The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 110

religions of the world, doing its part in common with them. As a philosophy it may have a placo among other systems. As useful in the management of peoples, states- men may Jay hold of it in support of other agencies. Christ may adorn the Pantheon in company with other ncroes in thought and action. (2) That offered by persons who regard Oltristianity as a power inferior to other agencies for injfoencing human destiny. There are few who would esteem it inferior as a religion, when compared with prevailing forms in non-Christian lands; but by some it is held to be inferior aR compared with a pure theism and the higher philosophies. Its supernaturalism i.s branded as the crude product of unphilosophical minds. Its cardinal doctrine of atonement is declared to be at variance with first principles in morality. Unless divested of its outward garb, it is supposed to be unsuited to the higher order of intellect. Its power 1.s a supreme authority is said to be on the wane, and pride is felt in placing its pretensions side by side with those of the modern Dagon. 2. The rebuke of those who offer the insult. Without dwelling on the sure disappoint- ment and sorrow which come on those who dishonour Christianity by regarding it as merely one of the various powers equally deserving of respect, it may suffice to point out how-(1) Facts show that all systems in rivalry with Christianity lose their vaunted pre-eminence; and this too, on the one hand, by the losa of theii- influence, and on the other by the permanent and growing power of Christianity The wisdom of the Greek ceased to be a ruling force, while the truth of Christ won for him the Roman empire. The cold theism of the eighteenth century sank into obscurity as the great evangelical impulse of the Church of God developed its force The men who pride themselves in antagonism to Christ have never done anything to regenerate the savage, to make the dying-bed peaceful. (2) It is in the nature of the case that such a result should always ensue. No other religion is so fully attested as Divine. Every other system partakes of the imperfection of its authors : fails in motive power; is more of a criticism on man and his position in the world than a solvent of the deep spiritual cravings of the soul; and is liable to pass 011t of influence under the analysis of succeeding minds. The policy that would suggest to a statesman the use of Christianity as a tool for government thereby proves it~ moral instability. The unseen power of the "jealous God " will work in silence, and cause the "Name that is above every name " to ha,e "in all things the pre - eminence." A refuge of lies means trouble and anguish. General lessons :-1. History confirms faith in the sufficiency of the gospel fur the conquest of heathenism. 2. In all use of means the power of the Holy Spirit should be recognised. 3. We must seek proof of the pre-eminence of Christianity in deeds such as no rivals can produce. 4. We may yet expect many boastful claim• from human systems before men learn fully the lessons of history. Vers. 6-12.-0oercive providences. The facts given are-1. God visits the men uf Aahdod with severe affliction. 2. In their perplexity they remove the ark to anothe1 locality. 3. The device proving a failure, and the men of Ekron refusing to recoiv, the unwelcome symbol, a council of authorities decides to return it to Israel Pru,·1 dence had so ordered events for high moral ends as to bring the ark into captivit) The influences were at work in Israel to issue in the result desired. Hence ther arose a need for a turn in the course of Providence. I. The NERD !l'OR COERCIVE PROVIDENCES ARISES CHIEFLY !l'ROM TWO CAUSES. 1 Imperfect acquaintance witlt tlte Divine will. These men had some knowledge o1 the Divine power in the ark, but could not learn the precise will of the strange god One of the first things, therefore, is to prompt to an inquiry as to what is desired But man, especially when grossly ignorant, is indisposed to search for light, an~ cannot bear very clear light. If men will not act because they do not know, thoy must be aroused to learn, or to do without knowing; for God's great ways must not be barred and blocked by man. 2. Unwillingness to be convinced of the Divinf iuill. The fall of Dagon on the first night aroused the thought of a superior power, and the danger of keeping it from its natural place. This first gleam of light was exting·uished by a new trial of Dagon's power to stand. A second failure brought more light, but the expedient of change of abode was adopted tu evade the new and clearer suggestion. Men often do not like to know the path of duty. There is mnch 1t1G nm FIHST llOOK lll<' SAMUEL. [ell. V. 1--12