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He had also been much gratified with the constitution of the Society. They heard a great deal at the present day about catholicity, but he frankly confessed that he had not seen a better specimen of it than on that platform, not even excepting the Bible Society. It was not so wonderful that men should agree to circulate the word of God, but it was marvellous that they should have agreed for so many years to distribute what must be considered the work of man. A worthy baronet had lately offered 1007. for the best essay on schism. He had no intention to write upon the subject, for he abhorred it; but if the same prize were offered for the best essay on catholicity he would have enclosed a slip of paper, on which he would have written Religious Tract Society," and if the adjudicators had not awarded him the prize, he should have felt himself aggrieved. He looked upon this institution as a beautiful illustration of what was understood by the invisible church of Christ. He had felt, when the last speaker was addressing them, "How beautiful it is for brethen to dwell together in unity." Here they were determined to know neither politics nor sectarianismnothing but Jesus Christ and him crucified. Highly, indeed, as they all valued their various predilections-and no man valued them more than himself, for he would gladly see embraced in the arms of the national church every individual before him; yet those were questions which in this Institution were never entertained. When he looked at this Society he was perfectly paralysed at the immensity of its operations. Since the formation of the Society it had issued more than 200,000,000 publications, including some not less than 80 foreign languages. The persons among whom they circulated were not so much those who knew the way of salvation already, as those who were perishing for lack of knowledge-those who were almost inaccessible by any other means. Their charity was as diffusive abroad as at home. Thousands of their publications were circulated at the present moment, where the living voice of the missionary could not be heard. He was persuaded that volumes could not contain adequate records of the triumphs which, by the blessing of Almighty God, the Society had been enabled to achieve. Its record was on high, and the great day of the Lord would reveal the inestimable blessings which it had conferred upon this ruined world. He had only to entreat of the assembly that they would give it their continued support, and, above all, that they would offer up their prayers for a blessing upon its labours, that while they were endeavouring thus to water and to plant, it might please the God of all grace to give them an abundant increase.

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HOW merciful and seasonable are the provisions of God! Ziklag was nothing but ruins and ashes: David might return to the soil where it stood, but to the roofs and walls he could not: no sooner is he disappointed of that harbour, than God provides him rest at Hebron. Now David finds the comfort that his extremity sought in the Lord his God. Now are his clouds for a time passed over, and the sun breaks gloriously forth. David shall reign after his sufferings. So shall we, if we endure to the end, find a crown of righteousness, which the Lord the righteous Judge shall give us at that day. But though David well knew that his head was long before anointed, and had heard Saul himself confidently avouching his succession, yet he will not stir from the heaps of Ziklag till he has consulted with the Lord. It did not content him, that he had God's warrant for the kingdom, but he must have his instructions for taking possession of it. How safe and happy is the man that is resolved to do nothing without God! neither will generalities of direction be sufficient; even particular circumstances must look for a word. Still God is a pillar of fire and cloud to the eye of every Israelite: neither may there be any motion or stay but from him. That action cannot but succeed, which proceeds on so sure a warrant. God sends him to Hebron, a city of Judah. Neither will TRACT MAGAZINE, NO. 44. AUGUST, 1837.

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David go up thither alone, but he takes with him all his men, with their whole households: they shall take such part as himself. As they had shared with him in his misery, so they shall now in his prosperity: neither does he take advantage of their late mutiny, to cashier those unthankful and ungracious followers; but, pardoning their secret rebellions, he makes them partakers of his good success. Thus does our heavenly Leader, whom David prefigured, take us to reign with him who have suffered with him: passing by our manifold infirmities, as if they had not been, he removes us from the land of our banishment, and the ashes of our forlorn Ziklag, to the Hebron of our peace and glory. The expectation of this day must, as it did with David's soldiers, get over all our sorrows.

Never any calling of God was so conspicuous, as not to find some opposition. What Israelite did not know that David was appointed by God to the succession of the kingdom? even the Amalekite could carry the crown to him as the true owner: yet there wants not an Abner to resist him, and the title of an Ishbosheth to colour that resistance. If any of Saul's house could have challenged the crown, it should have been Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan; but the question is not, who may claim the most right, but who may best serve the faction; neither was Ishbosheth any other than Abner's tool. Saul could not have a fitter courtier: whether in the imitation of his master's envy, or the ambition of ruling under a borrowed name, he strongly opposed David. There are those who strive against their own hearts, to make a side; with whom conscience is oppressed by affection. An ill quarrel once undertaken will be maintained, although with blood: now, not so much the blood of Saul as the engagement of Abner makes the war. The sons of Zeruiah stand fast to David. It is important how a man places his first interest.

