find Divine truth in Paul's Epistles; yet it is commended to ua in Paul's human a.rg11- ment. Whether, however, it be in the thunder oflsa.iah or in the tr,imbling of Jeremiah, whether in the logic of Paul or the mysticism of John, we hear throughout all the declara• tion of God, "I have written," etc. "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God." CoNOLUSION, Never account God's Word" a strange thing." 1. We may do so by applying its precepts and promises to others and not to ourselves, as if they were foreign to us. 2. We may do so by allowing God's Word to lie beside us unread. Illustrate our duty by the story of the conversion of St. Augustine.-.A. B. Ver. 2.-Israel's cry. It could not be that, however tempted and however sinful, the children of the covenant should lose all remembrances of the mercies shown to them and the blessings promised to them. God had not forgotten them, neither did they altogether forget God. This cry, represented as rising to Heaven from Israel'~ lips, seems natural enough : " My God, we know thee." I, WHEN A OBY OF HYPOOBISY, FEAR, OB SELFISHNESS, IT WAS VA.Dr. A.Jas ! it was often this. Superstition led the people to conjoin the worship of Jehovah with the worship of idols. It would seem that, in their ignorant, selfish, worthless religiousness, they wished to stand well with both. There was a measure of truth in the cry ; for the children of Abraham had a right to look to Jehovah and say," My God," and they could justly add, "We know thee." Yet, occupying the position they did, their utterance was unheard by and unacceptable to the Searcher of hearts. II. WHEN A OBY OF BINOEBITY AND FAITH, IT WAS ACCEPTABLE. It was not that the words were wrong in themselves; it was the spirit that was defective and b\a.m- able. When such words came from filial, grateful, spiritual natures, most welcome were they to the ear of the Supreme. The language admits of, nay, it naturally expresses, devoutness-a joyful appropriation, heartfelt communion.. It rejoices in an honourable and blessed relationship; it acknowledges a happy, elevating, and unbroken familiarity.-T.
Ver. 6.-The broken idol. The calf-worship in northern Palestine is an example of the inconsistencies to which human nature is liable, and the declensions incident to social and national life. The indignation of the prophet is a fit expression of the dis- pleasure of Jehovah. And the threat conveyed in the language of the text must have been felt by those to whom it was addressed to be as righteously deserved as it was certain to be executed. The lesson of the passage is a more general and extensive one than appears upon the surface. We are reminded of- I. MAN'S PRONENESS TO BET OTHER OBJECTS IN THE SUPREME PLACE WHICH OF BIGHT IS GoD's. Every object, every being, every pursuit, which men place in the position which is God's alone, becomes an idol. Thus idolatry is a sin of all times. Pleasure, fa.me, learning, power, etc., all by turns assume the throne of the heart, stand in the shrine of Deity. II. Suon IDOLATRY OAN ONLY ISSUE IN HUMAN DISAPPOINTMENT. The vanity of trusting to the works of their own hands was impressed a.gain and agflin upon Israel, until at length idolatry was rendered for ever impossible to them. How much of the ~Id Testament consists of warnings that to trust in other refuges, in other helpers, than m Jehovah is the way to shame, confusion, and destruction I "Confounded be a.II they that serve graven images." Who is there that has forsaken God, and sought another deliverer, but has been miserably disappointed? Ill THE DIVINE DISPLEASURE IS MANIFESTED TOWARDS SUCH AS FORSAKE GOD FOR OTHER HELPERS. His honour he will not give to another. He sent prophets to Israel, and inspired them to upbraid and to denounce the unfaithful and apostate. The greater the mercies the Hebrew nation had enjoved the areg,ter the Divine indignation with those who, having been so favoured, had ;o ;ebelled. IV. Doou AND DESTBUOTION ARE PRONOUNCED BOTH UPON IDOLS AND UPON THOSE WHO TRUST IN THEM. "The calf shall be broken in pieces." The reed, upon which the faithless leans, shall pierce his side. He shall see the hosts in which he tru,ted .molt into nothingness before his eyes. Riches shall take wings and fly away. 'l'he bubble of honour shall burst and vanish. The blossom of power shall be nipped, or the fruit shall fall unripe, Man is but man, and not God, THE BOOK OF HOSE.A. [oe, 1vm. 1-14~,