repented fin, lurking in the heart, renders our devotions ineffectual-and the prayer of the hypocrite is abomination, because he profanes that which should be holy.

ALL the citizens fanctify themselves; but Jeffe and his fons are more especially fanctified by Samuel. Interefting as his errand was to all Ifrael, it was peculiarly fo to this distinguished family. With what anxiety did Samuel look on the fons of Jeffe, that he might fee the face of the man whom GOD had chofen! And now, when the eldest fon came forth, a youth. whose beauty was not inferior to that of Saul, he imagines the choice foon made, and the first impulfe of his heart is to pour the confecrated oil on the head of Eliab. "Surely the LORD's anointed " is before him." The best judgment is fubject to deceit the holieft prophet falls into errour, if he waits not for the direction of GOD.

THAT which fhould have forewarned Samuel, deceives him. He had feen thefe very hopes once fruftrated, and yet his eye fuggests to him, that Eliab was appointed to rule. But what faith the anfwer of GOD unto him? "Look 66 not on his countenance, nor on the

height of his ftature, because I have "refufed him-for GOD feeth not as "man feeth." The king whom He will chufe fhall owe his advancement, not to his perfon, but his heart. Seven fons of Jeffe are prefented to the prophet-no one is omitted, whom their father thought worthy of honour. If Samuel or Jeffe had chofen, David had never been king-yet behold him fummoned from the fold, and by the choice of GoD destined to the throne! Even a father's partiality could not fuggeft ought to Jeffe, which might induce him to offer David as a candidate for honours-yet him hath GOD fixed on to rule.

THE

THE Countenance of David was fair, and ingenuous-but he was left with the fheep, while his brethren were at the facrifice. Modeft and fimple in his demeanour, he was judged unfit for royal dignity. The purport of this confecration, though probably explained to Jeffe, was doubtlefs concealed from his children. They understood not, or believed not, what GOD would do with their brother. They faw him endued with fpiritual gifts, but knew not whither they tended. David returns to his fheep, and, in humble fubmiffion to the will of GOD, refigns himself to the difpofition of those hands, which had chofen himwhen suddenly a meffenger is fent from Saul, to call him in all hafte to that court, of which he should afterwards be master. The occafion is from God, as well as the event.

THAT the kingdom is departed from Saul, is his leaft misfortune. The fpi

rit of God departs alfo from him. His foul droops in melancholy dejection, or raves with tumultuous frenzy. His courtiers have recourfe to an expedient, innocent at least, if not fully efficacious, to allay the tempeft of his paffions. They call in the affiftance of mufic-they fly for aid to the harp of the son of Jeffe.

DAVID, from the time of his confecration, had lived in the fame peaceful retirement as before-his only care, his only ambition was to promote the welfare of his flock. But the wisdom of GOD finds occafion to bring him on that theatre, where he was to fhine with unrivalled luftre. However he is neglected by his brethren, the acts of his youthful prowess against the tyrants of the defart are rehearsed-the fame of his virtues and accomplishments is not buried in obfcurity. That skill, which had for its object no more than the innocent recreation of a pastoral life, shall

now

now introduce him into the presence of his afflicted fovereign.

DOUBTLESS the father of David noted these things, and pondered them in his heart. He could not but behold the wonderful interpofition of divine providence, by which the youth, who was brought from the field to be anointed, was fummoned thence as unexpectedly to the palace of Saul. Now he perceived, that God was preparing for the accomplishment of His promife; and he awaited the iffue in joyful expectation.

No fooner is David in the prefence of Saul, than he obtains the royal favour. The Giver of all graces has ordained, that even wicked men fhould honour the virtues which they will not imitate. The harp of David chases away the melancholy of his lord-the pfalms which he fung to it foothe his frantic despair. To this day their efficacy is undiminished. Our hymns and fpiritual fongs

are