[10]Josh. ix. 2; 2 Sam. xxi. 1-5.
[10]Josh. ix. 2; 2 Sam. xxi. 1-5.
From the time of his disobedience in the matterof Amalek, Samuel came no more to see Saul,whose season of probation was over. The evilspirit exerted a more visible influence upon him;{15}and God sent Samuel to anoint David privately,as the future king of Israel. I need not tracefurther the course of moral degradation which isexemplified in Saul's subsequent history. Merenatural virtue wears away, when men neglect to{20}deepen it into religious principle. Saul appearsin his youth to be unassuming and forbearing;in advanced life he is not only proud and gloomy(as he ever was in a degree), but cruel, resentful,and hard-hearted, which he was not in his youth.{25}His injurious treatment of David is a longhistory; but his conduct to Ahimelech, the highpriest, admits of being mentioned here.Ahimelech assisted David in his escape. Saul resolvedon the death of Ahimelech and all his father's{30}house.[11]On his guards refusing to execute hiscommand, Doeg, a man of Edom, one of thenations which Saul was raised up to withstand,undertook the atrocious deed. On that day,eighty-five priests were slain. Afterwards Nob,{5}the city of the priests, was smitten with the edgeof the sword, and all destroyed, "men and women,children and sucklings, and oxen, and asses, andsheep." That is, Saul executed more completevengeance on the descendants of Levi, the sacred{10}tribe, than on the sinners, the Amalekites, wholaid wait for Israel in the way, on their going upfrom Egypt.
From the time of his disobedience in the matterof Amalek, Samuel came no more to see Saul,whose season of probation was over. The evilspirit exerted a more visible influence upon him;{15}and God sent Samuel to anoint David privately,as the future king of Israel. I need not tracefurther the course of moral degradation which isexemplified in Saul's subsequent history. Merenatural virtue wears away, when men neglect to{20}deepen it into religious principle. Saul appearsin his youth to be unassuming and forbearing;in advanced life he is not only proud and gloomy(as he ever was in a degree), but cruel, resentful,and hard-hearted, which he was not in his youth.{25}His injurious treatment of David is a longhistory; but his conduct to Ahimelech, the highpriest, admits of being mentioned here.Ahimelech assisted David in his escape. Saul resolvedon the death of Ahimelech and all his father's{30}house.[11]On his guards refusing to execute hiscommand, Doeg, a man of Edom, one of thenations which Saul was raised up to withstand,undertook the atrocious deed. On that day,eighty-five priests were slain. Afterwards Nob,{5}the city of the priests, was smitten with the edgeof the sword, and all destroyed, "men and women,children and sucklings, and oxen, and asses, andsheep." That is, Saul executed more completevengeance on the descendants of Levi, the sacred{10}tribe, than on the sinners, the Amalekites, wholaid wait for Israel in the way, on their going upfrom Egypt.
[11]1 Sam. xxii. 16.
[11]1 Sam. xxii. 16.
Last of all, he finishes his bad history by an openact of apostasy from the God of Israel. His last{15}act is like his first, but more significant. Hebegan, as we saw, by consulting Samuel as a diviner;this showed the direction of his mind. It steadilypersevered in its evil way—and he ends byconsulting a professed sorceress at Endor. The{20}Philistines had assembled their hosts; Saul'sheart trembled greatly—he had no advisers orcomforters; Samuel was dead—the priests he hadhimself slain with the sword. He hoped, by magicrites, which he had formerly denounced, to{25}foresee the issue of the approaching battle. Godmeets him even in the cave of Satanicdelusions—but as an Antagonist. The reprobate kingreceives, by the mouth of dead Samuel, who hadonce anointed him, the news that he is to be{30}"taken away in God's wrath"—that the Lordwould deliver Israel, with him, into the hands ofthe Philistines, and that on the morrow he and hissons should be numbered with the dead.[12]
Last of all, he finishes his bad history by an openact of apostasy from the God of Israel. His last{15}act is like his first, but more significant. Hebegan, as we saw, by consulting Samuel as a diviner;this showed the direction of his mind. It steadilypersevered in its evil way—and he ends byconsulting a professed sorceress at Endor. The{20}Philistines had assembled their hosts; Saul'sheart trembled greatly—he had no advisers orcomforters; Samuel was dead—the priests he hadhimself slain with the sword. He hoped, by magicrites, which he had formerly denounced, to{25}foresee the issue of the approaching battle. Godmeets him even in the cave of Satanicdelusions—but as an Antagonist. The reprobate kingreceives, by the mouth of dead Samuel, who hadonce anointed him, the news that he is to be{30}"taken away in God's wrath"—that the Lordwould deliver Israel, with him, into the hands ofthe Philistines, and that on the morrow he and hissons should be numbered with the dead.[12]
[12]1 Sam. xxviii. 19.
[12]1 Sam. xxviii. 19.
The next day "the battle went sore against him,{5}the archers hit him; and he was sore wounded ofthe archers."[13]"Anguish came upon him,"[14]andhe feared to fall into the hands of theuncircumcised. He desired his armor-bearer to draw hissword and thrust him through therewith. On his{10}refusing, he fell upon his own sword, and so cameto his end.
The next day "the battle went sore against him,{5}the archers hit him; and he was sore wounded ofthe archers."[13]"Anguish came upon him,"[14]andhe feared to fall into the hands of theuncircumcised. He desired his armor-bearer to draw hissword and thrust him through therewith. On his{10}refusing, he fell upon his own sword, and so cameto his end.
[13]Ibid.xxxi. 3.
[13]Ibid.xxxi. 3.
[14]2 Sam. i. 9.
[14]2 Sam. i. 9.
"Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Beth-lehemite, that is cunning in playing, and a mighty valiant man, and a man of war, and prudent in matters, and a comely person, and the Lord is with him."—1Samuelxvi. 18.
"Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Beth-lehemite, that is cunning in playing, and a mighty valiant man, and a man of war, and prudent in matters, and a comely person, and the Lord is with him."—1Samuelxvi. 18.
Such is the account given to Saul of David, inmany respects the most favored of the ancientSaints. David is to be accounted the mostfavored, first as being the principal type of Christ,next as being the author of great part of the book{5}of Psalms, which have been used as the Church'sform of devotion ever since his time. Besides, hewas a chief instrument of God's providence, bothin repressing idolatry and in preparing for thegospel; and he prophesied in an especial manner{10}of that Saviour whom he prefigured and preceded.Moreover, he was the chosen king of Israel, a manafter God's own heart, and blessed, not only inhimself, but in his seed after him. And, further,to the history of his life a greater share is given of{15}the inspired pages than to that of any other ofGod's favored servants. Lastly, he displays inhis personal character that very temper of mindin which his nation, or rather human natureitself, is especially deficient. Pride and unbelief{20}disgrace the history of the chosen people; thedeliberate love of this world, which was the sin ofBalaam, and the presumptuous willfulness whichis exhibited in Saul. But David is conspicuousfor an affectionate, a thankful, a loyal heart{5}towards his God and defender, a zeal which wasas fervent and as docile as Saul's was sullen,and as keen-sighted and as pure as Balaam's wasselfish and double-minded. Such was the sonof Jesse the Beth-lehemite; he stands midway{10}between Abraham and his predicted seed, Judahand the Shiloh, receiving and transmitting thepromises; a figure of the Christ, and an inspiredprophet, living in the Church even to the end oftime, in his office, his history, and his sacred{15}writings.
Such is the account given to Saul of David, inmany respects the most favored of the ancientSaints. David is to be accounted the mostfavored, first as being the principal type of Christ,next as being the author of great part of the book{5}of Psalms, which have been used as the Church'sform of devotion ever since his time. Besides, hewas a chief instrument of God's providence, bothin repressing idolatry and in preparing for thegospel; and he prophesied in an especial manner{10}of that Saviour whom he prefigured and preceded.Moreover, he was the chosen king of Israel, a manafter God's own heart, and blessed, not only inhimself, but in his seed after him. And, further,to the history of his life a greater share is given of{15}the inspired pages than to that of any other ofGod's favored servants. Lastly, he displays inhis personal character that very temper of mindin which his nation, or rather human natureitself, is especially deficient. Pride and unbelief{20}disgrace the history of the chosen people; thedeliberate love of this world, which was the sin ofBalaam, and the presumptuous willfulness whichis exhibited in Saul. But David is conspicuousfor an affectionate, a thankful, a loyal heart{5}towards his God and defender, a zeal which wasas fervent and as docile as Saul's was sullen,and as keen-sighted and as pure as Balaam's wasselfish and double-minded. Such was the sonof Jesse the Beth-lehemite; he stands midway{10}between Abraham and his predicted seed, Judahand the Shiloh, receiving and transmitting thepromises; a figure of the Christ, and an inspiredprophet, living in the Church even to the end oftime, in his office, his history, and his sacred{15}writings.
Some remarks on his early life, and on hischaracter, as therein displayed, may profitablyengage our attention at the present time.
