ABIJAH'S CHARACTER &c.

BEFORE CHRIST 960 YEARS.

Though blind was Abijah, yet given
To him the visions were of Heaven;
Advanced in years, yet firmly bold,

The dread decrees of God he told.

THE judgment which the prophet had denounced against idolatry, and consequently against Jeroboam himself, who was the author of this idolatry, yet we find that he returned not from his evil way, but pursued his wretched course, in opposition even to God himself. He made of the lowest of the people priests of the high places which he had set up; "And this thing became sin to the house of Jeroboam, even to cut it off, and destroy it from off the face of the earth," (1 Kings xiii. 34.) He thought

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by setting up the calves, that he should secure the people to himself, and the crown to his family; but he took sinful methods to accomplish his purposes, and the consequence was, that his family, after a time, were by degrees cut off.

How can we hope to prosper if our course is a sinful one? for God is holy and just; sin must therefore ever be hateful to him. But the Lord would not suffer Jeroboam to go on in sin, without letting him know he was doing wrong, and so giving him warning, for he laid his son Abijah upon the bed of sickness: this touched the king to the heart, and though he would not consult God's servants about his own soul, and how he might obtain the favour and blessing of God, yet when his son was ill, he sent to inquire what would be the result of this sickness; indeed, his wife her

self went in disguise, to learn of the prophet Ahijah, what should become of the child.

Though Ahijah was blind, yet he was favoured with the visions of the Almighty, and received intimation from heaven of the visitor that was coming, and of her errand; when therefore he heard the sound of her feet, he said "Come in, thou wife of Jeroboam, why feignest thou thyself to be another? for I am sent to thee with heavy tidings." (1 Kings xiv. 6.)

He sent her back to Jeroboam with an account of the awful things that were in store for himself and his family, because of the greatness of his wickedness in the sight of that God who had exalted him, and done such great things for him; and as an earnest that all things threatened should take place, his beloved son should immediately

die; but it was in mercy to the child that he should now be cut off, "for in him there was found some good thing towards the Lord God of Israel." (verse 13.)

Let the young particularly notice the circumstances attending this young prince. Though young, he was sick unto death, and so may you soon be; yet there was some good thing in his heart; entreat the Lord to give you his grace, that one good thing, that needful thing; and if you are living to God, be encouraged, for he notices it. Give him all the praise for the work of grace in your heart; and if he calls you home while young in life, you will be carried safe to his eternal kingdom and glory,