of men. 3. The moral sig,iifica,nce of the sacri,fi~ of Ghrist is immea.,urably g1·eater than of tlie o_(fering of any number of animal sacrifices. As a. revelation of God and man, of holiness and sin, of the Divine hatred to ein and love to sinners, of the beauty and glory of self-sacrifice, et-0., it is altogether unique. 4. The efficacy of the sacrijice of Ghrist transcends inca!,cttlahly that of the sacrijices o_(fered by David. (1) The value of the latter for atonement depended wholly on the will and appointment of God; the worth of the former was essential and intrinsic. (2) The one atonement WBS of limited, the other of boundless, efficacy. The former removed limited guilt-of o. single nation, and for the time; the other was for the sins of all men, everywhere, and in all ages of the world (John i. 29; 1 John i. 7; ii. 2; Heb. x. 14). (8) The sacrifices of David arrested a pestilence, and thus lengthened the lives of many; that of Christ aves Crom et.ernal punishment, and secures eternal life (1 Thess. i.10; John vi. 61-54). (4) The former had doubtless some influence on some of the Israelites,.favourable to repentance, faith, and obedience ; the latter has produced and will yet produce a com- plete revolution in the position and character of vast multitudes belonging to many nations. '!'hose who believe are by the death of Christ brought to God (1 Pet. iii. 18 ; Heh. x. 19, 20), made partakers of the Holy Spirit (Gal. iii. 13, 14), pardoned and justified (Eph. i. 7; Rom. v. 9), sanctified (Rom. viii. 3, 4; Eph. v. 25-27), led to thorough consecration of life to him who died for them (2 Cor. v. 14, 15), and to assured hope and unspeakable happiness (Rom. v. 5-11; viii. 32-39), issuing in the perfection, glory, and bliss of heaven (Rev. vii. 9, 10, 13-17). 5. The animals offered by Davin, =ed to exist ; the great Redeemer obtained for himself by his self-sacrifice ermltation to wniversal dominion and immortal glory, including the honour of leading and saving those for whom he died, and of receiving their loving and devoted homage (Rom. xiv. 8, 9; Eph. i. 19-23; Phil. ii. 8-11; Heh. xiii. 20; Rev. i. 17, 18). 6. The ben~fits of Davi<l's offerings came to the peopl,e through his faith, penitence, and obedience; those of the sacrifice of Ghrist come to each Christian as the result of his own. Its moral and spiritual power is thus enhanced. 7. The burnt offerings of David laid the foundation for his thank offerings; much more does the death of Ghrist call for, induce, and render acceptable, thank offerings of a nobler kind, and these innumerable, unceasi:ng, and throughout eterni,ty. Such are the presenting of ourselves to God, and the offering~ of praise, prayer, and beneficence (Rom. xii. 1; Phil. iv. 18; Heh. xiii. 15, 16; Rev. viii. 3, 4). Let us not fail to present snch thank offerings. Let us take up the song of the banished apostle (Rev. i. 5, 6), "Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood ... to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever." Let us now join angels and the Church and all creation, and purpose and hope to join them for ever, in the sublime anthem (Rev. v. 12, 13), " Worthy is the Lamb that was slain t.o receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory and blessing ... Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that aitteth upon the throne, a.nd UI1to the Lamb for ever and ever. Aw.en."-G, W. HOMILETICAL INDEX 'lO
THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL.
Tl!EIIE PAG'R CHAPTER L THEIIB P.lGE Divine Guidance ... 51 Waiting on Providence 7 David anointed King of Judah 52 A Subtle Temptation 8 Commendation 53 Secularity and Spirituality of 1\Iind Opposition to the Divine Pa:rpose 51 in Contrast 11 Fratricidal Strife ... 55 Sorrow for the Miscarrio.ge of Life's The Untimely Fate of As:i.hel: to Great Purpose ... 12 Young Men 56 The Incidento.l Tenchings of a Great War 57 Disaster H The Sorrows of Victory 59 The Hebrew Monarchy 16 Inquiring of God ... 60 David's Reign 19 Gratitude and Policy 61 A Change of Dyne.sty 21 Longing for the Cessation of Wars 62 Selfish Craft 22 Unselfish Grief 23 Capital Punishment 23 CHAPTER m The Song of the Bow 25 Rival Interests 69 David's Lamentation over Saul <1nd Faithfulness in Small Things 73 Jona.than 26 Policy without Principle 7-1 " How a.re the Mighty fallen I " 28 Policy with Principle 77 Wonderful Love ... 29 Defective Sympathy 80 A Sad End of a Perverse Life 30 The Incidence of Guilt 82 A Weighty Question 31 Deferred Punishment 84 Joy amongst the Enemies of the "The House of David" 86 Church 33 The Character of Abner 87 A Beloved Friend's Death lamented 33 The Dissensions of the Wicked SS A Domestic Episode 89 CHAPTER Il. An Urgent Appeal: an Evangelistic The Beginnings of Prosperity 40 Address 90 The Uses of Partial Success 42 The Vengeance of Joo.b 91 An Instructive Episode 44 David's Lament over Abner 93 Fanatical Patriotism 45 Acceptance with the People 9-1 Instructive Youthful Imprudence 47 The Fall of a Prince aud a Great l\Iun 9-1 The Alternations of Passion and The Sons of Zeruiah 95 49 Doing Right wrongly 95 632 TRE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL, [eh:. XXIV, 1-28,