iacrifices of expiation. The history of religion is full of such sacrifices-sacrifices which constitute a leading element in the Old Testament economy. III. THE ATTEMPT TO REMOVE THE RUST OF BIN IS A WEARY TASK. 1. New cir- cumstances do not destroy old sins, Though the vessel be taken out of the damp atmosphere which first corroded it, it does not become bright. The rust is still on it. We may try to make amends in the future, but by such means we cannot get rid of the guilt and the consequences of the past. 2. Sin has eaten its way so deeply into the sou.l that no e.tforts of ours can remove it. It is not like dust that lies loosely on the surface; it has cut into our nature like rust. Our feeble self-discipline is ineffectual for removing so close-clinging an evil. 3. No compensation of good works nor expiatory sacrifice,$ will remove this evil. "It is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sin" (Heh. x. 4). Such sacrifices can be but symbols at the best. IV. CHRIST HAS ACCOMPLISHED THIS WEARY TASK, 1. He has made the great 11tonement with God. He is the one true Sacrifice for sin (Heb. x. H). Thus the way is now clear for the soul's cleansing. 2. He removes the rust of sin from the soul. As "the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world," Christ not only brings pardon, he produces purity. His mighty arm scours the rust off the soul. 3. This was a weary task for Christ. Even he found it no easy work. It required the humiliation of Bethlehem, the agony of Gethsemane, and the death of Calvary. Christ toiled, suffered, and grew weary unto death in the awful task. Yet he persevered to the end. 4. Christ invites us to abandon our useless, weary taslc and come to him/or cleansing. It is especially to those who labour and are heavy laden with sin that he gives bis great invitation (Matt. xi. 28-30). Ver. 14 (first clause).-God true to his word. "I the Lord have spoken it: it shall come to pass, and I will do it." L THE SUPPOSITION TEAT GOD lllAY NOT BE TRUE TO HIS WORD. Certain observa- tions and considerations shelter that supposition. 1. The changefulness of life. It looks as though things fell out by chance. We do not discern regular, orderly move- ments in Divine providence. 2. The tardy fu7ji,lment of threat and promise. Both are delayed. Then men lose hold of both, and regard them as inoperative. 3. A false idea of God's mercy. It is thought that God must be too kind to execute his awful threatenings of wrath. 4. UnbeUef. This condition of the souls of men is at the root of the error, and it is only by its existence that other considerations are laid hold of and made occasions for doubting God's certain performance of what he has foretold. IL TEE CERTAINTY TH.AT GoD WILL BE TRUE TO HIS WORD. This is based on important considerations. 1. The constancy of God. He is "the Eternal." Men vary, but God is changeless. What he wills to-day, he wills for ever. 2. The perfect knowledge of God. We may be forced to change our plans by reason of the discovery of new facts. A change in our circumstances may compel a change in our conduct. But God knows all things, and he has prevision of all future contingencies when he makes his promise. Of course, he acts in regard to changing events and the alteration of the characters of men. But these things are all foreknown, o.nd where his action is concerned with them it is conditioned accordingly from the first. There is no surprise and consequent sudden tum. 3. The power of God. We may fail to keep our word from simple inability. A man may promise to pay a sum of money by a certain day, and, in the mean time, unforeseen misfortunes may rob him of the power to redeem his word. No such chances can happen with the Almighty. 4. The mercy of God. Archbishop Tillotson pointed out that God was not so bound to fulfil his threats as to keep his promises of grace, because men had a claim on the latter, but no one would claim the former. Nevertheless, it would not be merciful in God to torture us with warnings of a doom that was not impending. God does remit penalties. But then, from the first he has promised pardon to the penitent. Ill. THE CONSEQUENCES OF GoD'B BEING TRUE TO EIS WORD. 1. The vanity o/ unbelief. It may be with us as it was in the days of Noah (Matt. xxiv. 37-39). But the judgment will not be the less certain because we refuse to expect it. 2. The need of a sure refuge. God has threatened judgment against sin. Be will be true to his word. Then we should be prepared to face the day of wrath. Our only refuge is Lo" flee from God to God." 3. The assurance of true faith. God has given gracious on. x..nv. 1-27.] THE l300K OF THE PROPHET EZEKIEL. 37
promises of pardon to his returning children (e.g. Isa. i. 18). He will certainly be as true to those promises o.s to any threatenings of wrath against the impenitent. Th11 eternal constancy of God ie a rock of refuge for his humble, repentant, trusting children.