'2. To endure patienel'/1 the wrong judgments that others may form and utter concern- ing us. If we sometimes judge wrongly of them, need we wonder that they should judge wron~Iy of us? "Unto God would I commit my cause" (Job v. 8). 3. To judge charitably of their motives, character, and worth. A judgment must some- times be formed (Matt. vii. 15-20); but "let all your things be done with ch11rity' {1 Cor. xvi. 14).-D. Vera. 14-16. (GIBEAH.)-Mental and moral effects of transgression. The soul ii an arena where light 1111d darkness, good and evil, heaven and hell, strive for mastery. But it is not an unconscious scene or passive prize of the conflict. It is endowed with the power of freely choosing right or wrong, and, with every exercise of this power, cornea more or less under the dominion of the one or the other. Saul was highly exalted, but by his wilful disobedience sank to the lowest point of degrada- tion. His sin was followed by lamentable effects in his mental and morn.I nature, and (since soul and body are intimately connected, and mutually affect each other) <loubtless also in his physical constitution. His malady has been said to be "the first example of what has been called in after times religious madness" (Stanley). His condition was, in many respects, peculiar; but it vividly illustrates the mental and moral effects which always, in greater or less degree, flow from persistent trans- gression, viz.:- 1. THE WITHDRAWAL OF THE DIVINE SPIRIT. "And the Spirit of Jehovah departed from Saul "(ver. 14; eh. x. 10). 1. His presence in men is the source of their highest -excellence. What a change it wrought in Saul, turning him into" another man." It imparts enlightenment, strength, courage, order, harmony, and peace; restrains and protects; and, in the full measure of its influence, quickens, sanctifies, and saves (Isa. xi. 2; Gal. v. 22 ; Ephes. v. 9). 2. His continuance in them depends on the observance of appropriate conditions. He is often compared with the wind, water, and fire, the most powerful forces of the natural world ; and as there are conditions according to which they operate, so there are conditions according to which he puts forth his might. These are, humble and earnest attention to the word of the Loni_ sincere endeavour to be true, just, and good, and believing and persevering prayer. 3. His departure is rendered necessary by the neglect of those conditions. "They rebel1ed and vexed his Holy Spirit," &c. (Isa. !xiii. 10; Acts vii. 51 ; Eplies. iv. 10; 1 Thess. v. 19). And with his departure the effects of his gracious in- fluence also depart. Hence David prayed so fervently, "Take not thy Holy Spirit from me." II. SUllJECTION TO AN EVIL INFLUENCE. "And an evil spirit from Jehovah troubled him." The expression is only used once before (Judges ix. 23),-" God sent an evil spirit between the men of Abimelech and the men of Shechem" (producing discord, treachery, and strife), - and denotes a breath, influence, agency, or messenger (1 Kings xxii. 22) which-1. Prevails only after the withdrawal of the Divine Spirit. When the soul ceases to be governed by God, it lies open to the power of evil, and comes under its dominion. 2. •Is sent in just retribution for sin. " No man lfring needs a heavier chastisement from the Almighty than the letting his own passions loose upon him" (Delany). But the expression means more than this. "It is a spiritual agency of God, which brings to bear upon Saul the dark and fiery powers of Divine wrath which he has aroused by sin" (Delitzsch). Even that which is in itself good becomes evil to those who cherish an evil disposition. As the same rnys of the sun which melt the ice harden the clay, so the same gospel wliich is "11 savou, of life unto life" in some is "11 savour of death unto death" in others (2 Cor. ii. 16). And it is God who appoints and effectuates the forces of retribution. "The punitive justice of God is a great £net. It is stamped on al1 the darker phenomena of human life-disease, insanity, and death. It is in the nature of sin to entail suffering, and work itself, as an element of punishment, into all the complicaterl web of human existence" (Tulloch). 3. Implies the domination of the kingdom of darkness. Josephus, spe11king according to the common belief of a later age, attributes the malady of Saul to demoniacal agency. "It was probably a kind of possession, at least at times, and in its highest stage. As a p1lllishment for having given him- self willingly into the power of the kingdom of darkness, he was also abanchrncd :110 THE FIRST BOOK OF SAl\luEL. [en. xn. 1--23.
physiC'nlly to this po,ver" (Henstenberg). How fearful is that realm of rebellion evil nnd dis:irder to which men become allied and subject by their sin I ' ' III. THE EXPERIENCE OF UNCONTROLLABLE FEAR; "troubled him" - terrified choked him. 1. In connection with the working of peruliar and painful thoughts~ brooding- oYer the secret of rejection, which might not be revealed to any one; the ~cnsc of disturbed relationship with God, and of his displeasure, the removal of which 1liC're ~ms no disposition to seek by humble penitence and prayer. 2. In the darken- ing aspect of present circumstances and future prospects; suspicion and "royal jC'alousy, before ~-hich Yanish at last all consistent action, all wise and moderate rule" (Ewald). 3. In occasional melancholy, despondency, and distress, irrntional inrnginntions and terrors (Job vi. 4), and fits of violent and ungovernable passion (eh. x,·iii. 10, 11). "There are few more difficult questions in the case of minds 11tterly distempered and disordered as his was than to determine where sin or moral