Vera. 7-14.-.A miracle of foreknowledge. False prophets discourse only in general terms and in ambiguous language. Their announcements may have the most contrary meanings. At best they are happy conjectures, fortunate guesses. But the prophecies of Scripture are like sunlight compared with such a phosphorescent flame. The clear- ness and fulness of these prophetic utterances can be accounted for only as a revelation from the omniscient God. I. DIVINE PREDICTIONS ABE ALWAYS RIGHTEOUS IN THEIB BU11STANOE. The predic- tions of pretentious men are usually trivial-the effect of a prurient curiosity. God's revelations of the future are always concerned iu the rebuke of sin and in the furtherance of righteousness. As in the manufacture of cordage in our Government arsenals a worsted thread of a dh;tinct colour runs through every yard of rope, eo through all God's dealings with men this princi_ple of righteousness is ever prominent. What does not serve a righteous end fa not of God. II. DIVINE PREDICTIONS ARE 0LEAR m THEIB ANNOUNCEMENTS. There is no ambiguity, no double meaning, here. No one is left in doubt whether the event to happen is to be favourable or unfavourable. No one is left in doubt what place or people is the subject-matter of the prophecy. In this case every circumstance is narrated with ns much minuteness of detail as if it were a piece of history acted before the eye of the speaker. 'l'he place to be overthrown, its peculiar situation and structure, its former greatness and splendour, the name of the invader, all his military enginery and tactics, the steps by which he should proceed, and the extent of his triumph, are announced beforehand with a clearness and definiteness that can only como from a superhuman source. The contents of the prophecy are often so unlikely in thems,·lves that no human foresight, however shrewd, would conceive such issues; and the fulfil- ment of such improbable predictions most plainly indicate the operation of a Divine mind. III. DIVINE PREDICTIONS ABE 0ERTAm IN THEIR FULFILMENT. "I the Lord have spoken it, saith the Lord." '!'he true prophet of Jehovah is modest and self-oblivious. He does not speak in his own name. He keeps himself in the background. His object is to exalt his Master and to gain homage for him. 'l'be predictions of God always take effect. For with God there is no future. He sees things distant as though they wero near. Looking along the vista of ages, he perceives how every event unfolds from pre- ceding event. The history of men and of nations is, to his eye, drawn out in long perspective. And his word is the mightiest force in the universe. "He spake, and it was done;" "By the word of the Lord were the heavens made ; " " By the breath of his lips shall be slay the wicked." ~V. DIVINE PBEDl0Tl0NII .A.BE )[ERClFUL IN THEIR lNTENTlONB. Wherefore did God TS THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET EZEKIEL, [on. XXVI. 1-21,
declare beforehand this coming suffering and disaster? Was it not enough to endure the calamity when the destined hour came? As the main design was to promote tigbteousness, this shall be done, if possible, in a way of mercy. The prediction would serve to instruct and console the Jews in captivity. It would be beneficial for them to be convinced that Jehovah ruled in all the affairs of men. If the prophecy reached the ears of the King of Babylon, it would serve a good purpose for him to know that he was a servant of the King of heaven, that his army was under the control of God, and that the success of his military expeditions depended on the good will of Jehovah. And if the prophecy should be repeated in the ears vf the •ryrians, who can tell that some among them may repent and opportunely escape from the catastrophe? 'fo fore- shadow the dread event is an act of kindness, which the humble and teachable would appreciate.-D.