holy," and "pure as he is puie"." If we would not deceive our own souls, we should take the faith of Abraham, the meekness of Moses, the devotion of David, the firmness of Elijah, the integrity of Daniel, and all the characteristic virtues of the several prophets, as tests whereby to try our own : and thouffh we are far from combining in ourselves all their re- spective excellencies, yet there must be no grace which we allowedly neglect, or which we do not aspire after with our whole hearts. We must be Christians " not in word and in tongue, but in deed and in truth : " nor can we hope ever to be approved of our God, if we be not " Israelites indeed, m whom there is no guile."]
By way of Application,
1. Let me speak to some a word of encourage- ment—
[Many are ready to say, " I can never hope to he num- bered with the children of God." But, if God chose Saul to an earthly kingdom, may he not choose us to one in a better world? If he fitted him for the discharge of earthly duties, may he not fit us for those which are heavenly? The exercise of sovereignty is the same in either case : and as there cer- tainly was nothing in Saul to merit the distinction conferred on him, so may we hope that God's sovereign choice may be fixed on us, though we are conscious that there is nothing in us to concihate his regards. Perhaps, too, this may be clone at a time that we least expect so great a blessing. Saul was occupied in seeking his father's asses, when Samuel made known to him God's purpose respecting him, and anointed him to the regal office. And who can tell ? You may have come hither, at the present moment, with as little expectation of receiving any distinguished benefit as he : and yet this may be the hour when God Avill call you to his kingdom and glory, and give you " an unction from the Holy One°" to prepare you for it. Look up to God; and pray that he would now, by his al- mighty power, make you, not only " another man," but " a new creature in Christ Jesus : " so may you hope that it shall be done unto you; and that, as the Church of old, on seeing the conversion of Saul of Tarsus, " were amazed, and said, Is not this he that destroyed them who called on this name in Jerusalem?? " so they may admire the grace of God in you, and, with joyful thanksgivings, may " glorify God in you^."]
2. Let me take up, over others, an affectionate lamentation —
n 1 John iii. 3. " 1 John ii. 20.
p Acts ix. 20, 21. 1 Gal. i. 23, 24.