The Pulpit Commentary — Jeremiah — Volume 1 — Section 133

whatsoever. It is the fruit, the certain fruit, of a man's seekin"0 the truth and then when he has found it and conscience tells him that he has found it, of his straightway practically putting it into action, embodying it in word and deed. It is the proclnct of the three highest faculties God has given to man-intellect, conscience, will. It there• fore must embrace all that belongs and is becoming to the vii', the man, and must exclude all that is contrary thereto." 2. And how catholic a description it is 1 In it "there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor nncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, male nor female, bond nor free;" there is neither-that is, neither exclusively-Buddhist, Mahommedan, Christian, Jew; neither Romanist, Eastern, Anglican, Lutheran, Pres- byterian, Congregationalist, nor any other seet nor creed whatsoever. For " God is no respecter of persons," but, as St. Peter said to Cornelius, "In every nation he that feareth God and worketh righteousness is accepted of him." Thus catholic, thus all- embracing, is this Divine description of a true man. God's chosen ones consrst of all the good. 3. But how condemnatory of the world's standards! Before what tinsel imitations of the true manhood does the world bow down! How many glorify physical strength-the Samsonian typo of man! And indeed the possession of a physical frame capable of much toil, much endurance, that shrinks not from hardships, and laughs at bold and daring enterprises before which other men quail; a body well organized, its varied functions all working powerfully and smoothly like the several parts of a perfectly adjusted machine ;-that is a great gift of God. But to make a. man's physical qualities the measure of his manhood, that cannot he worthily thought of for one moment. And so, too, if we take intellectual distinction-that, though far nobler than the physical, will fall before the high claim of the Divine ideal. And as for secular distinction-that greatness which consists in what a man has, wealth, rank, power, rather than what he is,-that claim will not stand for one moment. The world may, does, fall down before these things, and before the last it absolutely grovels; but in the high courts of God's judgment they go for nothing at all. And at that bar not a little that has the world's free licence as consistent with manhood is frowned upon and utterly condemned. No; right, truth, virtue, all that is in harmony with God's will,-this is what the man after God's mind seeks, finds, and habitually does. 4. And how commendatory to the conscience is this Divine definition of manhood! Put it before any thoughtful man, and at once he confesses it worthy of God to set forth and blessed for man to seek after. Here the excellent of the earth in all ages and in all lands have found a common meeting-place, and, when unbiassed conscience has spoken, have come to a cordial embrace. 6. But how Ghrist-compelling is this Divine description of true manhood! For he who sets himself to embody it, and really enters on the glorious endeavour, will speedily find that he wants a model, a motive, and a might which assuredly he cannot find in the world around him. A model; for mere abstract descriptions help but little. What can the most brilliant word-painting do to enable you to realize what a lovely landscape is like? It can do something, but not very much. But let the gifted artist draw the scone, let him in beautiful picture portray it, and how much more vividly we realize it then I The mechanician must have his model to work from if he is to do successful work. A.nd so, would we realize lhe description God has given us of a true man, we also must have our model. But there is only One who is flawless and altogetaer perfect-the Lord Jesus Christ. Patriarchs, prophets, psalmists, apostles, saints, even the most worthy, are none of them perfect ; for we have to modify here, correct there, and absolutely reject elsewhere. It is, therefore, to the life of our blessed Lord and Master that this Divine description of manhood forces me would I find the one example I may safely, always, and everywhere copy. But I want a motive also; for when I begin my great endeavour I find it uo holiday task. It brings no worldly gain, it wins no human applause. My natural bent and bias are utterly against it. Ease and comfort are ever crying, "Spare thy. self." Companions on the road are few, and not all of them to my liking, and the way is narrow and rough and steep. ·what, theu, can alone spur me on and constrain me by a compulsion I cannot resist? What but a. sense of Christ's great love, and the supreme solicitude to''. bo a~cepted of him," which flows th,erefro~? 'l'hcre is abso- lutely no other motive which will serve for the whole way. Some will take me a part of the way, and others a further part, but all will fail long ere the true end is reached. Therefore am I again driven to Christ, that, as he is my Model, so he m;iy bo my Motive JF.REMIAH, r,;: l~O THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET JEREMIAH. [ou. v. 1-31