The Pulpit Commentary — Jeremiah — Volume 1 — Section 423

the supreme reference of these words. Let each one ask in conclusion-Is the cross of Christ the place of our sanctuary, the place where we worship, the beloved retreat of our souls? God grant it may be 1-C. Yer. 17.-" Be not a terror unto me." It is a common observation bow all things are :iffoct~d by the medium through which we view them. This is true in regard to the natural vision, but yet more true in regard to that which is mental and spiritual. 'rhus God, whom the prophet speaks of (ver. 13) as "the Hope of Israel," the "Fountain of living waters," and as the alone true Healer, he now prays not to be" a terror" unto him. I. GoD IS so TO THE UNGODLY. All bis attributes are terrible to them. His holiness, for it condemns their sin. His justice, for it demands their punishment. His power, for it reveals the means whereby be can requite them. His love, for it makes their sin with- out excuse. His wisdom, for it renders them uuable to deceive him. Hence it is that of the wicked it is said, "God is not in all his thoughts." 'rhey like not to retain God in their knowledge. To think steadily of them must be a. terror to their souls. But- II. HE SEEMS so AT TIMES EVEN TO THE GODLY. God is to them what in their happier moments they delight to call him-their Father, their Redeemer, their Strength, their Ilefuge (cf. eh. xvi. 19). But at times he seems to be" a. terror" unto them. The causes of this are sometimes : 1. Morbid state of health. 2. Lack of sub- mission to the Divine will 3. Backsliding. 4. False theological teaching. 5. Dwelling too much on the darker and more mysterious aspects of the Divine providence. 6. Depression of spirits. 7. Prolonged affliction. IIL BUT TRUER AND BRIGHTER THOUGHTS OF GoD MAYBE REGAINED. Various means may be suggested. 1. Dwelling resolutely on the mercies and loving-kindnesses of God. This is why St. Paul bids the "careful," those weighed down with care, to make known their requests to God, not only "by prayer and supplication," but "with thanks- giving" also. And elsewhere he bids us "in everything give thanks." For this com- pels us to~go over in our minds the happier circumstances of our lot, and when we do this we shall find- " Our cheerful cry will oftener be, ' See what the Lord bath done for me.'" 2. A.nd, as the words of St. Paul teach, "prayer" will help us. We " Kneel and cast our loo.d, E'en while we pray, upon our God, Then rise with lightened cheer.'' The public worship of God in his sanctuary, in union with his people,-how often, like Hannah, the soul has come to God's house burdened but gone away "lightened" I 3. And" supplication." This tells of the more private, personal outpourings of tho soul before God. Like the supplication in Gethsemane compa.red with the prayer-the Lord's Prayer-civen 0 for the common united use of his people. Here, too, vast relief is found, and the cloud clears away between us and God, and bis face shines upon us once more. 4. Careful conscientious obedience and perseverance therein. 5. Seeking to comfort others. \Ve learn in teaching, and this is true of the love of God as well as of other truths. 6. Coming again to the cross of Christ as having nothing, but look- ing for all in him.-C. Vers. 19-27.-Sabbath sanctification. I. IN WHAT IT CONSISTS. Not in the mere Judaic strictness of the Old Testament Law, or of that set forth in these verses. All that might be, and yet in its true sense the sabbath be flagrantly violated and its pur- pose destroyed. But in: 1. Rest. This to be both of body and mind. The student may no more pursue his studies than the labourer his toil. Hest both of body and mind from their ordinary pursuits; rest, not mere slothfulness, but such as will recreate, the exhausted limbs or brain. 2. Worship. Not that it is to a.bsolve other days from worship or to sanction their unhallowed use, but to lead to the more religious regard of all our days, the one day in seven is specially set apart. 3. Charity. In works of 011. xvn. 1-27.J THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET JEREMIAH.