitlessness of their night's toil4 ,come and dine was the touching expression of the tender1 thoughtful1 all-providing love of the risen ,saviour4 ,but let us note particularly the evidences of a thoroughly restored conscience as exhibited by ,simon ,peter4 ,therefore that disciple whom ,jesus loved saith unto ,peter1 ,it is the ,lord4 ,now when ,simon ,peter heard that it was the ,lord1 he girt his fisher's coat unto him1 7for he was naked17 and did cast himself into the sea4 ,he could not wait for the ships or for his fellow-disciples1 so eager was he to get to the feet of his risen ,lord4 ,in place of saying to ,john or to the others1 ,you know how shamefully ,i have fallen2 and although ,i have since then seen the ,lord1 and heard ,him speak peace to my soul1 yet ,i think it more becoming in one that has so fallen to keep back2 do you therefore go first and meet the blessed ,one1 and ,i shall follow after4 ,in place of aught in this style1 he flings himself boldly into the sea--as much as to say1 ,i must be the very first to get to my risen ,saviour2 none has such a claim on ,him as poor1 stumbling1 failing ,peter4 ,now1 here was a perfectly restored conscience--a conscience basking in the sunlight of unchanging love2 and is not this the true1 original terms for every ,christian8 ,peter's confidence in ,christ was unclouded1 and this1 we may boldly affirm1 was grateful to the heart of ,jesus4 ,love likes to be trusted4 ,let us ever remember this4 ,no one need imagine that he is honoring ,jesus by standing afar off on the plea of unworthiness2 and yet it is very hard for one who has fallen1 or backslidden1 to recover his confidence in the love of ,christ4 ,such a one can see clearly that a sinner is welcome to ,jesus1 no matter how great or manifold his sins may have been2 but then1 he thinks1 the case of a backsliding1 or stumbling1 ,christian is entirely different4 ,should these lines be scanned by one who has backslidden1 or fallen1 we would press upon him most earnestly the importance of immediate return to ,jesus4 ,return1 ye backsliding children1 and ,i will heal your backslidings4 ,what is the response to this pathetic appeal8 ,behold1 we come unto ,thee2 for ,thou art the ,lord our ,god4 ,if thou wilt return1 ,o ,israel1 saith the ,lord1 return unto ,me 7,jer4 iii4 #bb2 iv4 #a74 ,the love of the heart of ,jesus knows no change4 ,we change2 but ,he is the same yesterday1 and to-day1 and forever2 and ,he delights to be trusted4 ,the confidence of ,peter's heart was precious to the heart of ,christ4 ,no doubt it is sad to fall1 to err1 to backslide2 but it is sadder still1 when we have done so1 to distrust the love of ,jesus1 or ,his gracious readiness to take us to ,his bosom again4 ,beloved reader1 have you fallen8 ,have you erred8 ,have you backslidden8 ,have you lost the sweet sense of divine favor1 the happy consciousness of acceptance with ,god8 ,if so1 what are you to do8 ,simply this--,return4 ,this is ,god's own special word to the backslider4 ,return in full confession1 in self-judgment1 and in the fullest confidence in the boundless1 changeless love of the heart of ,christ4 ,do not1 we beseech you1 keep away in the distance of your own unbelief4 ,do not measure the heart of ,jesus by your own thoughts4 ,let ,him tell you what is in ,his heart toward you4 ,you have sinned1 you have failed1 you have turned aside2 and now1 it may be1 you are afraid or ashamed to turn your eyes toward the ,one whom you have grieved1 or dishonored4 ,satan too is suggesting the darkest thoughts2 for he would fain keep you at a chilling distance from that precious ,saviour who loves you with an everlasting love4 ,but you have only to fix your gaze upon the blood1 the advocacy1 the heart of ,jesus1 to get a triumphant answer to all the enemy's terrible suggestions1 and to all the infidel reasonings of your own heart4 ,do not1 therefore1 go on another hour without seeking to get a thorough settlement of the question between your soul and ,christ4 ,remember1 ,his is an unchanging love1 free and faithful1 strong as death4 ,remember1 also1 ,his own words1 ,return1 ye backsliding children--,return to ,me4 ,christ1 and ,he alone1 is the centre and circumference of all the terms to which our souls are bound4 ,and1 finally1 remember that ,jesus loves to be trusted4 ,,ii4 ,but the heart has to be restored as well as the conscience4 ,let this not be forgotten4 ,it often happens1 in the history of souls1 that though the conscience may be perfectly clear as to certain acts which we have done1 yet the roots from whence those acts have sprung have not been reached4 ,the acts appear on the surface of daily life1 but the roots are hidden down deep in the heart1 unknown1 it may be1 to ourselves and others1 but thoroughly exposed to the eye of ,him with whom we have to do4 ,now1 these roots must be reached1 exposed and judged1 ere the heart is in a right condition in the sight of ,god4 ,look at ,abraham4 ,he started on his course with a certain root in his heart1 a root of unbelieving reserve in reference to ,sarah4 ,this thing led him astray when he went down to ,egypt2 and although his conscience was restored1 and he got back to his altar at ,bethel1 yet the root was not reached for years afterwards1 as seen in the affair of ,abimelech1 king of ,gerar4 ,all this is deeply practical1 and most solemn4 ,it finds its illustration in ,peter as well as in ,abraham4 ,but now mark the exquisitely delicate way in which our blessed ,lord proceeds to reach the roots in the heart of ,his dear and honored servant4 ,so when they had dined4 ,not till then4 ,there was no allusion to the past1 nothing that might cause a chill to the heart1 or bring a cloud over the spirit1 while a restored conscience was feasting in company with a love that knows no change4 ,this is a fine moral trait4 ,it characterizes the dealings of ,god with all ,his saints4 ,the conscience is set at rest in the presence of infinite and everlasting love4 ,but there must be the deeper work of reaching the root of things in the heart4 ,when ,simon ,peter1 in the full confidence of a restored conscience1 flung himself at the feet of ,his risen ,lord1 he was called to listen to that gracious invitation1 ,come and dine4 ,but when they had dined1 ,jesus1 as it were1 takes ,peter apart1 in order to let in upon his soul the light of truth1 so that by it he might discern the root from whence all his failure had sprung4 ,that root was self-confidence1 which had led him to place himself in advance of his fellow-disciples1 and say1 ,though all should deny ,thee1 yet will not ,i4 ,this root had to be exposed1 and therefore1 ,when they had dined1 ,jesus saith to ,simon ,peter1 ,simon1 son of ,jonas1 lovest thou ,me more than these8 ,this was a pointed and pungent question1 and it went right to the very bottom of ,peter's heart4 ,three times ,peter had denied his ,lord1 and three times his ,lord now challenges the heart of ,peter--for the roots must be reached if any permanent good is to be done4 ,it will not do merely to have the conscience purged from the effects which have been produced in practical life2 there must also be the moral judgment of that which produced them4 ,this is not sufficiently understood and attended to1 and hence it is that again and again the roots spring up and bear forth their fruit with increasing power1 thus cutting out for us the most bitter and sorrowful work1 which might all be avoided if the roots of things were thoroughly judged and kept under judgment4 ,christian reader1 our object in this paper is entirely practical4 ,let us therefore exhort one another to judge our roots1 whatever they may be4 ,do we know our roots8 ,doubtless it is hard1 very hard1 to know them4 ,they are deep and manifold3 pride1 personal vanity1 covetousness1 irritability1 ambition--these are some of the roots of character1 the motive springs of action1 over which a rigid censorship must ever be exercised4 ,we must let nature know that the eye of self-judgment is continually upon it4 ,we have to carry on the struggle without cessation4 ,we may have to lament over occasional failure2 but we must maintain the struggle1 for struggle bespeaks life4 ,we must remember that the original terms are that in the flesh dwelleth no good thing4 ,may ,god the ,holy ,ghost strengthen us for this vigilance against the flesh6 ,,iii4 ,we shall close this paper with a brief reference to restoration as bearing upon the soul's position1 or path4 ,the conscience being thoroughly purged1 and the heart1 with its varied roots1 judged1 there is moral preparedness for our proper path4 ,the perfect love of ,jesus had expelled all fear from ,peter's conscience2 and his threefold question had opened up the roots in ,peter's heart1 and now ,he says to him1 ,verily1 verily1 ,i say unto thee1 ,when thou wast young1 thou girdedst thyself1 and walkedst whither thou wouldest3 but when thou shalt be old1 thou shalt stretch forth thy hands1 and another shall gird thee1 and carry thee whither thou wouldest not4 ,this spake ,he1 signifying by what death he should glorify ,god4 ,and when ,he had spoken this1 ,he saith unto him1 ,follow ,me4 ,and this is exactly the original terms by which our ,lord began with ,peter as ,his disciple4 ,it was then also1 ,follow ,me4 ,here1 then1 we have in two words the path of the servant of ,christ--,follow ,me4 ,the ,lord had just given ,peter the sweetest pledges of ,his love and confidence4 ,he had1 notwithstanding all past failure1 entrusted him with the care of all that was dear to ,his loving heart in this world1 even the lambs and sheep of ,his flock4 ,he had said to him1 ,if you have affection for ,me1 feed ,my lambs1 shepherd ,my sheep2 and now1 in one brief but comprehensive utterance1 ,he opens before him his proper path--,follow ,me4 ,this is enough4 ,it includes all besides4 ,if we want to follow ,jesus1 we must keep the eye continually upon ,him2 we must mark ,his footprints and tread therein4 ,yes1 mark them1 and walk in them2 and when tempted1 like ,peter1 to turn about1 in order to see what this one or that one has to do1 or how he does it1 we may hear the correcting words1 ,what is that to thee8 follow thou ,me4 ,this is to be our one grand and all-absorbing business1 come what may4 ,a thousand things may arise to distract and hinder4 ,the devil will tempt us to look hither and thither1 to look at this one and that one2 to imagine we could do better here than there1 or there than here2 to be occupied with1 and imitating1 the work of some fellow-servant4 ,all this is met by those pointed words1 ,follow ,me4 ,there is immense danger of following in the wake of others1 of doing certain things because others do them1 or doing things as others do them4 ,all this has to be carefully guarded against4 ,it will be sure to come to nothing4 ,what we really want is a broken will--the true spirit of a servant that waits on the ,master to know ,his mind4 ,service does not consist in doing this or that1 or running hither and thither2 it is simply doing the ,master's will1 whatever that may be4 ,they serve who stand and wait4 ,it is easier to be busy than to be quiet4 ,when ,peter was young1 he went whither he would2 but when he got old1 he went whither he would not4 ,what a contrast between the young1 restless1 ardent1 energetic ,peter1 going whither he would1 and the old1 matured1 subdued1 experienced ,peter1 going whither he would not6 ,what a mercy to have the will broken6--to be able to say from the heart1 ,what ,thou wilt--as ,thou wilt--where ,thou wilt--when ,thou wilt--not my will1 but ,thine1 ,o ,lord1 be done6 ,follow ,me6 ,precious words6 ,may they be engraved on our hearts1 beloved reader6 ,then shall we be steady in our course and effective in our service4 ,we shall not be distracted or unhinged by the thoughts and opinions of men4 ,it may happen that we shall get very few to understand us or to sympathize with us--few to approve or appreciate our work4 ,it matters not4 ,the ,master knows all about it4 ,if a master tells one of his servants distinctly to go and do a certain thing1 or occupy a certain post1 it is his business to go and do that thing1 or occupy that post1 no matter what his fellow-servants may think4 ,they may tell him that he ought to be somewhere else1 or to do something else4 ,a proper servant will heed them not2 he knows his master's mind1 and has to do his master's work4 ,would it were more thus with all the ,lord's servants6 ,would that we all knew more distinctly1 and carried out more decidedly1 the ,master's will respecting us6 ,peter had his path1 and ,john had his4 ,james had his work1 and ,paul had his4 ,so it was of old3 the ,gershonite had his work1 and the ,merarite had his2 and if the one had interfered with the other1 the work would not have been done4 ,the tabernacle was carried forward1 or set up1 by each man doing his own proper work4 ,thus it is in this our day4 ,god has varied workmen in ,his house and in ,his vineyard2 and the original terms of service are that the ,holy ,spirit divideth to every one as ,he will4 ,he has quarrymen1 stone-squarers1 masons1 and builders4 ,are all quarrymen8 ,surely not4 ,but each has his work to do1 and the building is carried forward by each one doing his own appointed work4 ,should a quarryman despise a builder1 or a builder look down with contempt upon a quarryman8 ,assuredly not4 ,the ,master wants them both2 and whenever the one would interfere with the other 7as1 alas1 we are apt to do71 the faithful correcting word falls on the ear1 ,what is that to thee8 follow thou ,me4 ,,jericho ,,and ,,achor ,,or ,,privilege ,,and ,,responsibility 7,read ,joshua vi41 vii47 ,the ,christian reader will do well to turn1 first of all1 to the two chapters named above1 and give them a careful reading4 ,they furnish a very striking and impressive record of the double effect of ,god's presence with ,his people4 ,in chapter vi4 we are taught that the divine ,presence ensured victory over the power of the enemy4 ,in chapter vii4 we learn that the divine ,presence demanded judgment upon evil in the bosom of the congregation4 ,the ruins of ,jericho demonstrate the one2 the great heap of stones in the valley of ,achor attests the other4 ,now1 these two things must never be separated4 ,we see them vividly illustrated in every page of the history of ,god's people1 both in the ,old and in the ,new ,testament4 ,the self-same ,presence that secures victory demands holiness4 ,let us never forget this4 ,yea1 let us keep it ever in the remembrance of our hearts4 ,it has an individual as well as a collective application4 ,if we are to walk with ,god1 or1 rather1 if ,he is to walk with us1 we must judge and put away everything inconsistent with ,his holy presence4 ,he cannot sanction unjudged evil in ,his people4 ,he can pardon1 heal1 restore1 and bless2 but ,he is intolerant of evil4 ,our ,god is a consuming fire4 ,the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of ,god4 ,should the thought of this discourage or depress any true-hearted child of ,god1 or servant of ,christ8 ,certainly not4 ,it should neither discourage nor depress1 but it should make us very watchful over our hearts1 very careful as to our ways1 our habits of thought and conversation4 ,we have nothing to fear while ,god is with us1 but ,he cannot possibly sanction evil in ,his people2 and every true lover of holiness will heartily bless ,him for this4 ,could we possibly desire it to be otherwise8 ,would we wish the standard of holiness to be lowered at all8 ,god forbid4 ,all those who love ,his name can give thanks at the remembrance of ,his holiness1 and rejoice in the truth that holiness becometh ,his house forever8 ,be ye holy1 for ,i am holy4 ,it is not by any means on the pharisaic principle1 wrapped up in the words1 ,stand by thyself2 ,i am holier than thou4 ,thank ,god1 it is not this4 ,it is not a question of what we are1 but of what ,he is4 ,our character and conduct are to be formed by the truth of what ,god is4 ,marvelous grace6 ,precious privilege6 ,god must have ,his people like ,himself4 ,if they forget this1 ,he will surely remind them of it4 ,if ,he1 in infinite grace1 links ,his name and ,his glory with us1 it behooves us to look well to our habits and ways1 lest we bring any reproach on that name4 ,is this legal bondage8 ,nay1 it is the holiest liberty4 ,we may rest perfectly assured of this1 that we are never further removed from legality than when treading that path of true holiness which becomes all those who bear the name of ,christ4 ,having therefore these promises1 dearly beloved1 let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit1 perfecting holiness in the fear of ,god4 ,this great truth holds good at all times4 ,we see it in the ruins of ,jericho4 ,we read it in the valley of ,achor4 ,what was it that caused the frowning walls and towering bulwarks of ,jericho to fall down at the sound of rams' horns and the shout of the people8 ,the presence of ,jehovah4 ,and it mattered not if it was but the city of ,jericho or the whole land of ,canaan1 before that invincible ,presence4 ,but what means the humiliating defeat before the insignificant city of ,ai8 ,how comes it to pass that the hosts of ,israel1 so recently triumphant at ,jericho1 have to flee ignominiously before a mere handful of men at ,ai8 ,ah1 the answer tells a sorrowful tale6 ,here it is2 let us harken to it1 and ponder it in the deepest depths of our heart4 ,let us seek to profit by it4 ,let us be solemnly warned by it4 ,it has been written for our admonition4 ,the ,holy ,ghost has taken the pains to record it for our learning4 ,woe be to the one who turns a deaf ear to the warning voice6 ,but the children of ,israel committed a trespass in the accursed thing3 for ,achan1 the son of ,carmi1 the son of ,zabdi1 the son of ,zerah1 of the tribe of ,judah1 took of the accursed thing3 and the anger of the ,lord was kindled against--whom8 ,achan merely8 or his household1 or his family1 or his tribe8 ,nay1 but against the children of ,israel6 ,the whole assembly was involved in the evil4 ,how was this8 ,the divine presence imparted a unity to the whole assembly2 it bound them all together in such a manner as to involve all in the sin of the one4 ,it was one assembly1 and hence it was impossible for any one to take independent ground4 ,the sin of each was the sin of all1 because ,god was in their midst1 and ,he could not countenance unjudged evil4 ,the whole congregation was involved1 and had to clear itself of the evil ere ,jehovah could lead it on to victory4 ,had ,he allowed them to triumph at ,ai1 it would have argued that ,he was indifferent to the sin of ,his people1 and that ,he could give the sanction of ,his presence to an accursed thing1 which were simply blasphemy against ,his holy name4 ,and ,joshua sent men from ,jericho to ,ai1 which is beside ,beth-aven1 on the east side of ,bethel1 and spake unto them1 saying1 ,go up and view the country4 ,and the men went up and viewed ,ai4 ,and they returned to ,joshua1 and said unto him1 ,let not all the people go up2 but let about two or three thousand men go up and smite ,ai2--more easily said than done2--and make not all the people to labor thither2 for they are but few--yet quite too many for ,israel with an ,achan in the camp4 ,so there went up thither of the people about three thousand men2 and they fled before the men of ,ai4 ,and the men of ,ai smote of them about thirty and six men3 for they chased them from before the gate even unto ,shebarim1 and smote them in the going down3 wherefore the hearts of the people melted1 and became as water4 ,and ,joshua rent his clothes1 and fell to the earth upon his face before the ark of the ,lord until the eventide1 he and the elders of ,israel1 and put dust upon their heads4 ,here was a strange and unlooked-for experience4 ,and ,joshua said1 ,alas1 ,o ,lord ,god1 wherefore hast ,thou at all brought this people over ,jordan1 to deliver us into the hand of the ,amorites1 to destroy us8 would to ,god we had been content1 and dwelt on the other side ,jordan6 ,o ,lord1 what shall ,i say when ,israel turneth their backs before their enemies8 ,for the ,canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land shall hear of it1 and shall environ us round1 and cut off our name from the earth3 and what wilt ,thou do unto ,thy great name8 ,joshua1 that beloved and honored servant of ,god1 did not see1 did not understand1 that it was the very glory of that great name which necessitated the defeat at ,ai1 just as it had achieved the victory at ,jericho4 ,but there were other elements in that glory besides power4 ,there was holiness1 and that holiness rendered it impossible for ,him to lend the sanction of ,his presence where there was unjudged evil4 ,joshua should have concluded that there was something wrong in the condition of the people4 ,he ought to have known that the hindrance was with ,israel1 and not with ,jehovah4 ,the same grace that had given them victory at ,jericho would have given it at ,ai1 if things were right4 ,but1 alas1 they were not right2 and hence defeat1 and not victory1 was the order of the day4 ,how could there be victory with an accursed thing in the camp8 ,impossible6 ,israel must judge the evil1 or ,jehovah must judge ,israel4 ,to have given them a victory at ,ai would have been a reproach and a dishonor to the ,one whose name was called upon them4 ,the divine presence absolutely demanded judgment upon the evil2 and until that was executed1 further progress in the conquest of ,canaan was out of the question4 ,be ye clean that bear the vessels of the ,lord4 ,holiness becometh ,thy house1 ,o ,lord1 for ever4 ,and the ,lord said unto ,joshua1 ,get thee up2 wherefore liest thou thus upon thy face8 ,israel hath sinned1--not merely ,achan1--and they have also transgressed ,my covenant which ,i commanded them3 for they have even taken of the accursed thing1 and have also stolen1 and dissembled also1 and they have put it even among their own stuff4 ,therefore the children of ,israel could not stand before their enemies1 but turned their backs before their enemies1 because they were accursed3 neither will ,i be with you any more1 except ye destroy the accursed from among you4 ,this is peculiarly solemn4 ,the whole congregation is held responsible for the evil4 ,a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump4 ,unbelief may inquire how all are involved in the sin of one2 but the word of ,god definitely settles the question--,israel hath sinned--they have taken--they have stolen--they have dissembled4 ,the assembly was one2 one in privilege1 one in responsibility4 ,as such1 the sin of one was the sin of all1 and all were called upon to clear themselves thoroughly by putting away the accursed thing from among them4 ,there was not a single member of that large congregation who was not affected by ,achan's sin4 ,this may seem strange to mere nature1 but such is the solemn and weighty truth of ,god4 ,it was true in the assembly of ,israel of old1 and assuredly it is not less true in the ,church of ,god now4 ,no one could take independent ground in the assembly of ,israel2 how much less can he take it in the ,church of ,god8 ,there were over six hundred thousand people who1 to speak after the manner of men1 were wholly ignorant of what ,achan had done2 and yet ,god's word to ,joshua was1 ,israel hath sinned4 ,all were involved2 all were affected2 and all had to clear themselves ere ,jehovah could again lead them on to victory4 ,the presence of ,god in the midst of the ,assembly formed the unity of all2 and the presence of the ,holy ,ghost in the ,church of ,god1 the body of ,christ now on the earth1 binds all up in one divine1 indissoluble unity4 ,hence1 to talk of independency is to deny the very foundation-truth of the ,church of ,god1 and to prove beyond all question that we understand neither its nature nor its unity as set forth on the page of inspiration4 ,and if evil creeps into an assembly1 how is it to be met8 ,here it is3 ,up1 sanctify the people1 and say1 ,sanctify yourselves against to-morrow3 for thus saith the ,lord ,god of ,israel1 ,there is an accursed thing in the midst of thee1 ,o ,israel3 thou canst not stand before thine enemies1 until ye take away the accursed thing from among you4 ,were they one in privilege8 ,were they one in the enjoyment of the glory and strength which the divine ,presence secured8 ,were they one in the splendid triumph at ,jericho8 ,who would deny all this8 ,who would wish to deny it8 ,why1 then1 seek to question their oneness in responsibility--their oneness in respect to the evil in their midst1 and all its humbling consequences8 ,surely1 if there was unity in anything1 there was unity in everything4 ,if ,jehovah was the ,god of ,israel1 ,he was the ,god of all1 the ,god of each2 and this grand and glorious fact was the solid basis both of their high privileges and their holy responsibilities4 ,how could evil exist in such an assembly1 and a single member be unaffected by it8 ,how could there be an accursed thing in their very midst1 and a single member not be defiled8 ,impossible4 ,we may reason and argue about it until the tongue cleaves to the roof of the mouth1 but all the reasoning and argument in the world cannot touch the truth of ,god1 and that truth declares that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump4 ,but how is the evil to be discovered8 ,the presence of ,god reveals it4 ,the self-same power that had leveled the walls of ,jericho1 detected1 revealed and judged the sin of ,achan4 ,it was the double effect of the same blessed ,presence1 and ,israel was called to share in the one as well as in the other4 ,to attempt to separate the two is folly1 ignorance1 or wickedness4 ,it cannot be done1 and ought not to be attempted4 ,,part ,,ii4 ,we must ever remember1 that1 in the history of ,god's ways with ,his people1 privilege and responsibility are intimately bound up together4 ,to talk of privilege1 or think of enjoying it1 while neglecting the responsibility1 is a gross delusion4 ,no true lover of holiness could think for a moment of separating them2 nay1 he must ever delight in strengthening and perpetuating the precious link4 ,thus1 for example1 in ,israel's case1 who could estimate aright the high privilege of having ,jehovah dwelling in their midst8 ,by day and by night1 there ,he was1 to guide and guard1 shield and shelter them2 to meet their every need1 to give them bread from heaven1 and bring them forth water out of the rock4 ,his presence was a safeguard against every foe2 no weapon formed against them could prosper2 not a dog might move his tongue against them2 they were at once invulnerable and invincible2 with ,god in their midst they had nothing whatever to fear4 ,he charged ,himself with all their wants1 whether great or small4 ,he looked after their garments1 that they might not wax old2 ,he looked after their feet1 that they might not swell2 ,he covered them with the shield of ,his favor1 so that no arrow might touch them2 ,he stood between them and every foe1 and flung back in the enemy's face every accusation4 ,thus much as to the high privilege4 ,but mark the corresponding and connected responsibility4 ,see how both are indissolubly bound up together in the following weighty words3 ,for the ,lord thy ,god walketh in the midst of thy camp1 to deliver thee1 and to give up thine enemies before thee3 therefore shall thy camp be holy2 that ,he see no unclean thing in thee1 and turn away from thee4 ,precious privilege6 ,solemn responsibility6 ,who would dare to dissolve the hallowed connection8 ,had ,jehovah deigned to come down into their midst1 and walk with them1 and tabernacle among them8 ,had ,he1 in infinite grace1 condescended to be their traveling companion8 ,was ,he there for the exigence of every hour8 ,yes1 blessed be ,his name4 ,if so1 then what did ,his presence demand8 ,we have seen something of what ,his presence secured2 but what did it demand8 ,holiness6 ,israel's whole conduct was to be regulated by the great fact of the divine ,presence in their midst4 ,not only their great public national institutions1 but their most private habits1 were to be brought under the controlling influence of ,jehovah's presence with them4 ,he regulated what they were to eat1 what they were to wear1 how they were to carry themselves in all the scenes1 circumstances and relationships of daily life4 ,by night and by day1 sleeping and waking1 sitting in the house or walking by the way1 alone or in company1 ,he looked after them4 ,nothing was to be allowed in any wise inconsistent with the holiness and purity which became the presence of the ,holy ,one of ,israel4 ,was all this irksome8 ,were the privileges irksome8 ,was it irksome to be fed1 clothed1 guided1 guarded and cared for in every possible way8 ,was it irksome to repose beneath the overshadowing wings of the ,god of ,israel8 ,surely not4 ,why1 then1 should it be irksome to keep their persons1 their habits and their dwellings clean8 ,must not every true heart1 every upright mind1 every tender conscience1 accept as thoroughly the responsibility which the divine ,presence necessarily involves as the privileges which it infallibly secures8 ,yea1 rather must we not rank the very responsibility itself among our richest and rarest privileges8 ,unquestionably4 ,every true lover of holiness will esteem it a signal mercy--a very high order of blessing--to walk in company with ,one whose presence detects and condemns every form of evil4 ,thy testimonies are very sure2 holiness becometh ,thy house1 ,o ,lord1 for ever4 ,the foregoing train of thought will enable us in some measure to understand the history of ,achan1 in ,josh4 vii4--a history solemn and impressive in the highest degree--a history which utters in our hearing1 with deepest emphasis1 words which our careless hearts are only too ready to forget1 ,god is greatly to be feared in the assembly of ,his saints1 and to be had in reverence of all them that are about ,him4 ,had ,achan remembered this1 it would have taught him the holy necessity of nipping in the very bud the covetousness of his heart1 and thus have spared the whole assembly the humiliating defeat at ,ai1 and all the consequent sorrow and discipline4 ,how terrible to think of one man1 for the sake of a little personal gain1 which at best could last but for a moment1 plunging a whole congregation into the deepest trouble6 and1 what was worse than all1 dishonoring and grieving that blessed ,one who had deigned1 in ,his infinite goodness1 to take up ,his abode in their midst6 ,how well it would be if each one of us1 when tempted to commit any secret sin1 would just pause and ask himself the question1 ,how can ,i do this thing1 and grieve the ,holy ,spirit of ,god who dwells in me1 and bring leaven into the assembly of ,god's people8 ,we ought to remember that our private walk has a direct bearing upon all the members of the body4 ,we are either helping or hindering the blessing of all4 ,we are none of us independent atoms2 we are members of a body incorporated by the presence of the ,holy ,ghost2 and if we are walking in a loose1 carnal1 worldly1 self-indulgent spirit1 we are grieving the ,spirit1 and injuring all the members4 ,but ,god hath tempered the body together 444 that there should be no schism in the body2 but that the members should have the same care one for another4 ,and whether one member suffer1 all the members suffer with it2 or one member be honored1 all the members rejoice with it 7#a ,cor4 xii4 #bd-bf74 ,it may seem hard1 to some1 to grasp this great practical truth--hard to see how our private condition and conduct can affect our fellow-members2 but the simple and obvious fact is1 we must either admit this1 or maintain the unscriptural and foolish notion that each ,christian is an independent person1 having no connection with the whole body of believers4 ,if he be a member of a body1 all the members of which are bound together1 and linked with the ,head by the personal indwelling of the ,holy ,ghost1 then1 verily1 it follows that his walk and ways affect all his fellow-members just as really as1 if any member of the human body suffers1 all the other members feel it4 ,if there is anything wrong with the hand1 the foot feels it4 ,how is this8 ,because the head feels it4 ,the communication1 in every instance1 is with the head first1 and from the head to the members4 ,now1 though ,achan was not a member of a body1 but merely of a congregation1 yet we see how his private conduct affected the whole assembly4 ,this is all the more striking1 inasmuch as the great truth of the one body was not unfolded1 and could not be until--redemption being a grand1 accomplished fact--the ,head took ,his seat on the throne of ,god1 and sent down the ,holy ,ghost to form the body1 and link it1 by ,his personal presence and indwelling1 to the ,head in heaven4 ,if the secret sin of ,achan affected every member of the congregation of ,israel1 how much more 7may we not say87 doth the secret sin of any member of the body of ,christ affect all the members thereof6 ,let us never forget this weighty truth4 ,may we keep it ever in the remembrance of our hearts1 that so we may see the urgent need of a careful1 tender1 holy walk2 that we may not dishonor our glorious ,head1 grieve the blessed indwelling ,spirit1 or injure the feeblest member of that body of which1 by the sovereign grace of ,god and the precious blood of ,christ1 we form a part4 ,but we must proceed with our subject1 and in so doing call the special attention of the reader to the way in which the sin of ,achan was traced home to him4 ,it is all most solemn4 ,he had little idea whose eye was resting upon him when he was carrying on his secret wickedness4 ,he would1 no doubt1 think himself all right1 and very successful1 when he had the money and the garment safely hidden in his tent4 ,fatal1 guilty1 wretched treasure6 ,unhappy man6 ,how dreadful is the love of money6 ,how terrible is the blinding power of sin6 ,it hardens the heart1 deadens the conscience1 darkens the understanding1 ruins the soul1 and in the case before us brought defeat and disaster upon the whole people of which he formed a part4 ,and the ,lord said unto ,joshua1 ,get thee up2 wherefore liest thou thus upon thy face8 ,there is a time for lying on the face1 and there is a time for standing on our feet2 a time for devout prostration1 and a time for decided action4 ,the instructed soul will know the time for each4 ,israel hath sinned1 and they have also transgressed ,my covenant which ,i commanded them2 for they have even taken of the accursed thing1 and have also stolen1 and dissembled also1 and they have put it even among their own stuff4 ,therefore the children of ,israel could not stand before their enemies1 but turned their backs before their enemies1 because they were accursed3 neither will ,i be with you any more1 except ye destroy the accursed from among you4 ,up1 sanctify the people1 and say1 ,sanctify yourselves against to-morrow3 for thus saith the ,lord ,god of ,israel1 ,there is an accursed thing in the midst of thee1 ,o ,israel3 thou canst not stand before thine enemies1 until ye take away the accursed thing from among you4 ,how peculiarly solemn is all this6 how very arresting6 how soul-subduing6 ,god's people--those who bear ,his name1 and profess to hold ,his truth1 who stand identified with ,him in this world--must be holy4 ,he cannot lend the sanction of ,his presence to that which is unholy or impure4 ,those who enjoy the high privilege of being associated with ,god are solemnly responsible to keep themselves unspotted from the world1 else ,he must take down the rod of discipline and do ,his strange work in their midst4 ,be ye clean that bear the vessels of the ,lord4 ,thou canst not stand before thine enemies1 until ye take away the accursed thing from among you4 ,in the morning therefore ye shall be brought according to your tribes3 and it shall be1 that the tribe which the ,lord taketh shall come according to the families thereof2 and the family which the ,lord shall take shall come by households2 and the household which the ,lord shall take shall come man by man4 ,ah1 this was coming to close quarters6 ,the sinner might seek to persuade himself that discovery was impossible2 he might cherish the fond hope of escaping amid the many thousands of ,israel4 ,miserable delusion6 ,he might be sure his sin would find him out4 ,the self-same ,presence that secured individual blessing1 secured with equal fidelity the detection of the most secret individual sin4 ,escape was impossible4 ,if ,jehovah was in the midst of ,his people to lay ,jericho in ruins at their feet1 ,he was there also to lay bare1 in its deepest roots1 the sin of the congregation1 and to bring forth the sinner from his hiding-place to bear the penalty of his wickedness4 ,how searching are ,god's ways6 ,first1 the twelve tribes are summoned1 that the transgressor might be manifested4 ,then1 one tribe is fixed upon4 ,nearer still6 the family is fixed upon6 ,and yet nearer6 the very household is actually singled out2 and1 last of all1 man by man6 ,thus1 out of six hundred thousand people1 the all-searching eye of ,jehovah reads the sinner through and through1 and marks him off before the assembled thousands of ,israel4 ,and it shall be that he that is taken with the accursed thing shall be burnt with fire1 he and all that he hath3 because he hath transgressed the covenant of the ,lord1 and because he hath wrought folly in ,israel4 ,so ,joshua rose up early in the morning1 and brought ,israel by their tribes2 and the tribe of ,judah was taken3 and he brought the family of ,judah2 and he took the family of the ,zarhites3 and he brought the family of the ,zarhites man by man2 and ,zabdi was taken3 and he brought his household man by man2 and ,achan1 the son of ,carmi1 the son of ,zabdi1 the son of ,zerah1 of the tribe of ,judah1 was taken4 ,our ,god is a consuming fire4 ,he cannot tolerate evil in the ways of ,his people4 ,this accounts for the solemn scene before us4 ,the natural mind may reason about all this--it may marvel why the taking of a little money and a garment from amid the spoils of a doomed city should involve such awful consequences and entail such a severe punishment4 ,but the natural mind is incapable of understanding the ways of ,god4 ,and may we not ask the objector1 ,how could ,god sanction evil in ,his people8 ,how could ,he go on with it8 ,what was to be done with it8 ,if ,he was about to execute judgment upon the seven nations of ,canaan1 could ,he possibly be indifferent to sin in ,his people8 ,most assuredly not4 ,his word is1 ,you only have ,i known of all the families of the earth2 therefore will ,i punish you for your iniquities4 ,the very fact of ,his taking them into relationship with ,himself was the ground of ,his dealing with them in holy discipline4 ,it is the height of folly for man to reason about the severity of divine judgment1 or the apparent lack of proportion between the sin and the punishment4 ,all such reasoning is false and impious4 ,what was it that brought in all the misery1 the sorrow1 the desolation1 the sickness1 pain1 and death--all the untold horrors of the last six thousand years8 ,what was the source of it all8 ,just the one little act--as man would call it--of eating a bit of fruit8 ,but this little act was that terrible thing called sin--yea1 rebellion--against ,god6 ,and what was needed to atone for this8 ,how was it to be met8 ,what stands over against it as the only adequate expression of the judgment of a holy ,god8--,what8 ,the burning in the valley of ,achor8 ,nay4 ,the everlasting burnings of hell8 ,nay2 something far deeper and more solemn still4 ,what8 ,the cross of the ,son of ,god6 ,the awful mystery of the death of ,christ6--that terrible cry1 ,my ,god1 ,my ,god1 why hast ,thou forsaken ,me8 ,let men remember this1 and cease to reason4 ,,part ,,iii4 ,it is always well for the ,christian to be able to give a calm and decided answer to the objection which infidelity is sure to offer to the actings of divine government4 ,the answer is this3 ,shall not the ,judge of all the earth do right8 ,if the creature is to be allowed to judge the ,creator1 there is an end of all government in the vast universe of ,god4 ,hence1 when we hear men daring to pronounce judgment upon the ways of ,god1 and undertaking to decide what is or what is not fit for ,god to do1 this grand preliminary question invariably suggests itself1 ,who is to be judge8 ,is man to judge ,god8 or is ,god to judge man8 ,if the former1 there is no ,god at all2 and if the latter1 then man has to bow his head in reverent silence1 and own his utter ignorance and folly4 ,the fact is1 if man could fathom the government of ,god1 he would no longer be man1 but ,god4 ,what contemptible folly1 therefore1 for a poor1 shallow1 ignorant1 short-sighted mortal to attempt to pronounce an opinion upon the profound mysteries of divine government6 ,his opinion is not only utterly worthless1 but1 in the judgment of every truly pious mind1 positively impious and blasphemous--a daring insult offered to the throne1 to the nature and to the character of ,god1 for which he will1 most assuredly1 have to answer before the judgment-seat of ,christ1 unless he repent and find pardon through the blood of the cross4 ,the foregoing line of thought has suggested itself in connection with the solemn scene in the valley of ,achor4 ,the unbelieving mind may be disposed to start an objection on the ground of the apparent severity of the judgment2 to institute a comparison between the offence and the punishment2 to call in question the equity of ,achan's children being involved in their father's sin4 ,to all this we simply reply1 ,are we competent to judge8 ,if any one thinks he is1 it is tantamount to saying that ,god is not fit to govern the world1 but should give place to man4 ,this is the real root of the whole matter4 ,infidelity wants to get rid of ,god altogether1 and set up man in ,his place4 ,if ,god is to be ,god1 then1 most certainly1 ,his ways1 the actings of ,his government1 the mysteries of ,his providence1 ,his purposes1 ,his counsels and ,his judgments must lie far beyond the range of the greatest human or angelic mind4 ,neither angel1 man nor devil can comprehend ,deity4 ,let men own this1 and hush into eternal silence their puny1 ignorant and contemptible reasonings4 ,let them take up the language of ,job when his eyes were opened3 ,then ,job answered the ,lord1 and said1 ,i know that ,thou canst do everything1 and that no thought can be withholden from ,thee4 ,who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge8 therefore have ,i uttered that ,i understood not2 things too wonderful for me1 which ,i knew not4 ,hear1 ,i beseech ,thee1 and ,i will speak3 ,i will demand of ,thee1 and declare ,thou unto ,me4 ,i have heard of ,thee by the hearing of the ear2 but now mine eye seeth ,thee3 wherefore ,i abhor myself1 and repent in dust and ashes4 ,when the soul gets into this attitude1 there is an end of all infidel questions4 ,till then there is little use in discussion4 ,let us now turn for a few moments to contemplate the solemn scene in the valley of ,achor2 and let us remember that whatsoever things were written aforetime1 were written for our learning4 ,may we learn to watch with holy jealousy the incipient workings of evil in our hearts4 ,it is on these men ought to sit in judgment1 and not on the pure and perfect actings of divine government4 ,joshua's address to ,achan is solemn1 weighty1 and powerful3 ,my son1 give1 ,i pray thee1 glory to the ,lord ,god of ,israel1 and make confession unto ,him2 and tell me now what thou hast done2 hide it not from me4 ,here is the all-important matter4 ,give glory to ,jehovah1 ,god of ,israel4 ,all hinges upon this4 ,the ,lord's glory is the one perfect standard by which all is to be judged--the perfect gauge by which everything is to be measured--the perfect touchstone by which all is to be tried4 ,the one great question for the people of ,god in all ages and in all dispensations is this3 ,what is suited to the glory of ,god8 ,in comparison with this1 all other questions are less than secondary4 ,it is not a question of what is suitable to us1 or what we can tolerate or agree with4 ,this is a very minor consideration indeed4 ,what we have ever to look to1 and think of1 and provide for1 is the glory of ,god4 ,we have to ask ourselves the question1 in reference to everything that comes before us1 ,will this comport with the glory of ,god8 ,if not1 let us1 by ,his grace1 fling it aside4 ,well would it have been for ,achan had he thought of this when his eye rested on the cursed treasure6 ,what misery it would have saved him6 ,what sorrow and trouble it would have saved his brethren6 ,but1 alas1 alas1 people forget all this when lust dims the eye and vanity and folly possess the heart6 and onward they go until the heavy judgment of a holy1 sin-hating ,god overtakes them4 ,and then1 forsooth1 men presume to comment upon such judgment as unworthy of a gracious and beneficent ,being4 ,ignorant presumption6 ,they would fain have a god of their own imagination1 one like themselves1 who can make light of sin and tolerate all sorts of evil4 ,the ,god of the ,bible1 the ,god of ,christianity1 the ,god of the ,cross1 the ,god and ,father of our ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 does not suit such infidel reasoners4 ,their deep heart-utterance to ,him is1 ,depart from us1 for we desire not the knowledge of ,thy ways4 ,and ,achan said1 ,indeed ,i have sinned against the ,lord ,god of ,israel1 and thus and thus have ,i done3 when ,i saw among the spoils a goodly ,babylonish garment1 and two hundred shekels of silver1 and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight1 then ,i coveted them1 and took them2 and1 behold1 they are hid in the earth in the midst of my tent1 and the silver under it4 ,here the dark1 defiling stream is traced up to its source in the heart of this unhappy man4 ,oh1 how little did he think whose eye was resting on him during the entire progress of this melancholy and disastrous affair6 ,he thought of but one thing1 namely1 the gratification of his covetousness4 ,he saw1 he coveted1 he took1 he hid2 and there1 no doubt1 he thought the matter would end4 ,he would have his treasure1 and no one would be the wiser4 ,but1 ah1 the eye of ,jehovah1 the ,god of ,israel1 was upon him--that holy eye1 from which no secret thing is hidden1 which penetrates the depths of the human heart1 and takes in at a glance all the hidden springs of human action4 ,yes1 ,god saw it all1 and ,he would make ,israel see it1 and ,achan also4 ,hence the lamentable defeat at ,ai1 and all that followed4 ,how perfectly solemn6--the whole assembly involved in shameful defeat and disaster--,joshua and the elders of ,israel1 with rent garments and dust upon their heads1 prostrate on their faces from morning till evening6 ,and then1 the divine challenge and rebuke6 the solemn muster of the hosts of ,israel1 tribe by tribe1 family by family1 household by household1 man by man6 ,and why all this8 ,just to trace the evil to its source1 bring it out1 and have it judged in the sight of every creature4 ,all created intelligence must be made to see and confess that the throne of ,god can have no fellowship with evil4 ,the same power that had leveled the walls of ,jericho1 and executed judgment upon its guilty inhabitants1 was to be manifested in detecting ,achan's sin1 and in evoking from the very depths of his convicted heart the confession of his terrible guilt4 ,he1 in common with all his brethren1 had heard ,jehovah's solemn charge1 ,and ye1 in any wise keep yourselves from the accursed thing1 lest ye make yourselves accursed1 when ye take of the accursed thing1 and make--not merely any one individual's tent1 but--the camp of ,israel a curse1 and trouble it4 ,but all the silver1 and gold1 and vessels of brass and iron1 are consecrated unto the ,lord3 they shall come into the treasury of the ,lord4 ,all this was plain enough4 ,no one could mistake it4 ,it only needed an attentive ear and an obedient heart4 ,it was as plain as the commandment delivered to ,adam and ,eve amid the bowers of ,eden4 ,but ,achan1 like ,adam1 transgressed the plain and positive command4 ,instead of hiding it in his heart1 that he might not sin against ,god1 he trampled it under his feet1 that he might gratify his sinful desires4 ,he fixed his covetous gaze upon the accursed thing1 in itself nothing but a wretched pile of dust1 but1 through ,satan's power and ,achan's erring heart1 turned into an occasion of sin1 shame1 and sorrow4 ,o reader1 how sad1 how sorrowful1 how terrible a thing it is to allow the poor heart to go after the wretched things of this world6 ,what are they all worth8 ,if we could have all the garments that were ever made in ,babylon2 all the gold and silver that ever issued from the mines of ,peru1 ,california1 and ,australia2 all the pearls and diamonds that ever glittered on the kings1 princes and nobles of this world--could they give us one hour's true happiness8 ,could they send a single ray of heavenly light into the soul8 ,could they impart to us one moment's pure1 spiritual enjoyment8 ,not they4 ,in themselves they are but perishable dust1 and when used of ,satan a positive curse1 misery1 and degradation4 ,not all the riches and material comforts which this world could offer are worth one hour's holy communion with our heavenly ,father and our precious ,saviour4 ,why should we covet this world's wretched wealth8 ,our ,god will supply all our need according to ,his riches in glory by ,christ ,jesus4 ,is not this enough8 ,why should we put ourselves within the range of ,satan's power by setting our hearts upon the riches1 honors1 or pleasures1 of a world which is ruled by the archenemy of ,god and of our souls8 ,how well it would have been for ,achan had he rested content with what the ,god of ,israel had given him6 ,how happy he might have been had he been satisfied with the furniture of his tent1 the smile of ,jehovah1 and the answer of a good conscience6 ,but he was not2 and hence the appalling scene in the valley of ,achor1 the record of which is enough to strike terror into the stoutest heart4 ,so ,joshua sent messengers1 and they ran unto the tent2 and1 behold1 it was hid in his tent1 and the silver under it4 ,and they took them out of the midst of the tent1 and brought them unto ,joshua1 and unto all the children of ,israel1 and laid them out before the ,lord4 ,and ,joshua1 and all ,israel with him1 took ,achan the son of ,zerah1 and the silver1 and the garment1 and the wedge of gold1 and his sons1 and his daughters1 and his oxen1 and his asses1 and his sheep1 and his tent1 and all that he had3 and they brought them unto the valley of ,achor4 ,and ,joshua said1 ,why hast thou troubled us8 the ,lord shall trouble thee this day4 ,and all ,israel stoned him with stones1 and burned them with fire1 after they had stoned them with stones4 ,and they raised over him a great heap of stones unto this day4 ,so the ,lord turned from the fierceness of ,his anger4 ,wherefore the name of that place was called1 ,the valley of ,achor 7that is1 trouble71 unto this day 7,josh4 vii4 #ai-bf74 ,how deeply solemn is all this6 ,what a warning note it sounds in our ears6 ,let us not attempt1 under the false influence of one-sided notions of grace1 to turn aside the holy edge of such a passage of ,scripture4 ,let us read with earnest attention the inscription on that awful monument in the valley of ,achor4 ,what is it8 ,god is greatly to be feared in the assembly of ,his saints1 and to be had in reverence of all them that are about ,him4 ,and again1 ,if any man defile the temple of ,god1 him will ,god destroy4 ,and further1 ,our ,god is a consuming fire4 ,weighty1 solemn1 searching words these6--much needed1 surely1 in these days of flippant1 easy-going profession1 when the doctrines of grace are so much on our lips1 but the fruits of righteousness so little seen in our lives4 ,may we learn from them the urgent need of watchfulness over our hearts1 and over our private life1 that evil may be judged and nipped in the bud1 so that it may not bring forth its sad1 shameful and sorrowful fruit in our practical career1 to the gross dishonor of the ,lord and the grievous sorrow of those with whom we are linked in the bonds of fellowship4 ,,part ,,iv4 ,there is a very interesting allusion to the valley of ,achor in ,hos4 ii41 at which we may just glance in passing1 though it does not connect itself with the special line of truth which we have had before us in this series of papers4 ,jehovah1 in speaking of ,israel1 by ,his prophet says3 ,therefore1 behold1 ,i will allure her1 and bring her into the wilderness1 and speak comfortably unto her4 ,and ,i will give her her vineyards from thence1 and the valley of ,achor for a door of hope2 and she shall sing there1 as in the days of her youth1 and as in the day when she came up out of the land of ,egypt 7vers4 #ad1 #ae74 ,what touching grace shines in these words6 ,the valley of ,achor--the place of trouble--the place of deep sorrow and shame--the place of humiliation and judgment--the place where the fire of ,jehovah's righteous wrath consumed the sin of ,his people--there shall be a door of hope for ,israel by and by2 there1 too1 she shall sing as in the days of her youth4 ,how wonderful to hear of songs of praise in the valley of ,achor6 ,what glorious triumphs of grace6 ,what a bright and blessed future for ,israel6 ,it shall be at that day1 saith the ,lord1 that thou shalt call me ,ishi 7my husband71 and shalt call me no more ,baali 7my lord74 ,for ,i will take away the names of ,baalim out of her mouth1 and they shall no more be remembered by their name4444 ,and ,i will betroth thee unto ,me for ever2 yea1 ,i will betroth thee unto ,me in righteousness1 and in judgment1 and in loving-kindness1 and in mercies3 ,i will even betroth thee unto ,me in faithfulness3 and thou shalt know the ,lord4 ,from this digression to the valley of ,achor in the future1 we now return to our special theme2 and in so doing we shall ask the reader to turn with us1 for a few moments1 to the opening chapters of the ,acts4 ,here we find the same grand results of the presence of ,god in the midst of ,his people as we have seen in the opening of the book of ,joshua2 only in a much more glorious manner1 as we might expect4 ,on the day of ,pentecost1 ,god the ,holy ,ghost came down to form the ,assembly1 and take up ,his abode therein4 ,this great and glorious fact was grounded on the accomplishment of the work of atonement1 as attested by the resurrection of our ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 and ,his glorification at the right hand of ,god4 ,we cannot attempt to unfold this truth in all its bearings in this brief article2 we merely call the reader's attention to the two practical points which have been before us--namely1 the privilege and responsibility connected with the ,lord's presence in the midst of ,his people4 ,if ,he was there to bless1--as ,he most surely was1--,he was also1 and quite as surely1 there to judge4 ,the two things go together1 and we must not attempt to separate them4 ,and first1 then1 we see the effect and blessings of the divine ,presence in the ,assembly3 ,and all that believed were together1 and had all things common2 and sold their possessions and goods1 and parted them to all1 as every man had need4 ,the blessed effect of the realized presence of the ,holy ,ghost was to bind their hearts together in a holy and loving fellowship2 to cause them to let go earthly things1 and to lead them to merge their personal interests in the common good4 ,precious fruits6 ,would that we saw more of them6 ,no doubt times are changed2 but ,god is not changed1 and the effect of ,his realized presence is not changed4 ,true1 we are not in ,acts ii4 ,pentecostal times are passed away2 ,christendom has lapsed in complete failure2 the professing ,church has hopelessly fallen4 ,all this is sadly true2 but ,christ our ,head abides1 in all ,his living power and unchangeable grace4 ,the foundation of ,god standeth sure--as sure1 as safe and as solid to-day as it was on the day of ,pentecost4 ,no change here1 blessed be ,god2 hence we may say1 with all possible confidence1 that where ,his presence is realized1 even though it be only by two or three gathered to the name of ,jesus1 there the same lovely fruits will be found4 ,hearts will be knit together2 earthly things will be surrendered2 personal interests will be merged4 ,it is not a question of throwing our goods into a common heap1 but of the grace which once took that special form1 and which at all times would lead us1 not merely to surrender our possessions1 but ourselves1 for the good of others4 ,it is a very grave mistake indeed for any one to say1 or to think1 that because we are not in ,pentecostal times we cannot count on the presence of ,god with us in the path of holy obedience to ,his will4 ,such a thought should be judged as sheer unbelief4 ,we are certainly shorn of many of the ,pentecostal gifts1 but we are not bereft of the ,giver4 ,the blessed ,comforter abides with us2 and it is our happy privilege to be in a position in which we can enjoy ,his presence and ministry4 ,the thing is to be in that position2 not merely to say we are in it1 to boast of being in it1 but really to be in it4 ,we may well apply here the pointed question of the blessed apostle1 ,what doth it profit1 my brethren1 though a man say he is on divine ground1 if he be not really there8 ,assuredly it profits nothing4 ,but let us not forget that although we are not in ,acts ii41 but in the second epistle to ,timothy2 although we are not in the refreshing scenes of ,pentecost1 but in the perilous times of the last days1 yet the ,lord is with those who call on ,him out of a pure heart1 and ,his presence is all we want4 ,let us only trust ,him1 use ,him1 lean upon ,him4 ,let us see to it that we are in a position in which we can count on ,his presence--a position of entire separation from all that ,he judges to be iniquity--from the dishonorable vessels in the great house1 and from all those who1 having a form of godliness1 deny the power thereof4 ,these1 we may rest assured1 are the absolutely essential conditions on which the divine ,presence can be realized by any company of ,christians4 ,we may come together1 and form ourselves into an assembly2 we may profess to be on divine ground2 we may call ourselves the assembly of ,god2 we may appropriate to ourselves all those passages of ,scripture which only apply to those who are really gathered by the ,holy ,ghost in the name of ,jesus2 but if the essential conditions are not there2 if we are not calling on the ,lord out of a pure heart2 if we are mixed up with iniquity2 if we are associated with dishonorable vessels2 if we are walking hand in hand with lifeless professors who deny in practice the power of godliness--what then8 ,can we expect to realize the ,lord's presence8 ,as well might ,israel have expected it with ,achan in the camp4 ,it cannot be4 ,in order to reach divine results1 there must be divine conditions4 ,to look for the former without the latter is vanity1 folly1 and wicked presumption4 ,let not the reader mistake our meaning4 ,we are not now treating1 or even touching1 the great question of the soul's salvation4 ,this1 precious and important as it is to all whom it may concern1 is not at all our subject in this series of papers on ,jericho and ,achor4 ,we are dealing with the solemn and weighty question of the privilege and responsibility of those who profess to be the ,lord's people1 gathered to ,his name2 and we are specially anxious to impress upon the mind of the reader that1 notwithstanding the hopeless ruin of the professing ,church1 its utter failure in its responsibility to ,christ as ,his witness and light-bearer in the world1 yet it is the happy privilege of two or three to be gathered in ,his name1 apart from all the evil and error around1 owning our common sin and failure1 feeling our weakness1 and looking to ,him to be with us and bless us according to the unchangeable love of ,his heart4 ,now1 to those thus gathered1 there is no limit whatever to the measure of blessing which our ever gracious and faithful ,lord can bestow4 ,he has the seven spirits of ,god1 and the seven stars--the fulness of spiritual power1 ministerial gift and authority for ,his ,church4 ,such is ,his style and title in addressing the church at ,sardis1 which1 we believe1 prophetically sets before us the history of ,protestantism4 ,it is not said1 as in the address to ,ephesus1 that ,he holds the seven stars in ,his right hand4 ,there is a grave difference as to this2 and it is our bounden duty to recognize both the difference and the cause4 ,when the ,church began1 on the day of ,pentecost1 and during the days of the apostles1 ,christ1 the ,head1 not only possessed all spiritual gift1 power and authority for ,his ,church1 but was owned as the actual administrator thereof4 ,he held the stars in ,his right hand4 ,there was no such thing known or thought of as human authority in the assembly of ,god4 ,christ was owned as ,head and ,lord4 ,he had received the gifts1 and ,he dispensed them according to ,his sovereign will4 ,thus it should ever be4 ,but1 alas1 man has intruded upon the hallowed sphere of ,christ's authority4 ,he presumes to meddle in the appointment of ministry in the ,church of ,god4 ,without so much as a single atom of divine authority1 without any ability whatsoever to impart the necessary gift for ministry1 he nevertheless takes upon himself the solemn responsibility of calling1 appointing1 or ordaining to the ministry in the ,church of ,god4 ,as well might the writer of these lines undertake to appoint a man as an admiral in ,her ,majesty's fleet1 or a general in her army1 as for any man1 or body of men1 to appoint a man to minister in the ,church of ,god4 ,it is a daring usurpation of divine authority4 ,none can impart ministerial gift1 and none can appoint to any branch of the ministry but ,christ1 the ,church's ,head and ,lord2 and all who undertake to do so will have to account to ,him for so doing4 ,it may be that many who thus act1 and many more who sanction or are identified with such acting1 are not aware of what they are doing2 and our ,god is gracious and merciful in bearing with our feebleness and ignorance4 ,all this is blessedly true2 but as to the principle of human authority in the ,church of ,god1 it is utterly false1 and should