IDOLATRY, is either in-
ternal or external. Internal
is an inordinate love of the
creatures, riches, honours,
and the pleasures of this life.
Eph. V. 5. Col. iii. 5. Phil. Hi.
19. External is the paying "
homage to outward objects,
either natural or artificial — ^^
and this is the common senie;
of the term.
Soon after the flood, men
fell into idolatry. Alargepor- ■
tion of our race have ever
practised this sip — dreadfully
indicative of the corruption
and degradation of human
nature. Not dhly have the
heavenly bodies, and eminent
benefactors of mankind been «
worshipped, but animals,
plants, reptiles and figures
made by human hands. To
these were paid not only
reverence and devotion, but
the most horrid rites. The.
most gross indecencies, the
murder of children, suicide,
torture, drunkenness, and
every abomination have been , !
considered proper acts of wor-
ship. In some countries,
idolatry still retains these,
shocking characteristics.
The veneration which
Roman Catholics pay to the
Virgin Mary, Angels, and
Saints ; and also to crosses,
images, relics, and the host



ILL



102



INS



(or brfead) of the Lord's sup-
per, is idolatry. This they
of course deny, and consider
the woi-ship paid to God as
supremct and that which is
paid to saints, &c. as suhof-
dinate.
When we consider in how
many ways w« may practise
inward idolatry, Phil. iii. 19.
Col. iii. 5, we should care-
fully watch and pray against
this dreadful sin. It is to be
feared that great multitudes
have their hearts set on some
earthly object, who little
think themselves idolaters.
