IF men did not mistake God, they could not rise to such heights of impiety: the acts of his just judgments are imputed to want of power. That God would send his ark captive to the Philistines, is construed by them as if he could not keep it. Dagon had never so great a day, so many sacrifices, as now that he seems to take the God of Israel prisoner. Where should the captive be bestowed, but in custody of the victor? It is not love, but insult, that lodges the ark beside Dagon. What a spectacle was this, to see uncircumcised Philistines laying their profane hands on the testimony of God's presence! to see the glorious mercy-seat under the roof of an idol! to see the two cherubim spreading their wings under a false god! Oh the deep and holy wisdom of the Almighty, which overreaches all the short-sighted fancies of his creatures, who, while he No. 37. JAN. 1837. B |