Ver. 29.-The in~{fectual palladium of a great name. Jerusalem was called by Goci's name; yet Jerusalem was not to be spared in the general outpouring of tho wine-cup of fury. The Jews were vainly trusting in their name. We arc all inclined to think too much of mere names, Certainly there is something in a. name ; it may command respect, influence, etc. Yet this applies only in regard to human considerations; it can have no weight with God. Even with men it is less potent than its possessors would fain believe. '!'ho influence of it is slowly won, easily lost, and only recovered with the utmost difficulty, if at all. l. A NA.ME MAY DE GREAT BECAUSE IT REPRESENTS CONNECTION WITH TIIE GREAT. It may indicate relationship to a family, a clan, a nation. \Ve are proud of the name of Englishmen. St. Paul, professing himself a Roman, was able to claim the rights of Roman citizenship (Acts xxii. 25). But the name is here useful c-nly in eo far as the privilege it implies extends. St. Paul had a right not to be scourged, but none to save him from being beheaded by the order of the emperor. We may claim undue privi- leges because we bear the name of Christian, because we were born in Christendom, are citizens of a Christian state, are members of a Christian Church. These associations count for nothing before God. We shall" all appear before the judgment-seat of Christ, that every one may receive the things done in his body" (2 Uor. v. 10). It will be vain then to say, "Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy Name," etc.? if Christ must answer, "I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity" (Matt. vii. 23, 24). II. A NA.ME MAY BE GREAT BECAUSE IT REPRESENTS HIGH RANK. Social distinctions cannot be ignored while they exi~t, and in them the favoured necessarily enjoy many amenities that ore denied to the commonalty. But they are snares when they tempt their owners to expect peculiar privileges with Heaven. In spiritual matters we approach God, not as rich or poor, not ns prince or beggar, but as man. Ilank goes for nothing there; character is everything. This applies to ecclesiastical rnnk. They who hold high office in the Church are tempted to expect exceptional judgment. 'l.'hey will be judged, not as officials, not as popes, bishops, priests, but ns men, and will find that their holy office will be no sanctuary when the awful sword of Divine judgment is unsheathed. JI!. A NA.ME MAY BE GREAT BECAUSE IT REPRESENTS A. GOOD REPUTATION, If the reputation is justly earned, tho name is a renl honour. " A good name," says the wise man," is mther to be chosen than great riches" (Prov. xxii. 1). Shakespeare's Cassio exclaims," Reputation, reputation, reputation! Oh, I havo lost my reputation I I have lost the immortal part of myself, and what remains is bestial," Yet, if reputation is " got without merit," it is a poor refuge to flee to from before the all-seeing God. Even when it is solid and honest it stands only as a record of the past, and a presumption in our favour when our conduct is equivocal. But it does not mitigate tho guilt of subsequent offences. We are judged by our conduct, not by our fame. It is vain to have a name to live if we are dead; the name will not galvanize us back into life. IV. A NAME MAY DE GREAT DECA.UBE IT REPRESENTS A. GREAT PROFESSION. Men assume big names and flourish them before the world in pretended evidence of their own excellcuce, and the world, being too blind and too indolent to make very searching inquiries, commonly takes men much at their own reckoning. The advantage of such a deception can only be superficial and transitory. 'l'he foolish boast will soon be exploded. Before God it matters little what a man calls himself. 'l'he one question is as to what he is. Vcrs. 34-38.-Ilowling sheph~rds. In the general calamity of the nation tho 'ihephcrds are especially called upon to howl and cry and wallow in the dust, 'l'he 558 THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET JEREMIAII. [en. xxv. 1-38.
shepherds are the leaders of the people. These leaders, therefol'o, are not to be exempt from the distresses of the common people; on the coutrary, trouble is to fall upon them in an aggravated degree. I. HIGH BANK IS NO SECURITY AGADIST TROUBLE. It may free a man from many annoyances, it cannot defend him from all kinds of calamity. It is chiefly a safeguard ng9inst the smaller vexations of life; the more serious troubles sweep over it unchecked. It is like a small breakwater that will keep back the little waves or a fresh sea, but is overwhelmed in the storm. When it is most needed it is of least use. Rank is no protection against disease and death, against general human calamities, such as the desolation of an earthquake, the ravages of a plague, the devastation of a war. Never- theless men do trust to rank unreasonably, and find it a snare when their false con- fidence is exposed. !I. LEA.DEBS OF MEN SUFFER FROM THE TBOUDLES THAT FALL UPON THEIR FOL- LOWERS. The shepherd suffers with his flock. The patron is dependent on his clients. The king is g-reat with the greatness of his people, and brought into trouble by his nation's distress. This is more than sharing a general calamity. It is experiencing a trouble that is directly caused by the distress of dependants. History has proved the mistake of those tyrants who have thought to secure their own grandeur by the brutal deara- dation, the bondage and misery of their subjects. The truly prosperous sovereig~ is not the Pharaoh reigning in lonely magnificence over a nation of slaves, but the beloved ruler of a free and enlightened people. III. PERSONS IN EXALTED POSITIONS ABE LIABLE TO PECULIAR TROU11LEB FROM wmcH ORDINARY MEN ARE EXEMPT. Not only are they not free from the common distresses of mankind, not only are they directly affected by the distresses of those beneath them • they are also subject to special dangers arising from their high and prominent position'. 1. 'l'hey are burdened with a responsibility that is proportionate to their elevation. If much has been given to them, much is expected of them. Every eye is upon them. Any mistake of theirs which might pass unnoticed in obscure men, is dragged into the full blaze of jealous criticism. If such men abuse a great trust they may expect to be visited with a great judgment. 2. They are liable to spedal attacks of animosity. Like officers in the field, they are picked out by opponents. Kings have dangers of assassination which obscure men need never fear. '.l.'he highest tree catche~ the fiercest blast of the gale, while humble shrubs grow at peace in sheltered nooks. 3. 'l'hey feel tlu! blow of trouble most acutely. 'l'hey who stand highest can fall lowest. Poverty is not the calamity to a born pauper that it proves itself to a bankrupt prince.