The untrustworthiness of the human heart, even in the most devoted of saints, and the need of constant, prayerful watchfulness are alike strongly emphasized in the three words used as a title to this paper, in connection with the Scripture history of the godly Josiah, king of Judah.

In a day of cold-heartedness and apostasy, he shines out brightly as the man who honored and trembled at the word of the Lord. (See 2 Chron. 34 and 35.) An Old Testament Timothy, he sought the ways of God from his childhood.

Crowned at eight, his tender heart opened to the only One who could direct his steps aright, and keep him from stumbling. For thirty years he turned neither to the right hand nor the left, but steadfastly held on his way; putting God's glory first, and seeking to bring the people back to that which he found written in the Book.

Hence the record of those thirty years makes most precious reading-full of cheer and encouragement to every one, who in an evil day, departs from iniquity. The transparent piety and genuine devotedness of his life are a much needed example to us, emphasizing the blessing resulting from obedience to the written Word.

But in verse 20 of chapter 35 there comes a solemn break in the happy account, fraught with serious warning to all. "After all this "-after thirty years of growth in grace and knowledge of the Divine ways-after thirty years' experience of the precious-ness of waiting upon God and getting His Word ere beginning to act-"after all this" we find this godly, devoted man running unsent, interfering in a matter that in no wise concerned him, acting apart from divine guidance, and insisting on taking his own way, in the face of Pharaoh-Necho's earnest remonstrance. As a result Josiah receives his death-wound in a battle in which he should never have been engaged, and is borne from Megiddo to Jerusalem where he died, leaving the sheep committed to his care to bitterly lament the loss of so helpful a shepherd.

Thirty years of walking with God had not improved the natural heart of Josiah one iota. Like that of every other – save the Man Christ Jesus – it was not to be trusted – and could only deceive if relied upon. Let us remember the lesson.

There will never be a moment till we see our Lord's face, that we do not need to be on our guard against the encroachments of the flesh – never an instant when we may trust our own judgment – never a time when we can safely dispense with the guidance of the Word and Spirit of God.

Let us then watch and be sober that at the last there may not be a breakdown dishonoring to God and ruinous to our testimony, when, though there may have been much that was for Himself in our lives, a sorrowful "after all this " would close our path of discipleship. H. A. I.