rn,,tiv,'s. They ml\y evrn seek him in prayer in n wrong spirit-in an unbelicvin"', unrnh111issirn, selfish, worldly spirit. If we wonld draw near to him acceptably arfd prolitnlily, we "must believe that he is, and that he is a Rewanler of them that seek after him;" we must be humble and reverent; we must bow loyally to his supreme authority, and we must sincerely desire to do bis will. "If any man willoth to do bis will, be shall know of the teaching," etc. (John vii. 17). By carncslly desiring and endeavouring to do the will of God, as far as it is known unto you, you are qualifying yourself to recei,;,e further revelations from him. III. THAT THE LonD ODSllR'\'"ES THE SPIRIT IN WHICH MEN INQUlllE OF RIM. He knew the real feelings aud motives of these elders of Israel, and spake to them acct,rding:ly through his servant Ezekiel. And he was fully cognizant of the idols in the hearts of the elders who waited upon the prophet on a former occasion (eh. xiv. 3), 'l'hc most plausible words and the most specious forms cannot impose upon him. "Man looketh on the outward appearance, but God looketh on the heart;" "The Lord searcheth all hearts;" "I know also, my God, that thou triest the heart;" "The righteous God trieth the hearts and reins;" "0 Lord, thou hast searched me and kno"·n me. Thou knowest my downsittiog and mine uprising; thou understandest my thought afar off," etc. (Ps. cxxxix. 1-5). "He knows," says Greenhill, "upon what grounds, with what purpose, intentions, resolutions, men come to hear his Word, to ask counsel of bis servants. Look to yourselves, spirits, and all your ways; God seeth and kooweth all, and if you be not sincere, without guile and hypocrisy, he will find you out and detect you" (cf. John iv. 23, 24). IV. THAT THE LORD WILL NOT ANSWER THE INQUIRIES OF THOSE WHO APPROACH RIM IN A WRONG SPIRIT. " Thus saith the Lord God; Are ye come to inquire of me? .As I live, saith the Lord God, I will not be inquired of by you." Bishop Lowth states the truth clearly and forcibly: "You shall not receive such an answer as you expect, but such as your hypocrisy deserves." The Lord would not reply to their questionings. They were not in a condition to receive enlightening or edifying communications from God. Deeply insincere as they were, they could not receive revelations of Divine truth. The only message suited to them was a rebuke or warning because of their sin, or a summons to repentance. This principle is universally and abidingly true. "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me; " "When ye spread forth your bands, I will bide mine eyes from you," etc. (Isa. i. 15) ; " '.L'bcn shall they cry unto the Lord, but be will not answer them," etc. (Micah iii. 4); '' We know that God beareth not sinners; but if any man be a worshipper of God, and do bis will, him he heareth." V. THOUGH THE LORD WILL NOT .ANSWER THE INQUIRIES OF THOSE WHO APPROAOH HIM IN A WRONG SPIRIT, YET HE WILL ADDRESS TO THEM WORDS SIDTED TO THEIR 111'.0BAL CONDITION. He did so on a former occasion (eh. xiv.). He does so here. 1. Here is their personal condemnation. "Wilt thou judge them, son of man, wilt thou judge them?" 'l'be prophet is thus summoned to "pronounce sentence upon them. 'l'he repetition of the phrase is expressive of a strong desire that the act should be begun, and thus gives the force of an imperative." God would not reply to them for the gratification of their curiosity, but be speaks to them for the salvation of their souls. This condemnation might awaken them to reflection and repentance. 2. Here is the ezhi'bition of their national Bina. "Cause them to know the abominations of their fathers." By the declaration of these the Lord would vindicate the righteousness of bis dealings with them as a people. He would also show them "that the evil is deep- seated, and a radical cure is to be desired, which can only be effected by a judgment of iD..flexible rigour" (Heogstenberg). CONCLUSION. Our subject forcibly impresses the necessity of true-heartedness as a condition of approaching God, so as to meet with bis acceptance and to obtain bis blessing.-W. J.
Vers. 5-9.-God, and Israel in Egypt. ".And say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God; In the day when I chose Israel," etc. This paragraph sets forth the dealings of God with his people in the land of Egypt. I. THE CHOICE OF THE PEOPLE DY GoD. "Thus saith the Lord; In the day when J chose hrael, and lirted up mine hand unto 1he seed of the house of Jacob, and made OB. xx. 1-4.9.J 'l'HE BOOK OF THE PROPHET EZEKIEL. 373