HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Ver. 1.-" Sound an alarm I " The trumpet-oell was used among the Israelites both in their religious solemnities and in the conduct of war. The direction here given is that a summons should be addressed to the nation, calling upon all classes to give heed to the presence of the Lord, and to learn the lessons taught by his awful judgments. We are thus te.U{!;ht that the silver sound of the gospel trumpet is not the only note that reaches our human race; there is also the loud call, the ste.rtling alarm, which is especially intended for sinful and inattentive man. I. Sn. JJ..-D FALSE SECCJllITY ABE OFTEN ASBOCUTED, The tempter not only leads men into sin ; he persuades them that sin will have no evil consequences. The voice of conscience is silenced ; the solemn 88SW'ance of Scripture is disregarded or dis- uelieved. Men sin without foreboding and without fear. II. HENCE THE NEED OF A SOLEMN AND FJ.ITRFUL NOTE 011' ALJ.BM AND WARNING. Ezekiel was taught that one especial function of the prophet is to give the people warning. The wa.tchm&n who sees the approach of danger is bound to blow the trumpet, that they may not be surprised and taken unawares. Those who are entrusted witb a meSBage from God to their fellow-men are directed, whether men hear or forbear, to deal faithfully with souls. Ill. 'IRE B.ESPONSIBILITY OF GIVING HEED TO TBE ALJ.BM BESTS WITH THOSE WHO ABE WARNED. The warning may be disregarded, the penalty may be incurred, the judgment may be experienced. Or, on the other hand, the alarm may not be sounded in vain. Repentance may prove itB reality by sincere resolutions and prayers, and II new heart ma.y produce II new life. Then not only does the prophet deliver his soul; the sinner finds acceptance and ealvation.-T. Ver. 11.-" W7w can abicu it 1" It is the day of the Lord to which the prophet here refers; the day when the Lord visits the earth, examines his people, inquires into their conduct, and especially into the manner in which they have dealt with hie mes- sengers and their message. Then a test shall be applied to the inmost nature, and to the outward life of men; and it is a. serious inquiry, "Who can abide it?" l. NoNE CAN RESIST THE 014NIJ'OTENOE OF THE DIVINE JUDGE. JL NONE Cill' ELUDE BIB OMNISCIENT SOBUTINY INTO THE HEJ.BTS .Alil> LIVL'B OF MID,. Ill. N Ol!."E CAN QUESTION THE PBINCIPLJ!:S OF JUSTICE UPON wmoH BE PROCEEDS. JV NONE CAN SHOW CONFORMITY TO TBE STANDARD OF RIGHTEOUSNESS WHIOH liE APPLIES. V. NoNE CAN EVADE THE AUTHORITATIVE SENTENCE WHICH HE PBONO'ONOES, APPLICATION. If none can abide the judgment of the future, it will be wise now to seek by repentance and faith reconciliation and acceptance. "Kise the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way."-T. Ver. 12.-0onversion. God is not satisfied to utter threatening& and to foretell evil.• It is truly characteristic of him that be adds words of gracious entreaty, expostulation,, and counsel. He would be deserving of our adoring gratitude did he merely expres11: OJI, I[, 1-32.) THE BOOK OF JOEL. 37
lhie willingness t,o receive the returning Binner; but in this pa.esa.ve he deigns to invite and beaeeoh those who have rebelled and who are in da.nger of perdition, that they 1 convert nod repent.
• I. Wno ARID THEY wno ARID THUi ADKOl!llBHED? They are such as have been highly favoured, and have nevertheless disobeyed the Father who llae cared for them, rebelled ·agil.inet the King who hae been gracio118 to them. Who amongst men must not be included in this class? II. To WHOM ABE THEY INBTBUCJTKD TO BETURN? "To me," saith the Lord. It is the offended One, who himself condescends to invite transgressors to reverse their steps, to renounce their disobedience, to cleave unto himself. Thie is a mira.cle of grace. Ill. WHAT KIND 01' OONVEBSI0N DOBB GoD REQUIRE ? Jn this passage we have 88 clear a statement as even the New 'l'estament can supply of the spirituality of true religion. God does not ask for verbal, formal submission; he asks for the return of the heart. Here is involved true penitence-hea.rt-sorrow for sin. Here is involved true faith-heart-attachment to God. The heart is emphatically God's, and it is the heart he a.eke. IV. WHAT TOKENS OF SINOEBITY IN CONVEBBI0N DOES GoD EXPECT? The true con- version is within ; but there will be appropriate evidences that sin is loat~ and forsaken. For this purpose the tears and mourning, etc., here deSCl:i.bed, are to be desired by God and presented by man.-T.