"Sincerity! thou first of virtues, let no mortal leave thy onward path, although the earth should gape, and from the gulf of hell destruction cry, to take dissimu lation's winding way.-Home. Be truly religious, and do not care to seem to be so. "Who by kind ness and smooth attention can in greatly pride themselves on their ornaments. attire, or girdles for the breast. The marriage girdle in the E. taking the place of the marriage ring with us. (33) trimmest, etc., makest effort to learn foreign and base idolatries. wicked.. ways, better, thy ways wickedness. (34) blood, etc., of idolatrous persecutions: or with a reference to the children offered to Molech. not.. secret, or by breaking into the house, by digging through like a thief. God's complaint against the rebellious (vv. 31, 32).-I. God's appeal in answer to your charges against Him. 1. Was He to the Jews a wilderness or a land of darkness? 2. Has He in His conduct to us deserved any such humiliating imputation? II. His charge against you. He complains of two things. 1. The flagrancy of your rebellion; 2. The contemptuousness of your neglect. Apply :-(1) Are any of you disposed to vindicate yourselves? (2) Are any of you humbled under a sense of your guilt? ¿ 35-37. (35) innocent, the people made loud professions, in the time of the reformation of Josiah, but God knew they were not sincere. plead, here the word means as a judge, not as a plaintiff. (36) gaddest, travellest, dost wander about. Turning now to Egypt and now to Assyria. (37) from him, i.e. from Egypt, to wh. land the people were then turning. hands head, the sign of failure and despair. "The ambassadors thou sendest to Egypt shall return with disappointment and confusion." a Note on v. 37.-Impenitent Jerusalem was to be punished for revolting against God; and, as a token of her misery, she was to go forth with her "hands on her head." Tamar " laid her hand on her head," as a sign of her degradation and sorrow. When people are in great distress, they put their hands on their heads, the fingers being clasped on the top of the crown. Should sinuate a hearty a man who is plunged into wretchedness meet a friend, he welcome to an immediately puts his hands on his head to illustrate his circumunwelcome stances. When a person hears of the death of a relation or friend, crite superior to he forthwith clasps his hands on his head. When boys have a thousand plain been punished at school, they run home with their hands on the dealers.” — Lava- same place. Parents are much displeased and alarmed when they see their children with their hands in that position, because they look upon it not merely as a sign of grief, but as an emblem of bad fortune. Thus of those who had trusted in Egypt and Assyria it was said, "Thou shalt be ashamed" of them; and they were to go forth with their hands on their head in token of their degradation and misery. guest, is a hypo ter. b Roberts. " a Contrary to all precedent in the case of adul tery, Jehovah offers a return to CHAPTER THE THIRD. a 1-3. (1) they say, or, that is to say. The Prophet gives shall his conclusion. again, see the law, De. xxiv. 4. Judah, the that land, in wh. such people dwelt as could take back an spiritual adul- adulteress. yet return, some regard this as an imperative; teress."-Faussel. but others render, "and thinkest thou to return unto Me?" (2) Syr., Vulg., Targ., Calvin, etc. high places, the scenes of idolatries, which are regarded as c Spk. Com. spiritual adulteries. in the ways, illus. by Ge. xxxviii. 14. Arabian, or desert robber, watching for prey. (3) showers, "The Arabs of etc., see De. xxviii. 24. Note on v. 2.-Every one knows the general intention of the Prophet, but Chardin has given so strong and lively a description of the eagerness that attends their looking out for prey, that I am persuaded my readers will be pleased with it. "Thus the Arabs wait for caravans with the most violent avidity, looking about them on all sides, raising themselves up on their horses, running here and there to see if they cannot perceive any smoke, or dust, or tracks on the ground, or any other marks of people passing along." 4,5. (4) from this time, i.e. the time of Josiah's reformation. God would have the penitent return not merely an outward act, but inward and sincere. the guide, lit. familiar friend, but here meaning husband. Father, husband, are the "two most endearing appellations that could have been employed." (5) spoken, in the public profession of reformation. as thou couldest, i.e. persistently. "Her words were fair, but her deeds were false." The guide of youth (v. 4).—I. The young need a guide-1. On account of their ignorance; 2. On account of their natural buoyancy; 3. Of their dangerous surroundings. II. God is willing to become their guide-1. By His Word; 2. By His providence; 3. By His Spirit. III. God expects them to show a desire that He would become their guide. 