cent life, is, in the issue, more than a match for all cun'ning comhinations of evil. Were men more Himple in purpose, less given to mere policy, keeping their heart~ free from petty jealousies and ambitions, their foot would be less often caug-1,t in a snare, and their reputation would take care of itself. 3. God takes care of his faith- ful servants who liave a work to do in the world. David's innocence was an object of interest to God, and received his protection ; but David was a chosen servant in course of unconscious preparation for high and important duties. He, therefore, wa.,i cared for by God in the midst of unknown dangers. Nor was there anything excep- tional in this, for such is the heritage of all who fear the Lord. Bodily suffering,. and even death, may come on the innocent and true, but these are not the worst of evils. There is a more fearful fall ; and in this respect, such is the care of God, that though a thousand fall at the side of the faithful, the great spiritual evil does not touch him (Ps. xci. 7, 14). Every one has a charmed life in Christ's service as long as his work is not finished. No weapon formed against David could prosper before ).e became king. No power was allowed to take away our Saviour's life till he had finished the work the Father gave him to do. No stones and lying in wait of wicked men were of any avail against Paul before he had preached the gospel to the Gentiles- (A.cts ix. 15, 23, 24; 2 Cor. xi. 24-27). 4. The 1tlterior olject of a sinful course u, never attained. One object of Saul's cunning was to get rid of David. History tells us how this object was frustrated. The Lord was with David. Disappointment, vexation, intenser misery were the result to Saul. It is not too wide an assertion to affirm that the ulterior object is never attained in a sinful course. A. cai;:eful analysis of the workings of sin in every instance will show that the end in view is to secure a. pleasure deemed greater and more welcome than any supposed to result from obedi- ence to God's will. If sin in its origin be self-assertion, as against conformity to a eupreme will, the object in view is evidently to attain to a state of being superior to that involved in conformity. It seeks a rise, and, behold, it is itself a fall. It ie always self-defeated. This can be shown to be true of all who wilfully refuse to have rest in God-they miss the bliss they sought in rebellion ; of all who prefer to be saved by other means than by the one Mediator --they never attain to the pardon and purity which alone constitute salvation; of all who sacrifice Christian principle to acquire wealth or power-they get the wealth and power, but not the satisfaction of soul which their possession was believed to insure. It cannot be insifted on too strongly, that not only is sin essentially evil and degrading, however fascinating its form, but is also in its issue a bitter disappointment. " He that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul" (Prov. viii. 36). The desire, the expectation, the way of the wicked "shall perish" (Ps. i. 6 ; cxii. 10; Prov. x. 28). 5. Exalted piety and simplicity of life are consistent with pre-eminence in seC'ltlar affairs. It is often supposed that a very pious man, and one of simple purpose in life, cannot compete with men less spiritual in character. The language d Christians has sometimes given sanction to this belief. But facts and reason are against it. David, the most pious of men, attained to II capacity for affairs far in adv11nce of others (ver. 30). Newton was not II worse mathematician and astronomer for his deep and simple piety. It is reasonable that a mind· pure, devout, calm in sense of God's favour, free from the distraction induced by waywardness of will, and enjoying the promised blessing of God, should, when called by Providence to any sphere of activity, excel those of equal natural powers, but destitute of the spiritual tone. If such men do not attain to highest public stations, it may be because Providence has other work for them to do ; or if only a few rise to pre-eminence, it may be because the combination of great piety and great natural aptitude for special pursuits is rare.
HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Vere. 1-30. (GIBEAH.)-David's life at c01trt. On his victory over Goliath, David was conducted by Abner ( eh. xiv. 50) into the presence of Saul, "with the head of the Philistine in his hand." He appears to have been unrecognised by the king, perhaps because of the altE>ration that had b\ken place in his personal appear- ance. Henceforth he resided at Gibe11h (ver. 2), where he remained for two or three years. The court of Saul, while unlike that of Solomon, hnlf a century 350 'lTIE FIRST BOOK OF SAMUEL. [en. xnu. 1-30.