to such a na_turo as Haman's, was no m~an e~ement in joy and self-gratulation. To , pass others m the i;nce, to see them behmd_ him, to have the1;1 s_upplicating his favour and good word with the monarch, nil thrn was very gratifymg to the minister of : state, 5. Favour wi_th the queen. He ?nly was i~vi~d _to the banquet given by Esther. True, he misconstrued the motive of the mv1tation; but, at the time to himself and to the courtiers this must have been regarded as a proof how high' he stood in royal favour. 6. The companionship of the monarch. Haman was evidently admitted to frequent audiences ; he bad the ear of the king and was not presuming when he deemed himself "the man whom the king delighted to honour.'' II. Observe THE NATURAL EFFECTS of prosperity. That Haman's "head was turned" by the giddy elevation to which be bad climbed is clear enough. 1. Joy and elation. 2. Boasting and self-confidence. So convinced was he that he was secure of favour and power, that be vaunted of his greatness before his family and friends. 3. Contempt of those in adversity. This is ever a proof of a mean, a little mind. Remark, that the higher Haman rose, the more did be despise the lowly. III. Observe THE DANGERS of worldly prosperity. 1. There is danger lest men forget the vicissitudes of life. "In my prosperity I said, I shall never be moved." "Riches take to themselves wings and flee away." "Man that is in honour con- tinuetb not." 2. There is danger lest men forget the approach of death. How often bas God said to the prosperous, the boastful, the self-confident, "Thou fool, this night shall thy soul be required of thee I" 3. There is danger lest men lose sym- pathy with those in obscurity or adversity. 4. There is danger lest men forget God. They say, like the great king, "Is not this great Babylon that I have built?'' like Israel, "My power, and the might of my hand, bath gotten me this wealth." Let these considerations lead the prosperous to reflection, to trembling, to searching of heart. Ver. 13.-Ha,'f>J!,ness marred. A little" screw loose" may spoil the working of a vast and powerful engine. A clot of blood upon the brain may suddenly deprive of life a man seemingly healthy and certainly powerful. A seeming trifle may spoil the content and embitter the life of a prince. And so mean a person as Mordecai, by eo insignificant an act of disrespect as is here mentioned, may mar the happiness of a great minister of state like Haman, and may make even his prosperity miserable. I. Consider THE UNSATISFACTORY NATURE OF ALL EARTHLY HAPPINESS. 1. It is at the mercy of circumstances. Ahab was a powerful and prosperous king ; but whilst he could not have Naboth's vineyard £or his own pleasure nothing gave him any satisfaction. Place your welfare in worldly good, set your heart upon an earthly object, and something will certainly occur to show you the vanity of such an aim and of such a trust. Whatever Haman gained, it was insufficient to make him happy. A poor Jew would not do him reverence; it was the fly in the apothecary's ointment, 2. It is at the mercy of an evil heart. The same circumstances which spoil the pleasure of a worldling have no power to occasion a Christian one moment's distress or anxiety. If Haman bad not been a bad, and selfish, and vain man he would never have troubled himself about the conduct of Mordecai. A good conscience and a quiet heart, with the habit of referring to God's judgment rather than to men's, will render you largely independent of common causes of solicitude and vexation. II. This consideration should lead us to SEEK OUR HAPPINESS THERE WHERE EARTHLY TROUBLES WILL HAVE LITTLE POWER TO MAR IT. Not in outward prosperity, not in the approval or the applause of men, not in pre-eminence and authority, is true happiness to be found. But in the favour, the fellowship, and the approbation of him "who searcheth the heart and trieth the reins of the children of men." They who make this choice choose that good part which shall not be taken away from them. Ver. 14.-Malevolent .r,urpose and pleasure. This one verse contains the record of "a world of iniquity, ' and shows us to what lengths sinners may proceed in their ~vii plans. Happily the sequel shows us that there is One who says to the raging 112 THE BOOK OF ESTHER. [CH. V. 9-14,
Ilea of human malevolence and impiety, " Hitherto shalt thou g·o, and no further; and here shall thy proud waves be stayed I " Follow the clauses of the verse, and behold the progress of atrocious crime. I. "'IcKED COUNSELLORS. Wife and friends, instead of expostulating with Raman hecanse of his folly, "fooled him to the top of his bent." Thoy counselled him as they knew he would fain be counselled. It is too generally so with the families and companions of the great. Haman's responsibility ,vas not diminished berause his friends were partakers of his sin. II. UNJUST l'ROP0SALS. What had Mordecai done that deserved hanging? His offence was trifling, and should have been altogether disregarded. It is a serious thing to take away the life even of a murderer; how much more of an innocent, unoffending man. Ill. !KFLUENCE ABUSED. The minister could not put the poor Jew to death by his own authority. The plan was to speak to the king, and to get his sanction for the detestable deed. It is well when a sovereign is reluctant to use his prerogative and order the execution of a capital sentence; as the Roman emperor, who in such n case exclaimed, I would I could not write my name ; or as Edward VI., who could hardly be persuaded to sign the order for burning one condemned. There was no apprehension of any difficulty with Artaxerxes ; let him but be urged by his favourite, and the deed was done. An awful responsibility, to give such adYice. IV. THE HEART RELIEVED AND REJOIOED BY AN UNJUST ACT. As Stephen Gardiner would not dine nntil the tidings reached him that the Protestant bishops were burnt at Oxford, so Haman could not enjoy the banquet until the order for Mordecai's impalement or crucifixion had been given by the king. They sleep not, except they do evil. V. PLEASURE IN THE PROSPECT OF SIN. "The thing pleased Haman I" What a "thing ! " and what a man to be pleased therewith I YI. MISCHIEF ANTICIPATED. .Already, before the project was sanctioned by the king, the order was given to rear the gallows, that the evil work might be accom- plished. Little thought they whose body should be hanged thereon, ere many hours were passed. Practical lesson :-The heinousness of sin; the need of a Divine remedy; tho wisdom and grace of God in the gospel of Christ.