1. They must pray to Him; 2. They must pray to Him as a Father. IV. God wishes them to apply to Him immediately. This time-1. Is the commanded time; 2. Most suitable; 3. May be the only time."The proper prayer of youth.-Relate some story to illustrate the usefulness of guides to travellers in foreign lands, as among the mountains of Switzerland, etc. I. The journey of life. 1. Things unknown-length, trials, enemies, temptations, etc.; 2. Things desired-prosperity, length of days, friends, happiness, to "rejoice and be glad all our days," etc.; 3. Things certain-a journey to be only once made, will certainly end; the end will answer to the way. "What will ye do in the end?" II. The pilgrim of life. A youthful traveller is supposed. 1. Such are inexperienced; 2. Think they know more than they really do; 3. Often wilful and wayward; 4. Travelling through unknown and; 5. Need help and provision of a spiritual kind for the journey. III. The guide of life. Many false guides-custom, fashion, human reasons, etc. Only one safe Guide-God. He has all that a good guide should have. 1. Knowledge of way; 2. Sympathy with the traveller; 3. Strength and vigilance to meet and defeat danger; 4. Constant presence. If we say "yes" to the text, then (1) The start will be in the right direction; (2) The way will be in the safe path; (3) The end will be in the best place. Lady Huntingdon.-It is recorded of the late Countess of Huntingdon, who afterwards so warmly espoused the cause of God and His truth. that in her early youth, when about nine years old, the sight of a corpse about her own age carried to the grave induced her to attend the funeral, when the first impressions of deep seriousness respecting an eternal world were made on her conscience." the desert to the east and south of Palestine were notorious for their habit of robbing travellers, as they still are at the present day."-Hen derson. e Harmer. α "As having espoused them in the days of their youth, before their manners were corrupted by idolatry. Je. ii. 2; Ho. ii. 15." -Lowth. b G. Brooks. v. 4. "The first breath of morn is sweeter than the last breath of evening. The earliest snowdrop is lovelier than the latest rose. As the firstfruits of the ground, and the firstlings of the flock, were offered up to the olden time, so offer up to Him your youthful affections and your youthful Lord in the service." - Mogridge. c Hive. Our weakest years engender passions which our strongest are unable to eradi cate. "Our youth and manhood we owe to our country, but our declining years are due to Pliny. ourselves." d R. T. S. 18 a Comp. Eze' xxiii. 4, etc. b"A bill of divorce is called in Heb, a writing, or document, of cutting off, and here in the plural, JEREMIAH. 6-11. (6) said also, on another occasion. backsliding, the word used is not an adjective, but a substantive, and the clause should read, "Hast thou seen Backsliding, even Israel?" gone up, or goes up. (7) treacherous sister, so called bec. Judah was as bad as Israel, but Judah made a good outward show and profession." (8) bill of divorce, a fig. for God's a writing of cut-putting away the ten tribes. (9) lightness, or the fame, ting of bec. report. defiled, or profaned. stones, etc., ch. ii. 27. (10) The Jews' professions of (11) more . a document was feignedly, Heb. "in falsehood." amendment were hypocritical and insincere. Judah, bec. Judah had the additional warning of the fate of Israel, and disregarded even that. with she to whom such given by her husband was cut off from all Con nection him."- Henderson. e Comp. Je. vii. 18, xix. 4; and also 2 Chr. xxxiv. 33. d Eze. xvi. 51. e C. Simeon, M.A. you with averted them to their own be one found in H. v. 15. Dr. J. Owen, xvii. 60; H. Sy denham, 272; Dr. J. Scott, iii. 333; E. Cooper, ii. 239. e R. T. S. ix. Comparative criminality (v. 11).—The criminality of Judah exceeded that of Israel. I. State this decision of the Lord. II. Confirm it. 1. It argues a greater depravity of heart; 2. It casts more dishonour upon God; 3. It does more extensive injury to man. Address-(1) Those who are careless about religion; (2) Those who make a profession of religion. one.. 12-15. (12) toward the north, the region to wh. the "ten tribes" had been carried by Shalmaneser. return, etc., lit. "turn, thou that hast turned." anger to fall," in further judgments. merciful, this is the highest and most moving of (13) acknowledge thine all incentives to repentance." iniquity, penitence being the essential condition of restoration. (14) married unto you, and so long to be in gracious and family, prob. a prophetic fig. of the fact dear relations. that only a few will ever return, but for even the few God will care. (15) shepherds, pastors; as before, temporal rulers. Pastors (v. 15).