iniquity I If we are asked to account for it, we suggest three powerful temptations which prove too strong for resistance. 1. The fascinations of novelty; the love of looking at things in new lights or of treading new paths. 2. The strength of the social current; the unconscious and (often) the wholly unreasonable deference we pay to the opinions of those around us. It is difficult to row against the stream of current thought and practice; it is pleasant to go with the tide, even though we suspect it is bearing us out to the open sea of uncertainty and unbelief. 3. Concern for our temporal interests; for it often happens that a firm adherence to conviction means a painful parting, not only from friends, but from the source of" food and raiment." II. THE SUMMONS TO FIDELITY. Many things demand of ns that we should be faithful even to the end. Fidelity is: 1. Obligatory. We cannot leave the service of God or of truth without breaking the most sacred bonds, without laying ourselves open to self-reproach and doing that which we shall look back upon with shame and sorrow. We owe it to those who are coming up after us-especially to our own children-that we turn not our back on our old principles. 2. Excellent. There is something honourable and admirable in a very high degree in a consistent and faithful life; not, of course, the unintelligent repetition of the old sounds, but the adherence, through good report and evil report, through storm and sunshine, to the vital principles we learnt at the feet of Jesus Christ. The head that has grown white with the con- sistent advocacy and illustration of elevating and ennobling truth does wear a glorious crown. 3. .Attended with a large and a true reward. Steadfastness, as compared with vacillation or apostasy, not only commands the esteem of men, and not only enables its possessor to enjoy his own self-respect, but it secures for him the abiding favour of God. God calls such men not only to the gate or door of the sanctuary; he bids them "enter into it," and "come near to his table," to "minister unto him." For them is reserved the closer fellowship and the more honourable and essential service. In the service of Christ fidelity not only aspires to the higher and better service of the Master and of mankind beluw, but it looks forward to an admission within the blessed gates, and sitting dc,wn to the "table" of the Lord in the heavenly kingdom (Luke x:xii. 30).-C. Vers. 17-31.-" .A good ministllr of Jeaus Christ." What the faithful priest was under the Law, that the "good minister" is under Christ (1 Tim. iv. 6). And while the form of service is altogether different, the spirit should be the same. The ideal priest, as here delinented, is, mutatis mutandis, the true bishop or pastor of the New Testament. The latter is- I. STUDIOUS OF ms MASTER'S WILL, EVEN IN SMALL PARTIOULARS. The priest was to carry out very minute instructions (see vers. 17-20). The minister of Christ is freed from the observance of such particulars, but still he is to be regardful of the will of Christ in everything. He is to carry a Christian temper and bearing every- where. If in the view of the Master there was n right and a wrong way of entering a room nnd taking a seat (see Luke xiv. 7-10), so may there be a right aud a wrong way of entering a pulpit, or reading a chapter, or visiting a cottage. II. CAREFUL TO BE AT HIS BEST IN PUBLIC MINISTRATIONS. The priest was to avoid the drinking of wine at or near the time of sacrifice (ver. 21). The true minister of Christ will (1) shun everything in tho way of bodily iadulgence which unfits him, and (2) study _and practise every habit, whether physical or mental, which will qualify him, for the discharge of hie sacred duties with the utmost efficiency. III. AN EXEMPLAR IN ALL MATTERS OF PURITY. (Vers. 22, 26, 26.) In all domestio relations, as husband and father (see 1 Tim. iii. 1-5; Titus i. 6). And in• all his rela- tions with either sex it becomes him to be a pattern of purity; not only shunning that which is positively wrong and guilty, that which is condemned in terms, but avoidina even the approaches to evil in this direction, knowing the great importance that h: should encourage all, more especially the young, in that thorough purity (of heart, of word, and of deed) without which no character can be beautiful in the sight of God. IV. ONE THAT EXPOUNDS AND ENFORCES PRACTICAL RIGHTEOUSNESS. (Ver. 23.) What the people have a right to look for from their Christian teacher is: 1. A full, olear, forcible declaration of those truths which determine their relation to God. Firsl 410 TlIE BOOK OF THE PROPHET EZEKIEL. [err. xtv.1-25.
of all, men want to be brought into a. right relation with him; until that is done it may be said that nothing is done; estranged and separated from God, there is no rest or rightness for the human heart. Then comes: 2. A clear enunciation of Christian morals; such an exposition of duty that men shall know and feel the distinction between what is right and what is wrong in all their dealings with their fellow-men, in all their home relations, in all the varied spheres in which they move. The minister of Christ is to be, like Noah, a "preacher of righteousness;" he is so to speak that those who hear him will be powerfully encouraged in every virtue, strongly dissuaded from every evil way and all unworthiness in temper and spirit. V. A lllAN OF AN ESSENTIALLY DEVOUT LIFE. (Vers. 24, 27, 28.) One that delights in the worship of God, that does not fail to use well the privileges provided by the de.y and the house of the Lord, that finds his chief and best inheritance in God himself; to whom the Fatherhood of God and the friendship and service of Jesus Christ are (and not merely bring) an "exceeding great reward." He is to be a man who can say that "to him to live is Christ," and that, conversely, to know and love and serve Christ is life indeed.---0.