The signs and types are doubly beautiful, and interesting, which God the Holy Ghost himself explains. And here we have the Lord's own illustration of it. Our whole nature was marred by sin; and when the Lord gathered from the mass, his people Israel, and chose them for his portion; how did he cause to cleave unto him, both Judah and Israel for a name, and a glory, and a praise,, above all the people of the earth. But when by sin, and transgression they departed from the Lord, like Jeremiah's girdle, thrown by, and marred, nothing but sovereign grace can renew and restore. Oh! blessed Jesus! what eternal praises are due to thee, for the recovery of our fallen nature! All our pride is forever done away, in the recollection, that but for thy gracious interposition we must have been marred forever!
Jeremiah 13:8-11
8 Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
9 Thus saith the LORD, After this manner will I mar the pride of Judah, and the great pride of Jerusalem.
10 This evil people, which refuse to hear my words, which walk in the imaginationa of their heart, and walk after other gods, to serve them, and to worship them, shall even be as this girdle, which is good for nothing.
11 For as the girdle cleaveth to the loins of a man, so have I caused to cleave unto me the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah, saith the LORD; that they might be unto me for a people, and for a name, and for a praise, and for a glory: but they would not hear.