brightest saint at all times tell a hypocrite from a saint, but the day will declare it—_then_, _then shall ye return_, _and discern between the righteous and the wicked_—a mere borrowed religion will let the soul sink in death, but the free gift of God is eternal life—locked up in Christ, manifested by the Spirit, and leads the soul to rest, live, and rejoice alone in the everlasting love of God, the free, unmerited grace of an everlasting covenant, the glorious person, and finished work of Christ, as its all in all. The Prophet seeing the situation of his pupil, cut down a stick from a tree, and cast it into the water, when behold a most astonishing miracle appears—the stick, contrary to its native tendency, sunk, and brought up the iron head of the axe, which swam, contrary to its natural gravitation.—The man no doubt joyfully received it, and went on with his work. What cannot, what will not the God of Israel do for his people, to shew he is the Lord their God, that they are his servants, and that they are acting agreeable to his will. The Lord confirmeth the work of his servants and frustrateth the tokens of liars; and surely the petition of Elijah is exactly adapted, in many cases, to God’s dear ministers, when he prayed, and said, _Lord God_, _let it be known this day that I am thy servant_, _that this is thy people_, _and that I have done all these things according to thy word_. Our text reads thus: _But as one was felling a beam_, _the axe head fell into the water_; _and he cried_, _and said_, _Alas_! _Master_, _for it was borrowed_. _And the man of God said_, _Where fell it_? _And he shewed him the place_. _And he cut down a stick and cast it in thither_, _and the iron did swim_—_therefore said he_, _take it up to thee_, _and he put out his hand_, _and took it_.