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the delight of its parents. Just at the time of life when children are most engaging, before they are capable of doing any great thing to grieve their parents, God lays his hand suddenly upon him and takes him away. The dearest comforts are but short lived, and the dearer they are when living, the deeper they cut when they are removed. Many of you can judge what the loss of a son, an only son, must be, and when there is no hope of a Seth instead of Abel. But, behold, "he taketh away, and who shall hinder him?" Well: What does the mother do now? One would think all her hope is cut off, and all her comfort dried up: No, it is far otherwise. The same power that gave him could also raise him; in faith of this, she lays him upon the prophet's bed, and makes all the haste to him she could. She concealing what had happened (as it is probable) from her husband, he objects to her going to the prophet, ver. 23. "Wherefore wilt thou go to him to-day? It is neither new-moon nor Sabbath." And she said, "It shall be well." Faith sets aside every obstacle: "It shall be well: the end will be peace;" "God is with me, and he will make all things work together for good." Commentators, in general, make very light of this, and her answer to Elisha's message in my text. Some suppose she has a reserve in her breast, when
