his ordinances. Their unjust and illegal exactions from those who came to offer sacrifice, their insolence and tyranny, caused the people who suffered from such abuses to "abhor the offering of the Lord." Evils yet more scandalous and disgraceful were introduced by them into the very courts of the tabernacle; till the heaven-appointed rites of Hebrew worship, thus shamelessly profaned, were in danger of being assimilated to the corrupt practices of the votaries of Baal, or the Babylonian deities. Such abandoned conduct in men so eminent in official position, whose power and influence were doubtless considerable, could not fail to degrade, in the eyes of the people, the sacred ceremonies in which they ministered, and induced so general a neglect of religious observances as tended to bring Divine displeasure upon the whole nation. All Israel suffered from the wickedness of those sons of Belial in high places; and times of profligacy, apostasy, and idolatry were likely to ensue upon their sacrilegious insults to the institutions of Jehovah. While these atrocious abuses were going on, the pleasing interlude described in the foregoing chapter took place; and it is a relief to turn from the sight of the wicked priests to the picture of innocence, faith, and pious confidence and gratitude presented on the other hand. There was doubtless a congeniality of disposition between the aged high-priest and the consecrated child intrusted to his care. Eli addresses him as a son, endeared to him by affection, and knowledge of the high destiny in reserve for him; and sore indeed must have been the father's heart, when he reflected on the contrast between this artless boy and those who were indeed his sons. The rumour of all they had done to the people who came to worship at Shiloh, and of the effects of their heinous example, reached the old man's ears, and drew from him a mild reproof for their evil doings. He appealed to them as if they had possessed consciences, and had been capable of being moved by the reasons he alleges, to mend their Vain expectation! its indulgence only proves how

course.