Some remarks on his early life, and on hischaracter, as therein displayed, may profitablyengage our attention at the present time.
When Saul was finally rejected for not{20}destroying the Amalekites, Samuel was bid go toBethlehem, and anoint, as future king of Israel, oneof the sons of Jesse, who should be pointed out tohim when he was come there. Samuelaccordingly went thither and held a sacrifice; when, at{25}his command, Jesse's seven sons were brought bytheir father, one by one, before the prophet; butnone of them proved to be the choice of AlmightyGod. David was the youngest and out of theway, and it seemed to Jesse as unlikely that God's{30}choice should fall upon him, as it appeared toJoseph's brethren and to his father, that he andhis mother and brethren should, as his dreamsforetold, bow down before him. On Samuel'sinquiring, Jesse said, "There remaineth yet theyoungest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep."{5}On Samuel's bidding, he was sent for. "Nowhe was ruddy," the sacred historian proceeds,"and withal of a beautiful countenance, andgoodly to look to. And the Lord said, Arise,anoint him, for this is he." After Samuel had{10}anointed him, "the Spirit of the Lord came uponDavid from that day forward." It is added,"But the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul."
When Saul was finally rejected for not{20}destroying the Amalekites, Samuel was bid go toBethlehem, and anoint, as future king of Israel, oneof the sons of Jesse, who should be pointed out tohim when he was come there. Samuelaccordingly went thither and held a sacrifice; when, at{25}his command, Jesse's seven sons were brought bytheir father, one by one, before the prophet; butnone of them proved to be the choice of AlmightyGod. David was the youngest and out of theway, and it seemed to Jesse as unlikely that God's{30}choice should fall upon him, as it appeared toJoseph's brethren and to his father, that he andhis mother and brethren should, as his dreamsforetold, bow down before him. On Samuel'sinquiring, Jesse said, "There remaineth yet theyoungest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep."{5}On Samuel's bidding, he was sent for. "Nowhe was ruddy," the sacred historian proceeds,"and withal of a beautiful countenance, andgoodly to look to. And the Lord said, Arise,anoint him, for this is he." After Samuel had{10}anointed him, "the Spirit of the Lord came uponDavid from that day forward." It is added,"But the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul."
David's anointing was followed by no otherimmediate mark of God's favor. He was tried{15}by being sent back again, in spite of the promise,to the care of his sheep, till an unexpectedoccasion introduced him to Saul's court. Thewithdrawing of the Spirit of the Lord from Saul wasfollowed by frequent attacks from an evil spirit, as{20}a judgment upon him. His mind was depressed,and a "trouble," as it is called, came upon him,with symptoms very like those which we nowrefer to derangement. His servants thought thatmusic, such, perhaps, as was used in the schools{25}of the prophets, might soothe and restore him;and David was recommended by one of them forthat purpose, in the words of the text: "Behold,I have seen a son of Jesse the Beth-lehemite,that is cunning in playing, and a mighty valiant{30}man, and a man of war, and prudent in matters,and a comely person, and the Lord is withhim."
David's anointing was followed by no otherimmediate mark of God's favor. He was tried{15}by being sent back again, in spite of the promise,to the care of his sheep, till an unexpectedoccasion introduced him to Saul's court. Thewithdrawing of the Spirit of the Lord from Saul wasfollowed by frequent attacks from an evil spirit, as{20}a judgment upon him. His mind was depressed,and a "trouble," as it is called, came upon him,with symptoms very like those which we nowrefer to derangement. His servants thought thatmusic, such, perhaps, as was used in the schools{25}of the prophets, might soothe and restore him;and David was recommended by one of them forthat purpose, in the words of the text: "Behold,I have seen a son of Jesse the Beth-lehemite,that is cunning in playing, and a mighty valiant{30}man, and a man of war, and prudent in matters,and a comely person, and the Lord is withhim."
David came in the power of that sacredinfluence whom Saul had grieved and rejected.The Spirit which inspired his tongue guided his{5}hand also, and his sacred songs became a medicineto Saul's diseased mind. "When the evil spiritfrom God was upon Saul, ... David took anharp, and played with his hand; so Saul wasrefreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed{10}from him." Thus he is first introduced to us inthat character in which he still has praise in theChurch, as "the anointed of the God of Jacob,and the sweet psalmist of Israel."[15]
David came in the power of that sacredinfluence whom Saul had grieved and rejected.The Spirit which inspired his tongue guided his{5}hand also, and his sacred songs became a medicineto Saul's diseased mind. "When the evil spiritfrom God was upon Saul, ... David took anharp, and played with his hand; so Saul wasrefreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed{10}from him." Thus he is first introduced to us inthat character in which he still has praise in theChurch, as "the anointed of the God of Jacob,and the sweet psalmist of Israel."[15]
[15]2 Sam. xxiii. 1.
[15]2 Sam. xxiii. 1.
Saul "loved David greatly, and he became his{15}armor-bearer;" but the first trial of his humilityand patience was not over, while many other trialswere in store. After a while he was a second timesent back to his sheep; and though there was warwith the Philistines, and his three eldest brethren{20}were in the army with Saul, and he had alreadyessayed his strength in defending his father'sflocks from wild beasts, and was "a mightyvaliant man," yet he contentedly stayed at homeas a private person, keeping his promise of{25}greatness to himself, till his father bade him go to hisbrethren to take them a present from him, andreport how they fared. An accident, as itappeared to the world, brought him forward. Onhis arrival at the army, he heard the challenge of{30}the Philistine champion, Goliath of Gath. I neednot relate how he was divinely urged to engagethe giant, how he killed him, and how he was, inconsequence, again raised to Saul's favor; who,with an infirmity not inconsistent with the{5}deranged state of his mind, seems to have altogetherforgotten him.
Saul "loved David greatly, and he became his{15}armor-bearer;" but the first trial of his humilityand patience was not over, while many other trialswere in store. After a while he was a second timesent back to his sheep; and though there was warwith the Philistines, and his three eldest brethren{20}were in the army with Saul, and he had alreadyessayed his strength in defending his father'sflocks from wild beasts, and was "a mightyvaliant man," yet he contentedly stayed at homeas a private person, keeping his promise of{25}greatness to himself, till his father bade him go to hisbrethren to take them a present from him, andreport how they fared. An accident, as itappeared to the world, brought him forward. Onhis arrival at the army, he heard the challenge of{30}the Philistine champion, Goliath of Gath. I neednot relate how he was divinely urged to engagethe giant, how he killed him, and how he was, inconsequence, again raised to Saul's favor; who,with an infirmity not inconsistent with the{5}deranged state of his mind, seems to have altogetherforgotten him.
From this time began David's public life; butnot yet the fulfillment of the promise made to himby Samuel. He had a second and severer trial{10}of patience to endure for many years; the trialof "being still" and doing nothing before God'stime, though he had (apparently) the means in hishands of accomplishing the promise for himself.It was to this trial that Jeroboam afterwards{15}showed himself unequal. He, too, was promiseda kingdom, but he was tempted to seize upon itin his own way, and so forfeited God's protection.
From this time began David's public life; butnot yet the fulfillment of the promise made to himby Samuel. He had a second and severer trial{10}of patience to endure for many years; the trialof "being still" and doing nothing before God'stime, though he had (apparently) the means in hishands of accomplishing the promise for himself.It was to this trial that Jeroboam afterwards{15}showed himself unequal. He, too, was promiseda kingdom, but he was tempted to seize upon itin his own way, and so forfeited God's protection.
David's victory over Goliath so endeared himto Saul, that he would not let him go back to his{20}father's house. Jonathan, too, Saul's son, at oncefelt for him a warm affection, which deepened intoa firm friendship. "Saul set him over the menof war, and he was accepted in the sight of all thepeople, and also in the sight of Saul's servants."[16]{25}This prosperous fortune, however, did not longcontinue. As Saul passed through the cities fromhis victory over his enemies, the women of Israelcame out to meet him, singing and dancing, andthey said, "Saul hath slain his thousands, and{30}David his ten thousands." Immediately thejealous king was "very wroth, and the sayingdispleased him"; his sullenness returned; hefeared David as a rival; and "eyed him from thatday and forward." On the morrow, as David{5}was playing before him, as at other times, Saulthrew his javelin at him. After this, Sauldisplaced him from his situation at his court, andsent him to the war, hoping so to rid himself ofhim by his falling in battle; but, by God's{10}blessing, David returned victorious.
David's victory over Goliath so endeared himto Saul, that he would not let him go back to his{20}father's house. Jonathan, too, Saul's son, at oncefelt for him a warm affection, which deepened intoa firm friendship. "Saul set him over the menof war, and he was accepted in the sight of all thepeople, and also in the sight of Saul's servants."[16]{25}This prosperous fortune, however, did not longcontinue. As Saul passed through the cities fromhis victory over his enemies, the women of Israelcame out to meet him, singing and dancing, andthey said, "Saul hath slain his thousands, and{30}David his ten thousands." Immediately thejealous king was "very wroth, and the sayingdispleased him"; his sullenness returned; hefeared David as a rival; and "eyed him from thatday and forward." On the morrow, as David{5}was playing before him, as at other times, Saulthrew his javelin at him. After this, Sauldisplaced him from his situation at his court, andsent him to the war, hoping so to rid himself ofhim by his falling in battle; but, by God's{10}blessing, David returned victorious.
