SERMON V.

I KINGS XVII. 16.

And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the Lord, which he spake by the prophet Elijah.

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HE words of the text are the record of a miracle wrought in behalf of the widow of Zarephath, who had charitably taken Elijah under her roof, and administered unto him in a time of great scarcity and distress. There is something very interesting and affectionate in the manner this story is related in holy writ; and as it concludes with a second still more remarkable proof of GOD's favour to the same person, in the restoration of her dead son to life, one cannot but confider both miracles as rewards of that act of piety, wrought by infinite power, and left upon record in scripture, not merely as teftimonies of the prophet's divine mission, but likewise as two encouraging instances of God Almighty's bleffing upon works of charity and benevolence.

In this view I have made choice of this piece of sacred story, which I shall beg leave to make use of as the ground-work for an exhortation to charity in general: and that it may better answer the particular purpose of this folemnity, I will endeavour to enlarge upon it with such reflections, as, I trust in God, will excite some sentiments of compassion which may be profitable to so pious a design.

Elijah had fled from two dreadful evils, the approach of a famine, and the perfecution of Ahab an enraged enemy: and, in obedience to the command of God, had hid himself by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan. In this safe and peaceful folitude, blessed with daily marks of God's providence, the holy man dwelt free both from the cares and glories of the world: by miraculous impulse, the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening, and be drank drank of the brook; till by continuance of drought, (the windows of heaven being shut up in those days for three years and fix months, which was the natural cause likewise of the famine), it came to pass after a while that the brook, the great fountain of his support, dried up; and he is again directed by the word of the Lord where to betake himself for shelter. He is commanded to arise and go to Zarephath, which belongeth to Zidon, with an affurance that he had disposed the heart of a widow-woman there to sustain him.

The prophet follows the call of his GOD :the same hand which brought him to the gate of the city, had led also the poor widow out of her doors, oppressed with forrow. She had come forth upon a melancholy errand, to make preparation to eat her last meal, and share it with her child.

No doubt, she had long fenced against this tragical event, with all the thrifty management which self-preservation and parental love could inspire; full, no doubt, of cares and many tender apprehenfions, left her tender stock should fail them before the return of plenty.

VOL. I.

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But

But as she was a widow, having loft the only faithful friend who would best have assisted her in this virtuous struggle, the present neceffity of the times at length overcame her; and

sme was just falling down an easy prey to it, when Elijah came to the place where she was. And be called unto her, and said, Fetch me, I pray thee, a little water in a vessel that I may drink. And as she was going to fetch it, be called unto her, and faid, Bring me, I pray thee, a morfel of bread in thine band. And She Said, As the Lord thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but a handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a crufe, and behold I am gathering two Sticks, that I may go and dress it for me and my fon, that we may eat it and die. And Elijah Said unto her, Fear not, but go, and do as thou hast Said; but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy fon. For thus faith the Lord God of Ifrael, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither Shall the crufe of oil fail, until the day that the Lord fendeth rain upon the earth.

True charity is always unwilling to find excuses-else here wasafair opportunity of plead