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would not soften their hearts with his efficacious grace, but was determined to destroy them. This was partly fulfilled when Abiathar of the race of Eli, was removed from the priesthood and, Sadoc, who was of another tribe, was substituted in his place, but it was more fully accomplished in the New Testament, when the priesthood of Aaron, gave place to that of Christ. The Lord was pleased afterwards to give to his people Israel in that place, by the prayers of Samuel. "Samuel took a stone and set it between Mizpeh and Shen and called it the name of Ebenezer—This great foundation, although the Philistines took the ark of God and brought from Ebenezer unto Ashdod."—There is great reason by all these circumstances to hope that Eli did, in the state of grace, and by his temporal punishment escape the eternal wrath of God. We see how much the Israelites lamented the loss of the ark, which was but the symbol of God's presence amongst them; how much more ought christians to lament the loss of God himself, when by sin they have driven him out of their souls.
Bethel, where there was at that time an altar of God, it being one of the places where Samuel judged Israel, in which there was also, at times, a high place or altar.—Prophets: these men, whose office it was to sing hymns and praises to God, are called prophesying. 1st Chron. 15: 22, 25. "And they brought up the ark of the covenant with joy." Now there were in those days, Colleges or schools, for training up their prophets, and it seems that there was one of these schools at the lull of God and. another at Naioth where they were taught. Now the great College of God is to give that pure lesson of truth and light: knowledge to serve him so that they may safely arrive to the kingdom of God. At this time Saul was in great rage and in war, but the great master of life and death, who cuts off one half of all mankind while they are children, has been pleased, sometimes, to ordain that his children should be put to the sword, in detestation of the crimes of their parents, and that they might not live to follow the same wicked ways; but without such ordinance of God it is not allowable in any war, however just, to kill children. Thus, we find, the Lord knoweth how
