this univerfal plenty and profperity indicate oppreffive exactions? But base and grovelling fouls delight in cafting cenfures on departed virtue. The benefits of Solomon's reign are paffed over in filence-imaginary grievances are defcanted on with clamour. Who fhall hope, that his merit or his greatness fhall altogether exempt him from obloquy, when the name of Solomon is thus traduced in the very prefence of his fon?

THE ancient counfellors of the deceafed monarch had learnt of their mafter, that "a foft anfwer turneth

away wrath." Wifely, therefore, do they entreat Rehoboam to speak good words unto the people, and attach them to him for ever. It is no hard condition, by meekness and condefcenfion to bind the hearts and fecure the allegiance of a mighty nation. Had this fage advice been adopted, the fon of Nebat might

have fled again into Egypt-rebellion would have found an unfruitful foil in Ifrael.

AGE brings with it experience, and ripens wisdom-youth is too often rash, headstrong, feduced by paffion, the foe to reafon. Many a kingdom, many a life, many a foul has been loft by evil counsellors: fuch were thofe, whom Rehoboam preferred to the grey-headed fervants of his father. He now hears, how unfit it is for majefty to fubmit to any terms and ftipulations-how requifite it is to deal harfhly with this prefumption, and to crush the yet unformed mischief e'er it break out into rebellion. They bid him fpeak the language of haughty and indignant pride. He glories in the falfeiy-alleged tyranny of Solomon-"My father made your yoke "heavy-I will add to your yoke-my "father chastised you with whips-I "will chastise you with fcorpions."

O SENSELESS people, and infatuated prince! Had they complained that in the latter days of Solomon religion had been corrupted, had they befought their new king to begin his reign with GOD, to demolish the idols, to purify the temple, to restore devotion to its original fimplicity, fuch requests as these would have done honour to their national character-now they seek for nothing but the gratification of their avarice; and their king, regardless of their reformation, has nothing in view but imperious fovereignty. Let him but accomplish this point, his people may be profligate, or miferable-it is a matter of indifference to himself!

Now that flame burfts out at once, which was never more to be extinguished. The furious multitude, grown defperate by these denunciations of rigour, exclaim with one voice, "What portion

<< have

have we in David? To your tents,

<< Ifrael!"

The

THE fon of Nebat has now the crown he was fo folicitous to obtain. tribes of Judah and Benjamin alone adhere to the defcendant of David. The example of a general rebellion will not make them unfaithful to their misguided fovereign-their fwords are ready to be drawn in his defence-they breathe nothing but vengeance and war-when fuddenly a meffage from GOD forbids. the battle, and difmiffes thefe mighty armies. There was yet fome virtue in Rehoboam, in that he submitted to the will of Heaven, and held his peace, because the LORD had done it. With an hundred and fourfcore thousand adherents, he dares not ftrive against his Maker at once he lays down his arms, and after fuch a prohibition, will not feek even the recovery of his kingdom by blood-shed.

MEANWHILE his fuccessful rival foments afpiritual, as well as a civil defection. He well knew the affinity between treafon and idolatry-he knew that they who feared GOD, would not fail to honour the king. Thus, therefore, he reasons in his heart-" It is "true, that the ten tribes have placed "the fceptre in my hands-this fudden "advancement may as fuddenly de"cline their return to their loyalty will at once deprive me of my life and

35

kingdom. If they go up to worship "at Jerufalem, they will behold the glorious temple, they will fee the magnificent palace of Solomon, and "remember their firft allegiance. There "the folicitations of their brethren, the "admonitions of the priests, the feel

ings of their own hearts will bid them "throw themselves on the mercy of their "lawful prince. I must therefore di"vert them from Jerufalem, or my

glory