-They should have-1. Spiritual wisdom; 2. Authority from the unction of the Holy One; 3. Experience of religion; 4. Skill to divide the Word aright; 5. Knowledge of the state of their flocks; 6."Zeal for the glory of God; 7. Jealousy for the word and truth of God; 8. They should watch for souls; 9. Should be pious at all times; 10. They should be comforters of those that mourn; 11. They should maintain discipline in the Church; 12. They should be examples to the believers." Archbishop Adalbert.-Adalbert, who lived in the tenth century, was appointed Archbishop of Prague. This preferment seemed to give him so little satisfaction, that he was never seen to smile afterwards; and on being asked the reason, he replied, It is an easy thing to wear a mitre and a cross; but an awful thing to give an account of a bishopric before the Judge of quick and dead." e 16-19. (16) in those days, the recognised formula for the a "Because the tabernacle of God times of Messiah. the ark, etc., regarded as the centre of the will be one made without hands Mosaic system. It appears that the ark was finally lost in the (Heb. 11), Babylonish captivity. visit it, better, "neither shall it be even the heart missed." that be done, or, "neither shall it be made, or reof His believing paired." (17) Jerusalem, the whole city, not specially the temple. "There the foundation of the Christian Church was imagination, marg. laid." nations, i.e. the Gentiles.' stubbornness. (18) with.. Israel, clearly intimating that the return was to be a united one. (19) how, i.e. how gladly. God's relations to His people (r. 19).-I. The ho ours which 1. To make us members of His God desires to confer upon us. people."-Spk. Com. b Ro. ix. 25, 26. "Most of the prophecies which d G. Brooks. . 16. Dr. Gordon, family: 2. To make us heirs of heaven. II. The difficulties that Jews join Judah and Israel tobeset the conferring these honours upon us. 1. Arising from gether, as equal God's character; 2. From our own character; 3. From the great- sharers in that ness of the blessings. III. The effect which uniformly follows blessing. (See the conferring of these honours-a filial spirit towards God. 1. Je. xxx. 3, xxxi. 1; Is. xi. 13; Eze. Reverence 2. Love; 3. Obedience. Apply :-(1) Encourage xxxvii. 16, 22; those who doubt the possibility of their salvation; (2) Warn Ho. i. 11; Zec. those who see no difficulties in the way of their salvation; (3) x. 6)."—Lowth. Exhort those who profess to be in the way of salvation.-The child at home (r. 19).-I. A condition of delightful privilege,— "put among the children." A relation of endearment, dependence; involving obligations of affection, obedience; which iv. 110. carries with it advantages,-instruction, maintenance, inheri- v. 17. Dr. Gordon, tance. II. Some difficulties in the way of its bestowment. iv. 124. How shall I?" These are insuperable to all but infinite wisdom; they spring out of the sinner's character. III. The evidences of the removal of these difficulties and the attainment of the blessing. 1. Prayer; 2. Spirit of adoption; 3. Preservation and perseverance.-Children of God.-Here is-I. A most delightful condition of privilege and happiness. As children of God, we are also heirs to His kingdom. II. A suggestion of difficulties in the way of our attaining this condition,- How shall I!" etc. III. The solution of these difficulties, and the process by which we may attain these privileges,-"thou shalt call Me, My Father." 20-23. (20) husband, or familiar friend. (21) weeping, etc.. the signs of real penitence on the part of the people. Weeping is blended with prayer for mercy. (22) return, etc.,a comp. the similar passage, Ho. xiv. 1. (23) hills, specially associated with idol worship." Backsliders reclaimed (r. 22).-I. God inviting backsliders to return to Him. 1. The characters addressed; 2. The sin and consequence of backsliding; 3. God's message to such characters. II. Backsliders complying with God's invitation. 1. The ready compliance they manifest; 2. The way they return to God. The backslider's confession.-I have been a fugitive servant to the most glorious Lord and Master: I have deserted His service, and denied my obedience. But now, Lord, nail my ear to Thy door-post, that I may serve Thee for ever; nail my heart to Thy service, that no trouble, temptation, or desertion may drive me away from Thee; nail my eyes to Thy service, that I may never look upon vanity; nail my hands to Thy service, that I may never do an ill turn; nail my feet to Thy way, that I may never turn aside from Thee. Let all the faculties of my soul be nailed to Thy service and obedience. 