forgiveness of his sins. Worldly prosperity may be either a benefit or a curse to its possessor: but to be pardoned and justified: to have our prayer for mercy answered, and the love of God, notwithstanding our deepest feelings of humility and contrition, shed abroad in our hearts through faith in Christ Jesus; to enjoy a humble hope, that among the mansions of blessedness which the Saviour has prepared for his true followers, one will be found into which we shall at the last day be admitted beyond the reach either of sin or sorrow,-this is indeed a blessing of unspeakable value, and should constrain us with earnest gratitude to devote ourselves to the service of our God and Saviour. This leads us to remark,

Fifthly, the subsequent obedience of Manasseh. The narrative is brief; but it particularly mentions his future obedience to God, and his zeal for his glory. His heart being renewed, his course of life changed with it. It is said, that he now "knew that the Lord he was God." He had discovered this both in his power to afflict him and in his power to restore him; and now knowing him to be the only true God he resolved to worship him as such. He had repented, and he brought forth fruits meet for repentance. Much was forgiven him, and he loved much. First, he turned

from his former sins; for " he took away the strange gods and the idols out of the house of the Lord;" not only this, but he began to practise his long-neglected duties; "he repaired the altar of the Lord, and sacrificed thereon peace-offerings and thank-offerings, and commanded his people to serve the Lord God of Israel." As his transgressions had been public, he wished his contrition for them to be public also; and as he had led others astray by his authority and example, he was now urgent to bring them back to the right path. But, unhappily, not with equal success; for, though the people sacrificed only to the Lord their God, they continued to disobey him in sacrificing in the high places. It is easy to draw others into sin; but God only can restore them to newness of life. Manasseh found that the evil effects of the idolatrous customs which he had favoured still remained: but he used his best efforts to prevent them; and thus he proved the sincerity of his repentance, and that his turning to God was not merely the transient effect of affliction, to be forgotten as soon as the affliction was over; but that it was the settled purpose of his soul, the effect of true conversion," he took the testimonies of God as his heritage for ever," and without doubt found them "the rejoicing of his heart." God had been "his hiding-place and his shield" in his

adversity: and he could therefore say with David, “I hope in thy word: depart from me, ye evil doers; for I will keep the commandments of my God.”

To follow his example in this respect, is the most important application which we can make of the above narrative. We have not indeed shed blood, or literally sacrificed to idols, as he did; neither have we had any inducement to do so, or occasion of doing so. But, on the other hand, we have not been exposed to the temptations which he must have met with, left defenceless at the early age of twelve years, amidst the seductions of the world, as a sovereign prince, with every facility for the indulgence of his will and his passions, and meeting perhaps with few to controul, and many to foster his evil propensities. But shall we therefore say, that, according to our circumstances and temptations, we have not also grievously offended God? Is there one of his commands which, in heart or in deed, according to our Lord's spiritual application of them, we have not violated? We need then, like Manasseh, to humble ourselves before him; and we have his example left upon record to encourage us to do so, assured that, if we turn to God, he will turn to us, and, for the sake of his blessed Son, will pardon our sins, and renew us

by his Holy Spirit, after his own Divine image. Let us then earnestly seek this inestimable blessing; let us neither slight it on the one hand, nor despair of obtaining it on the other. It is to be obtained, if only we seek it, and seek it aright, and seek it before the opportunity for procuring it is for ever lost. Who knows how few days or months more may seal up the measure of our iniquities, and shut out repentance and pardon? Among the multitudes who sin like Manasseh, how few repent like him, and turn to their offended God, before the door of mercy is closed! Let us then seek the Lord while he may be found, and call upon him while he is near; let us forsake the vain idols of this world's estimation, and worship the true God, in the Gospel of his Son; let us study to obey his laws; let us devote our future lives to his glory; and then, when this short existence has for ever passed away, we shall be admitted to his eternal kingdom, to wear a crown of glory which shall never fade.

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SERMON XXXV.

THE CHOICE OF MOSES.

HEB. XI. 24-26.

By faith, Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he had respect to the recompence of the reward.

ST. PAUL is shewing in this chapter the nature of faith; and he does it by setting before us the examples of various individuals, who exhibited in their conduct the operation of that heavenly principle. Among these, the instance of Moses is very memorable. He had been educated in the court of Egypt, as the adopted son of Pharaoh's daughter; and might probably have good reason to expect, that, after the death of the king, he should succeed to the throne. He was now arrived at a time of life when the splendours of a court, and the oppor