God, SO he will hold us responsible for these consequences, as well as for the evil from whence they proceed. And of this he has warned us, saying, " I the Lord search the heart ; I try the reins, even to give to every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doi^igs'^"]
Such is the truth declared in our text. Let us
now mark^
IL Its aspect on our future destinies —
[We have seen that God had respect to the heart of David, when he appointed him to the kingdom. We are not to suppose that David was by nature better than other men : for he himself says, that " he was shapen in iniquity, and that in sin his mother conceived him''." Much less are we to imagine that David was justified before God by any right- eousness of his own: for St. Paul assures us, that he was justified solely by faith in Christ, whose righteousness was imputed to him without any works of his own^ Nor can any of us hope to be exalted to heaven on account of our own superior goodness: for we are all sinners before God; and, if ever we are accepted of huu, we must be " accepted in, and through, his beloved" Son, " being found in him, not having our own righteousness, but the righteousness which is of God by faith in him*." Nevertheless, though none will possess the kingdom on account of their own righteousness, none will possess it who have not previously been " made meet for it," and are not truly righteous in their own souls.]
This truth being unquestionable, let me now, like Samuel, summon you all to the Sacrifice which is prepared for you in the Gospel; and let me declare which of you God has ordained to the kingdom of heaven.
Who is this that first presents himself before me ? He is ofie jwssessed of exemplary morality —
[Surely, I say, this is the person whom God has chosen. Behold, how decorous his habit! how amiable his deportment! how unimpeachable his character! Doubtless, I must con- gratulate you as the happy person to whom I am authorized to declare God's designs of love and mercy.
No, says God: thou hast erred in judgment respecting him : thou admirest him, because of his outward appearance : but I look at the heart: and I command thee to pass him by, because " I have refused him." Blameless as he appears, he
1 Jer. xvii. 10. ' Ps. li. 5.
s Rom. iv. 5—8. t phil. iii. 9.