hi"h responsibility. To mo.ko this clear to his servant, God employed comparison o.n~logy, forcible illustro.tion. On the city watchman bung the fate of tbe city-th~ Jives of fellow-citizens. He was exempted from other duties tbat he might the better discharge this. For many reasons, some manifest, some bidden, God appoints men, not angels, to be the exponents of his will to men. Faithful service will be richly rewarded; the loss of such rewards is a heavy penalty. But responsibility, if abused, bears a prolific harvest of disasters. III. REBPONBIBILITY SPRINGS FROM SUPERIOR KNOWLEDGE. If knowledge is power, knowledge is responsibility also. The light of wisdom or of science is entrusted to us that it may be diffused. In proportion to the practical value of the knowledge is the responsible duty to propagate it. Hence the special insight into man's fallen state, the subtlety of temptation, and the overwhelming results of impenitence-in brief, the special knowledge of God's intention wit.h respect to guilty men-this entails on every prophet and preacher an imponderable responsibility to be faithful. Men might have been saved had they known both the generous and the judicial purposes of God; we knew and might have instructed them. IV. RESPONSIBILITY SPRINGS FROM POSSIBLE INFLUENCE. To the utmost extent that we can touch the springs of motive and of action in our fellow-men are we responsible for them. Our responsibility does not begin and end with the message we deliver. We are to warn men. This mystic influence we possess over others is reflected from every smile and tone and feature. Hence temper, motive, fervour, earnestness, are elements of our power. We warn others by our own abstinence from sin, by our Eelf- denials, our heavenly-mindedness, our fruitful goodness, our pious walk and converse. Responsiuility ends only when we have exhausted every method to draw men heavenward. V. RESPONSIBILITY SPRINGS FROM THE KNOWN RESULTS OF NEGLECTED TRUST, The God who has placed his servants in responsible positions has deigned to inform them what shall be the effects of neglect and cowardice. To the unwarned wicked the effect shall be destruction: "They shall surely die." To the unfaithful watchman the effect shall be dishonour and loss: "The blood of the unwarned shall be required at his hand." The wicked might have died, though warned; but he might have repented and lived. A. diseased man may die, although the remedy be applied; but if the known remedy be withheld, the blame of that death will fall on the slothful attendant. God has not seen it to be wise or fitting to make provision against unfaithfulness in liis prophets. If they fail in the discharge of their momentous functions, no other agency will supply the room. The impenitent (who have no claim on God for any remedial measures) will, in such a case, die in their iniquity. For every position of influence, or honour, or usefulness we hold, "we must give account of ourselves before God."-D.
Vers. 22-27.-The silenced prophet, a calamity. The o.pparent success of wicked- ness is a seed of retribution. The people do not wish to hear, therefore tbeir ears shall be hardened. They gnash tbeir teeth on God's prophet, therefore God will remove him into a corner. I. SECLUSION FROM MEN BRINGS NEARER ACCESS TO Gon. Such experience our Lord himself passed through. "I shall be left alone; and yet I o.m not alone, because the Father is with me." " Arise, and go forth into the plain," said God to Ezekiel, " and I will there talk with thee." It is painful to be hindered and repulsed on a mission of mercy; but the servant of God may remember that the opposition is not to him, but to his Master. We natu_rally love society; we love success; we love to feel that our influence is moving men in the right direction. Resolute and persistent opposition is pain[ul; but the friendship of God compensates for a thousand disappointments. If he smiles, it matters little who may frown. II. THE OPPOSITION OF MEN BRINGS ALL Gon's HOST TO THE PROPHET'S SIDE. The glorious vision which Ezekiel had seen on the banks of the Chebar was repeated in the plain. Representatives of o.ll the living forces of heaven appeo.red again as the prophet's allies. In such a cause, and with such allied powers, triumph must eventu- ally ensue. Though repelled, the prophet is not defeated; "Though cast down, not destroyed." If he pleased, God could have secured outward e.nd appe.rent success for EZEKIEL. I' THE BOOK OF 'l'HE PROPHET EZEKllH,. [on. m. 1-27.
his messenger. He could have smitten with sudden death the more rebellious, and made the calamity an instrument for impressing and silencing others. But his wisdom preferred another course. "His thoughts are not our thoughts." Ezekiel very likely required yet further training for his work. We see not the scope and grandeur of J ehovah's plans at present; but by-and-by we shall be able to say, "He bath done all things well.'' III. THE DEAF:IIES~ OF ~EN CURTAILS THE REVELATION FROM _GOD. Men's pride usually becomes their pumshment. They scourge themselves with their own sins. If they make themselves deal~ God will make his servant dumb. 'l'he time will come when they shall earnestly desire to hear some message from the Lord, but they shall desire in vain. They may attempt to force the prophet into speech, but they will attempt in vain. Saul, the first King of Israel, was disobedient to the heavenly voice• yet when be was entangled in thick dangers, he cried to God, but God answered not: neither by prophet, nor by vision, nor by Urim or Thummim. "Because I called and ye refused . . . I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when vour' fear cometh." Reproof was the kindest message the people could have from God; yet they understood it not. The hardened soil must be broken up by the plough before it is of any use to cast in the seed. The diseased man needs medicine, not sweetmeats. And when, at times, God does give his prophets a. word to utter, it is only the word of reproof again. He will bring their self-will and pride again to remembrance. The pearls of his gospel he casts not before swine.-D.