The making a feast also of two of his oxen may appear strange : but we apprehend that it was done in much the same spirit as that which he manifested towards his parents. His destroying a yoke of oxen with their instruments might be intended, in part, to shew, that he henceforth renounced all secular employments ; and, in part, to express love to all for whom he made the feast. In this view it strongly confirms all the foregoing observations respecting his parents ; and teaches us to cultivate every benevolent disposition towards the people of the world, whilst we separate from their company, and con- demn theh practice. If from a sense of duty we " come out from them and are separate," and shun all unnecessary confor- mity to their ways, we should give them no room to think that we either hate or despise them; but should convince them, that, like Noah, we would press them all into the ark, if they ^v•ould but listen to our voice, and comply with our advice.]
§ Luke ix. 59—62.
He instantly became an attendant on Elijah, and *' ministered unto him" —
[Though from his ploughing with twelve yoke of oxen it appears that he was a man of some consideration, yet he did not think it any indignity to wait upon Elijah as a menial ser- vant'^. His reasons for this were various. He did it doubtless from a sense of love to God. Knowing that Elijah was greatly beloved of the Lord, and feeling that he himself had received through his instrumentality the richest blessings to his soul, he delighted to express his love to God by his zeal in the service of this distinguished prophet.
Moreover Elisha hoped now to be himself useful in ad- vancing the cause of God in the land. It was true, that, as a novice, he could add but little to Elijah : but he hoped to learn from that honoured servant of the Lord, and to receive from his instructions and example, lessons, which might be of the utmost service to himself in the future execution of his own office : and for the attainment of such benefits he judged that no sacrifice could be too great, no service could be too laborious.
This shewed that there was on Elisha's mind not a mere transient impression caused by the novelty of this extraordinary call, but a real radical change of heart, agreeably to that which has been manifested by all true converts', and that which St. Paul represents as having taken place in the Macedonian Church ; " They gave themselves to the Lord, and unto us by the Avill of God''."]
We shall conclude with a tew words,
1. Of inquiry —
[We ask not whether any of you have ever been called either suddenly or in any extraordinary manner to serve God? but we ask whether your mind and heart have ever been so changed, that, from following nothing but this world, you have been brought to serve and follow the Lord Jesus Christ ? This is a change which all must experience. This is conversion, in whatever way it is effected : and nothing but this constitutes conversion. Put away then all fanciful and enthusiastic notions about the time or the manner of conversion, and exa- mine carefully into its effects as daily visible in your life and conversation ]
2. Of advice —
[If any of you are convinced that it is your duty to give
1' 2Kingsiii. 11.
> Exod. iii. 1. Matt. iv. IS — 29. and ix. 0. and xix. 27. ^ 2 Cor. viii. 5.