all finds response in the most devoted souls (cf. Matt. x. 37; Phil. iii. 8). 5. The piety must be very profound, and wide in its spiritual vision, that can bring all the claims of nature into subordination to the kingdom of God, and feel assured of the essentially rational character of the subordination. 6. The Saviour is a unique instance of absorption in the spiritual, and exertion to realise it ; and the experience of his people is a fellowship with his sufferings (cf. Matt. iv. 9; xvi. xx. 21, 2 2 ;
28 ;xxiii. xxvi. 3 7 ; Luke xxiv. 38, 3 9 ; John iv. vi. 2 1 - 2 6 ; x. 3 2 ; Phil. 1 5 ; 11 ;
iii. 10)."The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up."
HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Vers. l-'11. (EDEN-EZER and APHEK.)-Judgment inflicted on Israel. "Israel was Hmitten, . . . and the ark of God was taken ; and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were slain" (vers. 10, 11). The law of retribution which prevails in the world is, more especially in the outward life, often slow in its operation, inexplicable, and sometimes apparently partial and imperfect. But in many instances it is mani- fested in a sudden, clear, and most equitable manner. One of these instances is here described. Hophni and Phinehas were warned in vain, and pursued their evil way. The influence which they exerted on others was pernicious, and their sin was largely shnred in by the peopl_e. At length the hour of judgment struck. "Israel went out against the Philistines to battle "-not, probably, according to the counsel of Samuel, but according to their own will, nnd to repel a fresh attack of their most powerful foes and oppressors (ver. 9). They were defeated with n loss of about 4000 men; but instead of humbling themselves before God, the elders expressed their surprise and disappointment at the result. They were blinded by sin, and assllliled (as others have often done) that because they were the acknowledged people of Jehovah they would necessarily receive his help according to his covenant, whether they fulfilled their part of the covenant and obeyed his comman<lments or not. To insure his help more effectually, they sent to Shiloh for II the ark of the covenant of the Lord of hosts, which dwelleth between (is enthroned upon) tl.e cherubim." They looked for deliverance from the ark of the Lord rather than frun1 the Lord of the ark. Hophni and Phinehas, its appointed guardians, readily consented to go with it, not knowing that they were going to their doom; and the aged high priest was too weak to oppose the presumptuous enterprise. The exultation of Israel was speedily turned into humiliation, and the fear of their enemies into triumph; and one of the greatest calamities Israel ever experienced occurred. These events suggest the following- renections : - 1. How Ol'TllN ARE THE UNOODLY EMPLOYED DY GoD FOR THE CHAS'l':SDH::ST ()[' HIS 1·1loru; (vers. I, 2). When those who have been chosen to be separate fr,Hn nnr} 1. THE FIHST BOOK OF SAMUEL. [<:11, IV. 1-22.