HOMILIES DY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Vers. 1-10.-The potter and the day. The revelations of God are often given in unlikely places, and common circumstances and scenes may symbolize the divinest mysteries. The profoundest things in God's universe are side by side with the simplest. If the mind be open and the spirit susceptible we shall see God in every- thing. Is there not a fitness in this ancient handicraft of the potter becoming the symbol of the eternal action of God? The potter's clay suggests- I. THE INFLUENCE OF GOD UPON HUMAN DESTINY. Some of the forms into which human life builds itself impress the imagination with the presence of a power greater than human, which conditions and determines them. 'l'he race, the nation, the Church, represent relations and affinities which are not of merely human origin. Bat even the individual life, if properly studied, will be found to be associated with the same mystery and full of the same suggestion of a Divine influence. In the case before us it is the Jewish nation which is suggested to the mind of the prophet. The hand of God is apparent io its formation and history. God's influence upon these is felt to be (1) omnipotent, (2) sudden, (3) irresponsible, ( 4) to create or to destroy, lL CrncUMSTANCES IN HUMAN NATURE THAT AFFECT DESTINY. The clay in the hand of the potter was marred and had to be remoulded. 'l'he allusion here was to the idolatrous practices of the Jews in Jeremiah's own time. 'l'he causes at work, there- fore, in the marring of the vessel are not mechanical or constitutional in their nature, but moral. The history of the same people has shown that external circumstances are of little account in this question. The chief hindrances to God's purposes with man in nations, institutions, and individuals arise from (1) original depravity and (2) wilful disobedience. The free-will of man may thwart even the grace of God. IIL 'fHE PtraPOSE OF GoD WITH REGARD TO ll1AN, This is essentially and persistently a creative one. The first effort of the potter is formative; and when, through the marring of the vessel, he has to reduce the clay into the lump again, there still remains an intention to form anew. The effects of sin are shown to be profound from the fact that the potter is obliged to remake what has been marred. 'l'he effort of restoring love succeeds upon another, and "where sin abounded grace did much more abound" (Rom. ,. 20). There is no nation which has not had many opportunities of recovering its position and influence forfeited by unfaithfulness and unbelief, and there is no sinner harclened in his sins who has not repeatedly rejected a heavenly voice. Each procla- mation of God's Word is a fresh opportunity. which may avail for salvation to every one who will embrace it.-M.
Vers. 11, 12.-Thefatalism of the wiclced. The conception of God's judicial omni- potence furnished in the parable of the potter is misinterpreted by the wicked, It is made a reason for continuing in their sin, they arguing that it is their fate, or needs be, to follow in the path they have chosen. I. IN THIS WE HAVE AN ILLUSTRATION OP' THE POWER OF EVIL HABIT. Sin has acquired such influence over the nature that it becomes its ruler. A recklessness born of desperation takes the place of prudent and hopeful counsels. The inward indisposi- tion colours the view that is taken of the possibilities of the situation. Instead of the Finner seeing that his condition is due to a continual withdrawal from God, he declares that he is "past feeling," that God's grace cannot save him, and that it is "no use." But- II. IT IS NOT JUSTIFIED BY: 1. 7'he condition of God's opposition, It is the per- -rerseness and unreality of man. He refuses to suffer. False religion God will not accept. 2. The circumstances of the sinner. So Jong as life continues there is hope. 'l'he repetition of the gospel's appeal has the same significance. Are there any signs of relenting in his mind now? any stirrings of heavenly aspiration? any shame and sorrow for past sin? God's Spirit has not ceased to strive with him, and he may yet be saved. 3. The means of salvation that offer themselves. Christ is both able and willing to ~ve. His sacrifice on the cross is a finished work and a complete atonement for our sin. "'l'hc Spirit helpcth our inlirmities," l:Ie is 11,blo to savo "unto tlie u Lt ~rmost," etc, OH. xvm. 1-23.] THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET JEREMIAH. 449