The Pulpit Commentary — Jeremiah — Volume 1 — Section 197

higher than earth e.nd man e.nd the present life. But religion gives the lwe of God in Ghrist e.e its e.11-constre.ining force. Under the iufluence of this, what have not men done e.nd borne; and what will they not do e.nd bear? 2. By lending intensity to those already in action. How puny the power of hope, when it has none other recompense than that which this life and this world can furnish, contrasted with its invincible force when the recompenses of eternity, made known to us by religion, are set before it and held out to it! And so with the motive of fear. What an Immense addition is made to the deterrent force of fear when the idea of God and his awful displeasure are present before the mind I " Hie love will e.11 vain love expel. His fear all fear beside." 3. By furnishing a perfect example. In our blessed Lord's life, short as it was in dilration, and far removed from us as it is in time, place, and circumstance, neverthe- less in it there is to be found a standard and model of righteous conduct for all ages and all lands, such as can be found nowhere else'. His life has been the compass by which many a saint has steered across the difficult ocean of life, and by its aid arrived safely at the desired haven. 4. By winning for us, in response to our fervent prayers, the ever-present and potent help of the Divine and transforming Spirit. By his aid the very " body of sin" within us is crucified, and we become new creatures in Christ. 6. By its ol'dinances of worship: its continual teaching, its Church fellowship, and its ·varied sacred observances, keeping alive within us those beliefs and sentiments which a.re ever the most powerful prompters to a.II righteousness of life. Thus the Israelite of old found the Law of God (cf. Ps. cxix.) bis perpetual a.id, and the worship of God's house a constant solace and strength. And it is so still. By the truths and the ordi- nances of religion, the weak, wavering will is steadied, the feet are kept from falling, and the soul is preserved from death. Such ought ever to be the case, ever is so, where religion is the worship of God in spirit and in truth ; and this was the Divine design and intent in giving it to us. III. BUT THEY ABE AT TIMES FOUND ASUNDER. Religion may flourish, but righteous- ness be only conspicuous by its absence. It was so in the time of the prophet. \Ve see a whole apparatus of religion-temple, altar, priests, sacrifices, services; nothing omitted in external observances. .And there was a national profession of it ; large sums of money were lavished on it, and there was a universal outward regard for it. But, on the other hand, all this went on whilst the most gross unrighteousness characterized the very people who outwardly were so religious (cf. vers. 6, 6, 9, 18). This was an appalling fact. Nor, alas I is it one that now has no existence; the same sad separation of religion from righteousness may be too often seen in our days as of old. 'l'hc murderous banditti of Southern Europe are diligent at Mass, and pay all honour to the Virgin aud saints. The midnight assf\ssins of Ireland are all good Catholics. And ruany a chapel and church in our own land has amongst its seemingly most religious worshippers, men who aro cruel, hard, fraudulent, impure-" saints at the prayer-meeting and sacrament, but very devils at home." IV. THEY MAY BE EVEN OPPOSED TO ONE ANOTHER. Not merely separate, but antagonistic. Yes, religion, which was designed to minister to righteousness, may not only be severed from it, but be actually found undermining it, sapping its very life nud strength. Thus: 1. By begettingfalse confidence. (Cf. ver. 4.) The Jews thought that all this religion must guarantee them immunity from the Divine displeasure, must ensure them his sai'eguard and protection. He, so they thought, could never suffer harm to come to his own temple-" the temple of the Lord." And still it is hard to persuade our hearts that all our religion goes for nothing, and worse than nothing, when it brings forth no fruit of righteousness. So many prayeni, ~uch liberal gifts, such good desire~, such correctness of creed and of outward demeanour, such devotional fervour,-surely these things must propitiate Heaven, must ward olf the Divine displeasure I (Cf. G. Eliot's character, Bulstrode, the fraudulent but very religious banker, in ' Mi<ldlernarch.') 2. By teaching men truths which they can readily wrest to evil. (Cf. ver. 10.) 'l'he meaning (see Exposition) is not" We cannot help ourselves; God has given us over to sin;" but "We are delivered by our religious observances-sacrifices and the like; the score is cleared off; we are secured against harm; we may go and live as we list." 'l'hus they " turned the grace of God into lailciviousness," and "continucu in siu th,\t," etc. Ancl is not this 196 THE BOOK OF THE PROPHE'l' JEREMIAH. [on. YII, l-'---34,