i11g,,1rnit,1· spent in cYading tl,e force of Di1·ine icachi11g. If they will not follow i1l<'r<'asi11g light when th<'ir doing rn is necessary io the realisation of a Divine 1•11rpo~e, pressure must be brought to bear. Pharaoh, Balaam, and Jonah are inRtaroces ,,f this. Il. The KIND OF COERCION EMPLOYED WILL DEPEND ON THE MENTAL AND SOCIAL CON· J •lTION OF THE PEOPLE. Men are influenced strong·ly by events which touch their i11terests, and which come in such shape as to be adapted to their ordinary modes of 1 Ii ought nnd Yiews of things. The people of Ashdod were highly susceptible to religious impressions, and their religious associations were entirely with the honour ;of th~ir god. ~h!lo~ophical arguments and hig·h-toned reasons suited to pure Hebraism or Clmstrnmty would not have touched them. Moreover, by education ,,nd inheritance they were govemed by the habit of associating bodily sufferings wheR great, with a positiYe Divine purpose. Now, God governs men uccording t~ their capabilities, and reveals his will in ways conformable to their ruling ideas. \\'hether by miracle or natural coincidences, there is always adaptation to the minds to be influenced. This principle solves many events in Old Testament history, and shows the perfect re~~o~ableness -and even propriety of the pressure brought to bear -011 the bemghted Pluhstmes. -God fits every rod to the back of the fools he smites, ~nd speaks to every ear in accents suited to its delicacy or obtuseness. III. The COERCION IS PROGRESSIVE IN INTENSITY, The select body of priests of Dagon first feel the hand of God, then the people as individuals, and then the entirn <'.ommunity as such. Also, there was first a rude blow to the religious prejudices of the priestly body, and through them of the people; then an assault on the physical <"ondition of multitudes; and finally a disastrous blow on the prosperity of the state. :Men will :mswer religious arguments by religious arguments, and evade truth if possible; but touch their bodies- and their fields, and some earnest inquiry as to the <'.ause and intent will be evoked. Especially does materiar disaster induce effort to learn the truth when authorities are compelled to deliberate on possible remedies. In national providences the pressure at last reaches the rulers. General lessons :-1. God uses pressure on each of us when our inclination runs "gainst our true interest and liis glory. Lot was led urgently out of Sodom, 2. The pressure used ne1·er crushes the will, but develops thought, and opens out Jines of -conduct for adoption. 3. It is important to study the meaning of events in our lives "·hich are inevitable and disagree'l.ble. 4. The coercive action of Providence will become less or more according as we tum from sin or harden our hearts. "The way <if transgTessors is hard."
HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Cl1. v., vi. 1-9. (AsHD0D, GATH, EKRON.)-Theark amongtheheathen. "And the ark of the Lord was in the country of the Philistines seven months" ( eh. vi. 1). The cScene is now changed. Whilst there arises in every household in Israel a cry of mourning for the dead, Shiloh is ravaged and burnt with fire, and the yoke of oppres- -flion made heavier than before, the hosts of the Philistines return to their own country elated with victory. They carry with them the ark of the Lord, which bad never before been touched by unconsecrated hands, or for ages exposed to the go.ze of any but the priests; and the interest centres on the sacred symbol amidst its new and strange s1;1r- roundings. It is first of all taken to Ashdod, three miles from the sea-coast, the clue£ seat of the worship of Dagon, the national god of the Philistines (1 Chron. x. 10); ~1£terwarde to Gath, ten miles distant (the native place of Goliath, and twice the tem- porary residence of David); and then to Ekron (eh. vii. 14), the most northerly of their cities. Although the other two cities of the Philistine Pentapolis, Gaza, the scene of Samson's death (Judges xvi. 21-30), and Askelon (eh. xxxi.10; 2 SaJ?· i. 20), were .deeply concerned in the events which attended its presence (eh. v. 8; v1 •. ~7)_, it does 11ot uppear to have visited them. 1. The time of its abode among the Pluhstmes was -fur tliem a time of judgment. Although the ark when ~mong the people qf Isr~el 1-,eemed to be aba11doned by God and destitute of power, 1t was now d_efended by 111!11 ai,c~ cl?thed with might. '!'he difference arose from the different .circun:ista!1ce~ m wlncl11t was 1ilaccd and in both cases it was shown that the possess10n of mshtutlons ,CJI, \', 1-12.J THE FIRST BOOK OF SDIC'EL. 107