this work. The whole country was given over to idolatry. He might have dre:uleJ 8 rebellion. In somo parts of the country he got little sympathy in hi~ efforts to restore the ancient religion. When the messengers inviting the people to the Pa8sover passed tht·ough the country of Ephraim and Manasseh and Zebulon, the people there laughed them to scorn and mocked them. Such manifestations of popular feeling might have caused Hezekiah to falter in his decision. He might have thought that be would introduce his reforms grarlnally. But no! the idolatry was wrong, and it must be put down at once. The worship of the true God was right, and it must at once be resumed. Hezekiah was right. Had he waited, had he begun bis reign by tolerating idolatry for a while, he would have found it much harder to overthrow afterwards. Is there not here a lesson for us all? If you see the right path clearly pointed out to you, resolve to wall, in it, though all men should be against yon. Remember the brave words of Athanasius. He was mocked at for his zeal for the truth. Some one said to him, "Athanasius, all the world is against you;" then ~aid he, "Athanasius is against the world." Follow the light of conscience and of duty. What matter though you may incur danger or worldly loss by so doing? "And because right is right, to follow right Were reason in the scorn of consequence."' Furthermore, whatever work you see needs to be done, do it at once. Promptness and decision are two essential elements of success in life. Do you see that you need to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ if you are to be saved? 'l'hen come to him to-day. A more convenient season may never arri,;-e. We know not what a day may bring forth. Do you hear God calling you by his Word to perform some act of kindness or forgiveness? TI.en do it at once. Do you hear God calling you to some work of usefulness in bis Church? Begin at once to undertake it. If our trust in God is a real trust, it will lead us, not only to personal religion, but also to practical effort. We can trust him to take care of us when we are doing his work. "Therefore be ye steadf11.st, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord." III. TRUST IN Goo LEADS TO SUCCESS IN LIFE. "And the Lord was with him; and he prospered whithersoever he went forth" (ver. 7). He was victorious over his enemies. He threw off the yolce of the King of A.•syria, and drove back the Philistine.•, who had made great inroads during the previous reign. When the people honoured God, their God honoured them and gai·e them victories over their enemies. A.s a reward of Hezekiah's faith and faithfulness, God gave him much riches and honour. Hezekiah bad trusted God at the beginning of his reign. He had done God's will, though he did not know what it might cost him, and before he was established on the throne. And God did not disappoint his trust, but made him greater and more honoured than all the kings of Judah before or after his time. Eve::i. in a temporal point of view, no one ever loses by trusting God and doing what is right. Christ promises that every one who is willing to give up every earthly possession for his sake will receive an hundred- fold more in this life, and in the world to come life everlasting. We saw, above, the dangers of prosperity. Hezekiah's career shows us what is the safeguard of prosperity. "The Lord was with him." Where that can be said, there is no danger in prosperity. In the godle~s man, prosperity is often a curse. It hardens his heart. He thinks that he is rich and increased in goods and has need of nothing. But the prosperity of the Christian may be a great blessing to himself and others. Take with you into your business, into your social relations, into every plan you make and every work you undertake, the prer.enre of God, the fear of God, the commandments of God; and then there will be no fear of your success. Trnst in the Lord. Put your eternal interests into the hands of Jesus. He is worthy of yonr trust. They that trust themselves to him shall never perish. 'l'rust in the Lord, that it may lead you to personal religion, ia pradi<:al efforl, to success in life. "Bet tbou thy trust upon the Lo!d. And be thou doing goo.:, And so thou in the land ehalt dwell. A!Dd verily have food.'' 0.B. L 372 THE SECOND BOOK OF THE KINGS. [on. xvm.1-37,
Yers. 9-12.-0aptivity and its cauiee, (See homily on preceding chapter, vcrs, 6--23,)-C. H. I.
Vers. 13--16.-Hezeki'.ah's 10&1,kness. Hezekiah had now been for aome time on the throne. God bad been with him hitherto, and had prospered him. Perhaps Hezekie.h began to trust too much to bis own strength. In the seventh verse we e.re told the.t he rebelled against the King of .Assyria, and sen•ed him not. It does not e.ppear the.t Hezekiah sought God's guidance before taking this bold step. Perhe.ps it would have been wiser if he had waited a little longer. .At any rate, now, when he begins to feel the consequences of his action, he is disposed to shrink from them. The King of .Assyria "came up against all the fenced cities of Judah, and took them." Hezekiah was panic-stricken. He trembled for his throne. He sent a submissive message, saying, "I have offended; return from me; tbat which thou puttest on me will I bear." We learn here- I. How WEAK EVEN A. GOOD MAN IS WITHOUT THE HELP OF GOD. Hezekiah was a good man. He was a wise man. Yet when left to himself how weak he was! how foolishly be acted! "Let him that thinketh he sta.ndeth take heed lest he fall." It becometh us a.II to walk humbly with our God. "God forbid that I should alory, save in tbe cwss of our Lord Jesus Christ." b