in the faith of the Gospel, and are full of prosperity, and who find riches begin to increase, oh tremble at the danger of pride and security. You are, as it were, riding on billows, or fixed on the top of a mast. Can man withstand prosperity? All that can be said is, the things that are impossible with men, are possible with God. But the heart of man is wonderfully seduced by it. Let a man in adversity feel a little of his sinfulness, and grow somewhat cautious, and considerate, and serious toward God; yet let some honour, riches, and prosperity be conferred on him, and it is a thousand to one but he forgets all, grows haughty, insolent, and proud, and hardens his heart against God. This is so universally the tendency of human nature, that, by the bye, it is a high proof that we are born in sin, as the Scripture describes; because, if our moral constitution was right, we should behave better toward God in our prosperity, since he is so kind to us, and gives us such strong calls for gratitude and thankfulness. What can be said to shew the danger of prosperity more plainly, than Solomon's case? who so prosperous, who fell so foully, as he? His father David was a man of affliction in the early and in the latter part of his days; his piety appears the brightest in these: in his middle days, which were days of prosperity, he also foully fell. Let not God's people be puffed up by prosperity; it is rather a mark of God's neg

lect of us, than of his loving-kindness, if we be not chastised. And learn resignation, ye afflicted saints; nay, bless God from the ground of your hearts for your sufferings, whatever they be. Be assured, they are among your choicest mercies, and keep you from falling, with Solomon. Be patient with your cross; and be thankful too, till you safely

arrive at home.

(4.) I just mention, lastly, what a strong principle indwelling sin is! Many years of holy walking with God have not destroyed it out of Solomon. The serpent is within us, and will sting bitterly, if opportunity be given, after years of watchfulness. How can we be so careless? Awake, brethren, and fight against indwelling sin; and keep your hearts with all diligence all your days.

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SERMON XXVII.

ASA'S UNBELIEF REBUKED.

2 CHRON. xvi. 8, 9.

Were not the Ethiopians and the Lubims a huge host, with very many chariots and horsemen? yet, because thou didst rely on the Lord, he delivered them into thine hand. For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly; therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.

NEXT to the study of the word of God itself, I apprehend there is no literary employment of the human mind so free from the danger of abuse, and every way so serviceable, as history. It is the volume of Divine Providence, in which the attributes and dispensations of God are exhibited, and precedents are afforded of every thing that is good, as well as beacons set up to warn us against every evil. But if history in general be so instructive, much more instructive is the history of the Bible, recorded by Infallible Wisdom; which points out to us the dealings of God himself, and acquaints us with the part which He takes in all the trans

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actions of human life. Particularly useful in this view is the Second Book of Chronicles, whence I have selected the passage of the text that relates to Asa king of Judah. The two former chapters acquaint us with the prosperity of this great prince while he relied on the Lord, as in all the transactions of his reign in general, so in particular with respect to his victory over the Ethiopians. We have his prayer before the engagement, in the fourteenth chapter, which deserves our particular attention, as it well illustrates the text: Lord, it is nothing with thee to help, whether with many or with them that have no power: help us, O Lord our God; for we rest on thee, and in thy name we go against this multitude: O Lord, thou art our God; let not man prevail against thee." The success answered according to this prayer of faith; for then only, when God shall cease to be God, will the prayer of faith be disappointed: "The Lord smote the Ethiopians before Asa,.....and the Ethiopians fled." Notwithstanding this glorious experience of the benefit of reliance on the Lord, we find this good prince, in the latter part of his life, shamefully failing in that grace in which he had excelled. For, Lord! what is man, even the best of men? "in thy sight shall no man living be justified." There are several instances of this shameful failure in the sixteenth chapter; but let us confine our attention to that of the text.

Baasha, the idolatrous king of Israel, commenced formidable hostilities against him. What ought he to have done? what would his former experience have dictated to him to do? To have prayed to the Lord, committed his cause to him, have taken no steps in the use of means but according to the law and direction of the Lord, and have fought against his enemies only in his strength. Did not this succeed, O Asa, against the Ethiopians? Is thy God diminished in power, wisdom, and goodness, since that time? Has his faithfulness, to save those that trust in him, come to an end? Is he not "the same yesterday, and to-day, and for ever?" Then why dost thou put such a slight upon thy God, as to apply to Benhadad, the idolatrous king of Syria-which thou mightest have known to be contrary to the will of God-and depend on him, rather than God, to save thee from thine enemies? The success may seem to answer thy expectations for a little time (the ways of sin do thus deceive men with promising appearances at first), but the end will be gall and bitterness. Thy God is displeased, and thus rebukes thee, by the prophet Hanani; "Because thou hast relied on the king of Syria, and not relied on the Lord thy God, therefore is the host of the king of Syria escaped out of thine hand. Were not the Ethiopians and the Lubims a huge host, with very many chariots and horsemen? yet, because thou didst rely