difficulty to us that times of moral trial should be found, and subjection to evil entice- ments should form part of the Divine plan. We know that God tries and tests us by thi11gs, and it should not be difficult for us to realize that he may try and test us by persons. This is, indeed, our most subtle and most severe form of testincr,0 A man may stand firm under all the various trials of affliction, and fall at last under the temptings and delusions of subtle sin. This is the point in David's case. We should notice the time in his life when this severe temptation came. It was when we mi"ht reasonably have assumed that David was confirmed in goodness. "Let him that t~inketh he standeth take heed lest he fall." Interesting comparisons may be made with Abraham, tested late in life by the command to offer his son; and with Job, tried when fully established in family and property, by the sudden loss of all, and his owi: extreme bodily suffering. David's trial came when all his enemies were subdued and his kingdom extended to its widest limits. We cannot suppose that the mere a~t of taking a census of the people was regarded as wrong. All acts gain their qualities by the spirit in which they are done, and David's wrong was wrong of purpose and of will. I. SATANIC TEMPTATIONS REGARDED AS HUMAN PERIL. Illustrate from our Lord's words to St.. Peter, "Simon, Satan bath desired to have you, that he may sift yon as wheat." Danger-times occur again and again in a man's life. He must conceive of his spiritual foe as ever on the watch for the weak, unguarded moment. Illustrate the Satanic opportunities found in times of frail health, of success in undertakings, of circumstances having an exciting character, of carnal security, of flattery, or of pride. Especially show that the moments of rebound from success, and exhaust-ion after victory, put us in extreme peril Skilfully adjusting temptations to a man's stronger siJ.e, Satan has oftentimes succeeded. Every hour is an hour of peril, and we need the hourly prayer, "Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe." II. SATANIC TEMPTATIONS REGARDED AS DIVINE DISCIPLINE. we may not separate any of the things happening to us in life from the Divine purpose and overruling. What we call evil is properly seen as part of the Divine agency for our moral culture. Divine overruliogs do not change the character or quality of things, but they directly affect the result of things. All life is probation. We are being moulded in righteous- ness. So we find that even these strange Satanic temptations serve gracious Divine purposes in the individual man; and when we cannot see this, we may see that they serve gracious Divine purposes in the warning and teaching of others, and that some of us may even, as David, stumble unto falling vicariously.-R. T. Ver. 2.-The sin of seif-gratulation. The narrative does not clearly and explicitly state David's intention in thus commanding a census of the people to be made. Probably he desired to know the numbers of the people of his kingdom as it had been extended by successful war; but this he wished rather for his own self-glorying than for national purposes. It was an act of self-will, and it failed from full loyalty to the theocratic idea which had been so well maintained during David's reign. In just this lay its sin and its mischief. Dean Stanley calls the taking of this census "an attempt not unnaturally suggested by the increase of his power, but implying a confidence and_ pride alien to the spirit inculcated on the kings of the chosen people. '.!.'he apprehension of a Nemesis on any overweening display of prosperity, if not consistent with the highest revelations of the Divine nature in the gospel, pervades all ancient, especially all Oriental, reliaions." And Ewald says, "'fhe only satisfactory explanation of this measure is th~t it was intended as the foundation of an organized and vigorous govern- ment, like that of Egypt or Phamicia, under which the exact number of the houses and inhabitants of every city and village would have to be obtained so as to be able to summon the people for general taxation. But it is well known. what a profound aversion and what an instinctive abhorrence certain nations, ancient and modern, harbour against any such design which they dimly suspect, not per~aps without go?d reason is likely to result in a dangeroUB extension of the governmg power, and its encroa~hmcnt on the sanctity of the private home." We may notice what peril often lies in. the return of temptation upon a man after he has conquered it. David had warred in loyal dependence on God, but he fell when attempting to gather up the results of his victory. A camp is never so exposed to attack a~ in the time of exhaUBlion alld Ott, ttl. l-30.J TitE FIRST BOOK OF THE CflRONICLES. 347
over-confidence that immedintely succeeds a victory. Illustrate from the power that lies in the backward suck of a broken wave. I. SELF-GBATULATION ON ACCOUNT OF RESULTS OF LABOUR. Compare Nebuchad- nezzar's boasting over great Babylon. Contrast the spirit mnnifested in St. Paul's boa.stings. He says, " By the grace of God I am what I am." Show how keen we are for results, both in business and in religious spheres. The miser delights to count up his hoards, and the religious man is in peril of self-satisfaction in reckonin<> up his converts. Few of us can bear to have the true fruitage of our life-labour show~ us yet; and we learn to think it most wise and good of our great Master t-hat he puts off the harvest-day until by-and-by. Then we may venture to come" bringing our sheaves with us." Enough now for us is the joy of workers in their work. II. SELF-GRATULATION ON ACCOUNT OF SPIRITUAL TRIUMPHS. Illustrate from the peril of the hermit, monk, or nun; persons who devote themselves wholly to spiritual culture, Show that the humility they seek is ever slipping from their grasp, and subtle pride is asserting its place. St. Simeon Stylites on his pillar was probably prouder than any king. And so now exclusive attention to the training of feelings and emotions tends to self-gratulation. Perhaps more men are proud of their goodness than proud of their greatneas. Against this subtle and insidious form of evil we all need to watch. And the great Heart-~earcher needs to cleanse the very thoughts and heart, finding out for us our secret wicked ways. III. The BINFULh"EBB of all self-gratulation is seen in the evil influence of it on others. Some it excites to imitations. Others it impresses with our insincerity, and so with an idea of the wo1thlessness of all religion. It prevents our exercising a good influence on others. Nothing more certainly shuts up a man's power than the impression be may produce of his pride and self-conceit. Whatever we may win, one law applies -don't boast.-R. T.