enter into temptation. The prosperity of fools destroys them; and the prosperity of wise men commonly injures them. As people rise in the world, they get bad memories. The Chief Butler did not remember Joseph, but forgat him-Lord, what is man! In all things Jesus has the pre-eminence. He remembered us as soon as he came into his kingdom. And, though passed into the heavens, he is still touched with the feeling of our infirmities. AUG. 14.-" And David said unto him, Fear not: for I will surely shew thee kindness, for Jonathan thy father's sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually. And he bowed himself, and said, What is thy servant, that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I am ?" 2 Sam. ix. 7, 8. DAVID had inquired whether there was any left of the house of Saul, that he might shew him kindness for Jonathan's sake. Upon which Ziba, an old retainer in Saul's family, said unto the king, "Jonathan hath yet a son, which is lame on his feet." This lameness was occasioned by an accident, in consequence of the battle of Gilboa, by which his grandfather and his father were both slain. The nurse, not only from the terror such an event naturally inspires, but also from knowing that Mephibosheth was now the heir apparent to the throne, and that the victors would eagerly seek to apprehend him; to secure and conceal her precious charge, took him up and fled; but fell, and crippled him for life. To how many perils are children exposed in their rearing and how thankful should we feel to the providence of God, if we have escaped them. Yet, instead of pitying Mephibosheth, we ought rather to congratulate him on this affliction. In the earlier stages of society corporeal accomplishments are much rated; and had not Mephibosheth been thus disfigured and dismembered, the adherents of Saul's house would probably, as he was the next heir, have proclaimed him, instead of his uncle Ishbosheth-and then it is most likely he would have been murdered, as he was. Who knows what is good for a man in this vain life? And who knows what is evil? How often have we deprecated things for which we have afterwards been thankful! How much do we owe to the disappointments of life! What dangers have ill health, or reduced substance, prevented! "Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take! "And the king said, Where is he? And Ziba said, Behold he is in the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, in Lo-debar." Here, probably, resided in obscurity, his mother's relations: and here he himself was forgotten, like a dead man out of mind. Machir, with whom he dwelt, seems to have been a noble, generous man, who took charge of Mephibosheth from pity for one born to honour, and the son of so excellent a father; and not from any disaffection to David. Yea, we afterward find him equally kind to David; and furnishing him with every refreshment when he was driven an exile into his neighbourhood, by the rebellion of Absalom. And may not David's kindness to Mephibosheth at this time have induced Machir the more promptly and extensively to exert himself in favour of David in his subsequent distress? If so, it says, "Give a portion to seven, and also to eight; for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth." The aid we impart to-day, we may want to-morrow. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. The king sent and fetched him.-And observe his introduction at Court-When he was come unto David, he fell on his face, and did reverence. David had done the very same to this cripple's father a few years before, bowing himself three times to the earth. What changes take place in the conditions of men! David had too reflective a mind not to think of this. He had probably never seen Mephibosheth before, though he was born about the time of his intimacy with his beloved father. The first thing I suppose he would look for in his features, would be the image of Jonathan. David had too much sensibility not to be impressed with the affecting scene. Feeling, is always brief in expression-He utters only one word: but the manner in which he pronounced it said every thing-And David said, MEPHIBOSHETH! It was the language of surprize, tenderness, and endearment. But why was he afraid of David? It is not probable that he apprehended any danger from him. But he had been living in the country, and in privacy, from a child. And it is no unusual thing for a stranger to be intimidated at the presence of a very superior and extraordinary man. Madame de Stael, though accustomed to the highest society, and endued with such powers of address and conversation, says she was breathless in the company of the late Emperor of France; and could never rise above this prostration of mind. But David was a greater man, and as great a warrior, considering the age in which he lived. Seeing the depression of his countenance, and his tremour; David said to him, "Fear not, for I will surely shew thee kindness, for Jonathan's sake"and gave him the assurance of two things. First. Upon the suppression of Ishbosheth's faction, Saul's estate had been confiscated to the crown-this he promises to give him, with all its future revenues. And secondly. He assigns him a residence in his palace, and a constant access to himself: I will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually. And how did Mephibosheth receive these honours? He was not one of those who take every favour as a debt, and imagine their friends are only doing their duty; and very imperfectly, too, perhaps; in every kindness they show them-But he exclaims, "What is thy servant, that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I am?" A dog is fitter to be under the table, than at the side of it; and a dead dog is fitter for the ditch, than the palace -It was a strong, proverbial expression, used to signify how mean, and base, and unworthy, and unqualified, he deemed himself. But if he received these benefits from David with so much thankfulness and humility, how ought we to feel under those blessings which God bestows upon us? And here let me ask three questions. And, first-not to dwell on the ordinary bounties of his providence: Has He not remembered us in our low estate? Has he not sought and saved our souls? Has he not restored our forfeited inheritance? Has he not given us a name and a place in his house, that we may eat and drink at his table in his kingdom? Secondly. And are not the blessings He has conferred upon us infinitely greater than those Mephibosheth received from David? It might seem an immense thing to a worldly mind, to be fetched out of distant obscurity; and enriched with a royal demesne; and allowed to live at a splendid Court. But Mephibosheth, perhaps, was not even so happy as before and for whatever purposes he valued his elevation, he soon left it; and found that he had set his eyes on that which is not. But we are blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ. Our dignities and enjoyments yield the most perfect satisfaction. And they will endure for ever. Thirdly. And how much less reason had we to look for such favours from God, than Mephibosheth had to expect such bestowments from David? He was David's fellow-creature; and had a claim founded in a community of nature. He was the son of an intimate friend, to whom he was under obligation. He was always a relation; being the child of his brother-in-law. Though a sufferer, he was innocent, and had always conducted himself properly towards David. - But, Lord, what is man, that thou art mindful of him, or the son of man, that thou visitest him? We were strangers-enemies by wicked worksunworthy of the least of all his mercies-deserving that his wrath should come upon us as the children of disobedience. What then ought to be our selfabasement? our gratitude? But where are they? Are they urging us to exclaim, Not unto us, O Lord; not unto us!-By thy grace we thy grace we are what we are! Are they inducing us to utter abundantly the memory of his great goodness; and recommend him all the day long to others? Are they constraining us, by his mercies, to present our bodies a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable, which is our reasonable service? AUG. 15.-" Praise waiteth for thee, O God, in Zion; and unto thee shall the vow be performed." Psalm lxv. 1. HERE we have the Church's praise, and the Church's vow-the suspension of the one; and the fulfilment of the other. |