[16]1 Sam. xviii. 5.
[16]1 Sam. xviii. 5.
In a second war with the Philistines, David wassuccessful as before; and Saul, overcome withgloomy and malevolent passions, again cast at himwith his javelin, as he played before him, with the{15}hope of killing him.
In a second war with the Philistines, David wassuccessful as before; and Saul, overcome withgloomy and malevolent passions, again cast at himwith his javelin, as he played before him, with the{15}hope of killing him.
This repeated attempt on his life drove Davidfrom Saul's court; and for some years after, thatis, till Saul's death, he was a wanderer upon theearth, persecuted in that country which was{20}afterwards to be his own kingdom. Here, as in hisvictory over Goliath, Almighty God purposed toshow us, that it wasHishand which set David onthe throne of Israel. David conquered his enemyby a sling and stone, in order, as he said at the{25}time, that all ... might know "that the Lordsaveth not with sword and spear; for the battleis the Lord's."[17]Now again, but in a differentway, His guiding providence was displayed. AsDavid slew Goliath without arms, so now he{30}refrained himself and used them not, though hepossessed them. Like Abraham, he traversedthe land of promise "as a strange land,"[18]waitingfor God's good time. Nay, far more exactly, eventhan to Abraham, was it given to David to act and{5}suffer that life of faith which the Apostle describes,and by which "the elders obtained a good report."By faith he wandered about, "being destitute,afflicted, evil-entreated, in deserts, and inmountains, and in dens, and in caves of the earth."{10}On the other hand, through the same faith, he"subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness,obtained promises, waxed valiant in fight, turned toflight the armies of the aliens."
This repeated attempt on his life drove Davidfrom Saul's court; and for some years after, thatis, till Saul's death, he was a wanderer upon theearth, persecuted in that country which was{20}afterwards to be his own kingdom. Here, as in hisvictory over Goliath, Almighty God purposed toshow us, that it wasHishand which set David onthe throne of Israel. David conquered his enemyby a sling and stone, in order, as he said at the{25}time, that all ... might know "that the Lordsaveth not with sword and spear; for the battleis the Lord's."[17]Now again, but in a differentway, His guiding providence was displayed. AsDavid slew Goliath without arms, so now he{30}refrained himself and used them not, though hepossessed them. Like Abraham, he traversedthe land of promise "as a strange land,"[18]waitingfor God's good time. Nay, far more exactly, eventhan to Abraham, was it given to David to act and{5}suffer that life of faith which the Apostle describes,and by which "the elders obtained a good report."By faith he wandered about, "being destitute,afflicted, evil-entreated, in deserts, and inmountains, and in dens, and in caves of the earth."{10}On the other hand, through the same faith, he"subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness,obtained promises, waxed valiant in fight, turned toflight the armies of the aliens."
[17]1 Sam. xvii. 47.
[17]1 Sam. xvii. 47.
[18]Heb. xi. 9.
[18]Heb. xi. 9.
On escaping from Saul, he first went to Samuel{15}to ask his advice. With him he dwelt some time.Driven thence by Saul he went to Bethlehem, hisfather's city, then to Ahimelech, the high priest,at Nob. Thence he fled, still through fear of Saul,to Achish, the Philistine king of Gath; and{20}finding his life in danger there, he escaped to Adullam,where he was joined by his kindred, and puthimself at the head of an irregular band of men, suchas, in the unsettled state of the country, might beusefully and lawfully employed against the{25}remnant of the heathen. After this he was driven toHareth, to Keilah, which he rescued from thePhilistines, to the wilderness of Ziph among themountains, to the wilderness of Maon, to thestrongholds of Engedi, to the wilderness of Paran. After{30}a time he again betook himself to Achish, king ofGath, who gave him a city; and there it was thatthe news was brought him of the death of Saul inbattle, which was the occasion of his elevation firstto the throne of Judah, afterwards to that of all{5}Israel, according to the promise of God made tohim by Samuel.
On escaping from Saul, he first went to Samuel{15}to ask his advice. With him he dwelt some time.Driven thence by Saul he went to Bethlehem, hisfather's city, then to Ahimelech, the high priest,at Nob. Thence he fled, still through fear of Saul,to Achish, the Philistine king of Gath; and{20}finding his life in danger there, he escaped to Adullam,where he was joined by his kindred, and puthimself at the head of an irregular band of men, suchas, in the unsettled state of the country, might beusefully and lawfully employed against the{25}remnant of the heathen. After this he was driven toHareth, to Keilah, which he rescued from thePhilistines, to the wilderness of Ziph among themountains, to the wilderness of Maon, to thestrongholds of Engedi, to the wilderness of Paran. After{30}a time he again betook himself to Achish, king ofGath, who gave him a city; and there it was thatthe news was brought him of the death of Saul inbattle, which was the occasion of his elevation firstto the throne of Judah, afterwards to that of all{5}Israel, according to the promise of God made tohim by Samuel.
It need not be denied that, during these years ofwandering, we find in David's conduct instancesof infirmity and inconsistency, and some things{10}which, without being clearly wrong, are yetstrange and startling in so favored a servant ofGod. With these we are not concerned, exceptso far as a lesson may be gained from them forourselves. We are not at all concerned with them{15}as regards our estimate of David's character.That character is ascertained and sealed by theplain word of Scripture, by the praise of AlmightyGod, and is no subject for our criticism; and if wefind in it traits which we cannot fully reconcile{20}with the approbation divinely given to him, wemust take it in faith to be what it is said to be,and wait for the future revelations of Him who"overcomes when He is judged." Therefore Idismiss these matters now, when I am engaged{25}in exhibiting the eminent obedience andmanifold virtues of David. On the whole his situationduring these years of trial was certainly that of awitness for Almighty God, one who does good andsuffers for it, nay, suffers on rather than rid{30}himself from suffering by any unlawful act.
It need not be denied that, during these years ofwandering, we find in David's conduct instancesof infirmity and inconsistency, and some things{10}which, without being clearly wrong, are yetstrange and startling in so favored a servant ofGod. With these we are not concerned, exceptso far as a lesson may be gained from them forourselves. We are not at all concerned with them{15}as regards our estimate of David's character.That character is ascertained and sealed by theplain word of Scripture, by the praise of AlmightyGod, and is no subject for our criticism; and if wefind in it traits which we cannot fully reconcile{20}with the approbation divinely given to him, wemust take it in faith to be what it is said to be,and wait for the future revelations of Him who"overcomes when He is judged." Therefore Idismiss these matters now, when I am engaged{25}in exhibiting the eminent obedience andmanifold virtues of David. On the whole his situationduring these years of trial was certainly that of awitness for Almighty God, one who does good andsuffers for it, nay, suffers on rather than rid{30}himself from suffering by any unlawful act.
Now, then, let us consider what was, as far aswe can understand, his especial grace, what is hisgift; as faith was Abraham's distinguishing virtue,meekness the excellence of Moses, self-mastery thegift especially conspicuous in Joseph.{5}
Now, then, let us consider what was, as far aswe can understand, his especial grace, what is hisgift; as faith was Abraham's distinguishing virtue,meekness the excellence of Moses, self-mastery thegift especially conspicuous in Joseph.{5}
This question may best be answered byconsidering the purpose for which he was raised up.When Saul was disobedient, Samuel said to him,"Thy kingdom shall not continue: the Lord hathsought Hima man after His own heart, and the{10}Lord hath commanded him to be captain overHis people, because thou hast not kept that whichthe Lord commanded thee."[19]The office towhich first Saul and then David were called wasdifferent from that with which other favored{15}men before them had been entrusted. From thetime of Moses, when Israel became a nation, Godhad been the king of Israel, and His chosenservants, not delegates, but mere organs of Hiswill. Moses did not direct the Israelites by his{20}own wisdom, but he spake to them, as God spakefrom the pillar of the cloud. Joshua, again, wasmerely a sword in the hand of God. Samuel wasbut His minister and interpreter. God acted, theIsraelites "stood still and saw" His miracles, then{25}followed. But, when they had rejected Himfrom being king over them, then their chief rulerwas no longer a mere organ of His power and will,but had a certain authority intrusted to him,more or less independent of supernatural direction;{30}and acted, not so muchfromGod, asforGod, andin the place ofGod. David, when takenfrom the sheepfolds "to feed Jacob His people andIsrael His inheritance," "fed them," in the wordsof the Psalm, "with a faithful and true heart;{5}and ruled them prudently with all his power."[20]From this account of his office, it is obvious thathis very first duty was that offidelity to AlmightyGodin the trust committed to him. He hadpower put into his hands, in a sense in which{10}neither Moses had it nor Samuel. He was chargedwith a certain office, which he was bound toadminister according to his ability, so as best topromote the interests of Him who appointed him.Saul had neglected his Master's honor; but{15}David, in this an eminent type of Christ, "cameto do God's will" as a viceroy in Israel, and, asbeing tried and found faithful, he is especiallycalled "a man after God's own heart."
