The Pulpit Commentary — Jeremiah — Volume 1 — Section 230

confirm our faith in this Divine solicitude for the sinner's salvation I Look at the very constitut1·on of our nature. That, as Bishop Uutler has shown1 is evidently on the side of virtue, that is, of obedience to Goel, and against the disobedient. " Who will harm you, if ye be doers of that which is good? "-thus the apostle appeals to the universally recognized fact, that the constitution of man's nature is such as to favour the good. And, on the other hand, the declaration that" the way of transgressors is hard," is based on another like fact of universal experience. Such is one evidence of" the care" with which, as George Herbert sings, "Lord, with what care thou hast hegirt us round)" Then the revelation of his truth is yet further in evidence. That truth, a8 ministered to us by the written Word or by the lips of prophets, apostles, pastors, teachers-it matters not- is a perpetual proof of the Divine solicitude for our eternal good. And his providence, making it to be well with the righteous and ill with the unrighteous. Well and ill with each respecti,ely in mind, body, and estate. And his Spirit. That Spirit speaking to us in conscience and in the powerful pleadings of his grace in our hearts, of which we are all so often conscious. And, last of all, God has shown us this loving care of his for us in Ms Son. He has shown himself in a manner adapted to touch and move all hearts, and to draw all men unto him. Now, all this mass of evidence is in keeping with that solicitude which this verse and so many other portions of God's Word reveal as felt by him towards sinful men. And if it be asked "What moves this solicitude?" the cha- racter of God furnishes the answer. The holiness of God. " Good and upright is the Lord, therefore will he teach sinners in the way.n And we are bidden "Give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness." It is the natnre of holiness to be distressed at all that contradicts it and is unlike itself. It rests not until it has assimilated all around it to itself. Here, then, is one reason of God's perpetual appeals to sinful men. His wisdom also. It is the characteristic of God's wisdom to adjust means to ends. How wonderfully and beautifully this is seen in all departments of nature I But for the fulfilling of the high purposes of his grace, what instrument can he find more fit than the regenerated, redeemed soul? Even now and here we see this. A soul aglow with love and faith towards God, what will not that soul do for God? Hence to the princi- palities and powers in heaven shall be made known by the one Church-the company of the redeemed shall evidence it-the manifold wisdom of God. His love also. If the beholding of scenes of distress touch our hearts and make us eager to render help, can we imagine that he who made us is less willing than ourselves to show pity and render help? Our Lord's argument is, "If ye, evil though ye be, know how "-and we do know how-" to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give," etc.? Humanity, as it has been well said, is the heavenly Father's sick child. Will not the Father's love, therefore, be all the more called forth to that child? And his compassion also. For this life is the critical period of that child's malady. It is the time when the great question of its life or death is being determined. Terrible forces are against it., and the struggle is now at its most momentous hour. 'l'his fact would cause the Father's love to go forth, as it has gone and is going forth, in activa compassion, in open manifestation of its solicitude. Such are some of the considera- tions which lead to our Father's attentive observance of all those who tra.vel by this homeward way. III. THE END OF THE WAY. They who come there will find restoration to tho Father's love, the implantation of a new nature, the complete pardon of the past, power to live as God's dear child for the future, and ultimately the everlaijting dwelling in the very presence and home of God. IV. BBOOKB BY THE WAY. It is said," He shall drink of the brook by the way, therefore shall he lift up the head." We may apply these words to the travellers in the way we are speaking of; for they need, in the weary a~d often. most_ difficult jo~rney, the refreshments which God alone can supply. Such aids are given m the promises of God, the fellowship of God, the communion of fellow-travellers on the way, and in the ~ervice and worship of God. • V. 'l'HE SOLITARINESS oF THE WAY, It is but "here and there a traveller" that is found. 'l'he way is not thronged. 'l.'his verse is God's lament that scarce any are found willing to go along this road; for it is not the way of worldly advantage. They who "are given to covetousness" (ver. 10) will never choose this way. 'l'hey have per- fitia.ded themselves that they are as well off and better where they are. They aru Oli. vlll. 1-22.] THE BOOK OF 'l'lIE PROPHET JEREMIAH. 229