image itself, and their language when speaking of the idol so much more appropriate to the divinity which it represented, that many, even eminent writers, have been induced to assert, that their ideas extended no further than to the idol itself, and that by some monstrous delusion, that very stock of a tree and block of marble which their own hands had carved into the similitude of their GOD, was believed by them to be the very Deity himself, and that they not only said but felt towards the inanimate statue, "thou art my God."

The right way, however, perhaps to understand this, is by considering that tendency which I am pointing out, to transfer the regard due to the object represented to the representation, and which I think very clearly intimated in the construction of this second commandment, “Thou shalt not bow down to them, nor worship them." From which it is evident that the use of images in worship supposed that the worshipper paid, in the first place, the adoration to the image, although he professed, and it generally was the case, that the services thus offered were intended for the divinity thus represented. It is also interesting to observe, that the church of Rome having adopted the use of images in the worship of the true GOD has exhibited the same consequences; the writers of that communion frequently speaking and writing of the images themselves in terms far more applicable to the things they are intended to represent. What then would have been the natural effect of allowing a material representation of the Deity? Constituted as is the human mind, is it possible that the image of Jehovah could have been seen or approached, without an association with it of the awe and reverence due to him alone? Would not an inferior worship, at least, have been allowed, if not prescribed to the image? Might not the human mind at large, as it has done in the Romish Church in particular, have suggested some subtle distinctions between the worship paid to the Creator and due to the representation? Could this, however, inevitable effect have been permitted without a

vast injury to the religious, and con-
sequently moral welfare of mankind?
Would it not have been approaching
the utmost verge of a violation of the
first commandment, and consequently
in a proportionable degree, partaking
in all the error and alienation of the
rights of GOD, and the depravity of
disposition, and the subjection to
Satan, which attends the worship of
false divinities? This reason is, in-
deed, assigned in the command itself.
After prohibiting the use of images,
the Almighty adds, “For I the Lord
thy GOD am a jealous GOD," meaning,
of course, that he is cautious lest the
honor due to himself should be alie-
nated from him, and be bestowed
upon another object. The GoD who
created the human mind, and knows
all its tendencies, well understood
that it would be liable to this in-
firmity.

Another reason why the use of
symbols in the worship of Jehovah has
been prohibited is, the tendency of
mankind wherever idolatry has been
allowed to transform the whole of re-
ligious services into a system of ma-
terial representations. It would be
unnecessary to prove by actual in-
stances, that spiritual conceptions
of GOD and a spiritual mode of wor-
shipping him, have ever accompanied
each other. On the other hand, when
a material representation of the Deity
has been allowed, the mode of wor-
ship has generally consisted in a
system of service in which the senses
were gratified, but the heart unem-
ployed and unimproved. Such was
the character of the idolatry of an-
tiquity-the entire subject of re-
ligion was transferred into services,
which were in the strictest sense per-
formances. Architecture, sculpture,
drapery, the human form, regal orna-
ments, dancing, music, processions,
illuminations, exerted all their ser-
vices to continue the system. Hence,
the vast majority considered religion
to consist in the due performance of
those services; and if any danger im-
pended over the state, it was attributed
rather to the neglect of the ceremonies
or the necessity of augmenting their
frequency, or their costliness.

I am compelled to find a similar illustration in the condition of the

2

.

corrupted Christian church already | by dwelling upon the employments named. It long ago directed the use and pleasures reserved for them who of images in the worship of GOD, love GOD. In a word, my brethren, and certain it has long ago sensualized it is this very quality of infinitude almost every religious object. They and spirituality which attaches to have made the object of worship visi- every object of religion, which calls ble in the sacrament, by their doctrine into highest action, and fills with fullof transubstantiation-they have sen- est felicity, all the unlimited powers sualized the purification of the Holy of the human soul. Think, however, Spirit by the holy water-the enlight- on the contrary, how ill calculated ening of the Holy Spirit by lighted the use of symbols is for this desirable tapers prayers by the perfuming of object. The most consummate statue incense repentance by mortifications that ever gave immortality to its huinflicted on the body-and the do- man Creator is fixed in its capacities; minion of Christ in heaven, on the there is no moral progression in the earth, and in hell by the triple crown feelings it excites; it tends rather, of his human representative. It is also after a certain point, to confine the well known that among the vast very feelings it has raised. Habituamajority of the members of that church tion to it would soon discourage the the due performance of these things is growth of the intellect and the expandeemed of the first importance, and sion of the affections, that is to say, though I may feel unwilling to say would diminish our capacity of eterthat even very generally the spiritual nal fruition. The use of symbols in signification of these outward and religion, then, so far from being calvisible things is wholly lost sight of, Iculated for the use of an immortal am persuaded that the undue degree of reverence attached to them, and to many similar things, has resulted from the use of visible representations of the object of their worship.

