providence and grace. Faith beholds myriads of angels also waiting upon God, and flying at his command to execute his will, and to minister to his people. The chariots of fire and horses of fire were not more visible to the eye of sense, when God withdrew from the servant's face the veil that concealed them, than they were to Elisha by the eye of faith. If we could only conceive aright of Elisha's views at that moment, we should have a perfect idea of the proper office of faith, and of the high privilege which belongs to every believer ]
From the discoveries of faith we may judge of,
II. Its consolations —
[The servant was full of fear and terror; " Alas, my master! what shall we do?" But Elisha was as composed as if no enemy had been nigh. Thus it is that faith uniformly operates. However we be menaced by persecutors, it keeps us tranquiP: however exposed we be to troubles of any kind, it preserves us in a peaceful state ^. How calm were Daniel and the Hebrew Youths, when menaced with the most cruel death ! It assures us that though the waves and billows rise ever so high, there is at the helm a Pilot, who can guide our vessel in safety to the desired haven. The language of the heart on such occasions is, " If God be for me, who can be against me?" or, ' Wlio is he that shall harm me, if I be a follower of that which is good?']
They who in conflicts experience the consolations of faith, shall after their conflicts enjoy also,
III. Its triumphs —
[Whilst the servant was yielding to despair, the master was deriding the vain efforts of his enemies, and laughing them to scorn. In this Hght we must understand his address to them: it was not a solemn assertion, but a derisive banter; ' You are come hither to seek the prophet, but you are all un- der a mistake : come all of you with me ; I will shew you the man whom you are seeking after : ' and thus did he, alone and unarmed, lead captive, as it were, the armed hosts that came to appreheiid him. Innumerable are the instances in holy writ where faith has triumphed in like manner, even before the conflict has been begun. How did Moses exult over the Egyptians ^ ; David over Goliath '^ ; Jehosaphat over three con- federate armies *^; and Hezekiah over the proud Sennacherib^!
^ Ps. iii. G. and xxvii. 3. and 1 Pet. iii. 14, 15. •^ Isai. xxvi. 3. ^ Exod. xiv. 13, 14.
e 1 Sam. xvii. 45—47. ^ 2 Chron. xx. 17, 20.
s 2 Kings xix. 21.