Magistrate, as be draws bis cordon round the transgressor and compels him to capitulate. The real calamity in connection with these judgments is the spiritual wrongness which necessitates them, and not the physical conditions through which they are executed. Most men suppose that if the pain or inconvenience is removed the evil is at an end, and the question between them and God settled. They still go on to sin. Impunity confirms and hardens them in their transgression. \Ve have not learned the real lesson of calamity until we have detected its moral sources or occasions, and sought to rectify them before God. II. DIVINE JUDGMENTS MAY IN CERTAIN INSTANCES BE GREATER MERCIES TlIAN THE REMOVAL OF THEM' WOULD BE. When judgment continues to rest upon the transgressor, it is not mere vengeance which is represented, but mercy working on the lines of severity. It is ,God's emphasis upon bis commandment which must be heec.led. The blessing that is la.tent in it waits the appearance of a repentance not to be repented of. Like pent-up waters, it will flow in an overwhelming stream when once the barriers of law have been removed by the sinner's return to God.-M. Vers. 18-23.-Perils of prophesying. The conspiracy of which these verses speak seems to have been sudden a.s it was secret. It affected the mind of the prophet in a peculiarly painful way, as it was the men of his own district who were concerned in it-- his friends, probably even kinsfolk, who looked upon him _as their worst enemy. The crime was all the more heinous that the means taken to execute it were underhand. It is possible that they greeted him with expressions of kindness and hospitality, and that everything was done to prevent his suspecting his real danger. Upon his discover- ing the plot, it is possible that they ceased to conceal their intentions, and, thinking him in their power, urged him " prophesy not in the Na.me of the Lord." I. TUE PERILS OF THE PnOPHET arose from : 1. .A hatred of the truth in his hearers. There was something unpalatablo in the continual denunciations of their wickedness. Their spiritual and patriot-ic pride was wounded. The demands made upon them by the righteousness of Jehovah they did not care to yielc.l to; and the dislike of tho prophet arose from his association with his message. No vengeance, therefore, could be too great. It is uot imprisonment they seek to inflict, but <le:i.th itself, and deo.th in such an obscure and ignominious way that "his name may be no more remembered." 2. Their fear of the consequences of Ms prophecies. The future which he described as inevitable was not pleasant to contemplate. The words he spoke threatened to overturn their most cherished~ designs and to rob them of their precious things. 3. Ignorance as to how these might be averted. By an easy process of association they came to look upon Jeremiah as not simply declaring, but in a sense causing, the evils of which he prophesied. They reasoned, therefore, to the foolish conclusion that if they could destroy him they would free themselves from the dangers which he threatened. The preacher has often to incur dislike of this sort from his hearers. It is of tho nature of the carnal mind so to misapprehend the things of God and the things that mo.ke for peace. At certain times stern denunciation and declaring of the true consequences of evil action o.re not to be regarded as enmity, but friendship. The word spoken by an inspired mind is to bo distinguished from the expression of mere bitterness o.nd dislike. Paul had to entreat his converts not to count him their enemy when he sharply reproved them. Il. THESE PERILS ARE w Al\DED OFF by: 1. Direct revelation, This is an o.dvo.nta11,e which the ordinary servants of God may not count upon. It was vouchsafed occasionally to prophets and apostles, but there is something in the spiritual mind which enables it to detect more qmckly than others the symptoms of hatred to the truth. Promptings and suggestions to certain action in the midst of circumstances to ordinarily human eyes unsu~picious, have been too frequent in the history of the Church to be doubted. And even where no direct information mo.y be given as to tho reason of certain courses of action, which God's saints may be moved to observe, the results cleo.rly prove the presence of o. careful and ever-watchful Providence. 2. Faith in God. Jeremiah said, "Unto thee have I revealed my ea.use" (better," Upon thee have I devolved my cause"). He evidently felt that his duty was to commit the whole matter into the hands of God. And this is ever the safest way. The judgment, the prevision of man, are to be distru.eted. The soul should cast itself by faith upon God, who is ablo to save. 302 'l'HE BOOK OF 'l'HE PHOPHE'l' JEHEMlAll. [cu. XL 1-23.
3. GTeater boldness in the course of action assumed. This was a distinct moral advantage. 'l'he men whose action was inspired by fear wero certain to bo influenced by it. Superstitious dread of the effects of his words would 1>roduco a reaction from their cowardly plans. And they would feel themselves more and moro helpless as they saw how they aggravated their own punishment. So the preachers of the gospel and the servants of Christ generally must not consult with flesh and blood, but be bold in proclaiming the whole will of God, in preaching the Word, being "instant in season nnd out of season." There are allies and reinforcements latent in the constitution even of t,he wcrst enemies of the cross of Christ.-M.