HOMIU;ncs. Vers. 1-4.-The character of leading men. 'l'he character of its leading men is a matter of first importance to a people. Israel had been led astray by his kings; one of the first blessings promised to him on his return is the possession of good leaders. In the most free state there must always be leading men-men exercising influence by reason of their office, their rank and position, or their capacities. Observe this in regard to the various classes of leading men. I. POLITICAL LEADERS. On their character depends the questions (1) whether laws shall be justly framed and justly executed, (2) whether tho welfare of the subjects shall be honestly worked for, and (3) whether the dealings with foreign nations shall be just and peaceable. II. SocIA.L LEADERS. The moral influence of the court is always· great and wide- spread; how important that this should be pure I 'l'here nre people whom rank or personal attractiveness, or powers of persuasion, endow with power to influence the customs of their age. These need be well advised that their influence may be on the side of truth, purity, and hwnanity. III. lNTELLEOTU AL LEADEns. Shall the reformer be a Luther or a Voltaire? the poet a Wordsworth or a Byron ? the historian an Arnold or a Gibbon? the philosopher a Butler or a· Hume? Surely for the real welfare of a people the moral tendency of its literature is more important than the intellectual brilliancy. IV. RELIGIOUS LEADERS, Are these men barren controversialists, or earnest practical guides to their flocks? Are they loyal to truth, or merely bigoted defendt·rs of their own crotchets? Are they spiritual-minded servants of Christ, or ambitious priests? Are they true shepherds, or wolves in sheep's clothing? 'l'hese questions touch the welfare of a people very closely. Note, the one essential is that the leading men should desire to serve the good of others and not simply to increase their own power and honour; to feed the flock, not to scatter it by reckless indifference, selfish ambition, or tyran- nous cruelty. The power of leading men is a great and dangerous gift, only entrusted by Providence to those who possess it for the sake of the good it may be the means of conferring on the community at large. The state ia in a healthy condition only when public characters are inspired by public spirit.
Ver. 5.-The Branch of David. The glorious prophecy of the Messianic future which here bur~ts forth from Jeremiah, after his denunciation of his nation's sin and lamenta- tion over its approaching calamities, is necessarily clothed in the language of tho ago, and viewed in an especial relation to contemporary wants. 'l'he people are sufl'eriug from bad rulers and an unrighteous government. A good king, administering his ki_ngdom happily and justly, is promiBed for tlie golden age of the future. Associated with this king is, no doubt, that succMsion of righteous sovereigns referred to in the ft.,urth verse. It was not given to anticipatory visions to show how unique 11nd solitary ll[J(l eternal was to be the kingship of the Messiah. Yet even there ho stands forth in ()II. xxur. 1-40.] 'l'lrn BOOK OF 'fHE PHOPllET JEREMIAH. 519