HOMILIES BY V.A.RIOUS AUTHORS. Vers. 1-11.-Tlie marred girdle. This and the following emblem are intended to Fym bolize the ch.e.ractcrs and punishment of pride in spiritual and carnal men respectively. The "girdle" of linen cloth worn by the priest represents the close relation of Judah and Jerusalem to Jehovah. He had chosen them, and taken them into closest fellowship. They were as his cincture to declare his character and glory to men. But they had abused his confidence. For them, therefore, the fate was reserved which is described in connection with the girdle. Where the cleft of the rock was, in Ephrath or Euphrates, is not quite plain; but the probability is that the last- mentioned is really meant, and that a journey to it was indeed made by the prophet. I. THE DIGNITY AND IDEAL CHARACTER OF GoD'B PEOPLE THUS BET FORTH. The linen girdle worn by the priests was a portion of their appointed and consecrated garments. It represented, therefore, the idea of consecration arising from nearness and closeness. They were highly favoured amongst the nations as being brought into immediate rela- tion with Jehovah. "As the girdle cleaveth to the loins of a man, so have I caused to cleave unto me the whole house of Israel, and the whole hou~e of Judah, saith the Lord" (ver.11). .And as the girdle, by bracing the body, becomes a means of strength, so Israel was to be the power of God amongst the nations of the world. They were to lJc as ki!lgs and priests before God, to show forth his righteousness and to execute his will. II. Trrn CONDITION UPON WHICH THESE HAVE TO BE MAINTAINED. Simply because they had been so designed in the eternal purpose. They had no security for this position being retained. It would not do for them to rely upon prestige. With spiritual Rtrength relaxed and moral purity lost, they were no longer fit for the honourable service to which they h.e.d been called. It was only as their spiritual life rose to the height of their calling, and maintained itself from age to age by means of Divine truth nn~ continual exercise of faith, that they could expect to retain their privileges. But t!,1s Israel wns far from seeing. She reqnired, therefore, to be taught the truth of it by en, xm, 1-27.] 'l'HE BOOK OF THE PROPHET JEREMIAH. 339
experience, and nothing would do this better tha.n tha.t which the symbol suggested. Their outward circumstances and position would be made to correspond with their inwa.rd character, so that all men, and even they themselves, would cease to be deceived, 'fhis is ever the order of the Divine government. He will set our secret sins in the light of his countenance. III. THE MESSENGER OF Goo SHOULD BPAJIE NO EFFORT TO EMBODY AND ENFORCE THE TRUTH HE HAS To DECLARE. Whether Ephrath in Israel or Euphrates was meant, a journey of considerable length ha.d to be taken, and much trouble was involved. But the prophet did not grudge this if thereby he might appeal through the imagination the more forcibly to the heart of his people. So sometimes ancient prophets had to submit to themselves beiag made signs that were spoken against. There can be no question that the manner adopted by the prophet of illustrating his message was most effective and striking. .And it was clear even to the simplest understanding. .An illus- trative style of discourse is carefully to be distinguished from a florid one; and anythin:,: which conveys more vivid impressions to one's self is more likely to add impressive- ness and vivid force to what one has to say to others. This going to Euphrates on the part of the prophet was quite an important business, but it was justified by its result. .And so preachers should spare no pains to link the truth of God with the actions, the experiences, and the interests of men.-M. Vers. 12, 15.-Brolren pitchers; or, worldly sufficiency and its p11,nishment. I. TH1!1 SIGNS OF THIS DISPOSITION. The threatenings of God are interpreted as if they had been truisms of blessing.justified by the unbelievers' own experience. The prophet is therefore despised, and his message wrested from its original meaning. The people were so oblivious to their .own guilt that they looked forwe.rd without fear to the future, or they professed to do so. They had clothed themselves in triple armour of self-sufficiency against_.Pivine warnings. So the worldly mind continually prophecies good for itself instead of evil, and inverts the messages of Divine grace. The sharpest experiences and most signal reverses are not enough to rid it of this folly, aud thereby it condemns itself. II. How IT 1s DEALT WITH BY Goo. 'l'hat this is provoking to the Divine mind is evident. It is a fresh element added to the guilt already denounced. The insult to the messenger of God must be avenged, and this is accomplished: 1. By removing all ambiguity from his words. Their real meaning is explained so that no one can mistako it. In this pointed disillusion there is the greater emphasis imparted to the originnl message. God will not suffer any one to remain in ignorance of his final destiny, whether it be good or evil. 2. The doom already predicted is repeated with expressions of Divine determination and anger. Civil discord and national destruction are pie.inly set forth, and whilst these take place the ear of an offended God is turned away. He will "not pity, nor spare, nor have mercy, but destroy them." III. IT IS WELL,THEREFORE, FOR MEN TO GIVE REVERENT HEED TO DIVINE WARNINGS AND INSTRUCTIONS, Sometimes in the history of the Church omens, dreams, and visions have been given whose meaning was not clear, but on prayerful solicitation it has been revealed. Wilful blindness cannot escape punishment, because it provokes the just anger of God. But to those who ask in humble inquiry what the will of the Lord may be, he will return o. gracious answer, and declare how the evil may be averted.-M,
Yer. 16.-Days of grace and l,ow they should be spent. The mind of the prophet was full of the doom which ho had predicted, and he was apprehensive of the spiritu11l results of exile and confusion with heathen nations. 'l'he people themselves, however, did not exhibit any such anxiety. They treated his words as idle tales, or as the expression of ill nature and enmity. 'l'he relation of these two is a typical one. From age to age the preacher of righteousness urges his pleas and presses for immediate attention to reformation of life. .As constantly those addressed put off the needed repent11nce and waste the time which is afforded them for working out their salvation. J. THE PRESENT IS TO BE REGARDE0 AS A GRACIOUS OPPORTUNITY FOR REPENTANCE AND SPIRITUAL SERVICE. '!'ho olemont of time in these, as in other prophecies, is left for Lhe most part indefinite, Exact dates woulu defeat the purpose the message of tho 340 THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET JEREMIAH. [oH. xm.1-27.