moml laws with impunity. Private vice is not one with public crime, The evil deed~ 11nd imperfect che1rnctor of men whose names are ir. the records of revelation must not be ohe1rged'on the revelation of God or his mcthocl of educating tho worlcl for something better. The foul deeds done during the dark days of the Church's life by some of the le11ders of Christianity are not to be ascribed to the holy cause with which they were identified, The personal vices of professors of religion do not really compromise Christ. In all these cases it is the J oab-apirit, and not the spirit of the kin~. which expresses itself, o.nd it is condemned by the very cause in the interests of which it may at first seem to be manifested. Christ's kingdom is one of unchan12:eable righteousness and love, in spite of o.11 the injustice and hate of men bearing the blessed Name. IIJ. WHEN OCCASION OFFERS, DEEDS ALIEN TO THE SPIRIT OF A GOOD CAUSE SHOULD DE DISTINCTLY REPUDIATED. As a matter of duty and policy, David felt bound to take an early opportunity of repudiating any association, either in spirit or action, with the crime of Joab. It was due to himself as an individual and as prospective king of a united Israel, and to that better system of government which on the death of Saul he wa~ called to inaugurate. Suspicions cannot be prevented, the odium of connection with a wrong-doer cannot but arise, malicious foes will be sure to tum every po~sible event to his detriment; but as soon as the ear of the nation can be reached self-vindication becomes imperative. It is a question of opportunity. Sometimes good men may have to pass years "under a cloud," and even ~o down to the grave trusting only to the vindication of the just in the day of judgment. David e~caped that sorrow. His declaration, his daring to denounce so powerful a man, the severity of his curse on the ·evil-doer, the evident sincerity of his sorrow for Abner, and the suspension of public duties for an elaborate funeral ceremonial,-all made known as distinctly as possible how alien was the spirit of his life and government from the cruel treachery of Joab. The same course is open to us when individually our fair fame may be compromised by others. Modern governments often have to disown deeds of their officials. Our Lord himself bas laid down principles in the New Testament by which he may in all ages have wherewith to repudiate the evil deeds and spirit of some of his professed friends; and in course of history, when danger arises of confounding his holy kingdom with vile actions, his providence brings out the true spirit inculcated in sharp contrast with the evil. As occasion offers, we in our age should be careful to let men see that he is not responsible for the abuses which have sprung out of the imperfections of some of his servants. Never did the world more need to see clearly Christ and his kingdom as they are in contrast with much that is done and maintained in his Name. IV. TmE.FAVOURS THE RIGHT ASSIGNMENT OF GUILT. If any were disposed to doubt the sincerity of David's disclaimer-and there are such suspicious, unfriendly men in every age-he could afford to wait. 'l'he true interpreter of our actions in the past is to be found in the tenor of our life. The years to come would reveal the true David and the true Joab. The pure feeling that prompted this quick repudiation would reappear in a life of kindliness and generosity and justice, and every good deed and generous sentiment would only make more clear his freedom from complicity in this crime; and, on the other hand, the hard, stern, vindictive feeling which continued to hold and fashion the life of Joab would only render more clear and emphatic the judg- ment against him. So of much past Church history; time will only tend to bring out more distinctly the separation between Christianity, as it is in Christ and his teaching, and those actions and feelings which too often were identified with his service. Individual deserts also will become manifest, however obscure the facts may be to present observers. The future is against the wicked and on the side of the just. Evil men may well dread the coming of the day when the hidden things of darkness shall be made manifest, when the exact incidence of guilt will be seen ; good men, those who have made their peace with God and have received the Spirit of the kindgom, may lift up their heads in confidence in prospect of that same great day. GENERAL LESSONS. 1. It adds to the guilt of a man when, knowing that be is solely responsible for certain deeds, he allows others with whom he has been associated to fall under suspicion. Joab ought to have voluntarily cleared David. 2. Good men ~navoidably under suspicion may find consolation in that some of the best--Joseph, David, an,\ even the best, Christ (Luke xxiii. 2; John xix. 12)--were suspected of wrong. 3. Although the "reace of God" is the heritage of the just as a personal boon, yet it is due to the 84 THE SECOND DOOK OF SAlllUBL, [rn. m. 1-39,
cause dear to their hearts t-0 seek self-vindication, as in the case of David and Paul, nnd this will_ be the chief motive for a disclaimer. 4. It behoves Christian people especially to exercise a very calm and sober judgmeut when any ono known as e. servant of Christ is accused of or ime.gined to be in complicity with evil transactions. 6. The general character of a man under suspicion ought to give great weight to any disclaimer he may ma.ke, and be to us a set-off against all prima /acie evidence.