348.]
with him in his exertions, or to be benefited by his instructions. Indeed it is a most consolatory thought to the Lord's people in every age, that there are many " hidden ones," who serve and honour God in secret, though their light has not so shone as to attract the attention of the world around them : and the answer which God made to the prophet on this occasion is adduced by St. Paul for this very end, namely, to shew us, that, in the very lowest state of the Church, there is, and ever shall be, " a remnant according to the election of grace*^."]
Among the various lessons which this history is suited to teach us, we may learn,
1. To be diffident of ourselves —
[Who that sees how the great Elijah failed, whilst at the same time he was unconscious of his failings, must not be ready to suspect himself? If God say, " One of you shall betray me," the reply of every one should be, " Lord, is it I ? " Let us then inquire with ourselves, " What do I here?" Am I in the place that God would have me? and in the spirit that God would have me ? Even the Apostles themselves on some oc- casions " knew not what spirit they were of." Let us remem- ber, that the less we suspect ourselves, the more reason we have to fear that there is somewhat amiss in our conduct.]
2. To be confident in our God —
[We need look no further than to the history before us to see how exceeding abundant are. the riches of God's grace and mercy. Surely the backsHders in heart, or act, may take
encouragement to return to him In reference to the
Church also, we may be well assured, that " the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."]
f Rom. xi. 2 — 5.