Pro,.. xiii. 16). 3. An evil disposition is plainly proved by evil actions. It is so especially v.·hen they nre performed deliberately, hahituallr, and on occasions of decisive trial. "By their fruits ye shall know them." The p,:oof is perfectly reliable easily perceivable, and generally applicable. ' II. lTs A~PLICATION (Yer. 11). ." But my hand sha!l not be upo~ thee" (vers. 12, 11 1~). Dand menns to say that if _he had been gmlty o_f cons~1racy against the kmg be would not haYe neglected tins favourable opportunity to !nil him since men usually indulge their feelings, and from a mind guilty· of conspiracy n'othing but corresponding deeds could come forth" (Clericus). The application may be made !o the conduct of others, but it should be made first and chiefly to our own; and 1t sho~1l~ lead us-1. To test o'!lr character by our actions, and to prove to others when 1t ,~ Ruspected and calummated that it is good, and not evil. As wickedness proceedeth from the v.,icked, so goodness proceedeth from the good. "2. To feel in- creased aversion t? evil, to act according to the integrity we assert of ourselves, to resolve to do nothmg wrong, and to endeavour to prevent others from doing wrono- (ver. 14). S. To appeal to God, who searches the heart, and, in the consciousness of sincerity and innocence, to put confidence in bis righteous and merciful. aid (ver. 15). "Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God" (1 John iii. 21). In the review of the subject let us bear in mind that-I. Men are responsible for the character they possess. 2. An evil character may be transformed into a good one by the power of Divine grace and the use of proper means. 11 I will give you a new heart." "Make you a new heart." 3. We ought to strive continually to attain the highest degree of virtue and goodness possible. "Such is this steep ascent, That it is ever difficult at first, But more a man proceeds less evil grows. When pleasant it shall seem to thee, so much That upward goiug shall be easy to thee, As in a vessel to go down the tide, Then of this path thou wilt have reached this end. There hope to rest thee from thy toil" (' Purg.' iv.). D.
Vers. 16-22. (ENGEDI.)-T!ie goodness of bad men. "And Saul lifted up his voice and wept" (ver. 17). The opportunity given to David to avenge himself on Saul was a severe test of principle, but by the use he made thereof it became a means of his further advancement. His forbearance was also another test of th& ,-,Jiaracter of Saul, over whom Divine mercy still lingered, and toward whom it was ;n such forbearance shown afresh. Nor was it without effect. The heart of the man who had ordered the massacre of eighty-five priests and was bent on the destruction of his most faithful servant relented at the words addressed to him ; his voice trembled with emotion, tears flowed down bis cheeks, be wept aloud, acknowledged his guilt, and turned from his purpose. It seemed as if he had undergone a sudden transform- ation and become a new mnn. But bis heart remained unchanged. And his good- ness, as on former occasions, was like that of those to whom the prophet said, "Your goodness" (fits of piety) 11 is as the morning cloud, and as the early dew it goetb away" (Hosea vi. 4). Concerning such goodness, notice that- I. IT IS NOT UNFREQUENTLY DISPLAYED. There is in the worst of men some capa- city of moral and spiritual impression ; and those who might be least expected to be moved are often most powerfully affected by-1. The force of a p~werful appeal, in wliic:11 the truth is set before their minds and brought home to their hearts and con- sciences (vers. 9-15). They walk in the darkness of error and illusion, and the ligl1t breaks suddenly upon them, revealing what they could not or would not see before. It is made so plain that they are unable to deny its reality or resist its im- pression. 2. The exhibi,t,wn of unusual generosity and superior excellence, which shows by contrast their own defects, shames and subdues them, overcomes not only them, but also, in some degree, the evil that is in them-their envy, hatred, and sin. '' The simple self-presentation and self-witness of moral purity and truth has a great missionary power, and often makes a mighty impression on spiritually darkened and CR XXIV, 1-22.] Tim 1"In'3T BOOK OF SAMUEL. 473