The use of images was common among the Easterns at an early period, and communicated to the Hebrews, who were conversant with them, before their settlement in Canaan.  In Egypt, or certainly in the wilderness it was found among them.  They were particularly guilty of this sin while Moses was on the mount with God.  And the use which they then made of images was the same which hath been mentioned.  As soon as the golden calf was finished, Aaron, who had entered into their views, made proclamation—­“Tomorrow is the feast of the Lord—­[of Jehovah.”] Moses, who had greatly helped them in the worship and service of God, was gone, and the idol was intended to supply his place; to help their devotion, and excite them to honor the true God!  “Up make us Gods—­ for this Moses—­we wot not what is become of him.”

The idolatrous worship of the Romanists in later ages is of the same kind.  Their churches abound with rich images, and are adorned with exquisite paintings; the likeness of Christ agonising on the cross, and other affecting representations, designed to impress religious subjection the heart and excite devotion.  Such is the use which they profess to make of them.  And they seem not devoid of effect.  Protestants who have attended their worship, have observed greater appearances of fervor, and greater moving of the passions, than are usual in the religious assembles of other denominations of Christians.  And their adoration of angels and departed saints, is only as of mediators and intercessors, who may present their prayers, and obtain favor for them—­the very idolatry of paganism.

In these things there is a shew of wisdom and humility—­wisdom to devise means to impress a sense of religion, and humility to draw nigh to God by the intervention of those more worthy than themselves; and the means seem not destitute of influence; they produce warm zeal, and all the fervor of devotion; yea, all those feelings and emotions which are thought by some to constitute the offence of religion.

And why is not all this right?  Why are not these ways of honoring God and exciting devotion commendable, when they render the worshipper thus fervent in spirit to serve the Lord?

The reason is obvious—­they are not required—­yea, they are forbidden of the divine Sovereign.  “Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.  Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or in the earth beneath, or that is in the waters under the earth—­I the Lord thy God am a jealous God.”—­

Pretending to honor God by direct disobedience is peculiarly affrontive.  Such worshippers “provoke him to his face.  Their offerings his soul hateth.  They are a smoke in his nose, and a fire that burneth all the day.”  Every thing of this nature, whatever may be its design, is rebellion against God.  Against no other sin hath he manifested greater indignation.