This question may best be answered byconsidering the purpose for which he was raised up.When Saul was disobedient, Samuel said to him,"Thy kingdom shall not continue: the Lord hathsought Hima man after His own heart, and the{10}Lord hath commanded him to be captain overHis people, because thou hast not kept that whichthe Lord commanded thee."[19]The office towhich first Saul and then David were called wasdifferent from that with which other favored{15}men before them had been entrusted. From thetime of Moses, when Israel became a nation, Godhad been the king of Israel, and His chosenservants, not delegates, but mere organs of Hiswill. Moses did not direct the Israelites by his{20}own wisdom, but he spake to them, as God spakefrom the pillar of the cloud. Joshua, again, wasmerely a sword in the hand of God. Samuel wasbut His minister and interpreter. God acted, theIsraelites "stood still and saw" His miracles, then{25}followed. But, when they had rejected Himfrom being king over them, then their chief rulerwas no longer a mere organ of His power and will,but had a certain authority intrusted to him,more or less independent of supernatural direction;{30}and acted, not so muchfromGod, asforGod, andin the place ofGod. David, when takenfrom the sheepfolds "to feed Jacob His people andIsrael His inheritance," "fed them," in the wordsof the Psalm, "with a faithful and true heart;{5}and ruled them prudently with all his power."[20]From this account of his office, it is obvious thathis very first duty was that offidelity to AlmightyGodin the trust committed to him. He hadpower put into his hands, in a sense in which{10}neither Moses had it nor Samuel. He was chargedwith a certain office, which he was bound toadminister according to his ability, so as best topromote the interests of Him who appointed him.Saul had neglected his Master's honor; but{15}David, in this an eminent type of Christ, "cameto do God's will" as a viceroy in Israel, and, asbeing tried and found faithful, he is especiallycalled "a man after God's own heart."
[19]1 Sam. xiii. 14.
[19]1 Sam. xiii. 14.
[20]Ps. lxxviii. 71-73.
[20]Ps. lxxviii. 71-73.
David's peculiar excellence, then, is that of{20}fidelity to the trust committed to him; a firm,uncompromising, single-hearted devotion to thecause of his God, and a burning zeal for Hishonor.
David's peculiar excellence, then, is that of{20}fidelity to the trust committed to him; a firm,uncompromising, single-hearted devotion to thecause of his God, and a burning zeal for Hishonor.
This characteristic virtue is especially{25}illustrated in the early years of his life which haveengaged our attention. He was tried therein andfound faithful; before he was put in power, itwas proved whether he could obey. Till he cameto the throne, he was like Moses or Samuel, an{30}instrument in God's hands, bid do what was toldhim and nothing more;—having borne this trialof obedience well, in which Saul had failed, thenat length he was intrusted with a sort ofdiscretionary power, to use in his Master's service.{5}
This characteristic virtue is especially{25}illustrated in the early years of his life which haveengaged our attention. He was tried therein andfound faithful; before he was put in power, itwas proved whether he could obey. Till he cameto the throne, he was like Moses or Samuel, an{30}instrument in God's hands, bid do what was toldhim and nothing more;—having borne this trialof obedience well, in which Saul had failed, thenat length he was intrusted with a sort ofdiscretionary power, to use in his Master's service.{5}
Observe how David was tried, and whatvarious high qualities of mind he displayed inthe course of the trial. First, the promise ofgreatness was given him, and Samuel anointedhim. Still he stayed in the sheepfolds; and{10}though called away by Saul for a time, yetreturned contentedly when Saul released him fromattendance. How difficult is it for such as knowthey have gifts suitable to the Church's need torefrain themselves, till God make a way for their{15}use! and the trial would be the more severe inDavid's case, in proportion to the ardor andenergy of his mind; yet he fainted not under it.Afterwards for seven years, as the time appearsto be, he withstood the strong temptation, ever{20}before his eyes, of acting without God's guidance,when he had the means of doing so. Thoughskillful in arms, popular with his countrymen,successful against the enemy, the king'sson-in-law, and on the other hand grievously injured by{25}Saul, who not only continually sought his life,but even suggested to him a traitor's conductby accusing him of treason, and whose life wasseveral times in his hands, yet he kept hishonor pure and unimpeachable. He feared God{30}and honored the king; and this at a time oflife especially exposed to the temptations ofambition.
Observe how David was tried, and whatvarious high qualities of mind he displayed inthe course of the trial. First, the promise ofgreatness was given him, and Samuel anointedhim. Still he stayed in the sheepfolds; and{10}though called away by Saul for a time, yetreturned contentedly when Saul released him fromattendance. How difficult is it for such as knowthey have gifts suitable to the Church's need torefrain themselves, till God make a way for their{15}use! and the trial would be the more severe inDavid's case, in proportion to the ardor andenergy of his mind; yet he fainted not under it.Afterwards for seven years, as the time appearsto be, he withstood the strong temptation, ever{20}before his eyes, of acting without God's guidance,when he had the means of doing so. Thoughskillful in arms, popular with his countrymen,successful against the enemy, the king'sson-in-law, and on the other hand grievously injured by{25}Saul, who not only continually sought his life,but even suggested to him a traitor's conductby accusing him of treason, and whose life wasseveral times in his hands, yet he kept hishonor pure and unimpeachable. He feared God{30}and honored the king; and this at a time oflife especially exposed to the temptations ofambition.
There is a resemblance between the earlyhistory of David and that of Joseph. Bothdistinguished for piety in youth, the youngest and{5}the despised of their respective brethren, theyare raised, after a long trial to a high station,as ministers of God's Providence. Joseph wastempted to a degrading adultery; David wastempted by ambition. Both were tempted to{10}be traitors to their masters and benefactors.Joseph's trial was brief; but his conduct under itevidenced settled habits of virtue which he couldcall to his aid at a moment's notice. A longimprisonment followed, the consequence of his{15}obedience, and borne with meekness and patience;but it was no part of his temptation, because,when once incurred, release was out of his power.David's trial, on the other hand, lasted for years,and grew stronger as time went on. His master,{20}too, far from "putting all that he had into hishand,"[21]sought his life. Continual opportunityof avenging himself incited his passions;self-defense, and the Divine promise, were speciousarguments to seduce his reason. Yet he mastered{25}his heart—he was "still"; he kept his hands cleanand his lips guileless—he was loyalthroughout—and in due time inherited the promise.
There is a resemblance between the earlyhistory of David and that of Joseph. Bothdistinguished for piety in youth, the youngest and{5}the despised of their respective brethren, theyare raised, after a long trial to a high station,as ministers of God's Providence. Joseph wastempted to a degrading adultery; David wastempted by ambition. Both were tempted to{10}be traitors to their masters and benefactors.Joseph's trial was brief; but his conduct under itevidenced settled habits of virtue which he couldcall to his aid at a moment's notice. A longimprisonment followed, the consequence of his{15}obedience, and borne with meekness and patience;but it was no part of his temptation, because,when once incurred, release was out of his power.David's trial, on the other hand, lasted for years,and grew stronger as time went on. His master,{20}too, far from "putting all that he had into hishand,"[21]sought his life. Continual opportunityof avenging himself incited his passions;self-defense, and the Divine promise, were speciousarguments to seduce his reason. Yet he mastered{25}his heart—he was "still"; he kept his hands cleanand his lips guileless—he was loyalthroughout—and in due time inherited the promise.
Let us call to mind some of the circumstancesof his steadfastness recorded in the history.{30}
Let us call to mind some of the circumstancesof his steadfastness recorded in the history.{30}
[21]Gen. xxxix. 4.
[21]Gen. xxxix. 4.
He was about twenty-three years old when heslew the Philistine; yet, when placed over Saul'smen of war, in the first transport of his victory,we are told he "behaved himself wisely."[22]When fortune turned, and Saul became jealous{5}of him, still "David behaved himself wisely inall his ways, and the Lord was with him." Howlike is this to Joseph under different circumstances!"Wherefore when Saul saw that he behavedhimself very wisely he was afraid of him; and all{10}Israel and Judah loved David." Again, "AndDavid behaved himself more wisely than all theservants of Saul, so that his name was much setby." Here, in shifting fortunes, is evidence ofthat staid, composed frame of mind in his youth,{15}which he himself describes in the one hundredand thirty-first Psalm. "My heart is not haughty,nor mine eyes lofty.... Surely I have behavedand quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of hismother."{20}
He was about twenty-three years old when heslew the Philistine; yet, when placed over Saul'smen of war, in the first transport of his victory,we are told he "behaved himself wisely."[22]When fortune turned, and Saul became jealous{5}of him, still "David behaved himself wisely inall his ways, and the Lord was with him." Howlike is this to Joseph under different circumstances!"Wherefore when Saul saw that he behavedhimself very wisely he was afraid of him; and all{10}Israel and Judah loved David." Again, "AndDavid behaved himself more wisely than all theservants of Saul, so that his name was much setby." Here, in shifting fortunes, is evidence ofthat staid, composed frame of mind in his youth,{15}which he himself describes in the one hundredand thirty-first Psalm. "My heart is not haughty,nor mine eyes lofty.... Surely I have behavedand quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of hismother."{20}
[22]1 Sam. xviii. 5-30.
