Is written with a pen of iron] It is deeply and indelibly written in their heart, and shall be as indelibly written in their punishment. Writing with the point of a diamond must refer to glass, or some vitrified substance, as it is distinguished here from engraving with a steel burine, or graver. Their altars show what the deities are which they worship. There may be reference here to the different methods of recording events in those days: - 1. A pen or stile of iron, for engraving on lead or wood. 2. A point of a diamond, for writing on vitreous substances. 3. Writing on tables of brass or copper. 4. Writing on the horns of the altars the names of the deities worshipped there. This is probable.

In several parts of India, and all through Ceylon, an iron or steel pen is used universally; with these the natives form the letters by incisions on the outer rind of the palm leaf. Books written in this way are very durable.

This pen is broad at the top, has a very fine sharp point, and is sharp at one side as a knife, to shave and prepare the palm leaf. A pen of this description now lies before me.

Jer. 17:1-4 The sins which men commit make little impression on their minds, yet every sin is marked in the book of God; they are all s graven upon the table of the heart, that they will all be remembered by the conscience. That which is graven in the heart will become plain in the life; men's actions show the desires and purposes of their hearts What need we have to humble ourselves before God, who are so vile in his sight! How should we depend on his mercy and grace, begging of God to search and prove us; not to suffer us to be deceived by our ow hearts, but to create in us a clean and holy nature by his Spirit!

Jer. 17:5-11 He who puts confidence in man, shall be like the heath in a desert, a naked tree, a sorry shrub, the product of barren ground useless and worthless. Those who trust to their own righteousness an strength, and think they can do without Christ, make flesh their arm and their souls cannot prosper in graces or comforts. Those who make God their Hope, shall flourish like a tree always green, whose lea does not wither. They shall be fixed in peace and satisfaction of mind they shall not be anxious in a year of drought. Those who make God their Hope, have enough in him to make up the want of all creature-comforts. They shall not cease from yielding fruit in holines and good works. The heart, the conscience of man, in his corrupt an fallen state, is deceitful above all things. It calls evil good, an good evil; and cries peace to those to whom it does not belong. Herei the heart is desperately wicked; it is deadly, it is desperate. The case is bad indeed, if the conscience, which should set right the errors of other faculties, is a leader in the delusion. We cannot know our own hearts, nor what they will do in an hour of temptation. Who can understand his errors? Much less can we know the hearts of others, or depend upon them. He that believes God's testimony in this matter, an learns to watch his own heart, will find this is a correct, though sad picture, and learns many lessons to direct his conduct. But much in our own hearts and in the hearts of others, will remain unknown. Ye whatever wickedness there is in the heart, God sees it. Men may be imposed upon, but God cannot be deceived. He that gets riches, and no by right, though he may make them his hope, never shall have joy of them. This shows what vexation it is to a worldly man at death, that he must leave his riches behind; but though the wealth will not follow to another world, guilt will, and everlasting torment. The rich man take pains to get an estate, and sits brooding upon it, but never has an satisfaction in it; by sinful courses it comes to nothing. Let us be wise in time; what we get, let us get it honestly; and what we have use it charitably, that we may be wise for eternity.

Jer. 17:12-18 The prophet acknowledges the favour of God in setting u religion. There is fulness of comfort in God, overflowing, ever-flowin fulness, like a fountain. It is always fresh and clear, lik spring-water, while the pleasures of sin are puddle-waters. He prays to God for healing, saving mercy. He appeals to God concerning his faithful discharge of the office to which he was called. He humbly beg that God would own and protect him in the work to which he had plainl called him. Whatever wounds or diseases we find to be in our hearts an consciences, let us apply to the Lord to heal us, to save us, that ou souls may praise his name. His hands can bind up the trouble conscience, and heal the broken heart; he can cure the worst disease of our nature.

Jer. 17:19-27 The prophet was to lay before the rulers and the people of Judah, the command to keep holy the sabbath day. Let them strictl observe the fourth command. If they obeyed this word, their prosperit should be restored. It is a day of rest, and must not be made a day of labour, unless in cases of necessity. Take heed, watch against the profanation of the sabbath. Let not the soul be burdened with the care of this world on sabbath days. The streams of religion run deep of shallow, according as the banks of the sabbath are kept up of neglected. The degree of strictness with which this ordinance i observed, or the neglect shown towards it, is a good test to find the state of spiritual religion in any land. Let all; by their own example by attention to their families, strive to check this evil, tha national prosperity may be preserved, and, above all, that souls may be saved __________________________________________________________________

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