be rejected with holy decision by every one who loves1 reverences and adores the great ,head of the ,church and ,lord of the ,assembly1 who1 blessed be ,his name1 still has the seven ,spirits of ,god and the seven stars4 ,he has them now just as positively as in apostolic times2 and all who take their true place1 the place of self-judgment and humiliation2 all who truly own our common sin and failure1 our departure from first love1 first principles2 all who really1 in true humility of mind1 look to ,christ alone for all they want2 all who1 in real earnestness of heart and godly sincerity1 bow to ,his word and confess ,his name--all such will assuredly prove the reality of ,his presence2 they will find ,him amply sufficient for all their need4 ,they can count on ,him for the supply of all ministerial gift1 and for the maintenance of all godly order in their public reunions4 ,true1 they will feel--must feel--that they are not in the days of ,acts ii41 but in the days of #b ,timothy4 ,yet ,christ is sufficient for these1 as ,he was for those4 ,the difficulties are great1 but ,his resources are infinite4 ,it were folly to deny that there are difficulties2 but it is sinful unbelief to question the all-sufficiency of our ever-gracious and faithful ,lord4 ,he has promised to be with ,his people right on to the end4 ,but ,he cannot sanction hollow pretension1 or proud assumption4 ,he looks for reality1 for truth in the inward parts4 ,he will have us in our right place1 owning our true condition4 ,there ,he can meet us according to ,his infinite fulness1 and according to the eternal stability of that grace which reigns through righteousness unto eternal life4 ,but oh1 let us never forget that our ,god delights in uprightness of heart and integrity of purpose4 ,he will never fail a trusting heart2 but ,he must be trusted really4 ,it will not do to speak of trusting ,him while in reality we are leaning on our own appliances and arrangements4 ,here is precisely where we so sadly fail4 ,we do not leave room for ,him to act in our midst4 ,we do not leave the platform clear for ,him4 ,thus we are robbed1 and that to an extent of which we have little idea1 of the blessed manifestation of ,his presence and grace in our assemblies4 ,his ,spirit is quenched and hindered1 and we are left to feel our barrenness and poverty1 when we might be rejoicing in the fulness of ,his love and in the power of ,his ministry4 ,it is utterly impossible that ,he can ever fail those who1 owning the truth of the condition1 earnestly look to ,him4 ,he cannot deny ,himself2 and ,he can never say to ,his people that they have reckoned too largely on ,him4 ,it is not that we are to look for any special display of power in our midst1 anything that might attract public attention1 or make a noise in the world4 ,there are no tongues1 no gifts of healing1 no miracles1 no extraordinary manifestations of angelic action on our behalf4 ,neither are we to look for anything similar to the case of ,ananias and ,sapphira--the sudden and awful execution of divine judgment1 striking terror into the hearts of all1 both inside and outside the assembly4 ,such things are not to be looked for now4 ,they would not comport with the present condition of things in the ,church of ,god4 ,no doubt our ,lord ,christ has all power in heaven and on earth1 and ,he could display that power now just as ,he did in ,pentecostal times1 if it so pleased ,him4 ,but ,he does not so act1 and we can readily understand the reason4 ,it is our place to walk softly1 humbly1 tenderly4 ,we have sinned1 and failed1 and departed from the holy authority of the word of ,god4 ,we must ever bear this in mind1 and be content with a very low and retired place4 ,it would ill become us to seek a name or a position in the earth4 ,we cannot possibly be too little in our own eyes4 ,but at the same time we can1 if in our right place1 and in a right spirit1 fully count on the presence of ,jesus with us2 and we may rest assured that where ,he is--where ,his most gracious presence is felt--there we may look for the most precious results1 both in the way of binding our hearts together in true brotherly love1 in causing us to sit loose to all earthly possessions and earthly ties1 in leading us forth in grace and kindness toward all men1 and also in putting away from among us all who would defile the assembly by unsound doctrine or unholy morals4 99 99 99 99 99 ,p4 ,s4--,it is of the utmost importance for the ,christian reader to bear in mind that1 whatever be the condition of the professing ,church1 it is his privilege to enjoy as high communion and to tread as high a path of individual devotedness as ever was known in the very brightest days of the ,church's history4 ,we must never draw a plea from the condition of things around us for lowering the standard of individual holiness and devotedness4 ,there is no excuse for continuing a single hour in connection with anything that will not stand the test of ,holy ,scripture4 ,true1 we feel the condition of things--cannot but feel it3 would we felt it more6 ,but it is one thing to feel it1 and go through it with ,christ1 and another thing to sink under it and go on with the evil1 or give up in despair4 ,may the ,lord1 in ,his infinite grace1 produce in the hearts of all ,his people a more profound and influential sense of their privileges and responsibilities1 both individually and collectively1 that thus there may be a truer and brighter testimony for ,his name1 and a devoted band of worshipers1 workers and witnesses1 gathered out to wait for ,his coming6 99 99 99 99 99 ,what raised the wondrous thought8 ,or who did it suggest8 ,that we1 the ,church1 to glory brought1 ,should ,,with the ,son be blest4 ,o ,god1 the thought was ,thine6 7,thine only it could be17 ,fruit of the wisdom1 love divine1 ,peculiar unto ,thee4 ,for1 sure1 no other mind1 ,for thoughts so bold1 so free1 ,greatness or strength1 could ever find2 ,thine only it could be4 ,the motives1 too1 ,thine own1 ,the plan1 the counsel1 ,thine6-- ,made for ,thy ,son1 bone of ,his bone ,in glory bright to shine4 ,o ,god1 with great delight ,thy wondrous thought we see1 ,upon ,his throne1 in glory bright1 ,the bride of ,christ shall be4 ,sealed with the ,holy ,ghost1 ,we triumph in that love1 ,thy wondrous thought has made our boast1 ,glory ,,with ,christ above4 ,,the ,,three ,,appearings4 7,heb4 ix4 #bd-bh47 ,for ,christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands1 which are the figures of the true2 but into heaven itself1 now to appear in the presence of ,god for us3 nor yet that ,he should offer ,himself often1 as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others2 for then must ,he often have suffered since the foundation of the world3 but now once in the end of the ages hath ,he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of ,himself4 ,and as it is appointed unto men once to die1 but after this the judgment3 so ,christ was once offered to bear the sins of many2 and unto them that look for ,him shall ,he appear the second time apart from sin unto salvation4#b #b ,the ,english reader should be informed that the three words which are rendered in the above passage1 appear1 are not the same in the original ,greek2 but our object is to deal with the facts set forth1 rather than with the words employed4 ,the foregoing passage sets before us three great facts in the life of our ,lord ,jesus ,christ4 ,it speaks of what we may venture to call three distinct appearings1 namely1 an appearing in the past2 an appearing in the present2 and an appearing in the future4 ,he hath appeared in this world to do a certain work2 ,he doth appear in heaven to carry on a certain ministry2 and ,he shall appear in glory4 ,the first is ,atonement2 the second is ,advocacy2 the third is the ,advent4 ,and first1 then1 let us dwell for a few moments on ,,the ,,atonement1 which is here presented in its two grand aspects1 first1 ,godward2 and secondly1 usward4 ,the apostle declares that ,christ hath appeared to put away sin2 and also to bear the sins of many4 ,this is a distinction of the utmost importance1 and one not sufficiently understood or attended to1 ,christ has put away sin by the sacrifice of ,himself4 ,he has glorified ,god in reference to the question of sin in its very broadest aspect4 ,this ,he has done altogether irrespective of the question of persons or the forgiveness of the sins of individuals4 ,even though every soul1 from the days of ,adam down to the very last generation1 were to reject the proffered mercy of ,god1 yet would it hold good that the atoning death of ,christ had put away sin--had destroyed the power of ,satan--had perfectly glorified ,god1 and laid the deep and solid foundation on which all the divine counsels and purposes can rest for ever4 ,it is to this fact that the ,baptist refers in these memorable words1 ,behold the ,lamb of ,god1 which taketh away the sin of the world 7,john i4 #bi74 ,the ,lamb of ,god has wrought a work in virtue of which every trace of sin shall be obliterated from the creation of ,god4 ,he has perfectly vindicated ,god in the very midst of a scene in which ,he had been so grossly dishonored1 in which ,his character had been traduced and ,his majesty insulted4 ,he came to do this at all cost1 even at the sacrifice of ,himself4 ,he sacrificed ,himself in order to maintain1 in view of heaven1 earth and hell1 the glory of ,god4 ,he has wrought a work by the which ,god is infinitely more glorified than if sin had not entered at all4 ,god shall reap a richer harvest by far in the fields of redemption than ever ,he could have reaped in the fields of an unfallen creation4 ,it is well that the reader should deeply ponder this glorious aspect of the atoning death of ,christ4 ,we are apt to think that the very highest view we can take of the cross is that which involves the question of our forgiveness and salvation4 ,this is a grave mistake4 ,that question is divinely settled1 as we shall seek to show2 for the less is always included in the greater4 ,but let us remember that our side of the atonement is the less1 ,god's side of it the greater4 ,it was infinitely more important that ,god should be glorified than that we should be saved4 ,both ends have been gained1 blessed be ,god1 and gained by one and the same work1 the precious atonement of ,christ2 but we must never forget that the glory of ,god is of far greater moment than the salvation of men2 and further1 that we never can have so clear a sense of the latter as when we see it flowing from the former4 ,it is when we see that ,god has been perfectly and for ever glorified in the death of ,christ1 that we can really enter into the divine perfectness of our salvation4 ,in point of fact1 both are so intimately bound up together that they cannot be separated2 but still ,god's part in the ,cross of ,christ must ever get its own proper preeminence4 ,the glory of ,god was ever uppermost in the devoted heart of the ,lord ,jesus ,christ4 ,for this ,he lived1 for this ,he died4 ,he came into this world for the express purpose of glorifying ,god1 and from this great and holy object ,he never swerved a moment from the manger to the cross4 ,true it is--blessedly true--that in carrying out this object ,he has perfectly met our case2 but the divine glory ruled ,him in life and in death4 ,now it is on the ground of atonement1 looked at in this its higher aspect1 that ,god has been dealing with the world in patient grace1 mercy and forbearance for well nigh six thousand years4 ,he sends ,his rain and ,his sunbeams upon the evil and upon the good1 upon the just and the unjust4 ,it is in virtue of the atonement of ,christ--though despised and rejected--that the infidel and the atheist live1 and enjoy ,god's daily mercies2 yea1 the very breath that they spend in opposing the revelation and denying the existence of ,god they owe to ,him in whom they live1 move and have their being4 ,we speak not here1 by any means1 of the forgiveness of sins1 or of the soul's salvation4 ,this is another question altogether1 and to it we shall refer presently4 ,but1 looking at man in reference to his life in this world1 and looking at the world in which he lives1 it is the ,cross which forms the basis of ,god's merciful dealing with both the one and the other4 ,furthermore1 it is on the ground of the atonement of ,christ1 in this same aspect of it1 that the evangelist can go forth into all the world1 and preach glad tidings to every creature4 ,he can declare the blessed truth that ,god has been glorified as to sin--,his claims satisfied--,his majesty vindicated--,his law magnified--,his attributes harmonized4 ,he can proclaim the precious message that ,god can now be just and yet the justifier of any poor ungodly sinner that believes in ,jesus4 ,there is no hindrance1 no barrier of any kind whatsoever4 ,the preacher of the gospel is not to be cramped by any dogmas of theology4 ,he has to do with the large1 loving heart of ,god1 which1 in virtue of atonement1 can flow forth to every creature beneath the canopy of heaven4 ,he can say to each and to all--and say it without reserve--,,come6 ,nay1 more1 he is bound to beseech them to come4 ,we pray you in ,christ's stead1 be ye reconciled to ,god4 ,such is the proper language of the evangelist1 the herald of the cross1 the ambassador of ,christ4 ,he knows no less a range than the wide1 wide world2 and he is called to drop his message into the ear of every creature under heaven4 ,and why8 ,because ,christ hath put away sin by the sacrifice of ,himself4 ,he has1 by ,his most precious death1 changed completely the ground of ,god's dealings with man and with the world1 so that1 instead of having to deal with them on the ground of sin1 ,he can deal on the ground of atonement4 ,finally1 it is in virtue of the atonement1 in this broad and lofty aspect1 that every vestige of sin1 and every trace of the serpent shall be obliterated from the wide universe of ,god4 ,then shall be seen the full force of that passage above referred to1 ,the ,lamb of ,god1 which taketh away the sin of the world4 ,thus much as to what we may call the primary aspect of the atoning death of ,christ--an aspect which cannot be too thoughtfully studied4 ,a clear understanding of this weighty point would tend to remove a great deal of difficulty and misunderstanding in reference to the full and free preaching of the gospel4 ,many of the ,lord's honored servants find themselves hindered in the presentation of the glad tidings of salvation1 simply because they do not see this wide aspect of the atonement4 ,they confine the death of ,christ merely to its bearing upon the sins of ,god's elect2 and they therefore deem it wrong to preach the gospel to all1 or to invite1 yea to beseech and entreat1 all to come4 ,now1 that ,christ did die for the elect1 ,scripture distinctly teaches in manifold places4 ,he died for the elect nation of ,israel1 and for the elect ,church of ,god--the bride of ,christ4 ,but ,scripture teaches more than this4 ,it declares that ,he died for all 7#b ,cor4 v4 #ad72 that ,he tasted death for every man 7,heb4 ii4 #i74 ,there is no need whatever for seeking to avoid the plain force and meaning of these and kindred statements of inspiration4 ,and further1 we believe it to be quite wrong to add our own words to ,god's words in order to reconcile them with any particular system of doctrine4 ,when ,scripture affirms that ,christ died for all1 we have no right to add the words1 the elect4 ,and when ,scripture states that ,christ tasted death for every man1 we have no right to say1 every elect man4 ,it is our place to take ,god's word as it stands1 and reverently bow to its authoritative teaching in all things4 ,we can no more systematize ,god's word than we can systematize ,god ,himself4 ,his word1 ,his heart and ,his nature1 are quite too deep and comprehensive to be included within the limits of the very broadest and best constructed human system of theology that was ever framed4 ,we shall1 ever and anon1 be discovering passages of ,scripture which will not fall in with our system4 ,we must remember that ,god is love1 and this love will tell itself out to all without limit4 ,true1 ,god has ,his counsels1 ,his purposes and ,his decrees2 but it is not these ,he presents to the poor lost sinner4 ,he will instruct and interest ,his saints about such things2 but to the guilty1 heavy-laden sinner1 ,he presents ,his love1 ,his grace1 ,his mercy1 ,his readiness to save1 to pardon and to bless4 ,and let it be well remembered that the sinner's responsibility flows out of what is revealed1 and not out of what is secret4 ,god's decrees are secret2 ,his nature1 ,his character1 ,himself is revealed4 ,the sinner will not be judged for rejecting what he had no means of knowing4 ,this is the condemnation1 that light is come into the world1 and men loved darkness rather than light1 because their deeds were evil 7,john iii4 #ai74 ,we are not writing a theological treatise2 but we do feel it to be a matter of the gravest moment to press upon the reader that his responsibility1 as a sinner1 is based upon the fact that the aspect of the salvation of ,god1 and of the atonement of ,christ1 is most distinctly and decidedly unto all1 and not merely to a certain number of the human family4 ,the glorious message is sent forth into all the world4 ,every one who hears it is invited to come4 ,this is grounded upon the fact that ,christ has put away sin--that the blood of atonement has been carried into the presence of ,god--that the barrier which sin presented has been flung down and abolished1 and now the mighty tide of divine love can flow freely forth to the very vilest of the sons of men4 ,such is the message2 and when any one through grace believes it he can be further told that not only has ,christ put away sin1 but that also ,he has borne his sins--the actual sins of all ,his people--of all who believe in ,his name4 ,the evangelist can stand up in the midst of assembled thousands1 and declare that ,christ has put away sin--that ,god is satisfied--that the way is open for all2 and he can whisper the same in the ear of each and every sinner under heaven4 ,then1 when any one has bowed down to this testimony--when the repentant1 broken-hearted1 self-judged sinner receives the blessed record--he can be further taught that his sins were all laid on ,jesus1 all borne and for ever put away by ,him when ,he died on the cross4 ,this is the plain doctrine of ,hebrews ix4 #bf1 #bh2 and we have a striking type of it in the two goats of ,leviticus xvi4 ,if the reader will just turn to the passage he will find there1 first1 the slain goat2 and secondly1 the scape-goat4 ,the blood of the slain goat was brought into the sanctuary and sprinkled there4 ,this was a type of ,christ putting away sin4 ,then the high priest1 on behalf of the congregation1 confessed all their sins upon the head of the scape-goat1 and they were borne away into a land not inhabited4 ,this was a type of ,christ bearing the sins of ,his people4 ,the two goats1 taken together1 give us a full view of the atonement of ,christ1 which1 like the righteousness of ,god in ,romans iii41 is unto all1 and upon all them that believe4 ,all this is most simple4 ,it removes many difficulties out of the way of the earnest seeker after peace4 ,these difficulties arise in many cases from the conflicting dogmas of theological systems1 and have no foundation whatever in ,holy ,scripture4 ,there1 all is as plain and as clear as ,god can make it4 ,each one who hears the message of ,god's free love is bound1 not to say invited1 to receive it2 and judgment will1 most assuredly1 fall upon each and all who refuse or neglect the proffered mercy4 ,it is utterly impossible for any one who has ever heard the gospel1 or ever had the ,new ,testament in his hand1 to get rid of the awful responsibility that rests upon him to accept ,god's salvation4 ,not a single soul will have to say1 ,i could not believe1 because ,i was not one of the elect1 and did not get power to believe4 ,no one will ever dare to say or even to think this4 ,if any could take such ground1 then where were the force or the meaning of the following burning words8--,the ,lord ,jesus shall be revealed from heaven with the angels of ,his power1 in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not ,god1 and that obey not the gospel of our ,lord ,jesus ,christ 7#b ,thess4 i4 #g1 #h74 ,will any one ever be punished for not obeying the gospel if he is not responsible to yield that obedience8 ,most assuredly not4 ,shall not the ,judge of all the earth do right8 ,but does ,god send ,his gospel to people merely to place them under responsibility and increase their guilt8 ,far be the monstrous thought6 ,he sends ,his gospel to the lost sinner in order that he may be saved1 for ,god is not willing that any should perish1 but that all should come to repentance4 ,all1 therefore1 who perish shall have none but themselves to blame4 ,it is of the very last importance that the reader should be established in the knowledge and practical sense of what the atonement of ,christ has accomplished for all who simply trust in ,him4 ,it is1 we need hardly say1 the only basis of peace4 ,he has put away sin by the sacrifice of ,himself2 and ,he has borne our sins in ,his own body on the tree4 ,it is1 therefore1 impossible that any question as to sin or guilt can ever arise4 ,all has been once and for ever settled by the atoning death of the ,lamb of ,god4 ,true it is--alas1 how true6--we all have sin in us2 and we have1 daily and hourly1 to judge ourselves and judge our ways4 ,it will ever hold good of us1 so long as we are in a body of sin and death1 that in me 7that is1 in my flesh7 dwelleth no good thing4 ,but then nothing can ever touch the question of our soul's perfect and eternal acceptance4 ,the conscience of the believer is as completely purged from every soil and stain as will be the whole creation by-and-by4 ,if it were not so1 ,christ could not be where ,he now is4 ,he has entered into the presence of ,god1 there to appear for us4 ,this leads us in the second place to consider4 ,,the ,,advocacy4 ,very many souls are apt to confound two things which1 though inseparably connected1 are perfectly distinct1 namely1 advocacy and atonement4 ,not seeing the divine completeness of the atonement1 they are in a certain way looking to the advocacy to do for them what the atonement has done4 ,we must remember that though as to our standing we are not in the flesh but in the ,spirit1 yet as to the actual fact of our condition we are in the body4 ,we are in spirit and by faith seated in heavenly places in ,christ2 but yet we are actually in the wilderness1 subject to all sorts of infirmities1 liable to fail and err in a thousand ways4 ,now it is to meet our present actual state and wants that the advocacy1 or priesthood1 of ,christ is designed4 ,god be praised for the blessed provision6 ,as those who are in the body passing through the wilderness1 we need a great ,high ,priest to maintain the link of communion1 or to restore it when broken4 ,such a ,one we have1 ever living to make intercession for us2 nor could we get on for a single moment without ,him4 ,the work of atonement is never repeated2 the work of the ,advocate is never interrupted4 ,when once the blood of ,christ is applied to the soul by the power of the ,holy ,ghost1 the application is never repeated4 ,to think of a repetition is to deny its efficacy and to reduce it to the level of the blood of bulls and goats4 ,no doubt people do not see this1 and most assuredly they do not mean it2 but such is the real tendency of the thought of a fresh application of the blood of sprinkling4 ,it may be that persons who speak in this way really mean to put honor upon the blood of ,christ1 and to give expression to their own felt unworthiness2 but1 in truth1 the best way to put honor upon the blood of ,christ is to rejoice in what it has done for our souls2 and the best way to set forth our own unworthiness is to feel and remember that we were so vile that nothing but the death of ,christ could avail to meet our case4 ,so vile were we that nothing but ,his blood could cleanse us4 ,so precious is ,his blood that not a trace of our guilt remains4 ,the blood of ,jesus ,christ1 ,god's ,son1 cleanseth us from all sin4 ,thus it stands in reference to the very feeblest child of ,god whose eye scans these lines4 ,all sins forgiven4 ,not a trace of guilt remains4 ,jesus is in the presence of ,god for us4 ,he is there as a ,high ,priest before ,god--as an ,advocate with the ,father4 ,he has by ,his atoning death rent the veil--put away sin--brought us nigh to ,god in all the credit and virtue of ,his sacrifice1 and now ,he lives to maintain us by ,his advocacy in the enjoyment of the place and privileges into which ,his blood has introduced us4 ,hence the apostle says1 ,if any man sin1 we have--what8 ,the blood8 ,nay1 but an ,advocate with the ,father1 ,jesus ,christ the righteous4 ,the blood has done its work1 and is ever before ,god according to its full value in ,his sight4 ,its efficacy is ever the same4 ,but we have sinned2 it may be only in thought2 but even that thought is quite enough to interrupt our communion4 ,here is where advocacy comes in4 ,if it were not that ,jesus ,christ is ever acting for us in the sanctuary above1 our faith would most assuredly fail in moments in the which we have in any measure yielded to the voice of our sinful nature4 ,thus it was with ,peter in that terrible hour of his temptation and fall3 ,simon1 ,simon1 behold1 ,satan hath desired to have you1 that he may sift you as wheat3 but ,i have prayed for thee1 that thy faith fail not3 and when thou art converted 7or restored71 strengthen thy brethren 7,luke xxii4 #ba1 #cb74 ,let the reader note this4 ,i have prayed for thee1 that--,what8 ,was it that he might not fail8 ,nay1 but that1 having failed1 his faith might not give way4 ,had ,christ not prayed for his poor1 feeble servant1 he would have gone from bad to worse1 and from worse to worst4 ,but the intercession of ,christ procured for ,peter the grace of true repentance1 self-judgment and bitter sorrow for his sin1 and finally complete restoration of his heart and conscience1 so that the current of his communion--interrupted by sin1 but restored by advocacy--might flow on as before4 ,thus it is with us when1 through lack of that holy vigilance which we should ever exercise1 we commit sin3 ,jesus goes to the ,father for us4 ,he prays for us2 and it is through the efficacy of ,his priestly intercession that we are convicted and brought to self-judgment1 confession1 and restoration4 ,all is founded on the advocacy1 and the advocacy is founded on the atonement4 ,and here it may be well to assert1 in the clearest and strongest manner possible1 that it is the sweet privilege of every believer not to commit sin4 ,there is no necessity whatever why he should4 ,my little children1 says the apostle1 these things write ,i unto you1 that ye sin not4 ,this is a most precious truth for every lover of holiness4 ,we need not sin4 ,let us remember this4 ,whosoever is born of ,god doth not commit or1 practice sin2 for ,his seed remaineth in him3 and he cannot sin1 because he is born of ,god 7#a ,john iii4 #i74 ,this is the divine idea of a ,christian4 ,alas1 we do not always realize it6 but that does not1 and cannot1 touch the precious truth4 ,the divine nature1 the new man1 the life of ,christ in the believer1 cannot possibly sin1 and it is the privilege of every believer so to walk as that nothing but the life of ,christ may be seen4 ,the ,holy ,ghost dwells in the believer on the ground of redemption1 in order to give effect to the desires of the new nature1 so that the flesh may be as though it did not exist1 and nothing but ,christ be seen in the believer's life4 ,it is of the utmost importance that this divine idea of ,christian life should be seized and maintained4 ,people sometimes ask the question1 ,is it possible for a ,christian to live without committing sin8 ,we reply in the language of the inspired apostle1 ,my little children1 these things write ,i unto you1 that ye sin not 7#a ,john ii4 #a74 ,and again1 quoting the language of another inspired apostle1 ,how shall we1 that are dead to sin1 live any longer therein8 7,rom4 vi4 #b47 ,the ,christian is viewed by ,god as dead to sin2 and hence1 if he yields to it he is practically denying his standing in a risen ,christ4 ,alas1 alas1 we do sin1 and hence the apostle adds1 ,if any man sin1 we have an ,advocate with the ,father1 ,jesus ,christ the righteous3 and ,he is the propitiation for our sins3 and not for ours only1 but also for the whole world4 ,this gives wonderful completeness to the work on which our souls repose4 ,such is the perfect efficacy of the atonement of ,christ that we have one ,advocate with us in order that we may not sin1 and another ,advocate with the ,father if we do sin4 ,the word rendered ,comforter in ,john xiv4 #af is rendered advocate in #a ,john iii4 #a4 ,we have one divine ,person caring for us here1 and we have another divine ,person caring for us in heaven1 and all this on the ground of the atoning death of ,christ4 ,will it be said that in writing thus we furnish a license for committing sin8 ,god forbid6 ,we have already declared1 and would insist upon1 the blessed possibility of living in such unbroken communion with ,god--of walking so in the ,spirit--of being so filled and occupied with ,christ--as that the flesh1 or the old nature1 may not appear4 ,this we know is not always the case4 ,in many things we all offend1 as ,james tells us4 ,but no right-minded person1 no lover of holiness1 no spiritual ,christian1 could have any sympathy with those who say we must commit sin4 ,thank ,god1 it is not so4 ,but what a mercy it is1 beloved ,christian reader1 to know that when we do fail there is ,one at the right hand of ,god to restore the broken link of communion6 ,this ,he does by producing in our souls1 by ,his ,spirit who dwells in us--that other ,advocate--the sense of failure1 and leading us into self-judgment and true confession of the wrong1 whatever it be4 ,we say true confession1 for it must be this if it be the fruit of the ,spirit's work in the heart4 ,it is not lightly and flippantly saying we have sinned1 and then as lightly and flippantly sinning again4 ,this is most sorrowful and most dangerous4 ,we know nothing more hardening and demoralizing than this sort of thing4 ,it is sure to lead to the most disastrous consequences4 ,we have known cases of persons living in sin and satisfying themselves by a mere lip confession of their sin1 and then going and committing the sin again and again2 and this has gone on for months and years1 until ,god in ,his faithfulness caused the whole thing to come out openly before others4 ,all this is most dreadful4 ,it is ,satan's way of hardening and deceiving the heart4 ,oh that we may watch against it1 and ever keep a tender conscience6 ,we may rest assured that when a true-hearted child of ,god is betrayed into sin the ,holy ,ghost will produce in him such a sense of it--will lead him into such intense self-loathing1 such an abhorrence of the evil1 such thorough self-judgment in the presence of ,god--as that he cannot lightly go and commit the sin again4 ,this we may learn from the words of the apostle when he says1 ,if we confess our sins1 he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins1 and--mark this weighty clause--to cleanse us from all unrighteousness4 ,here we have the precious fruit of the double advocacy4 ,it is all presented in its fulness in this part of the first epistle of ,john4 ,if any man sin1 the blessed ,paraclete on high intercedes with the ,father1 pleads the full merits of ,his atoning work1 prays for the erring one on the ground of ,his having borne the judgment of that very sin4 ,then the other ,paraclete acts in the conscience1 produces repentance and confession1 and brings the soul back into the light in the sweet sense that the sin is forgiven1 the unrighteousness cleansed1 and the communion perfectly restored4 ,he restoreth my soul3 ,he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for ,his name's sake 7,ps4 xxiii4 #c74 ,we trust the reader will be enabled to understand this great fundamental truth4 ,many1 we are aware1 find it difficult to reconcile the idea of intercession with the truth of a perfect atonement4 ,if1 say they1 the atonement is perfect1 what need is there of intercession8 ,if the believer is made as white as snow by the blood of ,christ--so white that the ,spirit of ,god can dwell in his heart--then what does he want of a priest8 ,if by one offering ,christ has perfected for ever all them that are sanctified1 then what need have these perfected and sanctified ones of an advocate8 ,surely we must either admit the thought of an imperfect atonement or deny the need of advocacy8 ,such is the reasoning of the human mind1 but such is not the faith of ,christians4 ,scripture does most surely teach us that the believer is washed as white as snow2 that he is accepted in the ,beloved--complete in ,christ--perfectly forgiven and perfectly justified through the death and resurrection of ,christ2 that he can never come into judgment1 but is passed from death unto life2 that he is not in the flesh1 but in the ,spirit--not in the old creation1 but in the new--not a member of the first ,adam1 but of the last2 that he is dead to sin1 dead to the world1 dead to the law1 because ,christ has died1 and the believer has died in ,him4 ,all this is largely unfolded and constantly insisted upon by the inspired writers4 ,scores of passages might easily be quoted in proof1 were it needful4 ,but then there is another aspect of the ,christian which must be taken into account4 ,he is not in the flesh as to the ground of his standing1 but he is in the body as to the fact of his condition4 ,he is in ,christ as to his standing1 but he is also in the world as to the fact of his existence4 ,he is surrounded by all sorts of temptations and difficulties1 and he is in himself a poor feeble creature full of infirmities1 not sufficient even to think anything as of himself4 ,nor is this all4 ,each true ,christian is ever ready to acknowledge that in him1 that is1 in his flesh1 there dwelleth no good thing4 ,he is saved1 thank ,god1 and all is eternally settled2 but then he has1 as a saved one1 to get through the wilderness2 he has to labor to enter into ,god's rest1 and here it is that priesthood comes in4 ,the object of priesthood is not to complete the work of atonement1 inasmuch as that work is as perfect as the ,one who accomplished it4 ,but we have to be carried through the wilderness and brought into the rest that remains for the people of ,god1 and for this end we have a great ,high ,priest who is passed into the heavens1 ,jesus the ,son of ,god4 ,his sympathy and succor are ours1 and we could not get on for one moment without them4 ,he ever liveth to make intercession for us1 and by ,his ministry in the heavenly sanctuary ,he sustains us day by day in the full credit and value of ,his atoning work4 ,he lifts us up when we fall1 restores us when we wander1 repairs the link of communion when snapped by our carelessness4 ,in a word1 ,he appears in the presence of ,god for us1 and there carries on an uninterrupted service on our behalf1 in virtue of which we are maintained in the integrity of the relationship into which ,his atoning death has introduced us4 ,thus much as to the atonement and advocacy4 ,it only remains for us to treat of the advent4 ,we wish specially to remind the reader that in treating of the death of ,christ we have left wholly untouched one grand point therein1 namely1 our death in ,him4#c ,this we may1 if ,god permit1 go into on another occasion4 ,it is immensely important as the power of deliverance from indwelling sin as well as from this present evil world and from the law4 ,there are many who merely look to the death of ,christ for pardon and justification1 but they do not see the precious and emancipating truth of their having died in ,him and their deliverance in consequence from the power of sin in them4 ,this latter is the secret of victory over self and the world1 and of deliverance from every form of legality and mere fleshly pietism4 #c ,this has been touched upon in ,sin in the flesh1 and sin on the conscience--a short paper in ,miscel4 ,writings1 ,vol4 ii4 ,ed4 ,thus we have glanced at two of the weighty subjects presented to us in the closing verses of ,heb4 ix41 namely1 first1 the precious atoning death of our ,lord ,jesus ,christ in its two aspects2 and secondly1 ,his all-prevailing advocacy at ,god's right hand for us4 ,it only remains for us to consider in the third place ,,his ,,advent1 which is here presented to us in immediate connection with those great foundation truths which have already engaged our attention1 and which1 moreover1 are held and prized by all true ,christians4 ,is it true that ,christ hath appeared in this world to put away sin by the sacrifice of ,himself8 and to bear the sins of the many who through grace put their trust in ,him8 ,is it true that ,he has passed into the heavens and taken ,his seat on the throne of ,god1 there to appear for us8 ,yes1 blessed be ,god1 these are grand1 vital and fundamental verities of the ,christian faith4 ,well1 then1 it is equally true that ,he shall appear again1 apart from the question of sin1 unto salvation4 ,as it is appointed unto men once to die1 but after this the judgment3 so ,christ was once offered to bear the sins of many2 and unto them that look for ,him shall ,he appear the second time apart from sin unto salvation4 ,here1 then1 we have the matter most definitely stated4 ,as truly as ,christ hath appeared on this earth--as truly as ,he lay in the manger of ,bethlehem--was baptized in the waters of ,jordan--was anointed with the ,holy ,ghost--was tempted of the devil in the wilderness--went about doing good1 and healing all that were oppressed of the devil--groaned1 and wept1 and prayed in ,gethsemane--hung upon ,calvary's accursed tree1 and died1 the ,just for the unjust--was laid in the dark1 silent tomb--rose victorious on the third day--ascended into the heavens1 there to appear in the presence of ,god for ,his people--so truly shall ,he appear ere long in the clouds of heaven to receive ,his people to ,himself4 ,if we refuse one we must refuse all4 ,if we question one we must question all4 ,if we are unsettled as to one we must be unsettled as to all1 inasmuch as all rest upon precisely the same basis1 namely1 the ,holy ,scriptures4 ,how do ,i know that ,jesus hath appeared8 ,because ,scripture tells me so4 ,how do ,i know that ,he doth appear8 ,because ,scripture tells me so4 ,how do ,i know that ,he shall appear8 ,because ,scripture tells me so4 ,in a word1 then1 the doctrine of the atonement1 the doctrine of the advocacy1 and the doctrine of the advent all rest on one and the same irrefragible foundation1 namely1 the simple declaration of the word of ,god1 so that if we receive one we must receive all4 ,how is it then that while the ,church of ,god in all ages has held and prized the doctrines of atonement and advocacy1 she has practically lost sight of the doctrine of the advent8 ,how comes it to pass that while the first two are regarded as essential1 the last is deemed non-essential8 ,nay1 we may go further and say1 how is it that while a man who does not hold the first two is regarded as a heretic1 and justly so1 yet the man who holds the last is by many regarded as hardly sound in the faith or bringing in strange doctrine8 ,what answer can we give to these questions8 ,alas6 alas6 the ,church has ceased to look for her ,lord4 ,atonement and advocacy are held because they concern us2 but the advent has been virtually let slip1 although it so deeply concerns ,him4 ,it is due to the ,one who suffered and died on this earth that ,he should reign2 to the ,one who wore a crown of thorns that ,he should wear a crown of glory2 to the ,one who humbled ,himself to the very dust of death that ,he should be exalted and that every knee should yet bow before ,him4 ,most surely this is so2 and the ,god and ,father of our ,lord ,jesus ,christ will see to it and bring it to pass in ,his own appointed time4 ,sit ,thou at ,my right hand1 until ,i make ,thine enemies ,thy footstool 7,ps4 cx2 ,heb4 i74 ,the moment is rapidly approaching when that blessed ,one who is now hidden from the eyes of men shall appear in glory4 ,every eye shall see ,him4 ,as surely as ,he hung upon the cross and is now seated on the throne1 so surely shall ,he appear in glory4 ,reader1 seeing these things are so1 art thou among the number of those that look for ,him8 ,this is a solemn question4 ,there are those who look for ,him and there are those who do not4 ,now it is to the former that ,he shall appear unto salvation4 ,he will come and receive ,his people unto ,himself1 that where ,he is1 there they may be also 7,john xiv74 ,these are ,his own loving words1 spoken at the moment of ,his departure for the solace and comfort of ,his sorrowing disciples4 ,he counted on their being troubled at the thought of ,his leaving them1 and ,he seeks to comfort them by the assurance of ,his coming back4 ,he does not say1 ,let not your hearts be troubled1 for you shall soon follow ,me4 ,no2 but ,i will come again4 ,this is the proper hope of the ,christian4 ,christ is coming4 ,are we ready8 ,are we looking for ,him8 ,do we miss ,him8 ,do we mourn ,his absence8 ,it is impossible that we can be in the true attitude of waiting for ,him if we do not feel ,his absence4 ,he is coming4 ,he may be here to-night4 ,ere another sun arises the voice of the archangel and the blast of the trumpet may be heard in the air4 ,and what then8 ,why then the sleeping saints--all who have departed in the faith of ,christ--all the redeemed of the ,lord whose ashes repose in the graveyards and cemeteries around us or in the mighty depths of the ocean--all these shall rise4 ,the living saints shall be changed in a moment1 and all shall ascend up to meet the ,lord in the air 7#a ,cor4 xv4 #ea-ed2 #a ,thess4 iv4 #ac-v4 #aa74 ,but what of the unconverted--the unbelieving--the unrepentant--the unprepared8 ,what of all such8 ,ah6 this is a question of awful solemnity4 ,it makes the heart sink to reflect upon the case of those who are still in their sins--of those who have turned a deaf ear to all the entreaties and all the warnings which ,god in ,his long-suffering mercy has sent to them from week to week and year to year--of those who have sat under the sound of the gospel from their earliest days1 and who have become1 as we say1 gospel-hardened4 ,how dreadful will be the condition of all such when the ,lord comes to receive ,his own6 ,they shall be left behind to fall under the deep and dark delusion which ,god will assuredly send upon all who have heard and rejected the gospel4 ,and what then8 ,what is to follow this deep and dark delusion8 ,the deeper and darker damnation of the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone4 ,oh6 shall we not sound a note of alarm in the ears of our fellow-sinners8 ,shall we not more earnestly and solemnly warn them to flee from the wrath to come8 ,shall we not seek by word and deed--by the double testimony of the lips and the life--to set before them the weighty fact that the ,lord is at hand8 ,may we feel it more deeply1 and then we shall exhibit it more faithfully4 ,there is immense moral power in the truth of the ,lord's coming if it be really held in the heart and not merely in the head4 ,if ,christians only lived in the habitual expectation of the advent it would tell amazingly upon the unconverted around them4 ,may the ,holy ,ghost revive in the hearts of all ,god's people the blessed hope of their ,lord's return1 that they may be as men that wait for their ,lord1 that when ,he cometh and knocketh they may open unto ,him immediately6 ,,the ,,two ,,musts4 ,in our ,lord's discourse with ,nicodemus ,he twice makes use of the word must--a word of immense depth and moral power in both cases4 ,let us ponder it for a few moments2 for1 though but a word of one syllable1 it contains a volume of most precious evangelical truth in whichever light we view it4 ,i4 ,and first1 then1 we read1 ,marvel not that ,i said unto thee1 ,ye must be born again4 ,here we have the total setting aside of man in his very best estate4 ,if ,i must be born again1 if ,i must have a new life1 a new nature1 then it matters not in the smallest degree what ,i can or cannot boast of4 ,man1 as born of a woman1 enters this world with the image of his fallen parent stamped upon him4 ,man1 as he came from the hand of his ,creator1 was made in the image of ,god4 ,man1 as he issues from the womb of his mother1 bears the image and likeness of a fallen creature4 ,hence the force of our ,lord's expression1 ,ye must be born again4 ,it is not said1 ,ye must mend1 ye must try and be better1 ye must alter your mode of living1 ye must turn over a new leaf4 ,had it been thus1 ,nicodemus would never have asked1 ,how can these things be8 ,a man of the ,pharisees would have understood any or all of these things4 ,a change of conduct1 a change of character1 any moral reform1 any self-improvement1 is perfectly intelligible to a ,pharisee of every age2 but to be told ,ye must be born again can only be understood by one who has reached the end of himself and his doings2 who has been brought to see that in him1 that is in his flesh1 dwelleth no good thing2 who sees himself as a thorough bankrupt without a certificate1 who can never again set up on his own account4 ,he must get a new life to which the verdict of bankruptcy cannot apply1 and he must trade in the wealth of another1 on which creditors have no possible claim4 ,there is immense power in this little word must4 ,it bears upon all alike4 ,it speaks to the drunkard1 and says1 ,you must be born again4 ,it addresses the most rigid teetotaler1 and says1 ,you must be born again4 ,it speaks to every class1 to every condition1 to every grade and shade of character1 to man in every rank and every clime1 to every creed and every denomination1 in its own clear1 emphatic1 sweeping style1 and says1 ,you must be born again4 ,it bears down with far more weight upon the conscience than any appeal that could be made on the ground of moral conduct4 ,it does not interfere in the least with the question of moral reform1 in any one of its many phases4 ,it allows as broad a margin as any philanthropist or moral reformer may desire4 ,it does not disturb the various distinctions which society1 public opinion1 law or equity has established4 ,it leaves all these things perfectly untouched1 but it raises its clear and commanding voice above them all1 and says to the sinner--to man as born of a woman--to the worst and to the best of men1 ,you must be born again4 ,it demands not reformation1 but regeneration2 not amendment1 but a new life4 ,,ii4 ,what then1 it may be asked1 are we to do8 ,whither are we to turn8 ,how are we to get this new life8 ,our ,lord's second must furnishes the reply4 ,as ,moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness1 even so must the ,son of man be lifted up3 that whosoever believeth in ,him should not perish1 but have eternal life4 ,this makes all plain4 ,a second ,man has entered the scene4 ,there are two men and two musts4 ,as to the first man1 he must be born again1 and as to the second ,man1 ,he must be lifted up4 ,in a word1 the ,cross is the grand solution of the difficulty1 the divine answer to the ,how8 ,am ,i completely struck down by the first must8 ,am ,i overwhelmed by the insuperable difficulty which it proposes to me8 ,am ,i on the very verge of despair as ,i contemplate the apparent impossibility of what1 nevertheless1 must be8 ,oh then1 with what power does the second must fall on my heart6 ,the ,son of man must be lifted up4 ,why must ,he8 ,because ,i must have new life1 and this life is in the ,son1 but it could only be mine through ,his death4 ,the death of the second ,man is the only ground of life to the first--life to me4 ,one look at ,christ1 is lifted up for me1 is life eternal4 ,the soul that simply believes on the ,son of ,god1 as dead and risen1 is born of water and of the ,spirit2 he hath everlasting life--he is passed from death unto life1 from the old creation into the new1 from the first man to the ,second1 from guilt to righteousness1 from condemnation to favor1 from darkness to light1 from ,satan to ,god4 ,may ,god the ,spirit unfold to the reader's heart the beauty and power1 the depth1 the comprehensiveness1 and moral glory of the two musts4 99 99 99 99 99 ,not by works of righteousness which we have done1 but according to ,his mercy ,he saved us1 by the washing of regeneration1 and renewing of the ,holy ,ghost2 which ,he shed on us abundantly through ,jesus ,christ our ,saviour2 that being justified by ,his grace1 we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life 7,titus #c3 #e-g74 ,,the ,,throne ,,and ,,the ,,altar4 7,isa4 vi4 #a-h74 ,in this sublime passage of ,scripture we notice two prominent objects1 namely1 the throne and the altar2 and1 moreover1 we perceive the action of these two objects upon the soul of the prophet4 ,the entire scene is full of interest and instruction4 ,may we gaze upon it aright6 ,in the year that king ,uzziah died1 ,i saw also the ,lord sitting upon a throne1 high and lifted up1 and ,his train filled the temple4 ,this was a solemn and soul-subduing sight4 ,it is ever a serious matter for a sinner to find himself standing before the throne of ,god with the unanswered claims of that throne bearing down upon his conscience4 ,isaiah found it to be so4 ,the light of the throne revealed to him his true condition4 ,and what was that light8 ,it was the moral glory of ,christ1 as we read in the ,gospel of ,john1 ,these things said ,esaias1 when he saw ,his glory1 and spake of ,him 7,chap4 xii4 #da74 ,christ is the perfect standard by which every one must be measured4 ,it matters not what ,i may think of myself1 nor yet what others may think about me3 the question is1 ,what am ,i as viewed in the presence of ,christ8 ,the law may tell me what ,i ought to be2 conscience may tell me ,i am not that2 but it is only when the bright beams of ,christ's moral glory pour themselves around me that ,i am enabled to form a just estimate of what ,i am4 ,then it is that the hidden chambers of my heart are laid open1 the secret springs of action are revealed1 the real condition is laid bare4 ,but perhaps my reader may ask1 ,what do you mean by the moral glory of ,christ8 ,i mean the light which shone forth from ,him in all ,his ways when ,he was down here in this dark world4 ,it was this light that detected man1 that disclosed what he was1 that brought to light all that was in him4 ,it was impossible for any one to escape the action of that light4 ,it was a perfect blaze of divine purity1 in view of which the seraphim could only cry out1 ,holy1 holy1 holy6 ,need we marvel then if when ,isaiah saw himself in the light of that glory he cried out1 ,woe is me6 for ,i am undone8 ,nay2 this was the proper utterance of one whose heart had been penetrated to its very centre by a light which makes all things perfectly manifest4 ,we have no reason to suppose that ,isaiah was in any respect worse than his neighbors4 ,we are not told that the catalogue of his sins was heavier or darker than that of thousands around him4 ,he may have been to all human appearance just like others4 ,but ah6 my reader1 only remember1 ,i pray you1 where the prophet stood when he exclaimed1 ,woe is me6 ,it was not at the foot of the burning mount when the ministration of death and condemnation was given forth amid thunderings and lightnings1 blackness1 darkness and tempest4 ,it was not there he stood1 though even there a ,moses had to say1 ,i exceedingly fear and quake2 but it was in the presence of the glory of ,christ1 the ,lord ,god of ,israel1 that our prophet stood when he saw himself to be unclean and undone4 ,such was his condition when seen in the light which reveals men and things just as they are4 ,i am undone4 ,he does not say1 ,woe is me6 ,i am not what ,i ought to be4 ,no2 he saw deeper than this4 ,he stood revealed in the power of a light which reaches to the most profound depths of the soul and discloses the thoughts and intents of the heart4 ,isaiah had never before seen himself in such a light--measured himself by such a rule--weighed himself in such a balance4 ,he now saw himself standing in the presence of ,jehovah's throne without any ability whatever to meet the claims of that throne4 ,he saw ,jehovah sitting upon a throne1 high and lifted up4 ,he saw himself a helpless1 ruined1 guilty sinner at an immeasurable distance from that throne and from the blessed ,one who sat thereon4 ,he heard the cry of the seraphim1 ,holy1 holy1 holy2 and the only response which he could send back from the depths of a broken heart was1 ,unclean1 unclean1 unclean4 ,he beheld a gulf of guilt and uncleanness separating him from ,jehovah which no effort of his could ever bridge4 ,thus it was with him in that solemn moment when he gave forth that cry of a truly convicted soul1 ,woe is me6 ,he was wholly engrossed with one thought1 namely1 his own utter ruin4 ,he felt himself a lost man4 ,he thought not of comparing himself with others1 nor of seeking out some fellow-sinner worse than he4 ,ah1 no6 a divinely-convicted soul never thinks of such things4 ,there is one grand1 all-pervading idea1 and that idea is embodied in the words1 ,i am undone4 ,and be it carefully noted by the reader that the prophet when under the convicting light of the throne is not occupied with what he had done or left undone4 ,the question before his soul was not as to the evil he had done or the good he had left undone4 ,no2 it was something far deeper than this4 ,in a word1 he was occupied not with his acts but with his condition4 ,he says1 ,i am what8 ,defective in many things8 ,far behind in my duty8 ,deplorably short of what ,i ought to be8 ,no4 ,these and such-like confessions could never embody the experience of a heart on which the bright beams of ,jehovah's throne had fallen in convicting power4 ,true it is we have done that which we ought not to have done1 and left undone that which we ought to have done4 ,but all this is merely the fruit of a nature which is radically corrupt1 and when divine light breaks in upon us it will always lead us to the root4 ,it will not merely conduct us from leaf to leaf or from branch to branch1 but passing down along the trunk it will lay bare the hidden roots of that nature which we inherit by birth from our first parents1 and cause us to see that the whole thing is irremediably ruined4 ,then it is we are constrained to cry out1 ,woe is me6 ,not because my conduct has been defective1 but my nature is undone4 ,thus it was that ,isaiah stood before ,jehovah's throne4 ,and oh1 what a place for a sinner to stand in6 ,there are no excuses there--no palliating circumstances there--no qualifying clauses there--no blaming of men or things there4 ,there is but one object seen there--seen in its guilt1 its wretchedness and its ruin1 and that object is ,,self1 and as to that object the tale is easily told4 ,it is all summed up in that most solemn1 weighty1 suggestive word1 ,,undone4 ,yes2 self is undone4 ,that is all that can be said about it4 ,do what you will with it1 and you cannot make it out to be aught but a hopeless1 undone thing2 and the more speedily and thoroughly this is understood the better4 ,many take a long time to learn this foundation truth4 ,they have not1 as it were1 stood in the full blaze of the throne1 and as a consequence they have not been led to cry out with sufficient depth1 emphasis or intensity1 ,i am undone6 ,it is the glory that shines from the throne which evokes the cry from the very depths of the soul4 ,all who have ever stood before that throne have given utterance to the same confession1 and it will ever be found that just in proportion to our experience of the light of the throne will be our experience of the grace of the altar4 ,the two things invariably go together4 ,in this day of grace the throne and the altar are connected4 ,in the day of judgment the great white throne will be seen without any altar4 ,there will be no grace then4 ,the ruin will then be seen without the remedy1 and as for the result1 it will be eternal perdition4 ,awful reality6 ,o reader1 beware of having to meet the light of the throne without the provision of the altar6 ,this conducts us1 naturally1 to the second object in the interesting scene before us1 namely1 the altar4 ,the very moment ,isaiah gave utterance to the deep conviction of what he was1 he was introduced to the divine provisions of ,god's altar4 ,then flew one of the seraphims unto me1 having a live coal in his hand1 which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar3 and he laid it upon my mouth1 and said1 ,lo1 this hath touched thy lips2 and thine iniquity is taken away1 and thy sin purged4 ,here1 then1 we have the rich provisions of ,jehovah's altar1 which1 be it well remembered1 is seen in immediate connection with ,jehovah's throne4 ,the two things are intimately connected in the history and experience of every convicted and converted soul4 ,the guilt which the throne detects1 the altar removes4 ,if in the light of the throne one object is seen1 namely1 ruined1 guilty1 undone self2 then1 in the light of the altar1 one object is seen1 namely1 a full1 precious1 all-sufficient ,christ4 ,the remedy reaches to the full extent of the ruin1 and the same light that reveals the one reveals the other likewise4 ,this gives settled repose to the conscience4 ,god ,himself has provided a remedy for all the ruin which the light of ,his throne has revealed4 ,this hath touched thy lips2 and thine iniquity is taken away1 and thy sin purged4 ,isaiah was brought into personal contact with the sacrifice1 and the immediate result was the perfect removal of all his iniquity--the perfect purgation of all his sin4 ,not a single spot remained4 ,he could now stand in the light of that throne which had just detected and exposed his uncleanness1 and know assuredly by that self-same light that not a speck of uncleanness remained4 ,the very same light which manifested his sin1 made manifest also the purging efficacy of the blood4 ,such1 then1 is the precious and beautiful connection between the throne and the altar--a connection which may be easily traced through the inspired volume from ,genesis to ,revelation1 and through the history of ,god's redeemed from ,adam down to the present moment4 ,all who have been really brought to ,jesus have experienced the convicting light of the throne and the peace-giving virtues of the altar4 ,all have been made to feel their ruin and cry out1 ,i am undone6 and all have been brought into personal contact with the sacrifice1 and had their sin purged4 ,god's work is perfect4 ,he convicts perfectly1 and ,he purges perfectly4 ,there is nothing superficial when ,he carries on ,his mighty work4 ,the arrow of conviction penetrates to the very centre of the soul1 only to be followed by the divine application of that blood which leaves not a stain upon the conscience2 and the more deeply we are penetrated by the arrow1 the deeper and more settled is our experience of the power of the blood4 ,it is well to be thoroughly searched at the first--well to let the chambers of the heart be fully thrown open to the convicting action of the throne1 for then we are sure to get a bolder grasp of that precious atoning blood that speaks peace to every believing heart4 ,and1 my reader1 let me ask you to pause here for a moment and mark the peculiar style of the divine action in the case of the prophet4 ,we all know how much depends upon the way in which a thing is done4 ,a person may do me a favor1 but he may do it in such a style as to do away with all the good of it4 ,now in the scene before us we not only see a marvellous favor conferred1 but conferred after such a fashion as to let us into the very secrets of the bosom of ,god4 ,the divine remedy was not only applied to ,isaiah's felt ruin1 but applied in such a way as to let him know assuredly that the whole heart of ,god was in the application4 ,then flew one of the seraphims unto me4 ,the rapidity of the movement speaks volumes4 ,it tells us distinctly of heaven's intense desire to tranquillize the convicted conscience1 bind up the broken heart and heal the wounded spirit4 ,the energy of divine love gave swiftness to the seraphic messenger as he winged his way down from ,jehovah's throne to where a convicted sinner stood confessing himself undone4 ,what a scene6 ,one of those very seraphims that with veiled face stood above ,jehovah's throne crying1 ,holy1 holy1 holy1 passes from that throne to the altar1 and from the altar away down to the deep depths of a convicted sinner's heart1 there to apply the balmy virtues of a divine sacrifice4 ,no sooner had the arrow from the throne wounded the heart than the seraph from the altar flew to heal the wound4 ,no sooner had the throne poured forth its flood of living light to reveal to the prophet the blackness of his guilt than a tide of love rolled down upon him from the altar and bore away upon its bosom every trace of that guilt4 ,such is the style--such the manner of the love of ,god to sinners6 ,who would not trust ,him8 ,beloved reader1 whosoever you are1 in earnest desire for the welfare of your immortal soul1 permit me to ask you if you have experienced the action of the throne and the altar8 ,have you ever retired from all that false light which the enemy of your precious soul would fling around you in order to prevent your getting a true insight into your total ruin8 ,have you ever stood where ,isaiah found himself when he cried out1 ,woe is me6 for ,i am undone8 ,have you ever been brought to own from your heart1 ,i have sinned8 7,job xxxiii47 ,if so1 it is your privilege to enter this moment into the rich enjoyment of all that ,christ has done for you on the cross4 ,you do not need to see any vision4 ,you do not require to see a throne1 an altar1 a flying seraph4 ,you have the word of ,god to assure you ,christ suffered for sins1 the just for the unjust1 that ,he might bring us to ,god 7#a ,pet4 iii4 #ah74 ,that same word also assures you that all that believe are justified from all things 7,acts xiii4 #ci74 ,and is not this far better than many visions or many seraphim8 ,isaiah believed that his iniquity was taken away1 and his sin