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. — Our text speaks in a two-fold manner: there is in it warning pointedly expressed; also instruction indirectly conveyed —

I. REGARDING THE CONDITION OF MAN.

II. REGARDING MAN'S DELIVERANCE AND SALVATION.

III. REGARDING THE CONVERSION OF EVERY SAVED SINNER. Man cannot save you, whatever he may pretend to do.

IV. REGARDING THE CHARACTER OF THE GOSPEL. Such is man that he will hold the truth with the head, and think he can be saved whilst his heart is in the world.

V. REGARDING THE MAINTENANCE AND PROMULGATION OF DIVINE TRUTH IN THE EARTH. How frequently the necessity of this warning is seen in missionary enterprises! "Oh," say some, "you have got the right missionaries now; their heads are full of learning; they have very strong bodies, able to stand any climate; there is plenty of money in the missionary exchequer"; and away they go. Ah, "let not the rich man glory in his riches; let not the strong man glory in his strength; let not the wise man glory in his wisdom; but let him that glorieth, glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth Me, saith the Lord God Almighty." And then, there is not only work to do abroad, but at home too. If you speak to some men about the infidelity and superstition at home, they will say, the government should do so and so, and make such and such an act of parliament. Do you think that men can be converted by acts of parliament? Oh! "cease ye from man." The text does not mean —

1. That any unconverted person is to say, I will wait till God thinks proper to convert me.

2. That there is no necessity for men to preach the Gospel. Preaching is necessary, because God has ordained it.

3. That it is wrong for rulers or governments to give their legitimate aid to God's truth. Finally, we are taught the great duty of prayer to God.

(Hugh Allen, M. A.)

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KJV: Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils: for wherein is he to be accounted of?

WEB: Stop trusting in man, whose breath is in his nostrils; for of what account is he?