We may learn then from this subject,
1. The benefit of a judicious and faithful Ministry—
[The method which Nathan used in order to reach the con- science of David, was extremely judicious : and when he had succeeded in making a breach, then he commenced a direct attack, " Thou art the man." Had he been less cautious, he had probably shut the ears of his royal master ; and had he been satisfied with offering some oblique hints, he had failed to im- press his callous mind. But by a happy union of wisdom and fidelity, he gained his points. Well was it for David that he had such a prophet in his court ; for, without his admonitions,
"^ See Isai. vi. 7. and xxxviii. 17. Zech. iii. 4. " Lam. iii. 32. " Isai. xii. 1. and Rom. viii. 15, 16.
P Mic. vii. 18, 19. Heb. viii. 12. q Prov. xxv. 12.
27 i 2 SAMUEL, XIII. 15. [318.
he might probahly have become more and more obdurate, till he had perished in his sin. Thus should all esteem themselves highly favoured of God, if they have a minister, who, while he fears not the faces of men, has a tender love for their souls. They should gladly hsten to his admonitions, and thankfully receive his reproofs: they should make it a continual subject of their prayers, that his word may come with power to their souls, to awaken them to a sense of sin, and to bring them to the enjoyment of salvation.]
2. The boundless extent of God's mercy —
[Who would have conceived it possible that such sins as David's should be so soon forgiven? But, "as God's majesty is, so also is his mercy." " He delighteth in mercy;" and " waits that he may be gracious unto us." His message to us is, " Only acknowledge thy transgressions that thou hast sinned against the Lord thy God"^." And for our encouragement he declares, " If any say, I have sinned, and it profited me not ; I will deliver him from going down into the pit, and his soul shall see the lights" Let us then carry all our sins to him : whether they have been more or less heinous in the sight of men, let us not continue under the gviilt of them, when they may be so speedily removed : let us remember, that, in and through Christ, God is reconciled to a guilty world ; and that, while " they who cover their sins shall not prosper, whoso con- fesseth and forsaketh them shall find mercy '^."]
' Jer. iii. 13. ^ job xxxiii. 27, 28. * Prov. xxviii. 13.