, ers. 1-7.-Ocular demonstrations of God's nearness increase human responsibility. :Men disposed to scepticism often ask for clearer proof of the existence of God. But they deceive themselves. If they used well such evidence as they have, they would find it ample. Vve should not overlook the fact that the Hebrews, under Moses, and that the Jews in the days of Christ, had clearest demonstrations of God's presence. Yet they believed not; they were conspicuous examples of unbelief. I. EXTERNAL EVIDENCES OF RELIGION HAVE BEEN SUPPLIED TO SOME PERSONS ADlTh"DAl\'TLY. 1. The Hebrews had every possible demonstration of God's existence. 'l'he :Most High deigned to reveal himself to the eye and to the ear, in forms adapted to produce complete conviction, and to overthrow all doubt. The people were more than content. They asked that such overpowering displays of the Gori- head might be withdrawn. 2. They were convinced of the regal power of Jehovah, To resist him they plainly saw was an impossibility. Pharaoh was the personation of worldly power; yet Pharaoh and his captains and astrologers and host had been completely swept away by the breath of Jehovah's power. The irresistible might of ,ieh01·ah was as evident as their own existence. 3. They saw that tl1e Omni- 7,ote,,t God was the Friend of men. That all the resources of Jehovah were employed on behalf of his friends, not one in the Hebrew camp could question. God had used e,·ery plan to persuade Pharaoh to yield compliance, and it was only after long ,rniting and repeated warning that vengeance was decreed . .,4. They had plainest proof of the judicial faitl,Julrtess of God. For they had themselves suffered his chastisements. Resistance of Divine authority had been followed by judgment among the Hebrews, as among the Egyptians. Favouritism, exceptional treatment, escape from magisterial detection,-these things were out of question. The inviolable rectitude of God's administration was clear as noon-day. • Il. EXTl!:RNAL EVIDENCES SERVE AS A MEASURE OF RESPONSIBILITY, 1. They sat~".fy all t/;e requirements of intellect. Responsibility depends on two things, viz. (1) sufficient information ; (2) ability to obey. If between opposing probabilities there is the smallest preponderance in favour of belief in God, such balance of pro- bability must determine our conduct. Hereafter, hesitation is criminal. Every piect of additional evidence is additional responsibility. It relieves us from the weakness of recurring doubt. God makes due allowance for deficient knowledge. " The timee of human ignorance God winked at," i.e. overlooked. 2. External dernonstration doelJ not ,-nsure spiritual impr6$sion, The diligent inquirer will find a tLou8and evidences of duty where an indolent man will see none. So where within a n,an feeling is susceptible, a tithe of existing knowledge will suffice to produce glad obc,dieuce. It is incumbent on men to weigh well all the evidence of religion they en. xr. 1-82.] TIIE BOOK OF DEUTERONOMY. 207
posse~s, and to respond, in fcelin~ and affection and actjve effort, to every claim which conscience recognizes, 8. It is a duty to ascertain our personal responsibility. Wo may find benefit in comparing our privileged position with the position of c,thers. If, with tho measure of knowl_e~ge we possess, we are still reb~llious, what is likely to bo the conduct of those less pnv1leged? If we, to whom special revelation has been mado, waste the possession, will not our own children pronounce our condemnation, because we havo denied to them the help of our testimony? III. EXTERNAL EVIDENCES MAY ONLY INJURE OUR SOULS. 1. Misuse of superior lc1towlcd_gc is a crime. If God has condescended to give us instruction respecting him- self and his purposes of mercy, it is sheer ingratitude on our part to neglect it. Blin,lness has deprived us of the highest good. 2. Resistance of conscience does permanent infury to the soul. 'l'he abuse of any material instrument is an injury. The conscience is an instrument of the soul's life. To neglect its magisterial voice is to make ourselves deaf. 'l'o resist its instincts is to strangle them. Not to act according to our enlight- ened reason, is to injure reason as an instrument. If we recklessly nip the first buds of affection, we necessarily destroy its proper fruit. In thoughtless resistance of truth, men are preparing the elements of a direful doom. While obedience to God makes a man strong, rebellion effeminates all the nobler powers of the soul. It enervates, corrupts, destroys. 3. Unfaithfulness to convictions will necessitate severest retribution. It is an ascertained fact that punishment will be in proportion to desert. The servant icrnorant of his Lord's special requirements is counted worthy of some stripes; but he ,~ho knew his Lord's will, and flagrantly neglected it, is awarded" many stripes." 'l'he mere possibility of Israel's unfaithfulness kindled the earnest anxiety of Moses.-D.
Vers. 8, 9.-0bedience leads to prolonged possession. We may learn here- I. THAT COMMANDS MAY CARRY A SUPREME OBLIGATION, THOUGH SPOKEN BY MAN. If. THAT OBEDIENCE IS VAIN, UNLESS IT COVERS THE WHOLE AREA OF DUTY. Ill. 'l'HAT COMPLETE OBEDIENCE IMPARTS STRENGTH TO THE WHOLE MAN. IV. 'fHAT SUCH STRENGTH PRESSES INTO THE POSSESSION OF NEW KINGDOMS, V, THAT THE OATH OF GoD, AND THE DEVOUT ACTIVITY OF MAN, CO-OPERATE FOR THE HIGHEST ACQUISITIONS.-D.