character. The fate of the kings-if so they may be called-Jehoahaz and Jehoiachin, is certainly instructive. But it would not be just to separate between the rulers and the ruled, both of whom alike "did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord." I. THE ROYAL ORIGIN AND DIGNITY OF THE l'RINCES, 'l'hey are compared to lions, nourished by the lioness their dam, among the whelps. Sprung from the royal stook, and acknowledged as being in the succession, they occupied in due time the throne of their fathers. This arrangement was in fulfilment of the promise made by Jehovah to David, that there should not fail a. man to sit upon the throne of the royal bard. II. THE MISUSE BY THE PRINCES OF THEIR POWERS. It is natural that tho youn" lion should catch its prey and even devour men. But when the princes are compared to such bloodthirsty and carnivorous beasts, it is implied that they were in the habit of oppressing and robbing their subjects, and treating them with violence and cruelty. As a matter of fact, the two princes referred to did conduct themselves in a tyrannical and unjust manner. III. THE FATE WHICH THE PRINCES PREPARED FOR THEMSELVES. The nations are" described by the poet-prophet as hearing of the ravening of the. lions, and as setting themselves against them, spreading a net, digging a pit, and, by the use of customary devices, taking the noxions marauder. The first-mentioned prince was taken captive into Egypt, the second to Babylon. They are depicted as led in chains, as put in ward, and of the second it is poetically observed that "his voice was no more heard upon the mountains of Israel." As far as history enables us to judge, these princes met with the reward due to their ungodliness, violence, rapacity, and treachery. IV. THE 1''EGLECT OF ONE OF THE PRINCES TO LEARN AND TAKE WARNDIG BY THE FATE OF THE OTHER. Whether if Jehoiachin had been wise, and had learned the lesson publicly pronounced by the doom of Jehoahaz, he might have escaped ruin, we cannot tell But by disregarding that lesson he sealed his fate. How often it happens in human affairs that the most obvious and powerful lesson, enforced by striking actual examples, makes no impression Up-Jn the mind of the young, self-willed and irreligious I V. A PRACTICAL AND IllPORTANT LESSON 18 THUS CONVEYED TO ALL WHO ARE CALLED BY PROVIDEKCE TO GOVERN THEIR FELLOW-MEN. 1. Princes should not rely upon their high descent, their birth, their ancestral claims to respect. 2. Princes should not use their power and the influence of their station for their own personal emoluments or pleasures. 3. Princes should be wise, and order their doings by the precepts of Divine righteousness. 4. Princes should remember the instability of thrones and the uncer- tainty of life and prosperity, and accordingly should be diligent in their endeavours for the public good.-T. Vers. 10-14.-17ie downfall of the city. The transition is a bold one, from the :figure of the lioness's whelps to that of the vine with its pride of growth and its clusters of fruit, and anon as withered and scorched and ready to perish. Little is there of tenderness or of sympathy in the prophet's view of the degenerate scions of the royal house of Judah. But when he comes to speak of Jerusalem, a sweeter similitude rises before his vision; it is the vine that grew and flourished on the sunny slopes of Judah, in all its fairness and fruitfulness, now, alas ! to be plucked up, cast down, broken, withered, and consumed with fire. I. JERUSALEM IN HER GLORY, 1. '1.'he city was well placed upon her hills; as the vine by the waters that nourish and cheer the noble plant in the heat and drought of summer. 2. The city was noble of aspect; even as the vine of exalted stature, as she appears in her height with the multitude of her branches. 3. The city was strong in her sway ; as the vine with her vigorous and pliant rods " for the sceptres of them that bear rule." 4. The city was fruitful in great men and great thinkers and great deeds; even as the vine that bears abundant clusters of rich grapes. There is fondness and pride in these references to the sacred and beloved metropolis. II. JERUSALEM IN BER DESOLATION. It would seem that Ezekiel, foreseeing what !6 about to come to pass, speaks of the ruin of the city as if already accomplished. 'l'he vine in its wealth of foliage and of fruit is the picture of the memory; the vine i11 its de~truction is the sad vision of the immediate future, and the foreboding seems 11. fact. 1. The city itself is besieged, taken, and dismantled. 2. The chief inhabitanui OH, x,x.1-14.J THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET EZEKIEL. ,'349
are oither slnin or led away into banishment. 3. 'l'he princes are deprived ot their power. 4. 'l'he city's prosperity and pride, wealth and prowess, are all at an end. III. J1musALEM LAMENTED. The spectacle of a famous metropolis, the seat of historic government and of a consecrated temple, reduced to helplessness and clis.,.race is~ spectacle ~ot to be beheld without emotion. We are reminded of the langu;gc i~ which e.n English poet represents the.Roman conqueror, centuries afterwards, lamenting the sad but inevitable fate of Jerusalem:- " It moves me, Romans : Confounds the counsel of my firm philosophy, That Ruin's merciless plongbshare should pass o'er And barren salt be sown on yon proud city I " APPLIOATION, 1. The transitoriness and mutability of earthly greatness are very impressively brought before us in this passage. Sic transit gloria mundi. 2. Emi- nence and privilege are no security against the operation of righteous law. 3. Repent- ance and obedience are the only means by which it may be hoped that advantages will be retained, and further opportunities of useful service afforded.-T.