of their fellow creatures? that they can rashly pronounce a harsh judgment upon their fellow sinners? No! they are more likely to cherish mild, generous, and liberal feelings and opinions respecting all others. They will also exhibit patience under trials. Having had such a vision of their hell-deserving selves, they will be content to bear all the sufferings that may befall them in this life with calm endurance, knowing that God exacteth of them less than their iniquity deserveth. The two thieves on the cross afford us an illustration of this. Both of them bore the same character and suffered the same penalty; but one persisted in impenitence-the other confessed his guilt and avowed his repentance; and so the one railed, blasphemed, and cursed-and the other was patient and resigned. "And we indeed justly," said he to his fellow malefactor, "for we receive the due reward of our deeds"; and so by the force of this conviction he patiently endured the cross by the side of his crucified Saviour-the guiltless Christ; while the other remained furious and insolent, and probably expired with curses on his quivering lips. Even the horrors of crucifixion could not produce impatience in a repentant soul. From a spirit so humble, submissive, and forbearing, what a flow of gratitude will be educed by the mercies of Heaven thus lavishly bestowed! R. HUGHES. SUBJECT:-Rehoboham. "And he did evil, because he prepared not his heart to seek the Lord."-2 Chron. xii. 14. Analysis of Homily the Four Hundred and Twenty-eighth. REHOBOAM is not an uncommon character. He represents a large class. There were moments when he was impelled in a right direction; but his resolution failed, his good intentions faded away, and his evil passions regained the ascendency. At the commencement of his reign he regarded "the law of Jehovah," when prosperous and powerful he forsook it. "And it came to pass when Rehoboam," &c. (v. 1) Chastised for his sin he appeared to become humble and penitent :—“ Then came Shimaiah, the prophet," &c. (v. 5, 6.) Yet after all, his life was a failure—a moral abortion. His epitaph written with the finger of God is, "and he did evil, because he prepared not his heart to seek the Lord." "He did not direct his heart firmly to seek Jehovah." (Hebrew.) one who Thus do "In all the magnanimity of thought He was Resolves; and re-resolves; then dies the same." I. IMPLIED OBLIGATION It is implied that it was a duty for Rehoboam to seek the Lord. This is a common obligation. It needs no proof beyond an appeal to man's consciousness. This is suggestive : First: Of the loss sustained. It is the loss of an object which renders the seeking of it necessary. But how is God lost to man? He has lost the true knowledge of His character; the conscious enjoyment of His favor; the blessedness of communion with Him. He has no true fellowship-no abiding moral sympathy with God. He is "without God in the world." How complete is man's loss of God! How deplorable its consequences! Secondly Of its retrievableness. This great loss may be retrieved. For this purpose-(1) God has revealed himself to man in his own nature. "God was manifest in the flesh." "He that hath seen me hath seen the Father." (2) The redemptive work of Christ is made known. "To wit that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself," &c. (3) The Holy Spirit performs his beneficent functions. "Howbeit when he the Spirit of truth is come, he will guide you into all truth," &c. "God who commanded the light to shine out of darkness hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." Thirdly: Of the importance of its recovery. Whatever else man may attain, that which is essential to a true and happy life-to his present and eternal well-being-will be wanting if God is not sought and found. "In his favour is life." Man without God is in this world a wreck-a prey for the wild winds and surging billows of trial and temptation—in the everlasting future his being will be a curse-a dark and dreary and ceaseless desolation. "Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near. Let the wicked man," &c. In the text we have : II. MENTAL CONVICTION. In Rehoboam we see mental conviction arising from knowledge of duty, promptings of conscience, consciousness of guilt. This is a mental state of As the effect of the truth. Whenever the conscience frequent occurrence. It may be observed:- First "Thus of man is appealed to by the voice of truth it responds truly. Divine truth commends itself to every man's conscience. Thus when the prophet came to Rehoboam and said, saith the Lord, ye have forsaken me," &c., he felt the force of the accusation, his conscience was aroused, its thunders shook his guilty