age to age it has been trodden down by the Gentiles. It has often changed its masters; but whoever have conquered it, the Jews have not. For almost eighteen hundred years it has been trodden down by the Gentiles, and it is so still. It is confidently stated that no Jew possesses the smallest portion of land as his own, in the country of his fathers. In the face of an unbelieving world, the Saviour's prediction has been continually fulfilling, and is fulfilling now. Let infidels point to one fact in the history of all nations besides, resembling this. They cannot find one.

Time would fail to refer to accomplished predictions, respecting those cities, that were the rulers or the glory of the ancient world. Such were Babylon, Nineveh, Tyre, and others, but their desolation was predicted, and every prediction has been fulfilled. None now knows where Nineveh stood; none can tell, with absolute certainty, where was the site of Babylon; and Tyre long since became a desolate and almost deserted rock.

Equally impracticable is it, on this occasion, to survey the predictions contained in the New Testament respecting Antichrist. The predictions are abundantly plain, and nothing can be more exact or striking than their accomplishment, in the assumptions, superstitions, cruelty, general wickedness, and whole character, of popery.

Other predictions, referring to the Messiah, and his peaceful and blessed reign, have received an equally exact fulfilment. Simpson, in his 'Key to the Prophecies,' has collected one hundred and eight predictions respecting the Messiah, that have been fulfilled in Jesus Christ. It was foretold that the Messiah should be the seed of the woman; should be a descendant of Abraham, in the line of Isaac, Jacob, Judah, Jesse, David; that he should be born at Bethlehem, in a lowly

situation; that he should work great miracles; that he should be despised and rejected; should be exposed to savage cruelty; should be buffeted, mocked, spit upon; should have his visage marred by cruelty; should be gentle and heavenly; should be led to slaughter like a lamb ;, should not defend himself from his accusers; should be numbered with transgressors ; should make intercession for them; should be scourged, and suffer thirst; should be surrounded by men, savage as ravenous beasts; should be insulted in his sufferings; should have his raiment divided, and lots cast upon his vesture; should be put to grief by his heavenly Father; should have his hands and feet pierced; should die; should have his grave appointed with the wicked, and yet should be buried with the rich; should rise from the dead, and live again after death, when he would declare the name of the Lord, and his pleasure should prosper in his hand; and then he should see of the travail of his soul, and be satisfied.-Gen. iii. 15; Isa. vii. 14; Gen xxii. 18, xvii. 21, xxviii. 14, xlix. 10; Isa. xi. 1, 2; Jer. xxiii. 5; Micah v. 2; Isa. xxxv. 5, li. 6, lii. 14, all liii.; Psa. xxii. On the subject of his sufferings, Jesus himself foretold that he should be delivered to the chief priests and scribes; that they would condemn him to death, and deliver him to the Gentiles, who would mock, and scourge, and spit upon, and crucify, and kill him, and that, the third day, he should rise again.-Matt. xx. 19; Mark x. 34.

Of these wonderful predictions, perhaps no one is more striking than that which foretold his crucifixion. Crucifixion, it is well known, was a Roman punishment for slaves, and the most despised malefactors, and by Romans it was inflicted on the Saviour; yet, hundreds of years before Rome was built, or the Roman nation existed, David foretold that

the Messiah should suffer crucifixion,

They pierced my hands and my feet.-Psa. xxii. 16.

It was also foretold, that he should gather into the family of God the Gentiles; should be their light, and that many of them would become his disciples; that his Gospel should be diffused through the world; and that his kingdom, once established, should never be destroyed.-Micah iv. 1, 2; Isa. xlix. 15, 22, liv., lx.; Matt. i. 11; Isa. xlii. 1, 6, xlix. 6, xi. 10, ii. 3, 4; Dan. vii. 14; Psa. lxxii. 17; Isa. liv. 8, 10, 17.

These events were foretold, not in ambiguous language, but with the utmost plainness; and a number of them not by one or two predictions only, but by many, Whence, but from heaven, could come prophecies, referring to so many subjects, descending into so many minute particulars, to be accomplished through different ages, and in lands far apart; and most of them already fulfilled, or at this very time fulfilling?