[22]1 Sam. xviii. 5-30.
The same modest deportment marks hissubsequent conduct. He consistently seeks counselof God. When he fled from Saul he went toSamuel; afterwards we find him following thedirections of the prophet Gad, and afterwards of{25}Abiathar the high priest.[23]Here his character isin full contrast to the character of Saul.
The same modest deportment marks hissubsequent conduct. He consistently seeks counselof God. When he fled from Saul he went toSamuel; afterwards we find him following thedirections of the prophet Gad, and afterwards of{25}Abiathar the high priest.[23]Here his character isin full contrast to the character of Saul.
[23]Ibid.xxii. 5, 20; xxiii. 6.
[23]Ibid.xxii. 5, 20; xxiii. 6.
Further, consider his behavior towards Saul,when he had him in his power; it displays a moststriking and admirable union of simple faith and{30}unblemished loyalty.
Further, consider his behavior towards Saul,when he had him in his power; it displays a moststriking and admirable union of simple faith and{30}unblemished loyalty.
Saul, while in pursuit of him, went into a cavein Engedi. David surprised him there, and hiscompanions advised to seize him, if not to take{5}his life. They said, "Behold the day of which theLord said unto thee."[24]David, in order to showSaul how entirely his life had been in his power,arose and cut off a part of his robe privately.After he had done it, his "heart smote him" even{10}for this slight freedom, as if it were a disrespectoffered towards his king and father. "He saidunto his men, The Lord forbid that I should dothis thing unto my master, the Lord's anointed,to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he{15}is the anointed of the Lord." When Saul leftthe cave, David followed him and cried, "MyLord the king. And when Saul looked behindhim, David stooped with his face to the earthand bowed himself." He hoped that he could{20}now convince Saul of his integrity. "Whereforehearest thou men's words," he asked, "saying,Behold, David seeketh thy hurt? Behold, thisday thine eyes have seen how that the Lord haddelivered thee to-day into mine hand in the cave:{25}and some bade me kill thee.... Moreover, myfather, see, yea see the skirt of thy robe in myhand: for in that I cut off the skirt of thy robe,and killed thee not, know thou and see, thatthere is neither evil nor transgression in mine{30}hand, and I have not sinned against thee: yetthou huntest my soul to take it. The Lord judgebetween me and thee, and the Lord avenge meof thee: but mine hand shall not be uponthee.... After whom is the king of Israel come out?{5}after whom dost thou pursue? after a dead dog,after a flea. The Lord therefore judge ... andsee, and plead my cause, and deliver me out ofthine hand." Saul was for the time overcome;he said, "Is this thy voice, my son David? and{10}Saul lifted up his voice and wept." And he said,"Thou art more righteous than I; for thou hastrewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded theeevil." He added, "And now, behold, I know wellthat thou shalt surely be king." At another time{15}David surprised Saul in the midst of his camp,and his companion would have killed him; buthe said, "Destroy him not, for who can stretchforth his hand against the Lord's anointed andbe guiltless?"[25]Then, as he stood over him, he{20}meditated sorrowfully on his master's futurefortunes, while he himself refrained frominterfering with God's purposes. "Surely the Lordshall smite him; or his day shall come to die; orhe shall descend into battle and perish." David{25}retired from the enemy's camp; and when at a safedistance, roused Saul's guards, and blamed themfor their negligent watch, which had allowed astranger to approach the person of their king. Saulwas moved the second time; the miserable man,{30}as if waking from a dream which hung abouthim, said, "I have sinned; return, my son David... behold, I have played the fool, and have erredexceedingly." He added, truth overcoming him,"Blessed be thou, my son David; thou shalt{5}both do great things, and also shalt still prevail."
Saul, while in pursuit of him, went into a cavein Engedi. David surprised him there, and hiscompanions advised to seize him, if not to take{5}his life. They said, "Behold the day of which theLord said unto thee."[24]David, in order to showSaul how entirely his life had been in his power,arose and cut off a part of his robe privately.After he had done it, his "heart smote him" even{10}for this slight freedom, as if it were a disrespectoffered towards his king and father. "He saidunto his men, The Lord forbid that I should dothis thing unto my master, the Lord's anointed,to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he{15}is the anointed of the Lord." When Saul leftthe cave, David followed him and cried, "MyLord the king. And when Saul looked behindhim, David stooped with his face to the earthand bowed himself." He hoped that he could{20}now convince Saul of his integrity. "Whereforehearest thou men's words," he asked, "saying,Behold, David seeketh thy hurt? Behold, thisday thine eyes have seen how that the Lord haddelivered thee to-day into mine hand in the cave:{25}and some bade me kill thee.... Moreover, myfather, see, yea see the skirt of thy robe in myhand: for in that I cut off the skirt of thy robe,and killed thee not, know thou and see, thatthere is neither evil nor transgression in mine{30}hand, and I have not sinned against thee: yetthou huntest my soul to take it. The Lord judgebetween me and thee, and the Lord avenge meof thee: but mine hand shall not be uponthee.... After whom is the king of Israel come out?{5}after whom dost thou pursue? after a dead dog,after a flea. The Lord therefore judge ... andsee, and plead my cause, and deliver me out ofthine hand." Saul was for the time overcome;he said, "Is this thy voice, my son David? and{10}Saul lifted up his voice and wept." And he said,"Thou art more righteous than I; for thou hastrewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded theeevil." He added, "And now, behold, I know wellthat thou shalt surely be king." At another time{15}David surprised Saul in the midst of his camp,and his companion would have killed him; buthe said, "Destroy him not, for who can stretchforth his hand against the Lord's anointed andbe guiltless?"[25]Then, as he stood over him, he{20}meditated sorrowfully on his master's futurefortunes, while he himself refrained frominterfering with God's purposes. "Surely the Lordshall smite him; or his day shall come to die; orhe shall descend into battle and perish." David{25}retired from the enemy's camp; and when at a safedistance, roused Saul's guards, and blamed themfor their negligent watch, which had allowed astranger to approach the person of their king. Saulwas moved the second time; the miserable man,{30}as if waking from a dream which hung abouthim, said, "I have sinned; return, my son David... behold, I have played the fool, and have erredexceedingly." He added, truth overcoming him,"Blessed be thou, my son David; thou shalt{5}both do great things, and also shalt still prevail."
[24]1 Sam. xxiv. 4.
[24]1 Sam. xxiv. 4.
[25]1 Sam. xxvi. 9,
[25]1 Sam. xxvi. 9,
How beautiful are these passages in the historyof the chosen king of Israel! How do they drawour hearts towards him, as one whom in hisprivate character it must have been an extreme{10}privilege and a great delight to know! Surely,the blessings of the patriarchs descended in aunited flood upon "the lion of the tribe of Judah,"the type of the true Redeemer who was to come.He inherits the prompt faith and magnanimity{15}of Abraham; he is simple as Isaac; he is humbleas Jacob; he has the youthful wisdom andself-possession, the tenderness, the affectionateness,and the firmness of Joseph. And, as his ownespecial gift, he has an overflowing thankfulness,{20}an ever-burning devotion, a zealous fidelity tohis God, a high unshaken loyalty towards hisking, an heroic bearing in all circumstances, suchas the multitude of men see to be great, butcannot understand. Be it our blessedness, unless{25}the wish be presumptuous, so to acquit ourselvesin troubled times; cheerful amid anxieties,collected in dangers, generous towards enemies,patient in pain and sorrow, subdued in goodfortune! How manifold are the ways of the{30}Spirit, how various the graces which He imparts;what depth and width is there in that moral truthand virtue for which we are created! Contrastone with another the Scripture Saints; howdifferent are they, yet how alike! how fitted fortheir respective circumstances, yet how unearthly,{5}how settled and composed in the faith and fearof God! As in the Services, so in the patterns ofthe Church, God has met all our needs, all ourframes of mind. "Is any afflicted? let himpray; is any merry? let him sing Psalms."[26]{10}Is any in joy or in sorrow? there are Saints athand to encourage and guide him. There isAbraham for nobles, Job for men of wealth andmerchandise, Moses for patriots, Samuel forrulers, Elijah for reformers, Joseph for those who{15}rise into distinction; there is Daniel for theforlorn, Jeremiah for the persecuted, Hannah for thedowncast, Ruth for the friendless, theShunamite for the matron, Caleb for the soldier, Boazfor the farmer, Mephibosheth for the subject;{20}but none is vouchsafed to us in more varied lights,and with more abundant and more affectinglessons, whether in his history or in his writings,than he whose eulogy is contained in the words ofthe text, as cunning in playing, and a mighty{25}valiant man, and prudent in matters, and comelyin person, and favored by Almighty God. Maywe be taught, as he was, to employ the gifts, inwhatever measure given us, to God's honor andglory, and to the extension of that true and only{30}faith which is the salvation of the soul!
