had most at heart, was really due to David." And now," (said he)" be"hold I know well that thou shalt surely "be King" (probably this was the subject of Saul's unwilling prophecy before Samuel and the prophets at Naioth when "he stript off his Clothes" [perhaps as a sign against himself,] laying aside · his robes of distinction)" and that the 66 Kingdom of Israel" (said Saul to David)" shall be established in thine "hand. Swear now therefore unto me "by the Lord, that thou will not cut off my seed after me, and that thou wilt "not destroy my name out of my Fa"ther's House. And David sware "unto Saul. And Saul went home; "but David and his Men gat them up "unto the hold." (See the whole xxivth Chapter of 1 Sam.) Another remarkable triumph of REASON or CONSCIENCE, as a principle of action in Saul, is related in the xxvith Chapter. David David took the spear, and the cruse of water from Saul's bolster after he had prevented Abishai from killing him, when Saul and all his host were asleep -" because a deep sleep from the Lord was fallen upon them." And after wards when David had thereupon re monstrated a second time to Saul concerning the unreasonableness of his persecution, and had awakened his CONSCIENCE by the justice of his appeal, the Monarch once more submitted to REASON and CONSCIENCE, saying,—“ I have “sinned: return, my Son David: for I "will no more do thee harm, because my "Soul was precious in thine eyes this day: BEHOLD I HAVE PLAYED THE FOOL, 46 AND HAVE ERRED EXCEEDINGLY." 16 A more humiliating acknowledgement of repentance than this could not have been made in any case! and it is the more extraordinary, when we consider that it proceeded from a poor wretched 14 had most at heart, was really due to hold I know well that thou shall surely Kingdom of Israel" (said Saul to David)" shall be established in thine "hand. Swear now therefore unto me "by the Lord, that thou will not cut off "my seed after me, and that thou will "not destroy my name out of my Father's House. And David sware unto Saul And Saul went home; but David and his Men gat them up unto the hold." (See the whole xxivth Chapter of 1 Sam.) wretched Mortal forsaken by God's Spirit, and absolutely subjected to Diabolical influence! so that Saul's natural REASON OF CONSCIENCE, must in this particular case be esteemed the sole * principle of Action;' which now once more compelled him to BLESS his hated BLESSED be thou my Son Rival! "David" (said Saul) 60 THOU SHALT "BOTH DO GREAT (things), AND ALSO SHALT STILL PREVAIL. So David "went on his way, and Saul returned to "his place." Thus the History of Saul affords some very remarkable examples of the compound Nature of Man, and of the vari ous discording principles of action, as well natural, as supernatural and spiritual, wherewith Men are occasionally influenced. When all these circumstances of Saul's case are duly considered, it must necessarily |