soul. "The word of God is quick and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword;" it is "a discoverer of the thoughts and intents of the heart." "As he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled." There are many Felixes. Secondly: As intensified by circumstances. While the truth is the instrument by which man's moral nature is stirred, circumstances often give force to its operation. In seasons of trial, in hours of suffering, in periods of calamity, conscience is more wakeful; it has then a quicker ear, a keener sensibility: the truth tells then with tenfold power. Rehoboam saw the clouds gathering;-the hosts of Shishak were encamping before the city, and thus gave pungency to the denunciation of the prophet. Many dismiss truth and conscience with " 'go thy way for this time," when there is a clear sky above them, who tremble and are "in great fear" when the dark tempest lowers. Thirdly As critical in its results. How much depends on moments of conviction! They are frequently critical. Little as many regard them they are often the turning point of destiny. It does not seem that Rehoboam ever paused in his downward career from this time forward. Convictions are shaken off, the heart is hardened, conscience is seared, and the trifler perishes. Oh had he been wise! Had he paused and repented! But he hesitated only for a moment, went on and was destroyed! "Because I have called," &c. In the text we have: III. MORAL INFIRMITY. Rehoboam. There was a want of decision in His convictions led him to do many things, but there was one thing he did not do; he did not prepare his heart to seek the Lord. This was his ruin as it is that of many. Whence is this? First To sensual habits. It may be traced : Nothing is more adverse to re- ligious decision than sensuality. moral weakness in Rehoboam. He was a sensualist. (Chron. xi. 18;-23. 1 Kings xiv. 21 — 24.) He indulged in "fleshly lusts which war against the soul." These are the worst foes of man's spiritual well-being. Stumbling-blocks, over which many, in spite of their convictions stagger into hell. Secondly. To evil companionship. The associates a man chooses have a powerful influence on his character. They may promote or hinder salvation. It is recorded of Rehoboam "He forsook the counsel the old men gave him, and took counsel with the young men that were brought up with him." (ch. x. 8.) He preferred for his companions the young, the gay, the frivolous;-"lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God." What wonder that "he prepared not his heart to seek the Lord!" "Know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity to God? Whosoever, therefore," &c. : Thirdly To Satanic temptation. In the vacillation of this man we mark the influence of the Evil One. The Tempter had to do with his decision. He is ever on the alert to extinguish the spark which has been kindled in the soul, to drown the voice of conscience, to administer opiates to those who show signs of awakening. He is ever active to prevent man from preparing his heart to "seek the Lord ;”—to keep him halting between two opinions, till the die is cast, and it is too late to repent. 'Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as 66 a roaring lion, goeth about, seeking whom he may devour." In the text we have :— IV. ACCUMULATED GUILT. "He did evil because," &c. Observe, he This sin was parent of a host—a legion of sins. sinned in this neglect of known duty, and in what resulted from it. So do all who pursue a like course. They sin :— First In resisting their convictions. In this very act there is deeply aggravated guilt. It is trampling on known duty, extinguishing divine light in the soul, resisting and quenching the Spirit. "This is the condemnation that light is come into the world," &c. "If ye were blind ye should have no sin; but now ye say, we see; therefore your sin remaineth." "Ye stiff necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost." : Secondly In self-depravation. Trifling with convictions depraves the heart. It is a preparation for further, bolder transgressions ;-it is a hardening process. Rehoboam's instability was not only evil, but the cause of evil-not only sin, but the cause of many sins. "Those are easily drawn by Satan to any evil who are wavering and inconstant in that which is good, and are never persuaded to make religion their business." (Matthew Henry.) "Beware lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin." "To-day, if ye will hear his voice harden not your hearts.” Thirdly: The depravation of others. Rehoboam "did evil," in that through his guilty conduct the people were corrupted. "And Judah did evil in the sight of the Lord," &c. (1 Kings, |