purged1 when the angelic messenger told him so4 ,and should you not believe that ,jesus died for you when the word of ,god tells you so8 ,but perhaps you say1 ,how can ,i know that ,jesus died for me8 ,i reply1 ,in the way that any one may know it--simply by the word of ,god4 ,there is no other way of knowing it4 ,but you still object1 ,i do not see my name in the word of ,god4 ,no2 and even though your name were mentioned this would in no wise satisfy you1 inasmuch as there might be hundreds bearing your name4 ,but you see your state1 your character1 your condition4 ,you see your photograph flung1 with divine precision1 upon the page of inspiration by the action of that light which makes all things manifest4 ,do you not own yourself to be a sinner8--a deep-dyed and ruined sinner8 ,if so the death of ,christ applies itself as perfectly to you as the live coal did to ,isaiah when the seraph declared to him1 ,this hath touched thy lips4 ,the word is1 ,if any say ,i have sinned1--,what then8 ,he will send him to hell8 ,no2 but he will deliver him4 ,the very moment you take your true place1 and cry out1 ,undone6 all that ,christ has done1 and all that ,he is becomes yours--yours now--yours for ever4 ,you need not make any effort to improve your condition4 ,do what you will1 and you cannot make yourself anything but undone4 ,a single effort at improvement is but the evidence that you know not yet how bad1 how incurably bad you are4 ,you are undone1 and1 as such1 you have to stand still and see the salvation of ,god--a salvation the foundation of which was wrought out through the cross of ,christ--a salvation which the ,holy ,ghost reveals on the authority of that ,word which is settled for ever in heaven1 and which ,god has exalted according to all ,his name4 ,may the blessed ,spirit lead you now to put your trust in the name of ,jesus1 that so1 ere you lay down this paper1 you may know that your iniquity is taken away1 and your sin purged6 ,then you will be able to follow me while1 in a few closing words1 ,i seek to unfold the practical result of all that has been engaging our attention4 ,we have seen the complete ruin of the sinner2 we have seen the complete remedy in ,christ2 let us now look at the result1 as exhibited in whole-hearted consecration to the service of ,god4 ,isaiah had nothing to do for salvation1 but he had plenty to do for his ,saviour4 ,he had nothing to do to get his sins purged1 but plenty to do for the ,one who had purged them4 ,now he gave the willing1 ready expression of obedience to ,god when1 on hearing that a messenger was needed1 he answered1 ,here am ,i2 send me4 ,this puts works in their proper place4 ,the order is absolutely perfect4 ,no one can do good works until he has experienced1 in some degree1 the action of the throne and the altar4 ,the light of the former must shew him what he is1 and the provisions of the latter must shew him what ,christ is ere he can say1 ,here am ,i2 send me4 ,this is a settled1 universal truth1 established in every section of inspiration1 and illustrated in the biography of the saints of ,god and of the servants of ,christ in every age1 in every condition4 ,all have been brought to see their ruin in the light of the throne1 to see the remedy in the provisions of the altar ere they could exhibit the result in a life of practical devotedness4 ,all this is from ,god the ,father1 through ,god the ,son1 by ,god the ,holy ,ghost--to whom be all the glory1 world without end6 ,amen and ,amen6 ,,legality ,,and ,,levity ,feeling1 as we trust we do1 in some little measure our responsibility to the souls of our readers1 as well as to the truth of ,god1 we desire to offer a brief but pointed word of warning against two opposite evils which we can plainly see working among ,christians at the present moment4 ,these are legality on the one hand1 and levity on the other4 ,as to the first of these evils1 we have sought in many of our former papers to deliver precious souls out of a legal state1 as being1 at once1 dishonoring to ,god and utterly subversive of their own peace and liberty4 ,we have endeavored to set forth the free grace of ,god1 the value of the blood of ,christ1 the standing of the believer before ,god in perfect righteousness and acceptance in ,christ4 ,these precious truths1 when applied to the heart in the power of the ,holy ,ghost1 must deliver it from all legal influences4 ,but then it frequently happens that persons1 when apparently delivered from legality1 run into the opposite evil of levity4 ,this may arise from the fact that the doctrines of grace are only taken up intellectually1 instead of being wrought into the soul by the power of the ,spirit of ,god4 ,a great amount of evangelical truth may be taken up in a very light way1 in cases where there has been no deep work of conscience1 no real breaking down of nature1 no thorough subjugation of the flesh in the presence of ,god4 ,when this is the case there is sure to be levity of spirit in some form or another4 ,there will be a very wide margin allowed for worldliness of various kinds--a liberty given to nature wholly incompatible with practical ,christianity4 ,in addition to these things1 there will be exhibited a very deplorable want of conscience in the practical details of daily life--duties neglected1 work badly done1 engagements not faithfully observed1 sacred obligations trifled with1 debts contracted1 extravagant habits indulged4 ,all these things we place under the head of levity1 and they are1 alas6 too common amongst the very highest professors of what is termed evangelical truth4 ,now we deeply deplore this1 and would desire to have our own souls1 as well as the souls of all our ,christian readers1 really exercised before ,god about it4 ,we fear there is a great deal of hollow profession amongst us1 a great want of earnestness1 truthfulness and reality in our ways4 ,we are not sufficiently permeated by the spirit of genuine ,christianity1 or governed in all things by the word of ,god4 ,we do not give sufficient attention to the girdle of truth1 or the breastplate of righteousness4 ,in this way the soul gets into a very bad state indeed2 conscience does not act4 ,the moral sensibilities become blunted4 ,the claims of truth are not duly responded to4 ,positive evil is trifled with4 ,moral relaxation is allowed4 ,so far from there being the constraining power of the love of ,christ1 leading forth in the activities of goodness1 there is not even the restraining power of the fear of ,god keeping back from the activities of evil4 ,we appeal solemnly to the consciences of our readers as to these things4 ,the present is a deeply solemn time for ,christians4 ,there is a demand for earnest1 deep-toned devotedness to ,christ1 but this cannot possibly exist where the common claims of practical righteousness are neglected4 ,we must ever remember that the self-same grace which effectually delivers the soul from legality is the only safeguard against all levity4 ,we have done very little for a man1 if anything at all1 if we bring him out of a legal state into a light1 easy-going1 careless1 unconscientious condition of heart4 ,and yet we have frequently marked the history of souls1 and noticed this sad fact respecting them1 that when they were delivered out of darkness and bondage they became far less tender and sensitive4 ,the flesh is ever ready to turn the grace of ,god into lasciviousness1 and therefore it must be subdued4 ,it needs that the power of the ,cross be applied to all that is of the flesh4 ,we want to mingle the bitter herbs with our paschal feast4 ,in other words1 we want those deep spiritual exercises which result from positive entrance into the power of the sufferings of ,christ4 ,we need to meditate more profoundly upon the death of ,christ--,his death as a victim under the hand of ,god1 ,his death as a martyr under the hand of man4 ,this1 beloved reader1 is at once the cure for legality and levity4 ,the ,cross1 in its double aspect1 delivers from both4 ,christ gave ,himself for our sins1 that ,he might deliver us from this present evil world1 according to the will of ,god and our ,father 7,gal4 i4 #d74 ,by the ,cross the believer is as completely delivered from this present evil world as he is forgiven his sins4 ,he is not saved in order that he may enjoy the world1 but that he may get done with it entirely4 ,we know few things more dangerous for the soul than the combination of evangelical truth with worldliness1 ease and self-indulgence--the adoption of a certain phraseology of truth where the conscience is not in the presence of ,god--a merely intellectual apprehension of standing without any earnest dealing with the practical state--clearness in doctrine as to title1 without any conscientious reference to the moral condition4 ,we trust our reader will suffer the word of exhortation4 ,we should deem ourselves deficient in faithfulness were we to withhold it4 ,true1 it is not an agreeable task to call attention to practical evils--to urge the solemn duty of self-judgment--to press upon the conscience the claims of practical godliness4 ,it were far more grateful to the heart to unfold abstract truth1 to dwell upon free grace and what it has done for us1 to expatiate upon the moral glories of the inspired volume1 in a word1 to dwell upon the privileges which are ours in ,christ4 ,but there are times when the true1 practical condition of things among ,christians weighs heavily upon the heart and rouses the soul to make an urgent appeal to conscience in reference to matters of walk and conduct2 and we believe the present to be such a time4 ,the devil is ever busy1 and on the alert4 ,the ,lord has granted much light upon ,his word for some years past4 ,the gospel has been brought out with peculiar clearness and power4 ,thousands have been delivered from a legal state2 and now the enemy is seeking to hinder the testimony by leading souls into a light1 careless1 carnal condition--leading them to neglect the wholesome and indispensable exercise of self-judgment4 ,it is the deep sense of this that has suggested a word of warning on ,legality and ,levity4 99 99 99 99 99 ,for the grace of ,god that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men1 teaching us that1 denying ungodliness and worldly lusts1 we should live soberly1 righteously1 and godly1 in this present world2 looking for that blessed hope1 and the glorious appearing of the great ,god and our ,saviour ,jesus ,christ2 who gave ,himself for us1 that ,he might redeem us from all iniquity1 and purify unto ,himself a peculiar people1 zealous of good works 7,titus ii4 #aa-ad74 ,the veil is rent3--our souls draw near ,unto a throne of grace2 ,the merits of the ,lord appear1 ,they fill the holy place4 ,his precious blood has spoken there1 ,before and on the throne3 ,and ,his own wounds in heaven declare1 ,th' atoning work is done4 ',tis finished6--here our souls have rest1 ,his work can never fail3 ,by ,him1 our ,sacrifice and ,priest1 ,we pass within the veil4 ,within the holiest of all1 ,cleansed by ,his precious blood1 ,before the throne we prostrate fall1 ,and worship ,thee1 ,o ,god6 ,boldly the heart and voice we raise1 ,his blood1 ,his name1 our plea3 ,assured our prayers and songs of praise ,ascend1 by ,christ1 to ,thee4 ,a ,,risen ,,saviour',s ,,challenge 7,luke xxiv47 ,the period during which our blessed ,lord lay in the tomb must needs have proved a dark and bewildering moment to many of those who looked for redemption in ,israel4 ,it would demand a calm1 clear and vigorous faith to raise the heart above the heavy clouds which gathered just then upon the horizon of ,god's people1 and it does not appear that many possessed such a faith at that trying moment4 ,we may doubtless look upon the two disciples who travelled together to ,emmaus as illustrating the condition of many1 if not all1 the beloved saints of ,god during the three days and three nights that our beloved ,lord lay in the heart of the earth4 ,they were thoroughly bewildered and at their wits' end4 ,they talked together of all these things which had happened4 ,and it came to pass that1 while they communed together and reasoned1 ,jesus ,himself drew near1 and went with them4 ,but their eyes were holden that they should not know ,him4 ,their minds were full of surrounding circumstances4 ,all hope seemed gone4 ,their fondly cherished expectations were blasted1 apparently4 ,the whole scene was overcast by the dark shadow of death1 and their poor hearts were sad4 ,but mark how the risen ,saviour's challenge falls upon their drooping spirits6 ,and ,he said unto them1 ,what manner of communications are these that ye have one to another1 as ye walk1 and are sad8 ,surely this was a reasonable and weighty question for those dear disciples--a question eminently calculated to recall them1 as we say1 to their senses4 ,it was precisely what they wanted at the moment1 occupied as they were with circumstances instead of resting in the eternal and immutable truth of ,god4 ,scripture was clear and plain enough had they only hearkened to its voice4 ,but instead of listening only to the distinct testimony of the eternal ,spirit in the ,word they had allowed their minds to get thoroughly down under the action and influences of outward circumstances4 ,instead of standing with firm foot on the everlasting rock of divine revelation1 they were struggling amid the billows of life's stormy ocean4 ,in a word1 they had for a moment fallen under the power of death so far as their minds were concerned1 and no marvel if their hearts were sad and their communications gloomy4 ,and1 beloved reader1 does it not sometimes happen that you and ,i in like manner get down under the power of things seen and temporal1 instead of living by faith in the light of things unseen and eternal8 ,yes1 even we who profess to know and believe in a risen ,saviour--who believe that we are dead and risen with ,him--who have the ,holy ,ghost dwelling in us1 do not we at times sink and cower8 ,and do we not at such moments stand in need of a risen ,saviour's challenge8 ,has not that precious1 loving ,saviour ofttimes occasion to put the question to our hearts1 ,what manner of communications are these that ye have one to another8 ,does it not often happen that when we come together or when we walk by the way our communications are anything but what they ought to be8 ,it may be gloomily moping together over the depressing circumstances which surround us--the weather--the prospects of the country--the state of trade--our poor health--the difficulty of making both ends meet--anything and everything1 in short1 but the right thing4 ,yes1 and so occupied do we become with such things that our spiritual eyes are holden1 and we do not take knowledge of the blessed ,one who in ,his tender faithful love is at our side1 and ,he has to challenge our vagrant hearts with ,his pointed and powerful question1 ,what manner of communications are these that ye have8 ,let us think of this4 ,it really demands our consideration4 ,we are all far too apt to allow our minds to fall under the power and pressure of circumstances1 instead of living in the power of faith4 ,we get occupied with our surroundings instead of dwelling upon things above--those bright and blessed realities which are ours in ,christ4 ,and what is the result8 ,do we better our circumstances1 or brighten our prospects by gloomily moping over them8 ,not in the smallest degree4 ,what then8 ,we simply make ourselves miserable and our communications depressing2 and1 worst of all1 we bring dishonor on the cause of ,christ4 ,christians forget how much is involved in their temper1 manner1 look and deportment in daily life4 ,we forget that the ,lord's glory is intimately bound up with our daily deportments4 ,we all know that1 in social life1 we judge of the character of the head of a household by what we see of his children and servants4 ,if we observed the children looking miserable and downcast1 we should be disposed to pronounce their father morose1 severe and arbitrary4 ,if we see the servants crushed and overwrought1 we consider the master hard-hearted and grinding4 ,in short1 as a rule1 you can form a tolerably fair estimate of the head of a house by the tone1 spirit1 style and manner of the members of his household4 ,how earnestly1 then1 should we seek1 as members of the household of ,god1 to give a right impression of what ,he is by our temper1 spirit1 style and manner6 ,if men of the world--those with whom we come in contact from day to day in the practical details of life--if they see us looking sour1 morose1 downcast--if they hear us giving utterance to doleful complaints about this1 that and the other--if they see us occupied about our own things--grasping1 griping and driving as hard bargains as others--if they see us grinding our servants with heavy work1 low wages and poor fare--what estimate can they form of ,him whom we call our ,father and our ,master in heaven8 ,christian reader1 let us not despise and turn away from such homely words4 ,depend upon it there is need of such in this day of much profession4 ,there is a vast amount of intellectual traffic in truth which leaves the conscience unreached1 the heart untouched1 the life unaffected4 ,we know we are dead and risen2 but when anything occurs to touch us1 either in our persons1 in our relations1 or in our interests1 we speedily shew how little power that precious truth has upon us4 ,may the ,lord give us grace to apply our hearts very seriously and earnestly to these things1 so that there may be1 in our daily course1 a more faithful exhibition of a genuine ,christianity--such an exhibition as shall glorify our own most gracious ,god and ,father1 and our ,lord and ,saviour ,jesus ,christ--and such1 too1 as shall afford to those who come in contact with us a fair specimen of what pure religion really is in its action upon the entire course and character4 ,may we all realize more a risen ,saviour's presence1 and find therein a triumphant answer to all the dark suggestions of the enemy1 the depressing reasonings of our own hearts1 and the deadening influence of surrounding circumstances4 ,god1 in ,his infinite mercy1 grant it1 for ,jesus' sake4 ,it is impossible to read this charming section of inspiration 7,luke xxiv47 and not be struck with what we may venture to call the rallying power of a risen ,saviour's voice and presence4 ,we see the dear disciples scattered hither and thither in doubt and perplexity1 fear and despondency--some running to the sepulchre2 some coming from it2 some going to ,emmaus1 and some crowded together at ,jerusalem1 in various states and conditions4 ,but the voice and realized presence of ,jesus rallied1 reassured and encouraged them all1 and brought all together around ,his own blessed ,person in worship1 love and praise4 ,there was an indescribable power in ,his presence to meet every condition of heart and mind4 ,thus it was2 thus it is2 thus it ever must be1 blessed and praised be ,his precious name6 ,there is power in the presence of a risen ,saviour to solve our difficulties1 remove our perplexities1 calm our fears1 ease our burdens1 dry our tears1 meet our every need1 tranquillize our minds and satisfy every craving of our hearts4 ,jesus6 ,thou art enough1 ,the mind and heart to fill2 ,thy life--to calm the anxious soul ,thy love--its fear dispel4 ,the two disciples going to ,emmaus proved something of this1 if we are to judge from their own glowing words to one another4 ,did not our heart burn within us1 while ,he talked with us by the way1 and while ,he opened to us the ,scriptures8 ,yes1 here lay the deep and precious secret3 ,he talked with us--and ,he opened to us the ,scriptures6 ,what seraphic moments6 what high communion6 what loving ministry6 ,a risen ,saviour rallying their hearts by ,his marvellous words and mighty exposition of the ,scriptures4 ,what was the effect--what the necessary result8 ,the two travellers instantly returned to ,jerusalem to seek their brethren4 ,it could not be otherwise4 ,if we lose sight of a risen ,saviour we are sure to get away from our brethren1 sure to get occupied with our own things2 to pursue our own way--to get into coldness1 deadness1 darkness and selfishness4 ,but1 on the other hand1 the moment we get really into the presence of ,christ1 when we hear ,his voice and feel the sweetness and power of ,his love1 when our hearts are brought under the mighty moral influence of ,his most precious loving ministry1 then we are led out in true affection and interest after all our brethren and in earnest desire to find our place in their midst in order that we may communicate to them the deep joy that is filling our own souls4 ,we may lay it down as a fixed principle--a spiritual axiom--that it is utterly impossible to breathe the atmosphere of a risen ,saviour's presence and remain in an isolated1 independent or fragmentary condition4 ,the necessary effect of ,his dear presence is to melt the heart and cause it to flow out in streams of tender affection toward all that belong to ,him4 ,but let us pursue our chapter4 ,and they rose up the same hour of the night--thus proving they had but little business at ,emmaus1 or how paramount was the blessed object now before them1 and returned to ,jerusalem1 and found the eleven gathered together1 and them that were with them1 saying1 ,the ,lord is risen indeed1 and hath appeared to ,simon4 ,and they told what things were done in the way1 and how ,he was known of them in breaking of bread4 ,and as they thus spake1 ,jesus ,himself stood in the midst of them1 and saith unto them1 ,peace be unto you4 ,but they were terrified and affrighted1 and supposed that they had seen a spirit4 ,they1 too1 needed a risen ,saviour's challenge to bring them to their senses--to calm their fears and raise their drooping spirits4 ,they needed to realize the power of ,his presence as the risen ,one4 ,they had just declared to their two brethren from ,emmaus that ,the ,lord is risen indeed2 but yet when their risen ,lord appeared to them they did not know ,him1 and ,he had to challenge their hearts with ,his stirring words1 ,why are ye troubled8 and why do thoughts arise in your hearts8 ,behold ,my hands and ,my feet1 that it is ,i ,myself3 handle ,me1 and see2 for a spirit hath not flesh and bones1 as ye see ,me have4 ,and when ,he had thus spoken1 ,he shewed them ,his hands and ,his feet4 ,and while they yet believed not for joy1 and wondered1 ,he said unto them1 ,have ye here any meat8 ,and they gave ,him a piece of a broiled fish1 and of an honeycomb4 ,and ,he took it1 and did eat before them4 ,what tender love6 ,what gracious condescension to their weakness and need6 ,what compassionate entrance into all their feelings1 spite of their folly and unbelief6 ,gracious ,saviour6 ,who would not love ,thee8 ,who would not trust ,thee8 ,may the whole heart be absorbed with ,thee6 ,may the whole life be cordially devoted to ,thy blessed service6 ,may ,thy cause command all our energies6 ,may all we have and all we love be laid on ,thine altar as a reasonable service6 ,may the eternal ,spirit work in us for the accomplishment of these grand and longed-for objects6 ,but ere closing this brief article there is one point of special interest and value to which we must call the attention of the ,christian reader1 and that is1 the way in which the risen ,saviour puts honor upon the written ,word4 ,he rebuked the two travellers for their slowness of heart to believe the ,scriptures4 ,and beginning at ,moses and all the prophets1 ,he expounded unto them in all the ,scriptures the things concerning ,himself4 ,so also in ,his interview with the eleven and the rest at ,jerusalem4 ,no sooner had ,he satisfied them as to ,his identity than ,he sought to conduct their souls to the same divine authority--the ,holy ,scriptures4 ,and ,he said unto them1 ,these are the words which ,i spake unto you1 while ,i was yet with you1 that all things must be fulfilled1 which were written in the law of ,moses1 and in the ,prophets1 and in the ,psalms1 concerning ,me4 ,then opened ,he their understanding1 that they might understand the ,scriptures1 and said unto them1 ,thus it is written1 and thus it behoved ,christ to suffer1 and to rise from the dead the third day3 and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in ,his name among all nations1 beginning at ,jerusalem4 ,all this is of the deepest possible importance at the present moment4 ,we feel persuaded that professing ,christians everywhere need to have their hearts stirred up in reference to the paramount claims of the word of ,god1 its absolute authority over the conscience1 its formative power1 its complete sway over the entire course1 character and conduct4 ,it is to be feared1 greatly feared1 that ,holy ,scripture is fast losing its divine place in the hearts of those who profess to take it as the divine rule of faith and morals4 ,we have often heard that watchword sounded in our ears1 ,the ,bible1 and the ,bible alone1 is the religion of ,protestants4 ,alas6 alas6 if this motto were ever really true we fear that its truth at this moment is more than questionable4 ,very few1 comparatively1 even of those who occupy the very highest platform of profession seem to admit1 and still fewer actually acknowledge practically1 that in all things--whether of faith or morals--in all the practical details of life1 in the ,church1 in the family1 in the business and in our private walk from day to day--we are to be governed absolutely by that commanding1 that mighty1 that morally glorious sentence1 ,it is written--a sentence enhanced exceedingly in value and heightened in its moral glory by the telling fact that it was used thrice by our adorable ,lord at the opening of ,his public career1 in ,his conflict with the adversary1 and sounded in the ears of ,his loved ones just as ,he was about to ascend into the heavens4 ,yes1 dearly beloved ,christian reader1 ,it is written was a favorite sentence with our divine ,master and ,lord4 ,he ever obeyed the ,word4 ,he yielded a hearty and unqualified submission to its holy authority in all things4 ,he lived on it and by it from first to last4 ,he walked according to it and never acted without it4 ,he did not reason or question1 imply or infer1 ,he did not add or diminish or qualify in any one way--,he obeyed4 ,yes2 ,he1 the eternal ,son of the ,father--,himself ,god over all blessed for ever--having become a man1 lived on the ,holy ,scriptures and walked by their rule continually4 ,he made them the food of ,his soul1 the material and the basis of ,his marvellous ministry--the divine authority of ,his perfect path4 ,in all this ,he was our great ,exemplar4 ,oh1 may we follow ,his blessed footsteps6 ,may we bring ourselves1 our ways1 our habits1 our associations1 our surroundings1 to the test of ,holy ,scripture1 and reject with whole-hearted decision everything1 no matter what or by whom propounded1 that will not bear that searching light4 ,we are most thoroughly persuaded that in hundreds of thousands of cases the first grand point to be gained is to recall the heart to that delightful attitude in which the word of ,god is fully owned and submitted to as an absolute authority4 ,it is positively labor lost to be arguing and disputing with a man who does not give ,scripture the self-same place that our ,lord ,jesus ,christ gave it4 ,and when a man does this there is no need of argument4 ,what is really needed is to make the word of ,god the basis of our individual peace and the authority of our individual path4 ,may we all do so6 ,o come1 ,thou stricken ,lamb of ,god6 ,who shed'st for us ,thine own life-blood1 ,and teach us all ,thy love--then pain ,were sweet and life or death were gain4 ,take ,thou our hearts1 and let them be ,for ever closed to all but ,thee2 ,thy willing servants1 let us wear ,the seal of love for ever there4 ,how blest are they who still abide ,close shelter'd by ,thy watchful side2 ,who life and strength from ,thee receive1 ,and with ,thee move1 and in ,thee live4 ,ah1 ,lord6 enlarge our scanty thought1 ,to know the wonders ,thou hast wrought2 ,unloose our stammering tongues to tell ,thy love1 immense1 unsearchable4 ,first-born of many brethren1 ,thou6 ,to whom both heaven and earth must bow2 ,heirs of ,thy shame and of ,thy throne2 ,we bear ,thy cross1 and seek ,thy crown4 ,,the ,,remnant ,,past ,,and ,,present ,it is at once interesting1 instructive and encouraging to trace through ,scripture the history of what is called ,the ,remnant4 ,we may remark at the outset that the fact of there being a remnant proves the failure of the ostensible witness or professing body1 whether ,jewish or ,christian4 ,if all were faithful there would1 of course1 be no moral ground for a remnant1 nothing to distinguish a few from the general body of professors4 ,the remnant1 at any time1 will be found to consist of those who feel and own the common failure and ruin1 and count on ,god1 and cleave to ,his ,word4 ,these are the great characteristic marks of the remnant in every age4 ,we have failed1 but ,god is faithful1 and ,his mercy is from everlasting to everlasting4 ,now in tracing the history of the remnant in ,old ,testament times we find that the lower down we go in the nation's history1 the richer the display of divine grace2 and1 further1 the deeper the moral gloom1 the brighter the flashes of individual faith4 ,this is fraught with the most blessed encouragement for every true-hearted child of ,god and servant of ,christ who feels and owns the ruin of the whole professing ,church4 ,it is cheering beyond expression for every faithful soul to be assured that1 however the ,church has failed1 it is the privilege of the individual believer to enjoy as full and precious fellowship with ,god1 and pursue as true a path of discipleship as ever was known in the brightest days of the ,church's history4 ,let us turn to ,scripture for illustration4 ,in #b ,chronicles xxx4 we have a refreshing and encouraging record of a passover kept in the reign of ,hezekiah1 when the visible unity of the nation was broken up2 and failure and ruin had come in4 ,we do not attempt to quote the whole passage1 much as we should like to do so1 for it is most precious and soul-stirring4 ,we merely give the closing lines as bearing upon our thesis4 ,so there was great joy in ,jerusalem3 for since the time of ,solomon the son of ,david king of ,israel there was not the like in ,jerusalem4 ,here then we have a lovely illustration of the grace of ,god meeting those of ,his people who owned their failure and sin and took their true place in ,his presence4 ,hezekiah and those with him were fully convinced of their low condition1 and hence they did not presume to keep the passover in the first month4 ,they availed themselves of the provision of grace1 as recorded in ,numbers ix41 and kept the feast in the second month4 ,for a multitude of the people 444 had not cleansed themselves1 yet did they eat the passover otherwise than it was written4 ,but ,hezekiah prayed for them1 saying1 ,the good ,lord pardon every one that prepareth his heart to seek ,god1 the ,lord ,god of his fathers1 though 444 not according to the purification of the sanctuary4 ,and the ,lord harkened to ,hezekiah1 and healed the people 7,chap4 xxx4 #ah-bj74 ,here we see divine grace meeting1 as it ever does1 those who truly confess their failure and weakness4 ,there was no assumption or pretension1 no hardness or indifference1 no attempt to hide their true condition1 no setting up to be all right2 no1 they took their true place1 and cast themselves on that exhaustless grace which never fails to meet a contrite heart4 ,what was the result8 ,the children of ,israel that were present at ,jerusalem kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with great gladness3 and the ,levites and the priests praised the ,lord day by day1 singing with loud instruments unto the ,lord4 ,and ,hezekiah spake comfortably to the heart unto all the ,levites that taught the good knowledge of the ,lord3 and they did eat throughout the feast seven days1 offering peace offerings1 and making confession to the ,lord ,god of their fathers4 ,and the whole assembly took counsel to keep other seven days3 and they kept other seven days with gladness 7,chap4 xxx4 #ba-bc74 ,now we may rest assured that all this was most grateful to the heart of ,jehovah1 ,god of ,israel4 ,true there was weakness1 failure1 short-coming4 ,things were not externally what they were in ,solomon's day4 ,doubtless many may have looked upon ,hezekiah's acting as presumptuous in convening such an assembly under the circumstances4 ,indeed1 we are told that his touching and beautiful invitation was mocked and laughed to scorn throughout ,ephraim1 ,manasseh and ,zebulun4 ,thus it is1 alas6 too often4 ,the actings of faith are not understood1 because the precious grace of ,god is not understood4 ,but divers of ,asher and ,manasseh and ,zebulun humbled themselves1 and came to ,jerusalem1 and they were richly rewarded by coming in for a feast of fat things such as had not been celebrated since the days of ,solomon4 ,there is no limit to the blessing which grace has in store for the broken and contrite heart4 ,if all ,israel had responded to ,hezekiah's touching appeal1 they would have shared in the blessing2 but they were unbroken1 and therefore unblessed6 ,let us all remember this2 we may rest assured it has a voice and a needed lesson for us4 ,may we hear and learn6 ,we shall now pass on to the reign of the pious and devoted king ,josiah1 when the nation was on the very eve of dissolution4 ,here we have a very striking and beautiful illustration of our thesis4 ,we do not attempt to go into details1 having done so elsewhere4#d #d ,see a paper entitled1 ,the ,power and ,authority of ,holy ,scripture1 as ,illustrated in the ,life and ,times of ,josiah4 7#ae cts47 ,we shall merely quote the few closing lines4 ,and the children of ,israel that were present kept the passover at that time1 and the feast of unleavened bread seven days4 ,and there was no passover like to that kept in ,israel from the days of ,samuel the prophet2 neither did all the kings of ,israel keep such a passover as ,josiah kept1 and the priests1 and the ,levites1 and all ,judah and ,israel that were present1 and the inhabitants of ,jerusalem4 ,in the eighteenth year of the reign of ,josiah was this passover kept 7#b ,chron4 xxxv4 #ag-ai74 ,what a very remarkable testimony6 ,in ,hezekiah's passover we are carried back to the brilliant reign of ,solomon2 but here we have something brighter still4 ,and if it be asked what it was that threw such a halo of glory around ,josiah's passover1 we believe it was the fact of its being the fruit of holy and reverent obedience to the word of ,god in the midst of abounding ruin and corruption1 error and confusion4 ,the activities of faith in an obedient and devoted heart were thrown into relief by the dark background of the nation's condition4 ,all this is full of encouragement and comfort for every true lover of ,christ4 ,many might have thought it very presumptuous of ,josiah to pursue such a course at such a moment and under such circumstances2 but it was the very reverse of presumption1 as we may gather from the blessed message sent to him from the ,lord by the mouth of ,huldah1 the prophetess3 ,thus saith the ,lord ,god of ,israel concerning the words which thou hast heard2 ,because thy heart was tender1 and thou didst humble thyself before ,god1 when thou heardest ,his words against this place1 and against the inhabitants thereof1 and humbledst thyself before ,me1 and didst rend thy clothes1 and weep before ,me2 ,i have even heard thee also1 saith the ,lord 7,chap4 xxxiv4 #bf1 #bg74 ,here we have the moral basis of ,josiah's remarkable career2 and most assuredly there was nothing savoring of presumption therein4 ,a contrite heart1 weeping eyes and rent garments are not the accompaniments of presumption or self-confidence4 ,no2 they are the precious results of the word of ,god acting on the heart and conscience and leading to a course of deep-toned personal devotedness1 most cheering and edifying to contemplate4 ,oh1 that there were more of it amongst us6 ,truly the heart longs for it4 ,may the word of ,god so tell upon our whole moral being that instead of yielding to the condition of things around us we may live above it and pass through it as witnesses to the eternal reality of the truth of ,god and the imperishable virtues of the name of ,jesus4 ,but we must pass on from the interesting history of ,josiah1 and present to the reader some further illustrations of our theme4 ,hardly had that beloved servant of ,god passed off the scene when every trace of his blessed work was swept away1 and the heavy tide of judgment1 long held back in the long-suffering mercy of ,god1 rolled over the land4 ,jerusalem was laid in ruins1 its temple burnt to the ground1 and all the people who escaped were carried captive to ,babylon1 there to hang their harps on the willows and weep over the faded light of other days4 ,but1 blessed forever be the ,god of all grace1 ,he never leaves ,himself without a witness2 and hence1 during the long and dreary period of ,babylonish captivity1 we find some most striking and beautiful proofs of the statement that the greater the ruin the richer the grace1 and the deeper the gloom the brighter the flashes of individual faith4 ,there was then1 as there ever is1 a remnant according to the election of grace--a little band of devoted men who loved the ,lord and were true to ,his word amid the pollutions and abominations of ,babylon1 and who were prepared to face the fiery furnace and the lions' den for the truth of ,god4 ,the opening chapters of the book of ,daniel furnish some magnificent results of individual faith and devotedness4 ,look1 for example1 at chap4 ii4 #df4 ,where in the history of the nation of ,israel have we aught more striking than what is here recorded8 ,earth's greatest monarch humbled before a captive exile and giving forth this wonderful testimony3 ,the king answered unto ,daniel1 and said1 ,of a truth it is1 that your ,god is a ,god of gods1 and a ,lord of kings1 and a revealer of secrets1 seeing thou couldest reveal this secret4 ,but where did ,daniel get the power to reveal the king's secret8 ,verses #ag and #ah supply the lovely answer3 ,then ,daniel went to his house1 and made the thing known to ,hananiah1 ,mishael1 and ,azariah1 his companions3 that they would desire mercies of the ,god of heaven concerning this secret4 ,here we have a prayer-meeting in ,babylon4 ,these dear men were of one heart and one mind4 ,they were one in their purpose to refuse the king's meat and wine4 ,they were resolved1 by the grace of ,god1 to tread the holy path of separation1 though captive exiles in ,babylon2 and they got together for prayer1 and received an abundant answer4 ,can aught be finer than this8 ,what an encouragement to the ,lord's beloved people in darkest days to hold fast ,christ's word1 and not deny ,his precious name6 ,is it not most refreshing and edifying to find amid the dark days of ,babylonish captivity a few true-hearted men treading in holy fellowship the path of separation and dependence8 ,they stood for ,god in the king's palace1 and ,god was with them in the furnace and in the lions' den1 and conferred upon them the high privilege of standing before the world as the servants of the ,most ,high ,god4 ,they refused the king's meat2 they would not worship the king's image2 they kept ,god's word and confessed ,his name utterly regardless of consequences4 ,they did not say1 ,we must go with the times2 we must do as others do2 there is no need to make ourselves singular2 we must outwardly conform to the public worship1 the religion of the ,state1 and hold our own private opinions all the same2 we are not called to withstand the faith of the nation2 being in ,babylon1 we must conform to ,babylon's religion4 ,thank ,god1 ,daniel and his beloved companions did not adopt this contemptible1 time-serving policy4 ,no6 and what is more1 they did not draw a plea1 from the complete wreck of ,israel's national polity1 for lowering the standard of individual faithfulness4 ,they felt--could not but feel1 the ruin4 ,they confessed their sin1 and the sin of the nation2 they felt that1 so far as they were concerned1 sackcloth and ashes became them2 they would bow down their whole moral being beneath that solemn word1 ,o ,israel1 thou hast destroyed thyself4 ,all this was1 alas1 too true2 but that was no reason why they should defile themselves with the king's meat1 worship the king's image1 or give up the worship of the one true and living ,god4 ,ah1 ,god was before their eyes1 and ,him they served and obeyed4 ,all this is full of the most precious teaching for all the ,lord's people at the present moment4 ,there are two special evils which we have to guard against4 ,we must beware of ecclesiastical pretension or boasting in mere ,church position1 without an exercised conscience and the holy fear of ,god4 ,this is a terrible evil1 against which every beloved child of ,god should most sedulously watch4 ,we must never forget that the professing ,church is a hopeless wreck1 and that any human effort to restore it is a delusion4 ,we are not called1 and hence not qualified1 to restore it4 ,the ,holy ,ghost is nevertheless forming the body of ,christ1 and hastening its completion for the ,lord's return4 ,but1 on the other hand1 we are not to draw a plea from the ruin of the ,church for laxity as to truth1 or sluggishness in our personal walk4 ,we are in great danger of this4 ,there is no reason whatever why any child of ,god1 or servant of ,christ1 should do or sanction what is wrong1 or continue for an hour in association with aught that has not for its authority1 ,thus saith the ,lord4 ,let every one that nameth the name of the ,lord depart from iniquity4 ,and what then8 ,stand alone8 ,do nothing8 ,not so1 thanks and praise to our ever-gracious ,god6 ,but follow righteousness1 faith1 love1 peace1 with them that call on the ,lord out of a pure heart--a heart true to ,christ and ,his interests4 ,but we must pursue our subject1 and ask the reader to turn to ,neh4 viii4 ,we have been looking at the remnant before the captivity and during the captivity2 and now we are called to look at them after the captivity2 brought back1 by the rich mercy of ,god1 into their own beloved land4 ,we shall not attempt to go into details1 but just take one weighty fact in illustration of our special thesis--a fact of immense importance for the whole ,church of ,god at the present moment4 ,we shall quote a few verses of this lovely scripture3 ,so they read in the book in the law of ,god distinctly1 and gave the sense1 and caused them to understand the reading4444 ,and on the second day were gathered together the chief of the fathers of all the people1 the priests1 and the ,levites1 unto ,ezra the scribe1 even to understand the words of the law4 ,and they found written in the law which the ,lord had commanded by ,moses1 that the children of ,israel should dwell in booths in the feast of the seventh month4444 ,and all the congregation of them that were come again out of the captivity made booths1 and sat under the booths3 for since the days of ,joshua the son of ,nun unto that day had not the children of ,israel done so4 ,and there was very great gladness4 ,also day by day1 from the first day unto the last day1 he read in the book of the law of ,god4 ,and they kept the feast seven days2 and on the eighth day was a solemn assembly1 according unto the manner4 ,this is very striking4 ,here we find a feeble remnant gathered round the word of ,god1 holding a reading-meeting1 and getting to understand the truth and feel its power on the heart and conscience4 ,and what was the result8 ,nothing less than the celebration of the feast of tabernacles1 which had never been kept since the days of ,joshua the son of ,nun4 ,throughout the days of the judges1 the days of ,samuel the prophet1 the days of the kings--even the brilliant days of ,david and ,solomon--the feast of tabernacles had never been celebrated4 ,it was reserved for a feeble company of returned exiles to keep1 amid the ruins of ,jerusalem1 this precious and beautiful festival--the type of ,israel's glorious future4 ,was this presumption8 ,nay1 it was simple obedience to the word of ,god4 ,it was written in the book--written for them2 they acted upon it4 ,and there was very great gladness4 ,there was no pretension1 no setting up to be anything1 no boasting1 no attempt to hide their true condition2 they were a poor1 feeble1 despised remnant1 taking their true place1 broken and contrite1 confessing their failure1 deeply conscious that it was not with them as it was in the days of ,solomon1 ,david1 and ,joshua4 ,but they heard the word of ,god--heard and understood--bowed to its holy authority--kept the feast4 ,and there was very great gladness4 ,this surely is another striking and beautiful illustration of our theme1 that the greater the ruin1 the richer the grace2 and the deeper the gloom1 the brighter the flashes of individual faith4 ,at all times1 and in all places1 the contrite and confiding heart is met by unqualified1 unbounded grace4 ,we shall now turn1 for a moment1 to the last page of ,old ,testament ,scripture--the prophecy of ,malachi4 ,many years have rolled by since the bright days of ,ezra and ,nehemiah1 and we have here a most sorrowful picture of ,israel's condition4 ,alas1 alas6 the down grade has been rapidly trodden4 ,it is the same sad story--,o ,israel1 thou hast destroyed thyself6 ,let us quote a few sentences3 ,ye offer polluted bread upon ,mine altar2 and ye say1 ,wherein have we polluted ,thee8 ,in that ye say the table of the ,lord is contemptible4444 ,who is there even among you that would shut the doors for naught8 neither do ye kindle fire on ,mine altar for naught4 ,i have no pleasure in you1 saith the ,lord of hosts1 neither will ,i accept an offering at your hand4444 ,ye say1 ,the table of the ,lord is polluted2 and the fruit thereof1 even ,his meat1 is contemptible4 ,ye said also1 ,behold1 what a weariness is it6 and ye have snuffed at it1 saith the ,lord of hosts2 and ye brought that which was torn1 and the lame1 and the sick2 thus ye brought an offering3 should ,i accept this of your hand8 saith the ,lord 7chap4 i4 #g1 #aj1 #ab1 #ac2 see also chap4 iii4 #e-i74 ,what a deplorable condition of things6 ,it is simply heart-breaking to contemplate4 ,the public worship of ,god brought into utter contempt2 the ministers of religion working only for hire2 venality and corruption in connection with the holy service of ,god2 every form of moral pravity practiced amongst the people4 ,in short1 it was a scene of deep moral gloom1 depressing beyond expression to all who cared for the ,lord's interests4 ,and yet1 even in the midst of this terrible scene1 we have a most touching and exquisite illustration of our thesis4 ,as ever1 there is a remnant--a beloved company who honored and loved the ,lord1 and found in ,him their centre1 their object1 their delight4 ,then they that feared the ,lord spake often one to another2 and the ,lord harkened1 and heard1 and a book of remembrance was written before ,him for them that feared the ,lord1 and that thought upon ,his name4 ,and they shall be ,mine1 saith the ,lord of hosts1 in that day when ,i make up my jewels my special treasure2 and ,i will spare them1 as a man spareth his own son that serveth him4 ,how lovely is all this6 ,what a contrast to the general condition of things6 ,we may range through the entire history of the nation1 and find nothing like this4 ,where do we read of a book of remembrance written before the ,lord8 ,nowhere2 not even amidst the brilliant victories of ,joshua and ,david1 or the splendors of ,solomon4 ,it may be said there was no need4 ,that is not the point4 ,what we have to ponder is the striking fact that the words and ways of this feeble remnant1 in the very midst of abounding wickedness1 were so refreshing to the heart of ,god that ,he had a book of remembrance written about them4 ,we may safely assert that the communings of these beloved ones were more grateful to the heart of ,god than the singers and trumpeters in ,solomon's day4 ,they spake often one to another4 ,they feared the ,lord1 and thought upon ,his name4 ,there was individual devotedness1 personal attachment2 they loved the ,lord2 and this drew them together4 ,nothing can be more lovely4 ,would there were more of it in our midst6 ,those dear people were not doing anything very great or showy in man's view2 but ah1 they loved the ,lord1 they thought of ,him1 and their common attachment to ,him drew them together to speak of ,him2 and this gave a charm to their reunions which gratified and refreshed the heart of ,god6 ,it stood out in bright and beauteous relief from the dark background of hirelingism and heartless routine with which they were surrounded4 ,they were not bound together by certain views or opinions which they held in common1 though doubtless they had their views and opinions2 neither were they held together by ritualistic services or ceremonial observances2 no1 they had something far better and higher than any of these things2 they were drawn and knit together by deep-toned personal devotedness to the ,lord1 and this was agreeable to ,his heart4 ,he was weary with the whole system of ritualism1 but refreshed by the genuine devotedness of a few precious souls who got together as often as they could to speak one to another1 and to encourage one another in the ,lord4 ,would that there were more of this amongst us6 ,we long for it1 and we may just own to the reader that our one earnest desire in writing this paper is to promote it4 ,we greatly dread the withering1 paralyzing influence of mere formalism or religious routine--getting into a groove1 and going on day after day1 week after week1 year after year1 in a poor1 cold1 formal manner1 most offensive to the loving heart of our adorable ,lord and ,saviour1 who desires to be surrounded by a company of whole-hearted1 devoted followers1 true to ,his name1 true to ,his word1 true to one another for ,his sake1 seeking to serve ,him in every right way1 while ardently looking out for ,his blessed appearing4 ,may the ,spirit of ,god work mightily in the hearts of all ,his people1 healing1 restoring1 reviving and maintaining a faithful company to welcome the heavenly ,bridegroom6 ,let us cry to our gracious ,god day and night for this4 ,i might here close this paper1 were it not that ,i am anxious to present the reader with two or three illustrations drawn from the precious pages of the ,new ,testament4 ,in the opening of ,luke's ,gospel we have a lovely picture of a remnant in the midst of a hollow1 heartless profession4 ,we listen to the spiritual heart-utterances of ,mary1 ,elizabeth1 ,zacharias1 and ,simeon4 ,we read of ,anna the prophetess1 who spoke of ,jesus to all who looked for redemption in ,jerusalem4 ,i remember hearing my beloved and revered old friend ,j4 ,n4 ,d4 say in reference to ,anna1 ,i am sure ,i do not know how she managed to get at them at all1 but she did4 ,yes1 she did1 because she loved the ,lord and loved ,his dear people1 and delighted to find them out and speak of ,him4 ,it is just our beloved remnant in ,malachi over again4 ,nothing can be more lovely or refreshing4 ,it was the exquisite and fragrant fruit of deep-toned love to the ,lord in contrast with the wearisome forms of dead religiousness4 ,we shall now pass on to the epistle of ,jude4 ,here we find apostate ,christendom in all its appalling forms of wickedness1 just as in ,malachi we had apostate ,judaism4 ,but our object just now is not apostate ,christendom1 but the ,christian remnant4 ,thanks and praise to our gracious ,god1 there is always a remnant marked off from the mass of corrupt profession1 and characterized by genuine attachment to ,christ1 to ,his interests1 and to every member of ,his beloved body4 ,it is to this remnant that the inspired apostle addresses his solemn and weighty epistle4 ,it is not to any special assembly1 but ,to them that are sanctified by ,god the ,father1 and preserved in ,jesus ,christ1 called3 mercy unto you1 and peace1 and love1 be multiplied4 ,blessed position6 ,precious portion6 ,separated1 preserved1 called1--this is the position4 ,mercy1 peace1 love1--this is the portion4 ,and all this made sure to every true-hearted child of ,god on the face of the earth ere a single word is written about the overwhelming tide of apostasy which was so soon to roll over the whole professing ,church4 ,we repeat1 and would emphasise the expression1 to every true-hearted child of ,god4 ,as in ,israel of old1 so in the professing ,church1 the remnant will be found to consist of those who are true to ,christ1 hold fast ,his word in the face of everything1 are devoted to ,his precious interests1 and who love ,his appearing4 ,in a word1 it must be a living reality1 and not mere church-membership or nominal fellowship here or there1 with this or that4 ,moreover it is not assuming to be1 but really being1 of the remnant--not the name1 but the spiritual power2 so the apostle says1 ,i will know1 not the speech1 444 but the power4 ,a weighty word for us all4 ,and now let us turn for a few moments to the precious words of exhortation addressed to the ,christian remnant4 ,may the ,spirit clothe them with power to our souls6 ,but1 beloved1 remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our ,lord ,jesus ,christ4 ,they are directed to the ,holy ,scriptures1 and to these alone4 ,it is not to human tradition of any kind2 not to the ,fathers2 not to the decrees of general councils2 not to the commandments and doctrines of men2 not to any of these1 or all put together1 which can only bewilder1 perplex1 and mislead2 but to the pure and precious word of ,god1 that perfect revelation which in ,his infinite goodness ,he has put into our hands1 and which can make a little child wise unto salvation and make a man perfect1 thoroughly furnished unto all good works 7#b ,tim4 iii474 ,the ,lord be praised for this unspeakable favor6 ,no human language can set forth the importance of having a divinely settled authority for our path4 ,all we want is to be absolutely and completely governed by it1 to have it hidden in our hearts1 acting on our consciences1 forming our character1 governing our conduct in everything4 ,to give the word of ,god this place is one of the marked characteristics of the ,christian remnant4 ,it is not the worthless1 baseless formulary1 ,the ,bible1 and the ,bible only1 is the religion of ,protestants4 ,protestantism is not the ,church of ,god1 it is not the ,christian remnant4 ,the ,reformation was the result of a blessed work of the ,spirit of ,god2 but ,protestantism1 in all its denominational branches1 is what man has made of it4 ,in it human organization has displaced the living work of the ,spirit1 and the form of godliness has displaced the power of individual faith4 ,no mere ism1 call it what you please1 can ever be regarded as the ,church of ,god or the ,christian remnant4 ,it is of the very utmost moral importance to see this4 ,the professing ,church has utterly failed1 its corporate unity is hopelessly gone1 just as we see in the history of ,israel4 ,but the ,christian remnant is made up of all those who truly feel and own the ruin1 who are governed by the ,word and led by the ,spirit1 in separation from what is contrary to that ,word1 to wait for their ,lord4 ,let us see how all this comes out in ,jude's address to the remnant4 ,but ye1 beloved1 building up yourselves on your most holy faith1 praying in the ,holy ,ghost1 keep yourselves in the love of ,god1 looking for the mercy of our ,lord ,jesus ,christ unto eternal life4 ,here then we have a lovely view of the true ,christian remnant and their occupation among themselves4 ,nothing can be more beautiful4 ,we may be asked1 to whom does this charming passage apply8 ,we answer1 to those--whoever and wherever they are--addressed in the first verse of the epistle3 ,to them that are sanctified by ,god the ,father1 and preserved in ,jesus ,christ1 and called4 ,nothing can be more simple or more blessed4 ,it is perfectly obvious that these words do not and cannot apply to mere professors2 neither can they apply to any ecclesiastical body under the sun4 ,in a word1 they apply to the living members of the body of ,christ4 ,all such should be found together building up themselves on their most holy faith1 praying in the ,holy ,ghost1 keeping themselves in the love of ,god and looking out for their ,lord4 ,this is the ,christian remnant1 just as in ,malachi iii4 we have the ,jewish remnant4 ,nothing can be more lovely4 ,it is the position in which all true ,christians should be found4 ,there is no pretension to setting themselves up to be anything1 no attempt to ignore the sad and solemn fact of the utter ruin of the professing ,church4 ,it is a ,christian remnant in the midst of ,christendom's ruins1 true to the ,person of ,christ1 true to ,his word2 knit together in true ,christian love--not the love of sect1 party1 clique1 or coterie1 but love in the ,spirit1 love to all who love our ,lord ,jesus ,christ in sincerity2 love expressing itself in true devotedness to ,christ and ,his precious interests2 and loving ministry to all who belong to ,him and seek to reflect ,him in all their ways4 ,it is not resting in mere position1 regardless of condition--a terrible snare of the devil--but a healthy union of the two in a life characterized by sound principle and gracious practice2 the kingdom of ,god established in the heart and developing itself in the whole practical career4 ,such then is the position1 the condition1 the practice of the true ,christian remnant2 and we may rest assured that1 where these things are realized and carried out1 there will be as rich enjoyment of ,christ1 as full communion with ,god1 and as bright a testimony to the glorious truth of ,new ,testament ,christianity as ever was known in the brightest days of the ,church's history4 ,in a word1 there will be that which will glorify the name of ,god1 gratify the heart of ,christ1 and tell with living power on the hearts and consciences of men4 ,may ,god1 in ,his infinite goodness1 give us to see these bright realities in this dark and evil day--a fresh illustration of the soul-stirring fact that the greater the ruin1 the richer the grace2 the deeper the gloom1 the brighter the flashes of individual faith4 ,before closing this paper1 we shall ask the reader to look for a moment at the address to the fourth of the seven churches1 as given in the second chapter of ,revelation4 ,the church of ,thyatira gives us the history of the ,church during those long1 dreary centuries of the ,middle ,ages1 when gross darkness covered the earth1 when popery--that darkest moral blot--prevailed in the well-known character of ,jezebel4 ,in the address to this assembly we find a marked change1 indicated by three plain facts--namely3 first1 a remnant is for the first time addressed3 secondly1 the ,lord's coming is for the first time introduced2 and1 thirdly1 the hearing ear is no longer looked for in the assembly at large1 but in the overcomer4 ,now these facts prove beyond all question that in ,thyatira all hope of corporate restoration is abandoned4 ,i gave her space to repent1 444 and she repented not4 ,the case is hopeless as regards the professing body4 ,but here the remnant is singled out and cheered--not with the hope of a converted world or a restored ,church1 but with the bright and blessed hope of the ,lord's coming as the bright and morning star4 ,but unto you ,i say1 the remnant#e in ,thyatira1 as many as have not this doctrine 1 the same root as 1 what ,jezebel was doing1 and which have not known the depths of ,satan1 as they speak2 ,i will put upon you none other burden4 ,but that which ye have hold fast till ,i come4 #e ,the word rendered remnant in the above passage is 1 and is from the same root as the word remnant in ,romans xi4 #e1 which is 4 ,both are from 1 to leave4 ,here then we have a deeply interesting view of the ,christian remnant4 ,it is not the ,church restored1 but a distinct company clear of ,jezebel's teaching and ,satan's depths1 and going on to the end4 ,it is of the utmost importance that the reader should be clear in reference to the fact that the last four churches run on synchronously to the end4 ,it simplifies the whole subject immensely1 and gives us a very definite1 practical view of the ,christian remnant4 ,there is no mention of a remnant until we get to ,thyatira4 ,then all hope of corporate restoration is given up4 ,this simple fact overturns the church of ,rome from its very foundations4 ,it is presented to us as an apostate and idolatrous system1 threatened with the judgment of ,god3 and a remnant are addressed who have nothing to do with her4 ,so much for the boasted1 universal1 infallible church of ,rome4 ,but what of ,sardis8 ,is this the ,church restored8 ,nothing of the kind4 ,thou hast a name that thou livest1 and art dead4 ,this is not a restored or reformed ,church1 but threatened with ,christ's coming as a thief1 instead of being cheered with the bright and morning star4 ,in a word1 it is ,protestantism with a name1 but the works not perfect before ,god4 ,and what then8 ,the ,christian remnant4 ,a few names even in ,sardis which have not defiled their garments2 and they ,he does not say thou shall walk with ,me in white3 for they are worthy4 ,we have here a vivid and most striking contrast between dead1 cold1 nominal profession and a few true-hearted1 earnest lovers of ,christ--between form and power1 death and life4 ,in the last two assemblies we have the contrast continued1 enlarged1 and enforced4 ,philadelphia gives us a most precious picture of a company of true ,christians1 humble1 lowly1 feeble1 but true to ,christ2 holding fast ,his word1 and not denying ,his name--,christ and ,his word treasured in the heart and confessed in the life--a living reality1 not a lifeless form4 ,the moral beauty of this is excellent4 ,the very contemplation of it is refreshing and edifying indeed4 ,in short1 it is ,christ reproduced by the ,holy ,ghost in a beloved remnant4 ,there is no pretension to be anything1 no assumption of great things4 ,christ is all3 ,his word1 ,his name1 how precious6 ,we seem to have gathered up and concentrated here the lovely moral traits of the various remnants that have come under our notice1 brought out in full blow and yielding a fragrant perfume4 ,now all this is most grateful to the heart of ,christ4 ,it is not a question of great service rendered1 mighty works performed1 anything striking or splendid in the eyes of men4 ,no2 it is something far more precious to the ,lord1 namely1 the deep1 calm1 thorough appreciation of ,himself and ,his precious word4 ,this is far more to ,him than the most showy services and costly sacrifices4 ,what ,he looks for is a place in the heart4 ,without this all is worthless4 ,but the very feeblest breathing of the heart's affections after ,himself is most precious4 ,let us harken to our adorable ,lord as ,he pours out ,his loving heart to this dear ,philadelphian company--this true ,christian remnant4 ,these things saith ,he that is holy1 ,he that is true1 ,he that hath the key of ,david1 ,he that openeth1 and no man shutteth2 and shutteth1 and no man openeth2 ,i know thy works3 behold1 ,i have set before thee an open door1 and no man can shut it3 for thou hast a little strength1 and hast kept ,my word1 and hast not denied ,my name4 ,behold1 ,i will make them of the synagogue of ,satan--those who take their stand on the boasted ground of traditionary religion--which say they are ,jews1 and are not1 but do lie2 behold1 ,i will make them to come and worship before thy feet1 and to know that ,i have loved thee--precious1 blessed fact1 the basis and guarantee of all1 for time and eternity6--,because thou hast kept the word of ,my patience not ,my power1 ,i will also keep thee from the hour of temptation1 which shall come upon all the world1 to try them that dwell upon the earth 7 1 those finding their home on the earth1 in contrast to those whose citizenship is in heaven74 ,the ,lord ,christ most graciously pledges ,himself to keep ,his beloved assembly from the terrible hour of trial that is coming upon this whole scene4 ,he will have ,his heavenly people with ,himself in their heavenly home ere a single seal is opened1 a trumpet sounded1 or a vial poured out4 ,all praise to ,his name for this bright1 blessed1 tranquilizing1 joyful hope6 ,may we live in the power of it while we wait for the full fruition6 ,but we must quote the remainder of this most exquisite address1 so full of comfort and consolation4 ,behold1 ,i come quickly3 hold that fast which thou hast1 that no man take thy crown4 ,him that overcometh will ,i make a pillar in the temple of ,my ,god1 and he shall go no more out3 and ,i will write upon him the name of ,my ,god1 and the name of the city of ,my ,god1 new ,jerusalem1 which cometh down out of heaven from ,my ,god3 and ,my new name4 ,nothing can exceed the grace that shines in all this4 ,jehovah spoke gracious words to ,his beloved remnant in the days of ,malachi4 ,they shall be ,mine1 444 in that day when ,i make up ,my jewels2 and ,i will spare them1 as a man spareth his own son that serveth him4 ,then shall ye return1 and discern between the righteous and the wicked1 between him that serveth ,god and him that serveth ,him not4 ,for1 behold1 the day cometh that shall burn as an oven2 and all the proud1 yea1 and all that do wickedly1 shall be stubble3 and the day that cometh shall burn them up1 saith the ,lord of hosts1 that it shall leave them neither root nor branch4 ,but unto you that--what8 ,that have done great things1 made great sacrifices1 made a great profession1 had a great name8 ,no2 but--fear ,my name shall the ,sun of righteousness arise with healing in ,his wings2 and ye shall go forth1 and grow up as calves of the stall4 ,and ye shall tread down the wicked2 for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that ,i shall do this1 saith the ,lord of hosts 7,mal4 iii4 #ag-;iv4 #c74 ,there are points of similarity and points of contrast in the ,jewish and ,christian remnants which we cannot go into just now1 inasmuch as our object in referring to both is to illustrate our special theme1 namely1 that in darkest days we find a devoted remnant dear to the heart of ,god1 the heart of ,christ1 and who are addressed in the most tender and endearing terms1 comforted by the most precious assurances1 and cheered by the brightest hopes4 ,this we believe to be the special subject laid upon the heart to present to the whole ,church of ,god1 for the purpose of encouraging every member of the beloved body of ,christ on the face of the earth to stand apart from all that is contrary to ,his mind as revealed in ,his word1 and to be found in the position1 attitude and spirit of the true ,christian remnant1 waiting for the coming of our beloved ,lord4 99 99 99 99 99 ,i shall merely refer to one point which marks the distinction between the two remnants in the clearest way4 ,it is this3 the ,jewish remnant is cheered by the hope of the ,sun of righteousness2 whereas to the ,christian remnant is granted the far higher1 brighter and sweeter privilege of looking out for the bright and morning ,star4 ,a little child can understand the difference between these two things4 ,the morning star appears in the heavens long before the sun rises2 and in like manner the ,church will meet her ,lord as the bright and morning ,star before the beams of the ,sun of righteousness fall in healing power on the ,god-fearing remnant of ,israel4 99 99 99 99 99 ,and now a word1 in conclusion1 as to ,laodicea4 ,nothing can be more vivid or striking than the contrast between it and ,philadelphia in every respect4 ,we have here the last phase of the professing ,christian body4 ,it is just about to be spewed out as something insufferably nauseous to ,christ4 ,it is not a question of gross immorality4 ,it may to man's eye present a very respectable appearance2 but to the heart of ,christ its condition is most repulsive4 ,it is characterized by lukewarmness and indifference4 ,i know thy works1 that thou art neither cold nor hot3 ,i would thou wert cold or hot4 ,so then because thou art lukewarm1 and neither cold nor hot1 ,i will spew thee out of ,my mouth4 ,how awfully solemn to find the professing ,church in such a condition6 ,and to think how soon we pass from the attractions of ,philadelphia--so grateful to the heart of ,christ1 so refreshing to ,his spirit--to the withering atmosphere of ,laodicea1 where there is not a single redeeming feature6 ,we have heartless indifference as to ,christ and ,his interests1 combined with the most deplorable self-gratulation4 ,thou sayest1 ,i am rich1 and increased with goods1 and have need of nothing2 and knowest not that thou art wretched1 and miserable1 and poor1 and blind1 and naked3 ,i counsel thee to buy of ,me gold tried in the fire1 that thou mayest be rich2 and white raiment1 that thou mayest be clothed1 and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear2 and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve1 that thou mayest see4 ,how solemn is all this6 ,people boasting of their riches1 and of their having need of nothing1 and ,christ outside4 ,they have lost the sense of divine righteousness1 symbolized by gold1 and practical human righteousness1 as symbolized by white raiment1 and yet full of themselves and their doings--the very reverse of the dear ,philadelphian company4 ,there1 ,he reproves nothing2 here1 ,he commends nothing4 ,there1 ,christ is all2 here1 ,he is actually outside1 and the ,church is all4 ,in a word1 it is perfectly appalling to contemplate4 ,we are just at the close4 ,we have got to the last solemn phase of the ,church as ,god's witness on the earth4 ,yet even here1 in the face of this most deplorable condition of things1 the infinite grace and changeless love of the heart of ,christ shine out in all their undimmed lustre4 ,he is outside2 this tells what the ,church is4 ,but ,he is knocking1 calling1 waiting3 this tells what ,he is1 eternal and universal homage to ,his name6 ,as many as ,i love1 ,i rebuke and chasten3 be zealous therefore1 and repent4 ,the gold1 the white raiment and the eyesalve are offered4 ,love has various offices to discharge1 various characters in which to clothe itself2 but it is the same love still--the same yesterday1 and to-day1 and forever1 even though it has to rebuke and chasten4 ,here ,his attitude and ,his action speak volumes1 both as to the ,church and as to ,himself4 ,behold1 ,i stand at the door1 and knock3 if any man hear ,my voice1 and open the door1 ,i will come in to him1 and will sup with him1 and he with ,me4#f #f ,here it is not to the outside sinner1 but to the professing ,church the ,lord makes this most solemn and weighty appeal4 ,it is not ,christ knocking at the door of the sinner's heart1 7true as that is also71 but at the door of those in the professing ,church4 ,how telling6 how suggestive6 ,oh1 may professing ,christians ponder it6 ,in the church of ,sardis the remnant is spoken of as a few names2 in ,laodicea there is an if as to one2 but even if there be a single hearing ear1 if there be one to open the door1 that one is assured of the high privilege1 the immense favor1 of supping with ,christ--of having that precious one as ,guest and ,host4 ,i with him1 and he with ,me4 ,when the corporate witness has reached the very lowest point1 individual faithfulness is rewarded with intimate fellowship with the heart of ,christ4 ,such is the infinite and everlasting love of our beloved ,saviour and ,lord4 ,oh1 who would not trust ,him and praise ,him and love ,him and serve ,him8 ,and now1 beloved ,christian reader1 ,i would earnestly and affectionately entreat you to join in petition to our ever-gracious ,god to stir up the hearts of ,his beloved people all over the world to seek a more pronounced1 whole-hearted1 devoted discipleship2 to turn away from everything contrary to ,his word2 to be true to ,his word and to ,his name in this dark and evil day2 and thus realize the truth1 which has passed before us in this paper1 that the greater the ruin1 the richer the grace2 the deeper the gloom1 the brighter the outshining of individual faith4 99 99 99 99 99 ,p4 ,s4--,i feel ,i must not let this paper go forth without adding a word on the immense importance of keeping up a full1 clear1 earnest gospel testimony4 ,do the work of an evangelist is a charge given by the beloved apostle from his prison at ,rome to his dear son ,timothy1 in view of the total ruin of the professing ,church2 and truly the circumstances under which these words were penned impart a touching interest to them4 ,come what may1 ,timothy was to continue to announce the glad tidings of ,god's salvation4 ,he might be tempted to give up in despair1 and say1 ,all is going to pieces1 people will not listen to the gospel--will not endure sound doctrine4 ,faith says1 ,no2 we must never give up4 ,god's gospel must be preached to every creature under heaven4 ,and even though men reject it1 ,god is glorified and ,his heart is refreshed by the precious message of ,his love being told out in the ears of perishing sinners4 ,we would encourage the heart of every beloved evangelist on the face of the earth by reminding him that however the ,church has failed as ,god's witness to the world1 yet the precious gospel tells out what ,he is to every poor1 broken-hearted1 bankrupt sinner who will only trust ,him4 ,the thought of this has cheered us during forty-eight years of evangelistic work1 when the condition of the ,church was heart-breaking to contemplate4 ,and in speaking of the work of an evangelist1 we must not confine it to public halls and rooms1 which1 of course1 demand a distinct gift from the ,head of the ,church4 ,we believe it is the sweet privilege of every child of ,god to be in a condition of soul to tell the glad tidings to individual souls in private life2 and we must confess we long to see more of this4 ,it matters not what our position in life or sphere of action may be1 we should earnestly and prayerfully seek the salvation of those with whom we come in contact4 ,if we fail in this1 we are not in communion with the heart of ,god and the mind of ,christ4 ,in the ,gospels and ,acts we see a great deal of this lovely individual work4 ,philip findeth ,nathanael4 ,andrew first findeth his own brother ,simon4 ,we want more of this earnest1 beautiful1 personal work in private4 ,it is refreshing to the heart of ,god4 ,we are apt to get into a groove and rest satisfied with asking people to come to public halls and rooms--all right and good in its place1 and most important4 ,we would not pen a line to detract from the value of this service2 but at the same time we cannot help feeling our sad deficiency in loving1 personal dealing with souls4 ,but this requires nearness to ,god in our inward life2 which may well cause serious searching of our hearts before ,god1 for it is the root of our deficiency4 ,may the gracious ,lord stir up the hearts of all ,his beloved people to a more lively interest in the blessed work of evangelization1 at home and abroad1 in public and in private6 ,,life ,,and ,,times ,,of ,,david ,by ,c4 ,h4 ,m4 ,,introduction ,the steps which led to the setting up of a king in ,israel are easily traced1 and easily accounted for1 by all who have studied with any attention the humbling history of the human heart1 either as presented in themselves or in others4 ,in the opening chapters of #a ,samuel we are furnished with a most instructive and solemn picture of ,israel's condition4 ,the house of ,elkanah is taken up by the sacred penman as a striking illustration of ,israel after the flesh1 and ,israel after the ,spirit4 ,he had two wives2 the name of the one was ,hannah1 and the name of the other ,peninnah2 and ,peninnah had children1 but ,hannah had no children4 ,thus we have in the domestic circle of this ,ephrathite the early scenes of ,sarah and ,hagar enacted over again4 ,hannah was the barren woman1--and she was made to feel it deeply1 for her adversary also provoked her sore1 for to make her fret1 because the ,lord had shut up her womb4 ,the barren woman is in ,scripture the type of nature's ruined and helpless condition4 ,there is no ability to do anything for ,god--no power to bring forth any fruit to ,him2 all is death and barrenness4 ,such is the real condition of every child of ,adam4 ,he can neither do anything for ,god nor for himself1 as regards his eternal destiny4 ,he is emphatically without strength2 he is a dry tree1 a heath in the desert4 ,such is the lesson taught us by the barren woman4 ,however1 the ,lord caused his grace to abound over all ,hannah's weakness and need1 and put a song of praise into her mouth4 ,he enabled her to say1 ,my horn is exalted in the ,lord2 my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies2 because ,i rejoice in ,thy salvation4 ,it is the ,lord's special province to make the barren woman rejoice4 ,he alone can say1 ,sing1 ,o barren1 thou that didst not bear2 break forth into singing1 and cry aloud1 thou that didst not travail with child2 for more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife1 saith the ,lord 7,isa4 liv4 #a74 ,hannah realized this1 and widowed ,israel will ere long realize it also1 for her ,maker is her husband2 the ,lord of ,hosts is ,his name2 and her ,redeemer the ,holy ,one of ,israel4 ,the beautiful song of ,hannah is the soul's thankful acknowledgment of ,god's actings in reference to ,israel4 ,the ,lord killeth1 and maketh alive3 ,he bringeth down to the grave1 and bringeth up4 ,the ,lord maketh poor1 and maketh rich3 ,he bringeth low1 and lifteth up4 ,he raiseth up the poor out of the dust1 and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill1 to set them among princes1 and to make them inherit the throne of glory4 ,all this will be most fully exemplified in ,israel in the latter day2 and it is now exemplified in the person of every one who through grace is raised from his ruined condition in nature to blessedness and peace in ,christ4 ,the birth of ,samuel filled up a great blank1 not only in the heart of ,hannah1 but doubtless in the heart of every faithful ,israelite who sighed for the true interests of the ,lord's house and the purity of the ,lord's offering1 both of which were alike disregarded and trampled upon by the unholy sons of ,eli4 ,in ,hannah's desire for a man-child1 we perceive not merely the development of the heart of a mother1 but that of an ,israelite4 ,she had1 no doubt1 beheld and mourned over the ruin of everything connected with the temple of the ,lord4 ,the dimmed eye of ,eli--the vile actings of ,hophni and ,phinehas--the fading lamp--the desecrated temple--the despised sacrifice--all conspired to tell ,hannah that there was a real want1 which want could alone be supplied by the precious gift of a man-child from the ,lord4 ,hence she says to her husband1 ,i will not go up until the child be weaned1 and then ,i will bring him1 that he may appear before the ,lord1 and there abide forever4 ,abide forever6 ,nothing short of this could satisfy the longing soul of ,hannah4 ,it was not the mere matter of wiping away her own reproach that rendered ,samuel so precious in her eyes4 ,no6 she longed to see a faithful priest standing before the ,lord2 and by faith her eye rested on one who was to abide there forever4 ,precious1 elevating faith--that holy principle which lifts the soul above the depressing influence of things seen and temporal1 into the light of things unseen and eternal6 ,in chapter iii4 we have the prediction of the terrible downfall of ,eli's house4 ,and it came to pass at that time1 when ,eli was laid down in his place1 and his eyes began to wax dim1 that he could not see2 and ere the lamp of ,god went out in the temple of the ,lord1 where the ark of ,god was1 and ,samuel was laid down to sleep2 that the ,lord called ,samuel4 ,this was very expressive--solemnly expressive4 ,eli's eyes dim1 and the ,lord's call to ,samuel3 in other words1 ,eli's house is passing away1 and the faithful priest is about to enter upon the scene4 ,samuel runs to ,eli1 but1 alas1 all the latter could say was1 ,lie down again4 ,he had no message for the child4 ,hoary and dim1 he could spend his time in sleep and darkness1 while the ,lord's voice was sounding so very near him4 ,solemn1 most solemn warning6 ,eli was a priest of the ,lord1 but he failed to walk watchfully1 failed to order his house according to the testimonies of ,god1 failed to restrain his sons2 hence we see the sad end to which he came4 ,and the ,lord said to ,samuel1 ,behold1 ,i will do a thing in ,israel at which both the ears of every one that heareth it shall tingle4 ,in that day ,i will perform against ,eli all things which ,i have spoken concerning his house3 when ,i begin1 ,i will also make an end4 ,for ,i have told him that ,i will judge his house forever for the iniquity which he knoweth2 because his sons made themselves vile1 and he restrained them not 7#a ,sam4 iii4 #aa-ac74 ,whatsoever a man soweth1 says the apostle1 that shall he also reap4 ,how true is this in the history of every child of ,adam6--how peculiarly true in the history of every child of ,god6 ,according to our sowing shall be our reaping4 ,so ,eli was made to feel2 and so shall the writer and the reader of this4 ,there is much more of solemn1 practical reality in this divine statement than many are apt to imagine4 ,if we indulge in a wrong current of thought1 if we adopt a wrong habit of conversation1 if we pursue a wrong line of acting1 we must inevitably reap the fruits of it sooner or later4#g ,may this reflection lead us to more holy watchfulness in our ways2 may we be more careful to sow to the ,spirit1 that so1 of the ,spirit1 we may reap life everlasting6 #g ,the statement in the text1 ,i need hardly say1 does not by any means interfere with the eternal stability of divine grace and the perfect acceptance of the believer in all the acceptableness of ,christ before ,god4 ,this is a great foundation truth4 ,christ is the believer's life1 and ,christ is his righteousness--the ground of his peace with ,god4 ,he may lose the enjoyment of it1 but the thing itself ,god has established upon an indestructible basis1 and before ever it can be touched the fact of ,christ's resurrection must be called in question1 for clearly ,he could not be where ,he is if the believer's peace were not perfectly settled4 ,in order to have perfect peace1 ,i must know my perfect justification3 and in order to know my perfect justification1 ,i must know1 by faith in ,god's word1 that ,christ has made a perfect atonement4 ,this is the divine order--perfect atonement as the ground of my perfect justification2 and perfect justification as the ground of my perfect peace4 ,god has joined those three together1 and let not man's unbelieving heart put them asunder4 ,hence1 therefore1 the statement in the text will not1 ,i trust1 be misunderstood or misapplied4 ,the principle contained therein may be thus illustrated3 ,if my child does wrong1 he may injure himself and grieve and displease me2 but he is my child all the while4 ,the apostolic statement is as broad as possible--,whatsoever a man soweth1 that shall he also reap4 ,he does not say whether it is a converted or an unconverted man1 and therefore the passage should have its full application4 ,it could not possibly touch the question of pure and absolute grace4 ,in chapter iv4 a humiliating picture of ,israel's condition in connection with the declining house of ,eli is presented4 ,now ,israel went out against the ,philistines to battle1 and pitched beside ,eben-ezer3 and the ,philistines pitched in ,aphek4 ,and the ,philistines put themselves in array against ,israel3 and when they joined battle1 ,israel was smitten before the ,philistines3 and they slew of the army in the field about four thousand men4 ,here ,israel was being made to realize the curse of a broken law4 ,see ,deut4 xxviii4 #be4 ,they could not stand before their enemies1 being weak and powerless by reason of their disobedience4 ,and observe the nature and ground of their confidence1 in this their time of need and pressure3 ,and when the people were come into the camp1 the elders of ,israel said1 ,wherefore hath the ,lord smitten us to-day before the ,philistines8 ,let us fetch the ark of the covenant of the ,lord out of ,shiloh unto us1 that1 when it cometh among us1 it may save us out of the hand of our enemies4 ,alas1 what a miserable ground of confidence6 ,not a word about the ,lord ,himself4 ,they thought not of ,him as the source of their strength2 they made not ,him their shield and buckler4 ,no6 they trusted in the ark2 they vainly imagined that it could save them4 ,how vain6 ,how could it avail them aught when unaccompanied by the presence of the ,lord of hosts1 the ,god of the armies of ,israel8 ,impossible6 ,but ,he was no longer there2 ,he had been grieved away by their unconfessed and unjudged sin2 nor could any symbol or ordinance ever supply ,his place4 ,however1 ,israel vainly imagined that the ark would do all for them2 and great was their joy1 though not well founded1 when it made its appearance among them1 accompanied1 not by ,jehovah1 but by the wicked priests ,hophni and ,phinehas4 ,and when the ark of the covenant of the ,lord came into the camp1 all ,israel shouted with a great shout1 so that the earth rang again4 ,all this was very imposing2 but1 ah1 it was hollow2 their triumph was as baseless as it was unbecoming2 they ought to have known themselves much better than to make such an empty display4 ,their shout of triumph harmonized badly with their low moral condition in the sight of ,god2 and yet it will ever be found that those who know least of themselves set up the highest pretensions1 and assume the highest position4 ,the ,pharisee in the ,gospel looked down with an air of proud indifference on the self-abased publican2 he imagined himself very high up and the publican very low down in the scale2 yet how different were ,god's thoughts about the two6 ,thus it is the broken and contrite heart will ever be the dwelling-place of ,god1 who1 blessed be ,his name1 knows how to lift up and comfort every such heart as none else can do4 ,such is ,his peculiar work--the work in which ,he delights4 ,but the men of this world will always attach importance to high pretensions4 ,they like them1 and1 generally speaking1 give a high place in their thoughts to those who assume to be somewhat2 while1 on the other hand1 they will seek to put the really self-abased man still lower4 ,thus1 in the instructive scene before us in this chapter1 the ,philistines attached no small importance to the shout of the men of ,israel4 ,it was like themselves1 and therefore they could apprehend and appreciate it4 ,and when the ,philistines heard the noise of the shout1 they said1 ,what meaneth the noise of this great shout in the camp of the ,hebrews8 ,and they understood that the ark of the ,lord was come into the camp4 ,and the ,philistines were afraid2 for they said1 ,god is come into the camp1 etc4 ,they naturally supposed that the shout of triumph was based on a reality3 they saw not what was beneath the surface2 they understood not the meaning of a defiled priesthood1 a despised sacrifice1 a desecrated temple4 ,they beheld the outward symbol1 and imagined that power accompanied it2 hence their fear4 ,how little did they know that their fear and ,israel's triumph were alike groundless4 ,be strong1 said they1 and quit yourselves like men1 ,o ye ,philistines1 that ye be not servants to the ,hebrews1 as they have been to you3 quit yourselves like men1 and fight4 ,here was the resource of the ,philistines--quit yourselves like men4 ,israel could not do this4 ,if prevented by sin from bringing the resources of ,god to bear upon their circumstances1 they were weaker than other men2 ,israel's only hope was in ,god2 and if ,god were not there1 if it were a mere conflict between man and man1 an ,israelite was no match for a ,philistine4 ,the truth of this was most fully established on the occasion to which we are referring4 ,the ,philistines fought1 and ,israel was smitten4 ,how else could it be8 ,israel could but be smitten and fly when their shield and buckler1 even ,god ,himself1 was not in their midst4 ,they were smitten2 the glory departed from them2 the ark was taken2 they were shorn of their strength2 their shout of triumph was exchanged for the piercing cry of sorrow2 their portion was defeat and shame2 and the aged ,eli1 whom we may regard as the representative of the existing system of things1 fell with that system1 and was buried in its ruins4 ,chapters v4 and vi4 embrace the period during which ,ichabod was written upon the nation of ,israel4 ,during this time ,god ceased to act publicly for ,israel1 and the ark of ,his presence was carried about from city to city of the uncircumcised ,philistines4 ,this period is full of instruction4 ,the ark of ,god among strangers1 and ,israel for the time being set aside1 are circumstances which cannot fail to interest the mind and fix the attention of the intelligent and thoughtful student of ,scripture4 ,and the ,philistines took the ark of ,god1 and brought it from ,eben-ezer to ,ashdod4 ,when the ,philistines took the ark of ,god1 they brought it into the house of ,dagon1 and set it by ,dagon4 ,here we are presented with the sad and humiliating result of ,israel's unfaithfulness4 ,with what a careless hand and faithless heart had they kept the ark of ,god when it could ever be brought to find a lodging-place in the temple of ,dagon6 ,how deeply ,israel had failed6 ,they had let go everything2 they had given up that which was most sacred1 to be profaned and blasphemed by the uncircumcised4 ,and now the ark of ,jehovah1 which belonged to the holiest of all1 is placed by the ,philistines in the house of their god4 ,the shadow of ,dagon was to be substituted for the wings of the cherubim and the beams of the divine glory4 ,such were the thoughts of the lords of the ,philistines2 but not so ,god's thoughts4 ,israel1 on the one hand1 had failed in defending the ark2 they had failed to recognize the great truth that it should ever have been connected with the presence of ,god among them4 ,on the other hand1 the lords of the ,philistines might presume to insult the sacred symbol of the divine presence by impiously associating it with ,dagon their god4 ,in a word1 the ,israelites might prove faithless1 and the ,philistines profane1 but the ,god of ,israel must ever be true to ,himself1 ever true to ,his own holiness1 and ,dagon must fall prostrate before the ark of ,his presence4 ,and when they of ,ashdod arose early on the morrow1 behold1 ,dagon was fallen upon his face to the earth before the ark of the ,lord4 ,and they took ,dagon1 and set him in his place again4 ,and when they arose early on the morrow morning1 behold1 ,dagon was fallen upon his face to the ground before the ark of the ,lord2 and the head of ,dagon and both the palms of his hands were cut off upon the threshold3 only the stump of ,dagon was left to him 7chap4 v4 #c1 #d74 ,we can hardly conceive a more humiliating condition of things at this crisis in ,israel's history4 ,they beheld the ark snatched from their midst2 they had proved themselves unfit and unable to occupy the place of ,god's witnesses in the view of the nations around them2 and as to the grounds of triumph by the enemies of the truth1 it was enough to say1 ,the ark is in the house of ,dagon4 ,this was truly terrible1 when looked at from one point of view2 but oh1 how ineffably glorious when looked at from another6 ,israel had failed1 and had let go everything that was sacred and precious2 they had allowed the enemy to lay their honor in the dust1 and trample on their glory2 yet ,god was above all1 beyond all2 ,he remained sovereign over all4 ,here was the deep source of consolation to every faithful heart4 ,if ,israel would not act in defence of ,god's truth1 ,he must act ,himself2 and so ,he did4 ,the lords of the ,philistines had vanquished ,israel2 but the gods of the ,philistines must fall prostrate before that ark which of old had driven back the waters of ,jordan4 ,here was divine triumph4 ,in the darkness and solitude of the house of ,dagon--where there was no eye to see1 no ear to hear--the ,god of ,israel was acting in defence of those great principles of truth which ,his ,israel had so failed to maintain4 ,dagon fell1 and in his fall proclaimed the honor of the ,god of ,israel4 ,the darkness of the moment only afforded an opportunity for the divine glory to shine out with brilliancy4 ,the scene was so thoroughly emptied of the creature that the ,creator could show ,himself in ,his own proper character4 ,man's extremity was ,god's opportunity4 ,his failure made room for the divine faithfulness4 ,the ,philistines had proved stronger than ,israel2 but ,jehovah was stronger than ,dagon4 ,now all this is replete with instruction and encouragement at a time like the present1 when the people of ,god are so sadly declining from that deep tone of devotedness and separation which ought to characterize them4 ,we should bless the ,lord for the full assurance of ,his faithfulness--,he cannot deny ,himself2 ,the foundation of ,god standeth sure1 having this seal1 the ,lord knoweth them that are ,his1 and let every one that nameth the name of ,christ depart from iniquity4 ,hence1 in darkest times ,he will maintain ,his truth and raise up a witness for ,himself1 even though it should be in the house of ,dagon4 ,christians may depart from ,god's principles1 but the principles remain the same3 their purity1 their power1 their heavenly virtue1 are in no wise affected by the fickleness and inconsistency of faithless professors1 and in the end truth will triumph4 ,however1 the effort of the ,philistines to keep the ark of ,god among them proved a complete failure4 ,they could not make ,dagon and ,jehovah dwell together--how blasphemous the attempt6 ,what concord hath ,christ with ,belial8 ,none6 ,the standard of ,god can never be lowered so as to accommodate itself to the principles which govern the men of this world2 and the attempt to hold ,christ with one hand and the world with the other must issue in shame and confusion of face4 ,yet how many are making that effort6 ,how many are there who seem to make it the great question1 how much of the world they can retain without sacrificing the name and privileges of ,christians6 ,this is a deadly evil1 a fearful snare of ,satan1 and it may with strict propriety be denominated the most refined selfishness4 ,it is bad enough for men to walk in the lawlessness and corruption of their own hearts2 but to connect evil with the holy name of ,christ is the climax of guilt4 ,thus saith the ,lord of hosts1 the ,god of ,israel1 444 ,behold1 ye trust in lying words1 that cannot profit4 ,will ye steal1 murder1 and commit adultery1 and swear falsely1 and burn incense unto ,baal1 and walk after other gods whom ye know not1 and come and stand before ,me in this house1 which is called by ,my name1 and say1 ,we are delivered to do all these abominations8 7,jer4 #g3c1 #h-aj74 ,again1 we read1 as one of the special characteristics of the last days1 that men shall have a form of godliness1 but deny the power thereof4 ,the form suits the worldly heart1 because it serves to keep the conscience at ease1 while the heart enjoys the world in all its attractiveness4 ,what a delusion6 ,how needful the apostolic admonition1 ,from such turn away6 ,satan's masterpiece is the amalgamation of things apparently ,christian with things decidedly unholy4 ,he deceives more effectually by this scheme than any other1 and we need more spiritual perception to detect it in consequence4 ,the ,lord grant us this1 for ,he knows how much we need it4 ,chapter vii4 ,passing over much that is valuable in chapters v4 and vi41 we must dwell a little upon ,israel's happy restoration1 in connection with the ministry of the faithful priest4 ,israel had been allowed to mourn for many a day the absence of the ark2 their spirits drooped under the withering influence of idolatry2 and at length their affections began to go out after the ,lord4 ,but in this revival we learn how deeply they had been sunk in death4 ,this is always the case4 ,when ,jacob of old was called upon to go up to ,bethel from amid the defilement of ,shechem1 he had but little idea of how he and his family had become entangled in the meshes of idolatry4 ,but the call to go up to ,bethel roused his dormant energies1 quickened his conscience1 and sharpened his moral perception4 ,hence he says to his household1 ,put away the strange gods that are among you1 and be clean1 and change your garments4 ,the very idea of ,bethel1 where ,god had appeared to him1 exerted a reviving influence on the soul of ,jacob2 and he being revived himself was enabled to lead others also in fresh power4 ,thus it is with ,jacob's seed in this chapter4 ,and ,samuel spake unto all the house of ,israel1 saying1 ,if ye do return unto the ,lord with all your hearts1 then put away the strange gods and ,ashtaroth from among you1 and prepare your hearts unto the ,lord1 and serve ,him only2 and ,he will deliver you out of the hand of the ,philistines4 ,we observe here what a downward course ,israel had been pursuing in connection with the house of ,eli4 ,the first step in evil is to place confidence in a form apart from ,god2 apart too from those principles which make the form valuable4 ,the next step is to set up an idol4 ,hence we find ,israel saying of the ark1 ,that it may save us4 ,but now the word of the prophet is1 ,put away the strange gods and ,ashtaroth from among you4 ,reader1 is there not a solemn admonition in all this for the professing ,church8 ,truly there is4 ,the present is preeminently a day of form without power4 ,the spirit of cold and uninfluential formalism is moving upon the face of ,christendom's troubled waters1 and soon all will settle down in the deathlike calm of false profession1 which will be broken in upon only by the shout of the archangel and the trump of ,god4 ,however1 the attitude assumed by ,israel in the #gth chapter forms a perfect contrast to the scene in the #dth chapter3 ,and ,samuel said1 ,gather all ,israel to ,mizpeh1 and ,i will pray for you unto the ,lord4 ,and they gathered together to ,mizpeh1 and drew water1 and poured it out before the ,lord 7an expression of their weak1 helpless condition71 and fasted on that day1 and said there1 ,we have sinned against the ,lord4 ,this was real work1 and we can say1 ,god is here now4 ,there is no confidence in a mere symbol or lifeless form2 there is no empty pretension or vain assumption1 no shout or baseless vaunting2 all is deep and solemn reality4 ,the earnest cry1 the water poured out1 the fast1 the confession--all tell out the mighty change which had taken place in ,israel's moral condition4 ,they now betake themselves to the faithful priest1 and through him to the ,lord ,himself4 ,they speak not now of fetching the ark4 ,no2 their word is1 ,cease not to cry unto the ,lord our ,god for us1 that ,,he will save us out of the hand of the ,philistines4 ,and ,samuel took a sucking-lamb1 and offered it for a burnt-offering wholly unto the ,lord2 and ,samuel cried unto the ,lord for ,israel2 and the ,lord heard him4 ,here was the source of ,israel's power4 ,the sucking-lamb--,god's gracious providing in tender remembrance of their need--gave a new aspect to their circumstances2 it was the turning-point in their history on this occasion4 ,and observe1 the ,philistines seem to have been in total ignorance of all that was going on between ,jehovah and ,israel4 ,they doubtless imagined that1 inasmuch as they heard no shout of triumph1 the ,israelites were1 if possible1 in a more impoverished condition than before4 ,they do not make the earth to ring again1 as in chap4 iv42 but ah1 there was a silent work going on which a ,philistine's eye could not see1 nor a ,philistine's heart appreciate6 ,what could a ,philistine know about the penitential cry1 the water poured out1 or the sucking-lamb offered up8 ,nothing4 ,the men of this world can only take cognizance of that which lies on the surface4 ,the outward show1 the pomp and glare1 the assumption of strength and greatness in the flesh1 are well understood by the world2 but they know nothing of the reality of a soul exercised before ,god4 ,and yet this latter is what the ,christian should most earnestly seek after4 ,an exercised soul is most precious in the sight of ,god2 ,he can dwell with such at all times4 ,let us not assume to be anything1 but simply take our proper place in the sight of ,god1 and ,he will surely be our spring of power and energy1 according to the measure of our need4 ,and as ,samuel was offering up the burnt-offering1 the ,philistines drew near to battle against ,israel3 but the ,lord thundered with a great thunder on that day upon the ,philistines1 and discomfited them1 and they were smitten before ,israel4 ,such were the happy results of simple dependence upon the ,god of the armies of ,israel3 it was somewhat like the glorious display of ,jehovah's power on the shores of the ,red ,sea4 ,the ,lord is a man of war when ,his people need ,him1 and their faith can count on ,him as their present help in time of need4 ,whenever ,israel truly turned to ,jehovah1 ,he was ever ready to appear in their behalf2 but the glory must be all ,his own4 ,israel's shout of empty triumph must be hushed1 in order that the voice of ,jehovah may be distinctly heard4 ,and how blessed to be silent1 and let ,jehovah speak6 ,what power in ,his voice to bring peace to ,his people1 and to strike terror into the hearts of ,his enemies6 ,who shall not fear thee1 ,o ,lord1 and glorify ,thy name8 ,chapter viii4 ,in this chapter we have a very marked step towards the setting up of a king in ,israel4 ,and it came to pass1 when ,samuel was old1 that he made his sons judges over ,israel4444 ,and his sons walked not in his ways1 but turned aside after lucre1 and took bribes1 and perverted judgment4 ,sad picture6 ,how like man in every age6 ,man corrupts himself and all committed to him at the first opportunity4 ,moses and ,joshua foresaw ,israel's turning away after their departure 7,deut4 #ca3bi2 ,josh4 #bc3ae1 #af72 and ,paul could say to the ,ephesian elders3 ,i know that after my departure shall grievous wolves enter in among you1 not sparing the flock4 ,so here2 ,israel no sooner recovers from the effects of the immorality of ,eli's sons than they are made to feel the direful effects of the avarice of ,samuel's sons1 and thus are they hurried along the path which ended in the rejection of ,jehovah and the setting up of ,saul4 ,when ,samuel was old1 he made his sons judges4 ,but this was a very different thing indeed from ,god's appointment4 ,the faithfulness of ,samuel was no guarantee for his sons2 just as we find in the boasted theory of apostolic succession4 ,what kind of successors have we seen8 ,how far have they resembled their predecessors8 ,paul could say1 ,i have coveted no man's silver or gold3 can the so-called successors say so8 ,samuel could say1 ,behold1 here ,i am3 witness against me before the ,lord1 and before ,his anointed3 whose ox have ,i taken8 or whose ass have ,i taken8 or whom have ,i defrauded8 whom have ,i oppressed8 or of whose hand have ,i received any bribe to blind mine eyes therewith8 ,but alas1 ,samuel's sons and successors could not say this6 ,to them filthy lucre was the leading spring of action4 ,now we find in this chapter that ,israel makes this evil of ,samuel's sons the ostensible reason for asking a king4 ,behold1 thou art old1 and thy sons walk not in thy ways3 now make us a king to judge us like all the nations4 ,fearful declension6 ,israel satisfied to come down to the level of the nations around6 and all because ,samuel was old and his sons covetous4 ,the ,lord is shut out4 ,had they looked up to ,him1 they would have had no reason for seeking to put themselves under the guardianship of a poor mortal like themselves4 ,but ah1 the ,lord's ability to guide and keep them was little thought of in all this scene6 ,they cannot see beyond ,samuel and his sons3 if no help can be found from them1 they must at once step down from their high elevation of having ,jehovah as their ,king and make to themselves a human head like the nations around them4 ,the attitude of faith and dependence on ,god cannot be maintained by the natural man4 ,outwardly ,god had been owned as their ,king2 but now it is not so3 a king must now be their recognized head4 ,we shall soon see the sad result of all this4 ,chapters ix4-xiii4 ,these chapters furnish us with the character of ,saul1 together with his anointing and the opening of his rule4 ,i shall not dwell upon it in this ,introduction1 being merely desirous to call the reader's attention to the steps which led to the setting up of a king in ,israel4 ,saul was emphatically the man after ,israel's heart3 he had all that the flesh could desire--a choice young man1 and a goodly2 and there was not among the children of ,israel a goodlier person than he3 from his shoulders and upward he was higher than any of the people4 ,this was all very imposing to those who could only look upon the outward appearance2 but what lay beneath this attractive exterior6 ,saul's whole course is marked with selfishness and pride1 under the cloak of humility4 ,true1 the ,spirit came upon him as one set apart to be an office-bearer among the people of ,god2#h but he was throughout a self-seeker1 and he only used the name of ,god for his own ends1 and the things of ,god as a pedestal on which to set forth his own glory4 ,the scene at ,gilgal is truly characteristic1 and develops much of ,saul's principle of action4 ,impatient to wait for ,god's time1 he forces himself1 and offers a burnt-offering1 and has to hear from the lips of ,samuel these solemn words3 ,thou hast done foolishly2 thou hast not kept the commandment of the ,lord thy ,god which ,he commanded thee3 for now would the ,lord have established thy kingdom upon ,israel for ever4 ,but now thy kingdom shall not continue3 the ,lord hath sought ,him a man after ,his own heart1 and the ,lord hath commanded him to be captain over ,his people1 because thou hast not kept that which the ,lord commanded thee4 ,this is just the sum of the matter1 so far as ,saul is concerned4 ,thou hast done foolishly2 thou hast not kept the commandment of the ,lord2 thy kingdom shall not continue4 ,solemn verities6 ,saul1 the man after man's heart1 is set aside1 to make room for the man after ,god's heart4 ,the children of ,israel had abundant opportunity of testing the character of the man whom they had chosen to lead them forth1 and fight their battles4#i ,the reed on which they had so earnestly desired to lean had broken1 and was about to pierce their hand4 ,man's king1 alas1 what was he8 ,set him in an emergency1 and how does he carry himself8 ,bustling self-importance marks all his actings4 ,no dignity1 no holy confidence in ,god1 no acting on the broad principles of truth4 ,self1 self1 and that1 too1 in the most solemn scenes1 and while apparently acting for ,god and ,his people4 ,such was man's king4 #h ,my reader should accurately distinguish between the ,holy ,ghost coming upon people and the ,holy ,ghost dwelling and acting in them4 ,the statement in #a ,sam4 x4 #f may present a difficulty to some minds4 ,the ,spirit of the ,lord will come upon thee1 and thou shalt prophesy with them1 and shalt be turned into another man4 ,this is not the ,spirit producing the new birth1 but merely fitting ,saul to be an office-bearer4 ,were it regeneration1 it would not merely be the ,spirit coming upon1 but acting in1 a man4 ,saul the office-hearer and ,saul the man are quite distinct1 and this distinction must be maintained in reference to many of the characters both in the ,old and ,new ,testament ,scriptures4 #i ,it is to be noted that ,saul1 though appointed by ,god's order to ,samuel1 is nevertheless the people's choice and acclaimed by them as such 7#a ,sam4 x4 #bd7--;,god thus selecting for them the man after their heart4--,ed4 ,chapter4 xiv4 ,this beautiful chapter furnishes a striking contrast between the efficacy of ,israel's expedient1 and that of the old principle of simple faith in ,god4 ,saul sits beneath a pomegranate tree1 in display of empty pomp without any real power2 while ,jonathan1 acting in the spirit of faith1 is made the happy instrument of working salvation for ,israel4 ,israel1 in unbelief1 had asked for a king to fight their battles1 and doubtless they imagined that1 when blessed with a king1 no enemy could stand before them3 but was it so8 ,one word in chap4 xiii4 gives the reply3 ,all the people followed him trembling4 ,what a change6 ,how different from the mighty host who1 of old1 had followed ,joshua into the strongholds of ,canaan6 ,and yet they now had their longed-for king before them2 but1 ,god was not there1 and hence their trembling4 ,let man have the fairest1 the most imposing ordinance1 without the sense of ,god's presence1 and he is weakness itself4 ,let him have the presence of ,god in power1 and nothing can resist him4 ,moses had1 of old1 done wonders with a simple rod in his hand2 but now1 ,israel1 with the man after their own heart full in their view1 could do nought but tremble before their enemies4 ,all the people followed him trembling4 ,how truly humiliating6 ,nay2 but we will have a king over us2 444 that our king may judge us1 and go out before us and fight our battles4 ,truly it is better to trust in the ,lord1 than to put confidence in princes4 ,jonathan proved this1 most blessedly4 ,he goes up against the ,philistines in the power of that word1 ,there is no restraint with the ,lord to save by many or by few4 ,it was the ,lord who filled his soul1 and having ,him1 many or few made no difference4 ,faith does not reckon on circumstances1 but on ,god4 ,and mark the change upon ,israel the moment that faith begins to act amongst them4 ,the trembling was transferred from ,israel to the ,philistines2 and there was a trembling in the host1 in the field1 and among all the people2 the garrison and the spoilers1 they also trembled2 and the earth quaked2 so it was a very great trembling4 ,israel's star was now decidedly in the ascendant1 simply because ,israel was acting upon the principle of faith4 ,jonathan looked not to his father ,saul for deliverance1 but to ,jehovah2 he knew that ,he was a man of war1 and on ,him he leaned for the deliverance of ,israel in the day of trouble4 ,blessed dependence6 ,none like it4 ,human ordinances perish--human resources vanish away2 but they that trust in the ,lord shall be as ,mount ,zion1 which cannot be removed1 but abideth for ever4 ,it was a very great trembling1 for ,god was putting ,his terror into their hearts1 and filling ,israel with joy and triumph4 ,jonathan's faith was owned of ,god in the establishment of those who had previously fled from the field of conflict into the mountains4 ,thus it is ever2 one can never walk in the power of faith without giving an impetus to others2 and1 on the other hand1 one coward heart is sufficient to deter a great many4 ,moreover1 unbelief always drives one from the field of service or conflict1 while faith1 as surely1 leads one into it4 ,but what of ,saul in all this8 ,how did he co-operate with the man of faith8 ,he was perfectly incapable of any such acting4 ,he sat under the pomegranate tree1 unable to inspire courage into the hearts of those who had chosen him to be their captain2 and when he did venture to move1 or rather to bustle forth1 he could do nought but hinder the precious results of faith by his rashness and folly4 ,but we must hasten on to the close of these introductory remarks4 ,chapter xv4 presents us with the final testing and setting aside of man's king4 ,,go1 ,,smite ,,amalek4 ,this is the test which really made manifest the moral condition of ,saul's heart4 ,had he been right before ,god1 he would have executed ,god's judgment upon ,amalek4 ,but the issue proved that ,saul had too much in common with ,amalek to carry out the divine will in his destruction4 ,what had ,aamalek done8 ,thus saith the ,lord of hosts1 ,i remember that which ,amalek did to ,israel1 how he laid wait for him in the way1 when he came up from ,egypt4 ,in a word1 ,amalek stands before the spiritual mind as the first great obstacle to the progress of the redeemed from ,egypt to ,canaan2 and we know what it is which fills a similar place in reference to those who now set out to follow the ,lord ,jesus4 ,now1 ,saul had been just showing himself as a most decided obstacle in the way of the man of faith2 indeed1 his entire course was one of hostility to the principles of ,god4 ,how1 then1 could he destroy ,amalek8 ,impossible4 ,he spared ,agag4 ,just so4 ,saul and ,agag suited each other but too well1 nor had he power to execute the judgment of ,god on this great enemy of ,his people4 ,and mark the ignorance and self-complacency of this unhappy man4 ,and ,samuel came to ,saul2 and ,saul said unto him1 ,blessed be thou of the ,lord3 ,i have performed the commandment of the ,lord4 ,performed the commandment of the ,lord1 while ,agag1 king of the ,amalekites1 was yet alive6 ,oh1 to what lengths of vain delusion will one go when not walking uprightly before ,god6 ,what meaneth then this bleating of the sheep in my ears8 ,solemn1 heart-searching inquiry6 ,in vain is recourse had to the plausible matter of sacrifice unto the ,lord4 ,miserable resource for disobedient hearts6 ,as if the ,lord would accept a sacrifice from one walking in positive rebellion against ,his commandment4 ,how many since ,saul's day have sought to cover a disobedient spirit with the plausible mantle of sacrifice unto the ,lord4 ,samuel's answer to ,saul is of universal application1 viz43 ,hath the ,lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying the voice of the ,lord8 ,behold1 to obey is better than sacrifice1 and to hearken than the fat of rams4 ,for rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft1 and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry4 ,the ,lord seeks not offerings1 but obedience3 the subject heart and acquiescent spirit will glorify ,him more than the cattle upon a thousand hills4 ,how important to have this great principle pressed home upon the conscience1 when so many are cloaking all sorts of disobedience with the word1 ,sacrifice1 sacrifice6 ,to obey is better than sacrifice4 ,it is far better to have the will in subjection to ,god than to load ,his altar with the costliest sacrifices4 ,when the will is in subjection1 everything else will take its due place2 but for one whose will is in rebellion against ,god to talk of sacrificing to ,him is nothing but deadly delusion4 ,god looks not at the amount of the sacrifice1 but at the spirit from which it springs4 ,moreover1 it will be found that all who1 in ,saul's spirit1 speak of sacrificing unto the ,lord1 have concealed beneath some selfish object--some ,agag or other--the best of the sheep--or something attractive to the flesh1 which is more influential than the service or worship of the blessed ,god4 ,may all who read these pages seek to know the real blessedness of a will entirely subject to ,god1 for in it will be found that blessed rest which the meek and lowly ,jesus promised to all who were heavy laden--the rest which ,he ,himself found in being able to say1 ,i thank ,thee1 ,o ,father1 444 for so it seemed good in ,thy sight4 ,god had desired ,saul to destroy ,amalek1 but his heart desired to spare something which to him1 at least1 seemed good and desirable2 he was ready to carry out the will of ,god in reference to all that was vile and refuse but he thought he might make some exceptions1 as if the line of distinction between that which was refuse and that which was good was to be drawn by his judgment1 and not by the unerring judgment of ,him who looked at ,amalek from a true point of view1 and saw in ,agag one who1 with all his delicacy1 would resist ,israel as strongly as ever1 and this was ,his ground of controversy with ,amalek1 which ,saul was unable to understand or appreciate4 ,the close of this chapter shows us1 but too plainly1 the current in which ,saul's thoughts and desires were flowing4 ,he had just heard the solemn appeal of ,samuel1 and the denunciations of ,god against him1 concluded with these solemn words1 ,the ,lord hath rent the kingdom of ,israel from thee this day1 and hath given it to a neighbor of thine1 that is better than thou4 ,these stunning words had just fallen upon his ear2 yet so full was he of self1 that he could say1 ,honor me now1 ,i pray thee1 before the elders of my people1 and before ,israel4 ,this was ,saul4 ,the people1 said he1 spared what should have been destroyed2--it was their fault1 but honor me4 ,alas1 what vanity6 ,a heart steeped in iniquity seeking honor from his fellow-worms4 ,rejected of ,god as an office-bearer1 he clings to the thought of human honor4 ,it seems that1 provided he could maintain his place in the estimation of his people1 he cared but little what ,god thought of him4 ,but he was rejected of ,god1 and the kingdom torn from him2 nor did it avail him much that ,samuel turned again1 and stood by1 while ,saul went through the form of worshiping the ,lord1 in order that he might not forfeit his place and influence amongst his people4 ,then said ,samuel1 ,bring hither to me ,agag1 the king of the ,amalekites2 and ,agag came unto him delicately4 ,and ,agag said1 ,surely the bitterness of death is past4 ,and ,samuel said1 ,as thy sword hath made women childless1 so shall thy mother be childless1 among women4 ,and ,samuel hewed ,agag in pieces before the ,lord in ,gilgal4 ,agag's delicacy could not deceive one who was taught of ,god4 ,how remarkable to find him hewing ,agag in pieces at ,gilgal6 ,gilgal was the place where the reproach of ,egypt was rolled away from ,israel2#aj and1 in tracing their history1 we find it associated with much power over evil4 ,here it was1 then1 that this ,amalekite came to his end by the hand of righteous ,samuel4 ,this is most instructive4 ,when the soul is blessed with the realization of its full deliverance from ,egypt1 by the power of death and resurrection1 it is in the best position for obtaining victory over evil4 ,had ,saul known anything of the spirit and principle of ,gilgal1 he would not have spared ,agag4 ,he was ready enough to go thither to renew the kingdom1 but by no means so to crush and set aside all that savored of the flesh4 ,but ,samuel1 acting in the energy of the ,spirit of ,god1 dealt with ,agag according to the principles of truth2 for it is written1 ,the ,lord hath sworn that the ,lord will have war with ,amalek from generation to generation4 ,the king of ,israel ought to have known this4 #aj ,it was at ,gilgal1 upon their crossing ,jordan1 that ,israel was circumcised after the forty years' uncircumcision in the wilderness2 and to this place ,joshua oft led them back after their victories4 ,the meaning of this for us ,christians is given in ,phil4 iii4 #c--no self-confidence4--,ed4 ,,chapter ,i ,,david ,,anointed ,we now come to our theme--our rich and varied theme--the life and times of ,david1 king of ,israel4 ,in looking through ,scripture1 we observe how wonderfully the blessed ,god has ever brought good out of evil4 ,it was ,israel's sin to reject their ,king1 ,jehovah1 and seek to set up a man over them2 and in that man1 who first wielded the sceptre over them1 they had learnt how vain was the help of man4 ,the ,lord was now about to bring blessing to ,his people out of all their evil and folly4 ,saul had been set aside1 in the government of ,god2 he had been weighed in the balance1 and found wanting2 his kingdom was to pass away from under his hand1 and a man after ,god's own heart was about to be set upon the throne1 to the glory of ,god1 and the blessing of ,his people4 ,and the ,lord said unto ,samuel1 ,how long wilt thou mourn for ,saul1 seeing ,i have rejected him from reigning over ,israel8 ,these words let us into the secret of ,samuel's sorrow in reference to ,saul1 during the long period of his separation from him4 ,in the last verse of chap4 xv4 we read1 ,and ,samuel came no more to see ,saul until the day of his death2 nevertheless ,samuel mourned for ,saul4 ,this was natural4 ,there was much that was affecting--deeply affecting to the heart in the melancholy fall of this unhappy man4 ,he had once elicited from ,israel the shout of ,god save the king4 ,many an eye1 full of enthusiasm1 had doubtless rested upon the choice young man and the goodly1 and now all this was gone2 ,saul was rejected1 and ,samuel felt constrained to take a position of entire separation from him as one whom ,god had set aside4 ,this was the second office-bearer whom it had been ,samuel's lot to see stripped of his robes of office2 he had been the bearer of heavy tidings to ,eli1 at the opening of his career2 and now1 at the close of it1 he was called upon to deliver1 in the ear of ,saul1 the announcement of the judgment of heaven against his course4 ,however1 ,samuel was called to enter into the thoughts of ,god in reference to ,saul4 ,how long wilt thou mourn for ,saul1 seeing ,i have rejected him8 ,communion with ,god will ever lead us to acquiesce in ,his ways4 ,sentimentalism may weep over fallen greatness1 but faith grasps the great truth that ,god's unerring counsel shall stand1 and ,he will do all ,his pleasure4 ,faith could not shed a tear over ,agag1 when hewed in pieces before the ,lord1 neither would it continue over a rejected ,saul1 because it ever flows in harmony with ,god1 in ,his ways4 ,but there is a wide difference between nature and faith2 while the former sits down to weep1 the latter arises and fills the horn with oil4 ,it is well to ponder this contrast4 ,we are all too apt to be carried away by mere sentiment1 which is often truly dangerous4 ,indeed1 inasmuch as it is of nature1 it must flow in a current different from the thoughts of the ,spirit of ,god4 ,now1 the most effectual remedy against the working of mere sentiment is a strong1 deep1 thorough1 abiding conviction of the reality of the purpose of ,god4 ,in the view of this1 sentimentality withers and dies1 while1 on the other hand1 faith lives and flourishes in the atmosphere of the purpose of ,god4 ,this is impressively taught in the first verse of chap4 xvi4--,how long wilt thou mourn8444 ,fill thy horn with oil1 and go3 ,i will send thee to ,jesse the ,bethlehemite3 for ,i have provided ,me a king among his sons4 ,yes2 human sorrow must flow on until the heart finds repose in the rich resources of the blessed ,god4 ,the varied blanks which human events leave in the heart can only be filled up by the power of faith in the precious word1 ,i have provided4 ,this really settles everything4 ,this dries the tear1 alleviates the sorrow1 fills the blank4 ,the moment the spirit rests in the provision of ,god's love1 there is a period put to all repinings4 ,may we all know the power and varied application of this truth2 may we know what it is to have our tears dried up1 and our horn filled by the conviction of our ,father's wise and merciful provision4 ,this is a rare blessing2 it is difficult to get completely above the region of human thought and feeling4 ,even a ,samuel is found replying to the divine command1 and manifesting a slowness to run in the way of simple obedience4 ,the ,lord said1 ,go2 but ,samuel said1 ,how can ,i go8 ,strange inquiry6 yet how fully it develops the moral condition of the human heart4 ,samuel had been mourning for ,saul1 and now1 when told to go and anoint one to fill his place1 his reply is1 ,how can ,i8 ,now we may be quite sure that faith never says this4 ,there is no such word as how in the vocabulary of faith4 ,no2 the divine command no sooner marks out the path1 than faith takes it up in willing obedience1 not counting the difficulties4 ,however1 the ,lord1 in tender mercy1 meets ,his servant in his difficulty4 ,and the ,lord said1 ,take a heifer with thee1 and say1 ,i am come to sacrifice to the ,lord4 ,thus with a full horn and a sacrifice he sets off to the city of ,david1 where an obscure and unthought-of youth tended a few sheep in the wilderness4 ,amongst the sons of ,jesse1 there would seem to have been some very fair specimens of nature--some whom ,samuel1 if left to the exercise of his own judgment1 would have fixed upon to succeed to the crown of ,israel4 ,and it came to pass when they were come1 that he looked upon ,eliab1 and said1 ,surely the ,lord's anointed is before ,him4 ,but it was not so4 ,natural attraction had nothing to do with the ,lord's election4 ,he looks beneath the gilded surface of men and things1 and judges according to ,his own unerring principles4 ,we learn something of ,eliab's haughty and self-sufficient spirit in chap4 xvii4 ,but the ,lord puts no confidence in the legs of a man1 and thus ,eliab was not ,his