XXXII. THREE MAKE UP ONE.

YOUNG King Jehoash had only a lease of piety, and not for his own but his uncle’s life, 2 Kings xii. 2: He did that which was right in the sight of the Lord all his days, wherein Jehoiada the priest instructed him.

Jehu was good in the midst of his life and a zealous reformer to the utter abolishing of Baal out of Israel, but in his old age, 2 Kings x. 31, he returned to the politic sins of Jeroboam, worshipping the calves in Dan and Bethel.

Manasseh was bad in the beginning and middle of his life, filling Jerusalem with idolatry; only towards the end thereof, when carried into a strange land, [2 Chron. xxxiii. 15.] he came home to himself, and destroyed the profane altars he had erected.

These three put together make one perfect servant of God. Take the morning and rise with Jehoash, the noon and shine with Jehu, 272the night and set with Manasseh. Begin with youth-Jehoash, continue with man-Jehu, conclude with old-man-Manasseh, and all put together will spell one good Christian, yea, one good perfect performer.