CONTEMPLATIONS.

XXVII.

SAMUEL AND DAVID.

TO declare the end from the beginning is folely the prerogative of infinite wisdom. In the commencement of Saul's reign, he was renowned for courage, juftice, and mercy-in its progrefs, he proved to be a facrilegious tyrant, and a rebel against GOD. Samuel mourns for him, who was too obdurate. to mourn for himself. The defection of Saul brings tears into the eyes of the aged prophet. Had one fpark of ambition lurked in his heart, he had rejoiced at the mifconduct of his rivalbut his heart was the feat of nobler pafVOL. II. fions.

B

fions. It grieves him to fee the plant fo foon withered, which he had raised to fuch distinguished honour in the garden of Ifrael. He weeps, and he retires to Ramah-he will no longer be a witness of enormities, which he can neither prevent nor remedy. He will not countenance that man with his prefence, on whom he fees GOD to frown.

THE Almighty does not blame this forrow, but moderates it.

"How long

" wilt thou mourn for Saul?" Thofe tears, which flow juftly for his fin, must cease, because of his rejection. A good heart relies on the juftice of God's decrees, and forgets all earthly prepoffeffions, while it has respect to Heaven. GOD will not bereave his children of a king, but will bestow on them one more worthy. Virtue and fovereignty shall be united-JEHOVAH himself fhall rule by the ministry of his chofen servant. Happy are the people, who are in fuch a cafe

a cafe-yea, blessed are the people, who have the LORD for their GOD.

THE prophet receives a commiffion to repair to Bethlehem. He carries with him, not a fceptre, in token of dominion, but the holy oil, to indicate divine confecration. He is directed to the houfe of Jeffe, the defcendant of Ruth the Moabitefs. Her faith and piety made her worthy to become the parent of kings. The retributions of GoD are ever bountiful, and exceed our utmost defervings. The just man walketh in his integrity— his children are blessed after him.

THE policy is not unlawful, which eludes the fufpicion of a jealous tyrant. Samuel takes an heifer with him for facrifice. There was no place, no time, wherein it was not fit for the defcendant of Aaron to offer peace-offerings unto GOD-but when a king was to be anointed, it was an act, not merely of devotion, but of neceffity. The authority, which

B 2

which is derived from GoD, must be confecrated by public folemnities-every important action requires a facrifice to blefs it, much more that, on which depends the welfare of a Church, and na

tion.

THE elders of Bethlehem conjectured, not without reason, that matters of highest import had drawn the prophet from his retirement. They feared, left some root of wickedness, fpringing up amongst them, had given occafion for the arrival of this unexpected gueft. They welcome him with trembling, not on his account, but their own. "Comest "thou peaceably?" It is a good thing to revere the meffengers of God, and to expect their admonitions with awe. The elders rejoice to hear of no other errand than a facrifice-they haften to prepare themselves for the pious folemnity. We must not prefume to facrifice unto GOD, if we are not fanctified. Unrepented