Ver. 20.-0ccasions of hoped-for salvation that liave not availed, Probably a pro- verbial expression. It is not admissible for us to understand the words of help expected from Egypt, which would bo to make them an anachronism. They well describe tho result of hoping against hope, and in this sense might be spoken by those who have been reduced to extremity by worldliness of spirit and unholiness of life. "It is plain that a great part of Israel imagined, like their heathen neigh hours,_ that Jehovah had need of them as much as they had need of him ; that their worship and service could not be indifferent to him; that he must, by a natural necessity, exert his power against their enemies, and save his sanctuaries from profanation. This, indeed, was the constant contention of the prophets who opposed Micah and Jeremiah (Micah iii. 11 · eh. vii. 4, seq.; xxvii. 1, seq.); and from their point of view the captivity of Judah was the final and hopeless collapse of the religion of Jehovah" (W. Robertson Smith). I. How MANY OCCASIONS HA VE THERE BEEN ON WHICH WE HAD EXPECTED A~ IMAGINARY GOOD, OR LOOKED FOB A DELIVERANCE WHICH NEVER CAME I The man who has sought for wealth becomes rich only to find that his possessions fail to yield him the satisfaction he expected. False expectations have been entertained by the victims of misfortune that God would deliver them. True, they have no claim upon him, and they know that, if they were to be requited as they deserved, they would be left alone. The victim of unhallowed desires, hurried and driven as by an inward demon, fancies that, in his own nature or the course of life, he will come to a turning-point. He will "sow his wild oats" now; by-and-by he will settle down and marry and be respect- able and virtuous, The events of life to which he looks forward take place, but there is no deliverance wrought by them, So many seek the Diviue favour in formal religious observances, and do not find it. When many around us are being awakened from their indifference and converted to God, we are alarmed at our own spiritual deadness. 'l'he time of grace has slipped past unimproved, God has been gathering in his children, and we are left out. II. To WHAT CONCLUSION OUGHT THIS TO LEAD us? That we ought to be anxious and in earnest there can be no question. Our chances appear desperate. Our power of moral recovery is greatly lessened as compared with the freshness of childhood's days. But whilst there is life there is hope. We have reason to congratulate ourselves that we have not been cut off in tbe midst of our sins. The door is still open. Let us, as those "born out of due time," awake to righteousness, and seek with tears an offended but loving Father. "Now is the accepted time; , .. now is the day of sal- vation,"-M. Ver. 22.-" Physician, heal thyself." Gilead, an outlying district of Palestine, was celebrated for its aromatic balsam, of great virtue for wounds, sores, eto. '!'he natives of the place doubtless became expe1·t in the application of their famous herb. By virtue of its possession, Israel might be said to be the, healer of the surrounding nations. Even more so iu a spiritual sense it was the physician of men's souls, holding for others and for all time the saving truth of God. But the evils which came upon itself-social, political, spiritual-had now increased to such a degree that it might well be asked, were the sources of saving health exhaustod, or were the possessors of spiritual wisdom wholly extinct? l. WHAT FOUNDATION WAS THERE FOB THE PRETENSION OF IBRAELTO BE THE SAVIOUR OF THE NATIONS? Its own internal condition was deplomble. Materially and spiri- tually it was more in need of healing than those it regarded as barbarians and heathen. So of the Church which has become corrupt a similar quostion may be asked. If those who profess the faith of Christ do not exhibit its fruits or possess its peaco, they belie their profession and discredit the cause of their Master. When professed bcliuvors are as troubled with earthly cares and as downcast amid earthly trials as others, mon of the world will ,loubt the efficacy of their roligion, belief, and life. 'l'his is the burning question of Christendom through all time. Has it any means of curing the evils of humanity, the miseries of life, tho wickedness inherent in human nature? II. HAD THE UTMOST UBE BEEN MADE OF THE RESOURCES AT COMMAND? Was there any one who knew the naturo of the evil, and how to cure it? Why did they not seek Jehovah? Christians are frequently at a loss, not so much for lack of an orthodox creed as of a realizing _faith, '!'hey have not been in the habit of going to Christ 224 THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET JEREMIAH. [oa. vm. 1-22.
with their cares and sorrows. Earthly things have been allowed to divert their atten- ii~n ~ron~ troth and righteousnes~ as the prin?iples ~f life. But sometimes great m1scl11ef 1s done by wrong expectat10ns of what Christ will do for his people, Men sow to the flesh and expect to reap a spiritual harvest, or their faith in Christ is but another ll\"enue to an earthly end. Under such circumstances they cannot fail to be disap- pointed. We must look to religion for its proper functions; to Christ for what he has promised to give. Have we any grief which we do not, cannot take to Christ? Are we consciously resting on him for moral guidance and support and spiritual fellowship? They who always and in all things rest their souls upon a livina-0 Saviour will know that there is" balm in Gilead," etc.-M.