J. 'l'me IB TRUE AB REBPEOT8 THEIR PARTIOIPATION 01" THE GIFTB OP' Goo's PTIOVI- DENOE. All creatures depend upon him, and he supplies their wants (Ps. civ. 27, 28; oxlv. 16, 16). But the lower creatures partake of hie bonnty unconscious of the hand which feeds them. They are, in relation to God, rather like the horses in the stable, or the cattle and sheep in the fields, than the children at the table. And what these ara through incap11city, ungodly people are through nnbelief and forgetfulness. They Jive on the bounty of God, unmindful of him and untbanHul. His children, however, cveu in the enjoyment of their daily food," sit at his table." As be provides, so they recognize hie care and bounty, and give him thanks. As he is present, so they are con- scious of his presence. They regard him as presiding at their meals, and are glad to discern him so near, They ask for hie blessing, and receive it. They" eat to the Lord, and give God thanks" (Rom. xiv. 6). 'l'hcy satisfy their appetites and gratify their tastes as in bis sight. 'l'hey aim "to eat and drink ... to the glory of God " (1 Cor. x. 31). 'fhey not only enjoy his gifts, but commune with himself. They talk with him, and he with them. Common meals thus enjoyed become as sacramtnts and means of grace. Let it be our endeavour to enjoy them thus more than we have done. !I, THE WORDS ARE MORE EMPHATICALLY APPLICABLE TO THE CHRISTIAN'S ENJOY- MENT OF SPIBITUAL BLESSINGS. In this sense, "he eats continually at the king's table." The image reminds us of: 1. His exaltation. Once, like Mephibosbetb, living far away from the king, now brought near, and associated with, yea, made really one of, his c;hildren. Still "lame" and otherwise defective, and unfit perhaps for much service, yet admitted to favour and honour. 2. The abundance of the best provisions he enjoys. .At the King's table is plenty, and of the best. .At the table of the heavenly King, spread under the gospel, are provisions the choicest and rarest, to be found nowhere else; and which nourish, not for this short earthly life, but for life eternal. The best intellectual food is here; but especially that food which quickens and nourishes the soul, in faith, and love, and hope, and holiness. Divine truth and whatever it reveals and presents-the pardoning mercy and fatherly love of God, the love and sacrifice of Christ, his body and his blood, which are the real food and drink of men. Of these the believing and loving soul may partake at will, anywhere and everywhere. The King's table is not confined to place; but especially in the house of God and at the Lord's Supper, the table is spread, and Christians gather together to feed and feast. 3. At the King's table is the best society. At the table of the Divine King we associate with the Father and the Son, by the Spirit ; and by him also with saints and angelll, "the excellent of the earth" and the excellent of heaven. The Lord fulfils bis pro- mise, "I will sup with him, and he with me" (Rev. iii. 20). 4. .At the King's table is gladness. The honour, the provision, the company, all tend to give pleasure. 5. There also is safety. The palace of a king is commonly the securest spot in the land. Far more assured is the safety of those who sit at the table of the heavenly King. Angels guard them ; God himself is their Dwelling-place and Defence. 6. The privilege of eat- ing at the table of our King is perpetual. As in the case of Mephiboshetb. If it is not continually enjoyed, it is our own fault. The privilege enjoyed by Mepbibosbeth would be a constant solace to him in his helplessness ; and the spiritual counterpart is to Christians a constant source of comfort o.nd support under their troubles. !If. THE WORDS ARE PERFECTLY FULFILLED IN THE,HEAVENLY WORLD. The future blessedness of God's people is often compared to a feast (see Matt. viii. 11; Rev. ii. 7; xix. 9). It is, in fact, the continuance and the perfecting of the blessedness now enjoyed. The King himself is perfectly" manifested." "They shall see his face" (Rev. nii. 4)-; "We shall see him as he is" (1 John iii. 2). His love and favour are so displayed as not to admit of o. doubt. The provisions at his table are the same as on earth; but the guests e.re better able to enjoy them, their spiritual appetite and tastes being freed from o.11 that lessens their fitness to do so. The society is the same, but those imperfect on earth are perfected in spirit o.nd in body (Heb. xii. 23; Phil. iii. 21). The_ security is absolute; the joy unmingled with sorrow; the feast is perpetual and without end. "Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God" (Luke xiv. 15). Who shall partake of that bliss? All are invited by the gospel ; 11nd none will be excluded but such as exclude themselves by refusing to accept the invitation, and obtain the necessary preparation for the feast, which consists in reconciliation to the King through Jesus Christ1 cunstant loy11lty and obedience to him, and joyful partaking now of hi.II 2f>O TllE SECo~n BOOK <'F' SAMUttt. [ctt. flt. 1......18.
whom Alennder gave k city, declined to RCcept it, o'll the ground that it was unsuitable to hi1 condition, he l'llld, "'I ,lo not ask what iR becoming in you to receive but what ill be~oming in me to give" (Seneca,• De Beneficiis ').~D. '