did not feel that the
only way of gaining it was seeking it _in the way_ which God had
appointed; that, whereas God had not made him His minister, he could
not possibly offer the burnt offering acceptably. Thus he deceived
himself; and thus many men deceive themselves now; not casting off
religion altogether, but choosing their religion for themselves, as
Saul did, and fancying they can be religious without being obedient.

4. Again, how many are there, who bear half the trial God puts on them,
but not the whole of it; who go on well for a time, and then fall away!
Saul bore on for seven days, and fainted not; on the eighth day his
faith failed him. Oh may we persevere to the end! Many fall away.
Let us watch and pray. Let us not get secure. Let us not think it
enough to have got through one temptation well; through our whole life
we are on trial. When one temptation is over, another comes; and,
perhaps, our having got through one well, will be the occasion of our
falling under the next, if we be not on our guard; because it may make
us secure and confident, as if we had already conquered, and were safe.

5. Once more, how many are there, who, in a narrow grudging
cold-hearted way, go by the letter of God's commandments, while they
neglect the spirit! Instead of considering what Christ wishes them to
do, they take His words one by one, and will only accept them in their
bare necessary meaning. They do not throw their hearts upon Scripture,
and try to consider it as the voice of a Living and Kind Lord and
Master speaking to them, but they take it to mean as little as it can.
They are wanting in love. Saul was told to wait seven days--he _did_
wait seven days; and then he thought he might do what he chose. He, in
effect, said to Samuel, "I have done just what you told me." Yes, he
fulfilled Samuel's directions literally and rigidly, but not in the
spirit of love. Had he loved the Word of God, he would not have been
so precise and exact in his reckoning, but would have waited still
longer. And, in like manner, persons now-a-days, imitating him, too
often say, when taxed with any offence, "Why is it wrong? Where is it
so said in Scripture? Show us the text:" all which only shows that
they obey carnally, in the letter, and not in the spirit.

How will all excuses, which sinners now make to blind and deaden their
consciences, fail them in the Last Day! Saul had his excuses for
disobedience. He did not con