24, 25. (24) shame, etc., the people here acknowledge the unprofitableness and disgrace of their idolatry." (25) we lie down, or we will lie down : prostrating ourselves humbly before God. The miseries of the captivity were recognised as Divine judgments on the national sins.The expressions are taken from those who cast themselves down upon the ground, and cover themselves with dust or ashes out of grief and anguish of mind. "The excesses of youth are draits upon our old age, payable with interest about date."Colton. thirty years after e J. Preston. a "The whole description is most graphically conceived. The people weeping upon the hills; God's gracious voice bidding them return; the glad cry of the penitents prothey come; the claiming profession that of faith won from vine love; these tional repent them by the Diform altogether a most touching picture of a naance."-Spk. Com "The altars wh. were erected on the heathen gods high places to abounded to such a degree, that they were seen in every direc tion." Hender son. a "So far from bringing us salvation, they have cost us our cattle and even Our children, whom we have sacrificed to them."Fausset. God the salvation of Israel (v. 23).-Let me ask if this be not-1. A mighty salvation? 2. A merciful salvation? 3. A free Ezr. ix. 7. e W. Wilkinson, salvation? 4. An unchangeable salvation? 5. A soul-satisfying salvation?" B.A. a "The repentdescribed ance in ch. iii. 21-25 was a hope not a reality."-Spk. Com. b "Swearing by the name of God! is mentioned wor solemn part of CHAPTER THE FOURTH. 1, 2. (1) wilt return, i.e. art really willing to return." put away, this would be the outward sign of the necessary repentance. then.. remove, better," and henceforth not wander." (2) swear, by the name of the living God, truly and sincerely. "We swear by the God whom we worship." Nature of backsliding.-Backsliding is the act of turning from the path of duty. It may be considered as partial when applied elsewhere as a to true believers, who do not backslide with the whole bent of their will; as voluntary, when applied to those who, after professing to know the truth, wilfully turn from it, and live in the practice of sin; as final, when the mind is given up to judicial hardness, as in the case of Judas. Partial backsliding must be distinguished from hypocrisy, as the former may exist when there are gracious intentions on the whole; but the latter is a studied profession of appearing to be what we are not. swearing by false Lowth. a "The un humbled heart is like ground wh. may be improved, being let out to us for that purpose, but wh. is as yet fallow, overgrown with weeds, its na tural product." -Fausset. b De. x. 16. "By placing such signals on fit spots the safest route would be indicated to the fortified towns.' -Spk. Com. d S. Tomlyns. e Dr. Thomas. v. 3. J. Weemse, i. 163. 3-6. (3) break.. ground, "repent of your idolatry, and so be prepared to serve the Lord in truth." thorns, or weeds, wh. would abound in the neglected soil. (4) circumcise,' the symbol of self-humiliation, and the sign of consecration to the Lord. fury, or vengeance. fire, with a consuming power. (5) blow.. land, raising the alarm of war. The verse pictures the fright of the people at the presence of a hostile army. (6) standard, or signal round which to rally the people. The plough for the fallows (v. 3).—I. The hearts of unregene rate men are like fallow ground. II. It is their duty to break up their fallow ground."—The life of the sinner a foolish agriculture (v. 3).-Notice here two things. I. A grand evil. I. Loss of seed; 2. Loss of labour; 3. Loss of hope. II. An urgent duty, 1. Hard work; 2. Indispensable evangelical repentance for sin. work. Sowing in China.-In China the fields are parted by terraces, on which some of the seed scattered in the broadcast is wont to fall in the sower's attempt to cover the headlands as well as the more central parts of the enclosure. These seeds resemble those that fell by the wayside in the parable, and are, like them, obvious to the eye of any hungry bird that may chance to fly near them. As the valleys often, in their expansion, rebut against the rocky declivities of the hills, large masses of stone constitute The cry of the a fence on one or more sides of the fields. Near these stones, the penitent soul, monuments of ancient changes in the crust of the earth, several Have mercy on kinds of thorny shrubs are found growing. One of them, a ceptable to Jesus species of gardenia, has sharp spines of more than an inch in than the chant of length. The thorns referred to in the parable belonged to a angels, the me- species of rest-harrow, very common in the barren lanes and lody of golden harps swept by commons of this country. The gardenia and its companions, seraphic fingers, however, are very proper representatives in China, and would or the loud swell- answer the purpose of any missionary who should take this ing anthem of parable as the theme of discourse in a Chinese village. The writer has a lively remembrance of these thorns, as, in crossing of many a farm near a pleasant ravine, he often mistook his path amidst |