Both the commanders under David and Ishbosheth were equally cruel both are so inured to blood, that they make but a sport of killing. Custom makes sin so familiar, that the horror of it to some is turned into pleasure. Both sides perish, to show how little God liked either the offer or the acceptance of such a trial; but when both did their best, God punishes the wrong part with discomfiture.

Oh the misery of civil dissension! The speed of Asahel

was not greater than his courage: he was both swift and strong; but "the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong." If he had gone ever so slowly, he might have overtaken death: but now he runs to fetch it. Abner shall find himself no less overcome by Joab in clemency, than power: he professes his forwardness to entertain any pretence of sheathing up the swords of Israel; and swears to Abner, that if it had not been for his proud irritation, the people had in the morning before ceased from that bloody pursuit of their brethren. As it becomes public persons to be lovers of peace, so they must show it on all good occasions; letting pass no opportunity of sparing blood.

It is as dangerous as unjust for princes to give their ears and their hearts to misgrounded rumours of their innocent followers. This stripped Ishbosheth of the kingdom. Abner, in the mean time, cannot be excused from a treacherous inconstancy: his impatient falling, though to the right side, makes him no better than traitorously honest.

So soon as Abner determined to end his rebellion, he persuades the elders of Israel to accompany him in the change: and whence does he fetch his main motive but from the oracle of God? Abner knew this full well before, yet then was well content to smother a known truth for his own turn; and now that the publication of it may serve for his advantage, he wins the heart of Israel, by showing God's charter for him whom he had so long opposed. Hypocrites make use of God for their own purposes, and care only to make Divine authority a colour for their own designs. No man ever heard that Abner was godly till now; neither had he been so at this time, if he had not intended a revengeful departure from Ishbosheth. Nothing is more odious, than to make religion a stalking-horse to policy.

Who will not glorify God in his justice, when he sees the bitter end of this treacherous dissimulation? David may, on considerations of state, entertain his new guest with a feast; and well might he seem to deserve a welcome, that undertakes to bring all Israel to the league and homage of David; but God never meant to use such unworthy means for so good a work. Joab returns from pursuing a troop; and, finding Abner dismissed in peace, and in expectation of a beneficial return, follows him; and, whether out of envy at a new rival of honour, or out of the revenge

of Asahel, he repays him both dissimulation and death. God does most justly by Joab, that which Joab did for himself most unjustly. I know not, setting the quarrel aside, whether we can deservedly blame Abner for the death of Asahel, who would needs, after fair warnings, run himself on Abner's spear; yet this act shall procure his payment for what was worse: now is Ishbosheth's wrongs revenged by an enemy. We may not always measure the justice of God's proceedings by present occasions. He needs not make us acquainted, or ask us leave, when he will call for the arrearages of forgotten sins.

From Bp. Hall.

THE EFFECT OF A TEAR.

FOR the accomplishment of his gracious purposes in the recovery of ruined sinners, God is pleased to act in a vast variety of ways. Hence, by means apparently the weakest, and most uncontemplated, he often works his sovereign will. This will appear, by the recital of the following recent facts.

In a little village, in the northern part of the county of Essex, open-air services, for the purpose of preaching the gospel to the ignorant and profligate, had been carried on, during nine successive summer seasons; and not without some salutary effects, as evidenced in the reformation of character, and the conversion of heart of several of those who came to hear what "the babbler" would say. But whilst certain individuals received the word with pleasure and profit, others only attended, in order to indulge their feelings of malevolence against their more seriously disposed or pious neighbours. Of this latter class was Joseph K—. Full of self-righteousness and prejudice, he despised in his heart the preacher, his message, and all who loved the truths which he declared.

In the week, he was by necessity associated with two or three, who, since the preaching of the gospel in their village, had tasted that the Lord was gracious, and who, as a consequence, ardently longed that others should enjoy the same holy privileges and pleasures as those in which they participated. But Joseph K- despised all their desires and efforts, because, in his heart, he viewed them only as hypocrites, or as enthusiasts. Many a word in

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