chosen vessel4 ,it is very remarkable to find ,samuel so much and so often astray in this chapter4 ,his mourning for ,saul1 his hesitation to go and anoint ,david1 his mistake about ,eliab1 all shows how much astray he was as to the ways of ,god4 ,how solemn is the ,lord's word1 ,look not on his countenance1 or on the height of his stature2 because ,i have refused him3 for the ,lord seeth not as man seeth2 for man looketh on the outward appearance1 but the ,lord looketh on the heart4 ,this is the great difference2 the outward appearance1 and the heart4 ,even ,samuel was well-nigh snared by the former1 had not the ,lord graciously interfered to teach him the value of the latter4 ,look not on his countenance4 ,memorable words6 ,then ,jesse called ,abinadab1 and made him pass before ,samuel4 ,and he said1 ,neither hath the ,lord chosen this4 ,then ,jesse made ,shammah to pass by4 ,and he said1 ,neither hath the ,lord chosen this4 ,again1 ,jesse made seven of his sons to pass before ,samuel4 ,and ,samuel said unto ,jesse1 ,the ,lord hath not chosen these4 ,thus the perfection1 as it were1 of nature passed before the prophet1 but all in vain2 nature could produce nought for ,god or ,his people4 ,and1 what is still more remarkable1 ,jesse thought not of ,david in all this6 ,the ruddy youth was in the solitude of the wilderness1 with the sheep1 and came not into mind in this review of nature's offspring4 ,but1 ah the eye of ,jehovah was resting upon this despised youth1 and beholding in him the one who was to stand in the line through which1 according to the flesh1 ,christ should come1 to occupy the throne of ,david1 and rule over the house of ,israel for ever4 ,truly ,god seeth not as man seeth1 for ,he hath chosen the foolish things of the world1 to confound the wise2 and ,god hath chosen the weak things of the world1 to confound things which are mighty2 and base things of the world1 and things which are despised1 hath ,god chosen--yea1 and things which are not1 to bring to nought things that are2 that no flesh should glory in ,his presence 7#a ,cor4 i4 #bg-bi74 ,if ,eliab1 or ,shammah1 or ,abinadab1 or any one of the seven sons of ,jesse had had the anointing oil poured upon his head1 flesh might have gloried in the presence of ,god2 but the moment ,david--the forgotten ,david--appears on the scene1 we recognize in him one who would give all the glory to ,him who was about to put the sceptre into his hand4 ,in a word1 ,david stands before us as the marked type of the ,lord ,jesus1 who1 when ,he appeared amongst men1 was despised1 overlooked1 and forgotten4 ,and ,i may just add here1 that we shall find1 in ranging through ,david's instructive history1 how strikingly he shadowed forth the true beloved of ,god4 ,and ,samuel said unto ,jesse1 ,are here all thy children8 ,and he said1 ,there remaineth yet the youngest1 and1 behold1 he keepeth the sheep4 ,and ,samuel said unto ,jesse1 ,send and fetch him3 for we will not sit down till he come hither4 ,and he sent1 and brought him in4 ,now he was ruddy1 and withal of a beautiful countenance1 and goodly to look to4 ,and the ,lord said1 ,arise1 anoint him3 ,,for ,,this ,,is ,,he4 ,there remaineth yet the youngest4 ,surely he could not be the elect one1 thought ,jesse4 ,man cannot understand the ways of ,god4 ,the very instrument which ,god is about to make use of is overlooked or despised by man4 ,arise1 anoint him3 for this is he1 is ,god's perfect reply to the thoughts of ,jesse and ,samuel4 ,and how happy it is to note ,david's occupation4 ,behold1 he keepeth the sheep4 ,this was afterwards referred to by the ,lord1 when ,he said to ,david1 ,i took thee from the sheep-cote1 from following the sheep1 to be ruler over ,my people1 over ,israel4 ,nothing can more sweetly illustrate ,god's thoughts of the kingly office than the work of a shepherd4 ,indeed1 when it is not executed in the spirit of a shepherd1 it fails of its end4 ,king ,david fully entered into this1 as may be seen in those touching words1 ,these sheep1 what have they done8 ,the people were the ,lord's sheep1 and he1 as the ,lord's shepherd1 kept them on the mountains of ,israel1 just as he had kept his father's sheep in the retirement of ,bethlehem4 ,he did not alter his character when he came from the sheep-cote to the throne1 and exchanged the crook for the sceptre4 ,no2 he was the shepherd still1 and he felt himself responsible to protect the ,lord's flock from the lions and bears which ever prowled around the fold4 ,the prophetic allusion to the true ,david is touching and beautiful4 ,therefore will ,i save ,my flock1 and they shall no more be a prey2 and ,i will judge between cattle and cattle4 ,and ,i will set up one shepherd over them1 and ,he shall feed them1 even ,my servant ,david2 ,he shall feed them1 and ,he shall be their shepherd4 ,and ,i the ,lord will be their ,god1 and ,my servant ,david a prince among them2 ,i the ,lord have spoken it4 7,ezek4 xxxiv4 #bb-bd74 ,our ,lord in ,john x4 presents ,himself as the faithful and good ,shepherd who loves and cares for ,his sheep2 and1 doubtless1 in ,john vi41 ,he had more or less reference to ,his shepherd character4 ,and this is the ,father's will which hath sent ,me1 that of all which ,he hath given ,me1 ,i should lose nothing1 but should raise it up again at the last day4 ,this is a great principle of truth4 ,independent of ,his own personal love for the sheep--so wonderfully attested in life and in death--the ,lord ,jesus1 in the above memorable passage1 presents ,himself as one responsible--voluntarily so1 no doubt--to the ,father1 to keep every member of the loved and valued flock through all the vicissitudes of this life1 and present them in resurrection-glory1 at the last day4 ,such is the ,shepherd to whom a ,father's hand has committed us2 and1 oh1 how has ,he provided for us for time and eternity1 by placing us in such hands--the hands of an ever-living1 ever-loving1 all-powerful ,shepherd1 whose love many waters cannot quench2 whose power no enemy can countervail2 who holds in ,his hand the keys of death and hell1 and who has established ,his claim to the guardianship of the flock1 by laying down ,his life for it4 ,truly we may say1 ,the ,lord is my ,shepherd1 ,i shall not want4 ,how can we want while ,jesus feeds us8 ,impossible4 ,our foolish hearts may often desire to feed on noxious pasture1 and our ,shepherd may have to prove ,his gracious care by denying us the use of such1 but one thing is certain1 that those whom ,jesus feeds shall not want any good thing4 ,there is something in the shepherd character which would seem to be much in harmony with the divine mind1 inasmuch as we find the ,father1 the ,son1 and the ,spirit1 all acting in that character4 ,the #bc;d psalm may be primarily viewed as the experience of ,christ delighting in the assurance of ,his ,father's shepherd-care4 ,then1 in ,john x41 we find the ,son presented as the good ,shepherd4 ,lastly1 in ,acts xx4 and #a ,pet4 v41 we find the ,holy ,ghost acting in that blessed capacity1 by raising up and gifting for the work the subordinate shepherds4 ,it is edifying to mark this4 ,it is like our ,god to present ,himself in the most endearing relationship1 and that most calculated to win our confidence and draw out our affections4 ,blessed be ,his name forever6 ,his ways are all perfect2 there is none like ,him4 ,i would just direct the reader's attention to the contrast between the circumstances in which ,samuel found ,david1 and those in which he found ,saul4 ,he will remember that ,saul was in pursuit of his father's asses1 when he came in contact with ,samuel4 ,i do not interpret this fact1 ,i merely refer to it4 ,i believe it is expressive1 in the way of evil1 just as ,david's occupation1 in the sheep-cote1 was expressive of his future career1 as the shepherd of ,israel4#aa ,when we see ,david tending his father's sheep in the wilderness1 overlooked1 or thought little of in the circle of his brethren1 we are led to look for something corresponding in his after-course2 nor are we disappointed4 ,just so1 when we see ,saul in search of his father's asses1 we are led to look for something corresponding in his character and habits afterwards4 ,trifling circumstances often teach a great deal4 ,david's affectionate and tender solicitude for the ,lord's flock and forgetfulness of self1 may all be traced in the circumstances in which he is introduced to our notice2 and1 on the other hand1 ,saul's ambitious1 self-seeking spirit may be traced in the object of his pursuit when he came in contact with ,samuel4 ,however1 ,i simply leave the suggestion with the reader to use as the ,lord may lead him1 only reminding him that nothing can be insignificant which the ,spirit has recorded concerning men who appear throughout in such marked contrast1 and who each1 in his way1 occupied such an important place in the history of the people of ,god4 #aa ,yea1 man is born as a wild ass's colt says ,job xi4 #ab1 describing man's natural condition--wilful1 unmanageable1 unclean4 ,compare ,exod4 xiii4 #ac1 and ,hosea viii4 #i4 ,saul and ,israel were only too manifestly pictured in this unsuccessful search after his father's asses4 ,david was the keeper of his father's sheep4 ,ed4 ,one can only say1 ,blessed be the grace which took up one to be ruler over ,his people1 who manifested those traits of character which were most blessedly adapted to his work4 ,then ,samuel took the horn of oil1 and anointed him in the midst of his brethren3 and the ,spirit of the ,lord came upon ,david from that day forward4 ,thus1 then1 ,david is fully before us as the ,lord's anointed1 and we have now to trace him in all his wanderings and vicissitudes1 while rejected of man1 and waiting for the kingdom4 ,,chapter ,,ii ,,the ,,valley ,,of ,,elah ,no sooner had the anointing oil of the ,lord been poured upon ,david1 than he was called forth from his retirement to stand before king ,saul1 now forsaken of ,god1 and troubled with an evil spirit4 ,this unhappy man needed the soothing notes of ,david's harp to dispel the horrid influence of that spirit which now haunted him from day to day4 ,wretched man6 sad monument of the results of a self-seeking course6 ,david1 however1 did not hesitate to take his place as a servant1 even in the house of one who was afterwards to prove his most bitter enemy4 ,it was quite the same to him where he served or what he did2 he would protect his father's flocks from lions and bears1 or dispel an evil spirit from ,saul4 ,in fact1 from the moment ,david's history opens1 he is seen as a servant1 ready for every kind of work1 and the valley of ,elah furnishes a most striking manifestation of his servant character4 ,saul would seem to have had little idea of who it was that stood before him1 and whose music refreshed his troubled spirit2 he knew not that he had in his presence the future king of ,israel4 ,he loved him greatly2 and he became his armor-bearer4 ,the selfish ,saul would gladly use the services of ,david in his need1 though ready to shed his blood when he understood who and what he was4 ,but let us turn our thoughts to the deeply interesting scenes in the valley of ,elah4 ,now the ,philistines gathered together their armies to battle4 ,here now we come to something calculated to bring out the true character and worth of ,saul and ,david1 the man of form and the man of power4 ,it is trial that brings out the reality of a man's resources4 ,saul had already been proved1 for all the people had followed him trembling1 nor was he likely to prove a more soul-stirring leader on this occasion4 ,a man forsaken of ,god1 and plagued by an evil spirit1 was but little adapted to lead on an army to battle1 and still less to meet1 single-handed1 the powerful giant of ,gath4 ,the struggle in the valley of ,elah was rendered exceedingly peculiar by the challenge1 on the part of ,goliath1 to decide the matter by single combat2 it was the very method in which an individual might be signalized4 ,it was not1 as in ordinary cases1 army against army1 but it was a question of who1 throughout all the host of ,israel1 would venture to stand before the terrific uncircumcised foe4 ,in fact1 it is plain that the blessed ,god was about to make manifest again to ,israel that1 as a people1 they were utterly powerless1 and that their only deliverance1 as of old1 was the arm of ,jehovah1 who was still ready to act in ,his wondrous character of a man of war1 whenever faith addressed ,him as such4 ,for forty successive days did the ,philistine draw near and present himself in the view of the unhappy ,saul and his awe-struck army4 ,and observe his bitter taunt--,am not ,i a ,philistine1 and ye servants to ,saul8 ,alas6 it was but too true2 they had come down from their high elevation as servants to ,jehovah to become mere servants to ,saul4 ,samuel had forewarned them of all this--he had told them that they would become footmen1 bakers1 cooks1 and confectioners to their self-chosen master2 and all this1 as their choice1 instead of having the ,lord ,god of ,israel as their sole master and ,king4 ,nothing will teach man1 however1 save bitter experience2 and the cutting taunts of ,goliath would1 no doubt1 teach ,israel afresh the real nature of their condition under the crushing rule of the ,philistines4 ,choose you a man for you1 and let him come down to me1 said the giant4 ,how little did he know who was about to be his antagonist4 ,he1 in all his boasted fleshly strength1 vainly imagined that no ,israelite could stand before him4 ,and here we may inquire1 what of ,jonathan in all this scene8 ,he who had acted in such simple faith and energy in chap4 xiv41 why was he not now ready to go forth against this champion8 ,i doubt not if we look particularly at his actings1 we shall find that his faith was not of that simple1 independent character which would carry a man through all kinds of difficulties4 ,the defect in his faith appears in the words1 ,if they say thus1 etc4 ,faith never says if3 it has to do only with ,god4 ,when ,jonathan said ,there is no restraint to the ,lord1 he uttered a fine principle of truth1 and one which should have carried him on without an if4 ,had ,jonathan's soul been reposing simply in the ability of ,god1 he would not have sought for a sign4 ,true1 the ,lord graciously gave him the sign1 just as ,he had given one to ,gideon before1 for ,he ever meets ,his servants in all their needs4 ,however1 ,jonathan does not make his appearance in the valley of ,elah2 he had1 it seems1 done his work1 and acted according to his measure2 but1 in the scene now before us1 there was a demand for something far deeper than anything ,jonathan had known4 ,but the ,lord was secretly preparing an instrument for this new and more difficult work4 ,and1 my reader1 may we not say it is ever thus that the blessed ,god acts8 ,he trains in secret those whom ,he is about to use in public4 ,he makes ,his servants acquainted with ,himself in the secret solemnity of ,his sanctuary1 and causes ,his greatness to pass in review before them1 that thus they may be able to look with a steady gaze at the difficulties of their path4 ,thus it was with ,david4 ,he had been alone with ,god while keeping the sheep in the wilderness2 his soul had become filled with the thought of ,god's power2 and now he makes his appearance in the valley of ,elah1 in all the simplicity and self-renouncing dignity of a man of faith4 ,the emptiness of man had been fully proved by the forty days of ,goliath's haughty boasting4 ,saul could avail nothing2 ,jesse's three eldest sons could avail nothing2 yea1 even ,jonathan could avail nothing2 all was lost1 or seemed to be1 when the stripling ,david entered the scene1 clothed in the strength of ,him who was about to lay in the dust the pomp and glory of the proud ,philistine4 ,the words of ,goliath were reported to ,david1 and in them he at once recognized a blasphemous defiance of the living ,god4 ,who1 said he1 is this uncircumcised ,philistine1 that he should defy the armies of the living ,god8 ,david's faith recognized in the trembling host before him the army of the living ,god1 and he at once made it a question between ,jehovah and the ,philistine4 ,this is most instructive3 for no change of circumstances can ever rob the people of ,god of their dignity in the eye of faith4 ,they may be brought low in the view of man1 as in ,israel's case on the present occasion1 but faith ever recognizes what ,god has imparted2 and hence ,david1 as he beheld his poor brethren fainting in the view of their terrible enemy1 was enabled to acknowledge those with whom the living ,god had identified ,himself1 and who ought not1 therefore1 to be defied by an uncircumcised ,philistine4 ,when faith is in exercise1 it brings the soul into direct connection with the grace and faithfulness of ,god and ,his purposes toward ,his people4 ,true1 ,israel had brought all this sorrow and humiliation upon themselves by their unfaithfulness2 it was not of the ,lord that they should quail in the presence of an enemy2 it was the fruit of their own doing1 and faith would ever apprehend and acknowledge this4 ,still1 the question is1 ,who is this uncircumcised ,philistine8 ,this is the inquiry of faith4 ,it was not the army of ,saul that the man of faith beheld4 ,no2 it was the army of the living ,god--an army under the command of the same ,captain that had led ,his hosts through the ,red ,sea1 through the terrible wilderness1 and through ,jordan4 ,nothing less1 nothing lower than this1 was in the eye of faith4 ,but then1 how little are the judgment and the actings of faith understood or valued when things get low amongst the people of ,god6 ,this is very apparent on every page of ,israel's history1 and1 we may say1 on every page of the ,church's history also4 ,the path of simple1 childlike faith is far removed from human sight2 and if the ,lord's people sink into a low1 carnal state1 they can never understand the principle of power in the soul of one really acting by faith4 ,he will be misunderstood in various ways1 and have wrong motives attributed to him2 he will be accused of setting himself up1 or acting wilfully1 independently4 ,all these things must be expected by one who stands in the breach1 at a time when things are low4 ,through lack of faith in the majority1 a man is left alone1 and then1 when he is led to act for ,god1 he will be misinterpreted4 ,thus it was in ,david's case4 ,not only was he left alone in the time of difficulty1 but he had to endure the taunt of the flesh1 administered by ,eliab1 his eldest brother4 ,and ,eliab his eldest brother heard when he spake unto the men2 and ,eliab's anger was kindled against ,david1 and he said1 ,why camest thou down hither8 and with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness8 ,i know thy pride1 and the naughtiness of thy heart2 for thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle4 7,chap4 xvii4 #bh47 ,this was the judgment of ,eliab1 in reference to the actings of ,david4 ,and ,david said1 ,what have ,i now done8 ,is there not a cause8 ,david was borne onward by an energy quite unknown to ,eliab1 nor was he careful to enter upon a defence of his course to his haughty brother4 ,why had not ,eliab acted himself for the defence of his brethren8 ,why had not ,abinadab or ,shammah acted8 ,because they were faithless2 simply this4 ,not only had those three men remained powerless1 but the whole congregation had remained terror-stricken in the presence of the enemy1 and now1 when one appeared in their midst whom ,god was about to use marvellously1 not one could understand him4 ,and ,david said to ,saul1 ,let no man's heart fail because of him2 thy servant will go and fight with this ,philistine4 ,precious faith6 no difficulty deters it--nothing stands in its way4 ,what was the ,philistine to ,david8 ,nothing4 ,his tremendous height1 his formidable armor1 were mere circumstances2 and faith never looks at circumstances1 but looks straight to ,god4 ,had not ,david's soul been buoyed up by faith1 he could not have uttered the words1 ,thy servant will go2 for1 harken to the words of him who ought to have been the first to face ,israel's dreadful enemy3 ,and ,saul said to ,david1 ,thou art not able to go against this ,philistine4 ,what language for the king of ,israel6 ,what a contrast between the man of office and the man of power6 ,surely ,saul ought to have gone forth in the defence of the flock which had been intrusted to his care2 but1 ah6 ,saul cared not for ,israel1 unless so far as ,israel was connected with himself1 and hence his exposing his person on their behalf never1 we may safely say1 entered his selfish heart2 and not only was he unable and unwilling to act himself1 but would fain clog the energies of one who1 even now1 was putting forth the precious fruits of that divine principle implanted within him1 and which was about to prove him so fit for the high office which the purpose of ,god had assigned to him1 and to which ,his anointing oil had dedicated him4 ,thou art not able4 ,true1 but ,jehovah was2 and ,david was leaning simply upon the strength of ,his arm4 ,his faith laid hold of the ability of ,him who had appeared to ,joshua beneath the walls of ,jericho1 with a sword drawn in ,his hand1 as ,captain of the host of the ,lord4 ,david felt that ,israel had not ceased to be the ,lord's host1 though so far sunk from what they were in ,joshua's day4 ,no2 they were still the army of the ,lord1 and the battle was just as much the ,lord's battle as when the sun and the moon were arrested in their course in order that ,joshua might execute the judgment of ,god upon the ,canaanites4 ,simple faith in ,god sustained the spirit of ,david1 though ,eliab might accuse him of pride1 and ,saul might talk of his want of ability4 ,my reader1 there is nothing that can possibly give such energy and persevering power as the consciousness of acting for ,god1 and that ,god is acting with us4 ,this removes every obstacle2 it lifts the soul above all human influence1 and brings it into the very region of power omnipotent4 ,let us only be fully assured that we are on the ,lord's side1 and that ,his hand is acting with us1 and nothing can drive us from the path of service and testimony--conduct us whither it may4 ,i can do all things1 said the apostle1 through ,christ which strengtheneth me4 ,and again1 ,most gladly therefore will ,i rather glory in my infirmities1 that the power of ,christ may rest upon me4 ,the very weakest saint can do all things through ,christ4 ,but if man's eye rests on this weak saint1 it seems like presumption to talk of doing all things4 ,thus1 when ,saul looked upon ,david1 and compared him with ,goliath1 he judged rightly when he said1 ,thou art not able to go against this ,philistine to fight with him3 for thou art but a youth1 and he a man of war from his youth4 ,it was a comparison of flesh with flesh1 and1 as such1 it was quite correct4 ,to compare a stripling with a giant would leave little room for hesitation as to the issue of the conflict2 but he ought to have compared the strength of ,goliath with that of the ,god of the armies of ,israel4 ,this was what ,david did4 ,and ,david said unto ,saul1 ,thy servant kept his father's sheep1 and there came a lion and a bear1 and took a lamb out of the flock3 and ,i went out after him1 and smote him1 and delivered it out of his mouth3 and when he arose against me1 ,i caught him by his beard1 and smote him1 and slew him4 ,thy servant slew both the lion and the bear3 and this uncircumcised ,philistine shall be as one of them1 seeing he hath defied the armies of the living ,god4 ,this was the argument of faith4 ,the hand that had delivered from one difficulty would deliver from another4 ,there is no if in all this4 ,david did not wait for a sign2 he simply said1 ,thy servant will go4 ,david had felt the power of ,god's presence with him in secret before he came forth to present himself in public as the servant of ,god and of ,israel4 ,as another has remarked1 ,david had not boasted of his triumph over the lion and the bear2 no one seemed to have heard of it before2 nor would he probably have spoken of it1 had it not been for the purpose of showing what a solid ground of confidence he had in reference to the great work on which he was about to enter4 ,he would fain show that it was not in his own strength he was going forth4 ,so was it in the matter of ,paul's rapture to the third heaven3 for fourteen years had that circumstance remained buried as a secret with the apostle1 nor would he have divulged it1 had not the carnal reasonings of the ,corinthians compelled him to do so4 ,now1 both these cases are full of practical instruction for us4 ,with the majority of us1 alas1 there is too great a readiness to talk of our doings1 or1 at least1 to think much of them4 ,the flesh is prone to glory in anything that might exalt self2 and if the ,lord1 despite of the evil in us1 has accomplished any little service by our instrumentality1 how speedily is it communicated in a spirit of pride and self-complacency4 ,it is all right to speak of the ,lord's grace1 and to have our hearts filled with thankful adoration because of it2 but this is very different from boasting of things connected with self4 ,david1 however1 kept the secret of his triumph over the lion and the bear concealed in his own bosom1 and did not bring it forth until the fitting occasion2 nor does he1 even then1 speak of himself as having achieved aught1 but he simply says1 ,the ,lord that delivered me out of the paw of the lion1 and out of the paw of the bear1 ,he will deliver me out of the hand of this ,philistine4 ,precious1 self-renouncing faith6--faith that counts on ,god for everything1 and trusts the flesh in nothing--faith which brings ,god into every difficulty1 and leads us1 with deepest thankfulness1 to hide self1 and give ,him all the glory4 ,but it frequently needs much spirituality to detect the vast difference between the language of faith and the language of mere commonplace and formal religiousness4 ,saul assumed the garb and phraseology of religiousness2 we have already seen much of this in his history1 and we see it in his interview with ,david4 ,mere religiousness and faith here are seen in marked contrast4 ,when ,david had made the clear and unequivocal statement of faith in the presence and power of ,jehovah1 ,saul added1 ,go1 and the ,lord be with thee4 ,but1 ah1 how little did he know what was involved in having the ,lord with him4 ,he seemed to trust the ,lord1 but in reality he trusted his armor4 ,had he understood what he said1 why think of putting on armor8 ,the ,lord be with thee was in ,saul's mouth a mere commonplace3 it really meant nothing1 for he had no idea of ,david's going simply with the ,lord4 ,it is well to dwell upon1 and distinctly point out1 the evil of this--the evil of using words which1 so far as we are concerned1 mean nothing1 but which involve a trifling with the ,lord's name and truth4 ,how often do we speak of trusting the ,lord1 when1 in reality1 we are leaning on some circumstance1 or set of circumstances4 ,how often do we speak of living by the day1 in simple dependence upon ,god1 when1 if we judged the positive condition of our souls before ,god1 we should find that we were looking to some human or earthly source of supply4 ,this is a sad evil1 and should be most carefully watched against4 ,it was just what ,saul exhibited1 when1 having made use of the apparently devout expression1 ,the ,lord be with thee1 he proceeded to arm ,david with his armor1 and he put a helmet of brass upon his head2 also he armed him with a coat of mail4 ,he had no other idea but that ,david was to fight in the usual way4 ,no doubt1 it was professedly in the name of the ,lord3 but he thought ,david ought to use means4 ,but it happens that we frequently speak of using means and really shut out ,god2 we profess to use means in dependence upon ,god1 and1 in reality1 use the mere name of ,god in dependence upon the means4 ,this is virtually1 and according to the judgment of faith1 to make a ,god of our means4 ,whether had ,saul more confidence1 in the ,lord or in the armor8 ,in the armor1 no doubt2 and so with all who do not truly walk by faith2 it is the means they lean upon1 and not upon ,god4 ,my reader will1 doubtless1 perceive how strikingly all this bears upon the title of this little book1 viz41 ,the ,life of ,faith4 ,we can hardly dwell upon any point in our subject more important than that suggested by the interesting scene on which we are immediately dwelling4 ,the man of means1 and the man of faith1 are really before us2 and we can at once perceive how far the latter proceeds in the use of means4 ,means are to be used1 no doubt1 but only such means as are perfectly consistent with the full and blessed action of faith1 and also with the untarnished glory of the ,god of all power and grace4 ,now ,david felt that ,saul's armor and coat of mail were not such means1 and he1 therefore1 refused them4 ,had he gone with them1 the victory would not have been so manifestly the ,lord's4 ,but ,david had professed his faith in the ,lord's deliverance1 and not in human armor4 ,true1 means will be used2 but let us take care that our means do not shut out ,god4#ab #ab ,faith1 waiting on ,god1 allows ,him to use what means soever ,he pleases4 ,it does not ask ,him to bless our means1 but lets ,him use ,his own4 ,and ,david girded his sword upon his armor1 and he assayed to go2 for he had not proved it4 ,and ,david said unto ,saul1 ,i cannot go with these2 for ,i have not proved them4 ,and ,david put them off him4 ,happy deliverance from the trammels of human policy6 ,it has been observed1 and most truly so1 that ,david's trial was not when he met the giant1 in actual conflict1 but when he was tempted to use ,saul's armor4 ,had the enemy succeeded in inducing him to go with that1 all was gone2 but1 through grace1 he rejected it1 and thus left himself entirely in the ,lord's hands1 and we know what security he found there4 ,this is faith4 ,it leaves itself in ,god's hand4#ac #ac ,how often it happens that the child of ,god or the servant of ,christ1 harnessed with human devices for his work1 finds himself burdened and hampered with these trammels to obedience and faith4 ,let them be but shaken off1 through grace1 and the soul cast upon ,god finds at once the joy and liberty for the service and energy of faith4 ,ed4 ,and1 my reader1 may we not apply this with much profit to the case of a poor helpless sinner in reference to the forgiveness of his sins8 ,i believe we may4 ,satan will tempt such an one to seek some addition to the finished work of ,christ--something that will detract from the glory of the ,son of ,god as the only ,saviour of sinners4 ,now to such ,i would say1 ,it matters not what you add to the work of ,christ1--you make it of no avail4 ,if it might be permitted to add anything1 surely circumcision would have been admitted1 as being an ordinance of divine institution2 yet the apostle says1 ,behold1 ,i ,paul say unto you1 that if ye be circumcised1 ,christ shall profit you nothing4 ,for ,i testify again to every man that is circumcised1 that he is a debtor to do the whole law4 ,christ is become of no effect unto you1 whosoever of you are justified by the law2 ye are fallen from grace4 7,gal4 v4 #b-d7 ,in a word1 then1 we must have ,christ alone2 we want no more1 we can do with no less4 ,if our works are to be put in with ,christ's1 then ,he is not sufficient4 ,we dishonor the sufficiency of ,his atonement if we seek to connect aught of our own with it1 just as ,david would have dishonored the ,lord by going forth to meet the ,philistine champion in ,saul's armor4 ,doubtless many a so-called prudent man would have condemned what seemed to him to be the rashness and fool-hardiness of the stripling2 indeed1 the more practised a man was in human warfare1 the more likely would he have been to condemn the course adopted by the man of faith4 ,but what of that8 ,david knew in whom he had believed2 he knew it was not rashness that was leading him on1 but simple faith in ,god's willingness and ability to meet him in his need4 ,few1 perhaps1 in ,saul's army knew the weakness of ,david as realized by himself in that trying moment4 ,though all eyes were fastened upon him as one having much self-confidence1 yet we know what it was that buoyed up his heart1 and gave firmness to his step as he went forth to meet the terrible foe4 ,we know that the power of ,god was there just as manifestly as when the waters of the sea were divided to make a way for the ransomed to pass over2 and when faith brings the power of ,god into action1 nothing can stand in the way4 ,verse #dj shows us ,david's armor4 ,and he took his staff in his hand1 and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook1 and put them in a shepherd's bag which he had1 even in a scrip2 and his sling was in his hand3 and he drew near to the ,philistine4 ,so1 we see1 ,david did use means2 but what means6 ,what contempt does ,david cast upon the ponderous armor of his enemy6 ,how his sling must have contrasted with ,goliath's spear like a weaver's beam6 ,in fact1 ,david could not have inflicted a deeper wound upon the ,philistine's pride than by coming against him with such weapons4 ,goliath felt this4 ,am ,i a dog8 said he4 ,it mattered not1 in the judgment of faith1 what he was1 dog or giant2 he was an enemy of the people of ,god1 and ,david was meeting him with the weapons of faith4 ,then said ,david to the ,philistine1 ,thou comest to me with a sword1 and with a spear1 and with a shield3 but ,i come to thee in the name of the ,lord of hosts1 the ,god of the armies of ,israel1 whom thou hast defied4 ,this day will the ,lord deliver thee into my hand 444 that all the earth may know that there is a ,god in ,israel4 ,and all this assembly shall know that the ,lord saveth not with sword and spear3 for the battle is the ,lord's1 and ,he will give you into our hands4#ad ,here we have the true object of the man of faith1 viz41 that ,israel and all the earth might have a glorious testimony to the power and presence of ,god in the midst of ,his people4 ,if ,david had used ,saul's armor it would not have been known that the ,lord saved not by sword and spear--his warfare would just seem like any other2 but the sling and the stone while giving little prominence to him that used it1 gave the glory to ,him from whom the victory came4#ae #ad ,for the important distinction between the expressions1 ,lord and ,god--,jehovah and ,elohim--see ,notes on the ,book of ,genesis1 chap4 ii4 #ae ,it is interesting to observe ,david's address to ,goliath4 ,he does not say1 ,i come to thee with a sling and a stone4 ,no2 but1 in the name of the ,lord of hosts4 ,with him1 it is not the means1 but the ,lord of hosts on which he fixes his eyes4 ,faith ever honors ,god1 and ,god ever honors faith4 ,david1 as has been already remarked1 put himself into the hands of ,god1 and the happy result of so doing was victory--full1 glorious victory4 ,david prevailed over the ,philistine with a sling and with a stone1 and smote the ,philistine1 and slew him2 but there was no sword in the hand of ,david4 ,magnificent triumph6 ,precious fruit of simple faith in ,god6 ,how should it encourage the heart to cast away from it every carnal confidence1 and to cling to the only true source of power4 ,david was made the happy instrument of delivering his brethren from the galling and terrifying threats of the uncircumcised ,philistine2 he had come into their midst1 from the retirement of a shepherd's life1 unknown and despised1 though the anointed king of ,israel2 he had gone forth single-handed to meet the enemy of the congregation2 he had laid him prostrate1 and made a show of him openly2 and all this1 be it remembered1 as the servant of ,god1 and the servant of ,israel1 and in the energy of a faith which circumstances could not shake4 ,it was a wondrous deliverance1 gained by a single blow--no manuvring of armies--no skill of generals--no prowess of soldiers4 ,no2 a stone from the brook1 slung by a shepherd's hand1 settled the whole matter4 ,it was the victory of faith4 ,and when the ,philistines saw that their champion was dead1 they fled4 ,how vain are those hopes which are based on the perishable resources of flesh1 in its greatest apparent strength and energy6 ,who that saw the giant and the stripling about to engage in conflict1 but would have trembled for the latter8 ,who would have thought that all the massy armor would come to nothing before a sling and a stone8 ,yet see the end4 ,the champion of the ,philistines fell1 and with him all their fondly-cherished hopes4 ,and the men of ,israel and of ,judah arose1 and shouted1 and pursued the ,philistines4 ,yes3 they might well shout1 for ,god was manifestly gone out before them1 to deliver them from the power of their enemies4 ,he had been working powerfully by the hand of one whom they knew not1 nor recognized1 as their anointed king1 but whose moral grace might well attract every heart4 ,but amidst the many thousands who beheld the victory1 we read of one whose soul was drawn forth in ardent affection for the victor4 ,the most thoughtless must have been struck with admiration of the victory2 and1 no doubt1 it affected individuals differently4 ,at such times1 in a certain sense1 the thoughts of many hearts are revealed4 ,some would envy1 some would admire2 some would rest in the victory2 some in the instrument2 some would have their hearts drawn up to the ,god of the armies of ,israel who had again come amongst them with a drawn sword in ,his hand4 ,but there was one devoted heart who was powerfully attracted to the person of the conqueror1 and this was ,jonathan4 ,and it came to pass1 when he had made an end of speaking unto ,saul1 that the soul of ,jonathan was knit with the soul of ,david1 and ,jonathan loved him as his own soul 7,chap4 xviii4 #a47 ,no doubt ,jonathan participated most fully in the joy of all in the triumph of ,david2 but there was more than this in it2 it was not merely the triumph1 but the person of the triumphant one that drew out the deep and ardent affections of ,jonathan's soul4 ,saul might selfishly seek to retain the valiant ,david about his person1 not because of love for his person1 but simply to magnify himself4 ,not so ,jonathan2 he loved ,david4 ,david had removed a load from his spirit1 and filled up a great blank in his heart4 ,the challenge of the giant had1 as it was each day repeated1 developed the poverty of ,israel4 ,the eye might have ranged up and down the ranks in search of one able to meet the urgent need1 but in vain4 ,as the giant's vaunting words fell on their ears1 all the men of ,israel1 when they saw the man1 fled from him1 and were sore afraid4 ,all2 yes2 all fled1 when they heard his words1 and saw his size4 ,terrible was the blank1 therefore1 left in the heart on this solemn occasion2 and when a beloved one appeared to fill up that blank1 what wonder that ,jonathan's whole soul was drawn out in genuine affection for that one4 ,and be it remembered1 that it was ,david himself1 and not his work only1 that touched ,jonathan's heart4 ,he admired his victory surely1 but his person more4 ,it is well to note this1 and trace its striking application to the true ,david4 ,that we are warranted in making such application will1 surely1 not be questioned4 ,the whole scene1 from first to last1 is too remarkable to admit of a question4 ,in ,goliath we behold the power of the enemy by which he held the soul in grievous bondage4 ,from this power there was no means of deliverance within human reach4 ,the challenge might be repeated from day to day--but all in vain4 ,from age to age might the solemn verdict be heard throughout the myriads of ,adam's fallen posterity1 ,it is appointed unto men once to die1 but after this the judgment2 and the only response which man could yield was1 like ,israel's response in the valley of ,elah1 dismay--deep1 deep dismay4 ,through fear of death1 all our lifetime subject to bondage4 ,this was man's response4 ,the need was felt--the void unfilled4 ,the human heart yearned for something1 and yearned in vain4 ,the claims of justice could not be met--death and judgment frowned in the distance1 and man could only tremble at the prospect4 ,but1 blessed be the ,god of all grace1 a deliverer has appeared--,one mighty to save1 the ,son of ,god1 the true ,david1 the ,anointed ,king of ,israel and of all the earth4 ,he has met the need1 filled up the blank1 satisfied the yearnings of the heart4 ,but how8 where8 when8 ,by ,his death on ,calvary1 in that terrible hour when all creation was made to feel the solemn reality of what was being transacted4 ,yes1 my reader1 the cross was the field where the battle was fought1 and the victory won4 ,there it was that the strong man had all his armor taken from him1 and his house spoiled4 ,there1 justice had its utmost claims fully satisfied2 there1 the handwriting of ordinances1 which was against us1 was nailed to the tree4 ,there1 too1 the curse of a broken law was forever obliterated by the blood of the ,lamb1 and the needs of a guilty conscience satisfied by the same4 ,the precious blood of ,christ1 as of a lamb without blemish and without spot1 settled everything for the believing soul4 ,the poor trembling sinner may stand by and behold the conflict1 and the glorious issue thereof1 and behold all the power of the enemy laid low by one stroke of his glorious ,deliverer1 and feel the heavy burden rolled away from his struggling spirit4 ,the tide of divine peace and joy may flow into his soul1 and he may walk abroad in the full power of the emancipation purchased for him by the blood1 and proclaimed to him in the gospel4 ,and shall not one thus delivered love the ,person of the deliverer8--not merely the work1 but the ,person8 ,ah6 how can it be otherwise8 ,who that has felt the real depth of his need1 and groaned beneath the burden of his sins1 can fail to love and adore that gracious ,one who has satisfied the one and removed the other8 ,the work of ,jesus is infinitely precious2 it meets the sinner's need1 and introduces the soul into a position in which it can contemplate the person of ,christ4 ,in a word1 then1 the work of the ,saviour is for the sinner2 the person of the ,saviour is for the saint3 what ,he has done1 is for the former2 what ,he is1 is for the latter4 ,but there may be a mere formal following of ,christ while the heart is cold and remains unacquainted with ,his person4 ,in the #fth chapter of ,john1 we find a multitude of persons following the ,lord ,jesus merely on selfish grounds1 and ,he is constrained to tell them so3 ,verily1 verily1 ,i say unto you1 ,ye seek ,me1 not because ye saw the miracles1 but because ye did eat of the loaves1 and were filled4 ,it was not for what ,he was they were seeking ,him1 but for mere carnal advantage2 and hence1 when ,he applies to their hearts the searching statement1 ,except ye eat the flesh of the ,son of man1 and drink ,his blood1 there is no life in you1 we read1 ,many of ,his disciples went back1 and walked no more with ,him4 ,now1 eating ,his flesh1 and drinking ,his blood1 is1 in other words1 the soul finding its food1 its satisfaction1 in the offering of ,himself in sacrifice for us4 ,the whole gospel of ,john is a development of the personal glory of the ,incarnate ,word who is presented to us as the ,lamb of ,god which taketh away the sin of the world4 ,yet the natural heart could not receive ,him thus1 and1 therefore1 many went back1 and walked no more with ,him4 ,the majority could not bear to have this truth pressed upon them4 ,but harken to the testimony of one taught of ,god3 ,peter answered and said1 ,lord1 to whom shall we go8 ,thou hast the words of eternal life2 and we believe and are sure that ,thou art the ,christ1 the ,son of the living ,god4 ,here we have the two things1 viz43 what ,he had for them1 what ,he was to them4 ,he had eternal life to give1 and ,he was the ,son of the living ,god2 by the former1 the sinner is drawn to ,him2 by the latter1 the saint is bound to ,him4 ,he not only meets all our necessities as sinners by ,his work1 but also satisfies our affections and desires as saints by ,his person4 ,this train of thought has been suggested by the deeply interesting and touching interview between ,david and ,jonathan1 when the conflict was over4 ,the many thousands of ,israel had raised the shout of triumph1 and pursued the ,philistines to reap the fruits of victory1 while ,jonathan was delighting himself in the person of the victor4 ,and ,jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was upon him1 and gave it to ,david1 and his garments1 even to his sword1 and to his bow1 and to his girdle4 ,this was love1 pure1 simple1 unaffected love--undivided occupation with an attractive object4 ,love strips itself for the sake of its object4 ,david had forgotten himself and put his life in jeopardy for ,god and the congregation1 and now ,jonathan would forget himself for ,david4 ,reader1 let us remember that love to ,jesus is the spring of true ,christianity4 ,love to ,jesus makes us strip ourselves2 and1 we may say1 that to strip self to honor ,jesus is the fairest fruit of the work of ,god in the soul4 ,talk they of morals8 ,o ,thou bleeding ,lamb1 ,the great morality is love to ,thee4 ,very different were the feelings with which ,saul regarded the person and work of ,david4 ,he had not learnt to forget himself and rejoice to see the work done by another4 ,it is the work of grace to be able to do this4 ,we all naturally like to be or to do something--to be looked at and thought of4 ,thus it was with ,saul2 he was a self-important man1 and was1 therefore1 little able to bear the songs of the maids of ,israel3 ,saul hath slain his thousands1 and ,david his ten thousands4 ,saul could not brook the idea of being second4 ,he forgot how he had trembled at the voice of ,goliath2 though cowardly he would fain be counted brave and valiant4 ,and ,saul eyed ,david from that day and forward4 ,terrible eye6--the eye of envy and bitter jealousy4 ,we shall have occasion to trace the development both of ,jonathan's love and ,saul's hatred1 as we proceed in this work1 and must now trace the man of faith through other scenes4 ,,note4--,it requires a very simple heart and single eye to be able to rejoice as unfeignedly in the fruit of another's labors as in that of our own hands4 ,had the glory of ,god and the good of ,his people filled ,saul's heart1 he would not have spent a thought upon the question as to the numbers attributed to him or to ,david4 ,alas1 he sought his own glory4 ,this was the secret of his envy and jealousy4 ,oh1 what sacred rest1 what true elevation1 what perfect quietness of spirit flows from self-renunciation1 such self-renunciation as results from having the heart wholly occupied with ,christ6 ,when we are honestly seeking the promotion of ,christ's glory we shall not be careful as to the instrument4 ,,chapter ,,iii ,,the ,,cave ,,of ,,adullam ,from amid the brilliant lustre of the valley of ,elah1 ,david passed into very different scenes in the household of ,saul1 where envious looks and heartless attempts upon his life were the only returns for the soothing notes of his harp1 and the valiant exploits of his sling and his sword4 ,saul owed his continuance on the throne1 under ,god1 to ,david1 yet the javelin was ,saul's return4 ,but the ,lord in ,his mercy kept ,his dear servant1 amid all the intricacies of his extremely difficult position4 ,david behaved himself wisely in all his ways2 and the ,lord was with him4 ,wherefore1 when ,saul saw that he behaved himself very wisely1 he was afraid of him4 ,but all ,israel and ,judah loved ,david1 because he went out and came in before them4 ,thus was ,david1 while anointed king of ,israel1 called upon to endure the hatred and reproach of the ruling power1 though loved by all who were enabled to trace his moral worth4 ,it was impossible that ,saul and ,david could continue to dwell together2 being of totally opposite principles1 a separation must necessarily take place4 ,david knew that he was anointed king1 but ,saul occupied the throne1 and he was quite content to wait on ,god1 and in meekness abide ,his time4 ,till then1 the ,spirit of ,christ led him in the path of an exile4 ,his way to the throne lay through multiplied sorrows and difficulties4 ,he1 like his blessed ,master and antitype1 was called to suffering first1 and glory afterwards4 ,david would have served ,saul to the end--he honored him as the ,lord's anointed4 ,if the moving of his finger would have set him on the throne1 he would not have taken advantage of it4 ,of this we have the fullest evidence in his having twice saved ,saul's life1 when1 to all appearance1 the ,lord had put him in his power4 ,david waited simply upon ,god4 ,here was his strength1 his elevation--his entire dependence4 ,he could say1 ,my soul wait thou only upon ,god1 for my expectation is from ,him4 ,hence we see that ,david was carried happily through all the snares and dangers of his path as a servant in the household and army of ,saul4 ,the ,lord delivered him from every evil work1 and preserved him unto that kingdom which ,he had prepared for him1 and to which it was ,his purpose to raise him after that he had suffered a while4 ,david had1 as it were1 but just issued from the place of secret discipline and training1 to appear in the battle-field1 and1 having accomplished his work there1 he was called to take his place again on the form1 to learn some deeper lessons in the school of ,christ4 ,the ,lord's lessons are often painful and difficult1 because of the waywardness or indolence of our hearts2 but every fresh lesson learned1 every fresh principle imbibed1 only fits us the more for all that is yet before us4 ,yet it is blessed to be the disciples of ,christ1 and to yield ourselves to ,his gracious discipline and training4 ,the end will unfold to us the blessedness of such a place4 ,nor need we wait for the end2 even now1 the soul finds it most happy to be subject1 in all things1 to the ,master4 ,come unto ,me1 all ye that labor and are heavy laden1 and ,i will give you rest4 ,take ,my yoke upon you1 and learn of ,me2 for ,i am meek and lowly in heart3 and ye shall find rest unto your souls4 ,for ,my yoke is easy1 and ,my burden is light4 7,matt4 xi4 #bh-cj47 ,there are1 we may say1 three rests spoken of in ,scripture2 first1 the rest which1 as sinners1 we find in the accomplished work of ,christ2 second1 the present rest1 which1 as saints1 we find in being entirely subject to the will of ,god4 ,this is opposed to restlessness4 ,thirdly1 the rest that remains for the people of ,god4 ,now1 ,david knew much of the blessedness of the second of these rests1 inasmuch as he was entirely subject to the counsel and will of ,god1 in reference to the kingdom4 ,he was prepared to wait for ,god's time1 being assured that it was the best and wisest time4 ,he could say1 ,my times are in ,thy hand2 ,father1 ,i wish them there4 ,how desirable this subjection6 ,it saves us from much anxiety of heart and restlessness4 ,when we walk in the habitual conviction that ,god is making all things to work together for our good1 the spirit is most wonderfully tranquillized4 ,we shall never set about planning for ourselves if we believe that ,god is planning for us2 we shall be satisfied to leave all to ,him4 ,but alas1 how often is it otherwise with us4 ,how often do we vainly imagine that we can manage matters better than the blessed ,god4 ,we may not say so in so many words2 yet we virtually feel and act as if it were so4 ,the ,lord grant unto us a more subdued and confiding spirit4 ,the supremacy of the will of ,god over that of the creature will characterize the millennial age2 but the saint is called now to let the will of ,god rule him in all things4 ,it was this subjection of spirit that led ,david to give way in the matter of the kingdom1 and to take his place in the lonely cave of ,adullam4 ,he left ,saul1 and the kingdom1 and his own destinies in the hands of ,god1 assured that all would yet be well4 ,and1 oh1 how happy was it for him to find himself outside the unhealthy atmosphere of ,saul's house1 and from under the jealous glance of ,saul's eye6 ,he could breathe more freely in the cave1 however it might seem in man's view1 than in the household of ,saul4 ,so will it ever be2 the place of separation is the freest and the happiest4 ,the ,spirit of the ,lord was departed from ,saul1 and this was faith's warrant for separation from his person1 while1 at the same time1 there was the fullest subjection to his power as the king of ,israel4 ,the intelligent mind will have no difficulty in distinguishing between these two things4 ,the separation and the subjection should both be complete4#af #af ,the ,new ,testament teaches the ,christian to be subject to the powers that be1 but it never contemplates the idea of his being in the place of power4 ,hence1 there are no directions for a ,christian as a king or a magistrate1 though there is ample guidance for a ,christian as a husband1 a father1 a master1 or a servant4 ,this speaks volumes4 ,but we must view ,saul not only in a secular but also in a religious point of view2 and it was in reference to the religious element in his personal character and official capacity1 that there was the greatest need for distinct and decided separation4 ,saul had manifested throughout a desire to rule the conscience in religious matters2 witness the scene in chap4 xiv41 where1 as we have seen1 spiritual energy was cramped and hindered by ,saul's religious rule4 ,now1 when such rule is set up1 there is no alternative but separation4 ,when form without power prevails1 the solemn word of the ,holy ,ghost is1 ,from such turn away4 ,faith never stops to inquire1 ,whither shall ,i turn8 ,we are told what to turn away from1 and we may be sure that1 when we have yielded obedience to this1 we shall be left at no loss as to the rest4 ,however1 we shall see this principle in a much clearer light when we regard ,david in a typical point of view4 ,in reality1 ,david was forced into the place of separation1 and thus1 as one rejected of man1 and anointed of ,god1 we see him a type of ,christ in ,his present rejection4 ,david was1 in principle1 ,god's king1 and as such experienced man's hostility1 being driven into exile to avoid death4 ,the cave of ,adullam became the great gathering point for all who loved ,david and were wearied of the unrighteous rule of ,saul4 ,so long as ,david remained in the king's house1 there was no call upon any one to separate2 but the moment the rejected ,david took his place outside1 no one could remain neutral2 wherefore we read1 ,every one that was in distress1 and every one that was in debt1 and every one that was discontented1 gathered themselves unto him2 and he became a captain over them3 and there were with him about four hundred men4 ,here was1 then1 the line of distinction clearly marked4 ,it was now ,david1 or ,saul4 ,all who loved form1 loved an empty name1 a powerless office1 continued to adhere to ,saul2 but all who were dissatisfied with these things1 and loved the person of ,god's anointed king1 flocked around him in the hold4 ,the prophet1 priest1 and king were there1--the thoughts and sympathies of ,god were there1 and though the company assembled there must have presented a strange appearance to the carnal and the worldly1 yet it was a company gathered round the person of ,david1 and linked with his destinies4 ,it was composed of men whose very condition seems to have driven them to ,david1 but who were now deriving character and distinction from their nearness and devotedness to the person of the beloved4 ,away from ,saul1 away from all that marked the day of his power they could enjoy the sweetness of unhindered fellowship with the person of him who1 though now rejected1 was ere long to ascend the throne and wield the sceptre1 to the glory of ,god and the joy of ,his people4 ,reader1 you may clearly perceive in ,david and his despised company a precious sample of the true ,david1 and those who prefer companionship with ,him to all the joys1 the honors1 and emoluments of earth4 ,those who had cast in their lot with ,david--what had they to do with the interests of ,saul8 ,they had found a new object1 a new centre1 and communion with ,god's anointed4 ,nor was their place about the person of ,david dependent on1 or connected with1 what they had been4 ,no2 it mattered not what they had been2 they were now the servants of ,david1 and he was their captain4 ,this gave them their character4 ,they had cast in their lot with ,god's exile2 their interest and his were identical4 ,happy company6 ,happy to escape from the rule and influence of ,saul--still more happy to find themselves in companionship with ,god's anointed king4 ,their discontent1 their distress1 their debt1 were all forgotten in their new circumstances4 ,the grace of ,david was their present portion2 the glory of ,david their future prospect4 ,just so should it be with ,christians now4 ,through grace1 and the gentle leadings of the ,father1 we have found our way to ,jesus--the anointed and rejected ,jesus--now hidden with ,god4 ,no doubt1 we all had our respective features of character in the days of our guilt and folly--some discontented1 some in distress1 all in heavy debt to ,god--miserable1 ruined1 guilty1 void of everything which could recommend us to ,christ3 yet ,god has led us to the feet of ,his dear ,son1 where we have found pardon and peace through ,his precious blood3 ,jesus has removed our discontent1 alleviated our distress1 cancelled our debt1 brought us near ,his beloved person4 ,what return are we making for all this grace8 ,are we gathering1 in ardent affection1 round the ,captain of our salvation8 ,are we weaned from the state of things under ,saul8 ,are we living as those who are waiting for the day when our ,david shall mount the throne8 ,are our affections set upon things above8 ,if ye then be risen with ,christ1 says the apostle1 seek those things which are above1 where ,christ sitteth on the right hand of ,god4 ,set your affection on things above1 not on things on the earth4 ,for ye have died1 and your life is hid with ,christ in ,god4 ,when ,christ1 who is our life1 shall appear1 then shall ye also appear with ,him in glory4 7,col4 iii4 #a-d47 ,it is greatly to be feared that few really enter into the true nature and practical consequences of their position as associated with the crucified and risen ,jesus--few really enter into the depth and meaning of our ,lord's words1 ,they are not of the world1 even as ,i am not of the world2 or of the ,spirit's word1 ,the ,sanctifier and the sanctified are all of one4 ,the measure of the saint's separation from the world is nothing less than ,christ's2 i4 e41 the principle of it4 ,looked at practically1 alas1 it is quite another thing2 but in principle there is no difference4 ,it is of vast importance to enforce this principle4 ,the actual standing1 calling and hopes of the ,church are so feebly apprehended4 ,yet the feeblest believer in ,christ is1 in ,god's view1 as separate from all belonging to earth as ,jesus4 ,it is not a matter of attainment1 but of our standing1 through grace3 not an object after which we must strive1 but a point from which we must start4 ,many have been led astray by the idea that we must work up to a heavenly position by shaking off the things of earth4 ,this is to begin at the wrong end4 ,it is the same error1 only in reference to another department of truth1 as to assert that we must work up to a condition of justification1 by mortifying the sins of the flesh4 ,now1 we do not mortify self in order to be justified1 but because we are justified2 yea1 dead and risen with ,christ4 ,in like manner1 we do not put away things of earth in order to become heavenly1 but because we are so4 ,abram's calling was to leave kindred and go to ,canaan2 our calling is a heavenly one 7of which ,canaan was a type71 and in proportion as we enter into it we will be separate from earth4 ,but to make our standing the result of conduct1 instead of conduct the result of standing1 is a grievous error4 ,ask a saint1 really intelligent as to the heavenly calling1 to give a reason for his standing apart from the present world3 what will he reply8 ,will he tell you that he does so in order to become heavenly8 ,nay4 ,will he tell you that it is because the present world is under judgment8 ,nay4 ,no doubt it is under judgment1 but this is not the true ground of separation4 ,what then8 ,we have died1 and our life is hid with ,christ in ,god4--,they are not of the world1 even as ,i am not of the world4 ,holy brethren1 partakers of the heavenly calling1 etc4 ,here we have the grand reason for the saint's present separation from the world4 ,it does not matter what the world is1 be it good or bad2 he is not of it1 though in it1 as the place of his daily toil1 conflict1 and discipline4 ,christian6 ponder well your heavenly calling--it is the only thing that will give full deliverance from the power and influence of worldliness4 ,men may seek abstraction from the world in various ways1 but there is only one in which to attain separation from it4 ,again1 men may seek to render themselves unearthly in various ways2 there is only one way in which we can become really heavenly4 ,abstraction is not separation2 nor is unearthliness to be mistaken for heavenliness4 ,the monastic system illustrates very fully the distinction between these things4 ,a sincere monk is unearthly1 in a certain sense1 but by no means heavenly2 he is unnatural1 but by no means spiritual2 he is abstracted from the world1 but by no means separated from it4 ,the ,christian's heavenly calling is in virtue of what ,christ is1 and where ,he is4 ,the heart instructed by the ,holy ,ghost as to the meaning of ,heb4 ii4 #aa1 finds the reason and power of his deliverance from the principles1 habits1 pursuits1 feelings1 and tendencies of this present age4 ,the ,lord ,jesus has taken ,his place on high as ,head of the body1 the ,church2 and the ,holy ,ghost has come down to lead all the foreknown and predestinated members of ,christ into living fellowship with the living ,head1 now rejected from earth1 and hidden with ,god4 ,hence in the gospel1 as preached by ,paul1 the remission of sins is inseparably connected with the heavenly calling1 inasmuch as he preached the unity of the one body on earth with its ,head in heaven4 ,he preached justification1 not merely as an abstract thing1 but as the result of what the ,church is1 as one with ,christ1 who is now at