" is our GOD-even the GOD of whom "cometh falvation-GOD is the LORD,

by whom we escape death. I will "love thee, O LORD, my defence. The "LORD is my ftrength and my fhieldmy heart hath trusted in Him, and I am helped-therefore my heart danc"eth for joy, and in my fong will I "praise him."

XLVI.

JOSIAH.

NOW is the throne of Judah, for the laft time, the feat of purity and jufticenow does that light once more fhine, fo foon to be fucceeded by the deepest obfcurity. The crimes of Manaffeh, and of his fhort-lived fon, have already cancelled all thofe leffons of piety, which the precepts and the example of Hezekiah enforced for a time on the inhabitants of Jerufalem. All feems defperate the divine vengeance is advancing with hafty steps to inflict the threatened deftruction-when the blow is for a while arrested by the virtues of young Jofiah.

EXPE

EXPERIENCE has in general demonstrated, that the cares of government demand the utmost vigour of mental faculties in the ruler-and all thofe advantages, which maturity of age, and perfection of reafon, can beftow. "Woe unto thee, O land, whose king is a a child!" Yet in the cafe of Jofiah, we find that GOD knows how to deviate from the ordinary courfe of his difpenfations. There are inftances, in which a virtuous heart confers as much diftinction on its poffeffor, as he can derive from the hoary head, that crown of glory. There have been illustrious characters, who, having lived a fhort time, fulfilled a long time-who proved to an admiring world, that wisdom is as grey hairs unto men, and unfpotted life as old

age.

idle.

EVEN the minority of Jofiah was not No fooner was his heart capable of reflection, than he applied himself to

feek

feek after GOD-the first acts of his royal authority fhewed that he fought him not in vain. Examples are the best rules for the inexperienced-the king of Judah fets before him his royal ancestor David as the object of imitation. The word of truth is a lamp unto his feet and a light unto his paths with his whole heart he feeks the LORD GOD of his fathers. The teftimonies of JEHOVAH are his delight, and his counsellors.

THE good principles, with which the pious king had stored his mind, are early reduced to practice. His dearest care is to purify Judah and Jerufalem from the impurities with which they abounded-the high places, the groves, the images, the altars of Manaffeh and Amon, all are done, away. Nothing is left unaccomplished, which can fhew the pious king's deteftation of idolatry.

No fooner is this important reformation effected, than Jofiah turns his thoughts

thoughts to the restoration of the house of GOD. Many times had this venerable ftructure been made to fuffer, through the rage of foreign invaders, or the carelefs impiety of facrilegious princes. How did the ruinous state of the hallowed pile bear witness to the past calamities, and tranfgreffions of Judah, when, in the true spirit of his father David, Jofiah made proclamation for the repairing of the temple !

THE freewill-offerings of zealous piety are joyfully contributed—the high priest himfelf is delegated by Jofiah to direct and fuperintend the execution of a work, in which the welfare of religion is fo deeply interested.

NEVER does the GOD of Heaven withhold his bleffing from the devout endeavours of his faithful fervants. While the high priest Hilkiah was diligently reftoring the temple to its ftate of perfection, he finds the book of the law of Mofes.