In order to pour the utmost contempt upon the land, the victorious enemies dragged out of their graves, caves, and sepulchers, the bones of kings, princes, prophets, priests, and the principal inhabitants, and exposed them in the open air; so that they became, in the order of God's judgments, a reproach to them in the vain confidence they had in the sun, moon, and the host of heaven-all the planets and stars, whose worship they had set up in opposition to that of Jehovah. This custom of raising the bodies of the dead, and scattering their bones about, seems to have been general. It was the highest expression of hatred and contempt. Horace refers to it:- Barbarus, heu, cineres insistet victor, et urbem Eques sonante verberabit ungula: Quaeque carent ventis et solibus ossa Quirini (Nefas videre) dissipabit insolens. Epod. xvi. 11.

"Barbarians fell shall wanton with success, Scatter the city's flaming ruins wide; Or through her streets in vengeful triumph ride, And her great founder's hallowed ashes spurn, That slept uninjured in the sacred urn." FRANCIS. See this judgment referred to, Baruch ii. 24, 25.

Jer. 8:1-3 Though no real hurt can be done to a dead body, yet disgrac to the remains of wicked persons may alarm those yet alive; and thi reminds us that the Divine justice and punishments extend beyond the grave. Whatever befalls us here, let us humble ourselves before God and seek his mercy.

Jer. 8:4-13 What brought this ruin? 1. The people would not attend to reason; they would not act in the affairs of their souls with commo prudence. Sin is backsliding; it is going back from the way that lead to life, to that which leads to destruction. 2. They would not atten to the warning of conscience. They did not take the first step toward repentance: true repentance begins in serious inquiry as to what we have done, from conviction that we have done amiss. 3. They would no attend to the ways of providence, nor understand the voice of God in them, Jer. 8:7. They know not how to improve the seasons of grace which God affords. Many boast of their religious knowledge, yet, unles taught by the Spirit of God, the instinct of brutes is a more sure guide than their supposed wisdom. 4. They would not attend to the written word. Many enjoy abundance of the means of grace, have Bible and ministers, but they have them in vain. They will soon be ashamed of their devices. The pretenders to wisdom were the priests and the fals prophets. They flattered people in sin, and so flattered them int destruction, silencing their fears and complaints with, All is well Selfish teachers may promise peace when there is no peace; and thus me encourage each other in committing evil; but in the day of visitatio they will have no refuge to flee unto.

Jer. 8:14-22 At length they begin to see the hand of God lifted up. An when God appears against us, every thing that is against us appear formidable. As salvation only can be found in the Lord, so the presen moment should be seized. Is there no medicine proper for a sick an dying kingdom? Is there no skilful, faithful hand to apply the medicine? Yes, God is able to help and to heal them. If sinners die of their wounds, their blood is upon their own heads. The blood of Chris is balm in Gilead, his Spirit is the Physician there, all-sufficient so that the people may be healed, but will not. Thus men die unpardone and unchanged, for they will not come to Christ to be saved __________________________________________________________________

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