(ver. 11). He sent help by men specially raised up and appointed, and deliverance came through their l(lbours, conflicts, and sufferings. One people also has been often made the medium of blessing to others. And herein we see a shadowing forth of the work of the great Mediator and Deliverer, and (in an inferior manner) of his people on behalf of the world. VII. THE INCREASE OF RESPONSIBILITY on the part of those who have had the experience of former generatioJJs ,to profit by, and who have received higher privi- leges than they (vers. 12, 19). "Now all these things were written for our admo- nition," &c. (1 Cor. x. 11 ). "Two things we ought to learn from history: one, that we are not in ourselves sup.erior to our fathers ; another, that we are shamefully and monstrously inferior to them if we do not advance beyond them" (F.oude).-D. Ver. 23, .(GILGAL. )-Interce,,sory f1Y1'JJ(fl'. ," God forbid that I should sm against the Lord in ceasing to pray for,,you. "l bless God," said Mr. Flavel, the Puritan, on thii'death of his father,« for a religious and tender father, who often poured out his soul to God for me ; and this stock of prayers I esteem the fairest inheritance on earth." And another eminent man said tp.at he" set a.greater worth upon the inter- cessions of the good than upon all .the wealth of the Indies." The people of Israel esteemed the prayers of Samuel on their behalf in like manner. They had experience of their amazing power and worth ( eh. vii. 8, 9); they were in great need of them ; they appear to have thought that he might cease to offer them on account of their .past treatment of him, and they entreated him, saying, "Pray for thy servants," &c. (ver. 19). His reply was, "l\loreover as for me," &c. Every true Christian, as "a priest unto God," an intercessor with God for his fellow-men, ought to adopt this language as his own. It expresses- !. .AN ACKNOWLEDGED OBLIGATION, which-1. .Arises out of the fact that it is one Of the principal means of doing good to others-obtaining invaluable blessings for them. Of the fact there can be no doubt (Jamesv. 16). Why it should have been ordained as such a means we cannot fully tell ; but it is plainly in accordance with the intimate relationship nnd mutual dependence of men ; teaches them to feel a deeper interest in each other, and puts signal honour upon eminent piety. The principle of mediation pervades all things, human and Divine. 2. Is an essential part of the duty of love which we owe to others ; the force of the obligation being .determined by the nearness of their relationsl1ip, and the extent of their claims upon our love and service-our kindred and friends, our country, mankind. 3. Is often e:cpressly enjoinecl in the word of God. "Pray one for another" (Luke xi. 5; 1 Tim. ii. 1 ). "If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, Le shall ask (of God), and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death" (1 John v. 16). 4. Is incul- cated by the exampleofthebestmen-Abraham, Moses, Job (Job xlii. 8, 10), Samuel and all the prophets ; above all, by the example of our Lord himself, who has prayed for us all, and through whose intercession we present our prayers and hope for their acceptance. II. A POSSIBLE OMISSION. Intercessory prayer may cease to be offered. It is some- times omitted from-1. Want <if consideration of others; the worth of their souls, their lost condition, the love of God to them, the ransom that has been given for them. .Attention is so absorbed in other objeots that they are uncared for. The more we think of them, the more we shall feel and pray for them. "Love for souls as souls is not a passion of earthly growth. It is a holy fire from heaven. But how can we have it; how can it be begotten in our hard hearts? The only true method is. to draw near to them, and to look at them-to look on them in the light of reason and revelation, of immortality and of God" (C. Morris). 2. Deficiency of love and desire for their salvation. 3. Unbelief 4. Delay in the fulfilment of our requests, and apparent deniul of them. But remember that sincere prayer is never offered in vain, and "pray without ceusing." God knows best when and how to answer our petitions. III. A DEPRECATED SIN. 11 God forbid that I should 11• (far be it from me to) "sin 11gainst the Lord," &c. The sin of its omission is spoken of in direct relation to him, nnd consists in-1. Disregarding his benevulent designs conce1'1iing others. "The Lord will n<1t forsake his people," &c. (ver. 22). If he loves them anrl seeks their '224 THE FIRST BOOK OF SAMUEL. [CH. XII. 1-25.
'l'l"elfare, we should do the same. 2. Disobeying his declared will concerning our• •elves. He has not only commanded us to intercede for others, but the very position in which he has placed us is a plain indication of his will. "Ye who remember .Jeho\·ah,_ lea~·e yourselves no rest, and give him no. rest," &c. (Isa. )xii. 6, 7). 3. Burying in the earth the greatest talent that lie lias intrusted to us. 4. Grieving the Holy Spirit, who is ever inciting those in whom he dwells to "cry unto God day and night.' "Quench not the Spirit." Whilst the devout should be urged by these .considerations to "continue instant in prayer," others should remember that it is possible to place an improper reliance on the intercessions of the good, especially in expecting to obtain benefit from their prayers whilst they neglect to pray fo1 them- selveR or walk in II the good and right way. ''-D.