it from the Saviour of men, to second their earthly fire with his heavenly. He came, indeed, to send fire on earth; but to warm, not to burn; and if to burn, not the persons of men, but their corruptions. How much more safe is it for us, to follow the meek Prophet of the New Testament, than that fervent prophet of the Old! Let the matter of our prayers be the sweet dews of mercy, not the fires of vengeance.

Would not any man have thought Ahaziah sufficiently warned by so terrible a judgment? Could he choose but say, It is no meddling with a man that can speak lightning and death: what he hath said concerning me is too well approved, by what he hath done to my messengers: God's hand is with him; mine shall not be against him?" Yet now, behold, the rage of Ahaziah is so much the more kindled by this fire from heaven; and a more resolute captain, with a second band, is sent to fetch Elijah to death.

This man is in haste; and commands not only his descent, but his speed; 'Come down quickly.' The charge implies a threat! Elijah must look for force, if he yield not. There needs no other weapon for defence, for offence, than the same tongue, the same breath. God hath fire enough for all the troops of Ahaziah. Immediately doth a sudden flame break out of heaven, and consume this forward leader and his bold followers. It is a just presage and desert of ruin, not to be warned: worthily are they made examples that will not take them.

What marble or flint is harder than a wicked heart? As if Ahaziah would despitefully spit in the face of heaven, and wrestle a fall with the Almighty, he will needs. yet again set a third captain on so desperate an employment.

How hot a service must this commander needs think himself put on! Who can but pity his straits? There is death before him, death behind him. If he go not, the king's wrath is the messenger of death; if he go, the prophet's tongue is the executioner of death. Many a hard task will follow the service of a prince, wedded to his passion, divorced from God.

Unwillingly, doubtless, and fearfully, doth this cap.

tain climb up the hill, to scale that impregnable fort: but now, when he comes near to the assault, the battery that he lays to it is his prayers: his surest fight is on his knees: He went up, and came, and fell upon his knees before Elijah, and besought him, and said unto him, O man of God, I pray thee, let my life, and the life of these fifty thy servants, be precious in thy sight.' He confesses the judgment that befell his predecessors. The monuments of their destruction were in his eye, and the terror of it in his heart of an enemy therefore he is become a suppliant; and sues, not so much for the prophet's yieldance, as for his own life.

This was the way to offer violence to the prophet of God, to the God of that prophet, even humble supplications. We must deprecate that evil which we would avoid. If we would force blessings, we must intreat them. There is nothing to be gotten from God, by strong hand; any thing, by suit. The life of the captain is preserved: Elijah is by the angel commanded to go down with him speedily, fearlessly.

The prophet casts not with himself; What safety can there be in this journey? I shall put myself into the hands of rude soldiers, and by them into the hands of an enraged king. If he did not eagerly thirst after my blood, he had never sought it with so much loss.' But, so soon as he had a charge from the angel, he walks down resolutely; and, as it were, dares the dangers of so great a hostility. He knew, that the same God, who had fought for him on the hill, would not leave him in the valley. He knew, that the angel which bade him go, was guard enough against a world of enemies. Faith knows not how to fear; and can as easily contemn the suggestion of perils, as infidelity can raise them.

The prophet looks boldly on the court, which doubtless was not a little disaffected to him; and comes confidently into the bed-chamber of Ahaziah; and sticks not to speak over the same words to his head, which he had sent him not long since by his first messengers. Not one syllable will the prophet abate of his errand. It is not for a herald of heaven to be out of countenance; or to mince aught of the most killing messages of his God.

Whether the unexpected confidence, both of the man and of the speech, amazed the sick king of Israel; or, whether the fear of some present judgment, wherewith he might suspect Elijah to come armed, on any act of violence that should be offered, overawed him; or, whether now, at last, on the sight and hearing of this man of God, the king's heart began to relent, and check itself for that sin for which he was justly reproved; I know not: but sure I am the prophet goes away untouched. Neither the furious purposes of Ahaziah, nor the exasperations of a Jezebel, can hurt that prophet whom God hath intended to a fiery chariot.

The hearts of kings are not their own. Subjects are not so much in their hands, as they are in their Maker's. How easily can God tame the fierceness of any creature; and, in the midst of their most heady career, stop them on the sudden, and fetch them on the knees of their humble submission! It is good trusting God with the events of his own commands; who can, at pleasure, either avert evils, or improve them to good.

