driven to the most dreadful extent of famine, but if they agreed to surrender, and give up a present to the king of Assyria, he would take them into a fruitful and pleasant land, "a land like your own, a land of corn and wine, a land of bread and vineyards, a land of oil olive, and honey, that ye may live and not die." He reminded the people of the fall of Samaria, and many other cities, and that the God who they trusted had not been able to deliver these out of the king of Assyria's hand.

in

Now all these would sound powerful reasons with the common people shut up a city, many of them dreading the enemy without, and the sufferings from a siege within.

But Hezekiah's influence was good over the people, and therefore strong. "The people held their peace and answered him not a word; for the king's commandment was, saying, answer him not a word.”

And now, what did he do in this time of trouble? He did two things, he prayed himself, and he sent to ask the

righteous man.

prayers

of a

He went to the house of the Lord. That was "the house of prayer." He sent to

A

Isaiah the prophet, and asked him "to lift up his prayer for the remnant that was left." (2 Kings xix.) Immediate was the answer. "I will send a blast upon him, he shall hear a rumour, and shall return into his own land; and I will cause him to fall by the sword in his own land. So Rabshakeh returned, and found the king of Assyria warring against Libnah." Yet, the trouble was not all over. letter was sent to Hezekiah, in which he was again threatened with invasion. He received it, read it, and went up into the house of the Lord, and spread it before the Lord, and Hezekiah prayed before the Lord." (See his prayer, 2 Kings xix. 15-19.) A speedy and full answer came from the Lord. Not an arrow should the king of Assyria shoot against the city. "For I will defend this city to save it for mine own sake, and for my servant David's sake. And it came to pass at night that the angel of the Lord went out and smote in the camp of the Assyrians, an hundred and four-score and five thousand." Sennacherib departed, and soon after was slain with the sword. (See xix. chap.)

Thus ended Hezekiah's great trial. It

ended well and speedily, because he trusted in the Lord, praying himself, and engaging the prayers of Isaiah.

Let us learn the lesson of trust also from this. Can our trials be greater! Can the difficulties we may be placed in be more trying than this of Hezekiah's! According to sense and sight there was every thing against him, and no evident way of deliver

ance.

Our trial may be very different, but it is not greater. Where, then, is our faith? Have we learned like him to do these two things at such times? Do we carry our troubles and spread them before the Lord? Do we ask the righteous to pray for us?

Oh! whatever your trouble be, try this plan. Spread your case before the Lord. As a client lays his case before the counsel who is to plead for him, so do you go to the best and greatest Advocate; the only Intercessor between man and God, tell Him your case, although He knows it. He will plead for you. His merits are all-prevailing. And if the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man like Isaiah prevail, how much more the prayer of Him the appointed Mediator, the perfectly righteous One, in whom the

Father is well pleased, and who promises, "Whatsoever ye shall ask the father in my name, he will give it you." (John xvi. 23.)

PRAYER.

O GOD! who didst hear the prayers of Hezekiah when he was in trouble, and didst say to Thy servant who prayed, "that which thou hast prayed, I have heard!" Wilt Thou not even now hear the prayer of a worthless sinner, who prays to Thee in the name of Jesus.

Lord! may I know Thee more as a very present help in trouble, and One whose ear is ever open to the cries of Thy people.

May I have more faith to seek Thee in all my trials. I would spread every matter before Thee. I would spread all my sins, to be washed away in the blood of the Lamb. I would spread all my weakness, and ask for strength from Thee. I would spread all my cares, for Thou carest for me. O keep me, guide me, and bless me for the Redeem

HEZEKIAH'S SICKNESS AND

PRAYER.

"Thus the Lord saved Hezekiah, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, from the hand of Sennacherib the king of Assyria, and from the hand of all other, and guided them on every side.

"And many brought gifts unto the Lord to Jerusalem, and presents to Hezekiah king of Judah; so that he was magnified in the sight of all nations from thenceforth.

"In those days Hezekiah was sick to the death, and prayed unto the Lord: and he spake unto him, and he gave him a sign.

"But Hezekiah rendered not again according to the benefit done unto him; for his heart was lifted up therefore there was wrath upon him, and upon Judah and Jerusalem.

"Notwithstanding Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart, (both he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem,) so that the wrath of the Lord came not upon them in the days of Hezekiah." 2 CHRON. XXXII. 22-26.

IN the foregoing number we have seen Hezekiah, king of Judah, shining forth as a righteous king and one who feared God. We have seen his public character,—how he governed in the fear of God, and restored the service of God's temple. We have seen

W