I. BY AN APPEAL TO THE JUDGMENT OF GoD. In this connection it is as if conscience Hself had been invoked. And yet, better still, if conscience should vacillate God would remnin ,the same. In this way it is well for the best of men to test their motives by continual reference to God. 'l'here is no better way of self-examination. II. BY A BEFERENOE TO THE SYMPATHY OF GoD. The mere fa.et that the all-knowing One was constantly regarding his sufferings for his sake, that he had put his tears in his bottle, and that he was able to appreciate his motives, was a comfort to the prophet. If possible, this source of consolation is deepened and enlarged by the greater nearness of God in Christ. The fellow-feeling of our great High Priest and Elder Brother is real and can be depended upon from moment to moment. It is a. well of salvation from which we can draw inexhaustible supplies. III. BY COIIIMITTING IT TO THE DIVINE RESPONSIBILITY. It was in God's hands because it was in God's knowledge. It was not for the prophet to trouble himself as to means of retaliation. He could commit his ea.use to his Father. The wider issues of it, nay, even its mightiest results, were beyond his own power. What he had to do was to be faithful and trusting and d.iligent.-M. Ver. 16.-God's words a hearifelt joy. In the midst of the prophet's sorrow this passage occurs as a relieving feature-a memory of spiritual joy. At the same time it is recalled as a consideration that will weigh with him to whom he addresses himself. It defines bis entire relation to God and to Israel, and describes his claim. I. THE WORDS OF Gon TEST AND EXHilllT THE INWARD LOYALTY OF THE SAINT. It is not merely that a certain feeling has been excited in the mind, but that a welcome has been given to God's revelation. A profound difference is thereby instituted between the prophet and those who were opposed to him. As the psalmist cries, " Thy word have I hid in my heart," in proof of his earnestness and his love of truth, so the prophet would commend himself to God by the attitude he had assumed to the message when it was revealed to him. It is as if he had said, " I have never resisted thy Word, but ever held myself ready to utter and obey it." The test which they apply to the spiritual nature is full of dread to the unworthy; but to those whose hearts are right with God it is a satisfaction and a source of confidence. "The thoughts and intents of the heart" thereby disclosed are seen to be right and good. II. 'l'HEY REF/lESH AND STRENGTHEN HIM FOR SUFFERING AND DUTY. It is as if the prophet were drawing comfort from recollection because his present circumstances are so troublous. But many a time the Word of God comes in a time of perplexity and darkness, bringing with it comforting light. It is greedily welcomed at snch seasons and is devoured as by oue who has long fasted. It penetrates thereby more deeply into the spiritual nature and more radically influences the springs and motives of conduct. It comes as a distinctly supernatural aid nnd makes men masters of what had previously overpowered them. III. TJIEY DIND HIM MORE CLOSELY TO THEm AUTHOR. The nature which has been so affected by the words of God cannot be nor regard itself ns in the same position with others. Its whole character and destiny are altered. The life is leavened by that which supports anti nourishes it. The indwelling \Vord is a consecrating influence and with- draws men from the pursuits and fellowship of the world. In this way the saint becomes identified with his Lortl; a child of grace; a worker in the same great cause ; a subject of like hatred and opposition, and an heir of the same kingdom. By producing tho character of holiness they inscribe the Divine Name upon the heart, and link the life and destiny of the saint with the cause of God.-M.
Vars. 19-21.-The preacher's weakness and strength. I. HuMAN MOTIVES OFTEN LEAD HIM ABIDE FROM THE PATH OF DUTY, ET0. The prophet is a man like other man and subject to the same passions. It is difficult for him to maintain the attitude of continual spiritual loyalty. Flesh and blood will fail and he will fall into temptations peculiar to his office. Of these he must be especially jealous, and a stricter standard of holiness should govern his conduct. Unfaithfulness in such a position will produce an exaggerated effect upon those whom he influences. His influence itself will cease to Le purely spiritual, his love less certain, and his contlu~t less irr_eproa_chablc.. Deflection like this should be at once corrected, and he who " tncs the rcrns" 1s especially watch- 384: THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET JEltEMIA.H. [oH, xv. 1-21,
ful over those who have to deliver his message and represent his cause, "If thou return." How instant and yet how gentle the reproof I II. REPENTANT FIDELl'rY WILL BE REWARDED WITH USEFULNESS AND STRENGTH. l, Mediatorship-to "stand before me." 2. Infallibility-" As my mouth." 3. IrreBiBt• ible powe,·-a "brazen wall;" "but not prevail over thee." 4, The presence and pro- '-<'ction of God.-M. Yers. 1-9.-Feaijul aspects of the Divine character. These verses and this whole discourse reveal to us an implacable God. He will not turn away from his wrath nor be moved : 1. By the spectacle of misery presented ( eh. xiv.). 2. By the remembrance of former love (eh. xiv. 8). 3. By the earnest prayers of his faithful servant (ver. 1). 4. By the prospect of more terrible miseries yet to come (eh. xiv. 17-xv. 9), Therefore- !. lNQUmE. Why is God thus? The answer is, he will not change, because the sinner will not. " To the froward he will ever show himself froward." II. LEARN. That while God's mercy is infinite to those who turn to him for those who refuse there is no mercy at all.-C. '