Lastly, another reason why the use of idols is forbidden in this precept is, the unquestionable tendency which they have to retard, and often to repress altogether, that moral and spiritual elevation of the human character, of which religion is intended to be the instrument. The truths—the doctrines -the duties-the affections of religion may all be comprized as the education of immortal beings for endless progression and infinite happiness. Considered as such, it is of the highest importance that all the objects of religion should be exhibited to the mind in all their native infinitude and boundlessness, of moral loveliness and grandeur. It is of importance that the human intellect should be continually expanded by efforts to know and comprehend GoD-that the extent of its vision should be exercised by anticipations of eternitythat its affections should be dilated by learning the unbounded scheme of the Divine procedure and the Divine benevolence that every aim and object of the human soul should be raised perpetually to a still higher elevation,

mind, absolutely militates against its natural tendencies to unfit it for the hopes and pleasures of eternity.

I shall now, however, Thirdly, and very briefly, ADVERT TO THE THREAT

ENING AND ENCOURAGEMENT APPENDED

TO THIS COMMANDMENT.

In the threatening, GOD describes himself as 66 visiting the sins of the father upon the children, unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me." In order to form a right understanding of this commandment, let it be observed, that GOD does not represent himself as visiting the sins of wilfully idolatrous and wicked parents upon such of their children as turn from the evil way of their forefathers. The meaning is, that he visits the sins of wicked parents upon wicked children. His words are "visiting the sins of the parents upon the children, unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate him." No term could more clearly express settled, intelligent, determined malignity against GOD. Is it unjust, is it unkind for God to punish such abandoned parents and their abandoned offspring to the extent in question? Let it also be kept in mind, that the destruction of such persons, as well as being an act of justice, is in itself a useful warning and an ef

fectual preventive of the ruin of multitudes. Let it be also considered that, in proportion as the menace seems dreadful, it is calculated to secure obedience to the commandment. The benevolent Creator takes hold upon the strongest affections he has implanted in the human bosom, and engages it as an ultimate argument for obedience to his service, which is in itself good and equitable. He tells the obdurate sinner, who can be affected by no motive but dread, that he will visit his departure from him, on his children.

66

These national blessings were secured or endangered in proportion as Israel kept or violated the commandment, whose reasonableness and excellency we have endeavoured to establish.

The encouragement which is appended seems even much more applicable to the parental feelings of mankind, and calculated to secure obedience by that very motive by which disobedience had been forbidden.

Perhaps the number of mankind is few, indeed, who could be insensible to such a threatening. Of all things, the idea of entailing misery on their offspring, and their wandering in the ways of sorrow long after the grave has closed over his own guilty head, seems to be abhorred even by the most abandoned parent. Let, however, the true nature of the threatening be understood. The Almighty does not assert that he will visit the sins of the parent upon the children The practical lesson which seems in a future state. He also declares administered to ourselves by this by the prophet Ezekiel, that the commandment is, that while we utsoul that sinneth it shall die, the son terly refrain from the use of mashall not bear the iniquity of his terial symbols in worship, we should father, that the son shall not die for be equally careful that we do not so the father." We are guided by these worship GOD, as to depend for imconsiderations to say that the meaning bibing the influence of his truth upon of the threatening is this. The cove- any medium. GOD is a spirit-GoD nant of GOD with the Jews, promised is a mind; and he that worshippeth that while they retained their allegi-him must worship him in mind and in ance to Jehovah, he would grant them a continuance of temporal eminence and prosperity. Idolatry was the sin that peculiarly broke this covenant upon the part of the Jews, when, of course, those temporal blessings in the land were forfeited. The obedience, or disobedience of a Jew, and especially to this precept, continued, or deprived his descendants of their earthly prosperity. This, which is nothing more than a correct interpretation of this denunciation, assuredly contains nothing unkind or unjust.

reality. While means of grace are
used, and the ministry of fellow crea-
tures received with meekness and
pure affection, our dependance should
be on an immediate emanation from
the fountain of goodness himself-
upon pure truth itself, independent of
any circumstances in which it may be
presented. Thus alone shall we be
prepared for the employment and
felicity of a future state, which owes
its perfection to this condition of
the worshippers that "they shall see
GOD as he is."-Amen.

THE PREACHER.

SERMON BY THE REV. T. DALE, M. A.

SERMON BY THE HON. AND REV. BAPTIST NOEL.

No. 118.]

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1832.

A Thanksgiving Sermon,

[Price 3d.

DELIVERED BY THE REV. THOMAS DALE, M. A.

AT ST. MATTHEW'S CHAPEL, DENMARK HILL, ON THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1832,

RECOMMENDING THE FORMATION OF A DISTRICT VISITING SOCIETY.

