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David, he prophesied again, and excited in the beholders the same wonder as before; we cannot but feel extremely jealous of such conversions; and, together with our grateful admiration, blend also a measure of prudential inquiry, saying, "Is Saul among the prophets?"

This is a matter which ought not to be too hastily assumed

[It is a fact, that many "have a name to live, whilst they are really dead';" and "say they are Jews, whilst they are not, but do lie." "Many will Many will say unto Christ, Lord, Lord! when they will not do his will";" and " name the name of Christ, when they will not depart from iniquity." In the days of old, many would call themselves the children of Abraham, when they would not do the works of Abraham*: so now at this day, many will "profess that they know God, whilst they" palpably and habitually "in works deny him." So far do many carry their self-deception, that they both live and die in the full confidence of their acceptance with God, when yet they have never truly known him; and they will even go to the bar of judgment, as it were, with their arrogant claims in their mouths, "Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name, and in thy name cast out devils, and in thy name done many wonderful works?" But to their utter consternation will the Judge address them, " Depart from me: I never knew you, ye workers of iniquity m."]

How, then, shall the point be determined?

[I answer, if you would know whether you are indeed among the prophets, inquire diligently, whether you have the mind of the prophets; and whether you have the spirit of the prophets. If we do not accord with the Prophets and Apostles in their views of Christ, the matter is clear; we can have no part with them. Moses and all the prophets testified of Him, as the only Saviour of the world: and, if we do not regard him in this light, renouncing all our own righteousness, and looking for acceptance through Him alone, we stand at once self-convicted, and self-condemned.

But we must go further, and examine whether we be renewed, not merely in sentiment, but also "in the spirit of our mind." We must not merely have a new creed, but really be made new creatures, having all our dispositions and desires conformed to those of Christ himself; being "holy as he is

e 1 Sam. xix. 15, 20-24. h Matt. vii. 21.

I Tit. i. 16.

f Rev. iii. 1.

i 2 Tim. ii. 19.

m Matt. vii. 22, 23.

g Rev. iii. 9.
k John viii. 39.

holy," and "pure as he is pure"." If we would not deceive our own souls, we should take the faith of Abraham, the meekness of Moses, the devotion of David, the firmness of Elijah, the integrity of Daniel, and all the characteristic virtues of the several prophets, as tests whereby to try our own: and though we are far from combining in ourselves all their respective excellencies, yet there must be no grace which we allowedly neglect, or which we do not aspire after with our whole hearts. We must be Christians "not in word and in tongue, but in deed and in truth:" nor can we hope ever to be approved of our God, if we be not " Israelites indeed, in whom there is no guile."]

By way of APPLICATION,

1. Let me speak to some a word of encourage

ment

[Many are ready to say, "I can never hope to he numbered with the children of God." But, if God chose Saul to an earthly kingdom, may he not choose us to one in a better world? If he fitted him for the discharge of earthly duties, may he not fit us for those which are heavenly? The exercise of sovereignty is the same in either case: and as there certainly was nothing in Saul to merit the distinction conferred on him, so may we hope that God's sovereign choice may be fixed. on us, though we are conscious that there is nothing in us to conciliate his regards. Perhaps, too, this may be done at a time that we least expect so great a blessing. Saul was occupied in seeking his father's asses, when Samuel made known to him God's purpose respecting him, and anointed him to the regal office. And who can tell? You may have come hither, at the present moment, with as little expectation of receiving any distinguished benefit as he: and yet this may be the hour when God will call you to his kingdom and glory, and give you an unction from the Holy One"" to prepare you for it. Look up to God; and pray that he would now, by his almighty power, make you, not only "another man," but "a new creature in Christ Jesus:" so may you hope that it shall be done unto you; and that, as the Church of old, on seeing the conversion of Saul of Tarsus, "were amazed, and said, Is not this he that destroyed them who called on this name in Jerusalem?" so they may admire the grace of God in you, and, with joyful thanksgivings, may "glorify God in you."] 2. Let me take up, over others, an affectionate lamentation-

66

n 1 John iii. 3.
P Acts ix. 20, 21.

1 John ii. 20.

9 Gal. i. 23, 24.

vain?

[Respecting too many of you, alas! it must rather be asked, 'What! Is he not yet among the prophets?' Has he heard the word so long and so faithfully preached in Has the Spirit of God so often striven with him in vain? -Has he made so many good resolves in vain? Alas! how aggravated is his guilt! and how awful will be his condemnation! Yes, Brethren, you must, many of you at least, be sensible, that no great and visible and lasting change has taken place in you, nothing that has excited the admiration of others, nothing that has called forth thanksgiving in yourselves. If you compare yourselves with the Prophets and Apostles of old, you can find in yourselves no real resemblance to them, either in zeal for God or in devotedness to His service. I would not, Brethren, that you should continue in this unhappy state. You may perhaps, when you see the prophets with "their tabret and their pipe," be ready to account it all enthusiasm: and I readily acknowledge, that now the melody must be rather in the heart, than in any external and audible expressions. But there must be the praises of God both in your heart and in your mouth; and your whole life also must testify that "God is with you of a truth." Be in earnest, then, and seek without delay converting grace: and, "whilst ye have the light, walk in the light, that ye may become the children of the light"."]