How beautiful are these passages in the historyof the chosen king of Israel! How do they drawour hearts towards him, as one whom in hisprivate character it must have been an extreme{10}privilege and a great delight to know! Surely,the blessings of the patriarchs descended in aunited flood upon "the lion of the tribe of Judah,"the type of the true Redeemer who was to come.He inherits the prompt faith and magnanimity{15}of Abraham; he is simple as Isaac; he is humbleas Jacob; he has the youthful wisdom andself-possession, the tenderness, the affectionateness,and the firmness of Joseph. And, as his ownespecial gift, he has an overflowing thankfulness,{20}an ever-burning devotion, a zealous fidelity tohis God, a high unshaken loyalty towards hisking, an heroic bearing in all circumstances, suchas the multitude of men see to be great, butcannot understand. Be it our blessedness, unless{25}the wish be presumptuous, so to acquit ourselvesin troubled times; cheerful amid anxieties,collected in dangers, generous towards enemies,patient in pain and sorrow, subdued in goodfortune! How manifold are the ways of the{30}Spirit, how various the graces which He imparts;what depth and width is there in that moral truthand virtue for which we are created! Contrastone with another the Scripture Saints; howdifferent are they, yet how alike! how fitted fortheir respective circumstances, yet how unearthly,{5}how settled and composed in the faith and fearof God! As in the Services, so in the patterns ofthe Church, God has met all our needs, all ourframes of mind. "Is any afflicted? let himpray; is any merry? let him sing Psalms."[26]{10}Is any in joy or in sorrow? there are Saints athand to encourage and guide him. There isAbraham for nobles, Job for men of wealth andmerchandise, Moses for patriots, Samuel forrulers, Elijah for reformers, Joseph for those who{15}rise into distinction; there is Daniel for theforlorn, Jeremiah for the persecuted, Hannah for thedowncast, Ruth for the friendless, theShunamite for the matron, Caleb for the soldier, Boazfor the farmer, Mephibosheth for the subject;{20}but none is vouchsafed to us in more varied lights,and with more abundant and more affectinglessons, whether in his history or in his writings,than he whose eulogy is contained in the words ofthe text, as cunning in playing, and a mighty{25}valiant man, and prudent in matters, and comelyin person, and favored by Almighty God. Maywe be taught, as he was, to employ the gifts, inwhatever measure given us, to God's honor andglory, and to the extension of that true and only{30}faith which is the salvation of the soul!
[26]James v. 13.
[26]James v. 13.
"What are these discourses that you hold one with another, as you walk and are sad?"
I
The instruments raised up by Almighty Godfor the accomplishment of His purposes are oftwo kinds, equally gifted with faith and piety,but from natural temper and talent, education,or other circumstances, differing in the means by{5}which they promote their sacred cause. Thefirst of these are men of acute and ready mind,with accurate knowledge of human nature, andlarge plans, and persuasive and attractivebearing, genial, sociable, and popular, endued with{10}prudence, patience, instinctive tact and decisionin conducting matters, as well as boldness andzeal. Such in a measure we may imagine thesingle-minded, the intrepid, the much-enduringHildebrand, who, at a time when society was{15}forming itself anew, was the Saviour, humanlyspeaking, of the City of God. Such, in an earlier age,was the majestic Ambrose; such thenever-wearied Athanasius. These last-namedluminaries of the Church came into public life early,{20}and thus learned how to cope with the varioustempers, views, and measures of the men theyencountered there. Athanasius was buttwenty-seven when he went with Alexander to the NiceneCouncil, and the year after he was Bishop ofAlexandria. Ambrose was consecrated soon after{5}the age of thirty.
The instruments raised up by Almighty Godfor the accomplishment of His purposes are oftwo kinds, equally gifted with faith and piety,but from natural temper and talent, education,or other circumstances, differing in the means by{5}which they promote their sacred cause. Thefirst of these are men of acute and ready mind,with accurate knowledge of human nature, andlarge plans, and persuasive and attractivebearing, genial, sociable, and popular, endued with{10}prudence, patience, instinctive tact and decisionin conducting matters, as well as boldness andzeal. Such in a measure we may imagine thesingle-minded, the intrepid, the much-enduringHildebrand, who, at a time when society was{15}forming itself anew, was the Saviour, humanlyspeaking, of the City of God. Such, in an earlier age,was the majestic Ambrose; such thenever-wearied Athanasius. These last-namedluminaries of the Church came into public life early,{20}and thus learned how to cope with the varioustempers, views, and measures of the men theyencountered there. Athanasius was buttwenty-seven when he went with Alexander to the NiceneCouncil, and the year after he was Bishop ofAlexandria. Ambrose was consecrated soon after{5}the age of thirty.
Again, there is an instrument in the hand ofProvidence, of less elaborate and splendidworkmanship, less rich in its political endowments,so to call them, yet not less beautiful in its{10}texture, nor less precious in its material. Such isthe retired and thoughtful student, who remainsyears and years in the solitude of a college or amonastery, chastening his soul in secret, raisingit to high thought and single-minded purpose,{15}and when at length called into active life,conducting himself with firmness, guilelessness, zeallike a flaming fire, and all the sweetness of purityand integrity. Such an one is often unsuccessfulin his own day; he is too artless to persuade, too{20}severe to please; unskilled in the weaknesses ofhuman nature, unfurnished in the resources ofready wit, negligent of men's applause,unsuspicious, open-hearted, he does his work, and soleaves it; and it seems to die; but in the{25}generation after him it lives again, and on the long runit is difficult to say which of the two classes ofmen has served the cause of truth the moreeffectually. Such, perhaps, was Basil, who issuedfrom the solitudes of Pontus to rule like a king,{30}and minister like the lowest in the kingdom; yetto meet little but disappointment, and to quitlife prematurely in pain and sorrow. Such washis friend, the accomplished Gregory, howeverdifferent in other respects from him, who left hisfather's roof for an heretical city, raised a church{5}there, and was driven back into retirement byhis own people, as soon as his triumph over thefalse creed was secured. Such, perhaps, St. PeterDamiani in the middle age; such St. Anselm,such St. Edmund. No comparison is, of course,{10}attempted here between the religious excellenceof the two descriptions of men; each of themserves God according to the peculiar gifts givento him. If we might continue our instancesby way of comparison, we should say that St.{15}Paul reminds us of the former, and Jeremiah ofthe latter....
Again, there is an instrument in the hand ofProvidence, of less elaborate and splendidworkmanship, less rich in its political endowments,so to call them, yet not less beautiful in its{10}texture, nor less precious in its material. Such isthe retired and thoughtful student, who remainsyears and years in the solitude of a college or amonastery, chastening his soul in secret, raisingit to high thought and single-minded purpose,{15}and when at length called into active life,conducting himself with firmness, guilelessness, zeallike a flaming fire, and all the sweetness of purityand integrity. Such an one is often unsuccessfulin his own day; he is too artless to persuade, too{20}severe to please; unskilled in the weaknesses ofhuman nature, unfurnished in the resources ofready wit, negligent of men's applause,unsuspicious, open-hearted, he does his work, and soleaves it; and it seems to die; but in the{25}generation after him it lives again, and on the long runit is difficult to say which of the two classes ofmen has served the cause of truth the moreeffectually. Such, perhaps, was Basil, who issuedfrom the solitudes of Pontus to rule like a king,{30}and minister like the lowest in the kingdom; yetto meet little but disappointment, and to quitlife prematurely in pain and sorrow. Such washis friend, the accomplished Gregory, howeverdifferent in other respects from him, who left hisfather's roof for an heretical city, raised a church{5}there, and was driven back into retirement byhis own people, as soon as his triumph over thefalse creed was secured. Such, perhaps, St. PeterDamiani in the middle age; such St. Anselm,such St. Edmund. No comparison is, of course,{10}attempted here between the religious excellenceof the two descriptions of men; each of themserves God according to the peculiar gifts givento him. If we might continue our instancesby way of comparison, we should say that St.{15}Paul reminds us of the former, and Jeremiah ofthe latter....
It often happens that men of very dissimilartalents and tastes are attracted together by theirvery dissimilitude. They live in intimacy for a{20}time, perhaps a long time, till their circumstancesalter, or some sudden event comes, to try them.Then the peculiarities of their respective mindsare brought out into action; and quarrels ensue,which end in coolness or separation. It would{25}not be right or true to say that this is exemplifiedin the instance of the two blessed Apostles, whose"sharp contention" is related in the Book ofActs; for they had been united in spirit once forall by a Divine gift; and yet their strife reminds{30}us of what takes place in life continually. And itso far resembled the everyday quarrels of friends,in that it arose from difference of temper andcharacter in those favored servants of God.The zealous heart of the Apostle of the Gentilesendured not the presence of one who had swerved{5}in his course; the indulgent spirit of Barnabasfelt that a first fault ought not to be a last trial.Such are the two main characters which are foundin the Church,—high energy, and sweetness oftemper; far from incompatible, of course, united{10}in Apostles, though in different relativeproportions, yet only partially combined in ordinaryChristians, and often altogether parted from eachother.
