2. His unwarranted dependence on a merely ritual observance —
[He evidently thought that the performance of this cere- mony was the only effectual way to secure for himself and his people a deliverance from their impending danger. But how absurd was this thought ! Could it be supposed, that to dis- obey God's commands was the right way to conciliate his favour? or that the performance of a ceremony would supersede the necessity for his powerful intervention ? Might not a moment's reflection have told him, that " to obey was better than sacri- fice, and to hearken than the fat of rams^?" Yet thus it is with multitudes amongst ourselves, who, if they do but attend upon the house of God, and go to the table of the Lord, and
' Isai. xxviii. 16. i^ Hab. ii. 3. ' 1 Sam. xv. 22.
perform a few other external duties, imagine that all shall be well Avith them. We forget that God looks at the heart ; and vitterly despises every offering we can present unto him, if it be not accompanied with real integrity, both of heart and life. His express declaration is, that " the sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, especially when he bringeth it with a wdcked mind™." Let us then be aware of this. Let us fast and pray, and use all other means of obtaining help from God ; but let us not expect the blessing from the means, but only from God in, and by, the means. Then shall we never be disappointed of our hope, but shall have daily increas- ing occasion to say, " Thanks be to God, who always causeth us to triumph in Christ ! "]
Learn, then, from hence,
1. Not to account any sin light —
[If any sin could be accounted light, certainly this of Saul might be so esteemed : for the enemy that pressed upon him was numerous as the sands upon the sea-shore, and well appointed in all respects ; whilst his whole army consisted of only six hun- dred men, and not a single sword or spear amongst them all, except with himself and his son Jonathan. Under all these disadvantages, he had waited till the seventh day ; and never, till he saw his men deserting him, and expected the enemy to come down instantly upon him, did he offer the sacrifice : and even then he did it with great reluctance. Yet for this sin he lost the kingdom to which God had called him. Now, we are apt to plead excuses just as he did ; and to think that we are justified by a kind of necessity in our disobedience to God. But, whatsoever God has enjoined, that must we do, even though, for our obedience to him, we were to be cast the next hour into a fiery furnace, or a den of lions. I pray you. Brethren, settle this in your minds as an invariable principle, that nothing under heaven can justify us in violating a divine command.]
2. Wherein true wisdom consists —
[Whatever we may imagine, or whatever the world may say, disobedience to God will be found folly in the extreme ; yes, and replete with danger, too, to our immortal souls. Wisdom and piety are one : and it is not without reason that, throughout all the writings of Solomon, they are identified. I would earnestly entreat you therefore. Brethren, not only to ask yourselves from day to day, " What have I done ?" but to compare your doings with the commandments of God. Even your religious services I would wish to be brought to
"1 Prov. xxi. 27.
296. J Jonathan's victory over the Philistines. 179
the same test, that you may see how far they accord with the divine command, and how far they differ from it. God will not judge as we judge : no ; he will judge righteous judg- ments, and Avill reject with abhorrence many of the services on which we place a very undue reliance. To be accepted of him, your faith must be simple, and your obedience unreserved. Abraham's conduct is the pattern which you must follow. " Go, Abraham, and offer up your son, your only son, Isaac." Here w^as no disputing against the divine command, nor any doubt in executing it, though he had three whole days to ruminate upon it. No : he knew, that if Isaac should be reduced to ashes upon the altar, God could raise him up again ; and would do it, rather than suffer his promise to fail. To the execution of God's command he therefore set himself without delay. And do ye also act wdth like promptitude and zeal, and " be strong in faith, giving glory to God." This v/ill prove wisdom in the issue ; and will prove as conducive to your own happiness, as to the honour of that God whom you love and serve.]