The Pulpit Commentary — Jeremiah — Volume 1 — Section 199

this same demand of those who rebel against their laws. 4. God's providence uphold 8 this demand. The constitution of things is for the obedient and against the trans- gressor (cf. Butler's' Analogy'). II. AND THE REASONS ABE BECAUSE SIN: 1. Outrages God. What order or happi- ness can there be in that household where the authority of the head is openly set at naught? 2. ls dogged by sorrow and death. The avenging deities were said to be shod with wool, so that their footsteps, ever followin11: the transgressor, were not hearcl. It was the vision of sin and its awful issues that caused Jesus to sigh, to be troubled in spirit, and to weep; it was his agony. Now, God would save us, but cannot until we have done with wickedness. 3. Binds the soul to enmity against God. Deeds of wrong are the devil's sacraments, whereby he seals on the soul his own impress and pledges the soul to serve him. Every solitary a.et of sin deepens that impress and makes that pledge more irrevocable. There[ore, if the soul is to be saved, that bond mwt be broken. 4. Amendment in conduct is the first step towards the restoration oj the soul. A man may break off ill-doing, and yet his heart be very far from right with God. Still, because every victory over sin strengthens the conscience and weaken~ the power of sin, its hold is thus loosened upon the soul, and the work of restoration is so far advanced. III. BUT OOMl'LIANOE WITH THIS MOST RIGHTEOUS DEMAND IS : 1. Often very difficult. Ask the drunkard, the impure, the worldling, the gambler, if they find it easy to break away from their besetting sins. How like a set of fiends they clamour for their wonted indulgence I "Hoe opus hie labor est." 2. But never impossible. No; for along with every Divine command goes forth the strength needed for obedience. Ilow absurd, on mere human principles, for our Lord to bid the man with the withered hant! to stretch it forth ; the palsied to rise, take up his bed, and walk ; and Lazarus to come forth from hiR tomb! But all these facts are recorded to encourage those who woul,l tum to the Lord, but yet "are sore let and hindere<l." We often ask- " Oh, how shall feeble flesh and blood Burst through the bonds of sin? The holy kingdom of our God, What soul shall enter in? " And there could be but one sad answer were it not that he who gives the command gives also the needed help. Yes- " There is a way for mnn to rise To that sublime abode ; An offering and a sacrifice, A Holy Spirit's enorgies, An Advocate with God." 3. .And ever blessed. (Cf. vers. 3, 7.) A.II th0se precious sentences with which the ser- mon on the mount opens, and which we call the Beatitudes, were addressed to those who had resolved, by God's grace, to amend their ways. Christ bas no other word !'or them than that they are blessed, and what bis Word affirms all they who have followed his leading do with grateful heart confirm. Yes, "blessed are they that do his com- mandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city." 4. But if refused, is awfully avenged. Too often it is refused. It was so here. All manner of excuse attempted, and though these "lying words" (ver. 4) were and are exposed agaiu, the re[usal is persisted in, and then" the wrath of God arises, and there is oo remedy." " From all such hardn?,ss of heart and contempt of thy holy Word and commandment, good Lord, deliver us. -C. Ver, 4.-How men deceive themselves. "The temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord," etc. The people of Jerusalem were flattering themselves that no harm would come to them because of the presence in their midst of the temple of the Lord. And men flatter themselves in like manner still. Now let us- I. CONSIDER TREIB AHOUMENT. God had said, "In this house will I dwell." 'rhey knew that and hence it seemed impossible that it should be devastated by the heathen. It was t,he' place of which he bad said," There' mine honour dwelleth.'" The cloud 01 198 THE BOOK OP THE PROPHET JEREMIAH. [cH. vu. 1-34.