the right hand of ,god1 ,head over all things to ,his ,church1 angels and principalities being made subject to ,him4 ,paul preached remission of sins1 no doubt1 but he preached it all with the fulness1 depth1 power and energy which the doctrine of the ,church imparts to it4 ,the epistle to the ,ephesians teaches us not only that ,god can forgive sinners1 but far more than this3 it unfolds to us the wondrous truth that believers are members of the body of ,christ2 for we1 says the apostle1 are members of ,his body1 of ,his flesh1 and of ,his bones4 ,again1 ,but ,god1 who is rich in mercy1 for ,his great love wherewith ,he loved us1 even when we were dead in sins1 hath quickened us together with ,christ 7by grace ye are saved72 and hath raised us up together1 and made us sit together in heavenly places in ,christ ,jesus4 ,again1 ,christ also loved the ,church1 and gave ,himself for it2 that ,he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the ,word4 ,that ,he might present it to ,himself a glorious ,church1 not having spot1 or wrinkle1 or any such thing2 but that it should be holy and without blemish4 ,these passages present far more than mere remission of sins4 ,to be the bride of the ,lamb is a very much higher1 very much more glorious thing than only to have our sins forgiven4 ,yet 'tis not that we know the joy ,of cancell'd sin alone1 ,but1 happier far1 ,thy saints are call'd ,to share ,thy glorious throne4 ,the blessed ,god has gone beyond all man's thoughts in ,his mode of dealing with the ,church4 ,he has called us1 not only to walk here below in the full sense of ,his pardoning love1 but also to know the love of ,christ to ,his body1 the ,church1 and the high and holy dignity of that ,church1 as seated in the heavenlies4 ,my reader may perhaps inquire what has the cave of ,adullam to do with the ,church's place in the heavens8 ,it has to do with it only so far as it illustrates the present place of rejection into which ,christ has entered1 and which all must know who enjoy fellowship with ,him4 ,of course1 neither ,david nor his men knew anything about the heavenly calling as the ,church now knows it4 ,we may frequently discover in ,old ,testament scriptures1 foreshadowings of the heavenly calling1 in the character walk1 and circumstances of certain prominent persons which are introduced to our notice2 but the heavenly calling1 properly speaking1 was not known until the ,lord ,jesus took ,his seat on high1 and the ,holy ,ghost came down to baptize believers1 ,jew and ,gentile1 into one body2 then the heavenly calling was developed in all its power and fulness4 ,this truth was peculiarly committed to ,paul2 it was an essential part of the mystery committed to him1 and was embodied in these words1 ,why persecutest thou ,me8 ,saul was persecuting the saints1 and the ,lord ,jesus appeared to him in heavenly glory1 and told him that these saints were part of ,himself--,his members on earth4 ,henceforth this became ,paul's great thesis2 in it was involved the oneness of the ,church with ,christ1 and therefore the heavenly calling of the ,church4 ,and let the reader observe1 that all this was not merely an admission of the ,gentile into the ,jewish fold4#ag ,no1 it was taking both ,jew and ,gentile out of their circumstances in nature1 and setting them down in new circumstances--new to both4 ,the work of the ,cross was needful to break down the middle wall of partition1 and to make of twain one new man1 i4 e41 to make of ,jew and ,gentile a new heavenly man1 separated from earth and its aims4 ,the present place of ,christ in the heavens is connected with ,his rejection by ,israel1 during what is called the ,church period1 and serves to bring out still more distinctly the heavenly character of the ,church of ,god4 ,she belongs to heaven1 and is called to manifest on earth the living energy of the ,holy ,ghost who dwells in her4 #ag ,i would say a word here1 on the opening verses of ,john x4 ,the ,lord ,jesus presented ,himself at the door of the ,jewish fold1 and having obtained entrance1 called out ,his sheep that were therein1 and then ,he says1 ,other sheep ,i have which are not of this fold2 them also ,i must bring1 and they shall hear ,my voice2 and there shall be one flock1 and one ,shepherd4 ,it is strange that the translators should have rendered this one fold1 when the word fold 77 actually occurs in the same verse4 ,nor is the distinction unimportant4 ,a fold is an enclosure for the separation and safety of the sheep2 hence the word is properly applied to the ,jewish economy4 ,now1 however1 it is no longer a fold--an earthly arrangement--a penning up of sheep here below4 ,but the heavenly ,shepherd has called forth ,his ,jewish sheep from the earthly fold1 and ,his ,gentile sheep from the dark mountains of this wide world1 and made them one flock1 giving them freedom1 and committed them into the ,father's hand4 ,thus we see the difference between the words fold and flock4 ,thus1 as ,david's men were withdrawn from all connection with ,saul's system by virtue of their association with him1 so all those who are led by the ,spirit to know their oneness with the rejected ,jesus1 must feel themselves dissociated from present things1 by reason of that blessed oneness with ,him4 ,hence1 if you ask a heavenly man why he does not mix himself up with the plans and pursuits of this age1 his reply will be1 ,because ,christ is at the right hand of ,god1 and ,i am identified with ,him4 ,he has been cast out by this world and ,i take my place with ,him1 apart therefore from its objects and pursuits4 ,all who understand the true nature of the heavenly calling will walk in separation from the world2 but those who do not1 will just take their portion here1 and live as others4 ,many1 alas1 are satisfied with the mere knowledge of the forgiveness of sins1 and never think of going further4 ,they have passed through the ,red ,sea1 it may be1 but manifest no desire to cross the ,jordan1 and eat the old corn of the land of promise4 ,just as it was in the day of ,david's rejection2 many1 though ,israelites1 did not cast in their lot in rejection with him4 ,it was one thing to be an ,israelite2 it was another thing to be with ,david in the hold4 ,even ,jonathan was not there2 he still adhered to the old system of things4 ,though loving ,david as his own soul1 he lived and died in companionship with ,saul4 ,true1 he ventured to speak for ,david1 and sought his company when he could4 ,he had stripped himself to clothe ,david2 yet he did not cast in his lot with him4 ,and1 consequently1 when the names and the deeds of ,david's worthies are heralded by the ,holy ,ghost1 we look in vain for the name of the affectionate ,jonathan2 when the devoted companions of ,david's exile were mustering round his throne in the sunshine of his royal countenance1 poor ,jonathan was mingled with the dust1 having ingloriously fallen1 on ,mount ,gilboa1 by the hands of the uncircumcised ,philistines6 ,oh that all who profess to love the ,lord ,jesus ,christ may seek a more decided identification with ,him in this the time of ,his rejection6 ,the citizens have sent a message after ,him1 saying1 ,we will not have this man to reign over us2 and shall we go and associate ourselves with those citizens to forward their ,christ-rejecting plans8 ,god forbid4 ,may our hearts be with ,him where ,he is4 ,may we know the hallowed fellowship of the cave of ,adullam1 where the ,prophet1 ,priest1 and ,king are to be found1 embodied in the beloved person of ,him who loved us1 and washed us from our sins in ,his own blood4 ,we cannot walk with ,saul and ,david at the same time4 ,we cannot hold ,christ and the world--we must take our choice4 ,the ,lord grant us grace to reject the evil and choose the good1 remembering the solemn words of the apostle3 ,this is a faithful saying2 for if we be dead with ,him1 we shall also live with ,him2 if we suffer1 we shall also reign with ,him2 if we deny ,him1 ,he also will deny us4 ,this is the time of suffering1 the time for enduring afflictions and hardness2 we must wait for the time of rest and glory4 ,david's men were called1 by reason of their association with him1 to undergo much toil and fatigue1 but love made all light and easy to them2 and their names and exploits were recorded and faithfully remembered when ,david was at rest in his kingdom4 ,none were forgotten4 ,the twenty-third chapter of #bnd4 ,samuel will furnish the reader with the precious catalogue1 and will1 no doubt1 lead his mind onward to the time when the ,lord ,christ shall reward ,his faithful servants--those who from love to ,his person1 and by the energy of ,his ,spirit1 have performed acts of service for ,him in the time of ,his rejection4 ,these acts may not be seen1 known1 or thought of by men2 but ,jesus knows them1 and will publicly declare them from the throne of ,his glory4 ,who would ever have known the acts of ,david's worthies if the ,holy ,ghost had not recorded them8 ,who would have known of the three who drew water from the well of ,bethlehem8 ,who would have known of the slaying of a lion in a pit1 in the time of snow8 ,just so now3 many a heart throbs with love to the person of the ,saviour1 unknown to all2 and many a hand may be stretched forth in service to ,him1 unobserved by human eye4 ,it is sweet to think it is so1 specially in an age of cold formality like the present--sweet to think of those who love the ,lord ,jesus ,christ in sincerity4 ,some there are1 alas1 who are not only indifferent to ,his beloved ,person1 but who even go as far as to traduce ,him--to rob ,him of ,his dignity1 and make ,him little better than ,elias1 or one of the prophets4 ,but1 my reader1 we shall not dwell upon these2 we have1 thank ,god1 a happier theme1 and we shall1 with ,his help1 pursue it4 ,we shall think of those valued men who jeoparded their lives for the sake of their captain1 and who1 the instant he uttered his desire1 were ready1 at all cost1 to gratify it4 ,love never pauses to calculate4 ,it was quite sufficient for those worthies to know that ,david longed for a drink from the well of ,bethlehem1 and they procured it at any cost to themselves3 ,and these three mighty men brake through the host of the ,philistines1 and drew water out of the well of ,bethlehem1 that was by the gate1 and took it and brought it to ,david3 nevertheless he would not drink thereof1 but poured it out unto the ,lord4#ah ,lovely scene6 ,sweet sample of what the ,church ought to be6 ,loving not her life unto the death for ,christ's sake4 ,oh that the ,holy ,ghost may kindle within us a flame of ardent love to the person of ,jesus--may ,he unfold to our souls more of the divine excellencies of ,his person1 that we may know ,him to be the fairest amongst ten thousand1 and altogether lovely1 and be able to say with a true worthy1 ,yea1 doubtless1 and ,i count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of ,christ ,jesus my ,lord2 for whom ,i have suffered the loss of all things1 and do count them but dung1 that ,i may win ,christ4 7,phil4 iii4 #h47 #ah ,there is something peculiarly touching and beautiful in the above scene1 whether we contemplate the act of the three mighty men in procuring the water for ,david1 or ,david's act in pouring it out to the ,lord4 ,it is evident that ,david discerned1 in an act of such uncommon devotedness1 a sacrifice which none but the ,lord ,himself was worthy to receive4 ,the odor of such a sacrifice was far too fragrant for him to interrupt it in its ascent to the throne of the ,god of ,israel4 ,wherefore he1 very properly and gracefully1 allows it to pass him by1 in order that it might go up to the ,one who alone was worthy to receive it1 or able to appreciate it4 ,all this reminds us1 forcibly1 of that beautiful compendium of ,christian devotedness set forth in ,phil4 ii4 #ag1 #ah3 ,yea1 and if ,i be poured out upon the sacrifice and service of your faith1 ,i joy and rejoice with you all2 for this cause do ye also joy and rejoice with me4 ,in this passage1 the apostle represents the ,philippian saints in their character as priests1 presenting a sacrifice and performing a priestly ministration to ,god2 and such was the intensity of his self-forgetting devotedness1 that he could rejoice in his being poured out as a drink offering upon their sacrifice1 so that all might ascend1 in fragrant odor1 to ,god4 ,the ,philippians laid a sacrifice on ,god's altar1 and the apostle was poured out upon it1 and all went up to ,god as an odor of sweet smell4 ,it mattered not who put the sacrifice on the altar1 or who was poured out thereupon1 providing that ,god received what was acceptable to ,him4 ,this1 truly1 is a divine model for ,christian devotedness4 ,would that we had grace to form our ways according to it4 ,there would1 then1 be far less of my sayings1 and my doings1 and my goings4 ,,chapter ,,iv ,,nabal ,,and ,,abigail4--,i ,,sam4 ,,xxv4 ,it is interesting to observe1 as we pass from stage to stage of ,david's history1 how different individuals were affected toward his person1 and the consequent position assumed in reference to him4 ,it required energy of faith to discern1 in the despised outcast1 the future king of ,israel4 ,in this chapter we are presented with two striking examples of persons thus variously affected in reference to ,david's person and career4 ,there was a man in ,maon1 whose possessions were in ,carmel2 and the man was very great1 and he had three thousand sheep1 and a thousand goats2 and he was shearing his sheep in ,carmel4 ,now the name of the man was ,nabal4 ,this ,nabal was an ,israelite1 and he appears in marked contrast with ,david1 who1 though anointed king of ,israel1 had not where to lay his head1 but was a wanderer from mountain to mountain1 and from cave to cave4 ,nabal was a selfish man1 with no sympathy for ,david4 ,if he had blessings1 he had them for himself2 if he was great1 he had no idea of sharing his greatness with any one else1 and least of all with ,david and his companions4 ,and ,david heard in the wilderness that ,nabal did shear his sheep4 ,and ,david sent out ten young men1 and ,david said to the young men1 ,get you up to ,carmel1 and go to ,nabal1 and greet him in my name1 c4 ,david was in the wilderness2 this was his place4 ,nabal was surrounded by all the comforts of life4 ,the former owed all his sorrows and privations to what he was2 the latter owed all his possessions and enjoyments to what he was4 ,now1 we generally find that where advantages are derived from religious distinction and profession1 much selfishness exists4 ,the profession of truth1 if not connected with self-denial1 will be connected with positive self-indulgence2 and hence we may observe at the present day a determined spirit of worldliness connected with the very highest profession of truth4 ,this is a grievous evil4 ,the apostle was made to feel the anguish of it1 even in his time4 ,many1 says he1 walk1 of whom ,i have told you often1 and now tell you even weeping1 that they are the enemies of the cross of ,christ3 whose end is destruction1 whose ,god is their belly1 and whose glory is in their shame1 who mind earthly things4 7,phil4 iii4 #ah1 #ai47 ,observe1 they are the enemies of the cross of ,christ4 ,they do not throw off all semblance of ,christianity2 far from it4 ,many walk4 ,this expression shows a measure of profession4 ,the persons here pictured would1 doubtless1 be much offended were any to refuse them the appellation of ,christians2 but then they do not want to take up the cross2 they desire not practical identification with a crucified ,christ2 whatever amount of professed ,christianity can be had apart from all self-denial is welcome to them1 but not one jot beyond this4 ,their ,god is their belly1 and they mind earthly things4 ,ah1 how many must plead guilty to the charge of minding earthly things6 ,it is easy to make a profession of the religion of ,christ1 while ,christ ,himself is unknown1 and the cross of ,christ is hated4 ,it is easy to take up the name of ,jesus into the lips1 and walk in self-indulgence and love of the world1 which the human heart knows so well how to estimate4 ,all this finds its full illustration in the person of the churlish ,nabal1 who having shut himself up in the midst of his luxuries and wealth1 cared not for ,god's anointed1 nor felt for him in the season of his painful exile and sojourn in the wilderness4 ,what was his reply to ,david's touching appeal8 ,who is ,david8 and who is the son of ,jesse8 there be many servants now-a-days that break away every man from his master4 ,shall ,i then take my bread1 and my water1 and my flesh that ,i have killed for my shearers1 and give it unto men whom ,i know not whence they be8 ,here was the secret of this worldly man's estrangement of heart2 he did not know him2 had he known him1 it would have been a very different matter3 but he neither knew who he was nor whence he was2 he did not know that he was railing on the ,lord's anointed1 and casting from him1 in his selfish folly1 the privilege of ministering to the need of the future king of ,israel4 ,the moral of all this is deeply instructive4 ,it demands the clear vision of faith to enable any one to discern the true glory of ,christ1 and cleave to ,him in the time of ,his rejection4 ,it is one thing to be a ,christian1 as people say1 and another thing to confess ,christ before men4 ,indeed1 one can hardly find anything more selfish than that condition of heart which would lead us to take all that ,jesus has to give1 and yield ,him nothing in return4 ,provided ,i am saved1 all the rest is unessential4 ,this is the secret thought of many a heart1 and if thrown into a more honest form would be this1 ,if ,i am sure of salvation1 it matters little about the glory of ,christ4 ,this was just ,nabal's mode of acting2 he reaped all the advantage he could from ,david2 but the moment ,david put in his claim for sympathy and aid1 his worldly spirit developed itself4 ,one of the young men told ,abigail1 ,nabal's wife1 saying1 ,behold1 ,david sent messengers out of the wilderness1 to salute our master2 and he railed on them4 ,but the men were very good unto us1 and we were not hurt1 neither missed we anything1 as long as we were conversant with them when we were in the fields4 ,they were a wall unto us both by night and by day1 all the while we were with them keeping the sheep4 ,this was all very well4 ,nabal could well understand the value of ,david's protection1 though he cared not for ,david's person4 ,so long as ,david's men were a wall to his possessions1 he would tolerate them2 but when they would become a burden1 they were rejected and railed upon4 ,now1 as might be expected1 ,nabal's acting was directly contrary to ,scripture1 as his spirit was decidedly contrary to the spirit of its divine ,author4 ,it is written in the #aeth chapter of ,deuteronomy1 ,if there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren1 within any of thy gates1 in the land which the ,lord thy ,god giveth thee1 thou shall not harden thy heart1 nor shut thy hand from thy poor brother2 but thou shalt open thy hand wide unto him1 and shall surely lend him sufficient for his need1 in that which he wanteth4 ,beware that there be not a thought in thy wicked heart1 saying1 ,the seventh year1 the year of release is at hand2 and thine eye be evil against thy poor brother1 and thou givest him nought2 and he cry unto the ,lord against thee1 and it be sin unto thee4 ,precious grace6 ,how like ,god4 ,how unlike ,nabal6 ,grace would keep the heart wide open to every object of need2 whereas selfishness would close it against every applicant4 ,nabal ought to have obeyed the word1 independently of his knowledge of ,david2 but his selfishness was of too deep a character to allow of his obedience to the ,lord's word1 or his love to the ,lord's anointed4 ,however1 ,nabal's selfishness led to very important results2 it led1 in ,david's case1 to the exhibition of much that was calculated to humble him in the presence of ,god4 ,he is here seen to come down from the high elevation which usually characterized him1 through the grace of ,god4 ,no doubt1 it was deeply trying to meet with such base ingratitude from one to whom he had been a wall of defence2 it was galling1 too1 to be reproached on the very ground of those circumstances into which faithfulness had called him2 to be accused of breaking away from his master at the very time that he was being hunted as a partridge through the mountains4 ,all this was hard to bear1 and1 in the first ebullition of feeling1 ,david gives expression to words which would not bear the examination of the sanctuary4 ,gird ye on every man his sword1 was not just the language which we should have expected from one who had hitherto walked in such a meek and gentle spirit4 ,the scripture just quoted presents the resource of the poor brother1 viz43 to cry unto the ,lord1 not to draw his sword for revenge4 ,nabal's selfishness could never have been remedied by the sword of ,david1 nor would faith ever have adopted such a course4 ,we do not find ,david acting thus in reference to ,saul2 he left him entirely to ,god1 and even when induced to cut off the skirt of his robe1 his heart smote him4 ,why did he not act thus toward ,nabal8 ,because he was not in communion2 he was off his guard1 and the enemy took advantage of him4 ,nature will ever lead us to vindicate ourselves1 and resent every injury4 ,the heart will secretly murmur1 ,he had no right to treat me thus2 ,i really cannot bear it1 nor do ,i think ,i ought to do so4 ,this may be so1 but the man of faith at once rises above all such things2 he sees ,god in everything2 the jealousy of ,saul1 the folly of ,nabal1 all is looked at as coming from the hand of ,god1 and met in the secret of ,his holy presence4 ,the instrument is nothing to faith2 ,god is in all4 ,this gives real power to move on through all sorts of circumstances4 ,if we do not trace ,god in everything1 we shall be constantly ensnared4 ,we shall have occasion1 as we proceed with our subject1 to trace this principle more fully1 and shall now turn to another character introduced to our notice in this instructive chapter4 ,this is ,abigail1 the wife of ,nabal1 a woman of good understanding1 and of a beautiful countenance4 ,a noble testimony1 surely1 and one which shows that grace can manifest itself in the most untoward circumstances4 ,the house of the churlish ,nabal must have been a withering scene to one like ,abigail2 but she waited on ,god1 and1 as we shall see1 was not disappointed4 ,the case of this remarkable woman is full of encouragement and instruction to all who may find themselves cramped and hindered by unavoidable connections and associations4 ,to all such the history of ,abigail simply says1 ,be patient1 wait on ,god1 do not suppose yourself void of all opportunity for testimony4 ,the ,lord may be much glorified by meek subjection1 and will1 assuredly1 give relief and victory in the end4 ,true1 some may have to reproach themselves for having formed such connections1 or entered into such associations2 but even so1 if the folly and evil are really felt1 confessed1 and judged before ,god1 and the soul brought into an attitude of thorough subduedness1 the end will be blessing and peace4 ,in ,abigail we see one who was actually used to correct no less a personage than ,david himself4 ,it may be that her course1 up to the time at which the sacred historian introduces her to our notice1 had been marked by much that was painful and trying2 indeed1 it could hardly have been otherwise1 associated with such an one as ,nabal4 ,time1 however1 brought to light the grace that was in her4 ,she had suffered in obscurity1 and was now about to be raised to an unusually high elevation4 ,few had seen her patient service and testimony2 but many beheld her exaltation4 ,the burden which she had borne in secret was about to drop off before many witnesses4 ,the preciousness of ,abigail's service did not consist in her having saved ,nabal from the sword of ,david1 but in keeping ,david from drawing the sword at all4 ,now ,david had said1 ,surely in vain have ,i kept all that this fellow hath in the wilderness1 so that nothing was missed of all that pertained unto him2 and he hath requited me evil for good4 ,this was terrible6 ,and ,david was rashly taking himself out of the place of dependence--the only happy1 the only holy place4 ,nor was it on behalf of the congregation of the ,lord4 ,no1 it was to avenge himself on one who had treated him badly4 ,sad mistake6 ,happy was it for him1 that there was an ,abigail in the house of ,nabal who was about to be used of ,god to keep him from answering a fool according to his folly4 ,this was just what the enemy desired4 ,nabal's selfishness was used by ,satan to ensnare ,david1 and ,abigail was the ,lord's instrument to deliver him4 ,it is well when the man of ,god can detect ,satan's working2 to be able so to do1 he must be much in the presence of ,god1 for there alone can he find light and spiritual power to enable him to cope with such a foe4 ,when out of communion1 the soul becomes distracted by looking at secondary causes1 and subordinate agents1 just as ,david was distracted by looking at ,nabal4 ,had he paused to view the matter calmly before ,god1 we should not have had such words as1 ,in vain have ,i kept all that this fellow hath in the wilderness2 he would have passed on1 and left this fellow to himself4 ,faith imparts real dignity to the character1 and superiority over the petty circumstances of this transient scene4 ,those who know themselves as pilgrims and strangers1 will remember that the sorrows as well as the joys of this life are evanescent1 and they will not be inordinately affected by either the one or the other4 ,passing away1 is written on everything2 the man of faith must1 therefore1 look upwards and onward4 ,now ,abigail1 by the grace of ,god1 delivered ,david from the unhappy influence of the present1 by leading his soul onward into the future3 we learn this from her exquisite address to him4 ,and when ,abigail saw ,david1 she hasted1 and lighted off the ass1 and fell before ,david on her face1 and bowed herself to the ground1 and fell at his feet1 and said1 ,upon me1 my lord1 upon me let this iniquity be2 and let thine handmaid1 ,i pray thee1 speak in thine audience1 and hear the words of thine handmaid4 ,let not my lord1 ,i pray thee1 regard this man of ,belial1 even ,nabal2 for as his name is1 so is he2 ,nabal is his name1 and folly is with him3 but ,i thine handmaid saw not the young men of my lord1 whom thou didst send4 ,now1 therefore1 my lord1 as the ,lord liveth1 and as thy soul liveth1 seeing the ,lord hath withholden thee from coming to shed blood1 and from avenging thyself with thine own hand1 now let thine enemies1 and they that seek evil to my lord1 be as ,nabal2 444 for the ,lord wilt certainly make my lord a sure house2 because my lord fighteth the battles of the ,lord1 and evil hath not been found in thee all thy days4 ,yet a man is risen to pursue thee1 and to seek thy soul2 but the soul of my lord shall be bound in the bundle of life with the ,lord thy ,god2 and the souls of thine enemies1 them shall ,he sling out1 as out of the middle of a sling4 ,and it shall come to pass1 when the ,lord shall have done to my lord according to all the good that ,he hath spoken concerning thee1 and shall have appointed thee ruler over ,israel1 that this shall be no grief unto thee1 nor offence of heart unto my lord1 either that thou hast shed blood causeless1 or that my lord hath avenged himself2 but when the ,lord shall have dealt well with my lord1 then remember thine handmaid4 ,we can hardly conceive anything more touching than this address2 every point in it was calculated to touch the heart4 ,she presents to him the evil of seeking to avenge himself2 the weakness and folly of the object of his revenge1--she reminds him of his proper occupation1 viz41 fighting the ,lord's battles4 ,this must have brought home to his heart the humiliating circumstances in which ,abigail met him1 even rushing on to fight his own battle4 ,however1 the reader will perceive that the leading point in this address is the special reference to the future4 ,the ,lord will certainly make my lord a sure house4 ,the soul of my lord shall be bound in the bundle of life with the ,lord thy ,god4 ,when the ,lord shall have done to my lord1 etc42 and shall have appointed thee ruler over ,israel4 ,all these allusions to ,david's future blessing and glory were eminently calculated to withdraw his heart from his present grievance4 ,the sure house1 the bundle of life1 and the kingdom1 were far better than ,nabal's flocks and herds2 and in the view of these glories1 ,david could well afford to leave him to his portion1 and his portion to him4 ,to the heir of a kingdom1 a few sheep could have but little attraction2 and one who knew that he had the anointing oil of the ,lord upon his head might easily bear to be called a runaway servant4 ,all these things ,abigail knew--knew as matters of faith4 ,she knew ,david1 and knew his high destinies4 ,by faith she recognized in the despised outcast the future king of ,israel4 ,nabal knew not ,david4 ,he was a man of the world1 swallowed up with present things4 ,with him there was nothing more important1 nothing more influential1 than my bread1 my flesh1 my shearers2 it was all self2 there was no room for ,david or his claims4 ,this might be expected from such an one2 but surely it was not for ,david to go down from his elevation to grapple with a poor worldling about his perishable possessions4 ,ah1 no2 the kingdom should have filled his eye1 and engaged his thoughts1 and lifted his spirit above all lower influences4 ,look at the ,master ,himself1 as ,he stood at the bar of a poor worm1--the creation of ,his own hand1--how did ,he conduct ,himself8 ,did ,he call upon ,his little band of followers to gird on every man his sword8 ,did ,he say of the man who dared to sit as ,his judge1 ,in vain have ,i imparted unto this fellow all he is1 and all he has8 ,no2 ,he looked above and beyond ,pilate1 ,herod1 the chief priests1 and scribes4 ,he could say1 ,the cup which ,,my ,,father hath given ,,me1 shall ,i not drink it8 ,this kept ,his spirit tranquil1 while1 at the same time1 ,he could look forward into the future1 and say1 ,,hereafter shall ye see the ,son of ,man sitting on the right hand of power1 and coming in the clouds of heaven4 ,here was real power over present things4 ,the millennial kingdom1 with all its untold joys1 with all its heights and depths of glory1 glistened in the distance with everlasting light and brilliancy1 and the eye of the ,man of ,sorrows rested upon it1 in that dark hour when the scoffs and sneers1 the taunts and reproaches of guilty sinners were falling upon ,his blessed person4 ,dear ,christian reader1 this is our model2 thus ought we to meet the trials and difficulties1 the reproach1 obloquy and desertion of this present time4 ,we should view all in the light of hereafter4 ,our light affliction1 says an eminent sufferer1 which is but for a moment1 worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory4 ,again1 ,but the ,god of all grace1 who hath called us to ,his eternal glory by ,christ ,jesus1 after that ye have suffered a while1 make you perfect1 stablish1 strengthen1 settle you4 ,o fools1 and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken6 ,ought not ,christ to have suffered these things1 and to enter into ,his glory8 ,yes2 suffering must come first and glory afterwards2 and any one who1 by his own hand1 would seek to take off the edge of present suffering and reproach1 proves that the kingdom is not filling the vision of his soul1--that now is more influential with him than hereafter4 ,how we ought to bless our ,god for having opened to us such a vista of glory in the ages to come6 ,how it enables us to tread1 with a buoyant step1 our rugged path through the wilderness6 ,how it lifts us above the things which engross the children of this world6 ,we're not of the world1 which fadeth away1 ,we're not of the night1 but children of day2 ,the chains that once bound us by ,jesus are riven1 ,we're strangers on earth1 and our home is in heaven4 ,may we prove the sacred reality of this more1 as we pass along through this vale of tears4 ,truly the heart would sink and the spirit faint1 were we not sustained by hope--even the hope of glory1 which1 thank ,god1 maketh not ashamed1 for the ,spirit is the earnest of it in our hearts4 ,in pursuing the narrative of ,david and ,abigail a little further1 we have a still more striking example of the vast difference between the child of nature and the child of faith4 ,abigail returned from her interview with ,david1 and found ,nabal very drunken2 wherefore she told him nothing1 less or more1 until the morning light4 ,but it came to pass in the morning1 when the wine was gone out of ,nabal1 and his wife had told him these things1 that his heart died within him1 and he became as a stone4 ,and it came to pass1 about ten days after1 that the ,lord smote ,nabal1 that he died4 ,what a sad picture of a man of the world6 ,sunk in intoxication during the night1 and when the morning dawned1 struck with terror1--pierced by the arrow of death4 ,how solemnly like the multitudes whom the enemy has succeeded1 in every age1 in alluring and intoxicating with the perishing joys of a world which lies under the curse of ,god1 and awaits the fire of ,his judgment4 ,they that sleep1 sleep in the night1 and they that be drunken are drunken in the night2 but1 ah6 the morning is at hand1 when the wine 7apt symbol of this world's joy7 shall have altogether evaporated1--the feverish excitement in which ,satan now involves the spirits of the men of this world shall have calmed down1 and then comes the stern reality of an eternity of misery--unspeakable misery1 in company with ,satan and his angels4 ,nabal did not even meet ,david face to face2 yet the very thought of his avenging sword filled his soul with deadly fear4 ,how much more terrible will it be to meet the gaze of a despised and rejected ,jesus6 ,then the ,abigails and the ,nabals will find their respective places2 those who had known and loved the true ,david1 and those who had not4 ,god1 in ,his mercy1 grant that my reader may be amongst the happy number of the former4 ,i would only observe1 further1 that the interesting narrative of this chapter gives us a striking picture of the ,church and the world1 as a whole2 the one united to the king1 and associated with ,him in ,his glory2 the other plunged in irretrievable ruin4 ,seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved1 what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness2 looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of ,god1 wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved1 and the elements shall melt with fervent heat8 ,nevertheless we1 according to ,his promise1 look for new heavens and a new earth1 wherein dwelleth righteousness4 ,wherefore1 beloved1 seeing that ye look for such things1 be diligent1 that ye may be found of ,him in peace1 without spot1 and blameless 7#b ,pet4 iii4 #aa-ad74 ,such are the soul-stirring1 momentous facts presented to us throughout the book of ,god1 in order to detach our hearts from present things1 and bind them in genuine affection to those objects and prospects which stand connected with the person of the ,son of ,god4 ,nor will aught else1 save the deep and positive conviction of the reality of these things1 produce such effects4 ,we know the intoxicating power of this world's schemes and operations2 we know how the human heart is borne away1 as upon the surface of a rapid current1 when such things are presented3 schemes of improvement1 commercial operations1 political movements--aye1 and popular religious movements too--all these things produce upon the human mind an effect similar to that produced by ,nabal's wine1 so that it is almost useless to announce the stern facts presented in the above solemn quotation4 ,still1 they must be announced1 must be reiterated1 and so much the more1 as we see the day approaching4 ,the day of the ,lord will come as a thief in the night4 ,all these things shall be dissolved4 ,the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved1 and the elements shall melt with fervent heat2 the earth also1 and the works that are therein1 shall be burned up4 ,such is the prospect presented to all who1 like ,nabal1 surcharged with surfeiting1 and drunkenness1 and cares of this life1 have rejected the claims and appeals of ,jesus4 ,the world is being prepared1 with inconceivable rapidity1 for the introduction of that one who1 by the energy of ,satan1 will head up all its institutions1 embody all its principles1 concentrate all its energies4 ,let but the last elect one be gathered out1 the last member be incorporated into the body of ,christ by the quickening energy of the ,holy ,ghost1 the last stone be set in its appointed place in the temple of ,god1 and then shall the salt be removed1 which now preserves the world from corruption2 the barrier presented by the presence of the ,holy ,ghost in the ,church shall be taken out of the way1 and then comes forth the lawless one on the stage of this world1 whom the ,lord shall consume with the spirit of ,his mouth1 and destroy with the brightness of ,his coming4 ,even him whose coming is after the working of ,satan1 with all power1 and signs1 and lying wonders1 and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish2 because they received not the love of the truth1 that they might be saved4 ,surely these things ought to check the career of the men of this world1 and lead them1 with solemnized minds1 to consider ,,their ,,latter ,,end4 ,the long-suffering of our ,lord is salvation4 ,precious word6 ,most precious6 ,but let it not be abused2 let it not be mistaken for slackness4 ,the ,lord waits to be gracious to sinners1 not to connive at sin4 ,however1 as has been already observed1 it is almost useless to speak to men about the future who are wholly engrossed with the present4 ,blessed be ,god1 there are some who have ears to hear the testimony about the kindness and grace of ,jesus1 as well as about ,his coming judgment4 ,thus it was with ,abigail2 she believed the truth about ,david1 and acted accordingly2 and all who believe the truth about ,jesus will be found separating themselves diligently from this present world4 ,,chapter ,v ,,ziklag ,in dwelling upon a history such as that now before us1 which manifestly presents much failure and infirmity1 it is well for us to keep in memory what we ourselves are1 lest we be found pointing out the lapses of others in a spirit of self-complacency4 ,the divine penman has set before us1 with unflinching fidelity1 all the imperfections of those whose history ,he records4 ,his object is to present ,god to the soul in all the fulness and variety of ,his resources1 and in all ,his competency to meet the helpless sinner in his very deepest need4 ,he has not written the history of angels1 but of men--men of like passions with us2 and this is what makes ,old ,testament narratives so exceedingly instructive to us2 we are presented with facts which speak to the heart2 we are conducted through scenes and circumstances which unfold to us1 with touching simplicity1 the hidden springs of our nature1 and also the hidden springs of grace4 ,we learn that man is the same in every age2 in ,eden1 in ,canaan1 in the ,church1 in millennial glory1 he is proved to be made of the same humbling materials2 but we learn also1 for our joy and encouragement1 that ,god is the same--the same yesterday1 to-day1 and for ever--,patient1 gracious1 powerful1 holy--patient1 to bear with our grievous and manifold provocations2 gracious1 to blot out our oft-repeated sins1 and restore our wandering souls2 powerful1 to deliver us out of ,satan's entangling snares1 and from the energy of nature and the world2 holy1 to execute judgment in ,his house1 and to chasten ,his sons1 that they may be partakers of ,his holiness4 ,such is the ,god with whom we have to do2 and we see the wondrous unfoldings of ,his character in the deeply-interesting sketches with which the ,old ,testament history abounds1 and in none1 perhaps1 more than in that now before us4 ,few characters exhibit more variety of experience than ,david4 ,he truly knew the depths and heights which mark the course of the man of faith4 ,at one moment1 we find him giving forth from his harp the most sublime strains2 at another1 pouring forth the sorrows of a defiled conscience and a wounded spirit4 ,this variety of experience rendered ,david a fit subject for illustrating the varied grace of ,god4 ,it is ever thus4 ,the poor prodigal would never have known such high communion1 had he not known the humiliating depths of the far country4 ,the grace which decked him in the best robe would not have shone so brightly1 had he not been clad in filthy rags4 ,god's grace is magnified by man's ruin2 and the more keenly the ruin is felt1 the more highly the grace is valued4 ,the elder brother never got a kid that he might make merry with his friends2 and why8 ,because he imagined he had earned it4 ,lo1 says he1 these many years do ,i serve thee1 neither transgressed ,i at any time thy commandment4 ,vain man6 ,how could he expect the ring1 the robe1 or the fatted calf8 ,had he obtained them1 they would have been but the trappings of self-righteousness1 and not the ornaments with which grace decks the believing sinner4 ,thus was it with ,saul and ,david4 ,saul never knew his need as ,david knew it1 nor have we any record of such flagrant sins in his case2 at least1 what man would pronounce flagrant4 ,saul was the outwardly moral and religious man1 but1 withal1 a self-righteous man2 hence we have such expressions as these1 ,i have performed the commandment of the ,lord--,yea1 ,i have obeyed the voice of the ,lord1 and have gone the way which the ,lord sent me4 ,how could this man value grace8 ,impossible4 ,a heart unbroken1 a conscience unconvinced1 can never enter into the meaning of the term ,grace4 ,how different was it with ,david6 ,he felt his sins1 groaned under them1 confessed them1 judged them1 in the presence of ,god whose grace had blotted them all out for ever4 ,there is a great difference between a man ignorant of his sins and walking in self-complacency1 and one deeply conscious of his sins1 yet happy in the full forgiveness of them4 ,the above train of thought introduces us to the circumstances connected with ,david in ,ziklag of the ,philistines--circumstances which fully manifest human infirmity and divine grace and mercy4 ,and ,david said in his heart1 ,i shall now perish one day by the hand of ,saul2 there is nothing better for me than that ,i should speedily escape into the land of the ,philistines4 ,this was ,david's second visit to the land of the ,philistines4 ,in chapter xxi4 we read1 ,and ,david arose and fled that day for fear of ,saul1 and went to ,achish the king of ,gath4 ,here we find ,david really taking himself out of the hands of ,god1 and putting himself into the hands of ,achish4 ,he leaves the place of dependence1 and goes into the very midst of the enemies of ,god and of ,israel4 ,and1 be it remarked1 he has in his hand the very sword of the ,philistine champion4 ,nor is it to act in his true character as the servant of ,god2 this would have been happy indeed2 but no2 he goes to act the madman1 in the presence of those before whom he had so recently acted as the champion of ,israel4 ,the servants of ,achish said unto him1 ,is not this ,david1 the king of the land8 ,did they not sing one to another of him in dances1 saying1 ,saul hath slain his thousands1 and ,david his ten thousands8 ,the ,philistines recognized ,david's true character as king of the land--the slayer of ten thousands2 they imagined that he could not possibly act otherwise than as their enemy4 ,little were they able to enter into the moral condition of his soul at that extraordinary stage of his history2 little did they think that the slayer of ,goliath had fled to them for protection from the hand of ,saul4 ,the world cannot understand the vicissitudes of the life of faith4 ,who that had seen ,david in the valley of ,elah could ever suppose that he would so soon fear to avow with boldness the results of that faith with which ,god had endowed him8 ,who could have thought that with ,goliath's sword in his hand he could tremble to avow himself the victor of ,goliath8 ,yet so it was4 ,david laid up these words in his heart1 and was sore afraid of ,achish1 the king of ,gath4 ,and he changed his behavior before them1 and feigned himself mad in their hands1 and scrabbled on the doors of the gate1 and let his spittle fall down upon his beard4 ,thus must it ever be when a saint deserts the path of simple dependence upon ,god and strangership in the world4 ,the behavior must be changed1 the real character abandoned1 and instead thereof a course is adopted which is marked by positive deceit before ,god and folly before the world4 ,this is most sorrowful4 ,a saint should always maintain his dignity--the dignity which flows from the consciousness of the presence of ,god4 ,but the moment faith gives way1 the power of testimony is gone1 and the man of faith is despised as a madman4 ,when ,david said in his heart1 ,i shall now perish one day by the hand of ,saul1 he forsook the only path of real power4 ,had he continued as a homeless wanderer through the mountains1 he would never have presented such a melancholy picture in the view of the servants of ,achish--he would never have been pronounced a madman4 ,achish would not have dared to call ,david by such a name in the valley of ,elah6 ,no1 nor in the cave of ,adullam2 but1 alas1 ,david had put himself into the power of this stranger1 and therefore he should either suffer for his past faithfulness1 or give all up1 and pretend to be a fool in their eyes4 ,they rightly judged him to be the king of the land1 but he1 afraid of the consequences of maintaining such a high dignity1 denied his kingship1 and became a fool4 ,how frequently may we trace the working of this same evil in the walk of ,christians6 ,how frequently may we see a man who1 by his past actings in the energy of the ,spirit of ,god1 has attained a very high position in the thoughts1 not only of his brethren1 but even of the children of this world1 and yet1 when such an one gets out of communion1 he is really afraid to maintain his position2 and1 at the very moment when those without are looking only for an unbending and unqualified testimony against their ways1 he changes his behavior1 and instead of being esteemed and reverenced1 he is actually despised4 ,we should most carefully guard against this2 it can only be effectually avoided by walking in the full and blessed consciousness of ,god's sufficiency4 ,so long as we feel that ,god is sufficient for all our need1 we are entirely independent of the world2 if it be not thus with us1 we shall just compromise the truth of ,god1 and deny our real character as heavenly men4 ,how completely must ,david have lost the sense of ,god's sufficiency when he could say1 ,there is nothing better for me than that ,i should speedily escape into the land of the ,philistines4 ,nothing better for a man of faith than to go back to the world for refuge6 ,strange confession6 ,the confession of one who had allowed circumstances to come between his soul and ,god4 ,when we slip off the narrow path of faith1 we are liable to run into the wildest extremes2 and nothing can more forcibly exhibit the contrast between one looking at ,god and one looking at circumstances1 than ,david in the valley of ,elah and ,david scrabbling on the doors of the ,philistine king4 ,the contrast is full of solemn instruction and warning4 ,it is well calculated to teach us what we are1 and how little the best of us can be depended upon4 ,ah6 my dear ,christian reader1 what are we8 ,poor1 failing1 stumbling creatures2 prone1 at every turn in our path1 to wander into error and evil--prone to forsake the ,rock of ,ages1 and lean upon the broken reeds of the world--prone to forsake the fountain of living waters1 and hew out for ourselves broken cisterns that can hold no water4 ,truly we have need1 deep need1 to walk humbly1 watchfully1 and prayerfully1 before our ,god--deep need to utter ,david's own prayer1 continually1 ,uphold me according unto ,thy word1 that ,i may live2 and let me not be ashamed of my hope4 ,hold ,thou me up1 and ,i shall be safe2 and ,i will have respect unto ,thy statutes continually4 ,we need to have our feet made as hinds' feet1 so that we may walk on the high and slippery places through which our path lies4 ,nothing short of grace divine can enable us to pursue a course of steady devotedness3 for1 if left to ourselves1 there is no extreme of evil into which we may not run4 ,they alone are safe whom ,god keeps in the hollow of ,his hand4 ,truly happy is it for us to have to do with one who is able to bear with us in all our waywardness1 and able also to restore and revive our souls when faint and withering under the influence of the atmosphere of evil around us4 ,god forbid that we should make any other use of what we may term the ,ziklag portion of ,david's history1 save to apply it to our own hearts before ,god1 and use it as a matter of solemn and soul-searching warning2 for though it may be said that there is a wide difference between the standing and privileges of ,david and those of the ,church of ,god now1 yet1 in every age and dispensation1 nature is the same2 and we seriously wrong our own souls if we fail to learn a wholesome lesson from the falls of one so high up in the school of ,christ as ,david4 ,dispensations differ1 no doubt1 in their great leading features2 but there is a wonderful analogy in ,god's principles of discipline at all times1 let the standing of ,his people differ as it may4 ,in following ,david1 in his further sojourn in the land of the ,philistines1 we only find fresh cause of humiliation4 ,he obtains the grant of ,ziklag1 where he sojourns for sixteen months1 during which period1 though free from all fear with respect to ,saul1 he was at a distance from ,god and from ,israel4 ,it is1 in one sense1 a very easy matter to get out of a place of trial2 but then we get out of a place of blessing also4 ,it would have been much happier for ,david to have remained in a position which left him exposed to ,saul1 while1 at the same time1 he enjoyed the protection of the ,god of ,israel1 than to seek safety from the arm of the king of ,gath4 ,however1 when the pressure of trial is upon us1 the thought of relief is sweet1 and we are in danger of seeking relief in our own way4 ,the enemy always has a by-road open to the man of faith4 ,he had an ,egypt for ,abraham1 and a ,ziklag for ,david2 and now he has the world1 in all its varied forms1 for us4 ,and truly1 if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out1 they might have had opportunity to have returned4 ,it is the opportunity to return that proves the genuine fixedness of purpose to go forward4 ,the ,lord leaves ,his people free1 in order that they may declare plainly that they seek a country4 ,this is what glorifies ,god4 ,it would avail nothing if we were to be compelled1 as with bit and bridle1 to go from earth to heaven2 but when1 through grace1 we voluntarily abandon the things of earth to seek those things which are above1 this is to the glory of ,god1 because it demonstrates that what ,he has to give is far more attractive than this present world4#ai #ai ,he led them forth by the right way1 that they might go to a city of habitation 7,psa4 cvii4 #g74 ,grace not only leads forth from ,egypt1 but imparts the capacity and the desire to go to ,canaan4 ,david1 however1 accepted ,ziklag1 and instead of remaining as a homeless stranger in the cave of ,adullam1 he becomes a citizen in the land of the ,philistines4 ,nor does he now act the madman1 as before3 no2 he now acts the part of a positive deceiver4 ,he wages war on the ,geshurites and ,gezrites1 and tells a lie about it1 lest he should again lose his self-chosen place of protection4 ,yea1 so far does he proceed in his unhappy course1 that when ,achish proposes to him to act as ally to the ,philistines1 his answer is1 ,surely thou shalt know what thy servant can do4444 ,and ,achish said to ,david1 ,therefore will ,i make thee keeper of my head for ever4444 ,now the ,philistines gathered together all their armies to ,aphek2 and the ,israelites pitched by a fountain which is in ,jezreel4 ,and the lords of the ,philistines passed on by hundreds and by thousands2 but ,david and his men passed on in the rearward with ,achish4 ,here1 then1 we have a strange anomaly--a king of ,israel about to be made keeper of the head of a ,philistine1 and about to draw the sword against the armies of the living ,god4 ,was ever anything like this8 ,the slayer of ,goliath1 servant to a ,philistine6 ,who could have looked for such a thing8 ,truly difficult is it for us to determine where all this would have ended1 had ,david been left to the full results of his false position4 ,but this could not be4 ,god was graciously watching ,his poor wanderer1 and had rich and manifold mercies in store for him1 as well as some humbling lessons and painful exercises of soul4 ,the very lords of the ,philistines were the instruments made use of by the ,lord to deliver ,david from his strange position4 ,they1 judging from his past ways1 could not be induced to trust him as an ally4 ,is not this ,david1 and how can we confide in him8 ,a ,philistine could never rely upon a ,hebrew for co-operation against ,hebrews4 ,in a word1 the men of this world can never place full confidence in one who has once been decided for the truth of ,god4 ,a saint who has got out of communion and gone back to the world1 though he may go to a great length1 will never be regarded or confided in as one of themselves2 he will be suspected1 just as ,david was by the ,philistines4 ,make this fellow return1 that he may go again to his place which thou hast appointed him1 and let him not go down with us to battle1 lest in the battle he be an adversary to us4 ,they could give him a certain place amongst them1 but when it became a question of war between them and ,israel1 they would not acknowledge him4 ,and they were wise2 for let ,david assume what character he might1 he could be really nought else save an enemy to the ,philistines4 ,he might feign himself to be mad2 he might pretend to make war upon the south of ,judah2 but when matters came to a positive issue1 ,david could only act consistently with his true character1 as the slayer of ten thousands of ,philistines4 ,the fact is1 from first to last ,david was misunderstood2 the ,philistines did not know what it was that had sent him into their midst4 ,there was far more in the apparent madman than they could fathom4 ,they thought that he desired to be reconciled to his master1 ,saul1 little imagining that they had before them one who was so soon to lay his hand upon the sceptre of ,israel1 and to make them feel the weight of his power4 ,however1 the ,lord would not allow ,david to appear in the field against ,israel4 ,he sent him back1 or rather ,he led him aside1 in order that ,he might deal with him in secret about his course4 ,so ,david and his men rose up early to depart in the morning1 to return into the land of the ,philistines4444 ,and it came to pass1 when ,david and his men were come to ,ziklag1 on the third day1 that the ,amalekites had invaded the south1 and ,ziklag1 and smitten ,ziklag1 and burned it with fire2 and had taken the women captives that were therein2 they slew not any1 either great or small1 but carried them away1 and went on their way4 ,david is here made to feel the bitter result of his having sought to ,achish for help in the day of his need4 ,he had taken up his position amongst the uncircumcised1 and must1 therefore1 be made a partaker of their wretchedness4 ,had he remained amongst the mountains of ,judah1 he would have escaped all this sorrow2 his ,god would have been a wall of fire round about him4 ,but he had fled to ,ziklag to escape ,saul2 and then1 as it were1 at the very moment when ,saul was falling on ,mount ,gilboa1 ,david was weeping over the ruins of ,ziklag4 ,surely it was not thus we should have expected to find ,david4 ,then ,david and the people that were with him lifted up their voice and wept1 until they had no more power to weep4444 ,and ,david was greatly distressed1 for the people spake of stoning him4 ,in all this ,god was dealing with ,his dear child1 not to crush him1 but to bring him to a right sense of the course he had been pursuing amongst the ,philistines4 ,surely when ,david beheld the smouldering ashes of ,ziklag1 and felt himself deprived of his wives1 children1 and all1 he had a practical lesson as to the evil and sorrow of taking anything from the world4 ,we can hardly picture to ourselves a condition more painful than that in which ,david found himself on his return to ,ziklag4 ,he had been1 for a year and four months1 pursuing a course which must have left him with an uneasy conscience toward ,god2 he was cast off by those on whose protection he had thrown himself2 his place of refuge was burned2 his wives and property were gone2 and lastly1 his companions1 those who had followed him in all his wanderings1 were threatening to stone him4 ,thus was ,david sunk to the very lowest ebb1 in every point of view2 all creature-streams were dried up2 and not only so1 but the enemy might effectually ply his fiery darts at such a moment--conscience might work1 and memory call up the scenes of the past3 his abandoning the place of dependence2 his flight to ,achish2 his change of behavior2 his acting the madman2 his telling a lie2 his volunteering to fight against ,israel1 as the servant of the ,philistines3 all these things must have augmented1 in no small degree1 his anguish of soul4 ,but ,david was a man of faith after all1 and1 notwithstanding all1 he knew the ,lord1 and ,his boundless stores of grace4 ,this was his joy and comfort in this exceedingly dark moment of his career4 ,had he not been able to roll his heavy burden over upon infinite grace1 he must have given up in utter despair4 ,he had never before been so tested4 ,he had met the lion and the bear in the wilderness2 he had met the giant of ,gath in the valley of ,elah2 but he had never met such an overwhelming array of circumstances before4 ,yet ,god was sufficient1 and ,david knew this4 ,hence we read1 ,david encouraged himself in the ,lord his ,god4 ,happy1 well-founded encouragement6 ,happy the soul that knows it6 ,happy he who could rise from the very deepest depths of human misery1 up to ,god1 and ,his never-failing resources6 ,faith knows ,god to be fully equal to all human need1 human weakness1 human failure1 human sin4 ,god is above all1 beyond all1 beneath all2 and the heart that apprehends ,him is lifted above all the trials and difficulties of the way4 ,there is no condition in which the ,christian can find himself in which he may not count upon ,god4 ,is he crushed beneath the pressure of trial from external circumstances8 ,let him bring ,god's omnipotent power to bear upon these things4 ,is the heart oppressed by the burden of personal infirmity8--truly a heavy burden6 ,let him draw upon the exhaustless springs of ,divine compassion and mercy4 ,is the soul filled with horror1 by the sense of sin and guilt8 ,let him have recourse to the boundless grace of ,god1 and the infinitely-precious blood of ,christ4 ,in a word1 whatever be the burden1 the trial1 the sorrow1 or the need1 ,god is more than equal to all1 and it is the province of faith to use ,him4 ,david encouraged himself in the ,lord his ,god when everything around was dark and depressing4 ,my reader1 may we know the true blessedness of this4 ,to have to do with ,god is rest to the soul1 and happiness and power4 ,to disentangle our hearts from self and the things which surround us1 and rise upward into the holy calmness of the ,divine presence1 imparts comfort and consolation beyond what one can utter4 ,satan's object is ever to hinder this4 ,he would fain lead us to make present things the boundary of our soul's horizon2 he would seek to surround us with a thick1 dark1 impenetrable cloud1 so that we might not recognize our ,father's countenance1 and our ,father's hand in our circumstances4 ,but faith pierces the cloud1 and gets upward to ,god2 it looks not at the things which are seen1 but at the things which are unseen3 it endures1 as seeing ,him who is invisible2 it can say to ,god1 ,in darkest shades1 if ,thou appear1 ,my dawning is begun2 ,thou art my soul's bright morning star1 ,and ,thou my rising sun4 ,truly ,david's return to ,ziklag was a dark hour--one of his darkest2 yet ,god appeared1 and his dawning began4 ,god appeared for his relief and restoration2 ,he graciously removed the weight from his spirit2 ,he burst the fetters1 and let the prisoner go free4 ,such is the manner of ,god4 ,he permits ,his children to taste the bitter fruit of their own ways1 in order that they may return to ,him1 and realize they can only be truly happy in ,his gracious and holy presence4 ,ziklag may shelter for a time1 but it will perish2 and even while it lasts1 must be purchased by the sacrifice of a good conscience toward ,god1 and toward ,his people4 ,a heavy price1 surely1 for a temporary relief from pressure6 ,how much better to endure the pressure for a time6 ,but1 blessed be our ,god1 all things work together for good to them that love ,him4 ,the death of the ,philistine champion1 and the sixteen months' sojourn in ,ziklag2 the cave of ,adullam1 and the house of ,achish--all worked for ,david's good4 ,the ,lord makes the very failure of ,his children to yield them blessing1 inasmuch as it leads them to seek more prayerful vigilance of spirit1 and a closer walk with ,him4 ,if our stumbles teach us to lean more implicitly upon ,god1 we shall still thank ,him1 however much we may have to be humbled at the remembrance of them4 ,humbling as ,david's ,ziklag experience must have been to him1 we may be sure he would not have been without it4 ,it taught him more of the deep reality of ,god's grace and faithfulness2 it enabled him to see1 that when brought down to the very bottom of human things1 he could find ,god there in all the fulness of ,his grace4 ,this was a valuable lesson1 and it will be our place to learn from it also4 ,are we able to lean on the ,lord amid the ruin around us8 ,is ,he beyond every one