According to the word of the prophet, Ahaziah dies. Not two whole years doth he sit in the throne of Israel; which he now must yield, in the want of children, to his brother. Wickedness shortens his reign. He had too much of Ahab and Jezebel to expect the blessing, either of length or prosperity of government. As always in the other, so ofttimes in this world, doth God testify his anger to wicked men. Some live long, that they may aggravate their judgment; others die soon, that they may hasten it. -2 Kings i.

THE RAPTURE OF ELIJAH.

LONG and happily hath Elijah fought the wars of his God; and now, after his noble and glorious victories, God will send him a chariot of triumph.

Not suddenly would God snatch away his prophet, without warning, without expectation; but acquaints him beforehand with the determination of his glory.

How full of heavenly joy was the soul of Elijah, while he foreknew and looked for this instant happiness! With what contempt did he cast his eyes on that earth which

he was now presently to leave! With what ravishment of an inward pleasure did he look on that heaven which he was to enjoy!

For a meet farewell to the earth, Elijah will go visit the schools of the prophets before his departure. These were in his way of any part of the earth, they were nearest unto heaven. In a holy progress therefore he walks his last round; from Gilgal near Jordan, to Bethel; from Bethel, to Jericho; from Jericho, to Jordan again.

In all these sacred colleges of divines, he meant to leave the legacy of his love, counsel, confirmation, blessing. How happy a thing it is, while we are on earth, to improve our time and gifts to the best behoof of God's church; and after the assurance of our own blessedness, to help others to the same heaven!

But, O God, who can but wonder at the course of thy wise and powerful administrations? Even in the midst of the degeneration and idolatries of Israel, hast thou reserved to thyself whole societies of holy prophets; and, out of those sinful and revolted tribes, hast raised the two great miracles of prophets, Elijah and Elisha, in an immediate succession. Judah itself, under a religious Jehoshaphat, yielded not so eminent and clearly illuminated spirits. The mercy of our provident God will neither be confined nor excluded; neither confined to the places of public profession, nor excluded from the depraved congregations of his own people. Where he hath loved, he cannot easily be estranged: rather, where sin abounds, his grace aboundeth much more; and raiseth so much stronger helps as he sees the dangers greater.

Happy was Elisha in the attendance of so gracious a master; and the more happy, that he knows it. Fain would Elijah shake him off at Gilgal; if not there, at Bethel; if not yet there, at Jericho. A private message, on which Elijah must go alone, is pretended, from the Lord. Whether shall we say the prophet did this, for the trial of the constant affection of his careful and diligent servant; or, that it was concealed from Elijah, that his departure was revealed to Elisha? Perhaps, he, that knew of his own reception into heaven, did not know what witnesses would be allowed that miraculous act;

and now his humble modesty affected a silent and unnoted passage.

Even Elisha knew something that was hid from his master, now on the threshold of heaven. No mere creature was ever made of the whole counsel of the Highest. Some things have been disclosed to babes and novices, that have been closed up to the most wise and judicious. In natural speculations, the greater wit and deeper judgment still carry it; but in the revelations of God, the favor of his choice sways all, not the power of our appre

hension.

The master may both command and entreat his servant's stay. Elisha must be pardoned this holy and zealous disobedience; As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee.' His master may be withdrawn from him; he will not be withdrawn from his master. He knew that the blessing was at the parting; and, if he had diligently attended all his life, and now slacked in the last act, he had lost the reward of his service. The evening praises the day, and the chief grace of the theatre is in the last scene; 'Be faithful to the death, and I will give thee a crown of life.'

That Elijah should be translated, and what day he should be translated, God would have no secret. The sons of the prophets at Bethel, at Jericho, both know it, and ask Elisha if he knew it not; Knowest thou, that the Lord will take away thy master from thy head this day?' and he answered, "Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace.'

6

How familiarly do these prophets interknow one another! How kindly do they communicate their visions! Seldom ever was any knowledge given to keep, but to impart the grace of this rich jewel is lost in conceal

ment.

The removal of an Elijah is so important a business, that it is not fit to be done without noise. Many shall have their share in his loss: he must be missed on the sudden it was meet therefore, that the world should know, his rapture should be divine and glorious.

I do not find, where the day of any natural death is notified to so many. By how much more wonder there was in this assumption, by so much more shall it be foreDiv. No. XXXII.

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