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Several of the predictions, which referred to the religion of Jesus, foretold that it would be an eminent blessing to the world.-Gen. xxii. 18; Psa. lxxii. 17; Isa. xxxv. 1, 2, xi. 6—9, li. 3, ii. 4. The experience of multitudes, that no man can number, has borne testimony to the accomplishment of this prediction. If temporal advantage only were sidered, christianity has been a blessing to the nations. Many years ago, Paley remarked, The effects of christianity have been most important. It has mitigated the conduct of war, and the treatment of captives. It has softened the administration of despotic, or of nominally despotic, governments. It has abolished polygamy. It has restrained the licentiousness of divorces. It has put an end to the exposure of children, and

the immolation of slaves. It has suppressed the combats of gladiators, and the impurities of religious rites. It has banished, if not unnatural vices, at least the toleration of them. It has greatly meliorated the condition of the laborious part, that is to say, of the mass of every community, by procuring for them a day of weekly rest. In all countries in which it is professed, it has produced numerous establishments for the relief of sickness and poverty; and, in some, a regular and general provision by law. It has triumphed over the slavery established in the Roman empire; it is contending, and, I trust, will one day prevail against, the worse slavery of the West Indies.' His anticipations on the last topic are now realized. Christianity has triumphed over the slavery of the West Indies, and that of every other part of the British empire, and has commenced a vigorous attack on the slavery upheld in the United States, more atrocious and detestable than that over which it triumphed in the islands of the West.

Important, however, as are these effects, others more important have resulted from the christian system, in numberless instances. Its peace within the breast has cheered myriads, when all without has been dark and afflictive; heavenly consolations have brightened into smiles of tranquility countenances that else would have been saddened by poverty and woe. These consolations have comforted the chamber of pain and sickness, and, on the bed of death, they have often been felt as the earnest of that future joy which is unspeakable and full of glory.

Thus, whether we regard the discoveries of our heavenly religion, or the clearness and certainty of those discoveries, christianity is light.

THE final departure of Samuel from Saul, and the recollection of the divine decree, that the kingdom should be removed from him, greatly disturbed the unsanctified and self-centred mind of the king. He became subject to melancholy and dejection, and a prey to evil tempers, if not to a demon. To remove this, David was recommended to him, that he might use his skill on the harp before him, and thus chase away his disturbed and agitated thoughts. Jesse was glad of this promotion for his son; and Saul, charmed with the skill and prowess of David, took him to his house, and delighted in him and made him his armour-bearer. He had not long remained in the house of the king, before the jealousy of his brethren caused him to be recalled by his father; and he was again committed to his humble employment; while his three eldest brothers engaged in Saul's service.

David was discharging his humble service, some two or three years after he had been anointed, when the Philistines encamped against Israel. The valley of Elah, a short distance from Bethlehem, lay between the encampment of the two armies. Amongst the Philistines was Goliath of Gath, a giant above ten feet in stature, and strong in proportion, who challenged the Israelites, and defied them to find a man that by single combat should decide the fate of the battle. Forty days this boasting idolater appeared, but the camp of Israel trembled, and none dare accept his challenge. David, sent by his father with provision for his brethren, and a present for their captain, saw and heard the defiance of the Philistine. His zeal for the honour of God was inflamed; and being told what rewards Saul would give to him who should vanquish this foe of God and his people, he intimated his willingness to engage him. His eldest brother rebuked his temerity; but when Saul heard of it, he sent for him, and expressed his astonishment that so young a person should be willing to enter the lists with a giant accustomed to war. David replied, that he had killed a lion and a bear which came on the flock; and the same God who had enabled him to

do these things, would assist him to conquer the Philistine who had defied his people. Having refused Saul's armour, he went forth with his staff and sling, against this mighty champion. Goliath despised him, cursed him by his gods, and told him that his body should be food for the fowls of the air and the beasts of the field.' David, strong in the Lord, replied that he came against the Philistine in the name of the Lord of Hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom he had defied. "This day,” he said, "the Lord will deliver thee up into my hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel." So confident was he in God, so assured of victory!