and everything to our souls8 ,can we encourage ourselves in ,him when all without and within seems directly against us8 ,is ,his name dear to us in this day of faithlessness and cold formality8 ,are we prepared to pursue the rest of our course through the desert in solitariness and desertion1 if such should be needful8 ,it may be1 we have learnt to cease looking1 in any way1 to the children of this world2 but are we prepared to lose the approval and confidence of our brethren8 ,david's companions spake of stoning him2 but the ,lord was more to him than all2 the ,lord was his refuge2 do we know the power and comfort of this8 ,the ,lord grant that we may know it more4 ,before closing this chapter1 ,i would call the reader's attention to the instructive scene between ,david and the young man who was servant to the ,amalekite4 ,i do not say that we are to regard it as a positive type2 but we are certainly warranted in looking at it as a very striking illustration4 ,an illustration of what8 ,let us see4 ,in order to appreciate the teaching of the ,spirit in this scripture 7chap4 xxx4 #aa-af7 we must bear in mind the difference between ,egypt and ,amalek2 the former is associated with ,israel in the blessing of the latter day1 ,in that day shall ,israel be the third with ,egypt and with ,assyria1 even a blessing in the midst of the land2 whom the ,lord of hosts shall bless1 saying1 ,blessed be ,egypt ,my people1 and ,assyria the work of ,my hands1 and ,israel ,mine inheritance4 ,amalek1 on the contrary1 is thus spoken of1 ,the ,lord hath sworn that the ,lord will have war with ,amalek from generation to generation4 ,an ,egyptian1 therefore1 and an ,amalekite stood in a very different relationship to ,israel4 ,now this young man was an ,egyptian1 servant to an ,amalekite1 and his master left him because he had fallen sick4 ,this was the treatment he had received from his ,amalekite master2 he had abandoned him in the hour of his need1 because he was no longer able to be of service to him4 ,but his very ruin and wretchedness threw him upon the sympathies of ,david1 who refreshed him and revived his spirit4 ,he found him faint and weak from the effects of his former service1 and having restored his spirit he inquired1 ,canst thou bring me down to this company8 ,he here puts in his claim upon the service and devotedness of one who owed him everything under ,god2 but the young man1 though fully restored1 was unable to act with ,david until possessed of the full assurance of life and liberty4 ,swear unto me by ,god1 said he1 that thou wilt neither kill me1 nor deliver me into the hands of my master1 and ,i will bring you down to this company4 ,he could not serve ,david until fully assured of deliverance from the power of his old master4 ,all this is very striking as an illustration of the apostle's teaching in ,romans vi4 ,the believer needs to know his entire emancipation from the dominion of his old master1 the flesh1 before ever he can1 with confidence1 apply himself to the service of ,christ4 ,we have felt the bitterness of serving the flesh2 as the apostle says1 ,what fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed8 ,for the end of those things is death4 ,it is impossible to walk in peace and liberty of heart until we know where death and resurrection have placed us4 ,until we know and believe that sin has no dominion over us1 we must1 of necessity1 be occupied about ourselves1 for we shall be constantly discovering the working of indwelling corruption1 and thus be filled with apprehension of being delivered over into the hands of our former oppressor4 ,we may be very clear as to the theory of justification by faith2 we may understand what it is to rest in the accomplished work of ,christ in reference to sins that are past1 and yet be so troubled about indwelling sin as to be quite hindered in our service to ,christ and ,his ,church4 ,the gospel of the grace of ,god1 when entered into in its divine fulness1 sets the soul at rest1 not only as to the past1 but also the present and the future4 ,the ,lord forgives ,,all our sins1 not some of them2 and not only does ,he forgive sins1 but also delivers from the power of sin1 as we read in ,romans vi41--,sin shall not have dominion over you3 for ye are not under the law1 but under grace4 ,this is a truly precious truth for those who are daily harassed with the seeds of evil within4 ,though sin dwells1 it shall not reign4 ,and how is this deliverance accomplished6 ,by death and resurrection4 ,he that has died is justified from sin 7,r4 ,v474 ,what claim has sin upon a dead man8 ,none6 ,well1 then1 ,god looks upon the believer as dead--dead with ,christ1 and risen again2 and his power to deny the working of sin consists in his reckoning himself to be what ,god tells him he is4 ,thus1 as ,david's oath set the young man's mind at rest1 and enabled him to act with him against the ,amalekites1 so the word of ,christ banishes fear and hesitation from the heart of the believer1 and enables him1 through the ,spirit1 to act against his former master--the flesh4 ,grace assures us that all our interests1 for time and eternity1 have been most fully provided for in the death and resurrection of ,christ1 and gives us to see that our only business now is to live to the praise of ,him who died for us1 and rose again4 ,shall we continue in sin8 ,could the young man in this scripture have gone back again to his ,amalekite master8 ,impossible4 ,what fruit had he from his former service8 ,ruin and desertion4 ,and what fruit had we8 ,death4 ,the wages of sin is death4 ,the world1 the flesh1 and the devil1 can only lead us down to hell4 ,serve them how we may1 death and destruction must be the end4 ,men may not see this2 they may not wish to see it2 yet it is not the less true4 ,it is appointed unto men once to die1 but after this the judgment4 ,this is the appointment4 ,but ,christ has borne all for the believer2 death and judgment have passed away1 and nothing remains but for the believer to accompany1 in liberty and joy of heart1 the true ,david against his enemies4 ,christ has done all for us1 that we might act for ,him in this the time of ,his rejection4 ,he has suffered for us without the gate1 and now calls upon us to go forth to ,him1 bearing his reproach4 ,the believer does not act in order to get life1 but because he has it4 ,he starts on his ,christian career with the full assurance of pardon and acceptance in the ,beloved4 ,perfect justification is his starting-post1 and glory the goal4 ,whom ,he justified1 them ,he also glorified4 ,it is well to be exceedingly simple in our apprehension of this great truth4 ,some imagine that we can never know that our sins are forgiven while here4 ,now1 if we cannot know that our sins are forgiven1 we cannot know that ,god's word is true1 and ,christ's work perfect4 ,will any one maintain this8 ,if not1 both rest on the same basis4 ,the forgiveness of sins and the truth of ,god's word are linked together in the precious gospel of ,christ4 ,doubt the forgiveness of sins1 and you call in question the truth of ,christ's words1 ,,it ,,is ,,finished--words uttered under the most solemn circumstances4 ,yet we know how hard it is for the heart to repose with unquestioning simplicity on the truth of ,god1 in reference to the perfect remission of sins through the blood of ,christ4 ,our thoughts are too shallow and contracted to take in all the effulgence of divine grace4 ,we are too full of legalism1 too full of self4 ,we vainly think that we must add something to what ,christ has done1 whether that something be in the shape of works1 feelings1 or experiences4 ,all this must be set aside4 ,christ alone is the great foundation1 the eternal rock1 the tower of salvation4 ,to add even circumcision would be to make ,christ of none effect1 to fall from grace1 and to make ourselves debtors to keep the whole law1 and thus to expose ourselves to curse and wrath4 ,as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse4 ,may we cling to ,christ1 with a deeper sense of our own vileness and ,his perfectness4 ,may we wrap ourselves up1 as it were1 in ,him1 while passing on through this cold and faithless world4 ,,chapter ,,vi ,,the ,,return ,,of ,,the ,,ark #b ,sam4 vi4 and #a ,chron4 xiii4 ,we are now called to follow ,david from the scenes of his exile to those of his government4 ,saul has passed off the stage of history1 having met death by the hand of an ,amalekite--one of that very nation which he had disobediently spared4 ,solemn warning6 ,jonathan1 too1 had fallen in company with his father1 ,saul1 on ,mount ,gilboa1 and ,david had given utterance to his sublime lament over both4 ,david had ever carried himself towards ,saul with the fullest sense of his being the ,lord's anointed2 nor did he manifest anything bordering upon a spirit of exultation when informed of his death2 on the contrary1 he wept over him1 and called on others to do the same4 ,neither do we find anything like unbecoming haste to ascend the throne left vacant for him2 he waited upon the ,lord about it4 ,david inquired of the ,lord1 saying1 ,shall ,i go up into any of the cities of ,judah8 ,and the ,lord said unto him1 ,go up4 ,and ,david said1 ,whither shall ,i go up8 ,and ,he said1 ,unto ,hebron4#bj ,this was real dependence4 ,nature would have been eager to rush into the place of honor2 but ,david waited on the ,lord1 and only moved as directed of ,him4 ,it was this confidence in and dependence upon ,god--delighting himself in ,jehovah--that forms the peculiar loveliness of ,david's character1 the man after ,god's own heart4 ,happy would it have been for him had he continued thus to move on in child-like dependence4 #bj ,hebron means ,communion2 it is in communion with ,himself the ,lord ever calls ,his servants in entering the field of service to which ,he calls and for which ,he prepares4 ,ed4 ,but1 alas2 we have to trace far more of nature in ,david during the period of his elevation than during the period of ,his rejection4 ,a time of peace and prosperity tends to develop and bring to maturity many seeds of evil which might be nipped and blighted by the keen blast of adversity4 ,david found the kingdom more thorny and dangerous than the wilderness4 ,after his accession to the throne over all ,israel1 ,david's lovely desire1 to have the ark of the ,lord near himself in the city of ,jerusalem1 is followed by a great error4 ,his desire was most commendable2 the only question was1 how was it to be done8 ,the word of ,god was exceedingly plain and distinct in reference to this important matter2 it pointed out a very simple and definite way of carrying the ark of the ,lord of ,hosts1 even upon the shoulders of living men1 who had been taken up and set aside for that purpose4 7,see ,numb4 iii4 and viii47 ,when the ,philistines sent the ark of ,jehovah back to its own land and people1 they knew nothing of this1 and therefore devised a way of their own1 which1 as might be expected1 was directly opposed to ,god's way1 for the natural man receiveth not the things of the ,spirit of ,god1 neither can he know them1 because they are spiritually discerned4 ,therefore1 though the plan adopted by the ,philistines was very decent and orderly1 as men would say1 yet it was not of ,god4 ,the ministers of the house of ,dagon were poorly qualified to arrange the order of the divine service4 ,they thought a wooden cart would do as well as anything else2 it might have answered for the service of ,dagon1 and they knew no difference4 ,they had once trembled at the sight of the ark1 but1 through the unfaithfulness of ,israel1 it had lost its solemnity in their eyes2 and though it had been most solemnly and impressively vindicated in their view by the destruction of their god1 they understood not its deep significancy1 they knew not its wondrous contents2 it was quite beyond them1 and therefore they could devise nothing better than a mere lifeless ordinance for conveying it to its place4 ,but ,david ought to have known ,god's thoughts1 and have acted upon them at the first2 he should not have followed the thoughts and traditions of men in the service of ,god2 he should have drawn his directions from the lucid lines of the book of the law4 ,it is a terrible thing when the children of the kingdom form themselves after the model of the men of the world1 and tread in their footsteps4 ,they never can do so without serious damage to their own souls1 and at the sacrifice of ,god's truth and testimony4 ,the ,philistines might construct a cart to carry the ark1 and nothing whatever occur to show them the error of so doing2 but ,god would not allow ,david so to act4 ,and so now2 the men of this world may put forth their canons1 enact their laws1 and decree their ceremonies in religion2 but shall the children of ,god come down from their high position and privileges1 as those who are guided by the ,holy ,ghost and the blessed word of ,god1 and suffer themselves to be guided and influenced by such things8 ,they may do so1 but they shall assuredly suffer loss4 ,david was made to learn his mistake by bitter experience1 for when they came unto the threshing-floor of ,chidon1 ,uzza put forth his hand to hold the ark2 for the oxen stumbled4 ,the weakness and inconsistency of the whole thing was here manifested4 ,the ,levites1 the ministers of ,god1 had borne the ark from ,horeb to ,jordan1 and yet we have no record of any stumble4 ,the shoulders of ,his servants was ,god's way2 but the cart and oxen were man's way4 ,and who would have thought that an ,israelite would have deposited the ark of the ,god of ,israel upon a wooden cart1 to be drawn by oxen8 ,yet such is ever the sad effect of departing from the written ,word to follow human traditions4 ,the oxen stumbled4 ,the arrangment was weak and beggarly1 in the judgment of the ,holy ,ghost2 and the ,lord was only making this fully manifest4 ,the ark should never have been in such a dishonoring position2 oxen should never have been the bearers of such a burden4 ,and the anger of the ,lord was kindled against ,uzza1 and ,he smote him1 because he put his hand to the ark2 and there he died before ,god4 ,truly1 judgment must begin at the house of ,god4 ,the ,lord judged ,david for doing what the ,philistines had done without notice4 ,the nearer a man is to ,god1 the more solemnly and speedily will he be judged for any evil4 ,this need not afford any encouragement to the worldling1 for1 as the apostle says1 ,if judgment first begin at us1 what shall the end be of those that obey not the gospel of ,god8 ,and if the righteous scarcely be saved1 where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear8 ,if ,god judges ,his people1 what shall become of the poor worldling6 ,though the ,philistines escaped the judgment of ,god in the matter of the cart1 they had to meet it in another way4 ,god deals with all according to ,his own holy principles1 and the breach upon ,uzza was designed to restore ,david to a right apprehension of the mind of ,god in reference to the ark of ,his presence4 ,yet it did not seem1 at first1 to produce the proper effect4 ,david was displeased because the ,lord had made a breach upon ,uzza3 wherefore the name of the place is called ,perez ,uzza to this day4 ,and ,david was afraid of ,god that day1 saying1 ,how shall ,i bring the ark of ,god home to me8 ,there is much deep instruction in this4 ,david was doing a right thing in a wrong way1 and when ,god executed judgment upon his way of acting1 he despaired of doing the thing at all4 ,this is a very common error4 ,we enter upon some right course of acting in a wrong way1 or in a wrong spirit1 which ,god cannot own2 and then our spirit1 or method of acting1 is confounded with the service in which we were engaged4 ,but we must ever distinguish between what men do1 and how they do it4 ,it was right for ,david to bring up the ark2 it was wrong to put it on an ox-cart4 ,the ,lord approved the former1 but disapproved and judged the latter4 ,god will never suffer ,his children to persist in carrying on ,his work upon wrong principles4 ,they may go on for a time with much apparent success1 as ,david and all ,israel played before ,god with all their might1 and with singing1 and with harps1 and with psalteries1 and with timbrels1 and with cymbals1 and with trumpets4 ,this was very imposing4 ,it would have been a difficult matter for any one to raise an objection to the course of ,david in this proceeding4 ,the king and all his captains were engaged in it2 and the burst of music would have drowned any objection4 ,but1 ah1 how soon was all this exultation checked6 ,the oxen stumbled2--,uzza put forth his hand1 vainly imagining that ,god would suffer the ark of ,his presence to fall to the ground4 ,he who had maintained the dignity of that ark1 even in the dark solitude of the house of ,dagon1 would surely preserve it from dishonor amid the mistakes and confusion of ,his people4 ,it was a solemn thing to come near the ark of ,god--a solemn thing to approach that which was the special symbol of the ,divine presence in the midst of ,his congregation4 ,it is a solemn thing to be the bearer of the name of ,jesus1 and the depositaries of the truth connected with ,his holy person4 ,we should all feel this solemnity more deeply than we do4 ,we are too apt to regard it as a light thing to put our hand to the ark2 but it is not2 and those who attempt it will suffer for their error4 ,but1 it may be asked1 has anything been entrusted to the care and keeping of the ,church answering to the ark8 ,yes2 the person of the ,son of ,god answers to the ark of old4 ,his divine and human nature answers to the gold and shittim wood of the ark4 ,the materials of the ark typified ,his person as the ,god-man2 while the purposes of the ark and mercy-seat typified ,his work1 whether in life or in death4 ,the ark enclosed the tables of testimony2 and the ,son of ,god could say1 in connection with the body prepared of ,god for ,him1 ,thy law is within ,my heart4 7,see psalm xl47 ,again1 the mercy-seat spoke of peace and pardon1 of mercy rejoicing against judgment1 where the poor sinner meets ,god in peace2 as the apostle says1 ,he 7,christ7 is a mercy-seat for our sins4 ,and again1 ,whom ,god hath set forth to be a mercy-seat4 7,the word used in ,rom4 iii is precisely the same as that used in ,exodus xxv41 viz41 hilasteerion--propitiatory74 ,thus we perceive what a marked type the ark of the covenant was of ,him who magnified the law and made it honorable--even ,jesus the ,son of ,god1 whose glorious person should be the special object of the saints' reverent and affectionate guardianship4 ,and1 just as ,israel's moral power was ever connected with the right acknowledgment and preservation of the ark amongst them1 so the ,church's power will be found connected with her due maintenance of the doctrine1 the great and all-important doctrine1 of the ,son4 ,it is in vain that we exult in the work of our hands1 and boast ourselves in our knowledge1 our testimony1 our assemblies1 our gifts1 our ministry1 our anything3 if we are not maintaining the honor of the ,son1 we are really worthless--we are merely walking in the sparks of our own kindling--sparks which shall be speedily extinguished1 when the ,lord is obliged1 in very faithfulness1 to come in and make a breach upon us4 ,david was displeased at the breach4 ,it was a grievous check to all the joy and gladness of the occasion2 but it was needful4 ,a faithful eye detected the wrong moral condition of soul which was betrayed by the wooden cart2 and the breach upon ,uzza was designed as a corrective2 and it proved an effectual one4 ,david brought not the ark of ,god home to himself to the city of ,david1 but carried it aside into the house of ,obed-edom1 the ,gittite4 ,this was ,david's loss2 he forfeited much blessing and privilege by thus stopping short1 for the ark of ,god could do nought but bless all who were rightly connected with it1 though it was judgment to be connected with it otherwise1 as in the men of ,bethshemesh1 and ,uzza4 ,it was a happy time for ,obed-edom while the ark was in his house1 for the ,lord blessed his house and all that he had4 ,all the time that ,david was afraid and without the ark1 ,obed-edom was blessed with the ark4 ,true1 things might not just look so cheering2 the blessing1 instead of being diffused through the whole nation1 as it would have been had all been right1 was confined to the immediate circle of him who had the ark in his house4 ,still the blessing1 though contracted1 was as real and positive1 as pure and truthful1 as if the whole nation had been enjoying it4 ,it could not be otherwise1 inasmuch as it was the result of the presence of the ark4 ,god will ever be true to ,his own principles1 and will ever make those happy who walk in obedience2 and as ,he blessed ,obed-edom during the three months that the ark was in his house1 though even king ,david was afraid1 so will ,he now bless those who seek to meet in truth and simplicity1 in the name of ,jesus4 ,where two or three are gathered together in ,my name1 there am ,i4 ,this is the great charter of our meeting4 ,where the presence of ,christ is1 there must be blessing4 ,weakness there may be1 no doubt1 and paucity1 but still blessing and comfort1 because ,jesus is there2 and the more we feel our own weakness1 emptiness1 and nothingness1 the more will ,his presence be prized and loved4 ,christians should seek to know more of the presence of ,christ in their meetings4 ,we do not want sermons1 power of eloquence1 human intellect1 or anything that merely comes from man2 we want the presence of ,jesus1 without which all is cold1 barren1 and lifeless4 ,but1 oh the sweetness of realizing the presence of the ,master6 ,who can give expression to the preciousness known by those on whom the dew of the divine blessing falls8 ,blessed be ,god that any know it6 ,blessed be ,god that in this day1 when the sad effects of human tradition are but too apparent in the ,church1 there is such a thing as the house of ,obed-edom the ,gittite1 where the presence of the ark1 and the consequent blessing of ,god1 can be known and enjoyed6 ,let us prize this more and more1 while shadowy and unsatisfying forms and ceremonies prevail around us4 ,we shall now dwell1 for a little1 upon ,god's gracious method of restoring the soul of ,his servant ,david4 ,the life of faith#ba is little more than a series of falls and restorations1 errors and corrections2 displaying1 on the one hand1 the sad weakness of man1 and on the other1 the grace and power of ,god4 ,this is abundantly exemplified in ,david4 #ba ,not exactly the life of faith1 but the life of saints4 ,the conflicts and trials so general in the people of ,god1 while they testify to faith within1 result from the flesh which1 not having been kept under judgment1 reasserts itself against the ,spirit in the child of ,god4 ,it is of this ,gal4 v4 #af-be speaks4 ,were the walk in the ,spirit a constant thing with us1 the lust and warrings of the flesh would be kept under--kept in the place of death1 where ,god has assigned the flesh4 ,the apostle could say as to himself1 ,always bearing about in the body the dying of the ,lord ,jesus1 that the life also of ,jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh 7#b ,cor4 iv4 #aj74 ,ed4 ,there is a considerable difference in the way in which the return of the ark is recorded in ,samuel and in ,chronicles2 in the one we have the simple statement of the facts2 in the other1 we have the moral training through which the soul of ,david passed during the time that he was afraid of ,god1 or1 in other words1 during the time that he was laboring under the effects of his own mistake4 ,in ,samuel we read1 ,and it was told king ,david1 saying1 ,the ,lord hath blessed the house of ,obed-edom1 and all that pertaineth unto him1 because of the ark of ,god4 ,so ,david went and brought up the ark of ,god from the house of ,obed-edom1 into the city of ,david with gladness4 ,david learnt that so far from standing aloof from the ark through fear1 it was really his privilege and blessing to be near it4 ,in #a ,chronicles xiv41 we find ,david in conflict with the ,philistines1 and obtaining victory over them4 ,david inquired of ,god1 saying1 ,shall ,i go up against the ,philistines8 and wilt ,thou deliver them into my hand8 ,and the ,lord said unto him1 ,go up2 for ,i will deliver them into thy hand4 ,so they came up to ,baal-perazim2 and ,david smote them there4 ,then ,david said1 ,god hath broken in upon mine enemies by my hand1 like the breaking forth of waters3 therefore they called the name of that place ,baal-perazim 7i4 e41 a place of breaches74 ,there is a very great difference between a breach and a place of breaches4 ,god had made a breach upon ,israel because of their error in reference to the ark2 but as to the ,philistines1 it was not merely a breach made upon them1 they were altogether in a place of breaches2 and ,david might have learnt what a poor example he had followed when he1 like them1 made the cart to carry the ark4 ,and he did learn his mistake1 for in chapter xv4 we read1 ,and ,david made him houses in the city of ,david1 and prepared a place for the ark of ,god1 and pitched for it a tent4 ,then ,david said1 ,none ought to carry the ark of ,god but the ,levites2 for them hath the ,lord chosen to carry the ark of ,god1 and to minister unto ,him for ever4 ,and again1 addressing the chief of the fathers of the ,levites1 he says1 ,sanctify yourselves1 both ye and your brethren1 that ye may bring up the ark of the ,lord ,god of ,israel unto the place that ,i have prepared for it4 ,for because ye did it not at the first1 the ,lord our ,god made a breach upon us1 for that we sought ,him not after the due order4 ,thus had ,david learned by the breach upon ,uzza4 ,he was brought to see that to follow in the current of man's thoughts was contrary to the due order4 ,none can teach like ,god4 ,when ,david was wrong1 ,god made a breach upon him by ,his own hand4 ,he would not allow the ,philistines to to do this3 on the contrary1 ,he allows ,david to see them in a place of breaches1 and enables him to smite them--to break in upon them1 like the breaking forth of waters4 ,thus ,god taught1 and thus ,david learned1 what was the due order1--thus he learned1 as it were1 to remove the ark from the new cart1 and place it upon the shoulders of the ,levites1 whom the ,lord had chosen to minister unto ,him for ever1--thus he was taught to cast aside human traditions1 and follow1 in simplicity1 the written word of ,god1 in which there was not a word about a cart and oxen to carry the ark4 ,none ought to carry the ark of ,god but the ,levites4 ,this was very distinct4 ,the entire mistake had risen from forgetfulness of the ,word1 and following the example of the uncircumcised1 who had no capacity to understand the mind of ,god on any question1 much less the solemn and important one of carrying the ark4 ,but in what a wonderfully gracious way did the ,lord teach ,his servant6 ,he taught him by victory over ,his enemies6 ,thus it is the ,lord frequently leads ,his children into the apprehension of ,his mind1 when they vainly seek to follow in the track of the men of this world4 ,he shows them that they should not adopt such models4 ,the breach taught ,david his mistake2 the place of breaches taught him ,god's due order3 by the former he learnt the folly of the cart and oxen2 by the latter he learnt the value of the ,levites1 and the place which they held in the service of ,god4 ,he would not allow ,his people to depart from ,his prescribed order with impunity4 ,and the ark might have remained to the end in the house of ,obed-edom1 had ,david not learned to lay aside his own way of bringing it up1 and take up ,god's way4 ,so the priests and the ,levites sanctified themselves to bring up the ark of the ,lord ,god of ,israel4 ,and the children of the ,levites bare the ark upon their shoulders1 with the staves thereon1 as ,moses commanded1 according to the word of the ,lord4 ,the ,lord was glorified in all this1 and ,he could therefore give real joy and gladness1 strength and energy4 ,there was no more stumbling of oxen--no more human effort to keep the ark from falling2 the truth of ,god was dominant1 and the power of ,god could act4 ,there can be no real power where truth is sacrificed4 ,there may be the appearance of it1 the assumption of it1 but no reality4 ,how can there be8 ,god is the source of power1 but ,he cannot associate ,himself with what is at variance with ,his truth4 ,hence1 although ,david and all ,israel played before ,god with all their might1 there was no divine power4 ,god's order was shut out by the human arrangement1 and all ended in confusion and sorrow4 ,how different is it in chap4 xv4 ,there is real joy--real power4 ,it came to pass1 when ,god helped the ,levites that bare the ark of the covenant of the ,lord1 that they offered seven bullocks and seven rams4 ,and ,david was clothed with a robe of fine linen1 and all the ,levites that bare the ark1 and the singers1 and ,chenaniah the master of the song1 with the singers4 ,in a word1 this was a scene with which ,god could consistently connect ,himself4 ,he did not help the oxen2 ,he did not help ,uzza2 the oxen had not borne the ark1 of old1 through the waters of ,jordan2 neither had they borne it round the walls of ,jericho4 ,no2 it was on the shoulders of the ,levites that ,god had put it1 and ,his order is the only happy one4 ,it may not always commend itself to human judgment2 yet it will ever have the stamp of ,divine approval1 and this is abundantly sufficient for every faithful heart4 ,david was enabled to bear the sneer of contempt from ,michal1 the daughter of ,saul1 because ,,he ,,was ,,acting ,,before ,,the ,,lord4 ,hear his fine reply to her reproach3 ,it was before the ,lord1 which chose me before thy father1 and before all his house to appoint me ruler over the people of the ,lord1 over ,israel2 therefore will ,i play before the ,lord4 ,and ,i will yet be more vile than thus1 and will be base in mine own sight4 ,precious determination6 ,may it be ours1 through grace4 ,base in our own eyes--happy in ,god4 ,humbled to the very dust in the sense of our own vileness--lifted up on high1 in the sense of the grace and loving-kindness of our ,god4 ,the reader will remark that #a ,chronicles xvi4 is just the development of the spirit breathed in the above quotation4 ,it is the hiding of self and the setting forth the character and ways of ,god4 ,in short1 it is a song of praise1 which one has only to read to be refreshed thereby4 ,i would only direct the reader's attention to the last verse1 in which he will find the four great characteristics of the people of ,god fully set forth4 ,save us1 ,o ,god of our salvation1 and gather us together1 and deliver us from the heathen1 that we may give thanks to ,thy holy name1 and glory in ,thy praise4 ,the ,church of ,god is a saved company4 ,salvation is the basis of everything4 ,we cannot answer to any of the other characteristics in this copious verse1 until we know ourselves as saved by the grace of ,god1 through the death and resurrection of ,christ4 ,in the power of this salvation the ,church is gathered by the energy of the ,holy ,ghost sent down from heaven4 ,the true effect of the ,spirit's operation will be to lead into fellowship all who submit to ,his leading4 ,his order is not isolation1 but blessed association and unity in the truth4 ,but if there be ignorance as to salvation1 our gathering together will not be to the glory of ,god1 but rather for the promotion of our own spiritual interests1 as it is termed4 ,men frequently associate on religious grounds without the assurance of being perfectly saved by the precious blood of ,christ4 ,this is not the ,spirit's mode of gathering1 for ,he gathers to ,christ on the glorious ground of what ,he has accomplished4 ,confessing ,christ1 as the ,son of the living ,god1 is the rock on which the ,church is built4 ,it is not agreement in religious views that constitutes church-fellowship1 but the possession of a common life1 in union with the ,head in heaven4 ,now1 the more this divine unity is realized1 the more will we enter into the next characteristic presented to us1 viz41 separation3 and deliver us from the heathen4 ,the ,church is called out of the world1 though called to witness for ,christ in it4 ,all within the ,church is to be under the government of the ,holy ,ghost2 all outside alas1 is morally under the lordship of ,satan1 the prince of this world4 ,finally1 we have the ,spirit of a worshiping people3 ,that we may give thanks to ,thy holy name4 ,this follows from all that we have been looking at4 ,salvation1 association1 separation1 and worship are all connected together4 ,the ,church1 breathing the atmosphere of ,god's salvation1 is led by the ,spirit into holy and happy fellowship1 and thus being separated unto the ,lord ,jesus1 without the camp1 presents the fruit of her lips to ,god1 giving thanks to ,his name4 ,,chapter ,,vii ,,david',s ,,house ,,and ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,god #b ,samuel vii4 and #a ,chronicles xxix4 ,there is nothing in which the narrowness of the human heart is so manifested as in its apprehensions of divine grace4 ,legalism is that to which we are most prone1 because it gives self a place1 and makes it something4 ,now this is the very thing which ,god will not allow4 ,no flesh shall glory in ,his presence1 is a decree which can never be reversed4 ,god must be all1 fill all1 and give all4 ,when the psalmist inquired1 ,what shall ,i render to the ,lord for all ,his benefits8 the answer is ,i will take the cup of salvation4 ,the way to render to ,god is to take yet more largely from ,his bounteous hand4 ,to be a thankful1 unquestioning recipient of grace glorifies ,god far more than all we could render unto ,him4 ,the gospel of ,god's grace comes to man as a ruined1 guilty1 helpless being4 ,hence ,god must be the great ,actor in redemption4 ,by ,his counsel alone it was planned2 through ,his mercy alone it was accomplished in the one offering of ,jesus ,christ once for all2 and by the ,spirit's power alone is the sinner quickened into life and believes the glorious and peace-giving tidings of salvation4 ,now1 this stops man's mouth altogether as to his own righteousness4 ,it excludes boasting1 for we cannot boast of what we are but the unworthy recipients4 ,how happy should all this make us6 ,how happy it is to be the subjects of such grace--grace which blots out all our sins1 sets the conscience at rest1 and sanctifies all the affections of the heart6 ,blessed forever be the ,fountain from which this saving grace flows to guilty sinners6 ,the #gth chapter of #b ,samuel is full of instruction as to the great principle of grace4 ,the ,lord had done much for ,his servant ,david2 ,he had raised him from the depth of obscurity to an exceedingly high elevation1 and ,david felt this1 and was disposed to look around him and survey the precious mercies which1 in rich profusion1 strewed his path4 ,and it came to pass1 when the king sat in his house1 and the ,lord had given him rest round about from all his enemies1 that the king said unto ,nathan the prophet1 ,see now1 ,i dwell in a house of cedar1 but the ark of ,god dwelleth within curtains4 ,observe1 ,david sat in his house4 ,he was surrounded by his own circumstances1 and thought it needful to do something for ,god2 but1 again1 he was in error as to his thoughts of building a house for ,jehovah4 ,the ark was within curtains1 truly1 because the time had not yet come for it to find a resting-place4 ,god had ever moved in the fullest sympathy with his people4 ,when they were plunged in the furnace of ,egyptian bondage1 ,he was in the burning bush2 when they were treading their long and dreary journey across the burning desert1 ,his chariot traveled in company with them all the way4 ,when they stood beneath the frowning walls of ,jericho1 ,he was there as a man of war1 with a drawn sword in ,his hand1 to act for1 and in sympathy with1 them4 ,thus1 at all times1 ,god and ,his ,israel were together4 ,while they toiled1 ,he toiled1 and until they could rest1 ,he would not rest4 ,but ,david desired to build a house1 and find a resting-place for ,god1 while there were both enemies and evil occurrent4 ,this could not be4 ,it was contrary to the thoughts and counsels of the ,god of ,israel4 ,it came to pass that night1 that the word of the ,lord came unto ,nathan1 saying1 ,go and tell ,my servant ,david1 ,thus saith the ,lord1 ,shalt thou build ,me a house for ,me to dwell in8--whereas ,i have not dwelt in any house since the time that ,i brought up the children of ,israel out of ,egypt1 even to this day1 but have walked in a tent and in a tabernacle4 ,the ,lord would not allow another sun to rise without correcting the error of ,his servant4 ,he sets before him ,his own past actings toward ,israel and toward himself2 ,he reminds ,david that ,he had never sought a house or a rest for ,himself1 but had wandered up and down with ,his people in all their wanderings1 and been afflicted in all their afflictions4 ,in all the places wherein ,i have walked with all the children of ,israel1 spake ,i a word with any of the tribes of ,israel whom ,i commanded to feed ,my people ,israel1 saying1 ,why build ye not ,me a house of cedar8 ,what lovely1 what soul-stirring grace breathes in these words6 ,the blessed ,god came down to be a traveler with ,his traveling people4 ,he would set ,his foot on the sand of the desert1 because ,israel was there2 ,he caused ,his glory to dwell beneath a covering of badgers' skins1 because ,his redeemed ones were in militant circumstances4 ,jehovah sought not a house of cedar2 it was not for that ,he had come down to visit ,his people in the hour of their affliction in ,egypt2 ,he had come down to give1 not to take2 to dispense and minister to ,his people1 not to exact from them4 ,true1 when the people had put themselves under a covenant of works1 at ,mount ,horeb1 ,god had to test them by a ministration which was characterized by the words do and give2 but had they only walked in the power of ,god's original covenant with ,abraham1 they would never have heard such words uttered in connection with the terrific thunders of ,mount ,sinai4 ,when ,god came down to redeem them out of the hand of ,pharaoh1 and out of the house of bondage2 when ,he bore them on eagles' wings1 and brought them unto ,himself2 when ,he made a way through the sea for ,his ransomed to pass over1 and overwhelmed the hosts of ,egypt in the depths2 when ,he showered down manna from heaven1 and caused the refreshing stream to gush from the rock2 when ,he took ,his place in the pillar of fire by night1 and the pillar of cloud by day1 to guide them through the trackless desert2 when ,he did all these things for them1 and many more1 surely it was not on the ground of anything they could give or do2 but simply on the ground of ,his own everlasting love1 and the covenant of grace made with ,abraham4 ,yes1 this was the ground of ,his acting toward them4 ,what they did was to reject ,his grace2 trample on ,his laws2 despise ,his warnings2 refuse ,his mercies2 stone ,his prophets2 crucify ,his ,son2 resist ,his ,spirit6 ,such were their actings1 from the beginning1 the bitter fruits of which they are now reaping1 and shall reap1 until they are brought1 humbly and thankfully1 to bow to ,his covenant of grace4 ,by bringing all these past ways of ,god in review before ,david1 the ,lord taught ,david his mistake in seeking to build ,him a house4 ,shalt thou build ,me a house8 whereas1 etc4444 ,now1 therefore1 so shalt thou say to ,my servant ,david1 ,thus saith the ,lord of hosts1 ,i took thee from the sheep-cote1 from following the sheep1 to be ruler over ,my people1 over ,israel3 and ,i was with thee whithersoever thou wentest1 and have cut off thine enemies out of thy sight1 and have made thee a great name1 like unto the name of the great that are in the earth4 ,moreover1 ,i will appoint a place for ,my people ,israel1 and will plant them1 that they may dwell in a place of their own1 and move no more2 neither shall the children of wickedness afflict them any more1 as beforetime1 and as since the time that ,i commanded judges to be over ,my people ,israel1 and have caused thee to rest from all thine enemies4 ,also the ,lord telleth thee that ,he will make thee a house4 ,david is here taught that his own history1 like that of his people1 was to be a history of grace from first to last4 ,he is conducted1 in thought1 from the sheep-cote to the throne1 and from the throne into the ages of the future1 and sees the whole course marked by the actings of sovereign grace4 ,grace had taken him up2 grace had set him on the throne2 grace had subdued his enemies2 grace was to bear him onward2 grace was to build up his throne and his house to all generations4 ,it was all grace4 ,david might justly feel that the ,lord had done much for him3 the house of cedar was a great thing for the shepherd of ,bethlehem2 but what was it when compared with the future8 ,what was all that ,god had done1 compared with what ,he would do8 ,when thy days be fulfilled1 and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers1 ,i will set up thy seed after thee1 which shall proceed out of thy bowels1 and ,i will establish his kingdom4 ,he shall build a house for ,my name1 and ,i will establish the throne of his kingdom forever4 ,thus we see1 that it was not merely his own short span of forty years that was to be characterized by such actings of grace2 his house too was spoken of for a great while to come1 even forever4 ,reader1 to whom1 think you1 are we directed in all these promises made to ,david8 ,are we to regard them as fully actualized in the reign of ,solomon8 ,surely not4 ,glorious as was the reign of that monarch1 it by no means corresponded to the bright picture presented to ,david4 ,it was1 in one sense1 but a passing moment1 during which a bright gleam of sunshine flashed across ,israel's horizon2 for hardly are we conducted to the lofty pinnacle on which ,solomon was elevated1 when the chilling words fall on the ear1 ,but ,solomon loved many strange women1 etc4 ,hardly has the cup of exquisite delight been raised to the lips than it is dashed to the ground1 and the disappointed heart cries out1 ,vanity of vanities1 all is vanity and vexation of spirit4 ,the book of ,ecclesiastes will tell us how far short the reign of ,solomon came of actualizing the magnificent promises made to ,david in this #gth chapter of #b ,samuel4 ,in that book we trace the yearnings of a heart that felt an aching void1 and was ranging through creation's wide domain in search of a satisfying object1 but ranged in vain4 ,we must1 therefore1 look beyond the reign of ,solomon to a greater than he1 even to ,him of whom the ,spirit in ,zacharias speaks1 in that fine prophecy in ,luke i4--,blessed be the ,lord ,god of ,israel2 for ,he hath visited and redeemed ,his people1 and hath raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of ,his servant ,david2 as ,he spake by the mouth of ,his holy prophets1 which have been since the world began2 that we should be saved from our enemies1 and from the hand of all that hate us2 to perform the mercy promised to our fathers1 and to remember ,his holy covenant1 the oath which ,he sware to our father ,abraham4 ,again1 in the angel's address to ,mary1 ,behold1 thou shalt conceive in thy womb1 and bring forth a son1 and shalt call ,his name ,jesus4 ,he shall be great1 and shall be called the ,son of the ,highest2 and the ,lord ,god shall give unto ,him the throne of ,his father ,david2 and ,he shall reign over the house of ,jacob forever2 and of ,his kingdom there shall be no end4 ,here the heart can repose without a single check4 ,there is no doubt1 no hesitation1 no interruption1 no exception4 ,we feel that we have beneath our feet a solid rock1 the ,rock of ,ages1 and that we are not1 like the writer of ,ecclesiastes1 constrained to lament the absence of an object capable of filling our hearts1 and satisfying our desires2 but rather1 as some one has observed1 like the bride in ,canticles1 to confess our entire lack of capacity to enjoy the glorious object presented to us1 who is the fairest among ten thousand1 and altogether lovely4 ,of ,his kingdom there shall be no end4 ,the foundations of ,his throne are laid in the deep recesses of eternity2 the stamp of immortality is upon ,his sceptre1 and of incorruptibility upon ,his crown4 ,there shall be no ,jeroboam then1 to seize upon ten parts of the kingdom2 it shall be one undivided whole forever1 beneath the peaceful sway of ,him who is meek and lowly in heart4 ,such are ,god's promises to the house of ,his servant ,david4 ,well might the astonished recipient of such mercies1 when speaking of all that had been done for him1 exclaim1 ,and this was yet a small thing in ,thy sight1 ,o ,lord ,god4 ,what was the past when compared with the future6 ,grace shone in the past1 but glory glistened in the future4 ,the ,lord will give grace and glory4 ,grace lays the foundation2 glory garnishes the superstructure4 ,this is true of all2 it is true1 in an eminent degree1 of the ,church1 as we learn from the epistle to the ,ephesians3 ,blessed be the ,god and ,father of our ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in the heavenlies in ,christ2 according as ,he hath chosen us in ,him before the foundation of the world1 that we should be holy and without blame before ,him in love 444 to the praise of the glory of ,his grace1 wherein ,he hath made us accepted in the beloved 444 that in the dispensation of the fulness of times 444 we should be to the praise of ,his glory4 ,and again1 ,but ,god1 who is rich in mercy1 for ,his great love wherewith ,he loved us1 even when we were dead in sins1 hath quickened us together with ,christ 7by grace ye are saved71 and hath raised us up together1 and made us sit together in the heavenlies in ,christ ,jesus3 that in the ages to come1 ,he might show the exceeding riches of ,his grace in ,his kindness toward us through ,christ ,jesus4 ,here we have grace and glory set forth most blessedly3 grace securing1 on immutable principles1 the full forgiveness of sins through the precious blood of ,christ1 and full acceptance in ,his beloved ,person2 glory in the distance1 gilding with its immortal beams the ages to come4 ,thus it is that the word of ,god addresses itself to two great principles in the soul of the believer1 viz41 faith and hope4 ,faith reposes upon the past2 hope anticipates the future2 faith leans upon ,god's work already accomplished2 hope looks forward with earnest desire to ,his actings yet to be developed4 ,this puts the ,christian into a deeply interesting position2 it shuts him up to ,god in everything4 ,as to the past1 he leans on the ,cross2 as to the present1 he is sustained and comforted by ,christ's priesthood and promises2 and as to the future1 he rejoices in hope of the glory of ,god4 ,but let us inquire what was the effect produced upon ,david by all this burst of grace and glory on his spirit8 ,one thing is certain1 it effectually corrected his mistake in seeking1 as another has said1 to exchange the sword for the trowel4 ,it made him really feel his own thorough littleness1 and the greatness of ,god in ,his counsels and actings4 ,then went king ,david in1 and sat before the ,lord1 and he said1 ,who am ,i1 ,o ,lord ,god8 ,it is impossible to convey1 in human language1 the deep experience of ,david's soul1 as expressed in his attitude and inquiry on this occasion4 ,first1 as to his attitude1 he sat4 ,this gives us the idea of the most complete repose in ,god1 without a single intervening cloud4 ,there is no doubt1 no suspicion1 no hesitancy4 ,god1 as the almighty and gracious ,actor1 filled his soul's vision1 and hence1 to have entertained a doubt would be calling in question either ,god's willingness or ability to do all that ,he had said4 ,how could he doubt8 ,impossible6 ,the record of the past furnished too many substantial arguments in proof of both the will and ability of ,god to admit of a doubt on the subject4 ,and truly blessed it is thus to realize our place before the ,lord--to allow the heart to dwell upon ,his wondrous ways of grace--to sit in ,his presence in the full1 unclouded sense of ,his pardoning love4 ,true1 it is hard to understand why it should be so--why ,he should set ,his love on creatures such as we4 ,yet so it is2 and we have only to believe and rejoice4 ,but observe his inquiry1 ,who am ,i8 ,here we have the hiding of self4 ,david felt that ,god was all1 and self nothing1 when he sat before the ,lord4 ,he no longer speaks of his actings1 his house of cedar1 his plan of building a house1 etc4 ,no2 he expatiates on the actings of ,god1 and his own little doings sink into their proper nothingness in his estimation4 ,the ,lord had said1 ,shalt thou build ,me a house8 ,and again1 ,the ,lord telleth thee that ,he will make thee a house4 ,in other words1 the ,lord taught ,david that ,he should be superior in everything1 and that ,he could not1 therefore1 be anticipated in building a house4 ,this might seem an easy lesson2 but all who know anything of their own proud1 self-righteous hearts1 know that it was far otherwise4 ,abraham1 ,david1 ,job1 ,paul1 and ,peter experienced the difficulty of hiding self and exalting ,god4 ,this is1 in fact1 the most difficult lesson for a man to learn2 for our whole being since the fall is set upon the very opposite1 viz41 the exaltation of self1 and the setting aside of ,god4 ,it is needless to adduce any proofs of this2 ,scripture and experience alike demonstrate the fact that man seeks to be somewhat2 and this cannot be attempted without setting aside the claims of ,god4 ,grace1 however1 reverses the matter1 and makes man nothing1 and ,god everything4 ,is this the manner of man8 ,no1 indeed1 it is not the manner or law of man1 but it is the manner of ,god4 ,man's manner is to set himself up1 to rejoice in the works of his own hands1 to walk in the sparks of his own kindling2 ,god's manner1 on the contrary1 is to turn man away from himself1 to teach him to look upon his own righteousness as filthy rags1 to loathe and abhor himself1 and repent in dust and ashes1 and cling to ,christ1 as the shipwrecked mariner clings to the rock4 ,thus was it with ,david when he sat before the ,lord1 and1 losing sight of himself1 allowed his soul to go out in holy adoration of ,god and ,his ways4 ,this is true worship1 and is the very reverse of human religiousness4 ,the former is the acknowledgment of ,god by the energy of faith2 the latter is the setting up of man in the spirit of legalism4 ,no doubt1 ,david would have appeared1 to many1 a more devoted man when seeking to build a house for the ,lord than when sitting in ,his presence4 ,in the one case1 he was trying to do something2 in the other1 he was apparently doing nothing4 ,like the two sisters at ,bethany1 of whom one would seem1 in the judgment of nature1 to have been doing all the work1 and the other to have been sitting idle4 ,how different are ,god's thoughts6 ,david sitting before the ,lord was in a right position1 rather than seeking to build4 ,it must1 however1 be observed1 that while grace leads us away from our own actings1 it does not hinder real acting for ,god4 ,far otherwise4 ,it only hinders self-importance4 ,it does not abolish service2 it only puts it in its right place4 ,hence1 when ,david learnt that he was not the man1 nor his the time to lay aside the sword and take up the trowel1 how readily did he acquiesce6 ,how readily did he draw forth his sword from its scabbard1 and take his place once more on the field of battle6 ,how ready was he to be the militant servant to the end1 and allow the curtain to drop upon him as builder6 ,how ready was he to retire1 and allow another to do the work6 ,in chapter viii4 we find ,david smiting1 slaying1 taking1 and thus earning for himself a still more extensive fame as a man of war1 and proving how effectually he had learnt the ,lord's lesson4 ,thus will it ever be with all who have learned in the school of ,god4 ,it matters little what the character of service may be1 whether building the house1 or subduing the foes of the ,lord4 ,the true servant is ready for anything4 ,david came forth from amid the holy repose of the ,lord's house to fight the ,lord's battles1 in order that he might clear the ground for another to lay the foundation of that house1 which his heart had so fondly desired to build4 ,thus ,david was the servant throughout4 ,in the sheepfold1 in the valley of ,elah1 in the house of ,saul1 on the throne of ,israel1 he maintained the character of a servant4 ,but we must pass to other scenes1 in order to learn other and deeper principles in reference to ,david's connection with the house of ,god4 ,he had to learn1 in a remarkable manner1 where the foundation of the ,lord's house was to be laid4 ,let the reader turn to the #bast chapter of #a ,chronicles and read it4 ,it is parallel with #b ,samuel xxiv41 and furnishes the account of ,david's fall in numbering the people4 ,he became proud of his hosts1 or rather the ,lord's hosts1 which he would fain regard as his4 ,he desired to count his resources1 and1 alas6 he had to learn the emptiness thereof2 the sword of the destroying angel mowed down seventy thousand of his boasted numbers1 and brought home to his conscience1 in terrible solemnity1 his grievous sin in attempting to number the ,lord's people4 ,however1 it had the effect of eliciting much of the sweet1 self-renouncing grace that was in ,david4 ,hear his touching words1 as he exposes his own bosom to the stroke of judgment3 ,and ,david said unto ,god1 ,is it not ,i that commanded the people to be numbered8 even ,i it is that have sinned and done evil indeed2 but as for these sheep1 what have they done8 ,let ,thy hand1 ,i pray thee1 ,o ,lord my ,god1 be on me1 and on my father's house2 but not on ,thy people1 that they should be plagued4 ,this was precious grace4 ,he learned to say1 ,thy people1 and was ready to stand between them and the foe4 ,but there was mercy in the midst of wrath4 ,by the threshing-floor of ,ornan the ,jebusite1 the angel of judgment sheathed his sword4 ,then the angel of the ,lord commanded ,gad to say to ,david1 that ,david should go up1 and set up an altar unto the ,lord in the threshing-floor of ,ornan the ,jebusite4 ,here1 then1 was the place where mercy triumphed1 and caused her voice to be heard above the roar of judgment4 ,here the blood of the victim flowed1 and here the foundation of the ,lord's house was laid4 ,at that time1 when ,david saw that the ,lord had answered him in the threshing-floor of ,ornan the ,jebusite1 then he sacrificed there4 ,for the tabernacle of the ,lord1 which ,moses made in the wilderness1 and the altar of the burnt-offering1 were at that season in the high place at ,gibeon3 but ,david could not go before it to inquire of ,god3 for he was afraid1 because of the sword of the angel of the ,lord4 ,then ,david said1 ,this is the house of the ,lord ,god1 and this is the altar of the burnt-offering for ,israel4 ,and ,david commanded to gather together the strangers that were in the land of ,israel3 and he set masons to hew wrought stones to build the house of ,god4 ,blessed discovery6 ,thus impressively and solemnly1 and effectually1 was ,david taught the place where the ,lord's house should be built1 and its deep significance6 ,the ,lord knows how to lead ,his people1 and to instruct them in the deep secrets of ,his mind4 ,he taught ,his servant ,david by the instrumentality of judgment first1 and mercy afterwards1 and thus led him to the place and its meaning where ,he would have ,his temple built4 ,it was by his necessities he learnt about the temple to ,god1 and he went forth to make preparation for it as one who had learnt ,god's character by his own deep failure4 ,this is the house of the ,lord ,god--the place where mercy rejoiced against judgment--the place where the blood of the victim flowed--the place where ,david had his sin blotted out4 ,this was very different from going to build on the ground of his dwelling in a house of cedar1 as in #b ,samuel vii4 ,instead of saying1 ,lo1 ,i dwell in a house of cedar1 he might say1 ,lo1 ,i am a poor1 pardoned sinner4 ,it is one thing to act on the ground of what we are2 and quite another thing to act on the ground of what ,god is4 ,the house of ,god must ever be the witness of ,his mercy1 and this holds good whether we look at the temple of old or the ,church now4 ,both show forth the triumph of mercy over judgment4 ,at the cross we behold the stroke of justice falling upon the spotless ,victim1 and then the ,holy ,ghost came down to gather men around the person of ,him who was raised from the dead4 ,just as ,david began to gather the hewed stones1 and the materials for the joinings of the house1 the moment the place of the foundation was settled4 ,the ,church is the temple of the living ,god1 of which ,christ is the chief corner stone4 ,the materials for this building were all provided1 and the place of its foundation purchased1 in the season of ,christ's trouble2 for ,david represents ,christ in ,his sufferings1 as ,solomon represents ,him in ,his glory4 ,david was the man of war2 ,solomon1 the man of rest4 ,david had to grapple with enemies2 ,solomon was able to say1 ,there is neither enemy nor evil occurrent4 ,thus do these two kings shadow forth ,him who1 by ,his cross and passion1 made ample provision for the building of the temple which shall be manifested in divine order and perfectness in the day of ,his coming glory4 ,david proved1 in the end1 that though his thoughts as to the time of building the house needed to be corrected1 his affection for the house itself was not the less fervent4 ,he says1 at the close1 ,now ,i have prepared with all my might for the house of my ,god1 the gold for things to be made of gold1 and the silver for things of silver1 and the brass for things of brass1 the iron for things of iron1 and wood for things of wood3 onyx-stones1 and stones to be set1 glistening stones and of divers colors1 and all manner of precious stones1 and marble stones in abundance 7#a ,chron4 xxix4 #b74bb ,thus does grace put service into its proper place1 and not only so1 but imparts an energy to it which ill-timed service can never exhibit4 ,david had learnt lessons when he sat in the ,lord's presence1 and when he stood on the threshing-floor of ,ornan the ,jebusite1 which wonderfully fitted him for making the needed preparations for the temple4 ,he could now say1 ,i have prepared with all my might4 ,and again1 ,because ,i have set my affection to the house of my ,god1 ,i have of my own proper good1 of gold and silver1 which ,i have given to the house of my ,god1 over and above all that ,i have prepared for the holy house1 even three thousand talents of gold1 etc4 ,his strength and affection were both devoted to a work which was to be brought to maturity by another4 #bb ,in #b ,samuel xxiv4 #bd1 we read1 ,so ,david bought the threshing-floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver4 ,and in #a ,chron4 xxi4 #be1 we read1 ,so ,david gave to ,ornan for the place six hundred shekels of gold by weight4 ,in ,samuel1 only the threshing-floor and the oxen for sacrifice at the time of the plague are mentioned2 while in ,chronicles the place--the whole temple hill--seems to be comprehended4 ,grace enables a man to hide himself and make ,god his object4 ,when ,david's eye rested on the glittering pile which his devoted heart had raised1 he was able to say1 ,of ,thine own have we given ,thee4 ,blessed be ,thou1 ,lord ,god of ,israel our father1 for ever and ever4 ,thine1 ,o ,lord1 is the greatness1 and the power1 and the glory1 and the victory1 and the majesty3 for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is ,thine2 ,thine is the kingdom1 ,o ,lord1 and ,thou art exalted as head above all4 ,both riches and honor come of ,thee1 and ,thou reignest over all2 and in ,thy hand is power and might1 and in ,thy hand it is to make great1 and to give strength unto all4 ,now1 therefore1 our ,god1 we thank ,thee1 and praise ,thy glorious name4 ,but who am ,i1 and what is my people1 that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort8 for all things come of ,thee1 and of ,thine own have we given ,thee4 ,for we are strangers before ,thee1 and sojourners1 as were all our fathers2 our days on the earth are as a shadow1 and there is none abiding4 ,o ,lord our ,god1 all this store that we have prepared to build ,thee a house for ,thy holy name1 cometh of ,thy hand1 and is all ,thine own4 ,who am ,i8 ,what a question6 ,david was nothing1 and ,god was all and in all4 ,if ever he had entertained the thought that he could offer anything to ,god1 he entertained it no longer4 ,it was all the ,lord's1 and ,he1 in ,his grace1 had allowed them to offer it all4 ,man can never make ,god his debtor1 though he is ever seeking to do so4 ,the #ejth ,psalm1 the #ast of ,isaiah1 and the #agth of ,acts1 all prove that the unceasing effort of man1 whether ,jew or ,gentile1 is to give something to ,god2 but it is a vain effort4 ,the reply to man1 thus endeavoring to make ,god his debtor1 is1 ,if ,i were hungry1 ,i would not tell thee4 ,god must be the giver1 man the receiver4 ,who1 says the apostle1 hath first given to ,him8 ,the ,lord will graciously take from those who are taught to say1 ,of ,thine own have we given ,thee1 but eternity will declare ,god to be ,,the ,,great ,,first ,,giver4 ,blessed that it should be so6 ,blessed for the poor1 guilty1 broken-hearted sinner1 to recognize in ,god the giver of all--of life1 pardon1 peace1 holiness1 everlasting glory6 ,happy was it for ,david1 as he drew near the end of his checkered career1 to hide both himself and his offerings behind the rich abundance of divine grace6 ,happy for him to know1 as he handed the plan of the temple to ,solomon1 his son1 that it should ever be the monument of ,god's triumphant mercy6 ,the house was1 in due time1 to rise in magnificence and splendor from its foundation2 the effulgence of divine glory was yet to fill it from end to end2 yet would it never be forgotten that it stood on that sacred spot where the devastating progress of judgment had been stayed by the hand of sovereign mercy1 acting in connection with the blood of a spotless victim4 ,and1 my reader1 in passing from the temple of ,solomon to that which in the latter day shall arise in the midst of ,god's beloved people1 how fully may we trace the development of the same heavenly