and that it was intended as a general rule of mercy, to adapt the work and the burthen to the frength of the Laborer*. The prohibition therefore, Thou shalt not plow with an OX and an ASS together, implies thus much at leaft, that we fhall not fet a weak beaft to keep pace with, nor to do the work of a ftrong beaft; nor put him to any work which he is incapable of performing. Such ufage is difregard, neglect, or non-attention to their strength and ability. It is both foolish and

*To the fame purpose faith the learned. and ingenious Cardinal Cajetan.-Hoc præceptum metaphorice intelligendum eft, ut difpares vires hominum non æque graventur, nec exigantur æqua ab imparibus: optime enim fub hac metaphora præceptum hoc morale memoriæ commendatur. CAFETAN in Loco.

unjuft;

unjust; and, in the ftrictest sense, it is an abuse of them. And if the abuse of the Cattle by putting them to improper work, or subjugating them to unequal yokes, is a trangreffion against the divine law, and every tranfgreffion is SIN; to add cruelty to abuse, or to ill treat, and torment them with barbarity and unbridled fury, muft be a SIN of a heinous nature indeed. And of this we have an instance and proof in the case of BALAAM, who was fent for by BALAK King of Moab to curse the people of Ifrael. (Num. xxii.)

AS BALAAM was riding upon his ASS, (the ufual manner of travelling in his country,) and two Servants with him, the Afs faw an

Appa

Apparition, which the rider did not fee; and the timorous beaft turned afide out of the path into a field; upon which Balaam in a paffion fmote the Afs, and turned her into the road again. As he proceeded further, they came to a road between two walls. The Afs faw the Apparition again, and, ftarting afide, crushed her mafter's foot against one of the walls; and Balaam fmote the Afs a second time. At laft they came to a very narrow place, where there was no way to turn, either to the right hand, or to the left: and the Afs, feeing the Apparition the third time, was fo exceedingly terrified, that all her ftrength forfook her, and she fell down to the ground under Balaam. Her mafter, inftead of reflecting

reflecting with himself that there must be something extraordinary in this cafe, (as the Afs was not wont to start or to ftumble,) and instead of asking the two Servants that were with him, if they saw any thing uncommon, or could account for the fhynefs of the beaft, was fo overcome with paffion and rage, that he unmercifully beats the poor creature with a Staff. The fallen beaft, fenfible of her own pain and of her mafter's cruelty and injuftice, had the been endued with speech and reafon, would probably have expoftulated with him on her hard treatment the firft and the fecond time: but alas! fhe was dumb, and could not open her mouth. But now, at the third time, when Balaam's

Balaam's anger was kindled into ǎ flame, and afcended to its height, the LORD himself was pleafed to interpofe in behalf of the abused animal, by opening the mouth of the ASS; and fhe faid unto Balaam, What have I done unto thees that thou haft fmitten me thefe three times? Behold a miracle: the dumb Afs fpeaks. Behold a greater miracle: the Rider was not ftruck dumb with amazement at the voice of the beaft. Infatuated even unto madness, he confiders not the overruling power of GOD herein, but being as blind as he was cruel, he replies to the complaint of the Afs;-Because thou baft mocked me; I would there were a fword in my hand, for now would I kill thee. Cruelty is the last step

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