for not any thing besides can afford such pleasure to the soul.

But the great joy testified by David and his people on this occasion was damped by a very solemn and unexpected event, for Uzzah observing the ark to shake from the oxen stumbling, put forth his hand and laid hold of it, to prevent its falling; for which error the anger of the Lord was kindled against him, so that he smote him with death. His offence may seem small, and his punishment great; but in sacred things, God is very jealous of his honour and perhaps Uzzah having been long familiar with the ark, had not that becoming reverence for it that he ought to possess. O let us beware of trifling with the doings of the Lord; for with such a solemn example as this before us, it well becomes

christians at all times to serve him with holy reverence and godly fear.

For this breach David was displeased; he was offended; and in this he acted wrong, for all that God does is most assuredly right, and it ill becomes us mortals to find fault with his holy ways; may we rather learn humbly and quietly to submit to his righteous hand, knowing that he is a God of equity, mercy, truth, and justice. For the present, David lodged the ark in the house of Obed-edom; but ere long, he removed it to Jerusalem with great joy. It is a mercy indeed to have the presence of God with us wherever we go, and to be privileged with the blessing of his word and ordinances where we dwell, and for which we can never be too thankful.

II. SAMUEL VII.

King David, now, with pious mind, To build an house for God design'd; I will, said he an house prepare; And fix God's ark and worship there.

DAVID DESIRE TO HONOR GOD.

BEFORE CHRIST 1042 YEARS.

"A temple let us raise to God,
Befitting for the ark's abode ;"

Said David; but high Heaven's decree
Pronounced these words,—“It shall not be."

THE ark of God appears to have been very precious to David, as we go on in his history; he had brought it with great joy to Jerusalem, but was not content that it should dwell in so mean a habitation as the tabernacle was while his own house was so stately; the one merely boards covered with curtains, while the other was built of cedar: he therefore communicated to Nathan the prophet, his friend, the thoughts of his mind as to building a house for the ark of God; this circumstance occurred at