Population, particularly amongst the higher orders of Society, where wealth and influence were peculiarly calculated to give protection and intellectual advantages to an Offspring, however numerous. But worldly policy is, certainly, no justification for the infringement of moral rules and DIVINE Injunctions. In these days we have a New Commandment Given us, and Which, in this Country, is confirmed by temporal authority, that each Husband be the Husband of one Wife only, and any indulgence even with a Concubine or Harlot is branded as criminal, and made the subject of punishment. The more extended state of Population, at the time this new moral Precept of The Gospel took its rise, may have strengthened the policy of its observance: and the more Spiritual Aim of The Gospel Dispensation in general, Which was to make Men of purer hearts and to fill them with more heavenly affections, was seconded by a regulation so calculated to give encouragement to temperance and chastity. In the Book of Chronicles this part of David's History is thus recorded :—“ And David took more Wives at Jerusalem and David begat more Sons and Daughters. Now these are the names of his Children, which he had in Jerusalem; Shammua, and Shobab, Nathan, and Solomon, and Ibhar, and Elishua, and Elpalet, and Nogah, and Nepheg, and Japhia, and Elishama, and Beeliada, and Eliphalet."-1 Chron. xiv. 3 to 7.

Elpalet and Nogah are here added to the number; in other respects the numbers and names are substantially the same.

But when the Philistines heard that they had anointed David King over Israel, all the Philistines came up to seek David: and David heard of it, and went down to the hold: the Philistines also came and spread themselves in the Valley of Rephaim. And David inquired of The LORD, saying, Shall I go up to the Philistines? Wilt Thou Deliver them into mine hand?' And The LORD Said unto David, Go up! For I will doubtless Deliver the Philistines into thine hand.' And David came to Baal-perazim, and David smote them there, and said, 'The LORD hath Broken forth upon mine Enemies before me, as the breach of waters.' Therefore he called the name of that Place Baal-perazim (the Plain of breaches): and there they left their images; and David and his Men burned them. And the Philistines came up yet again, and spread themselves in the Valley of Rephaim : and when David inquired of The LORD, He Said, 'Thou shalt not go up; but fetch a compass behind them, and come upon them over against the mulberry trees: and let it be, when thou hearest the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then thou shalt bestir thyself! for then shall The LORD Go out before thee, to Smite the Host of the Philistines.' And David did so, as The LORD had Commanded him and smote the Philistines from Geba until thou come to Gazer." -2 Sam. v. 17 to 25.

Restless in their animosity against the Israelites, the Philistines no sooner hear of David's establishment on the Throne of that Kingdom, than, like the restless Spirit of evil, they set themselves in array against the Anointed of The LORD of Hosts, notwithstanding the lesson, which David had been the Instrument of teaching them, that vain is the power of Man, when the Arm of The LORD is Upholden in Vengeance against him. But though the Philistines denied The HOLY ONE of Israel, and defied His Anointed, yet again and again was the same lesson of their impotence and consequent folly of warring against HEAVEN imparted to them; but imparted to them without producing the salutary effects on themselves, which it should seem to have been well calculated to have done; for they continued in their wilful blindness and obduracy of heart, trusting to their own idol-gods, and impiously blaspheming That GOD, from Whom Alone Cometh Salvation. Natural as is an eagerness in Man to renew the battle with a Foe he has once vanquished, yet David checked the ardour of

his natural courage; and, knowing that with The LORD JEHOVAH Alone is Strength, and with Him it is to Give the Victory, in pious devotion to The DIVINE Will, he sought in the Appointed way to have It Revealed to him; and when acquainted with It, as piously resolved to act obediently to It. Nor when once Imparted with reference to the immediate occasion of consulting It, did he, on another, however similar and immediately consequent occasion arising, presumptuously calculate on The Same Sanction being given to similar measures, but again humbly asked for DIVINE Counsel, and as scrupulously observed It, giving the Merit of the Triumph to Whom it was due, The GOD of Battles; considering himself sufficiently honoured in being the Chosen Instrument of DIVINE Power in accomplishing the Salvation of Israel. In the conflicts between ourselves and our worst enemy "sin," we should do well thus to imitate in spirit the example of David; and The SPIRIT of The LORD, Which is upon us, will, with the pen of our conscience, Write on our hearts the Instructive Lesson for our conduct, if the Word of The LORD, already publicly Revealed to us, hath not under circumstances of such peculiarity Disclosed It.

