Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1813-06-19
THE j .pARABLE OF NATHAN.

the faults Of the sacred writers tnen-
selves, the passions and iBfrmities OF
Moses. The murder and adultery OF Da-
yid, the idolatry of Solomon, St. Peters
denial Of Christ, and the destruction OF
aall the Apostles, are as faithfully regis
tered as ,heirvirtues. Most other his
tories, dictated under the influence OF
passion and prejudiee.a5ound With iaise
psnegyric or false satire, bit the his
tory of the Bible bears the impressions
ofa the characteristics OF truth.
This sentiment true in general IS par
,iculrrly appropriate to the eharacterot
David, as implicated in the celebrated
parable Of Nathan--a parable, which Tor
skill of .centrivance, cutting severity,
aud delicacy of manner, is surpassed oy
nothing in the extent OF human compo-
sition.
AS mems faults and failings are tor
the most part sooner observed aud lon
yer remembered than their virtues, so
no part of David's life and character,
hath furnished more matter for discourse
and rcflexion, than his CRIMINAL conduct
with Bathsheba and Uriah. Scarcely
any story is more striking and affecting,
or for different reasons is better known
and remembered, by those who DO not
as well as those who do reverence scrip.
ture.
David having committed one griev-
Gus evil in seducipg the affections OF u
riah's wife, had added to this crime the
guilt of murder, Such is the Influence
of sin, in hardening the heart, that when
We have once dismissed conscience from
its throne, no man Can tell where he
will stop in the career OF vice. we are
acquainted with many persons who are
in the habitual preparation otthe most
base and disgraceful actions, and yet
who once, as we and they the't, were
well established in virtuous principles.
David was Of this description. In the
humble and simple scenes of rural HE,
where he fed heshcep Of his father, his
life and conduct were pure and ire
proachable. He obtained under these
circumstances, the honorable appelIation
Of "a man Of Gods own heart" and
vas therefore called TO accept the regal
government. But alas as is too often
the case, his prosperity proved too strong
fer his virtue. His crown she'd ma
lignant influence over his head. ENalt-
edao the supreme command Of a nation,
he became dizzy by his elevation. In.
troduccd into the luxuries and pleasures
OF "a court. he drank to intoxication. He
fell; and by his fall holes euta warning
lesson to all men, not to court condi
ton of prosperity, or having gained 1t,
not to trust In their own strength to
preserve their interity.
But COP, who willeth not the death
Of sinner" sent Nathan to reprove him
and awaken him to sense of his crimes.
How well lie succeeded, the parable all
ready alluded to, abundantly proves
/" AS the Lerd livetb," says David, "the
man that hath done this thing shall sure
iy die. And Nathan said unto David,
thou art the man."
There are many useful and interesting
reflections, which may be drawn from
the consideration of this subject, some
few of which it is proposed 20 suggest
in subsequent number. For the pre-
sent, it will be proper to notice two a.
buses, to which these reflections may be
liable.
Many persons have found themselves
under difficulty with respect to tho de-
cIarstion, that David, Who was guilty of
such enormities, was a man atterGod's
own heart" Upon these words Bishop
Porteu. has sermon, afording very
ample and t:sfactory vindicatioR. But
not to leave the subject entirely untouch-
cd here,-l,is appellation does not re-
late so much 20 his private as to his po
litical character not so much to his
moral behaviour as man, as to his po-
litical conduct as a king. 1t means that