Sermons for the Use of Families (Volume 2)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1805 Excerpt: ... THE CONQUEST OF ANGER INFORCED FROM T/LE CONDUCT OF DAVID TOWARDS NABAL. 1 SAMUEL XXV. 32, 33. Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, who sent thee this day to meet me; and blessed be thy advice, and blessed be thou. THESE words are the reply of David Serm. to Abigail, the wife of Nabal. They XV' are interesting for the important truths they inculcate, and for the excellent temper which they manifest. He that ruleth his spirit, saith the wise man, is greater than he that taketh a city. How often shall my brother offend me, and I forgive him P was the enquiry once addressed to our Saviour, until seven times? Mark the reply; Verily I say unto thee, not until seven times only, but until seventy times seven VOL. IX. Y Serm. I shall begin this subject with a brief Jj account of the occasion on which the words of the text were uttered. We shall see that it was very similar, in some of its circumstances, to what frequently happens in the world; and that very pos, sibly, though we are not kings and warriors, we may be situated, in common life, nearly as David now was. Nabal was a wealthy former in the neighbourhood of Mount Carmel, He had great possessions both in land and cattle: his stock, we are told, consisted of three thousand sheep, and a thousand goats. These flocks, during the quarrel betwixt Saul and himsel David had carefully watched over. He had kept all enemies at a distance, and he had protected them from the ravages of his own soldiers. This was a considerable piece of service, and it was hut reasonable for David to expect that Nabal should acknowledge it with gratitude. An opportunity of doing this soon occurred. David's supplies fell short. The pursuit after him by Saul was so long an hot, that his friends were either unable to send Serm. h...