The account in the Book of Chronicles is as follows:- "And when the Philistines heard that David was anointed King over all Israel, all the Philistines went up to seek David. And David heard of it, and went out against them. And the Philistines came and spread themselves in the Valley of Rephaim. And David inquired of GOD, saying, 'Shall I go up against the Philistines? and wilt thou Deliver them into mine hand?' And The LORD Said unto him, • Go up! For I will Deliver them into thine hand. So they came up to Baalperazim; and David smote them there. Then David said, GOD hath Broken in upon mine Enemies by mine hand, like the breaking forth of waters:' therefore they call the name of that Place Baal-perazim (that is, a Place of breaches). And when they had left their gods there, David gave a commandment, and they were burned with fire. And the Philistines yet again spread themselves abroad in the Valley. Therefore David inquired again of GOD; and GOD Said unto him, 'Go not up after them! turn away from them, and come upon them over against the mulberry trees! and it shall be, when thou shalt hear a sound of going in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then thou shalt go out to battle; for GOD is Gone forth before thee to Smite the Host of the Philistines.' David, therefore, did as GOD Commanded him; and they smote the Host of the Philistines from Gibeon even to Gazer. And the fame of David went out into all Lands; and The LORD Brought the fear of him upon all Nations."-1 Chron. xiv. 8 to 17.

David's instantaneous destruction of the Heathen idols was an act of equal wisdom and piety. The concluding verse in the above reference is superadded to the account in the Book of Samuel. It might seem to be a natural consequence of David's repeated successes over the Nations he personally opposed, that other Nations, to whom the tidings of his conquests were borne, should dread to come in contact with him; but History, both sacred and general, prove this not to have universally prevailed. The implanting that dread, therefore, in the breasts of People, who had not tried their skill and valour with David, while it manifested the Power of GOD over the hearts of Men, was an Instance of DIVINE Mercy to Man, in giving, by the same means, rest unto Israel, and the saving of blood to Nations that were, perhaps, less criminal in the Eyes of GOD, than the Philistines.

**Again David gathered together all the chosen Men of Israel, thirty thousand and David arose and went with all the People that were with him, from Baale of Judah, to bring up from thence the Ark of GOD, Whose Name is called by the Name of The LORD of Hosts, That Dwelleth between the Cherubims. And they set the Ark of GOD upon a new cart, and brought It out of the house of Abinadab, that was in Gibeah: and Uzzah and Ahio, the Sons of Abinadab, drave

the new cart; and they brought it out of the house of Abinadab, which was at Gibeah, accompanying the Ark of GOD: and Ahio went before the Ark. And David and all the House of Israel played before The LORD on all manner of instruments made of fir wood, even on harps, and on psalteries, and on timbrels, and on cornets, and on cymbals."-2 Sam. vi. 1 to 5.

Notwithstanding the honours and the triumphs that attended on David, his heart was not led away by these generally intoxicating influences, but continued stedfast, immovable, and always abounding in The LORD, forasmuch as he knew that all would be nothing worth, and all his labour be in vain towards acquiring for him substantial happiness without the Continuing Favour of his GOD. Having triumphed over his Enemies by the Help of DIVINE Power, he, therefore, bestirs himself to manifest, in the most seemingly Acceptable way to That GOD, the genuine piety and gratitude of his heart, and render, at the same time, the most beneficial service to His People, by seeking to restore to Israel the Ark of GOD's Covenant of Love and Mercy, the Emblem of His Power and the Assurance of His Protection and to this great work he calls, from the four quarters of his Kingdom, the choicest of his People, to testify, before his GOD, the consciousness of the great service he was entering upon, and to impress on the People's minds the sacredness of that, in which they were called upon to join. Amidst the array of arms, surrounding at a respectful distance this inestimable Treasure, to inspire dread into the hearts of All, who might wish to obstruct its removal, David forgot not to associate with the procession that incitement to holy and reverential love, which is found in the influence of sacred music over the conscious Soul of Man. And in this part of the solemn dedication to GOD, as well as in the military regulations, David himself shone conspicuously and exemplarily pre-eminent; all the energies of his Soul were pressed into the service of his MAKER, and the Majesty of wisdom and of holiness were exemplified in the presence and conduct of a King. The observations of Bishop Horne, in his Commentary on the Psalms, on the excellency and utility of sacred music, may be, with reference to this example of David, satisfactorily and beneficially consulted. The account given of this Occurrence in the Book of Chronicles is substantially the same; but it may be satisfactory here to connect them, and show at one view their accordance.

