years, at which time the People demanded a King, the Government became Monarchical, and Samuel, without one spark of ambition refigned up his Authority to Saul. ON THE BOOK O F RUT H. THE HE Book of Ruth contains a private and domeftic History of two very amiable Women, and takes its Name from one of them. The Events probably fell out much earlier, but are here recorded to preserve the thread of the History, between the book of Judges and the first book of Samuel, and alfo with more exactness and precifion to afcertain the Pedigree. of the Meffiah. Obed the Son of Boaz, was the Father of Jeffe, the Father of David. The Hiftory is a beautiful unadorned pi&ure of Nature, affe&t ingly ingly told, with many masterly ftrokes, highly interesting and entertaining: A celebrated Poet has fhewn great judgment, and afforded much pleasure by the choice of the fubject, and his very elegant manner of telling the ftory. Naomi a Widow in a ftrange Country, to which she had been driven by a famine in her own, refolved on her return to Bethlehem, to her native Town and Kindred, and she set out on her journey, accompanied by her two daughters-in-law, who now were alfo Widows, and very defirous of going with her. Naomi was quite diftreffed they should leave all their friends and their Father's house, and she pathetically diffuades and preffes them to return back, ftrongly and affectionately pleading the profpect before them of marrying again, and as they were both young, of fettling in their own Country; fuch fettlement fhe reprefented much more unlikely to take place in her's, and amongst any of her kindred there; as to herself, they well knew she had no more Sons to give them, not even a hut however uncheary and forlorn to accommodate them at Bethlehem. Naomi's importunity at length prevailed with One, the picture of poverty was too dark and deplorable deplorable for Orpah, and fhe in a flood of tears hung on her Mother-in-law, took an affecting leave and turned back to Moab. No reasoning, arguments or remonftrance, no perfuafion whatever could prevail with Ruth; with tears and intreaties irresistibly expreffive, fhe clung round Naomi-death only fhould ever part them, the God of Naomi fhould be the God of Ruth for ever and for ever- "Whither thou goeft. I will go where thou lodgeft I will lodge-thy People, my People - thy God, my God." Naomi kept fruitlessly exhibiting the many wants. and miferies they fhould be expofed to, and against which there was no providing, and in vain fhe pointed out the prudent example of Orpah. Thus affectionately they journeyed day after day until they arrived at Bethlehem. It was the place of Naomi's nativity, and she had long lived in plenty and hospitality there. The people, and many who remembered her, came out to fee Naomi-alas, is this Naomi? the wife of Elimelech, who lived in fuch plenty and fhew-Ruth tender and piteous feels all the diftrefs of her mother-our conveniences (fays fhe) must depend on ourselves-our daily bread be earned from our daily labour it is the beginning of Harveft, you Mother, are weary and overcome by your Sorrows-I am able to go and gather what I can from the Field. field. A Kinsman of Elimeleck a mighty man of wealth named Boaz, as he farmed his own lands, was watching the reapers, feeing the Damfel, he enquired who fhe was, and they told him a Moabitefs who had journeyed from Moab with Naomi, she had begged leave of them to gather, and glean from the reapers, and (fay they) fhe has been with us all day: hearing all this Boaz goes up to her and told her, he had noticed her dutiful attendance, and affectionate care of her Mother-in-law, and defired her henceforward to keep always in company with his maidens "Go not I charge you to glean any other fields, "neither go ye from hence, abide faft by my ❝ maidens, I have ordered my young men, none of them to moleft you, when thirsty go to the veffels, and drink of that which the young men "have drawn." With filent sweetness and modefty, Ruth grate fully accepted the kindness, and courtesy of Boaz, he had now an opportunity of feeing her person, and being ftruck by her behaviour, Boaz further fold her, he understood she was come here a ftranger, and far from her own country, that she had pioufly refolved to place herself under the protection and guidance of the God of Ifrael, he commended her conduct, folemnly he prayed God to VOL. I. C c blefs |