David hasted, and slung a stone at the Philistine with such precision and force, that it sunk into the forehead of the giant, and he fell down dead in the field. He immediately ran and took the sword of the Philistine and cut off his head, while the Hebrew army pursued and routed their dispirited foes.

When he returned with the head and sword and armour of the Philistine, Saul would not permit him to go again to his father's house, but gave him an honourable appointment in his service; and the soul of Jonathan was warmly attached unto David, in whom he beheld the future king of Israel, and they entered into a friendly covenant with each other. The path of honour and distinction was now open before him, but a new and formidable difficulty appeared. As Saul returned home from the battle, he was met by the women from every city singing and dancing for joy of their deliverance, saying, "Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.' The superior prowess ascribed to David awakened Saul's jealousy, lest he should at last have the kingdom, and the next day in an extacy of rage and madness, which he concealed under the guise of religious excitement, while David played to him, he twice threw a javelin at him to kill him.

The watchful eye of providence preserved David, and the blessing of God gave him wisdom, and rendered him an

object of general attachment and admiration; but this only excited the more strongly the fears of the king. To secure his destruction, Saul proposed that he should have his daughter, who loved him, to wife, provided he would execute a most dangerous enterprize against the Philistines. David was triumphant, and received the reward; but his success only increased Saul's desire to take away his life, so that he even gave orders to his soldiers and to Jonathan his son to destroy him. A remonstrance from Jonathan led Saul to revoke his order, and David was recalled to his high and honourable post, and shortly afterwards led the army against the Philistines. The great success of David in this war, served but to add fuel to the fire that burned in Saul's breast, and again and again he attempted his life. Who can stand before jealousy?' Assisted by Michal, David fled to Rama to Samuel, and doubtless received there such counsel and encouragement as his circumstances demanded.

Saul sent messengers to apprehend him, but they were so awed and charmed by the religious services of the prophets, and the power of God, that they united with them and did not execute their purpose. A second, and a third band were affected in the like manner; and at length Saul went himself, but the same power subdued him. So does God sometimes disarm the foes of his people.

Jonathan, who loved David, after wards informed him of the evident determination of his father to kill him: and after affectionately renewing their covenant and weeping over each other, they parted, as companions, for ever.

David, the anointed of the Lord, and destined to be king in Israel, was now in the humblest position: denounced by Saul, and regarded by his court as an outlaw, his wife given to another, and himself compelled to wander as a fugitive in the land he was to govern. These were great reverses, and it would have been wonderful indeed if in no degree his confidence had forsaken him. Alas, at best, what is man? He went to Nob, a city of priests, in the tribe of Benjamin, and where what remained of the sacred tabernacle was set up. The high priest, knowing his high repute, and ignorant of his peculiar position, was deceived by him, and gave him and his

attendants bread, the sacred bread, and the sword of Goliath, which had been committed to the custody of the priests. The fugitive, with more of human policy than divine, fled to the king of Gath, who, either from regard to his fame, or expectation of future service from him, gave him a temporary shelter. But the jealousy of the Philistines awakened the most dreadful fears in David's mind; and feigning himself mad, he escaped from Gath, and came to the cave of Adullam, some ten miles north-west of Jerusalem. There his brethren and his aged parents, all now become the objects of Saul's antipathy, came to him; and about four hundred men attached themselves to his train, and he became their captain. Having taken his aged parents for safety to the king of Moab, and being admonished by a prophet of his danger, he and his party entered the forest of Hareth, also in the tribe of Judah. Saul having heard of the relief given to him by the priests, ordered them and their families to be put to death; but none of his soldiers would obey him; and Doeg the Edomite, Saul's herdsman, who informed against them, executed the wicked command, and destroyed the whole city. One of the priests, Ábiathar, escaped and told David what had occurred, and David retained him in his attendance, and he enquired of God for him.

