and may at any moment banish him "into the outer darkness" (Matt. viii. 12, Rovisctl Yersion). II. 'l'HE PURPOSE OF Gon. To eecare "that his banished be not expelled from him ; " but be brought back, reconciled, restored to himself, bis family, and service. 'l'o "fetch home again his banished." Whence this purpose? 1. The Divine knowledge of the na.ture a11d consequent worth of man. That he is not as the brutes, but was ." made after the similitude of God" (Jas. iii. 9). That, though he "must neede die" nnd become as spilt water, he must needs also live after death. Hence he is worthy of much Divine expenditure in order to his salvation. The spiritual nature and the immortality of man render him an object of intense interest to his Maker, and to all who recognize them. 2. 7'he desire of God that liis purpose in the creation of mankind should not be frustrated. 3. The abounding love of God. Though the sinner is banished from his favour, he is not from his heart. He yearns over him while he expresses his displeasure with his conduct. He expresses his displeasure as one step towards his restoration. He desires the happiness of the sinner, but knows he cannot be happy apart from himself. He is "not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance" (2 Pet. iii. 9). III. THE MEANS HE DEVISED FOR THE ACOOMPLISHME1'"T OF HIS PURPOSE. 1. The incarnation and work of his Son Jesus Christ. He came "to seek and save the lost" (Luke xix. 10). By his personal manifestation of God, his teaching, example, and especially his death, he became the Way to the Father (John xiv. 6). He "suffered for sins, the Just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God" (1 Pet. iii. 18). 2. The gospel. Which is God's message to his banished ones, calling them back to him, and showing the way of return. 3. The Church, its ordinances and ministries. One main business of the Church, its ministers, yea, of all its members, is to labour to "fetch home again" God's banished ones. 4. The events of life. 'l'he providence of God is subservient to his grace. The Lord Jesus is "Head over all things," that all may further the accomplishment of the purposes for which he lived and died on earth, and lives and reigns in heaven. Hence providential events, on the wide scale and in individual life, are often rendered effectual unto salvation. 5. The gift of the Holy Spi,rit. To render all other means effectual in the hearts and lives of men. To convince, incline, persuade, convert, sanctify, save. IV. THE IMITATION OF GoD IN THIS RESPECT TO WHIOH WE ARE CALLED, The woman thus spoke that she might induce David t.o recall his banished son, Absalom. So we are called to imitate God: 1. By a readiness to forgive and restore our own banished ones; those who havfl forfeited our favour by misconduct. Some are implacable even toward their own children, however penitent they may be; but this is contrary to Christ, and quite unbecoming those who owe their own place in God's family to his forgiving mercy. 2. By hearty co-operation with God in the work of restoring those who have departed from him. This is the most glorious purpose for which we can live, the Divinest work in which we can engage. In this work we must bear in mind that to be successful we must conform to the methods which God has devised and furnished; as, in fact, in all departments of life, success springs from learning the Divine laws, and acting in harmony with them. There is no room for our own inventions, no possibility of independent action. In such imitation and co-ope- ration we should be impelled to faithfulness and diligence by the consideration that both ourselves end those we are to benefit "must needs die" (see John ix. 4). And let the same consideration lead those who have departed from God to return with all speed (see John xii. 35; 2 Cor. vi. 1, 2). Let not all the Divine thoughts and methods of mercy be, in your case, in vain. For all had respect to you individually. 'l'his we may be aided to realize by the singular number used here, " his banished one." "It was for me that all this movement of Divine love took place, and all these wonderful means have been employed. For me the Saviour died; to me the Divine message is sent," etc. Let not your return, however, be like Absalom's, in outward act only, but in heart. "Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon" (Isa. Iv. 7).-G. W.
Yer. 17.-,fo all-cornprdiensive blming. "The Lord thy God be with thcci" (Uo- CH, XIV, 1-33.] THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL.