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believe that they are happy, not who merely know, but who with their knowledge yield compliance to the will of the Saviour: remember that it is God who, by his Spirit, "worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure." Let your constant prayer, therefore, be for the teaching and effectual operation of the Holy Spirit; that his light may enlighten your mind; that his grace may subdue and renovate your heart; that you, by his energy, formed for God, may henceforward manifest his praise!

We close with the words of the text; and let them not be forgotten. Bear in mind the authority on which they rest, and the kindness which they express; and prove their truth, by living daily under their practical influence. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them."

SERMON XXIII.

THE DIVINE COMMISSION.

EZEKIEL ii. 7.

And thou shalt speak my words unto them, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear; for they are most rebellious.

PAUL could say to the elders of the church at Ephesus; "I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you. I have not shunned to declare all the counsel of God." This should doubtless be the concern of every Christian Minister. "And who is sufficient for these things?" "Our sufficiency is of God."

Every part of our work is not equally pleasant, but this ought not much to affect us. Our great object should be, the approbation of God and usefulness to men; and next to this, the testimony of conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity we aim at least to save sinners, and to exalt the Saviour. This is our support; the great Head of the church affirms; "Lo I am with you always, even unto the end of the world!" This is his solemn charge, and gracious promise; "Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life."

In the text we have-The CHARACTFR of the

people whom the prophet had to address - The MESSAGE which he was charged to deliver-The DIFFERENT TREATMENT which it would receive.

We have,

I. The CHARACTER of the people whom the prophet had to address.-They are described at the close of the verse, and a very humbling description it is "they are most rebellious." The word is, rebellion: they are rebellion itself; intimating that they were far gone in sin; deeply depraved; obstinate, and confirmed in their evil doings.

The character of this people is yet farther illustrated by a variety of strong expressions in the foregoing verses. "And he said unto me, Son of man,

I send thee to the children of Israel." Hence it appears, they were a kind of religious professors; a people distinguished from others, and exalted above them, by a variety of important privileges; yet, notwithstanding their name, and external profession as the seed of Israel, "I send thee to a rebellious nation, that hath rebelled against me." That which constitutes the great evil of sin, which gives it so much malignity is, its commission against God; a Being of infinite majesty, purity, goodness, and love : they have "rebelled against me." And mark, how this had been continued from age to age: "they, and their fathers have transgressed against me, even unto this very day." Crimes receive no sanction from the multitudes that practise them; nor does it avail to have antiquity on the side of what is evil. If our forefathers did wrong, this is no reason that we should imitate them. It greatly aggravates sin, rather than extenuates it, to follow the pernicious

example of ancestors: they have transgressed, “even unto this very day;" notwithstanding all their mercies, and all the means used to reclaim them; and although they were then in captivity, suffering under the evident rebukes of the Almighty for their sin; yet did they continue to rebel. It reminds us of what is recorded of one of the kings of Israel: "In the time of his distress did he trespass yet more against the Lord: this is that king Ahaz.”

It is added; "For they are impudent children and stiff-hearted." Frequently the Jews are called "a stiff-necked people;" but here, "stiff-hearted." The expression doubtless is more strong, and conveys a most affecting idea of their inward obstinacy, frowardness, and self-will. Whatever exceptions there might be of a pleasing kind; in general, they were a shameless, hardened race of obstinate offenders; "impudent children, and stiff-hearted."

work.

Again, it is supposed they would set themselves against the Lord's prophets; and do all they could to intimidate their minds, and drive them from their "And thou, son of man, be not afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words; though briars and thorns be with thee; and thou dost dwell among scorpions." What an affecting picture does this present of the disposition of those people! They were worthless as "briars and thorns;" yet teazing, troublesome, and injurious. They were venomous and malignant as scorpions;" a generation of vipers:" while enmity ruled in their heart, the

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poison of asps was under their tongue." The prophet was called to "dwell" among such people; yet he who preserved Lot in the midst of Sodom, who preserved Paul among the beasts at Ephesus, and Daniel in the Lion's den, was the preserver of

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this servant of the Lord, and the encourager of his heart." Be not afraid of them." What have they to fear who have Omnipotence on their side? It is added: "be not afraid of their words; nor be dismayed at their looks." However threatening and contemptuous their aspect; however bitter and malignant their language; fear them not, but go on with thy work. "Who is he that will harm you, if you be followers of that which is good?"

Such were the body of the people with whom this prophet was connected, and whom he was called to address. Shall we form a comparison between them and you? No! it would not be just. You are not the bitter enemies of the Lord's prophets, the ministers of the Gospel. You are not aiming either to injure our persons, or to deter us from our work. You are not "thorns and briars;" nor a race of "scorpions," tormenting and destructive. Nor are you chargeable with that audacious and froward rebellion with which those Jews were chargeable: you profess a respect for religion, a deference for the holy Scriptures, and some regard to the institution of public worship. But, let us appeal to conscience and to fact. Is there nothing wrong? Is it certain that you are true Christians? Would to God it were so ! "Are there not with you, even with you, sins against the Lord your God?" God?" Is there not a secret enmity in the heart against his holiness, justice, and goodness? And is there not enough in your temper and actions to prove that you are rebels against his authority and government? The word sounds harsh; but do not you suppose that if you loved God you would love his ways: you would love to think of him, to speak of him, to pray to him? But prayer you restrain: his ways you slight: God is not in all your thoughts. If you

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