No. II.

The driving was like the driving of Jehu the son of Nimshi.

2 KINGS, chap. ix, ver. 20.

THIS mighty man of valour is by no means the only one who, from his own time to the present day, could be recognised by the manner of his driving: there have been furious drivers in every age, and among all conditions and ranks of mankind; or, in other words, impetuosity of character is not a phenomenon of so rare occurrence as to excite surprise, or rouse particular attention. And, besides this general impetuosity of temper, there are frequent instances in which, though it cannot fairly be deemed the prominent feature of the character, yet is there a furious driving of some favourite pursuit, or habit, or principle, which is urged, and

goaded, and driven, to the utter discomfiture of the darling habits and principles of all who may have the temerity to stand in the way, or to offer opposition.

But, traveller, hear you not that distant rumbling sound? Already it is not distant! Stand aside quickly; for a son of Jehu approaches! Ah! why linger you?—It is well if you feel not the weight of his chariot wheels. What may his errand be? Is it not to destroy an idolatrous queen, or to adjust the affairs of a kingdom, or at least to restore the rights of an oppressed individual? No such thing: it is nothing more than one of these staunch assertors of his own will, and of his own opinions, who thus comes with the fixed determination to overthrow and to trample down all opposition.

But in order quietly to indulge our reflections, we must retire from the bustle; for, behold how these impetuous drivers abound; so that unless we give place, we cannot hope to escape with impunity. See how they dash against each other, or

become entangled in the road, and unable to extricate themselves. Observe how they block up the way, and impede the progress of the more steady travellers, who would if possible pass quietly on,— who have no steed at all,- or who if they have, drive it at a sober rate, unambitious to be the foremost in the race, so they may but pursue their journey unmolested and in peace. Ah! let us, I say, turn aside; and, while pursuing our humble track, indulge the reflections which such a tumultuous scene suggests, and thereby learn to regulate our own pace, and to curb our own steeds, should we incline to take such auxiliaries into our service.

Jehu was entitled to commendation, as he punctually executed the task assigned him, and inflicted the prescribed punishment on those flagrant sinners, against whom he was sent, as the messenger of wrath: and in truth he proved himself to be a fit instrument for such a purpose; and having accomplished his

task, he was amply rewarded in a way well suited to his temper and his wishes, by Him whose commission he bore. It must have been an awfully interesting spectacle, to behold this mighty champion, driving through the streets of Jezreel, the appointed executioner of divine vengeance. What more interesting, save the entry of the Captain of our salvation into the city of Jerusalem?—The one was on an errand of death: the other on a mission of life. His own personal aggrandizement was probably the moving principle of the one; the salvation of mankind was the benign object of the other: the one, before he came in full view, was recognised by his furious driving; the other did not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the streets;' finally, the reward of the one extended but to four generations; but of the kingdom and government of the other there shall be no end.'

The God of providence and of grace hath chosen various instruments, and

various means, to accomplish his pleasure, according to the counsel of his own will, and agreeably to the exigencies of every case; and we may observe that the divine procedure is generally deliberate and slow. In the stupendous work of creation, he could have said 'Let there be a world, with all its ample furniture, and its various inhabitants :' and a world would have darted into the wide expanse, instant as the lightning's flash. But he chose six days, in which to accomplish the work; ere this goodly structure was rendered a fit residence for man. Thus the history of the divine dispensations, through successive ages, more frequently exhibits this gradual operation of the almighty hand; but there are seasons when mankind are roused from their lethargy and supineness, by sudden irruptions of his wrath; when he bursts upon rebellious nations in an hour unlooked for; when 'he rides on a cherub and doth fly, and rideth on the wings of the wind'. And thus it will probably be at the final judgment;