folse proverb-or at all events, with a proverb falsely applied (see ver. 22). Ezekiel tells them that such errors and those of flattering divination will both cease. There is to be an end to error. I. DELUSIONS WIN A TEMPORARY TRIUMPH. The false prophet has his day of success. Flattering errors easily win their way into popularity. The hi~tory of thought is largely made up of the story of errors - their genesis, growth, prevalence, triumph, and decay. This fact should guard us against accepting any motive just because it happens to be triumphant. There are faul,ions in philosophy and theology. But truth is eternal and abiding, and it is therefore simply foolish to accept the ideas which chance to be in vogue at our own time without further inquiry. II. THE TRIUMPH OF DELUSIONS IS FRUITLESS. Error is always barren of any solid results. It is darkness, death, negation. Even when at the acme of prosperity it is but as a bubble; it has no substance in it. 'l'here came a time when the vain vision and the flattering divination of the Jews were to be pnt to the test in the siege of Jerusalem. At this moment of trial they were found to be utterly useless. This is the fatal defect of a false idea. We may cherish it for long until we need to use it. But directly we put it into practice it crumbles away. III. TROUBLE EXPOSES DELUSIONS. So long as Jerusalem prospered the vain visions r.ontinued, and the flattering divination was practised without intermission. It was the touch of real trouble that broke the bubble. Many a comfortable soul is living in a fool's paradise of direful error without fear or pain until some real adversity comes. Then the utter delusiveness of the admired notions is suddenly revealed with appalling amazement. If we are able to hold to fatal notions till the end of life, we sh:i.J.l find at last that they are but rotten planks, which will break.up when we try to float on them ove~ the chill waters of death. IV. THE EXPOSURE OF DELUSIONS IS A BLESSING. Naturally enough, it first strikes the helpless dupes with dismay as a pure calamity. Why should they not be permitted to dream their lives away on a bed of roses although the volcano should be slumbering beneath? Because even apart from consequences truth is supremely desirable, and error is an evil thing. We ought to be thankful for a. painful process which lm<ls us out of darkness into light. But it is not necessary for us to wait for the alarming awakening. The revelation of God in Christ and the truths of inspiration are with us to spare us the terrible method of deliverance from error, and,to lead us out of darkness into the light of Christ.
HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Ver. 3.-Hope mingled with fem·. If we bear in mind that this language was employed by the Lord in directing Ezekiel how to deal with the house of Israel, we shall see what light it casts upon human liberty and responsibility. The prophet was to make use of certain symbolical means with the view of wakening his countrymen to a sense of their danger, and of inducing them to repent and to turn unto the Lord. Now, believing in the Divine omniscience and foreknowledge, we cannot but be assured that the Eternal foresaw what would be the result of the appeal which was to be made. Yet he spoke to the prophet as if that result was uncertain. "It may bo they will consider, though they be a rebellious house." Ezekiel did not and could not know what would be the issue of this ministry with which ho was entrusted; aml he was to do his work in a perfectly natural and human wny, to act as believing in the liberty of those to whom ho was sent, and ns leaving the responsibility entirely with them. He experienced in his mind a conflict of emotions; hope was mingled with fear. I. A NATUI\AL EXPECTATION FOUNDED UPON EXPERIENCE. Ezekiel knew that he was Rent to "a rebellious house," to "a stiff-necked people; " he could not possibly bu blind to the character and disposition of those whom he knew so well. Every herald and messenger of Goel is sometime& sent to the unbelieving, the hard-heartcLl, the apparently unimpressible. Such charncters have often been brought into contact with the Divine Word, and have as often spurned it. ,Judging by experience only, how can any servant of God go to such, taking with him a new message, or the old message with THE DOOK UJ:<' THE PROPHET EZEKIEL. [on. XII. 1-20.
11e"· arguments and persuasions to enforce it, without something of discouragement some- thing of foreboding? It is not possible. Habits are confirmed as days and yea~s pass 011; the hard heart is likely to grow harder instead of softer. Only the hammer can break, only the fire can melt it. II. A coKTRARY HOPE SPRINGING FROM BENEVOLEN0E. Divine kindness addresses the rebellious and impenitent yet once again. "It may lie they will consider." If this view is possible t-0 God, surely it is possible to God's human messena-er. He knows perhaps, that his own ignorance has been instructed, his own obduracy has been melted~ and he hopes that in this the experience of others may resemble his own. If men wid but consider, consideration may lead to repentance. And why should they not consider? Is not the message from God a message that deserves serious and patient attention? 'l'be good will which the Lord's servant has towards his fellow-men forbids him to despair of their salvation, to abandon labour on their behalf. III. THE AI'I'OI1'"TED MEANS HAVING BEEN USED BY Goo's MESSENGER, TIIE RESPON- Slllll,ITY MUST BE LEFT WITH TIIOSE ADDRESSED IN Goo's NAME. The herald of God deli,ers his message, presents the offers and the requirements of Divine authority· ho does this with mingled fear and hope; and he can do no more. The record has al~ays been a record resembling that of Paul's ministry at Rome: "Some believed and some believed not." The minister of Christ preaches the gospel, whether men ~ill hear or forbear. ~e. deliver~ bis soul. He cannot command results. He can simply repeat the admomt10n of his Master, "Take heed how ye hear I " And it is well that he should not discharge his ministry in a spirit of dejection and despondency. He must indeed face the possibility that those whose welfare he seeks may refuse to consider; they are free agents, and the competing voices of the world are powerful, aUractive. Yet he should not forget that they may consider; and if they will only yield so far, he may reasonably hope that consideration_may lead to repentance and to life eternal.-T.