good subjects, until some bolder spirit beads a revolt, and "draws away disoiples after him" (Acts xx. 30). Or the pernicious influence may come from inconsistent Christians, unworthy ministers of religion, or corrupt Churches. Men do not sufficiently distinguish between Christ and his professed representatives, and find in the evil discerned in them an excuse for desertinii; bim, (7) Disbelief of Christ's power, or will, to execute justice on t.hose who are unf&iLbful to him. Did men realize the tremendous issues involved in cleaving to or rejecting Christ, they would not ao loosely hold their religion or so readily abandon it. Did they seriously regard his picture of the doom of those who will not have him for their King (Luke xix. 27) ae representing an awful reality, they would be more concerned to escape it. II. REASONS WHICH INDUCE THE FAITHFUL TO CLEAVE TO THEIR KING, WHOEVER IIA Y DESERT mM. 1. Faith in his Divine authority. That he is King by Divine ri1.tht, and mUBt and will reign, and make all his foes his footstool (Ps. ii.; ox. 1; 1 Cor, xv. 25). 2. Love to him. Originating in gratitude for his redeeming love, becoming attachment to him from discernment and approval of his in.finite excellences, and to his government and laws, because the renewed heart is in harmony with them, 3. Experunce of the ble.ssings of his rei,gn. In the heart, the home, the people who truly serve him. Hence, intense satisfaction with his service. 4. Hope of a yet happier ez;perience when his reign is fully established and perfected. Hope, as the "anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast" (Heb. vi. 19), keeps the soul steadfast when storms of temptation arise. To give up Christ would be, it is felt, to give up hope of glory in his "everlasting kingdom" (2 Pet. i. 11). 5. Perception of the worthlessness of his rivals. Observe the contrast presented between Sheba and David-the one "a man of Belia!" (worthlessness), the other "their king." Similarly, when "many of Christ's disciples went back, and walked no more with him," and he, turning to the twelve, asked, "Will ye also go away?" Peter exclaimed, "Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God" (John vi. 66-69). And still we may ask, "To whom shall we go ? " Where shall we find one to take the place of Christ? Who has equal claims on our confidence and affection ? Who can conrer equal benefits? Not the irreligious multitude, wliether of the coarser or the more refined sort. Not the leaders of sceptical thought, some of whom simply ignore all that renders Christ precious to the Christian; others maintain that nothing cau be known of God, and that all that is believed respecting him and his relation to men belongs to the region of imagination, not of truth; and others proffer a religion without a God. The Christian sees that all who would tempt him to forsake his Lord can offer him as substitutes only "vain things, which cannot profit nor deliver " (1 Sam. xii. 21 ). 6. Expectation of the coming of Christ. The account to be then rendered, the judgments to be pronounced, the rewards and punish- ments to be distributed. The certainty that "he," and only he, "that shall endure unto the end shall be saved" (Matt. xxiv. 13). For these reasons, and such as these,· some of which a.re felt most by one, and some by another; whilst many mayJollow this or that pretender, Christians who are really such will" cleave unto their King." -G.W.
Ver. 19.-Peaceablene.ss and faithfulness. "l am one of them that are peaceable and faithful in Israel." The wise woman probably spoke in these words, not so much for herself, as for the inhabitarits of her town, which Joab was besieging. Hence the adjectives are plural She pleads the peacefulness and fidelity of the people as a reason for sparing them. It was no fault of theirs that a traitor had taken refuge amongst them. Joab acknowledges the force of her plea, and promises to depart if Sheba were delivered up to him-a promise which he fulfilled when the head of the traitor had been flung to hiw over the wall. The qualities here mentioned are of inestimable value; in an individual in relation to his nei~h hours, fellow-citizens, and fellow-Christians; in a family as between its members, and in relation to other families; in a town, between it.B inhabitants, and in respect to other towns; in a couutry, between the various classes of the people, between the people and their rulers, acd in relation to other countries; and in a Church, as between its members, and in its relations with other Churches and with the community at large. They are the 1mbject of many Scripture injunctio!ls _and promises They are fruits of the Spirit; essential parts of the character of a Christian; (llJ, u. 1-26,] THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL. 509