are spared the sorrows which they need to drive them from their evil ways, and are thus confirmed in their wickedness. I. FALSE IDEAS IN RELIGION BRING NEEDLESS BORROW TO GOOD PEOPLE. One par- ticular aspect of this mischief is here brought before us-that of the triumph of sin and the prospect of its immunity, together with the persecution of men who resist it. Such was the condition of things at Jer'usalem under the influence of the popular prophets in the days of Jeremiah; and a similar state appears to have prevailed when Ezekiel was writing. But we may see other aspects of the same mischief. 1. Doubt as to Divine justice. If sin is to be unrestrained, goodness may fail. It looks then as though tho world were left to drift without control. 2. Doubt as to the Fatherly care of God. This is an opposite mistake in appearance, and yet the two lie near together. They both come from losing the perception of God's active presence. In the second case, however, good people may trouble themselves by dwelling exclusively on the stern features of judgment, through a reaction against the laxity of popular notions. 3. Mis- application of the doctrine of election. Good people have feared they might not be among the elect. A false fatalism has hung like a pall over their hopes. They have not seen the freedom of grace, the perfect love of God for every soul, the open door for return. 4. A horror of the 1inpardonable sin. Yet they who fear they have com- mitted this sin prove by their very distress that they have not, because that distress shows that they are not dead to spiritual things. II. FALSE IDEAS IN RELIGION KEEP AWAY NEEDFUL SOnROW FROM BAD PEOPLE, Sorrow for sin is a wholesome experience, and nothing can be more dangerous than to be able to do evil without experiencing any feeling of compunction. The flattering theology which would encourage such a condition is the most deadly enemy to its dupes, and while it professes kindness to the sinners whom it lulls to sleep as they float down the rapids of increasing wickedness, it is really murdering their souls by rendering them deaf to the thunders of the cataract. Let us note some of the delusions which lead to this fatal result : 1. Disbelief in J°udgment to come. Soothed by such a. notion, reckless men imagine that they can sin with impunity. It would be better for them if they were pained by visions of judgment. No doubt the extravagant, coarse pictures of a medieval bell have led to a revolt against the idea of future punishment. Yet whatever may be the nature of that punishment, justice requires some terrible retribution for terrible sin. 2. The belief that God is only mild. His love is infinite. But therefore it must include wrath against sin. Soft-hearted benevolence iB not perfect love. 3. Light views of sin. The evil being slightly regarded, its punishment is not expected to be great. Moreover, apart from slavish fears of future suffering, sin itself should be sorrowed over as a hateful thing. But while it is painted in flattering hues it will not be followed by wholesome compunction.
HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Vers. 1-9.-Pretended prophets. There is no institution in itself so good but it mny be corrupted and turned to evil purposes. Prophecy was given to the Hebrew people as a token of Jehovah's interest in them and care for them. The intention was to ntford national guidance and consolation, to give to religion an intellectual character, and to counteract any tendency to formalism which n misunderstanding of the sacerdotal and sacrificial system would naturally encourage. Prophecy was especially adapted to those Israelites who were far from Jerusalem, the scene of sacrifices and of festivals; and the children of the Captivity were, in an especial manner, indebted to the prophets for the counsel, the inspiration, the encouragement, which they needed in their banish- ment from the land of their fathers. Amongst these exiles in the East there arose self- eeeking, ambitious, hypocritical, and pretentious men, who assumed the prophetic office, ministered to the prejudices of their fellow-countrymen, and often led them astray by their erroneous advice. Against such men Ezekiel was commissioned to raise bis protest, in language of severe denunciation and warning. I. 'l'HE PROFESSION AND CLAIMS OF THE FALSE PROPHETS. The men here expo&ell were not prophets of any heathen deity, ministers of any idolatrous religion. '!'hey claimed to be servants of Jehovah, and to speak in his name to their fellow-country- 236 THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET EZEKIEL. [oH, xm. 1-23,