--A plain and faithful reproof was given to Asa by a prophet of the Lord, for making a league with Syria. God is displeased when he is distrusted, and when an arm of flesh is relied on, more than his powe and goodness. It is foolish to lean on a broken reed, when we have the Rock of ages to rely upon. To convince Asa of his folly, the prophe shows that he, of all men, had no reason to distrust God, who had foun him such a powerful Helper. The many experiences we have had of the goodness of God to us, aggravate our distrust of him. But see ho deceitful our hearts are! we trust in God when we have nothing else to trust to, when need drives us to him; but when we have other things to stay on, we are apt to depend too much on them. Observe Asa' displeasure at this reproof. What is man, when God leaves him to himself! He that abused his power for persecuting God's prophet, wa left to himself, to abuse it further for crushing his own subjects. Tw years before he died, Asa was diseased in his feet. Making use of physicians was his duty; but trusting to them, and expecting that from them which was to be had from God only, were his sin and folly. In all conflicts and sufferings we need especially to look to our own hearts that they may be perfect towards God, by faith, patience, an obedience __________________________________________________________________

Original Hebrew