By way of improvement, let us beware lest there be amongst us also any who reject God —
[If the rejection of Samuel was a rejection of God, what must a rejection of Christ be? and yet, how many are there who say of him, " We will not have this man to reign over us*^!" Yes, though expostulated with, and warned with all fide- lity, how many persist in this awful determination ! They say in effect to their minister, " As for the word that thou hast spoken to us in the name of the Lord, we will not hearken unto thee^" To disregard the voice of his faithful ministers may appear a small thing ; but it is not really so ; for Jesus identifies himself with his servants ; " He that receiveth you, receiveth me ; and he that receiveth me, receiveth him that sent me"^." Beware then. Brethren, how you presume to set aside the authority of Christ, or to place a rival vipon his throne. God may give you your own way ; but it will be a curse to you, and not a blessing. Woe be unto you indeed,
^ Luke xix, 14. i Jer. xliv 16. '" Matt. x. 40.
if you provoke God to " choose your delusions"." He says of Israel, " I gave them a king in mine anger, and took him away in my wrath" ;" as you know he did, in a miserable and disgraceful manner p. Beware lest such be the termination of your ways also, and lest you " be given up to believe a lie, as a prelude to your final condemnation''." The direction of God to you is clear; " O Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself; but in ME is thy help: I will be thy King'^." Let tliis counsel be welcomed by you ; and your submission to his government shall ere long be followed by a participation of his gloiy.]
n Isai. Ixvi. 4. » Hos. xiii. 11. Pi Sam. xxxi. 3 — 10.
1 2 Thess. ii. 11, 12. ' Hos. xiii. 9, 10.