judgments upon the people could not have led Ezekiel to have predicted such a result of the C11ptivity, but one of an opposite character. The character of the people and the circumstances of their captivity were not calculated to inspire a declaration like this. It could not have been the product of mere human genius in an exalted mood, or human foresight in a. condition of intense activity. Such a prediction must have been communico.ted to the prophet by him to whom all things are known. CoNOLUBION, "Guard yourselves from idols."-W. J. Vera. 38, 39.-The exclusiveness of the worship of the Lord God. "Moreover this they have done unto me: they have defiled my sanctuary in the same day," etc. 'l'he chief practical suggestions of our text may be arranged under three beads. I. MEN INSTBU0TED IN THE TRUE RELIGION PRACTISING THE GREATEST ABOMINATIONS OF HEATHENISM. "They had slain their children to their idols'' ( ver. 39). "They have caused their sons, whom they bare unto me, to pass through the fire unto them to be devoured" (ver. 37). We have already noticed the offering of children to Moloch (on eh. xvi. 20, 21). And in this age and in this professedly Christian land people make sacrifices which bear some resemblance to these in spirit. How many respect- able and avowedly Christian parents sacrifice their daughters in marriage to mammon I The man may be unsuitable in age, uncongenial in temper, immoral in character and conduct; but, ifhe be rich, he is welcomed as a suitor. How frequently, too, are the best and the abiding interests of children-their intellectual, spiritual, and eternal interests-risked, or even sac1ificed, by their parents, in order that they may attain unto higher social status or gain worldly honours and distinctions I And in other ways practices which are worthy only of heathen intelligence and morality are at work amongst us. ll. M1rn PASSING AT ON0E FROM THE PRAOTIOE OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF HEATHENISM INTO THE SANCTUARY AND SEBVI0E OF THE LIVING Gon. "When they had slain their children to their idols, then they came the same day into my sanctuary to pro- fane it; and, lo, thus have they done in the midst of mine house." The Prophet Jeremiah complains of a similar sin: "Will ye steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely, and burn incense unto Baal, and walk after other gods whom ye have not known; and come and stand before me in this house, which is called by my Name, and say, We are delivered; that ye may do all these abominations?" (Jer. vii. 9, 10). The sin is not unknown amongst us in these days. Men are on tbe race- course, with its cruelty, profanity, and gambling, on the weekday, and on Sunday they enter the sanctuary of God, and take part in its services. Tbere are those who, during the week, visit scenes of drunkenness and profligacy, and on the Lord's day they go to church and unite in the forms of worship. It is an ill preparation for the sacred engagements of the house of God to spend the Saturday evening in the public- house, worshipping Bacchus. Nor is the character of the case much altered when persons attend church on Sunday morning, and spend the remainder of the day in social festivity and dissipation. III. THAT BUCH 0ONDUOT 18 A PROFANATION BOTH OP THE SABBATH AND THB BANOTUARY OF Gon. "Moreover this they have done unto me: they have defiled my sanctuary in the same day, and have profaned my sabbaths. For when they bad slain their children to their idols," etc. We may show this by noticing: 1. That these things should be held in ,·everence. (1) Because they were instituted by God. He ordained the sabbath and the sanctuary. They rest upon the ho.sis of Divine authority. (2) Because they were instituted for his glory. Both the sabbath and the sanctuary are for the worship of the Most High. Both are intended to promote the best interests of man, to elevate him as a spiritual and immortal being, and thus to enable him more fully to glorify God. As man grows in spiritual purity and power, in righteousness and kindness towards men, and in reverence and devotion towards God, his life contributes to the honour of God. The sabbath and the sanctuary, when properly used, further these ends. 2. The conduct exMbited and condemned in the te3;t is most irreverent in relation to these things. (1) Because it puts the sanctuary and the sabbath on tba low level of heathen institutions and customs. So did the people of Israel and of Judah. How many to-day attend religious services for no higher reason than this, that it is socially respectable to do so 1 (2) Because it disparages 32 THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET EZEKIEL. [ou. XXIV. 1-27.
them in the eyes of observers. If men form their opinion of religious services and ordinances from such persons as take part in them on Sunday, and during tho rest of the werk lead Jives of a character which is in utter opposition to them, they must conclude that they are shams and unworthy of the regard of true men, (3) Because it is insulting to God. Such conduct implies that our outward and empty forms and ceremonies can please him, or that he will accept our attendance upon his worship as a compensation for our disregard of his will when we are absent from his houso. "But the Lord looketh on the heart." He rejects the worship which is offered to him by such persons as hypocritical service and offensive to him (cf. Ps. I. 7-23; Isa. i. 11-15). CoNCLUSION. The worship of God is exclusive. "Thou shalt have none other gods before me;" "Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve;" "Ye cannot serve God and mammon." Let us cultivate decision and thoroughness in his sen-ice. How different from the conduct condemned in the text was that of Cyprian! On bis way to mo.rtyrdom he was told by the emperor that he would give him time to consider if he had not better cast a grain of incense into the fire in honour of the idol-gods than die so ignominiously. Cyprian replied, "There needs no delibera, tion in the case." John Huss, at the stake, was offered a pardon if he would recant. His reply was, " I am here, ready to suffer death." Thomas Hawkes, in like circum- stances, said, "If I bad a hundred bodies, I would suffer them all to be torn in pieces, rather than recant." Let us seek to be alike true, whole-hearted, and firm in our allegiance to our Lord.-W. J,