John xii. 35, 36.

CCXCIII.

THE ISRAELITES' REJECTION OF SAMUEL REPROVED. 1 Sam. xii. 16-23. Now therefore stand and see this great thing, which the Lord will do before your eyes. Is it not wheat harvest to-day? I will call unto the Lord, and he shall send thunder and rain; that ye may perceive and see that your wickedness is great, which ye have done in the sight of the Lord, in asking you a king. So Samuel called unto the Lord; and the Lord sent thunder and rain that day: and all the people greatly feared the Lord and Samuel. And all the people said unto Samuel, Pray for thy servants unto the Lord thy God, that we die not: for we have added unto all our sins this evil, to ask us a king. And Samuel said unto the people, Fear not: ye have done all this wickedness: yet turn not aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart; and turn ye not aside: for then should ye go after vain things, which cannot profit nor deliver; for they are vain. For the Lord will not forsake his people for his great name's sake: because it

hath pleased the Lord to make you his people. Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you.

THERE is scarcely any more curious part of sacred history than that which relates to the appointment of Saul to the throne of Israel. He was a man of noble stature, but of a low family. His father's asses had strayed, and he went with a servant three days in search of them. His provisions were exhausted; and he thought of returning home, lest his father should begin to be anxious about him. His servant understanding that they were not far from the abode of Samuel, whom they supposed to be a kind of magician, and capable of informing them where the asses were, proposed that they should call upon him, and seek that information at his hands: but having no money left to pay this magician for his trouble, they were discouraged; having no idea that he would give his advice without a fee. The servant however said he had the fourth part of a shekel (about seven-pence of our money) left, and that they would offer him that. Accordingly they went; and were informed that the asses were found. But Saul had further information, that quite astonished him. The people of Israel had requested Samuel to appoint a king over them; and God, on being applied to by Samuel, directed him to comply with their request; and told him moreover, that this very Saul was the person whom he should appoint. Accordingly he told Saul what God had ordained; and gave him several signs whereby he should know infallibly that the matter was of God: and then convoked the people, and drew lots before the Lord; and Saul was the person on whom the lot fell. Saul, through modesty, hid himself; but God disclosed to Samuel the place where he was hid: and Samuel sent for him, and committed to him the charge of the kingdom, for which God then fitted him by some special gifts.

Were we to judge only from that part of the history to which we have already alluded, we should suppose

that this change in the constitution of Israel was pleasing to God: but Samuel, by divine command, declared the contrary, and condemned the people with great severity. This is related in the words of our text; from whence we shall be led to notice, I. The sin committed

The Israelites desired to change the form of their government, and to have a king appointed over them

[For this desire they had many specious reasons. Samuel was now old, and incapable of supporting the fatigues of government: he had therefore delegated a large portion of his authority to his sons, who, alas! were far from walking in his steps, or executing aright the trust reposed in them. This was assigned as one reason for their request. But though this would have justified a request for Samuel's interposition to reprove, or even to depose, them, it was by no means a sufficient reason for them to seek an extinction of that form of government which God himself had appointed, and a substitution of another in its stead.

They were now also alarmed with the menaces of Nahash, king of the Ammonites, who was preparing to invade them": and they wished to have the power of their government vested in the hands of one who should be able to protect them. But they needed not an arm of flesh, whilst they had Jehovah for their king: and if Jehovah had not delivered them according to their desire, it was owing to themselves, who by their sins had forfeited his protection. They therefore should have made this an occasion of humiliation and of turning unto God, and not an occasion of desiring another king in the place of God.

Besides, they wished to be in this respect like the nations around them, forgetting that a Theocracy was their highest honour, and most distinguished privilege.]

This desire of theirs was exceeding sinful

[It was, in the first place, an act of great folly; for they enjoyed all the benefits of kingly government, without any of its expenses or of the evils generally arising out of itd In the next place, it was a mark of base ingratitude towards Samuel, who had spent his whole life in their service and in this view Samuel could not but feel it, and complain of it. Yet so heavenly was his mind, that instead of resenting it, he committed it to God in prayer; and never complained of it till

a 1 Sam. viii. 1-5.
c 1 Sam. viii. 19, 20.

b 1 Sam. xii. 12.

d 1 Sam. viii. 9-18.

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