the punishment of his iniquity^." Grievous as the chastise- ment was, he approved of it as coming from the hands of a righteous God, and declared it to be not only just, but " good."]
Instead of murmuring against God for the severity of his judgments, he instantly expressed his gratitude for the mercy blended with them —
[He was informed that in his days the nation should enjoy " peace;" and that " truth" should triumph over the idolatry and wickedness which had overrun the land. These considerations, independent of his own personal welfare, w^ere consolatory to his mind ; because, if God had been " extreme to mark what had been done amiss," he might have justly executed his threatened judgments instantly, without any intervention of grace and mercy. On these mitigated circum- stances Hezekiah fixed his mind; and, whilst he acknowledged the equity of the judgments in their fullest extent, he more especially adored the goodness of God in suspending them for so long a period : " Is it not good, if peace and truth be in my days ? " The prospect of the prevalence of true reli- gion, though but for a season, was cheering to him : and he " accounted the long-suffering of God to be salvation."]
If, as an act of piety, we admire his resignation, much more shall we do so,
II. As a lesson of instruction —
Truly in this view the history before us is very important. From it we learn many valuable lessons :
1. That pride, however light and venial it may appear in our eyes, is most offensive in the sight of God —
[It was pride which led Hezekiah to display before the Babylonish ambassadors all the monuments of his wealth and power: he felt an undue complacency in the things them- selves, as though they of themselves could make us happy; and next, he relied on them as inducements to the king of Babylon to court his alliance. According to the common estimation of men, there would be no great evil in this con- duct : but God regarded as a very heinous sin, the indulgence of such vain conceits; and marked the extent of his displea- sure by the severity of his judgments.
Let not any one then imagine that an inordinate attachment to earthly things, or a vain confidence in them, is a light
f Lev. XX vi. 41.
379.1 hezekiah's resignation. 553
offence. Whatever we have that distinguishes us fx'om our fellow-creatures, it is given us of the I^ord ; and, instead of engrossing our affections, it should lead us to him in thank- fulness and praise. If we take glory to ourselves for our possession of it, we provoke him to jealousy, and excite his indignation against us. How highly did God resent the pride of Nebuchadnezzar^, and of Herod '^! And shall we escape, if we " provoke the Lord to jealousy?" Let us be thankful for what we possess ; but let our affections centre in God alone.]
2. That just views of sin will lead us to justify God in all the judgments that are denounced against it —
[We are ready to think that the punislunent inflicted on Hezekiah was more severe than the occasion required: but he thought not so, because he saw his sin in all its malignity
In like manner, when the everlasting displeasure of
God is denounced against sin and sinners, the proud heart of man is ready to rise up against God, and to say, that it would not be just to inflict eternal punishment for the sins of time, especially if those sins have not been of the most flagrant kind. But a just view of our demerit silences at once all those rebellious murmurs. We then say with David, " Thou art justified in thy saying, and wilt be clear when thou judgest." It is remarkable, that the man who was cast out for not having on the wedding garment, is represented as not having one word to utter in arrest of judgment; " he was speechless^:" and so will it be with all at the last day, yea and with all in this life also, who are made sensible (^f their iniquities. Under the deepest of earthly afflictions they will say, " Shall a living man complain? a man for the punishment of his sins?" No; " I will bear the indignation of the Lord, because I have sinned against him." Under the apprehension of his eternal displeasure also they will cry, " I have sinned against Heaven, and before thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy son." Let us beg of God then to give us an insight into our own wickedness ; that under all circumstances we may approve of God as " doing all things well."]