the deep principles of God's government, and in the discernment of them lies tbe force of his utterances; 2. It is the power of right. The prophet takes his stand on the side of justice, purity, goodness. In the end the might must go with the right. 3. It is the power of God. The prophet is nothing in himself; he is God's servant; the authority he wields is God's. So the power of the preacher is not to be sought in reason, in eloquence, nor in official authority, but in the truth of his message, in the righteous- ness of his cause, e.nd in his fidelity to the will of God. III. 'l'HE RANGE OF THE POWER OF PROPHECY IS WORLDWIDE. Jeremiah was a Jew. Yet he we.a "set over the nations e.nd over tM kingdoms." 1. God is the King of kings and his authority concerns kingdoms as well as individuals. Political questions are amenable to the influence of Divine truth and righteousness. 2. God's truth does :not only concern the Church. It is for the world-if the world-will obey, for its blessed- ness; if it will not heed, for a judgment upon it. • IV. THE 'EFFECTS OF THE POWER 01" PBOPHEoY ABE BEV0LU'l'I0NARY. It is no wild and transient influence, but a great stirring energy. Translated int.o modern langun.gc, this means that truth, right, and the will of God are powerful factors in history, dis- arranging human schemes and bringing higher• designs into effect. 1. This power i~ destructive. Jeremiah is to "root out," etc. Evil is not a mere negation-simple dark- ness. It must be fought and cast out. Christ sent "a sword" (Matt. x. 34). 'l'he era of the Reformation was II destructive e.ge. It is the duty of the preacher to protest against evil, to denounce it, to-seek its overthrow, and not to shrink for fear of conse- quent disturbances. Warfare is better than guilty peace. 2. 'l'his power is ultimately constructive. • Jeremiah is "to build and to plant." The destructive agencies of Goel are simply intended to clear off obstructions, and make the way for a new and better order. The disintegrating power of criticism should be regarded as only preparatory to the creative influence of living truth. 'l'he gospel is chiefly a constructive power, me.king men new creatures, building up the kingdom of God in our midst, bringin~ about a new heaven and a new earth. Vers. 11, 12.-The almond rod. The early budding almond rod is symbolical of the 'wakeful attitude of God at a crisis in human events. God's manner of acting at thi, period of Jewish history may be regarded e.s typical of what we may expect again un,], r similar circumstances. I. 'THERE ARE OCCASIONS WHEN Gon's WATCHFULNESS AND ENERGY ABE ESPECIALLY MANIFEST. God never sleeps (Ps. cxxi. 4). While we sleep he keeps watch. 'l'how:" we do not mark his presence nor even think of it, he is Rtill looking upon us and nev,·r ceasing from his activity. Yet he is said to awake as though from sleep (Ps. xliv. 2:l), because to us he appears to be more wakeful at one season than at another. 1. 'l'here are times when God watches unseen, and times when he makes his watchfulness manifest to us by his acts ; then he is said to awake. 2. Goe. genemlly acts in quiet ways un- noticed and not directly interfering with us; but now and again his ceaseless activity is more pronounced, and is specially felt by opposing our course; then God seems to have a.roused himself. Such times are awful crises of existence. We should be prepared to expect them, and not presume on the present obscurity of the Divine actions. Some day it will be as though God awoke with the voice of a trumpet and the might of a host suddenly .revealed. n. GoD NEVER DELAYS HIS ACTION BEYOND ITS DUE TIME. When it is time for God to "awake," be does "awake." It seems as though he tarried; but he has a ren.son fol waiting. 1. He does not come to deliverance e.t the moment we expect him (1) because it is well we should be tried by distresses, or (2) because high purposes beyond our own lives are to be attained through the things which are occasioning us trouble, or (3) because we have not sought his a.id with true faith and submission,-or (4) for causes beyond our comprehension. 2. Ho does not come to judgment (1) bees.use he waits for •sin to ripen, or (2) because he is long-suffering and gives time for repentance, or (3) because larger issues than those which touch us are involved in the act of judgmcnt. Still, in both cases he comos at the right time. Ho is not a slothful God. Ho is wake- ful, and his actions may be typified by the almond branch. III. Goo's JUDGMENTS SOMETIMES FALL SUDDENLY AND SWIFTLY. We may lrnve but !lhort warning of their nppronch. 'l'he execution of them may be rapid. The sluri11 s THE :i:!OOK OF THE PROPHET JEHEMIAH.
which has long been brewing may burst qnickly. The harvest which hl\9 ripened slowly may be gathered in with haste. The impending judgment may not be discerned till it is too late for escape. When the rain began to fall it was too late for man to seek refuge in the ark. When the Jews saw the hosts of N ebuohadnezzar approaching there were no means for saving their country from ruin. It is foolish and wrong io neglect the salvation of God until we discern his judgment looming over us. "To-day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts."