Rutli i. 15 — 17. She (Naomi) said, Behold, thy sister-in-law is gone hack unto her people, and unto her gods : return thou after thy sister-in-law. And Ruth said, Entreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for lohither thou goest, I will go; and lohere thou lodgest, I loill lodge : thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God : tvhere thou diest, will I die, and there will I he buried : the Lord do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.
THE study of Scripture characters is very instruc- tive : for, in them, we see human nature in all its diversified conditions, not as artificially delineated by a brilliant fancy or a warm imagination, but as really existing, and exhibited to our view. For subjects of pubhc discussion, too, they are peculiarly favourable ; because, in presenting real scenes, they bring before us circumstances which are of daily occurrence, or which, at least, are well adapted to shew us how to act, when such circumstances occur. The partings of friends and relatives are common : and, inasmuch as they give birth to a great variety of emotions in the mind, they ehcit the inward character with great fidelity. Such is the incident which we are now about to consider, and which will reflect peculiar light on the dispositions of one, who, though a Moabitess by birth, was one of the progenitors of our blessed Lord.
From this farewell scene, and the distinguished excellence of Ruth's behaviour, I shall be led to mark her character.