exaggerate. This may not be so obvious to us as the assertion of Assyria's strength; but so it seemed to the mind of the world of old. V. ITs INFLUENCE. This seems to be the idea conveyed by the sixth verse: "All the fowls of the heaven made their nests in his boughs, and under his branches did all the beasts of the field bring forth their young, and under his shadow dwelt all great nations." A power so commanding, a position so authoritative, secured the homage of lesser states, which looked up to Nineveh for protection, and were ever ready, by flattery or by service, to minister to her greatness. VI. ITS PRE·EMINEXCE. The stature of the cedar of Lebanon was exalted abcve all the trees of the field. Even so, during its palmy days, Nineveh was the leader, the chief of the nations. It was long before that supremacy was questioned and disputed. Yet the day came, and Assyria fell. APPLICATION. (1) A great nation enjoying prosperity and wielding influence is especially bound to remember whence its power is derived; and (2) to cultivate the conviction a.nd sense of responsibility for the use made of gifts and influence entrusted to it. From God all comes, and to God the account must be rendered.-T. Vers. 10--13.-The penalty of pride. The description of Assyria's power and glory is introduced by the prophet in order to give point to the account now given of that nation's tragic fate. The more majestic the cedar, the more awful its downfall, and the more affecting the desolation thus '\t'rought. For the warning of Egypt the prophet brings to memory the fate of one of the mightiest and most famous of the kingdoms of the East. I. THE OFFENCE. This lay, not in the greatness and the might of the nation, which were appointed by Divine providence, but in the misuse of the position attained. The language used by Ezekiel concerning Assyria is very instructive as to Assyria's sin : "His heart is lifted up in his height." H is not the gifts bestowed in which the offeuce is to be sought, but it is in the erroneous view taken by the possessor, and in hie abuse of those gifts. When we read of the heart being lifted up, we are led to under- st:i.nd that the nation took credit to itself for its position and acquirements, and for the influence thus enjoyed. In fact, as our Lord has expressly taught us, the heart is the seat and the source of all sin. Especially apparent is this in the case of the gifts of national exaltation, wealth, and military power; when the hearts of king and of people are filled with pride, self-confidence, and self-glorification. II. THE CHASTISEMENT. The tree was smitten and felled by the hand of the stranger. A foreign foe, a rival nation, was employed to humble the pride of Assyria. The mighty one of the nations (by which we are to understand the King or the Babylonians) dealt with Assyria's pretensions to supremacy, and confounded them. "Strangers, the terrible of the nations, have cut him off." No greater calamity could have befallen the proud and boastful nation; no more unexpected disaeterl III. 'l'HE RUIN. The figurative language used to describe this, though succinct, is conclusive and appalling: "Upon the mountains and in all the valleys hie branches are fallen, and his boughs are broken by all the water-courses of the land," etc. The description affirms of the conquered Assyria: 1. Humiliation; for the lofty is laid low. 2. Desertion: "All the people of the earth have gone down from hie shadow, and have left him." Those who praised and flattered Assyria in prosperity, in the time of adversity forsake and flout her. 3. 'l'he ruined nation becomes the prey of other peoples, who seek to profit by its fall.-T. Ver. 14.-77ie lesson/or all nations. Doubtless the immediate aim of the downfall of such a nation as Assyria hos respect to the people and their rulers, upon whom the judgment comes. But there is a universal lesson intended for the benefit of all peoples throughout all time. I. Gon INCULCATES MORAL LESSONS BY THE WORDS UTTERED BY BIB SERVANTS. His law-givers, such as Moses; his prophets, such as Ezekiel; his priests and scribes, such as Ezra, have messages of instruction, encouragement, warning (as the case may be), for all mankind in every age. And God summons the children of men to give heed to his servants when they utter th!)ir messages, rrefacing them with the assertion, 11 Thus ~aith the Lord." OH. xxx1. 1-18.] THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET EZEKIEL. 161
II. Goo ENFORCES THESE VERDAL LESSONS BY FACTS, AND ESPECIALLY BY THE EVENTS OF HISTORY. In such catastrophes as the downfall of Assyria, as the siege of Jerusalem, as the destruction of Tyre, as the humiliation of Egypt, the eternal, righteous, and omnipotent Ruler of mankind speaks to his subjects with an authoritative and unmis- takable voice. Facts embody principles. Historical incidents elucidate moral laws. Judgments enforce commands. Ill. THE WONDER OF :r,nrn's INSENSIBILITY TO THF:SE LESSONS. It might be expected that those upon whom the message of the herald produces no impression would be roused from their apathy by the stirring incidents of political change and national disaster. But, as a matter of fact, multitudes are unaffected even by the downfall of a. city, the revolution of a government, the displacement of a dynasty, the transference of the balance of power amoncr the nations. Is not this in accordance with Christ's own words, "If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead"? IV. THE FOLLY AND PENALTY OF INDIFFERENCE TO THESE LESSONS. They who give heed to Divine counsels, who profit by Divine admonitions, deliver their soul in the Aay of trouble and temptation. But they who hear unmoved, incredulous, unrespon- sive, the solemn and faithful appeals of God, uttered as with a voice of thunder in the events that befall the nations of mankind, by their conduct aggravate their guilt and pen their own condemnation. V. THE WISDOM OF IMMEDIATE ATTENTION TO THESE LESSONS, WITH THE PROPER FRUITS OF SU0H ATTENTION IN REPENTANCE AND OBEDIENCE. The parable was spoken, the providential interposition was recounted," To the end that none of all the trees by the waters exalt themselves." "He that bath an ear, let him hear."-T.