SUBMISSION AND OPPOSITION. 69

Israel as their motive in seeking the friendship of the
Israelites, and there is little doubt that it really was
their motive; but their conduct shewed how ignorant
they were of the true God: If they had known how
holy he was, they would not have thought he could be
honoured by a falsehood.

George. But, grandfather, what could they have done?
they could not have told who they were when they knew
that all the Canaanites were to be put to death.

Grandfather. They ought to have confessed their
sins, which had brought this great judgment upon their
country. They ought to have put away their idols,
and given up their country to the Israelites, and sub-
mitted themselves to God, trusting in his mercy. Yet
there is great excuse for the conduct of the Gibeonites,
when we consider their situation, and their imperfect
knowledge of what was right. There is much in them
to commend ; their submission was very humble; it was
speedy, they did not wait till the enemy marched against
them. This teaches us that we ought not to put off
repentance till the last, but turn from our sins at once,
and seek for mercy. Their submission, too, was remark-
able in its being so unlike the conduct of their neighbours.
They went to seek the Lord, although they went alone.
Let us imitate their example in this. The conduct of
the Israelites was more culpable: they erred, and they
had not the same excuse as the Gibeonites.

Marianne. What did they do that was wrong, grand-
father ?