not be behind-hand with his benefactor.-But there is one thing which may seem strange at first fight, that as her ftation and condition in life was such, that she appeared rather to have abounded already than ftood in want of any thing in this world which fuch an application could fupply,-why the prophet should not rather have propofed fome fpiritual advantage, which, as it would better have become the fanctity of his character on the one hand, fo, on the other, it would have done a more real and lasting service to his friend.

But we are to reflect, that in returning favours, we act differently from what we do in conferring them:in the one case, we fimply confider what is beft,-in the other, what is most acceptable. The reason is, that we have a right to act according to our own ideas. of what will do the party moft good, in the cafe where we bestow a favour;-but where we return one, we lose this right, and act according to his conceptions who has obliged us, and endeavour to repay in fuch a manner as we think is moft likely to be accepted in discharge of the obligation.not to imagine Elifha

-So that, though we are could be wanting in reM 2

ligious

ligious duties, as well as wishes to fo hospitable a friend, we may yet fuppofe, he was directed here by this principle of equity, and that, in reflecting in what manner he should requite his benefactress, he had confidered, that to one of her affluent condition, who had all the reafonable comforts of an independent life,

if there was any passion yet unsatisfied, it must certainly be ambition: that though in general it was an irregular appetite, which in most cafes 'twas dangerous to gratify, yet, in effect, 'twas only fo far criminal, as the power which is acquired was perverted to bad and vicious purpofes, which it was not likely to be here, from the specimen she had already given of her difpofition, which fhewed, that if she did wish for an increase of wealth and honour, fhe wished it only as it would enable her more generously to extend her arm in kind offices, and increase the power as well as the opportunities of doing good.

In justice to Elisha's motive,which must have been good, we must fuppofe, he confidered his offer in this light; and what principally led him to propose it, was the great interest which he had with the king of Ifrael at that time,

which he had merited by a signal service; and as he had no views for himself, he thought it could not be employed fo well as in establishing the fortune of one, whofe virtue might be so safely trusted with it. It was a justifiable prepoffeffion in her favour,-though one not always to be relied on; for there is many a one who in a moderate station, and with a leffer degree of power, has behaved with honour and unblemished reputation, and who has even borne the buffetings of adverse fortune well, and manifested great presence and ftrength of mind under it, whom nevertheless a high exaltation has at once overcome, and fo entirely changed, as if the party had left not only his virtue, but even himself behind him.

Whether the Shunamite dreaded to make this dangerous experiment of herself,—or, which is more likely, that the had learned to fet bounds to her defires, and was too well fatisfied with her prefent condition to be tempt-ed out of it, she declines the offer in the close of the text ;—“ I dwell amongst mine own people," as if he had faid, "The intended kindness is far from being small, but it is not M 3 ufeful

useful to me; I live here, as thou art a witness in peace, in a contented obfcurity;-not fo high as to provoke envy, nor fo low as to be trodden down and despised. In this fafe and middle ftate, as I have lived amongst my own people, fo let me die out of the reach, both of the cares and glories of the world.'Tis fit, O holy man of GOD! that I learn fome time or other to fet bounds to my defires; and if I cannot fix them now, when I have already more than my wants require, when shall I hope to do it?Or how should I expect that even this increase of honour or fortune would fully fatisfy and content my ambition, fhould I now give way to it?"

So engaging an inftance of unaffected moderation and felf-denial, deserves well to be confidered by the buftlers in this world;-becaufe, if we are to truft the face and course of things, we scarce fee any virtue fo hard to be put in practice, and which the generality of mankind feem fo unwilling to learn, as this of knowing when they have enough, and when it is time to give over their worldly pursuits.-Aye! but nothing is more eafy, you will answer, than to fix this point, and fet certain bounds to it. "For

"For my own part, you will fay, I declare, I want and would wish no more, but a fufficient competency of thofe things which are requifite to the real ufes and occafions of life, fuitable to the way I have been taught to expect from use and education."—But recollect how feldom it ever happens, when these points are fecured, but that new occafions and new neceffities prefent themselves, and every day as you grow richer, fresh wants are difcovered, which rife up before you, as you afcend the hill; fo that every ftep you take every acceffion to your fortune, fets your defires one degree further from reft and fatisfaction:that fomething you have not yet grafped, and poffibly never fhall;-that devil of a phantom unpoffeffed and unpoffeffable, is perpetually haunting you, and ftepping in betwixt you and your contentment.

Unhappy creature! to think of enjoying that bleffing without moderation!—or imagine that fo facred a temple can be raifed upon the foundation of wealth or power!If the ground-work is not laid within your own mind, they will as foon add a cubit to your ftature, as to your happiness.vinced it is fo, pray look up to

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those who

have