"And David consulted with the Captains of Thousands and Hundreds, and with every Leader and David said unto all the Congregation of Israel, 'If it seem good unto you, and that it be of The LORD our GOD, let us send abroad unto our Brethren every where, that are left in all the Land of Israel, and with them also to the Priests and Levites, which are in their Cities and suburbs, that they may gather themselves unto us: and let us bring again the Ark of our GOD to us; for we inquired not at It in the days of Saul.' And all the Congregation said that they would do so.' For the thing was right in the eyes of all the People. So David gathered all Israel together, from Shihor of Egypt, even unto the entering of Hemath, to bring the Ark of GOD from Kirjath-jearim. And David went up and all Israel to Baalah, that is, to Kirjath-jearim, which belonged to Judah, to bring up thence the Ark of GOD, The LORD, That Dwelleth between the Cherubims, Whose Name is Called on It. And they carried the Ark of GOD in a new cart out of the house of Abinadab: and Uzza and Ahio drave the cart. And David and all Israel played before GOD with all their might, and with singing, and with harps, and with psalteries, and with timbrels, and with cymbals, and with trumpets."1 Chron. xiii. 1 to 8.

The above words, "if it be of The LORD, our GOD," give an added Text for further observation in the above account: the work proposed to be done was, to all Human considerations, so utterly free from the seeming possibility of giving offence to Him, Whose Honour it was chiefly in contemplation to promote by the

act, that it might, to a less devout and Spiritualized mind than David's, appear to be a work of supererogation to ask The DIVINE Permission for its fulfilment. But David knew that to obey, was better than sacrifice, and to hearken, than the fat of rams; he had seen the effect of self-righteousness in the fate of Saul, and, therefore, with a mind bent on submission to The DIVINE Will, he set himself diligently to inquire of The LORD, that he might have That Will Revealed to him.

And when they came to Nachon's threshing-floor, Uzzah put forth his hand to the Ark of GOD, and took hold of It: for the oxen shook It: and the Anger of The LORD was Kindled against Uzzah; and GOD Smote him there for his error; and there he died by the Ark of GOD. And David was displeased, because The LORD had Made a Breach upon Uzzah; and he called the name of the place Perez-Uzzah to this day. And David was afraid of The LORD that day, and said, 'How shall the Ark of The LORD come to me!' So David would not remove the Ark of The LORD unto him into the City of David; but David carried It aside into the house of Obed-edom, the Gittite."2 Sam. vi. 6 to 10.

That the Ways of GOD are the Ways of Wisdom, All His Works Declare : but who shall enter into the Depths of His Counsel ? Whether He, Whose Peculiar Province it is to Look into the heart, Saw in that of Uzzah a want of holy reverence for the Things Pertaining unto GOD, however contrary might be Man's superficial judgment? or whether He was Desirous of Impressing, on the minds of All around, the awe that should be cherished in approaching the Depository of The DEITY'S Covenant of Grace with Man, and to Teach them, from the fate of Uzzah, that GOD Needeth not the help of His Creatures, and that far more Acceptable to Him is a dependance upon His Omnipotence, than an arrogant Interposition of Human power, as supposing that the Hand of The LORD was Shortened, that It could not Save, or His Ear Deaf, that He could not Hear? or whatever may have reconciled the Summary Judgment of GOD with the perfection of Justice Which Resides within Him, certain it is, that if Uzzah in spirit offended not, it was no Unmerciful Sentence to translate him from Earth to Heaven; and if he did offend, yet, awful as was the temporal Judgment Inflicted on him, yet may we trust that in the Judgment to Come in That Kingdom, Which is not of this World, he may find Mercy. The effect produced on the mind of David by this Infliction of DIVINE Chastisement, is a manifestation of the pride of Man, even amidst the general prevalence of holiness that may belong to him, and confirms the sad truth of the degeneracy of our Nature from the state of purity and entire resignation to the Will of GOD, in which that Nature was first Formed. The holy David displeased with The ALMIGHTY!!! he, "with whom GOD was Well Pleased," as being 66 a Man after His Own Heart, became offended at That GOD, through Whom he lived and moved, and had his Being, and on Whose Good Pleasure Depended his fate, not only in Time but in Eternity. Because GOD Seeth not as Man seeth, and the Wisdom of The CREATOR was above the Creature's comprehension, in the hasty and arrogant dictate of reasoning pride, the Ways of The LORD were protested against, and even condemned as uneven; and David, who had so lately and exemplarily done honour to GOD, and proclaimed His Infinite Goodness and Mercy, now withdrew that submissive homage to His Will, which he had before been foremost to excite in the minds of Others: a fear, not such as leadeth to love, pervaded his Soul, and instead of seeking Counsel of The LORD, how His Displeasure might be Removed, he stifled for a moment the Emotions of The HOLY SPIRIT within him, and gave way to the evil suggestions of his own weak heart. It would have been becoming in him, and consistent with the general tenor of

