A c LIB. XX. Contemplations. 'The Shunamitefuing to Jehoram; Elifha conferring l~ith Hazael. • Ow royally bath Elifha paid the Shu>wnitt for his lodging! To him already !he owes the life of her fonne, both given, and reftored; and now again (afrer fo many yeares , os might,well have worne out the memory offo fmall a courrdie) her felf, her fonne, her fJmily owe their lives to lo than,full a gueft. That table, and bed,and ftoole,and candlefticke was well bellowed: Thatcandlellicke repaid h<r thelight of her future I if< and condition, that table themeanes ofmaintenance, that {tool< a feat of!ate abode,that bed a quietreft from the common calamities of her nationr H= is a niggard to himfdfe, that fcams his beneficence to a Prophet, whofe v«y cold w>rer !hall not goe unrewarded. Elijah preferved the Sartp('•n from fa. D mine; EJi~,. theShtmamitt; he, by provilionofoyleand meale; this, by premonition: Arifl,•ndgoe,thou and thine houfhold,and f.j•t~rnt 11>brrtfot'Utr thou tanjl fojournt. The SArtpt~tn was poorr, and driven to e:;treames, therefore the Prophet provldes for her, from hand to mouth: TheShunamitt was wealchy, and therefore the Pro· phet fends her to provide for her fdfe: The fame goodnelfe that relieves our neceflity,kavesour competency to the handofourown counfell; in the one, he will' make ufeofhis own power;in che other, ofour providence. The very Propherodvifesthis holy Cliem to lelve the boundsof the Church; & to feek life,wherefhefl10uld not find Religion:Extremity is for the time ajuft dif. penf:nion wich fome common ruks ofour outward demeanure and motions . even from better to worfc. AIIJfrael and I•dah !hall be aff.Imifhed; The body canbe preE ferved no where, but where the foule fl~all wam; Sometimes the conveniences of thefoule muft yedd to bodily necellities. Wantonn<lfe and curiolity can finde no advanta{!e from that which is done out of the power ofneed. ltisa long famineth>t fhlll afllitl l(rad; He upon whom the fpirit of ElijA~ was doubled,doub:ed the judgement infliCted by his Ma!ler ; Three years and an halte did I{r•tl gafpeunder the dr,pughtof Elij•h; f<ven yeares dearth !hall it fuffer under Elifl>•: The trials ofGod are many times not more grievous for their lharpnelfe, then for their condnuanc('. · This fcarcity flJall not come alpne; God !hall call for it:what ever be the fecond caofe, heisthe firll. Theexocutioners of the Almighty (fuch are his judgements) !land ready waiting upon his juft Throne; and doe no fooner receive the watch· ! Ooooo word,
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