It often happens that men of very dissimilartalents and tastes are attracted together by theirvery dissimilitude. They live in intimacy for a{20}time, perhaps a long time, till their circumstancesalter, or some sudden event comes, to try them.Then the peculiarities of their respective mindsare brought out into action; and quarrels ensue,which end in coolness or separation. It would{25}not be right or true to say that this is exemplifiedin the instance of the two blessed Apostles, whose"sharp contention" is related in the Book ofActs; for they had been united in spirit once forall by a Divine gift; and yet their strife reminds{30}us of what takes place in life continually. And itso far resembled the everyday quarrels of friends,in that it arose from difference of temper andcharacter in those favored servants of God.The zealous heart of the Apostle of the Gentilesendured not the presence of one who had swerved{5}in his course; the indulgent spirit of Barnabasfelt that a first fault ought not to be a last trial.Such are the two main characters which are foundin the Church,—high energy, and sweetness oftemper; far from incompatible, of course, united{10}in Apostles, though in different relativeproportions, yet only partially combined in ordinaryChristians, and often altogether parted from eachother.
This contrast of character, leading, first, to{15}intimacy, then to differences, is interestinglydisplayed, though painfully, in one passage of thehistory of Basil and Gregory: Gregory theaffectionate, the tender-hearted, the man of quickfeelings, the accomplished, the eloquent{20}preacher,—and Basil, the man of firm resolve and harddeeds, the high-minded ruler of Christ's flock,the diligent laborer in the field of ecclesiasticalpolitics. Thus they differed; yet not as if theyhad not much in common still; both had the{25}blessing and the discomfort of a sensitive mind;both were devoted to an ascetic life; both weremen of classical tastes; both were specialchampions of the Catholic creed; both were skilledin argument, and successful in their use of it;{30}both were in highest place in the Church, the oneExarch of Cæsarea, the other Patriarch ofConstantinople. I will now attempt to sketch thehistory of their intimacy.
This contrast of character, leading, first, to{15}intimacy, then to differences, is interestinglydisplayed, though painfully, in one passage of thehistory of Basil and Gregory: Gregory theaffectionate, the tender-hearted, the man of quickfeelings, the accomplished, the eloquent{20}preacher,—and Basil, the man of firm resolve and harddeeds, the high-minded ruler of Christ's flock,the diligent laborer in the field of ecclesiasticalpolitics. Thus they differed; yet not as if theyhad not much in common still; both had the{25}blessing and the discomfort of a sensitive mind;both were devoted to an ascetic life; both weremen of classical tastes; both were specialchampions of the Catholic creed; both were skilledin argument, and successful in their use of it;{30}both were in highest place in the Church, the oneExarch of Cæsarea, the other Patriarch ofConstantinople. I will now attempt to sketch thehistory of their intimacy.
II
Basil and Gregory were both natives ofCappadocia, but here, again, under different{5}circumstances; Basil was born of a good family, andwith Christian ancestors: Gregory was the son ofthe Bishop of Nazianzus, who had been broughtup an idolater, or rather an Hypsistarian, amongrel sort of religionist, part Jew, part Pagan.{10}He was brought over to Christianity by the effortsof his wife Nonna, and at Nazianzus admitted bybaptism into the Church. In process of time hewas made bishop of that city; but not having avery firm hold of the faith, he was betrayed in{15}360 into signing the Ariminian creed, which causedhim much trouble, and from which at length hisson recovered him. Cæsarea being at nounsurmountable distance from Nazianzus, the twofriends had known each other in their own country;{20}but their intimacy began at Athens, whitherthey separately repaired for the purposes ofeducation. This was aboutA.D.350, when each ofthem was twenty-one years of age. Gregorycame to the seat of learning shortly before Basil,{25}and thus was able to be his host and guide on hisarrival; but fame had reported Basil's meritsbefore he came, and he seems to have made hisway, in a place of all others most difficult to astranger, with a facility peculiar to himself. Hesoon found himself admired and respected byhis fellow-students; but Gregory was his onlyfriend, and shared with him the reputation of{5}talents and attainments. They remained atAthens four or five years; and, at the end of thetime, made the acquaintance of Julian, since ofevil name in history as the Apostate. Gregorythus describes in after life his early intimacy{10}with Basil:
Basil and Gregory were both natives ofCappadocia, but here, again, under different{5}circumstances; Basil was born of a good family, andwith Christian ancestors: Gregory was the son ofthe Bishop of Nazianzus, who had been broughtup an idolater, or rather an Hypsistarian, amongrel sort of religionist, part Jew, part Pagan.{10}He was brought over to Christianity by the effortsof his wife Nonna, and at Nazianzus admitted bybaptism into the Church. In process of time hewas made bishop of that city; but not having avery firm hold of the faith, he was betrayed in{15}360 into signing the Ariminian creed, which causedhim much trouble, and from which at length hisson recovered him. Cæsarea being at nounsurmountable distance from Nazianzus, the twofriends had known each other in their own country;{20}but their intimacy began at Athens, whitherthey separately repaired for the purposes ofeducation. This was aboutA.D.350, when each ofthem was twenty-one years of age. Gregorycame to the seat of learning shortly before Basil,{25}and thus was able to be his host and guide on hisarrival; but fame had reported Basil's meritsbefore he came, and he seems to have made hisway, in a place of all others most difficult to astranger, with a facility peculiar to himself. Hesoon found himself admired and respected byhis fellow-students; but Gregory was his onlyfriend, and shared with him the reputation of{5}talents and attainments. They remained atAthens four or five years; and, at the end of thetime, made the acquaintance of Julian, since ofevil name in history as the Apostate. Gregorythus describes in after life his early intimacy{10}with Basil:
"Athens and letters followed on my stage;Others may tell how I encountered them;—How in the fear of God, and foremost foundOf those who knew a more than mortal lore;—{15}And how, amid the venture and the rushOf maddened youth with youth in rivalry,My tranquil course ran like some fabled spring,Which bubbles fresh beneath the turbid brine;Not drawn away by those who lure to ill,{20}But drawing dear ones to the better part.There, too, I gained a further gift of God,Who made me friends with one of wisdom high,Without compeer in learning and in life.Ask ye his name?—in sooth, 'twas Basil, since{25}My life's great gain,—and then my fellow dearIn home, and studious search, and knowledge earned.May I not boast how in our day we movedA truest pair, not without name in Greece;Had all things common, and one only soul{30}In lodgment of a double outward frame?Our special bond, the thought of God above,And the high longing after holy things.And each of us was bold to trust in each,Unto the emptying of our deepest hearts;And then we loved the more, for sympathyPleaded in each, and knit the twain in one."
"Athens and letters followed on my stage;Others may tell how I encountered them;—How in the fear of God, and foremost foundOf those who knew a more than mortal lore;—{15}And how, amid the venture and the rushOf maddened youth with youth in rivalry,My tranquil course ran like some fabled spring,Which bubbles fresh beneath the turbid brine;Not drawn away by those who lure to ill,{20}But drawing dear ones to the better part.There, too, I gained a further gift of God,Who made me friends with one of wisdom high,Without compeer in learning and in life.Ask ye his name?—in sooth, 'twas Basil, since{25}My life's great gain,—and then my fellow dearIn home, and studious search, and knowledge earned.May I not boast how in our day we movedA truest pair, not without name in Greece;Had all things common, and one only soul{30}In lodgment of a double outward frame?Our special bond, the thought of God above,And the high longing after holy things.And each of us was bold to trust in each,Unto the emptying of our deepest hearts;And then we loved the more, for sympathyPleaded in each, and knit the twain in one."
The friends had been educated for rhetoricians,and their oratorical powers were such, that they{5}seemed to have every prize in prospect which asecular ambition could desire. Their names wereknown far and wide, their attainmentsacknowledged by enemies, and they themselves personallypopular in their circle of acquaintance. It was{10}under these circumstances that they took theextraordinary resolution of quitting the worldtogether,—extraordinary the world calls it,utterly perplexed to find that any conceivableobjects can, by any sane person, be accounted{15}better than its own gifts and favors. Theyresolved to seek baptism of the Church, and toconsecrate their gifts to the service of the Giver.With characters of mind very different—theone grave, the other lively; the one desponding,{20}the other sanguine; the one with deep feelings,the other with feelings acute and warm;—theyagreed together in holding, that the things thatare seen are not to be compared to the things thatare not seen. They quitted the world, while it{25}entreated them to stay.
