up about day-dawn), and made uee of by him for tbat~se. It is not stated that lt w1111 intended for or perceived by any one else but David: To him it was II the sound of his Master's feet" (2 Kin~ vi. 32); the "going out before him" of" the Captain of the Lord's host" (Josh. v. 14) at the head of legions of angels "to smite the Philistines," and summoning him to follow. And the enemy, wrapped in slumber, and attacked at an unexpected time and place, was surprised and routed. Are there now no signs of a 1,im~r nature? 1. They are needed at certain seasons-in order to the proper under- standmg, enforoement, and application of the truths and duties contained in the written Word; especially when iniquity abounds, love waxes cold, labour ls vain, and fear and perplexity prevail; when "we see not our signs" (Ps. lxxiv. 9), nor receive "a token for good" (Ps. lxxxvi. 17). 2. They are ajforiied in various ways-by a striking concur- rence of events with the Word (1 Sam. x. 7) or their peculiar combination; by manifest tendencies, vivid impressions, spiritual suggestions, or an unusual expectancy; some• times with "a still small voice," sometimes with "the sound of a trumpet," "thunder and rain" (1 Sam. xii. 17), or "a rushing mighty wind." They are never wholly abJ1ent; but do we hear or see them ? "Earth's crammed with heaven, And every common bnsh a.fire with God: But only he who sees takes off' his shoes." (MN. Browning.) Consider them as- I. PERCEITED BY A VIGn.AN'l' OBSERVER. " When thou hearest the sound of a going," etc. Having "inquired of the Lord," and received the promise of a.id, David watched .for the sign thereof. "I will ste.nd upon my watch," etc. (Hab. ii. 1). Such a. watch- man: 1. Fixes his attention on the spiritual realities by which the world of sense is surrounded, supported, pervaded ; and becomes conscious or what is hidden from others, whose attention is wholly absorbed in earthly things; hearing a voice they cannot hear, and seeing a hand they cannot see. 2. Relies upon the promises which have been graciously spoken by "him who is invisible." 3. Looks for their fulfilment with fervent desire and unwearied patience, "more than they that watch for the morning" (Ps. cxxx. 6, 6), until at length the sign and then the rea.lity which it denotes are fully revealed. Eftrythlng depends upon a thoughtful, believing, wa.iting spirit I .. Signs summon not Faith : but they wait for her call; For in her own right she holds nature in thrall. Where sense sees a ble.nk space, with nought to inspire; She, seer-like, finds horses e.nd chariot.a of fire. Sense ransacks all space for the proofs of a God; Faith finds them at home, at the end of her rod. And he who complains of no God-prints below Will find nothing but sense-prints where'er he may go." "Th.ere are chemical experiments, in which. if a. certain condition be wanting, the element sought for cannot be elicited. It is present, waiting, ready to leap into activity the moment the condition is present. But as long as that is wanting, the element is imprisoned, separated by an impassable barrier, a.nd might almost be said to be non- existent. Similarly, the preoccupied mind might sleep at the very gate of heaven-no celestial dreams would visit it. The worldly mind might find itself in the house of God, in the holiest of all ; but the cloud of glory would sweep by it unnoticed. A mind keen after earthly objects, and engrossed by the interests of time, might live here three score years nnd f.c:n. with t!1e powers of the world to come ~ll the_ time ~ur:ou~ding it, soli~it\ng it pressing in upon It; and yet never once recognize a srngle 1ndicat1on of the D1v1ne p;1Jscuce. And he who finds nothing of heaven on earth would find nothing but earth in heaven" (J. Harri.•). II. PoBEESBlNG INVALUABLE SIGNIFICANCE. "Then will Jehovah go out before thee," etc. 'l'he sign in itse]! is little; the thing signified, as it_ is revealed to t~e waiting s~ul, is great, inasmuch BB It rcla.tes to the Lord of hosts, and mcludes: 1. His presence with us in a very special manner (2 Chron. xiv. 11; xx. 1~; xxxii. 6-8). If a sold_ier is in.spired with courage and strength by knowing that Ins commander 1s near and bis eye upuD Lim, much more should we be similarly inspired by the conviction of the Divine OR, V, 1-25,] THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL. Vl7
prosence. 2. Hisworleing for ueand in us. "The Lord is my Helper," etc. (Heb. xiii. 6). -3, His will concerning us, with respect, not only to our welfare, but also to our duty, 1the spirit we should cherish, the conduct we should pursue, the manner, place, and time of our activity. There is no greater joy to a faithful servant of God than to feel a!i~urerl that he is where God would ho.ve him to be, and doing what God would have him to do . .And thiR joy is his strength, III. REQUIRING PERSONAL EXERTION. "Then bestir thyself; go out to battle. And David did so o.s Jehovo.h commanded him." There is a time to work and fi~ht as well as to pray and watch. As it is presumptuons and vain to stir before the signal for action is given, so it is slothful and ruinous to wait after it is received. " Wherefore criest thou unto me? . , . Go forward" (Exod. xiv. 15; Josh. vii. 10). Divine assistance is not meant to supersede our exertion, but to quicken it. Because God works we must work, with a feeling of grateful obligation, reverence, and confidence (Phil. ii. 12). "The Captain of our salvation" goes out before us that we may follow him (Rev. xix. 14) with : 1. Implicit obedience to his eVfrrY direction and movement (see 1 tlam. xiii. 1-7). 2. Strenuous effort and whole-hearted devotion. 3. The utmost promptitude. Now or never. The opportunity, if allowed to slip, returns no more. " Consider that this qay ne'er dawns again" (Dante). "'Charge I' was the captain's Cr'f, Theirs not to ma.ke reply; Theirs not to reason why; Theirs but to do or die." IV. CoNDUOTING TO IMPORTANT ISSUES. "And he smote the Philistine~," etc. By such a victory: 1. The imminent danger that threatened is removed. 2. The final overthrow of the enemy is assured (eh. viii. 1). 3. The firm establishment and wide extension of the kingdom are promoted. It became possible to bring up the ark to Zion (~h. vi. 2) and to_ subdue surrounding adversaries. "And the fame of David went ont into all lands," etc. (1 Chron. xiv. 17). God fails not to fulfil his promises; disappoints not the trust that is placed in him; but makes the faithful "more than conquerors." .Al>PLIOATI0N. With reference to: 1. The individual. 2. The family. 3. The Church. 4. The nation. "Can ye not discern the signs of the times? "-D.