\_The Author had at one time thought of inserting a considerable number of short sketches ; but he relinquished the idea, from an appre- hension that they would not afford sufficient aid to those, whose more immediate benefit he consulted. The following Analysis is added as a specimen.^
PUBLIC acknowledgments of national mercies are proper. The king's recovery is a just ground for them at this time.
I. The import of the words. In which observe —
1. The occasion of them. Here notice —
[Hezekiah's illness, and dread of approaching death. His character, as most concerned for God's glory and the national welfare. The probable consequences of his death. The means of his recovery : prayer — figs. His expressions of thankfulness for it.]
2. The words themselves. These contain —
[The grounds of his thankfulness ; that God had restored him ; and that he had been ready to do so. The expressions of it. He would give all the glory to God. He would do it publicly. He would have others to do the same. He would do it all his life.]
II. The use we should make of them —
1. To excite our gratitude for the king's recovery —
[The occasions are similar; as to the persons that were ill (compare Hezekiah, and the king) : as to the probable con- sequences of their not recovering : as to the means used for their recovery, Prayer : and as to the readiness of God to comply with our requests.
Our gratitude should be similar; public — universal — fervent — perpetual.]
2. To excite our gratitude for the mercies of re- demption—
[All are sick nigh unto death. The consequences of not recovering will be dreadful. The Lord is ready to heal us. Prayer is the grand mean of recovery. All should rejoice; the sick, that the Lord is ready to save ; the recovered, that he was, and still is, ready.]