cised towards him the most astonishing kindness. Instead of noticing with severity what the prophet had done amiss,
1. He supplied his wants —
[The prophet had fled to the wilderness, where he could have no provision except by miracle ; and he had little reason to expect, that, while he was fleeing from the path of duty, God would again interpose to feed him by ravens, or to point out another hostess that should sustam hhn by a miraculous supply of meal and oil. But God would not forsake his ser- vant in his extremity : on the contrary, he now ministered to his wants by the instrumentality of an angel, giving him a mi- raculous supply of food, and afterwards sustaining him forty days and nights without any food at all. How marvellously gracious is God to his offending creatures ! Indeed, if he did not display in this manner the riches of his grace, where is the creature that could hope for any thing at his hands? But this is the constant method of his procedure with sinful men : he finds us outcast and helpless, and he bids us live ; and makes the depth of our misery an occasion of magnifying his own abundant mercy '^: yea, " where sin hath abounded, grace oftentimes much more abounds''."]
2. He reproved his errors —
[The question put to him was a kind reproof; it was, in fact, the same as saying, " Think whether thou hast not de- serted the path of duty?" And when the question had not produced its desired effect, he displayed before him the terrors of his majesty in three successive manifestations of his power; and then, to soften and abase his yet unbroken spirit, he spake to him more effectually in a still small voice; thus renewing to him the wonders formerly exliibited on the same mountain unto Moses, both the terrific scenes of Sinai, and the milder display of his own glorious perfections. Trtdy it is amazing that the Ahuighty God should so condescend to the weakness of his creatures, and labour so to prepare their minds for the richer effusions of his grace and love.]
3. He rectified his apprehensions —
[Elijah supposed himself to be the only one in Israel that maintained a regard for God ; but God informed liim, that there were no less than seven thousand persons who had not yielded to the prevailing idolatry. What an encouraging consideration was tliis to the desponding prophet! Well might he retiu'n to his labours, when so many yet remamed, either to co-operate
d Ezek. xvi. 4— G. « Rom. v. 20.