But after all, if we candidly consider the other parts of his character, we cannot but pronounce him a wicked man. For,
1 . He forbore to testify against the sin of others —
[That he was a prophet, there is no doubt, even as Balaam had been before him. But to what purpose was he endued with a spirit of prophecy, if not to exert himself in reproving sin, and in maintaining the cause of God in the world ? Was that a time to be sdent, when idolatry was being estabhshed through- out the land, and God himself was set aside as no longer worthy of men's regard? When God had set him there as a hght, was he to put his light under a bushel ? Should he not rather have " raised his voice on high, and shewn the house of Israel their transgressions?" Yet, behold, no testimony did he bear against the reigning abominations : he was " a dumb dog that could not bark, sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber*." Methinks, if God had ever enjoined him to be silent, (as on some occasions he has done'',) his experience should have ac- corded with that of Jeremiah, who tells us, that " God's word was in his heart as a burning fire shut up in his bones, inso- much that he was weary with forbearing, and could not stay*'." But no such feelings had he : he was content to let all go on their own way, pro-vided he might but enjoy his ease : and therefore he was no better than an idol shepherd, against whom are denounced the heaviest woes*^. The watchman that omits to give warning of the approaching enemy, and the shepherd that careth not for his flock, are among the most faulty of cha- racters, and the most injurious of mankind^ ]
2. He countenanced sin in his own children —
[Every parent is bound to " bring up his children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord :" and every good man can have that testimony from God which Abraham had, " I know him, that he will command his children, and his household after him, that they keep the way of the Lord^." But how did this prophet act ? Did he restrain his sons ? Did he insist that they shoidd " have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them^?" No: when they had attended the idolatrous service, they came home and told every thing to their father, assured that they should meet with no rebuke from him, nor receive at his hands any testimony of his displeasure. What pretensions then could he have to
a Isai. Ivi. 10, 11. ^ Ezek. iii. 26.
" Jer. XX. 9. ^ Zech. xi. 17.
^ Ezek. xxxiii. 1 — 9. and xxxiv. 1 — 10. f Gen. xviii. 19. e Eph. v. 11.