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SERMON XIII.

CHANGING OUR GOD.

JER. ii. 11.

Hath a nation changed their gods, which are yet no gods? but my people have changed their glory for that which doth not profit.

THE records of all ages exhibit to us the strange obstinacy with which the heathen usually cling to their evil customs and superstitions. If we except the triumphs obtained over Paganism by the Gospel of Christ from the Apostolic age up to the present moment, some of which even in our own day have been most signal and consoling, the idolatrous nations of the world still perpetuate the absurd, and cruel, and unholy practices transmitted to them by their fathers. Human sacrifices, voluntary tortures, ceremonies the most preposterous, opinions the most irrational, are handed down from generation to generation as their best birth-right, their highest privilege. Long and widely must knowledge and civilization extend

their influence before they subvert even the grosser rites of heathenism; nay, we find that the most polished and classical nations of antiquity wandered as far from truth and righteousness in their idolatries, and were as tenacious for their fabled gods, as the most barbarous tribes of savages.

Most urgent then is it upon all who profess themselves to be Christians, to feel pity for their fellow-creatures sunk in the darkness and guilt of heathenism, and to exert themselves to the utmost of their power in their various spheres of life to assist in sending to them the word of God, and Christian teachers, to rescue them from their fearful condition.

But there is also another practical consideration connected with a survey of the obstinate blindness and superstition of the heathen, and their devotion to their idolatrous worship; namely, the contrast which it affords to the conduct of too many who consider themselves worshippers of the one true God, and of Jesus Christ whom he hath sent. Such persons may not indeed have professedly thrown off the Christian faith, or bowed down before lifeless images; for to these particular sins they have no temptation; but, viewing the expostulation in the text in its full meaning and spiritual application, may it not too truly be said, "Hath a nation changed their gods, which are yet no

gods? but my people have changed their glory for that which doth not profit." The justness of this application will but too clearly appear if we compare their conduct, as to its real spirit, with that of the Israelites addressed in the words before us; in which the prophet in the first place shews a twofold sin of the people, in forsaking God, and choosing idols; and in the second, a threefold aggravation of their conduct, in its sinfulness, its ingratitude, and its folly.

First, then, we have set before us the evil conduct of the people; which consisted in two particulars, forsaking the worship of the true God, and joining themselves to idols; as is expressed in most striking imagery in the thirteenth verse: "My people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water." God is the author of all blessings, both for the body and the soul; and whatever else men prefer before him, be it, as in the case of the Israelites, the idols of the heathen, or, as in the case of too many who call themselves Christians, the sins and vanities of the present life, or the uncertain possession of mere worldly blessings, they are guilty of the twofold sin here described.

1. The first step in the career of evil, is "forsaking God." This is the fountain and

root of all other sins. If men lived as always in his presence, seeking to do his will, and placing their highest enjoyment in his favour, they would be preserved by his grace and protection, as with an impenetrable shield, from the power of sin and temptation. While the prodigal son remained contented and dutiful under his parent's roof, he knew nothing of the want, the poverty, the hunger, which he afterwards experienced, and the keen feeling of which convinced him of his folly in forsaking the duties and comforts of his paternal mansion. His first sin, and that which led to all the evils which overtook him, was his neglect towards his parent, his indifference to his approbation, his carelessness as to incurring his displeasure, his wish to cast off the duties he owed to him, and to live in utter selfishness and independence of paternal restraint. If then we would guard against evil, if we would not expose our immortal souls to certain ruin, we must watch over our hearts, and beware of forsaking God. The more gross and open violations of his law, are readily discovered, and they are apt to startle us by their enormity; while perhaps we think little or nothing of that great sin which is the foundation of all others. Yet who is there that has not been guilty of this sin? who is there that can say, that he has not neglected the service of God; refused him the tribute of

his affections, been indifferent to his glory, and disobeyed his commands? "I know you," said our Saviour to the Jews, "that ye have not the love of God in you;" and this still continues to be the great offence of all mankind.

2. But this sin leads to another; for we are not content, when we forsake God, that our hearts should continue a mere blank; we seek to fill up the void which his absence has made, and to find our satisfaction in other objects, which can never afford us true repose. Having forsaken God, we choose to ourselves idols; for, in the language of Scripture, every thing is an idol which usurps, in our affections, the throne due to our Creator alone. Whether we place our chief delight in the desires of the flesh, that is, in sensual indulgences; or in the desire of the eye, that is, in a thirst for riches and temporal possessions; or in the pride of life, that is, in ambition, vain-glory, and the love of human applause, we commit the sin of spiritual idolatry: we break the first and great command, "Thou shalt have none other gods before me; we prove that we do not love God "with all our heart, and soul, and mind, and strength; and we incur the just displeasure of Him who has declared, "I will not give my glory to another." Thus are all mankind proved to be guilty before God. In the words of the Almighty in the chapter before us, "they are

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