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XXXVII.

ELIJAH AT SAREPTA.

THE providence of GOD feems to have referved his moft illuftrious prophet, for an age of extreme depravity. The Searcher of hearts adapts his fervants to the work which he commiffions them to perform, and raifes himself up fuch witneffes, as are beft able to evince their heavenly miffion. Mofes, gentle in fpirit, mighty in wonders, was fitted for the various events which befel him in his intercourfe both with Pharaoh, and with the afflicted, and at the fame time rebellious, Ifraelites. The grave and holy Samuel flourished, when the people of GOD were quietly feated

in

in the land of promife-while the ardent zeal of Elijah was fuch as best became that defperate ftate of declenfion, into which the "back-fliding Ifrael" had fallen, when the crimes of Jeroboam were loft and extinguished in those of Ahab.

"As the LORD GOD of Hofts liveth, "before whom I ftand, there fhall not "be dew nor rain thefe years, but ac

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cording to my word." After many folicitations, and warnings, Ifrael is fentenced by the tongue that had fo often interceded with Heaven in its behalf. The courage of Elijah is equal to his power. He dares proclaim to the face of Ahab thofe judgments, to which the wickedness of both king and people had exposed them. No earthly power could be formidable to one, who had fuch an interest in heaven, that he could either

hut it up, or open it, at pleasure. Thofe prayers, which could restrain the

clouds,

clouds, could far more eafily avert the fword of perfecution.

THE drought which had been denounced by Elijah occafions an immediate famine. From the confequences of this visitation, the prophet himself is not exempted. The children of light are often suffered to participate in the temporal calamities of offenders. The brook of Cherith fhall for a while relieve the thirft of the man of GODand he, whofe virtues entitled him to a welcome even in the courts of kings, is fed by miracle in his retirement.

Ar length the brook is dried up, and and the prophet is commanded to feek elsewhere for fupport. Many widows "were in Ifrael in the days of Elijah, "when the heaven was fhut up three "years and fix months-but unto none "of them was Elijah fent-he repaired "to Sarepta, a city of Zidon, unto a woman that was a widow."

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THE prophet follows the directions of his GoD-the Sareptan, under the same guidance, goes forth as it were to meet him. Emboldened by the charge he had received, Elijah no fooner beholds her, than he requests fome fuftenance for exhaufted nature. "Fetch me a little "water in a veffel, that I

may drink" bring me, I pray thee, a morfel of

"bread in thine hand."

EVEN in a city of Zidon, the habit and demeanour of Elijah proclaims him to be a prophet of JEHOVAH. When every morfel was precious, he fcruples not, in virtue of his character, to folicit immediate relief. The claim feems at once to be acknowleged-but the perfon whom he addreffes is compelled to an unwilling refufal. "As the LORD

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thy GoD liveth, I have nothing, fave

an handful of meal in a barrel, and a "little oil in a crufe; and, behold, I am gathering a few sticks, that I may go

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"in and dress it for my son, that we

may eat it and die." It was time for the prophet to bring comfort to these mourners. The miserable parent was now preparing her laft meal-after one wretched repaft, fhe looked forward to a twofold death, in her own perfon, and that of her child. It is the glory of GOD to affift us when we feem to be utterly forfaken-our deliverance is then most welcome, as being leaft expected.

BUT what a trial is this of the faith of a weak profelyte? "Fear not, do as "thou haft faid-but bring me thereof "first, and afterwards make for thee "and thy fon. For thus faith the GOD "of Ifrael, The barrel of meal shall not "waste, nor the crufe of oil fail, until the

day that the LORD fend rain upon the "earth." She muft part with her prefent food, in expectation of future, which was to be provided her by miracle-she muft feed a stranger, e'er fhe attend to herself

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