Deut. iv. 4.—“ But ye that did cleave unto the Lord your God, are alive every one of

you

this day."

and fewer felt indifference, for even those who neither acknowledged nor manifested any open solicitude to others, were, there is little room to doubt, inwardly apprehensive for themselves. Of the panic which the first alarm excited, and the precautions which were wisely employed to guard against the dreaded enemy, this village and neighbourhood is an example and an evidence;—this place, where a munificence without precedent and almost without parallel, provided for the immediate succour of the indigent, and the breaking off of iniquities, was at least so far evinced, as it could be by shewing pity to the poor. But the God of all mercy-He whose very judgments are tempered by this his favoured and peculiar attribute, was better to us than our fears; the dark cloud impended over us, but it did not descend in blood; and when in this vicinity the visitation was at the worst, the living were still counted as thousands, and the dead were reckoned but by tens-while, of the congregation which I am wont to address in this place, scarcely one member, so far

A YEAR has now revolved, an anxious, | him by a stoke. Few then affected, threatening, and eventful year, since we first began to assemble weekly in this place, in order to deprecate the judgment which we could not but confess that we had deserved; and to implore protection against an enemy, from which no human foresight could deliver, no skill of man could save. The blasting of the breath of divine displeasure had already been felt within the limit of our ocean shores, though impregnable to human foes; and every face gathered blackness, and every man's heart shrunk within him from fear; for we presaged our own destiny from that of our brethren on the continent, and anticipated, as we had merited, a wide and sweeping desolation. Already the trembling parent in imagination saw the commissioned destroyer entering into the sanctuary of his peaceful home, and sweeping away the fairest and the dearest of his offspring; the wife trembled for the husband of her youth, and the husband looked with anxious and dreary forebodings on the faithful partner of all his joys and sorrows, as though the desire of his eyes were about to be severed from VOL. V.

G

ཨ ནང

18. HESITOX

hoon swept g. Yes, sed, and the for this cause n the fearful wenty thouThand cleave unto

ry one of us this the official reports aascontinued, and the has been so long

last on the eve of dought we not then ais own heart, "What S to the Lord for all his the hath done unto me?" we not all to reply-each most soul-"I will receive → → salvation—I will call upon te of the Lord."

ས

has been | vile material as the perishable body,
and were equally involved in the sen-
tence, "Dust thou art, and unto dust
shalt thou return"—it would be com-
paratively of little moment by what
instrumentality we were swept from
the face of this earth, and the sharp
yet brief agony of the rapid and fear-
ful epidemic would perhaps be no
more formidable, than a less painful
indeed, but greatly more protracted
struggle; or even the slow and weari-
some process of the gradual extinction
of the taper of life, when it has burned
through its longest interval of four-
score years, and is glimmering dimly
over the slowly opening grave.
All
considerations of comparative and
present suffering obviously fade into
utter insignificance, before the esti-
mate which we spiritually form con-
cerning that portion of man, in which
alone he resembles the Divinity; and it
would be an imbecility descending be-
low that of the idiot, and a frenzy out-
raving that of the madman, seriously to
weigh the respective interests of the
body and the soul, believing, that is, in
the existence and reality of the latter.
Ifthen we attempt to estimate the bene-
fit conferred on the only proper princi-
ples of the influence it may exercise
over eternity, it will appear, that some
of us are still cumbering the ground,
but with hope of bearing fruit, who
might otherwise have been cut down
and cast into the unquenchable fire ;-
some are becoming heirs of immorta-
lity, who would otherwise have been
fixed for ever inheritors of the curse-
some are being made meet through
grace for the inheritance of the saints
in light, who would otherwise by unre-
pented corruptions and an unregene-
rate heart, have been suited only to the
congenial fellowship, of the devil and
his angels. Some are preparing for
a higher degree, who would otherwise
have been scarcely saved, even so as
by fire. Some are spared to exhibit the

benefits forgotten or misapplied worse-far worse-in their ..tual and abiding result than calaattes apprehended or endured. Trilation worketh patience and pacace experience-and experience hope-but what doth ingratitude work? Shall we go, for an answer, to the dreary regions of fearful expectation, in which impenitent sinners are reserved under darkness to the judgment of the great day?-No, beloved brethren; rather may the Spirit attune our hearts to gratitude, and draw us to our God by the cords of love, while we consider

First, THE BENEFIT CONFERRED.
Secondly, THE RETURN EXPECTED.
Thirdly, THE DUTY TO BE PER-

FORMED.

THE BENEFIT CONFERRED varies in degree with the circumstances of every individual, at least when contemplated in his highest and most durable relation as an heir of immortality. If, indeed, it were to be regarded only in a temporal sense, and the soul were compounded of the same