for those refreshing fhowers, which had revived the hopes of Ifrael-but now his heart told him, that he had nothing to expect but frowns from Heaven. His continued idolatry, now feconded with blood, could not but make him odious. to the LORD and to his prophet-he felt that himself was an enemy to God-and therefore he looks for neither peace nor friendship at the hand of Elijah. "Haft "thou killed, and alfo taken poffef"fion?" Thus faith the LORD-"In the

place where dogs licked the blood of Na"both, fhall dogs lick thy blood, even "thine." Well does the prophet charge this murder on Ahab. He knew the only means by which Jezebel could obtain the vineyard of Naboth-he knew the confequences of entrusting his fignet to a merciless woman. He was acceffary to the crime before and after its perpetration. They who are in authority may offend as much by connivance, as

others

others by act—not only command, but even permission involves them in the fins which they might have prevented, and would not. by retaliation-what Ahab hath done in cruelty, he fhall fuffer in juftice. Naboth, however, dies in his integrityAhab in his guilt. Naboth bleeds as a martyr, Ahab as an affaffin.

The divine law punishes

SOON does the battle in Ramoth-Gilead afford opportunity for the infliction of this fentence. Neither the perfonal bravery of Ahab, nor all his artful stratagems can avail, to ward off the fatal blow. An arrow, fhot at random, but winged with almighty vengeance, reaches the heart of the disguised tyrant. O the juft and mighty hand of that divine providence, which directs all things to the accomplishment of its own purpose! Too late doth Ahab now think of the warnings of Elijah—too late doth he regret, that he ever listened to the voice of Jezebel,

Jezebel, or to the flatteries of apoftate prophets. His guilty blood runs down into the midft of his chariot, and pays the arrear to Naboth-the chariot is washed in the pool of Samaria-the dogs lick up the blood of the king of Ifrael. The honour of GOD is juftified-the word of his prophet is fulfilled—the death of his fervant is avenged. Righteous art thou, O LORD, in all thy ways, and holy in all thy works !

XL.

THE ASCENT OF ELIJAH.

LONG, and fuccefsfully, hath Elijah fought the good fight of faith, and now, after his victories, GoD will fend him a chariot of triumph. How full of joy was the foul of the prophet, when he was in immediate expectation of bleffednefs! With what contempt did he look on that earth, which he was so shortly to leave! With what rapture did he cast his eyes towards that heaven, which was about to receive him!

As the last public act of his miflion, he vifits the fons of the prophets-thofe whom God had yet felected from an apostate nation, to keep alive his facred truth. ELISHA

ELISHA refolves to accompany his master in all his journey. Thrice is he diffuaded from this act of zealous friendfhip-thrice he perfifts, in spite of intreaty, and even command. Elijah, who expected his own affumption into heaven, knew not what witnesses might be permitted to behold it-his modeft humility fought an unnoted and filent departure. But shall we not pardon the holy difobedience of this faithful difciple? "As the LORD liveth, and as thy foul "liveth, I will not leave thee!" His master may be withdrawn from him, but he will not depart from his master—he knew when to expect a bleffing-he was anxious to obtain the reward of all his fervice.

THE fons of the prophets both at Bethel and Jericho are aware of what shall befal Elijah. His departure was an event of fuch importance, that it was necessary to usher it in with tidings of preparation.