principles6 ,still more1 when we pass from the earthly to the heavenly temple1 may we behold the glorious triumph of mercy over every barrier2 yea1 rather1 the glorious harmony effected between mercy and truth1 righteousness and peace4 ,from amid the brightness of millennial glory1 shall ,israel below1 and the ,church above1 look backward to the cross as the place where justice sheathed its sword1 and the ,hand of mercy began to erect that superstructure which shall shine1 with everlasting light and glory1 to the praise and honor of ,god1 the blessed ,giver of all4 ,,chapter ,,viii ,,the ,,conspiracy ,we are again called to follow ,david into the valley of humiliation--a deep valley indeed where grievous sin and its bitter fruits are fully seen4 ,it is really wonderful to trace the checkered path of this remarkable man4 ,no sooner has the hand of love restored his soul1 and set his feet again upon the rock1 than he is plunged into the depths of corruption4 ,we have just seen his error in reference to the house of ,god graciously corrected1 and we are now to behold him led captive in the chains of natural desire4 ,such1 alas1 is man--a poor1 halting1 stumbling creature1 needing at every moment the fullest exercise of divine grace and forbearance4 ,the history of the most obscure believer will be found to exhibit1 though on a smaller scale1 all the roughnesses1 inequalities1 and inconsistencies observable in ,david's course4 ,indeed1 it is this that renders the narrative of his life and times so peculiarly1 so touchingly interesting to us4 ,where is the heart that has not been assailed by the power of unbelief1 like ,david when he fled for refuge to the king of ,gath8 or by mistaken notions in reference to the ,lord's service1 like ,david when he sought to build a house for ,god1 before the time8 or by emotions of self-complacency and pride1 like ,david when he sought to number the people8 or by the vile lustings of nature1 like ,david in the matter of ,uriah the ,hittite8 ,if there be such a heart1 it will find but little interest in tracing the ways of ,david4 ,but ,i trust my reader has not such a heart1 for wherever there is a human heart there is also the susceptibility of all that ,i have been enumerating1 and1 therefore1 the grace that could meet ,david must be precious to every heart that knows its own plague4 ,the section of our history on which we are now entering is an extensive one1 embracing many important principles of ,christian experience and divine dealing4 ,the facts of the case are1 doubtless1 familiar to the reader2 but it will be profitable to look closely at them4 ,david's sin led to ,absalom's conspiracy4 ,and it came to pass1 after the year was expired1 at the time when kings go forth to battle1 that ,david sent ,joab1 and his servants with him1 and all ,israel2 and they destroyed the children of ,ammon1 and besieged ,rabbah4 ,but ,david tarried still at ,jerusalem 7#b ,sam4 xi4 #a74 ,david1 instead of being out at the head of his army1 exercising himself in the hardships and fatigues of war1 was quietly reposing at home4 ,this was giving the enemy a manifest advantage over him4 ,the moment a man absents himself from his post of duty1 or retires from the place of conflict1 he renders himself weak4 ,he has taken off the harness1 and will1 undoubtedly1 be pierced by the arrow of the enemy4 ,while at work for the ,lord1 be the work what it may1 nature is kept under pressure2 but when at ease1 nature begins to work1 and feel the action and influence of external things4 ,we should seriously ponder this4 ,satan will ever find mischief for idle hearts1 as well as idle hands4 ,david was made to feel this4 ,had he been at ,rabbah with his army1 his eye would not have rested upon an object calculated to act upon the corrupt principle within2 but the very act of tarrying at home afforded an opening for the enemy to come in upon him4 ,it is well to be ever on the watch1 for we have a watchful enemy4 ,be sober1 be vigilant1 says the apostle2 because your adversary1 the devil1 as a roaring lion1 walketh about1 seeking whom he may devour4 ,satan watches his opportunity1 and when he finds a soul unoccupied with his proper service1 he will surely seek to involve him in evil4 ,it is1 therefore1 safe and healthful to be diligently engaged in service--service flowing out of communion with ,god1 for we are thus in an attitude of positive hostility to the enemy2 but if we are not acting in hostility1 he will use us as instruments for his own ends4 ,when ,david failed in energy as the captain of the hosts of ,israel1 he became the slave of lust4 ,sad picture6 ,solemn1 most solemn warning for our souls6 ,the believer is the subject either of the energy of the ,spirit1 or the energy of the flesh2 if he fails in the former1 the latter will most assuredly predominate1 and then he becomes an easy prey to the enemy4 ,thus it was with ,david4 ,at the time when kings go forth to battle he was at rest in his house1 and ,satan presented a bait which proved too much for his poor heart4 ,he fell--grievously1 shamefully fell6 ,nor was his fall now a mere mistake4 ,no2 he fell into a deep pit of moral evil1 of vile corruption1 and his fall utters the solemn admonition1 ,keep under the body4 ,nature must be judged1 or we shall make shipwreck4 ,and mark the fearful lengths to which ,david was carried in the commission of evil4 ,having sacrificed his character to indulge nature1 he endeavors to make ,uriah a cloak to screen him from the public eye4 ,his reputation must be maintained at all cost4 ,he tries kindness1 but in vain2 he makes the wronged and dishonored ,uriah drunk1 but to no purpose2 at last1 he murders him by the sword of the children of ,ammon4 ,how dreadful6 ,did ,david really think that all was over when ,uriah was out of the way8 ,did he forget that the eyes of the ,lord were resting upon him in his evil course8 ,it would seem that his conscience was hardened on this occasion1 and not susceptible of conviction as we should expect4 ,had it been so1 he would assuredly have faltered and hesitated ere he added the sin of murder to that of adultery1 he would have mourned under the sharp reproof of ,uriah--only the sharper because perfectly unintentional--when he said1 ,the ark1 and ,israel1 and ,judah1 abide in tents2 and my lord ,joab and the servants of my lord are encamped in the open fields3 shall ,i then go into my house8 etc4 ,what a rebuke to ,david6 ,the ,lord and ,his people were in the open fields1 conflicting with the uncircumcised foes of ,israel1 but ,david was at home enjoying the ease and indulging the desires of nature4 ,surely we may say1 there was a time when ,david would not have been found reclining on his couch when the hosts of the ,lord were warring with the enemy2 there was a time when he would not have exposed a faithful servant to the assault of the enemy in order to save his own reputation4 ,such1 however1 is man--the best of men4 ,when pride swells the heart1 or lust dims the eye1 who shall attempt to draw a limit to human depravity8 ,who shall define the fearful lengths to which even a ,david can go1 when out of communion8 ,blessed for ever be the ,god of all grace1 who has ever proved ,himself equal to all the demands of ,his wayward children6 ,who but ,god could deal with even one saint for a single stage of his history8 ,when we remember ,his perfect estimate of the odiousness of sin1 ,his perfect grace toward the sinner must fill the soul with adoring gratitude6 ,the ,lord must maintain ,his holiness1 however ,he may deal with the sinner2 and hence1 in ,david's case1 we find ,him denouncing the most solemn judgment upon his house because of his sin4 ,nathan is sent to him in order to lead his conscience into the immediate presence of the holiness of ,god4 ,this is the proper place for conscience to find itself4 ,when not there1 it will find various expedients1 subterfuges1 and various cloaks4 ,david said1 when told of the success of his diabolical scheme in reference to ,uriah1 ,thus shalt thou say to ,joab1 ,let not this thing displease thee1 for the sword devoureth one as well as another4 ,thus did he think to hush up the whole matter4 ,he vainly imagined that1 when ,uriah was out of the way1 all would be well4 ,but1 ah1 there was an ,eye that could penetrate through all this covering which ,david's insensibility has cast over his heart and conscience4 ,the sword devoureth one as well as another1 no doubt1 and war has its vicissitudes2 but this would not satisfy the holiness of ,god4 ,no2 the whole matter must be exposed--the dreadful meshes of evil in which ,satan had entangled the feet of his victim must all be disentangled1 the holiness of ,god's house must be maintained at all cost1 ,his name and truth fully vindicated1 and ,his servant scourged in the view of the whole congregation--yea1 in the sight of the sun4 ,it might seem1 in man's judgment1 to be wiser to hide from public view the chastisement of one who stood so high1 but such is not ,god's mode2 ,he will prove to every spectator that ,he has no fellowship with evil1 by the judgment which ,he executes in the midst of ,his people4 ,nothing could avail to wipe off the stain which had been cast upon the truth of ,god but the public judgment of the transgressor4 ,the men of the world may go on for the present1 and sin with a high hand2 but those who stand in association with the name of the ,lord1 must keep themselves pure1 or else be judged4 ,however1 ,david would seem to have been most wonderfully insensible in this whole transaction4 ,even when ,nathan's touching parable had set before him the blackness of his conduct1 he1 though roused to indignation at the selfish conduct of the rich man1 never took it to himself4 ,and ,david's anger was greatly kindled against the man2 and he said to ,nathan1 ,as the ,lord liveth1 the man that hath done this thing shall surely die4 ,thus did he pronounce judgment upon himself unconsciously2 he felt not his own sin as yet2 perhaps he would have proceeded to find out and punish the offender1 had not the prophet's word proved to be the very arrow of the ,almighty to pierce his obtuse conscience4 ,thou art the man4 ,tremendous discovery6 ,the sin was traced to its source1 and ,david stood as a conscience-smitten1 broken-hearted sinner in the presence of ,god4 ,there is no more effort to screen himself1 or maintain his reputation4 ,i have sinned against the ,lord1 is the acknowledgment which flows forth from his wounded spirit4 ,his soul was subdued by the power of the truth1 and the #east psalm was his penitential utterance1 as he lay prostrate in the dust1 in the deep sense of his own personal vileness before the ,lord4 ,have mercy upon me1 ,o ,god1 according to ,thy loving-kindness2 according to the multitude of ,thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions4 ,here was ,david's well-known1 oft-tried resource4 ,he brings his heavy burden and lays it down beside the loving-kindness and tender mercy of ,god--the only place in which his harassed spirit could find repose4 ,he felt his sin to be so heinous that nothing but the mercy of ,god could avail to blot it out4 ,there1 however1 he found a vast abyss which could swallow up all his evil1 and give him profound peace in the view of his own wretchedness4 ,nor was it merely to be forgiven his sins that ,david desired2 this he needed1 no doubt1 but he needed more2 he needed to be inwardly cleansed from the defiling power of sin itself4 ,wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity1 and cleanse me from my sin4 ,the apostle says1 ,if we confess our sins1 ,he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins1 and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness4 ,to be cleansed from unrighteousness is more than to be forgiven our sins2 and ,david desired the latter1 as well as the former4 ,both are made to depend on the confession of our sins4 ,it is a much more difficult thing to confess our sin1 than to ask for forgiveness4 ,really to confess before ,god the sin which we have committed1 is a much more humbling thing than to ask for pardon in a general way4 ,it is an easy thing to ask the ,lord for pardon2 but it is in vain unless we confess our sins2 and then1 observe1 it is a matter of simple faith to know that sins are forgiven us4 ,the word is1 ,if we confess1 etc42 ,david confessed his sin4 ,i acknowledge my transgressions2 and my sin is ever before me4 ,against ,thee1 ,thee only1 have ,i sinned1 and done this evil in ,thy sight2 that ,thou mightest be justified when ,thou speakest1 and be clear when ,thou judgest4 ,this was true conviction4 ,there was no attempt at palliation2 no laying blame on circumstances2 no looking at individuals4 ,it is simply ,i and ,thee2 ,i a sinner1 and ,thou the ,god of truth4 ,let ,god be true1 and every man a liar4 ,the secret of true restoration consists in taking our real place1 as sinners1 in the light of the truth of ,god4 ,this is the apostle's teaching in the #c;d of ,romans4 ,the truth of ,god is there set up as the great standard by which man's condition is to be tested4 ,the effect of this is to bring the sinner down to the very bottom1 as it were1 of his moral and practical condition in the sight of ,god2 it strips him of everything1 and lays his inmost soul bare before a holiness which will not tolerate the least speck of sin in its presence4 ,but when thus brought down into the dust of self-abasement and genuine confession1 what do we find8 ,we find ,god1 in the solitariness and sovereignty of ,his grace1 working out a perfect righteousness for the guilty and self-condemned sinner4 ,here we find truth and grace presented to us in this most important section of inspiration4 ,truth breaks the heart1 grace binds it up2 that stops the mouth1 this opens it2 stops it1 that it may no longer boast of human merit2 opens it1 that it may show forth the praise and honor of the ,god of all grace4 ,david traveled in spirit through the truth afterwards set forth in ,rom4 iii4 ,he1 too1 was led down into the profound depths of his nature4 ,behold1 he says1 ,i was shapen in iniquity1 and in sin did my mother conceive me4 ,here he looks down to the very lowest point of depression4 ,man's original--shapen in sin6 ,what good could ever flow from such a thing8 ,nothing6 ,it is irrecoverable4 ,and then observe the contrast3 ,behold1 ,thou desirest truth in the inward parts4 ,god demands truth4 ,what could ,david do therefore but confess what he does8 for that was the truth concerning himself4 ,what could now meet the need of such a man8 ,nothing but the precious blood of ,christ4 ,purge me with hyssop1 and ,i shall be clean3 wash me1 and ,i shall be whiter than snow4 ,in other words1 ,david throws himself as a helpless sinner into the arms of redeeming love4 ,happy resting-place6 ,god alone can purge a sinner1 and make him fit for ,his own presence4 ,make me to hear joy and gladness2 that the bones which ,thou hast broken may rejoice4 ,god must do all--purge his conscience1 open his ear again to the notes of joy and gladness1 open his mouth to tell transgressors of ,his ways of love and mercy1 create a clean heart within him1 restore to him the joy of ,his salvation1 uphold him by ,his free ,spirit1 deliver him from blood-guiltiness4 ,in short1 when ,nathan's words fell with divine power upon ,david's heart1 he cast the crushing weight of his burden upon infinite grace1 7exercised through the precious blood of atonement7 and thus was brought humbly to rejoice in a perfect settlement of the question which his sin had raised between his conscience and ,god4 ,grace gained a glorious triumph2 and ,david retired from the field1 scarred indeed1 and sorely wounded1 yet with a deepened experience of what ,god was1 and what grace had done for his soul4 ,still1 ,david's sin produced its own bitter fruits in due time4 ,this must ever be so4 ,grace does not set aside that solemn word of the apostle1 ,whatsoever a man soweth1 that shall he also reap4 ,grace may pardon the individual1 but the results of sin will assuredly appear1 even though the sinner may enjoy the deepest and sweetest experiences of divine love and restoring grace1 while actually under the rod4 ,we shall see this abundantly exemplified in ,david4 ,he was1 as we know1 fully1 blessedly1 divinely pardoned1 washed1 and restored2 nevertheless he had to harken to the solemn denunciation1 ,now1 therefore1 the sword shall never depart from thy house2 because thou hast despised ,me1 and hast taken the wife of ,uriah the ,hittite to be thy wife4 ,observe1 ,thou hast despised ,,me4 ,david had sought to hide his sin from public view by putting ,uriah out of the way1 forgetting the all-seeing eye of ,jehovah1 and forgetting1 too1 the honor of ,his holy name4 ,had he remembered the ,lord at the moment when nature was causing her voice to be heard within1 he would not have fallen into the snare4 ,the sense of ,god's presence is the great preservative from evil2 but how often are we more influenced by the presence of our fellow-man than we are by the presence of ,god4 ,i have set the ,lord always before me2 because ,he is on my right hand1 ,i shall not be moved4 ,if we fail to realize ,god's presence as a preservative against evil1 we shall be made to feel it as a judgment because of it4 ,the sword shall never depart from thy house4 ,contrast this with the glorious promises made to ,david in chap4 vii41 and yet it is the same voice that falls on the ear in the denunciation and in the promise1 though in a tone so awfully different3 in the latter1 grace2 in the former1 holiness is heard4 ,because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the ,lord to blaspheme1 the child that is born unto thee shall surely die4 ,the death of the child1 however1 was but the first sound of the tornado of judgment about to burst upon ,david's house4 ,he might fast1 pray1 humble himself1 and lie prostrate in the dust1 but the child must die2 judgment must take its course1 the consuming fire burn up every particle of the material submitted to its action4 ,the sword of man devours one as well as another2 but the sword of ,god falls on the head of the offender4 ,things must be made manifest2 the stream may flow for a time under ground1 but sooner or later it will break out4 ,we may go on for years in a course of secret evil1 in the cultivation of some unholy principle1 in the indulgence of some unholy lust1 in the gratification of some unholy temper or feeling1 but the smoldering flame must ultimately break forth1 and show us the real character of our actings4 ,this is a truly solemnizing reflection4 ,we cannot hide things from ,god1 nor cause ,him to think that our wrong ways are all right4 ,we may try to reason ourselves into such a thought2 we may persuade our hearts by plausible arguments that such and such things are right1 good1 or lawful2 but ,god is not mocked3 whatsoever a man soweth1 that shall he also reap4 ,yet what grace shines out in this1 as in every scene of ,david's remarkable career4 ,bathsheba becomes the mother of ,solomon1 who occupied the throne of ,israel in its most glorious period1 and who also stands in that privileged line through which1 according to the flesh1 ,christ came6 ,this is truly divine6 ,it is altogether worthy of ,god4 ,the darkest scene in ,david's life becomes1 under the hand of ,god1 the means of richest blessings--divine grace is reflected on a dark background4 ,thus did the eater yield meat1 and the strong1 sweetness4 ,we know how this principle characterizes all the ways of ,god with ,his people4 ,he judges their evil1 surely1 but pardons their sin1 and makes their very failures the channel through which1 after humiliation and self-judgment1 grace flows to them4 ,blessed forever be the ,god of all grace1 who pardons our sins1 restores our souls1 bears with our many infirmities1 and finally causes us to triumph through ,him that loves us6 ,how must ,david have felt ever after1 as his eye rested upon his ,solomon1 the man of rest1--his ,jedidiah1 the beloved of the ,lord6 ,he would remember his own humiliating fall2 he would remember ,god's adorable grace4 ,and1 my beloved ,christian reader1 is it not just thus with ourselves8 ,what is our history day by day1 but a history of falls and restorations1 of ups and downs8 ,nothing more2 and thank ,god for the assurance that ,grace all the work shall crown1 through everlasting days4 ,at the close of this #abth chapter1 we find ,david again in conflict with the enemy--his proper place4 ,and ,david gathered all the people together1 and went to ,rabbah1 and fought against it and took it4444 ,and he brought forth the people that were therein1 and put them under saws1 and under harrows of iron1 and under axes of iron1 and made them pass through the brick-kiln2 and thus did he to all the cities of the children of ,ammon4 ,so ,david and all the people returned to ,jerusalem4 ,and now begins the heavy tale of ,david's woes1 the fulfilment of the prophet's denunciation1 that the sword should never depart from his house4 ,chapter xiii4 records two of the most diabolical acts that ever stained a family circle4 ,amnon1 the son of ,david1 offers dishonor to the sister of ,absalom1 and ,absalom murders ,amnon1 and then flees to ,geshur1 where he remains three years4 ,david allows him to return1 contrary to the positive command of the law4 ,even had he been but a manslayer1 he should have remained in a city of refuge2 but he was a murderer1 and1 with his murder upon him1 he is received back again upon natural grounds--no confession1 no judgment1 no atonement4 ,the king kissed ,absalom4 ,yes1 the king kissed the murderer1 instead of allowing the law of the ,god of ,israel to take its course4 ,what then8 ,it came to pass after this1 that ,absalom prepared chariots and horses1 and fifty men to run before him4 ,this was the next step4 ,david's inordinate tenderness only paved the way for ,absalom's open rebellion4 ,terrible warning6 ,deal tenderly with evil1 and it will assuredly rise to a head1 and crush you in the end4 ,on the other hand1 meet evil in the name of the ,lord1 and your victory is sure4 ,sport not with the serpent1 but at once crush it beneath your foot4 ,plain1 unflinching decision is1 after all1 the safest and happiest path4 ,it may be trying at first1 but the end is peaceful4 ,but observe how ,absalom works4 ,he begins by creating a want in the hearts of the men of ,israel4 ,and ,absalom rose up early1 and stood beside the way of the gate3 and it was so1 that when any man that had a controversy came to the king for judgment1 then ,absalom called unto him1 and said1 ,of what city art thou8444 ,see thy matters are good and right2 but there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee4 ,absalom said1 moreover1 ,oh1 that ,i were made judge in the land1 that every man which hath any suit or cause might come unto me1 and ,i would do him justice4 ,and it was so that when any man came nigh to him to do him obeisance1 he put forth his hand and kissed him4444 ,so ,absalom stole the hearts of the men of ,israel4 ,the enemy's way is first to create a want1 to produce a blank1 and then proceed to fill it up with something1 or some one1 of his own providing4 ,those whose hearts were fully satisfied with ,david had no room for ,absalom4 ,this is a fine principle when applied to our hearts in reference to ,christ4 ,if we are filled with ,him we have no room for aught beside4 ,it is only when ,satan succeeds in creating a want in our hearts that he introduces something of his own4 ,when we are able in truth to say1 ,the ,lord is my portion1 we are safe from the influence of ,satan's attractive baits4 ,the ,lord keep us in the happy and holy enjoyment of ,himself1 that so we may be able to say with one of old1 ,i try to lay up all my good things in ,christ1 and then a little of the creature goes a great way4 ,however1 ,absalom stole the hearts of the men of ,israel4 ,he came in by flatteries1 and usurped ,david's place in their thoughts and affections4 ,he was a comely person1 well adapted to captivate the multitude4 ,in all ,israel there was none to be so much praised as ,absalom for his beauty3 from the sole of his foot even to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him4 ,but his beauty and his flattery had no effect upon those who were near the person of ,david4 ,when the messenger came1 saying1 ,the hearts of the men of ,israel are after ,absalom1 it became manifest who were for ,david4 ,and ,david said unto all his servants that were with him at ,jerusalem1 ,arise1 and let us flee4444 ,and the king's servants said unto the king1 ,behold1 thy servants are ready to do whatsoever my lord the king shall appoint4444 ,and the king went forth1 and all the people after him1 and tarried in a place that was far off4 ,and all his servants passed on beside him1 and all the ,cherethites1 and all the ,pelethites1 and all the ,gittites1 six hundred men which came after him from ,gath1 passed on before the king4444 ,and all the country wept with a loud voice1 and all the people passed over2 the king also himself passed over the brook ,kidron1 and all the people passed over1 toward the way of the wilderness4 ,thus were there many hearts who loved ,david too well to be drawn away by the ensnaring influence of ,absalom4 ,those who had been with ,david in the days of his exile were near his beloved person in this day of his deep sorrow4 ,and ,david went up by the ascent of ,mount ,olivet1 and wept as he went up1 and had his head covered2 and he went barefoot2 and all the people that were with him covered every man his head1 and they went up1 weeping as they went up4 ,this is a deeply touching scene4 ,david's grace shines out more during this conspiracy than at any period of his life4 ,and not only does ,david's grace appear in a striking point of view1 but the genuine devotedness of his dear people also4 ,when we behold a loving band of followers thronging round the weeping1 the barefooted ,david1 our hearts are far more deeply touched than when we see them thronging round his throne4 ,we are more thoroughly convinced that his person1 and not his office1 was the centre of attraction4 ,david had nothing to offer his followers now save fellowship in his rejection2 yet was there a charm about him1 to those who knew his person1 that bound them to him at all times4 ,they could weep with him1 as well as conquer with him4 ,hear the language of a genuine lover of ,david3 ,and ,ittai answered the king1 and said1 ,as the ,lord liveth1 and as my lord the king liveth1 surely in what place my lord the king shall be1 whether in death or life1 even there also will thy servant be4 ,life or death2 he would be in companionship with ,david4 ,in looking through these chapters1 there is nothing that so strikes us as ,david's beautiful subjection of spirit4 ,when ,zadok would bring the ark in his weeping train1 he says1 ,carry back the ark of ,god into the city2 if ,i shall find favor in the eyes of the ,lord1 ,he will bring me again1 and show me both it1 and ,his habitation2 but if ,he thus say1 ,i have no delight in thee1 behold1 here am ,i1 let ,him do to me as seemeth good unto ,him4 ,when the insulting ,benjamite1 ,shimei1 came forth to curse and cast stones at him1 and ,abishai desired permission to take off his head1 his answer is1 ,what have ,i to do with you1 ye sons of ,zeruiah8 ,so let him curse1 because the ,lord hath said unto him1 ,curse ,david4 ,who shall then say1 ,wherefore hast thou done so8 ,in short1 he meekly bows his head to the dispensation of ,god4 ,he felt1 no doubt1 that he was only reaping the fruit of his sin1 and he accepted it4 ,he saw ,god in every circumstance1 and owned ,him with a subdued and reverent spirit4 ,to him it was not ,shimei1 but the ,lord4 ,abishai saw only the man1 and desired to deal with him accordingly3--like ,peter afterwards1 when he sought to defend his beloved ,master from the band of murderers sent to arrest ,him4 ,both ,peter and ,abishai were living upon the surface1 and looking at secondary causes4 ,the ,lord ,jesus was living in the most profound subjection to the ,father4 ,the cup which ,my ,father hath given ,me1 shall ,i not drink it8 ,this gave ,him power over anything4 ,he looked beyond the instrument to ,god--beyond the cup to the hand which had filled it4 ,it mattered not whether it were ,judas1 ,herod1 ,caiaphas1 or ,pilate2 ,he could say in all1 the cup which ,my ,father hath given ,me to drink4 ,thus1 too1 was ,david1 in his measure1 lifted above subordinate agents4 ,he looked right up to ,god1 and with unshod feet1 and covered head1 he bowed before ,him4 ,the ,lord hath said unto him1 ,curse ,david4 ,this was enough4 ,now1 there are1 perhaps1 few things in which we so much fail as in apprehending the presence of ,god1 and ,his dealing with our souls in every circumstance of daily life4 ,we are constantly ensnared by looking at secondary causes2 we do not realize ,god in everything4 ,hence ,satan gets the victory over us4 ,were we more alive to the fact that there is not an event which happens to us1 from morning to night1 in which the voice of ,god may not be heard1 the hand of ,god seen1 with what a holy atmosphere would it surround us6 ,men and things would then be received as so many agents and instruments in our ,father's hand2 so many ingredients in our ,father's cup4 ,thus would our minds be solemnized1 our spirits calmed1 our hearts subdued4 ,then we shall not say with ,abishai1 ,why should this dead dog curse my lord the king8 let me go over1 ,i pray thee1 and take off his head2--nor shall we1 with ,peter1 draw the sword of natural excitement4 ,how far below their respective masters were both these affectionate though mistaken men6 ,how must the sound of ,peter's sword have grated on his ,master's ear1 and offended ,his spirit6 ,and how must ,abishai's words have grieved the meek and submitting ,david6 ,could ,david defend himself while ,god was dealing with his soul in a manner so solemn and impressive8 ,surely not4 ,he dare not take himself out of the hands of the ,lord4 ,he was ,his1 for life or death--as a king or an exile4 ,blessed subjection6 ,but1 as has been already remarked1 the record of this conspiracy not only exhibits ,david's subjection to ,god1 but also the devotedness of ,david's friends to his person1 whether mistaken or otherwise4 ,his mighty men are seen thronging round him on his right hand and his left1 and sharing with him the insults and execrations of ,shimei4 ,they had been with him in the hold1 with him on the throne1 with him in the field1 and they are now with him in his humiliation4 ,now ,shobi and ,barzillai come forth to minister to him and his men with princely liberality4 ,in short1 the thoughts of many hearts were revealed in the season of ,david's sorrow4 ,it was manifest who loved ,david for his own sake2 and1 no doubt1 he returned to his house and his throne with a fuller and deeper confidence in the genuine affection of those around him4 ,there is1 however1 one character introduced to our notice1 upon which we must dwell for a little4 ,i allude to ,mephibosheth1 the son of ,jonathan4 ,hardly had ,david taken his seat on the throne1 when he gave utterance to those memorably gracious words1 ,is there yet any that is left of the house of ,saul1 that ,i may show the kindness of ,god unto him8 ,the house of ,saul6 ,the kindness of ,god6 ,what words6 ,saul had been his most implacable enemy2 yet1 being now on the throne1 the brilliancy of his position1 and the fulness of divine grace1 enabled him to sink in oblivion the acts of the past1 and to manifest1 not merely the kindness of ,david1 but the kindness of ,god4 ,now1 the kindness of ,god is marked by this special characteristic1 exercised toward ,his enemies4 ,if1 while we were enemies1 we were reconciled to ,god by the death of ,his ,son1 etc4 ,such was the kindness which ,david desired to show to a member of the house of ,saul4 ,now1 when ,mephibosheth the son of ,jonathan1 the son of ,saul1 was come unto ,david1 he fell on his face1 and did reverence4444 ,and ,david said unto him1 ,fear not1 for ,i will surely show thee kindness1 444 and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually4 ,and he bowed himself1 and said1 ,what is thy servant1 that thou shouldest look on such a dead dog as ,i am8 ,here1 then1 is a lovely specimen of the kindness of ,god1 and here1 too1 we are presented with the ground of ,mephibosheth's devotedness to ,david4 ,though having no more claim upon him than an enemy1 or a dead dog1 yet is he taken up in grace1 and set down at the king's table4 ,but ,mephibosheth had a faithless servant1 who1 to promote his own ends1 misrepresented him to the king4 ,the opening verses of chapter xvi4 will furnish the reader with an account of ,ziba's actings4 ,he pretends kindness to ,david1 and blackens the character of ,mephibosheth1 in order to get possession of his lands4 ,he takes advantage of his master's weakness of body to deceive and malign him4 ,what a picture6 ,the truth1 however1 came to light1 and the wronged one was fully vindicated4 ,on ,david's return1 when all the trouble was over1 and ,absalom perished from the scene1 ,mephibosheth1 the son of ,saul1 came down to meet the king1 and had neither dressed his feet1 nor trimmed his beard1 nor washed his clothes1 from the day the king departed until he came again in peace4 ,such is the ,spirit's testimony to this faithful man4 ,while ,david was away1 ,mephibosheth was a mourner3 true picture of what the saint ought to be now1 during the period of his ,master's absence4 ,fellowship with an absent ,lord imparts a tone of thorough separation to the ,christian character4 ,the question is not at all what a ,christian may1 or may not do4 ,no2 an affectionate heart will suggest the true course to be adopted by all those who are looking for the king's return4 ,what a truly divine spring of action does the absence of ,jesus furnish6 ,if ye then be risen with ,christ1 seek those things which are above4 ,ask the spiritual man1 why does he abstain from things which he might enjoy8 ,his answer is1 ,jesus is absent4 ,this is the highest motive4 ,we do not want the rules of a cold and barren formalism to regulate our ways2 but we want a more fervent affection for the person of ,christ1 and a more lively desire for ,his speedy return4 ,we1 like ,mephibosheth1 have experienced the kindness of ,god--precious kindness6 ,we have been taken up from the depths of our ruin1 and set among the princes of ,god's people4 ,should we not1 therefore1 love our ,master8 should we not desire to see ,his face8 should we not regulate our present conduct by constant reference to ,him8 ,would that we were more like ,mephibosheth4 ,but we are all too well disposed to minister to our odious nature--too ready to walk in the unchecked enjoyment of the things of this life--its riches1 its honors1 its comforts1 its refinements1 its elegancies1 and the more so because we imagine we can do all these things without forfeiting our title to the name and privileges of ,christians4 ,vain1 detestable selfishness6 ,selfishness1 which shall be put to the blush in the day of ,christ's appearing4 ,had ,ziba's account of ,mephibosheth been true1 how could the latter have replied to ,david when he said1 ,wherefore wentest thou not with me1 ,mephibosheth8 ,but he was able to answer1 ,my lord1 ,o king1 my servant deceived me2 for thy servant said1 ,i will saddle me an ass1 that ,i may ride thereon1 and go to the king2 because thy servant is lame4 ,and he hath slandered thy servant unto my lord the king2 but my lord the king is as an angel of ,god2 do1 therefore1 what is good in thine eyes4 ,for all of my father's house were but dead men before my lord the king2 yet didst thou set thy servant among them that did eat at thine own table4 ,what right1 therefore1 have ,i yet to cry any more unto the king8 ,here was simple integrity of heart4 ,unaffected devotedness must develop itself4 ,the contrast between ,ziba and ,mephibosheth is truly striking4 ,the former was seeking for the inheritance2 the latter only desired to be near the king4 ,hence1 when ,david said1 ,why speakest thou any more of thy matters8 ,i have said1 ,thou and ,ziba divide the land1 ,mephibosheth at once proved the direction in which his thoughts and desires were flowing2 ,yea1 said he1 let him take all1 forasmuch as my lord the king is come again in peace unto his own house4 ,his heart was engaged about ,david1 not about the matters4 ,how could he stand on a footing with ,ziba8 ,how could he divide the land with such an one8 ,impossible6 ,the king had returned2 this was enough for him4 ,to be near to him was better far than all the inheritance of the house of ,saul4 ,let him take all4 ,nearness to the person of the king so filled1 so satisfied the heart of ,mephibosheth1 that he could1 without any difficulty1 give up all that for which ,ziba had so diligently acted the deceiver and the slanderer4 ,just so will it be with those who love the name and person of the ,son of ,god4 ,the prospect of ,his loved appearing will deaden their affections for the things of this world4 ,with them it will not be a question of lawfulness or unlawfulness3 such terms are far too cold for an affectionate heart4 ,the very fact of their looking out for the morning1 will1 of necessity1 turn their hearts away from all beside2 just as gazing intently at any special object necessarily turns one away from everything else4 ,if ,christians realized more the power of our blessed hope1 how they would walk above and apart from the world4 ,the enemy is well aware of this1 and hence he has labored hard to reduce this hope to the level of speculative doctrine--a peculiar tenet1 possessing little or no practical power to attract the heart4 ,that section of inspiration1 too1 which specially unfolds the events connected with the coming of ,christ1 he has succeeded in involving in almost total neglect4 ,the book of ,revelation has1 until very recently1 been regarded as a book of such profound and inextricable mystery1 that few1 if any1 could approach it4 ,and even since the attention of ,christians has been more particularly directed to its study1 he has introduced and built up such conflicting systems--has set forward such jarring interpretations1 that simple minds are well-nigh scared away from a subject which seems1 in their judgment1 to be inseparably connected with mysticism and confusion4 ,now there is just one grand remedy for all this evil1 viz41 a genuine love of the appearing of ,jesus4 ,those who are waiting for that will not dispute much about the mode of it4 ,indeed1 we may set it down as a fixed principle1 that in proportion as affection becomes dead1 will the spirit of controversy prevail4 ,all this is very simply and very strikingly illustrated in the narrative of ,mephibosheth4 ,he felt that he owed everything to ,david2 that he had been saved from ruin1 and raised to dignity4 ,hence1 when ,david's place was occupied by a usurper1 ,mephibosheth's whole appearance and manner proved that he had no sympathy with the existing state of things2 he was estranged from it all1 and only sighed for the return of him whose kindness had made him all he was4 ,his interests1 his destinies1 his hopes1 were all bound up with ,david1 and nothing but his return could make him happy4 ,oh1 that it were thus with us1 my beloved ,christian reader6 ,would that we really entered more into our true character1 as strangers and pilgrims1 in the midst of a scene where ,satan rules4 ,the time is coming when our beloved ,king shall be brought back1 amid the affectionate acclamations of ,his people1 when the usurper shall be hurled from his throne1 and every enemy crushed beneath the footstool of our glorious ,immanuel4 ,the ,absaloms1 the ,ahithophels1 the ,shimeis1 shall find their proper place2 and1 on the other hand1 all who1 like ,mephibosheth1 have mourned the absent ,david1 shall have all the desires of their longing hearts abundantly satisfied4 ,how long1 ,o ,lord8 ,may this be our cry1 as we eagerly look for the earliest sound of ,his chariot wheels4 ,the way is long1 rough1 and painful2 the night dark and depressing2 but the word is1 ,be patient1 brethren4 ,he that shall come will come1 and will not tarry4 ,now the just shall live by faith2 but if any man draw back1 my soul shall have no pleasure in him4 ,into the further details of ,absalom's conspiracy ,i do not now mean to enter4 ,he met the end his deeds merited1 though a father's heart might grieve and a father's tears flow for him4 ,moreover1 his history may justly be viewed as a type of that great prophetic character1 who1 as ,daniel informs us1 shall obtain the kingdom by flatteries4 ,this1 however1 and many other points full of interest1 ,i shall leave the reader to deduce from the sacred text for himself1 praying the ,lord to make the study of ,his own word refreshing and edifying1 in this day of darkness and confusion4 ,never was there a time when ,christians needed more to give themselves to the prayerful study of ,scripture4 ,conflicting opinions and judgments1 strange notions and baseless theories are abroad1 and the simple mind knows not whither to turn4 ,blessed be ,god1 ,his word is before us in all its lucid simplicity1 and in it we have the eternal fountain of truth1 the immutable standard by which everything must be judged2 all1 therefore1 that we need is a mind fully subject to its teaching4 ,if thine eye be single1 thy whole body shall be full of light4 ,,chapter ,,ix ,,the ,,song ,,and ,,last ,,words ,the #bb;d chapter of #b ,samuel contains ,david's magnificent song1 and is parallel with the #ahth psalm4 ,it is the utterance of the ,spirit of ,christ in ,david1 connected with ,his triumph over death1 through the mighty energy of the power of ,god4 7,ephes4 i4 #ai47 ,in it1 as the inspired heading teaches us1 ,david presents his praise to ,god for deliverance from the hand of all his enemies1 and the hand of ,saul particularly4 ,he thankfully recounts the glorious actings of ,god on his behalf1 yet in such language as at once leads us from ,david and all his conflicts1 to that terrible conflict which raged around the grave of ,jesus1 when all the powers of darkness were ranged1 in fierce array1 against ,god4 ,tremendous was the scene6 ,never before1 and never since1 was such a battle fought1 or such a victory gained1 whether we look at the contending powers1 or the consequences resulting4 ,heaven on the one side1 and hell on the other4 ,such were the contending powers4 ,and as to the consequences resulting1 who shall recount them8 ,the glory of ,god and of ,his ,christ1 in the first place2 the salvation of the ,church2 the restoration and blessing of ,israel's tribes2 and the full deliverance of creation's wide domain from the lordship of ,satan1 the curse of ,god1 and the thraldom of corruption4 ,such were some of the results4 ,fierce1 therefore1 was the struggle of the great enemy of ,god and man at the cross and at the grave of ,christ2 violent were the efforts of the strong man to prevent his armor from being taken1 and his house from being spoiled1 but all in vain2 ,jesus triumphed4 ,when the waves of death compassed me1 the floods of ungodly men made me afraid2 the sorrows of hell compassed me about2 the snares of death prevented me2 in my distress ,i called upon the ,lord1 and cried to my ,god3 and ,he did hear my voice out of ,his temple1 and my cry did enter into ,his ears4 ,here was apparent weakness1 but real power4 ,the apparently vanquished one became the victor4 ,jesus was crucified in weakness1 but ,he liveth by the power of ,god4 ,having shed ,his blood as the victim for sin1 ,he left ,himself in the hands of the ,father1 who1 by the eternal ,spirit1 brought ,him again from the dead4 ,he resisted not1 but suffered ,himself to be trampled upon1 and thus crushed the power of the enemy4 ,satan1 by man's agency1 nailed ,him to the cross1 laid ,him in the grave1 and set a seal upon ,him1 that ,he might not rise2 but ,he came up out of the horrible pit1 and out of the miry clay1 having spoiled principalities and powers4 ,he went down into the very heart of the enemy's dominion1 only that ,he might make a show of him openly4 ,from vers4 #h-bj1 we have the interference of ,jehovah on the part of ,his righteous servant1 set forth in language sublime and powerful beyond expression4 ,the imagery used by the inspired ,psalmist is of the most solemn and impressive character1 ,the earth shook and trembled2 the fountains of heaven moved and shook1 because ,he was wroth4444 ,he bowed the heavens also1 and came down2 and darkness was under ,his feet4 ,and ,he rode upon a cherub and did fly2 and ,he was seen upon the wings of the wind4 ,and ,he made darkness pavilions round about ,him1 dark waters and thick clouds of the skies4444 ,the ,lord thundered from heaven1 and the ,most ,high uttered ,his voice4 ,and ,he sent out arrows1 and scattered them2 lightning1 and discomfited them4 ,and the channels of the sea appeared1 the foundations of the world were discovered1 at the rebuking of the ,lord1 at the blast of the breath of ,his nostrils4 ,he sent from above1 ,he took me2 ,he drew me out of many waters4 ,what language is here6 ,where shall we find anything to equal it8 ,the wrath of the ,omnipotent1 the thunder of ,his power1 the convulsion of creation's entire framework1 the artillery of heaven--all these ideas1 so glowingly set forward here1 outstrip all human imagination4 ,the grave of ,christ was the centre round which the battle raged in all its fierceness1 for there lay the ,prince of life4 ,satan did his utmost2 he brought all the power of hell to bear1 all the power of darkness1 but he could not hold his captive1 because all the claims of justice had been met4 ,the ,lord ,jesus triumphed over ,satan1 death1 and hell1 in strict conformity with the claims of righteousness4 ,this is the sinner's joy1 the sinner's peace4 ,it would avail nothing to be told that ,god over all1 blessed for ever1 had vanquished ,satan1 a creature of ,his own creation4 ,but to be told that ,he1 as man's representative1 as the sinner's substitute1 as the ,church's surety1 gained the victory1 this1 when believed1 gives the soul ineffable peace2 and this is just what the gospel tells us--this is the message which it conveys to the sinner's ear4 ,the apostle tells us that ,he 7,christ7 was delivered for our offences1 and raised again for our justification4 ,having taken upon ,himself our sins1 and gone down into the grave under the weight of them1 resurrection was necessary as the divine proof of ,his accomplished work4 ,the ,holy ,ghost1 in the gospel1 presents ,him as risen1 ascended1 and seated at ,god's right hand in the heavens1 and thus dispels from the believer's heart every doubt1 every fear1 every hesitation4 ,the ,lord is risen indeed2 and ,his precious blood is new and living wine4 ,the great argument of the apostle in #a ,cor4 xv4 is based upon this subject4 ,the forgiveness of sins is proved by the resurrection of ,christ4 ,if ,christ be not raised1 ye are yet in your sins4 ,and1 as a consequence1 if ,christ be raised1 ye are not in your sins4 ,hence resurrection and forgiveness stand or fall together4 ,recognize ,christ risen1 and you recognize sin forgiven4 ,but now1 says the triumphant reasoner1 is ,christ risen from the dead1 and become the first-fruits of them that slept4 ,this settles all4 ,the moment you take your eye off a risen ,christ1 you lose the full1 deep1 divine1 peace-giving sense of the forgiveness of sins4 ,the richest fund of experience--the widest range of intelligence will not do as a ground of confidence4 ,nothing1 in short1 but ,,jesus ,,risen4 ,from vers4 #ba-be1 we have the ground of ,jehovah's interference on behalf of ,his servant4 ,these verses prove that in this entire song we have a greater than ,david4 ,david could not say1 ,the ,lord rewarded me according to my righteousness2 according to the cleanness of my hands hath ,he recompensed me4 ,for ,i have kept the ways of the ,lord1 and have not wickedly departed from my ,god4 ,for all ,his judgments were before me2 and as for ,his statutes1 ,i did not depart from them4 ,i was also upright before ,him1 and have kept myself from mine iniquity4 ,therefore the ,lord hath recompensed me according to my righteousness2 according to my cleanness in ,his eyesight4 ,how different is this language from that of the #east psalm1 on which we have already dwelt4 ,there it is1 ,have mercy upon me1 according to ,thy loving kindness2 according to the multitude of ,thy tender mercies4 ,this was suitable language for a fallen sinner1 as ,david felt himself to be4 ,he dare not speak of his righteousness1 which was as filthy rags2 and as to his recompense1 he felt that the lake of fire was all that he could1 in justice1 claim1 on the ground of what he was4 ,hence1 therefore1 the language of our chapter is the language of ,christ1 who alone could use it4#bc ,he1 blessed be ,his name1 could speak of ,his righteousness1 ,his uprightness1 and the cleanness of ,his hands4 ,and here we see the wondrous grace that shines in redemption4 ,the righteous ,one took the place of the guilty4 ,he hath made ,him to be sin for us who knew no sin1 that we might be made the righteousness of ,god in ,him4 ,here is the sinner's resting-place4 ,here he beholds the spotless victim nailed to the accursed tree1 for him2 here he beholds a full redemption flowing from the perfect work of the ,lamb of ,god2 here1 too1 he may behold ,jehovah interfering on behalf of his glorious and gracious representative1 and1 as a consequence1 on his behalf2 and that1 moreover1 on strictly righteous grounds4 ,what deep peace this gives to the sin-burdened heart6 ,deep1 ineffable1 divine peace6 #bc ,in a subordinate or partial way1 we may say it also applies to ,david4 ,save that terrible fall1 in the matter of ,uriah1 his life was an exemplary one--walking in the love and fear of ,god all his days4 ,though grossly and persistently wronged by ,saul1 never would ,david touch his life because he was the anointed of ,jehovah4 #a ,kings xv4 #d1 #e and #b ,sam4 xxiii4 #a give us a divine estimate of his life4 ,ed4 ,david's song closes with a fine allusion to the glories of the latter day1 which imparts to it a character of completeness and enlarged compass particularly edifying4 ,strangers shall submit themselves unto me4 ,i will give thanks unto ,thee among the heathen1 etc4 ,thus are we conducted along a wondrous path1 commencing at the cross1 and ending in the kingdom4 ,the ,one who lay in the grave is to sit on the throne2 the hand that was pierced with the nail shall wield the sceptre2 and the brow that was dishonored with a crown of thorns shall be wreathed with a diadem of glory4 ,and never will the top-stone be laid on the superstructure which redeeming love has begun to erect1 until the crucified ,jesus of ,nazareth shall ascend the throne of ,david1 and rule over the house of ,jacob4 ,then shall the glories of redemption be truly celebrated in heaven and on earth1 because the ,redeemer shall be exalted and the redeemed rendered perfectly and eternally happy4 ,in ,david's last words1 as in the history of other servants of ,god1 we see how they all found in ,god their unfailing portion1 and a sure refuge4 ,thus was it with him whose history we have been dwelling upon4 ,through his whole career1 ,david had learned that divine grace alone could meet his need2 and1 at the close1 he gives full expression to this4 ,whether we look at his song1 or his last words1 the great prominent subject is one and the same1 viz41 the sufficiency of divine grace4 ,however1 ,david's last words derive point and energy from the knowledge of ,god's requirements1 in reference to the character of a ruler4 ,he that ruleth over men must be just1 ruling in the fear of ,god4 ,this is ,god's standard4 ,nothing less will do2 and where amongst the ranks of human rulers shall we find any to come up to it8 ,we may travel down the entire catalogue of those who have occupied the thrones of this world1 and not find so much as one who could answer to the great characteristics set forth in the above comprehensive verse4 ,he must be just1 and rule in the fear of ,god4 ,psalm lxxxii4 furnishes us with the divine challenge of all those who have been set in places of authority4 ,god standeth in the congregation of the mighty2 ,he judgeth among the gods4 ,what does ,he find8 ,justice and the fear of ,his name8 ,ah6 no2 far from it4 ,how long will ye judge unjustly1 and accept the persons of the wicked8 ,such is man4 ,they know not1 neither will they understand2 they walk on in darkness2 all the foundations of the earth are out of course4 ,what1 then is the resource in view of such a humiliating state of things8 ,arise1 ,o ,god1 judge the earth2 for ,thou shalt inherit all nations4 ,the ,lord ,jesus is here presented as the one alone competent to fill the throne according to the thoughts of ,god1 and the #gbnd psalm gives us a lovely sketch of what ,his government will be4 ,he shall judge ,thy people with righteousness1 and ,thy poor with judgment4 ,he shall judge the poor of the people1 ,he shall save the children of the needy1 and shall break in pieces the oppressor4 ,he shall come down like rain upon the mown grass2 as showers that water the earth4 ,in short1 the entire psalm must be read as a sample of the millennial kingdom of the ,son of ,man1 and the reader will perceive how entirely ,david's last words harmonize with the spirit of it4 ,and ,he shall be as the light of the morning1 when the sun riseth1 even a morning without clouds2 as the tender grass springeth out of the earth by clear shining after rain4 ,truly refreshing and soul-reviving is this6 ,and how does the heart rejoice to turn away from the dark and dreary scene through which we are passing1 to contemplate a morning without clouds4 ,the morning without a cloud is not now4 ,how could it be8 ,how could a fallen race1 a groaning world1 enjoy a cloudless sky8 ,impossible1 until the atoning efficacy of the ,cross shall have been applied to all1 and the whole creation shall have entered into its full repose beneath the shadow of ,immanuel's wings4 ,bright and happy prospect6 ,but it has been remarked1 that no human office-bearer ever came up to the divine standard1 as set forth in ,david's last words4 ,david himself felt this4 ,my house is not so with ,god4 ,such was his humble1 soul-subduing sense of what he was4 ,we have already seen how fully1 how deeply1 how unaffectedly1 he entered into the vast distance between what he was personally and the divine requirement1 when he exclaimed1 ,i was born in sin2 ,thou desirest truth in the inward parts4 ,his experience was the same when he looked at himself officially4 ,my house is not so with ,god4 ,neither as a man nor as a king was he what he ought to be4 ,and hence it was that grace was so precious to his heart4 ,he looked into the mirror of ,god's perfect law1 and saw therein his own deformity2 he then turned round and looked at ,god's covenant1 ordered in all things and sure1 and here he rested with unquestioning simplicity4 ,though ,david's house was not ordered in all things1 yet ,god's covenant was1 and ,david could therefore say1 ,this is all my salvation1 and all my desire4 ,he had learnt to look away from himself and his house straight to ,god1 and ,his everlasting covenant of grace4 ,and1 we may say1 that just as his apprehension of his own personal and official nothingness was deep and real1 would his sense of what grace had done for him be deep and real also4 ,the view of what ,god was had humbled him2 the view of what ,god was had lifted him up4 ,it was his joy1 as he traveled to the end of all human things1 to find his resting-place in the blessed covenant of his ,god1 in which he found embodied1 and eternally secured1 all his salvation and all his desire4 ,how blessed it is1 dear reader1 to find thus our all in ,god6 not merely to use ,him as one who makes up our deficiency1 but our all2 to use ,him as one who supersedes every one and everything in our estimation4 ,this is what we want4 ,god must be set above all1 not merely in reference to the forgiveness of sins but also in reference to our every necessity4 ,many who trust ,god for salvation1 nevertheless1 fail much in the minute details of life2 and yet ,god is glorified in being made the depositary of all our cares1 and the bearer of all our burdens4 ,there is nothing too small as not to be brought to ,him1 and nothing so small as not to be more than a match for our capacity1 did we but enter into the sense of our nothingness4 99 99 99 99 99 ,but we find another element in this #bc;d chapter1 an element1 too1 which might seem introduced rather abruptly3 ,i allude to the record of ,david's mighty men4 ,this has been already alluded to2 but it is interesting to notice it in connection with ,god's covenant4 ,there were two things to cheer and comfort ,david's heart1 viz41 the faithfulness of ,god1 and the devotedness of his servants4#bd ,and1 in looking at the close of ,paul's course1 we find that he had the same springs of comfort and encouragement4 ,in the second epistle to ,timothy1 he glances at the condition of things around him2 he sees the great house1 which assuredly was not so with ,god as ,he required it2 he sees all that were in ,asia turned away from him2 he sees ,hymeneus and ,philetus teaching false doctrine1 and overturning the faith of some2 he sees ,alexander the coppersmith doing much mischief2 he sees many with itching ears1 heaping to themselves teachers1 and turning away from the truth to fables2 he sees the perilous times setting in with fearful rapidity3 in a word1 he sees the whole fabric1 humanly speaking1 going to pieces2 but he1 like ,david1 rested in the assurance that the foundation of ,god standeth sure1 and he was also cheered by the individual devotedness of some who1 like mighty men1 through the grace of ,god were standing faithful amid the wreck4 ,he remembered the faith of a ,timothy1 the love of an ,onesiphorus2 and1 moreover1 he was cheered by the fact that in darkest times there would be a company of faithful ones who would call on the ,lord out of a pure heart4 ,these latter he exhorts ,timothy to follow1 having purged himself from the dishonorable vessels of the great house4 #bd ,may not this review of ,david's worthies and companions in tribulation set forth1 or at least remind us1 of that time when our ,lord shall review with us our path with ,him down here8 ,a similar thought seems to be brought before us in ,romans xvi41 in the apostle's salutations4 ,ed4 ,thus was it with ,david4 ,he could count his worthies1 and record their deeds4 ,though his own house was not what it ought to be1 and though the sons of ,belial were around him1 yet he could speak of an ,adino1 a ,dodo1 and a ,shammah1 men who had hazarded their lives for him1 and had signalized their names by deeds of prowess against the uncircumcised4 ,thank ,god1 ,he will never leave ,himself without a witness2 ,he will always have a people devoted to ,his cause in the world4 ,did we not know and believe this1 at a time like the present our hearts might indeed sink within us4 ,a few years have wrought a mighty change in the sphere of action of many ,christians4 ,things are not as they once were amongst us1 and we may with truth say1 ,our house is not so with ,god4 ,many of us have1 it may be1 been disappointed2 we looked for much1 and1 alas1 it has come to little--oh1 how little6 ,we have found that we were just like others1 or1 if we differed in aught1 it was in our making a higher profession1 and1 as a consequence1 incurring higher responsibilities1 and exhibiting greater inconsistencies4 ,we thought we were somewhat1 but we grievously erred1 and are now learning our error4 ,the ,lord grant that we may learn it rightly1 learn it thoroughly--in the dust1 in ,his presence1 that we may lift our heads proudly no more1 but walk in the abiding sense of our own emptiness4 ,the ,lord's address to ,laodicea must be remembered1 and we may ponder it with profit4 ,if our past experience leads us to cling more simply to ,jesus1 we shall have reason to bless the ,lord for it all2 and1 as it is1 we cannot but feel it to be a special mercy to be delivered from every false ground of confidence4 ,if we were seeking to build up a system1 it is well to be delivered from its influence and to be brought to adhere simply to the ,word and ,spirit of ,god1 which are the appointed companions of the ,church's path through the wilderness4 ,nor are we1 either1 void of the sweet encouragement to be derived from the devotedness of one or another here and there4 ,there are many who are proving their affection for the person of ,christ1 and the high estimation in which they hold the doctrine of the ,church4 ,this is a great mercy4 ,the enemy1 though he has done much mischief1 has it not all his own way4 ,there are those who are ready to spend their strength and energy in the defence of the gospel4 ,may the ,lord add to their number1--may ,he also add to the vigor of their testimony2 and1 finally1 may ,he make us increasingly thankful for ,his grace in having set before us1 in ,his ,word1 the true position and path of ,his servants1 and those principles which can alone sustain us in the midst of strife and confusion4 ,david had thought to do much in his day1 and was sincere in the thought2 but he had to learn that the will of ,god concerning him was that he should serve his generation4 ,we1 too1 must learn this--we must learn that a humble mind1 a devoted heart1 a tender conscience1 an honest purpose1 are far more precious in the sight of ,god than mere outward services1 however showy and attractive4 ,to obey is better than sacrifice2 and to harken than the fat of rams4 ,salutary words1 these1 for a day of religiousness1 like the present1 wherein divine principle is so loosely held4 ,the ,lord keep us faithful to the end1 so that whether like those who have gone before us1 we fall asleep in ,jesus1 or be caught up to meet ,him in the air1 we may be found of ,him in peace1 without spot1 and blameless4 ,meanwhile1 let us rejoice in the apostle's word to his son ,timothy--,the foundation of ,god standeth sure1 having this seal1 ,the ,lord knoweth them that are ,his2 and1 ,let every one that nameth the name of ,christ depart from iniquity4 99 99 99 99 99 ,variations in spelling1 punctuation and hyphenation have been retained except in obvious cases of typographical error4 ,the cover for the e,book version of this book was created by the transcriber and is placed in the public domain4