Hearing that the Philistines were committing depredations on Keilah, a town on the west border of Judah, David, with the sanction of God, went and smote them, and delivered the Keilites out of their hand, and restored unto them their spoil. But ascertaining that Saul was approaching this place, and being assured of God, that the ungrateful people would deliver him into the king's power, he again escaped, and wandered near to the eastern extremity of Judah, to a mountain of Ziph. There he was refreshed by a private and friendly visit from Jonathan. Sweet and sacred are the secret interviews of chosen friends. Saul came against him there with an army: and when David was almost in his power, and it appeared, humanly speaking, impossible he could escape, a messenger came with breathless haste unto Saul, and said, 'Haste thee, and come, for the Philistines have spread themselves on the land.' Saul therefore

was obliged to retire, and David was delivered. Beautiful and appropriate is his language, 'Our soul is escaped from the hand of the fowlers, the snare is broken and we are escaped.' 'Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth."

David and his party, amounting to 600 men, next went to the mountain fastnesses and caves of Engedi, a wild region on the north-east of Judea: and there, had he been disposed, he could have slain Saul. He and his men were secreted in a large cavern, into which Saul entered and unsuspectingly lay down to rest. Respect for his office and the anointing of God, and an absence of vindictive feeling, led David to preserve his life, while he cut off a part of his garment, which he afterwards exhibited to Saul, when removed to a distance. This proof of his forbearance so subdued Saul for the time, that he acknowledged his fault, and besought David to promise future friendship to his house.

About this time, when David's troubles had continued four years, Samuel died, and the Israelites lamented and mourned over him. David removed with his men into Paran, south of the land of Israel, into the wilderness, where he might indulge his grief without interruption from his vigilant and implacable foe. But there, necessity led him to appeal to the liberality of a rich man, whose flocks he had protected, for a little temporary relief; his messengers were treated roughly and insultingly refused. This provoked both David and his men. But one of Nabal's servants reported the case to his mistress, and she, sensible of the equity of the request, the obligation of her husband to David, and the danger that might come on them if he determined to make reprisals, prudently took a great quantity of provisions, and coming to David, appeased his anger with this seasonable present. Nabal heard of his danger afterwards and died; and Abigail became David's wife.

Again, when in the neighbourhood of Ziph, Saul was excited by the Ziphites to go against David; and then while he was asleep in his camp, and his guards were asleep, David and Abishai went and took away the spear and cruse of water from near his pillow: but he refused to smite him, though strongly tempted by his valiant attendant; saying

'the Lord shall smite him, or his day shall come to die, or he shall descend into battle and perish.' Again Saul was made to see his error, and then he even invited David to return to his house. But David knew the fitfulness of Saul, and the extreme power of his jealousy, and he was, after the king returned, in greater fear than ever. His confidence forsook

him, and he almost abandoned his hope; so that he went once more to the king of Gath. Achish received him courteously, and gave him the city of Ziklag for him and his company, hoping thereby to obtain his allegiance and assistance against Saul. Secure from the attacks of the king, he resided in Ziklag sixteen months, and from this point, which was some thirty miles south of Gath, and near the south-west border of Judah, he made frequent and successful incursions on the Amalekites, the Geshurites, and other predatory and wandering tribes, who had been a terror unto Israel.

Thus for ten years was David in continual difficulties and straits; chased by Saul, and led to flee from place to place as a fugitive on the earth. His exercises of mind were very severe, and though, at times, his confidence in God was shaken, in the main, his heart was fixed trusting in the Lord.' The narrative we have glanced at, as recorded in the first book of Samuel, is the key to many of those Psalms which have been the comfort of the tempted and distressed and persecuted people of God in every age. They were written for our learning, that we, through patience and consolation of the scriptures, might have hope.'

He

The king of the Philistines once more invaded Israel, and David was reduced to the painful alternative of exposing himself to his fury, or taking the field against his own people. seemingly chose the latter course; but the lords of the Philistines suspected him, and he was consequently dismissed by Achish, to return to Ziklag. The battle field chosen by the Philistines was the plain of Jezreel, which is far north of Gath, so that David was three days returning to Ziklag on the south. On his arrival, he found the place in ruins, sacked, burnt, and destroyed. A party of Amalekites taking advantage of his absence had thus avenged themselves on him, taking his wives and those of his