Jeremiah 18:18 Then said they, Come and let us devise devices against Jeremiah; for the law shall not perish from the priest, nor counsel from the wise… The spirit of these words is not hard to divine. "We have a succession of priests, teachers, and prophets assured to us by our traditional institutions; so there is no great loss if Jeremiah be discounted; and we need not fear the cessation of the Divine revelation, - is it not provided against by a sacred succession?" I. THERE ARE MANY WHO BELIEVE IN THE OFFICE OF THE MINISTRY AS AN INDEPENDENT SOURCE OF INSPIRATION AND TRUTH. II. THIS IS ALLEGED IN EXCUSE FOR: 1. Refusing support to special religious effort. 2. Contempt and opposition of individual ministers. III. IN CORRECTION OF THIS ERROR MAY BE NOTED: 1. That it is not countenanced by God. 2. History has frequently shown its falsehood. 3. It is really a reliance upon the human and not the Divine. 4. God does his special work nearly always through individuals. 5. The dishonor done to the servant is done to his Master. - M. Parallel Verses KJV: Then said they, Come, and let us devise devices against Jeremiah; for the law shall not perish from the priest, nor counsel from the wise, nor the word from the prophet. Come, and let us smite him with the tongue, and let us not give heed to any of his words. |
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