June 22

is indeed the price of blood, of blood divine! Yet he is charmed to see us partake of the costly privilege!

As from the gushings of the rock there was more than a sufficiency for all the multitude; so in Jesus there is enough for all, and to spare; for it hath pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell.

As all were welcome to drink of the abundance, so none are forbidden here. "The Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely."

We have met with a painting of this scene. Some were represented as pressing close to the fissures to catch the enlivening draught. Others as falling down upon their knees to drink of the bubbling flow. Fathers and mothers were eager to impart to their parched children who stretched out their eager hands and necks. Others were hastening to bear relief to the lame, the sick, the dying—It is this eagerness for relief and gratification which explains the allusion of Moses: "He made him ride on the high places of the earth, that he might eat the increase of the fields; and he made him to suck honey out of the rock, and oil out of the flinty rock." It was no oil or honey; but it was as good—it tasted as rich as oil—as sweet as honey. And did we but thirst as they did, such would be our longings after the Saviour, so precious would be a participation of his benefits, so eager should we be, not only to obtain supplies for ourselves, but to communicate them to others also.

How well do those who refuse these rich and blessed streams deserve the place where in vain they will call for a drop of water to cool their tongue. This is the condemnation—"Ye would not come unto me, that ye might have life."

JUNE 22.—"Now it came to pass in the fourteenth year of king Hezekiah, that Sennacherib king of Assyria came up against all the defended cities of Judah, and took them. And the king of Assyria sent Rabshakeh from Lachish to Jerusalem unto king Hezekiah with a great army. And he stood by the conduit of the upper pool in the highway of the fuller's field."—Isaiah 36:1, 2.

HERE was a great danger. The enemy was powerful. He had subdued many other countries. He was now invading Judah; and carrying every thing before him. He had already taken every stronghold in his way, and was now come to the very gate of Jerusalem. The Lord frequently does not appear for his servants till all hope that they should be saved is taken away. Hence it has grown into a proverb, that our extremity is God's opportunity—"In the mount it shall be seen."

He does not hinder our sun from going down; but he prevents the darkness we foreboded, and at evening time it is light! Thus it was with Hezekiah.

Observe under this alarming trial what he felt. "It came to pass, when king Hezekiah heard it, that he rent his clothes, and covered himself with sackcloth." So Job, that example of patience, when he had heard the successive messengers of wo, "arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped." A natural hardihood, a stoical insensibility, is not

patience or submission; yea, it renders the exercise of them impossible. There is no patience in bearing what we do not feel, or resignation in giving up what we do not value. The grace of God keeps us from despising the chastening of the Lord, as well as from fainting when we are rebuked of him: and afflictions only yield profit to them that are exercised thereby.

Observe also what he did. He betook himself to prayer. It was his duty, it was his privilege. It distinguished him from men of the world, who have recourse to suicide, or dissipation, or creature-assistance—God was his refuge and strength, a present help in trouble. “He went into the house of the Lord.” No doubt he retired and poured out his soul before the Lord in his closet; but God is known in his palaces for a refuge. Hence he also sent a deputation to engage the supplications of Isaiah the prophet: “And they said unto him, Thus saith Hezekiah, This day is a day of trouble, and of rebuke, and of blasphemy: for the children are come to the birth, and there is not strength to bring forth. It may be the Lord thy God will hear the words of Rabshakeh, whom the king of Assyria his master hath sent to reproach the living God, and will reprove the words which the Lord thy God hath heard: wherefore lift up thy prayer for the remnant that is left.” This shows the sense he had of his own imperfections, and his confidence that the fervent prayers of a righteous man availeth much. Nor was he disappointed.

Observe what he gained—a complete deliverance. Who ever sought the Lord in vain? How readily does he answer the cries of his people! What wonders has prayer achieved! Prayer is our best weapon—Hezekiah conquered upon his knees.

The deliverance was not only in answer to prayer, but it was foretold. “Isaiah said unto them, Thus shall ye say unto your master, Thus saith the Lord, Be not afraid of the words that thou hast heard, wherewith the servants of the king of Assyria have blasphemed me. Behold, I will send a blast upon him, and he shall hear a rumour, and return to his own land; and I will cause him to fall by the sword in his own land. Therefore thus saith the Lord concerning the king of Assyria, He shall not come into this city, nor shoot an arrow there, nor come before it with shields, nor cast a bank against it.” By announcing a thing so improbable, the Lord not only showed his foreknowledge, but afforded Hezekiah an immediate ground of confidence. He could have done all without promising it; but the word would prove the trial of his faith. If he believed it, his fears would be forthwith removed, and his mind be kept in perfect peace, being stayed upon God.

The deliverance was also founded in a remarkable reason. The reason is two-fold. First, says he, “I will defend this city for mine own sake.” The foe has been blaspheming me, as if I were one of the gods of the heathen, whose worshippers he has conquered, weak as they, and unable to save those who trust in me. But I will display my perfections, and vindicate the glory of my name. Accordingly Hezekiah had pleaded this: “Incline thine ear, O Lord, and hear; open thine eyes, O Lord, and see: and hear all the words of Sennacherib, which hath sent to reproach the living God. Of a truth, Lord, the kings of Assyria have laid waste all the nations, and their countries, and have cast their gods into the fire: for they

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