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his past Life, to have devoted himself in abstinence and prayer, and to have encouraged his People to the same course, that the Anger of The LORD, however unsuspectingly, yet, doubtless, justly Roused, might not be Extended from an Individual to a People; but, alas! who knoweth how oft he offendeth? and how fervently should every One ask of GOD in prayer, what the pious David himself, at another time, taught both his own and succeeding Generations in this penitential appeal to his GOD and our GOD, O cleanse Thou me from my secret faults!" Still David did not abandon the Sacred Testimony of The ALMIGHTY'S Intercourse with His People; he did not so unbridle his displeasure as to leave it without check or control, but removed the Ark to a place of shelter, though, as it should seem, to the dwelling-place of an Infidel Philistine; but the Ark had some time past been preserved in Philistia, and David, fearing to take It prematurely home, lest It might Bring destruction, and not Salvation to himself and his People, suffered It, for a further season, to remain in that Land. The Account given of this in the Book of Chronicles is as follows:

"And when they came unto the threshing-floor of Chidon, Uzza put forth his hand to hold the Ark; for the oxen stumbled and the Anger of The LORD was Kindled against Uzza, and He Smote him, because he put his hand to the Ark; and there he died before GOD. And David was displeased, because The LORD had Made a Breach upon Uzza: wherefore that Place is called Perez-Uzza to this day. And David was afraid of GOD that day, saying, 'How shall I bring the Ark of GOD home to me?' So David brought not the Ark home to himself to the City of David; but carried It aside into the house of Obed-edom, the Gittite." -1 Chron. xiii. 9 to 13.

It is not improbable that the Will of The LORD, that no hand should dare to touch the Ark on Its journey, had been Revealed; and the Revelation communicated to Uzza; if so, the distrust of GOD's Power to Protect His Own Works, and the arrogant presumption in deeming Man's aid essential to the Ark's support, vindicate the Ways of GOD to Man in the instance of Uzza's sudden and exemplary Punishment. (See 1 Sam. vi. 19.)

"And the Ark of The LORD continued in the house of Obed-edom, the Gittite, three months: and The LORD Blessed Obed-edom and all his Household. And it was told King David, saying, 'The LORD hath Blessed the House of Obed-edom, and all that pertaineth unto him, because of the Ark of GOD.' So David went and brought up the Ark of GOD from the house of Obed-edom into the City of David with gladness. And it was so, that when they, that bare the Ark of The LORD, had gone six paces, he sacrificed oxen and fatlings: and David danced before The LORD with all his might! and David was girded with a linen Ephod So David and all the House of Israel brought up the Ark of The LORD with shouting and with the sound of the trumpet. And as the Ark of The LORD came into the City of David, Michal, Saul's Daughter, looked through a window, and saw King David leaping and dancing before The LORD; and she despised him in her heart. And they brought in the Ark of The LORD, and set It in his place, in the midst of the Tabernacle, that David had pitched for It: and David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before The LORD. And as soon as David had made an end of offering burnt offerings and peace offerings, he blessed the People in the Name of The LORD of Hosts. And he dealt among all the People, even among the whole multitude of Israel, as well to the Women as Men, to every One a cake of bread, and a good piece of flesh, and a flagon of wine. So all the People departed every One to his house. Then David returned to bless his Household. And Michal, the Daughter of Saul, came out to meet David, and said, 'How glorious was the King of Israel to-day, who uncovered himself to-day in the eyes of the Handmaids of his Servants, as One of the vain Fellows shamelessly uncovereth