Vers. 6-31.-Tlie proclamation qf woe. Such is the character of this entire section and we observe upon this proclamation- ' I. THAT, LIKE ALL BU0H, IT 18 MWMPTED BY DIVINE LOVE. The most fearful judgments contained in the whole Bible are those denounced by our Lord Jesus Christ. The most awful words ever spoken are those which proceeded out of the mouth of him at whose graciousness all men wondered. It h1 evident, therefore, that they were the utterances, as is this one here, of Divine love. They are beacon-lights set np as a warning, that men may not suffer their vessels to run on those rocks against which they warn, and of whose peril they are the evidence and sign. '!'here was time for those to whom Jeremiah spoke to tum unto the Lord and find salvation, though indeed it was the eleventh hour. And that they might be driven to this, morally compelled to come in to the mercy of God, is the object of these terrible threatenings, these blasts of the alarm-trumpet of God's love. And in keeping with this intent, this proclamation- H. SETS FORTH IN A VIVID, BTBIKING FORM THE JUDGMENTS THAT IT DE:S-OUNCES. 1. Under the emblem of a lion bursting forth from its thicket upon its defenceless prey (vers. 7, 8). 2. Under that of a terrible tempest (vers. 11-13). 3. Under that of a cordon of" watchers," who guard every corner and the entire circumference of a field iu which the game they are hunting for has taken refuge. So should Judah and Jerusalem be beleaguered and hemmed in until captured and destroyed (vers. lG, 17). 'l'hey who would lead men away from sin to God must not shun to set forth in the most impres- sive way possible to them the dread evil of that which they would have them forsake. Hence the lurid pictures of the unquenchable flame and the undying worm which our Saviour presents to us, and hence these vivid representations of the prophet Jeremiah. Ill. le INTERMINGLED, AS IT HAS BEEN PRECEDED, WITH EXHORTATIONS TO THAT REPENTANCE BY wmcH THE THREATE?.""ED JUDGMENTS WOULD BE TURNED ASIDE. (Vers. 8, 14.) So in declaring the judgments of God agninst sin, we should never let it be for- gotten how God hath said," As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but rather," etc. This section is a model of the method in which the more awful portions of our message to men should be declared. Hence note how it- IV. Is A BURDEN OF THE LORD ON THOSE WHO ARE CHARGED WITH IT, (Vers. 19-31.) Jeremiah could not refrain from delivering his message, and could not but know that to many it would be delivered in vain; but it was with grief and pain of heart he foretolil what he knew mnst come. See our Saviour's tears over Jerusalem. Listen to St. Paul, "Of whom 1 tell you even weeping." \Vould that we all knew how to combine thi~ faithfulness and this yearniu11: tenderness in the delivery of this message! Then woul,l men be aroused, as too often they are not now, to "flee from the wrath to come." V. Is CERTAIN TO BE FULFILLED IF THE SIN WHICH IS THE CAUSE OF IT DE 1'0T For.- BAKEN. Few things are more solemnizing to the careless soul than to have plainly brought before him the sure fact that God has never gone from his word, o.wful though that word might have been. He did not here. A.11 thnt Jeremiah foretold came to pa.s3. 'l'he anguish of his heart was not caused, any more thnn were the Redeemer's tears, by n merely fancied calamity. We are not able to tell whnt will be nil ihe chnmctcristics and elements of the Divine retribution on sin, but of its re(J,lity none who rend the hook of God's written records, or the book of his providence as seen in historic facts, can for one moment doubt. Oh for a far deeper conviction of these soul-subduing truths on the part of all who preach and all who hear God's holy Word 1-C.
Ver. 10.-" Ah, Lord God! surely thou," etc. Inflicted i'nfatualion, or tl,e deceived of God. I. THERE ARE SUCH. How else can they be described who, in spite of the plainest declarations of God against their wickedness, persist therein, persuading themselves that they have no cause to fear? Such was the way of these to whom ,Jeremiah spoke. 'l'hey and their false prophets were continually saying," Vve shall have peace" (cf. eh. v. 12, 31). Aud there have been other instances (cf. Pharaoh, hardening his heart against God). And there are many now. The Dible speaks, providence spenks, con- i;cience speaks, Christ's ministers speak, the Holy Spirit speaks pleading with them; but they heed not, they turn a deaf ear to every voice. What can this be called but infatuation? And it can only be explained ns Jeremiah here explains it, as a Divine judgment. "Ah, Lord Goel I surely tiiou hast deceived them." '!'he evidence tha.t their course was one that must bring vunishmcnt was so glaring, so strong, so irresistible, 92