leading others into the same snare, that a speedy and earnest repentance is the sole remaining remedy-the means ordained by God himself, for arresting the arrows of vengeance. If its sincerity be evinced by its fruits, let every returning penitent assure himself that he is not far from the kingdom of heaven. But let him beware, lest he mistake the mere sentiment for the deed-the transient feeling for the abiding operation.

86

SERMON VI.

MANASSEH'S DEATH AND BURIAL.

2 Chron. xxxiii. 20.

So Manasseh slept with his fathers, and they

buried him in his own house and Amon his son reigned in his stead.

How brief is the history of man! He is born, he lives a few years, he dies, and is buried. The son succeeds the father, and steps into his station and possessions. A few years elapse, and another change has taken place. The buoyant youth has subsided

middle years, and the name

into the man of of child has been "One generation

supplanted by that of parent. passeth away, and another generation cometh." This is the appointed condition of human life. But, how momentous a work may be achieved in

that short interval which is comprised within the cradle and the grave! It is a field of action, small indeed, but pregnant with the mightiest results. The ruin or the salvation of the soul is effected within that little space. Every minute that flits by us is carrying to the other world some news of victory or defeat. All heaven and hell are in commotion at the events that are thus transacting. The angels of God, and the legions of Satan, are keeping perpetual watch for the reception of their respective prizes. Death is despatching them, one after the other, with a rapidity that knows no cessation. He numbers his daily victims by thousands and tens of thousands. Myriads upon myriads are already congregated in the shadowy realms, where hope is soothing, or despair corroding-where the righteous are for ever relieved from their doubts and misgivings; and to the wicked "there remaineth no more sacrifice for sin." Upon every one of us this awful change will soon pass: we shall sleep in the grave for a season, until the loud trump of the archangel summons us to judgment; and vaults shall open, and sepulchres be riven, and the whole surface of the earth become in

stinct with life. Oh, the wonder and magnificence of this great restoration-day! The thief enters not our houses more stealthily, the lightning flashes not more instantaneously, than this breaking up of the entire frame-work of nature will burst forth upon the consciousness of a whole resuscitated world.

The text calls our attention to three particulars in the closing events of the history which I have been laying before you:-The death of Manasseh-his burial-the succession of his son to the throne.

The death of a penitent is a subject of great triumph. Our blessed Lord declares that "there is more joy in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, than over ninety and nine just persons that need no repentance." What a stupendous recovery it is!-first from the despotism of sin, to the power of holiness; next, from a life of sorrow and uncertainty, to the opening glories of immortality. The death-bed of Manasseh must have exhibited a scene of more than usual interest and solemnity. It was truly said by the pagan philosopher, that no man can be pronounced happy before the day of his decease, and the full close of his earthly career. To all of us life

is a state of great uncertainty, and continual danger of apostasy from the truth. The lion roaring after his prey is but a faint emblem of the rapacity of our spiritual enemy, who watches every unguarded moment for an opportunity to spring upon his victim. Oh, what relapses from piety are continually occurring, to prove the amazing power of Satan, who sometimes works by the direct agency of his own seduction; sometimes by the instrumentality of bad example; sometimes by the specious writings of sophisters and infidels, whereby the conscience is hoodwinked, and the soul taken prisoner. If, amid the gloom of hell some fitful gleams of joy are ever to be found, assuredly it is when the righteous has been turned aside to the path of error, or the penitent has revolted from his new covenant of allegiance. While the harps of angels are announcing the return of a sinner, the yells of fallen spirits may be proclaiming the defection and ruin of some child of God. Over the wreck of king Solomon's piety the savage glee of the demon was probably as great, as were the pure joys of heaven that hailed the restoration of Manasseh.

The sacred history does not furnish us with