ed to destroy him. At other times, kings and statesmen act fo inconfiftently with their profeffed aims, and take steps, fo directly calculated, to prevent what they wish to obtain, or to bring upon themselves what they mean to avoid, that we can only fay, they are infatuated. A very small compliance, seemed likely to have secured the affection of the twelve tribes to Rehoboam. We are ready to wonder that he could not be prevailed on to speak mildly to the people, for one day, with a view of engaging them to be his fervants for ever. But when we read that the cause was from the Lord *, and that, in this way, his purpose of feparating the kingdoms of Ifrael and Judah was effected, the wonder ceafes. Very obfervable, likewife, was the coincidence of circumstances which preserved the Jews in Perfia from the destructive of their adverfary Haman. If the ad flept that night, as ufual, or if his s had read to him in any book but nicle of the empire, or in any part

Chr

e

hu

Ki

but the very paffage in Mordecai had been reeaking, Haman would

+ Efther vi. 1.

have carried his point. In this manner, by a concurrence of circumstances, each of them, if confidered fingly, apparently trivial, and all of them, contingent, with respect to any human forefight or prevention, the Lord often pours contempt upon the wife and the mighty, and defeats their deepest laid and beft concerted schemes, in the moment when they promise themselves success.

Many falutary and comfortable inferences may be drawn from the confideration of this fubject. Some of them I may perhaps have formerly mentioned, but they will well bear a repetition. We have need to be reminded of what we already know.

1. It should inspire us with confidence. If the Lord of hofts, the Lord of lords be for us, what weapon or counfel can profper against us? However dark and threatening appearances may be, we need not tremble for the ark of God. The concernments of his church are in fafe hands. The caufe fo dear to us, is ftill more dear to him. He has power to fupport it, when it is oppofed, and grace to revive it, when it is drooping. It has often been brought low, but never has been, never fhall be forfaken. When he

will work none can hinder. Nor need you fear for yourself, if you have committed yourself, and your all to him. The very hairs of your head are numbered*. There is a hedge of protection † around you, which none can break through without his permiffion; nor will he permit you to be touched, except when he defigns to make a temporary and feeming evil, conducive to your real and permanent advantage.

his

2. It should affect us with an admiring and thankful sense of his condefcenfion. Lord, what is man, that thou shouldeft be fo mindful of him? He humbles himself to behold the things that are in heaven ‡. But he stoops ftill lower. He affords his attention and favour to finful men. His eye is always upon people, his ear open to their prayers. Not a figh or falling tear escapes his notice. He pities them, as a father pities his children; he proportions their trials to their strength, or their strength to their trials, and fo adjufts his difpenfations to their state, that they never suffer, unneceffarily, nor in vain.

3. How great is the dignity and privilege of true believers. Is the man, congratulated or envied, whom the king delighteth to ho* Mat. x. 30. + Job i. 10.

VOL. II.

Pf. cxiii. 6.

nour?

nour? Believers are more frequently defpifed, than envied, in this world. But they may congratulate one another. The King of kings is their friend. They have honours and pleafures which the world knows nothing of. Their titles are high, they are the fons and the daughters of the Lord almighty *. Their poffeffions are great, for all things are theirs †. They are affured, of what is best for them in this life, and of life eternal hereafter. They are now nearly related to the King of kings, and shall ere long be acknowledged and owned by him, before affembled worlds. They who now account the proud happy, will be astonished and confounded when they shall fee the righteous, whom they once undervalued, fhine forth like the fun in the kingdom of God.

4. We may laftly infer the extreme folly and danger, of those, who perfift in their rebellion and oppofition against this King of kings, and Lord of lords. Though he exercifes much patience and long-suffering towards them for a feafon, the hour is approaching, when his wrath will burn like fire. It is written, and must be fulfilled, * 2 Cor. vi. 18. † 1 Cor. iii. 21.

the

the wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God *. Oh the folemnities of that great day,

when the frame

of nature shall be diffolved, when the Judge fhall appear, the books be opened, and all mankind shall be fummoned to his tribunal ! Will not you yet tremble and bow before him, ye careless ones, while he is feated. upon a throne of grace, and while the door of mercy ftands open? Once more I call, I warn, I charge you, to repent and believe the gofpel. If to day you will hear his voice, it is not yet too late. But who can anfwer for to-morrow? Perhaps, this night your foul may be required of you. Are you prepared for the fummons? If not, feize the present opportunity. Attend to the one thing needful. Seek his face that your foul may live. If not, remember that you are warned, your blood will be upon your own head. We have delivered our meffage, and if you finally reject it, you must anfwer for yourselves, to him whose message it is.

* Pf. ix. 17.

+ Luke xii. 20.

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PART