of good, and the energy of the counteraction had been, not connteractive, but supple- mentary to the force of his unbroken holy life. It is an awful fact that the universe, after eio, ie a changed place, and that the trace of the curse in soma form, though not necessarily active, will ever be found in the thought and constitution of society. II. 'l'HE IMMEDIATE ACTION OF CONSPICUOUS BIN IS TO WEAKEN THI': RESTRAINTS ON EXISTING EVIL TENDENCIES. 'l'here are always in the human heart propensities urgent for activity, and they a.re kept back very much by reason of the force of gou<lnese in the good, as well as by the natural action of conscience. There can he no question that Amnon was, like many, prone to the lusts of the flesh, and that the fact of David's fall had lessened the restraints upon him. The secrecy encouraged by Jonadab might well be stimulated by the previous secrecy of David in his sin, so far as it was known to his family. The influence of David's sin on the mind of Joau could not fail to render court life more corrupt in its springs; for it is a mournful fact that, while we by our sins set a new force for evil at work which gives momentum to those already active, we do not convey to society the blessedness which subsequently may come to us in a free pardon. A notorious sin in high stations is the foster-parent of kinured sins. A pa.rent by his known sin sheds influences a.round his chiltlren that tend to develop the worst elements of their nature. It is fuel to fire. Ill. THOSE WHO HAVE COMMITTED OPEN SINS MUST ESPECIALLY FEEL TIIE PAIN OF WITNESSING THE FRUl'l' OF THEIR DEEDS. The enlarging family of David offered wider scope for the ill effects of his conduct to work upon. The addition of Ba.thsheba to the ha.rem under the peculiar circumstances could not but awaken jealousies, and among the various children loosen the bonds of restraint on the lower tendencies of life. He who had so cleverly sought to cover sin in the case of Uriah and his wife, could not detect the secret plot covered by the sickness of his son, whom he with paternal kindness visited and comforted (ver. 6). The iniquity thus coming to maturity at last came to his knowledge in a form little suspected. Its distinctly incestuous character, and the cool cunning with which it was prepared for and perpetrated, must have given intense pa.in to David, apart from the evil of the act, inasmuch as it would forcibly remind him of days and nights of scheming to accomplish a horrid crime, and compel him to see that the son has learnt too well to imitate the deeds of the father. The more sincere his recent penitence, and the more perfect his restoration to God's favour, the more keen the anguish that now would fill his spirit; for he would see and feel as a holy reconciled man only can. A similar experience is that of pa.rents who witness in their sons, it may be, bolder forms of the sin to which they were once the victims. There are such in Christian society. Their peace with God may be real through the merits of Christ, but their pathway is beclouded by a terrible sorrow. The terrible evils of sin in this life, even to the good! Bitter is the firstfruit ! IV, THOSE WHO HAVE COMMITTED OPEN SIN ARE PARALYZED IN THEIR ACTION TOWARDS BINS OF THE BAME CHARACTER. It is said that when David learnt the full facts of Amnon's conduct towards Tamar, he" was very wroth" (ver. 21). No doubt. Every kind and holy feeling of the restored man would be outraged by this vile conduct. But it is significant that nothing further is said. No action of a legal character was taken. The sentence of the Mosaic Law was not enforced. '!'he remembrance of his own sin unfitted him to deal with Arnnon as was due. Direct action on his part fur his punishment would, he thought, be met by the reproach of his own deeds. "Physician, heal thyself," had a paralyzing meaning for him. 'l'he reference to Absalom nourishing revenge till occasion offered is an historical set-off to David's inactivity. There is nothing unusual in David's conduct. It is repeated every day. The liar's tongue is deprived of its power in reproving lies in others. The deceiver in business affairs cannot with energy and force warn others against fraud. Men who have openly indulged in the lusts of the flesh speak with bated breath and act with indecision wheu public questions concerning the suppression and punishment of licentiousness are discussed. They may be sincere in their expression of pain, and be intensely angry if any of their offspring fall into vile ways, but they are conscious of a secret force checking the action which otherwise would have been taken. None can speak and act on moral quest.ions as the pure. Our Saviour's words on all moral subjects carry with them the force of his uusullied life. Herein is an example for teachers and taught. GENERAL LESSONS. 1. There should be an avoidance of all customs in society that 330 'l'HE SECOND DOOK OF SAMUEL. [en. xm. 1-30,
in any way tend to strengthen, and give occasion for the development of the boser feelings of human nR.ture. OrientR.l harems may have their counterp11.rts 'iu certiiin usag".6. of ~ estern life. WhRtever weakens the feelings of purity and ohastity is a pos1t1ve e_v1l. 2. Care should be taken to avoid the company and services of men cl~ver in evil. There are Jona.dabs in society, whose services are ready, but are fraught with woe. 3. 'l'he man who can make use of the kindly sympathies of others in order to encompass their rnin is already far gone towards perdition; e.nd inasmuch as there A.re many such still in society, men who abuse the tenderest affections for lustful ends their persons should be abhorred and shunned by all Christian people. 4. 'l'he selftsh~ ness and cruelty of sin is a univerSI\I qu11lity (vers. 15-17), and &s such it deserves the utmost detestation. All sin is self against God and God's holy order. The adulterer in his lust, the defrauder in his deceit, the extortioner in his greed, the rebellious son in his disobedience, know this too well. Their deeds are damage to the universe for sake of self. 6. There is always being treasured up somewhere retribution for those who seem to escape the punishment due t.o their sin. Absalom's self-control (ver. 22) is suggestive of restraint on the forces which at last cannot but overwhelm the wicked with destruction (2 Pet. ii. 8; Jude 15).