The friends had been educated for rhetoricians,and their oratorical powers were such, that they{5}seemed to have every prize in prospect which asecular ambition could desire. Their names wereknown far and wide, their attainmentsacknowledged by enemies, and they themselves personallypopular in their circle of acquaintance. It was{10}under these circumstances that they took theextraordinary resolution of quitting the worldtogether,—extraordinary the world calls it,utterly perplexed to find that any conceivableobjects can, by any sane person, be accounted{15}better than its own gifts and favors. Theyresolved to seek baptism of the Church, and toconsecrate their gifts to the service of the Giver.With characters of mind very different—theone grave, the other lively; the one desponding,{20}the other sanguine; the one with deep feelings,the other with feelings acute and warm;—theyagreed together in holding, that the things thatare seen are not to be compared to the things thatare not seen. They quitted the world, while it{25}entreated them to stay.
What passed when they were about to leaveAthens represents as in a figure the parting whichthey and the world took of each other. Whenthe day of valediction arrived, their companions{30}and equals, nay, some of their tutors, came aboutthem, and resisted their departure by entreaties,arguments, and even by violence. This occasionshowed, also, their respective dispositions; forthe firm Basil persevered, and went; thetender-hearted Gregory was softened, and stayed awhile{5}longer. Basil, indeed, in spite of the reputationwhich attended him, had, from the first, feltdisappointment with the celebrated abode ofphilosophy and literature; and seems to have given upthe world from a simple conviction of its emptiness.{10}
What passed when they were about to leaveAthens represents as in a figure the parting whichthey and the world took of each other. Whenthe day of valediction arrived, their companions{30}and equals, nay, some of their tutors, came aboutthem, and resisted their departure by entreaties,arguments, and even by violence. This occasionshowed, also, their respective dispositions; forthe firm Basil persevered, and went; thetender-hearted Gregory was softened, and stayed awhile{5}longer. Basil, indeed, in spite of the reputationwhich attended him, had, from the first, feltdisappointment with the celebrated abode ofphilosophy and literature; and seems to have given upthe world from a simple conviction of its emptiness.{10}
"He," says Gregory, "according to the way of humannature, when, on suddenly falling in with what we hopedto be greater, we find it less than its fame, experiencedsome such feeling, began to be sad, grew impatient, andcould not congratulate himself on his place of residence.{15}He sought an object which hope had drawn for him;and he called Athens 'hollow blessedness.'"
"He," says Gregory, "according to the way of humannature, when, on suddenly falling in with what we hopedto be greater, we find it less than its fame, experiencedsome such feeling, began to be sad, grew impatient, andcould not congratulate himself on his place of residence.{15}He sought an object which hope had drawn for him;and he called Athens 'hollow blessedness.'"
Gregory himself, on the contrary, looked atthings more cheerfully; as the succeedingsentences show.{20}
Gregory himself, on the contrary, looked atthings more cheerfully; as the succeedingsentences show.{20}
"Thus Basil; but I removed the greater part of hissorrow, meeting it with reason, and smoothing it withreflections, and saying (what was most true) thatcharacter is not at once understood, nor except by long timeand perfect intimacy; nor are studies estimated, by{25}those who are submitted to them, on a brief trial andby slight evidence. Thus I reassured him, and bycontinual trials of each other, I bound myself to him."—Orat.43.
"Thus Basil; but I removed the greater part of hissorrow, meeting it with reason, and smoothing it withreflections, and saying (what was most true) thatcharacter is not at once understood, nor except by long timeand perfect intimacy; nor are studies estimated, by{25}those who are submitted to them, on a brief trial andby slight evidence. Thus I reassured him, and bycontinual trials of each other, I bound myself to him."—Orat.43.
III
Yet Gregory had inducements of his own to{30}leave the world, not to insist on his love of Basil'scompany. His mother had devoted him to God,both before and after his birth; and when he wasa child he had a remarkable dream, which madea great impression upon him.
Yet Gregory had inducements of his own to{30}leave the world, not to insist on his love of Basil'scompany. His mother had devoted him to God,both before and after his birth; and when he wasa child he had a remarkable dream, which madea great impression upon him.
"While I was asleep," he says in one of his poems,{5}which runs thus in prose, "a dream came to me, whichdrew me readily to the desire of chastity. Two virginforms, in white garments, seemed to shine close to me.Both were fair and of one age, and their ornament layin their want of ornament, which is a woman's beauty.{10}No gold adorned their neck, nor jacinth; nor had theythe delicate spinning of the silkworm. Their fair robewas bound with a girdle, and it reached down to theirankles. Their head and face were concealed by a veil,and their eyes were fixed on the ground. The fair glow{15}of modesty was on both of them, as far as could be seenunder their thick covering. Their lips were closed insilence, as the rose in its dewy leaves. When I sawthem, I rejoiced much; for I said that they were farmore than mortals. And they in turn kept kissing me,{20}while I drew light from their lips, fondling me as a dearson. And when I asked who and whence the womenwere, the one answered, 'Purity,' the other, 'Sobriety';'We stand by Christ, the King, and delight in the beautyof the celestial virgins. Come, then, child, unite thy{25}mind to our mind, thy light to our light; so shall we carrythee aloft in all brightness through the air, and placethee by the radiance of the immortal Trinity.'"—Carm.p. 930.
"While I was asleep," he says in one of his poems,{5}which runs thus in prose, "a dream came to me, whichdrew me readily to the desire of chastity. Two virginforms, in white garments, seemed to shine close to me.Both were fair and of one age, and their ornament layin their want of ornament, which is a woman's beauty.{10}No gold adorned their neck, nor jacinth; nor had theythe delicate spinning of the silkworm. Their fair robewas bound with a girdle, and it reached down to theirankles. Their head and face were concealed by a veil,and their eyes were fixed on the ground. The fair glow{15}of modesty was on both of them, as far as could be seenunder their thick covering. Their lips were closed insilence, as the rose in its dewy leaves. When I sawthem, I rejoiced much; for I said that they were farmore than mortals. And they in turn kept kissing me,{20}while I drew light from their lips, fondling me as a dearson. And when I asked who and whence the womenwere, the one answered, 'Purity,' the other, 'Sobriety';'We stand by Christ, the King, and delight in the beautyof the celestial virgins. Come, then, child, unite thy{25}mind to our mind, thy light to our light; so shall we carrythee aloft in all brightness through the air, and placethee by the radiance of the immortal Trinity.'"—Carm.p. 930.
He goes on to say, that he never lost the{30}impression this made upon him, as "a spark ofheavenly fire," or "a taste of divine milk andhoney."
He goes on to say, that he never lost the{30}impression this made upon him, as "a spark ofheavenly fire," or "a taste of divine milk andhoney."
As far, then, as these descriptions go, one mightsay that Gregory's abandonment of the worldarose from an early passion, as it may be called,for a purity higher than his own nature; andBasil's, from a profound sense of the world'snothingness and the world's defilements. Both{5}seem to have viewed it as a sort of penitentialexercise, as well as a means towards perfection.
As far, then, as these descriptions go, one mightsay that Gregory's abandonment of the worldarose from an early passion, as it may be called,for a purity higher than his own nature; andBasil's, from a profound sense of the world'snothingness and the world's defilements. Both{5}seem to have viewed it as a sort of penitentialexercise, as well as a means towards perfection.
When they had once resolved to devotethemselves to the service of religion, the questionarose, how they might best improve and employ{10}the talents committed to them. Somehow, theidea of marrying and taking orders, or takingorders and marrying, building or improving theirparsonages, and showing forth the charities, thehumanities, and the gentilities of a family man,{15}did not suggest itself to their minds. They fanciedthat they must give up wife, children, property,if they would be perfect; and, this being takenfor granted, that their choice lay between twomodes of life, both of which they regarded as{20}extremes. Here, then, for a time, they were insome perplexity. Gregory speaks of two asceticdisciplines, that of the solitary or hermit, and thatof the secular;[27]one of which, he says, profitsa man's self, the other his neighbor. Midway,{25}however, between these lay the Cœnobite, orwhat we commonly call the monastic; removedfrom the world, yet acting in a certain selectcircle. And this was the rule which the friendsat length determined to adopt, withdrawing from{30}mixed society in order to be of the greater serviceto it.
When they had once resolved to devotethemselves to the service of religion, the questionarose, how they might best improve and employ{10}the talents committed to them. Somehow, theidea of marrying and taking orders, or takingorders and marrying, building or improving theirparsonages, and showing forth the charities, thehumanities, and the gentilities of a family man,{15}did not suggest itself to their minds. They fanciedthat they must give up wife, children, property,if they would be perfect; and, this being takenfor granted, that their choice lay between twomodes of life, both of which they regarded as{20}extremes. Here, then, for a time, they were insome perplexity. Gregory speaks of two asceticdisciplines, that of the solitary or hermit, and thatof the secular;[27]one of which, he says, profitsa man's self, the other his neighbor. Midway,{25}however, between these lay the Cœnobite, orwhat we commonly call the monastic; removedfrom the world, yet acting in a certain selectcircle. And this was the rule which the friendsat length determined to adopt, withdrawing from{30}mixed society in order to be of the greater serviceto it.