maturity, and should (2) speak (or write) words e.dapted to the ce.pacity of those whom we addre~s. Many who seek to serve throw away their opportunity, because they do not the _fitting as well as the excellent thing; only too often " the best is the enemy of the good." 2. Prudent. (Ver. 2.) The prophet placed his prophecy beyond reach of c11,·il by BeCuring two unexceptionabfe witnesses, one of them being the more convincing because his sympathies were on the other side; his testimony, therefore, none could challenge. Though conscious of the most complete integrity, it is often wise and well to be fortified by the evidence of others. Prudence as well as zeal has its place in the catalogue of Christian graces. 3. Faithful. It was no smooth message which the prophet was to deliver (ver. 4). The very name of the child was to be a standing threat of impending evil (ver. 3). Not only he who now speaks for God, but every Christian man, is bound to render this faithful service: his words and his life are to testify against th~ vice, the levity, the worldliness, the ungodliness, of his age; they are also to bear witness to the excellency and beauty of unselfish and loyal service.-C. Vers. 5----8.-'J.'hef<ilse standard and the fatal issue. The cardinal error into which Israel fell was that of judging by appearances instead of by the reality. The "softly flowing waters" of the Davidic kingdom seemed far less reliable than the "strong and many waters" of Syria and of Assyria, and therefore Ephraim trusted in the one and Judah in the other of these great "powers." But they were utterly misplacing their confidence. Those waters that " went softly " and seemed so strengthless, were the river of God, and held healing virtues in their waves; those strong, tumultuous rivers which seemed so mighty contained no remedy for the stricken and declining nation. Often has it been proved that it is not the apparently insufficient which is to be despised, and as often that it is not the apparently irresistible which is to be trusted. I. THE FALSE STANDARD. The world has always been witnessing illustrations of this error. The history of the Hebrew nation supplied many such: Noah and the mocking world that laughed at him; Abraham and the Canaanites; Moses and Pharaoh ; David and Goliath ; J osepb and his persecuting brethren; Elijah and Ahab, etc. The apparently weak man (or nation) bad the strength of the Divine arm to sustain him (it); the apparently strong one was essentially weak and unreliable. We may see the same thing in : 1. G'hruitianity itself, which in its first beginnings was a. "softly going" stream as compared with the strong tumultuous waters of Jewish fanaticism and Roman militarism. 2. Divine truth, which sometimes goes so softly that it may almost be said of it that "there is no speech nor language, its voice is not heard;" that it" does not strive nor cry," etc., as compared with the complicated organizations of men. 3. Holy love, which flows on unseen, unheard," like subter- ranean rivers," as compared with noisy vehemence and untempered zeal. 4. The promises of God, which flow so quietly and graciously through the sacred Scriptures from the beginning even to the end, as compared with the pretentious securities of worldly wisdom. If we wish to know whether we may commit the keeping of our soul, or even of our earthly interests, to those men who (or those things which) ofl'er them- selves to our choice, we must not be satisfied. with the shows and semblances; we must look to the heart of things; we must ask whether there is soundness, rectitbde, within: we must ask, above all other questions---Have they the approval of God with them, and the power of God behind them? For without that the strong river is to be shunned, and with that the softly going stream is to be sought. II. THE FATAL ISBUE. 1. Roman imperialism passed away, dragging down many thousands with it in its fall. 2. Splendid but corrupt organizations have overflowed the land, even as the " waters of the strong river" were to cover Immanuel's land, and beneath their deathful influence multitudes have perished. 3. Rampant zealotry has slain its thousands, not only of those whom it ruthlessly assailed, but of those who wielded its weapon, and were partakers of its evil spirit. 4. Earthly properties and possessions have buried innumerable souls beneath their destructive weight. It is a fatal thing to trust that which is not worthy of our confidence: for that on which we lean falls on us and slays us; the river to whose waters we resort, instead of fertilizing and saving, floods and drowns us. 'fhe peril here is one which threaten, the Ohurch as well as the world. The overflowing river " fills the breadth of 1h11 land, 0 Immar,uil."-C. OB, VDI, 1-22.] THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET ISAIAH. 157
Vere, 9, 10,-The impotence of v,ngodlines,. We learn- I. 'l'HAT BIN BOMETIMEB APPEARS IN IMPOSING ASPEOTS. There were four aapectR, not to say elements, of power in these world-kingdoms-confederation, preparatwn (gird yourselves), consultation (take counsel together), authority (speak the word). l::lin, which is the great enemy condncting a long campaign a.ga.inst the Church of Christ, certainly seems as superior in strength to its present foe a.s did these great kingdoms of the East to Judah and to Israel; indeed, fa.r more so. Sin has on its side: 1. Vastly preponderating numbers. 2. Rank and authority. 3. The greater material resources, inclnding military power and money. 4. Ancient tradition and inveterate ha.bit. 5. An apparently impre~nable seat; it is defended by the strong fortresses of worldly interests, animal appetite, spiritual pride, moral indifference. II. THAT THE PROPHETIO EYE BEES 1TB UTTER OVERTHROW. "Ye aha.II be broken in pieces;"" it shall come to nought;"" it aha.II not st:\nd." Under the shadow of the first promise we see the head of the serpent bruised (Gen. iii. 15). At the feet of the prophet we see the" little stone"" break in pieces a.nd consume all these (earthly) kingdoms," itself" standing for ever" (Da.n. ii. 44). Standing a.tour Master's side, we "behold Satan as liglitning fall from heaven" (Luke x. 18). With apostolic hope, we look on the time when Christ "will have put down all rule, and all authority, and power," all his enemies being "under his feet" (1 Cor. xv. 24, 25). The world-power shall be utterly broken, arnl on its ruins shall rise "the kingdom which cannot be moved." III. THAT OUB CONFIDENCE 18 IN THE PRESENCE OF THE INVINCIBLE SAVIOUR. " For God is with us." We may rejoice to reckon our trophies already gained ; we may point, with congratulation, to the growing intelligence and enthusiasm of the army of the Lord; we may ha.ii signs of decay in ancient, enfeebled systems; but this is our confidence: we have with us, working in us a.nd for us, the Holy Spirit of the Divine Redeemer: "b'or Immanuel.~-C.