will expnn<l nnd nssumo in our outward life permanent forms of 11Aefulness arnl ·lJenuty. 3. In our work/or Clirut. Both the kind and character of Christian work nre influenced by our recognition of the less manifest tendencies of human nature. It is noticeable how constontly Christ epake to the hidden thoughts and feelingA of men rother than to the questions they raised and the attitude they p;ofessed to uesume, A preucher may often effect most by directing his effort toward son,r, unuttered and even deliberately-suppressed sentiment of l,is hearers. In so far a.~ -our persistence in Christian work is concerned we have to consider not merely tl,e ,,nJue of the impulses and principles that make us earnest during the day of pros- perity, but what weaknesses are inherent in us that may develop themselves in unwelcome proportions when trials and adversities threaten. The men of Keilah -could sympathise with and swear by the" anointed" when no thought of Nob was present. We may count on this undeveloped factor as one of our best allies in ()hristian work. Beneath nil the vices and superstitions of heathenism and all the shame and scepticism of modern civilisation there lies the hidden, slumbering sense of God and immortality. III. IT IS Goo's PERFECT KNOWLEDGE OF ALL TRE UNDEVELOPED TENDENCIES OF LIFE 'l'HAT RENDERS ms GOVERNMENT so STRONG AND HIS PROVISJ0:-1 FOR MAN'S REDEUPTION so WISE. Thie is included in the broad truth that there is nothing hidden from his sight. According to Ps. cxxxix. every incipient force-chemical and mechanical, moral and spiritual-in every point of space, through all the ages, has been and still is as clear to the eye of the Eternal, and as traceable in all its end!ess and intricate developments, as is the mighty sun that shed~ its light on our earth. It is this know- ledge of the undeveloped which lies at the foundation of prophecy, and renders it possible that, notwithstanding the developments resulting from adverse human wills, the great end for which Christ lived and died shall at last be attained. The waming8 and admonitions, "here a little and there a little," for the guidance of our conduct; the form and variety of the promises; the ordinances of religion ; the special features of the redemptive work effected by Christ-all these are adapted to the possibilities, and not merely to the present actualities, of human life. "He knoweth our frame." Hence the reasonableness of submitting our reason to his revelations. IV. IT 18 OUR WISDOM, IN ALL TIMES OF DOUBT, TO HAVE RECOURSE TO THE MEANS 01!' ASCERTAINING Goo's KNOWLEDGE OF THINGS. No doubt David speculated on the pro- bable course of the men of Keilah should they ever be brought to decide between grateful attachment to him and the frown of Saul, and his general acquaintance with human nature may have inclined him to believe in their t_renchery when under the influence of fear. But as it was-a question of his personal safety, and involved in that a question also of ultimately realising the gretit purposes of a Messianic king- dom, he wisely sought a solution of nil doubts by a recourse to the available means of putting himself in possession of God's knowledge with reference to this particular matter. 'rhe knowledge which God has of the secret powers of the universe does in effect become ours when in any instance he condescends to make us acquainted with the result in which they will issue. A really wise lllLlll in seasons of uncertainty, when important interests are at stake, whether temporal or spiritual, will not re8t with speculations on wh11t m11y be; but will, like David, inquire of tho Lord, so as to regulate hit1 present action 11ccording to God's knowledge of what is inevitable. The me1rns of ascertaining God's knowledge may vary with the case in hnnd; it may be by laying the cnndid mind open to direct Divine illumination, or by devoting special attention to the monitions of Providence, or by consulting the" lively oruclos" which are to us the voice of God on great morn! and religious matters. In one respect we are all in a position analogous to that of Dnvid ; for there are intricnte LLnd hidden powers at work within and without which, when fully developed by the new circumstances that may arise, may hnve the effect of delivering us bound to a. condemnation far more terrible thnn nny Saul could pass on a captive Dnvid. Now it is a serious question to each whether this one enemy will evor gain power over us, and by what means its dominion cnn be escaped. In a case of such importance we cannot nfiord to tmst to speculation nnd humanly-gTounded hope. We are permitted to inquire of God, who in his word and in the redemption provided in Obrist bus put us in possession of bis know lodge of the undeveloped tendencies of sin 442 THE FIRST BOOK OF SAIIIUEL. [en. XXIII. 1-13
in hunrnn nature, by assuring us that under certain conditions-our followino- our own independent course-~,-.e shall come into condemnation on the day o.f judg~ent,. and that under other cond1trnns-our self-surrender to Christ for pardon and renewal -"·e shall be not only free from that woe, but shall rise to sit on thrones of honour and power (2 Tim. ii. 10-12). Practical lessons :-1. _In_asmuch as the gre~t _issues ?f life are determined by the-· n:iastery of _one set of p_rmc1ples over a~other, 1t 1~ very important to seek the expul- s10n _or entire suppress10n of latent evil tendencies by the careful nurture of ten- denc1~s of opposite character, for_ the str~ng~h ~f ~rinciples is in proportion to their exercise. 2._ In so far as tendencies to evil he w1thm us, we should avoid unnecessary exposure to mfl_11ences th3:t may dr3:w t)1em into activity; and, reversely, we should' seek those cond~t10ns of hfe that_ will :1-1d the d~velopment of the good. 3. Caution sh?n)d b_e e~erc1sed lest_ we be misled 11: our es~1mate of what. we can do in resisting evil rnclmat10ns by basrng our calculat10n on circumstances hitherto helpful · for the men o~ Keilah, in the flush of David's achieven~ent, and !lot ye~ threatened by Saul, :wer~ like Peter, who could fearlessly avow fidelity to Christ while he was present to- msp!re and che~r. _4. The f:1ct that in the emergencies of their life God gave specific rephes to the mqmry of his chosen servants, because they were instruments of working out the great Messianic purpose, is encouragement to believe that he will gJve he:d to every one whose life is devoted to the same issue, and who is equally smcere m prayer.