Commentary on the Old Testament Volume 2-4

CHAP. XVIII.

HEre the Lord directeth Jeremiah again to teach by an outward and familiar sign, he must go to a potters house, and there when he had seen how he made a vessel of clay, that pleased him not, which he therefore brake and made another of the same matter as he thought good, the Lord bad him say to the house of Israel, that he had the like power over them, to make them, and to break them, by an Argument a minore ad majus, because the potter is not so absolutely over his pots and clay, as the Lord is over men; both in this regard that the clay is none of his creature, neither hath he absolute Power without God giving him strength to break and make, but God hath. And therefore whensoever he threatens a Nation to pluck it up, or destroy it, if it repenteth, he will not do it, and when he promiseth to plant and build any, if that Nation doth evil he will repent him, that is, turn from doing what he promised, leaving such a Nation to destruction. And the Lord would have Jeremiah thus to teach the Jews, because they were so stupid, that verbal teaching without signs would not work upon them, and when being both ways taught they would not be moved to repentance, he might bring his judgments before threatened the more justly upon them. For by this teaching he showeth first that the Israelites came not to be so glorious and flourishing a Nation but of God's mere good will and pleasure, and the same is true touching any other Nation in the World. 2. That they were not so settledly built, but that by their sins they should be pulled down again, the Covenant and promise made to Abraham and his seed notwithstanding, because in Covenants betwixt God and man, conditions are always set, to which man must stand for his part, or else the Covenant is broken, to show which God said to Abraham, Gen. 17. 1. I am God all-sufficient, walk before me, and be upright, whereby both he, and his posterity stood bound throughout all generations, and if it were so with the Israelitish Nation, much more with any other. 3. That the welfare or destruction of a Nation comes according to their repenting or evil doing, as Nineveh repenting, although threatened with destructionw, as spared, but Jerusalem doing evil, although built by gracious promises, was destroyed. 4. That destruction or deliverance to a Nation, when God willeth either upon their evil doings, or repentance, cometh suddenly, as upon Sodom, and the old World, Jericho, and the other Canaanites, destruction; and to the Hebrews in Egypt, to Samaria, and to Hezekiah and Jerusalem, deliverance. The similitude taken from the potter is used before Esa. 45. 9. and after Rom. 9. but there in respect of election and reprobation, here of temporal deliverance or destruction, yet as in this, so in that it is to he held, that however God hath absolute Power, yet he electeth none, but such as perfect constantly in well doing; neither condemneth any, but the impenitent only, although his decree of election and reprobation precedeth Jacob's and Esau's doing good or evil actually.

Will a man leave the snow of Lebanon, that comes from the rock of the field? Vulgar, will the snow of Lebanon leave, or fail from the rock of the field, thus also the Hebrews, that is, Doth the snow of Lebanon cease to be at any time upon the top of the rocks? certainly it doth not, for the nature of the rocks there is to hold snow both Summer and Winter, from whence that place had the name Lebanon from whiteness, as Laban signifieth, no heat of the Sun being able to melt it. Now the Lord was to the Jews, as the snow of Lebanon, a cooling and refreshing to them, what hot persecution soever was raised up against them, but by their sins they now made him to leave them, so that the snow of Lebanon contrary to the accustomed manner was now gone. This sense is followed by Jerome, Raban and others, but somewhat diversely, the snow faileth not by melting all off the rocks of Lebanon, yet Israel is fallen away from the Lord to go after Baal, which I confess, is also more agreeable to verse. 15. but then Israel must be the cool snow, wherein refreshing against extreme heat lieth, whereas God was this comfort to them, not they to him, yet they departing from him to false God's, he would hereby show, that he would forsake them. Isidor, Lyra, Vatabl. following the first reading, give this for the sense, Will any man be so mad in a hot time, to leave the snow of Lebanon commonly coveted by all men to be drunk for cooling, and go to other places to seek waters, that be corrupt and without this refrigerating virtue? and this either may well stand. For the next words, Shall the cold flowing waters that come from another place be forsaken? Vulgar, or can cool waters coming from any other place be plucked out, that they should not flow? Hebr. shall cold flowing strange waters be plucked away, by strange waters others being meant besides those of Lebanon before spoken of, about which there is the same difference amongst expositors that was about the snow of Lebanon, some taking it, as if it had been said, Shall anything hinder the course of flowing waters that they should be put from it, from what place soever they come; and some as if it had been said, Will any man leaving cold waters in time of heat flowing into the City by pipes from any place, seek out for others uncertain or worse? and to this effect also Calvin, saying, that they are charged here with the same foul fault that they were charged with Chap. 2 13. viz. Forsaking the Fountain of living waters; which was God, here likened to the snow of Lebanon and cold waters flowing in unto them for their refreshing from other places; and this they did, when they left the pure worship of God to serve Baal.

They have caused them to fall in their ways, from the ancient ways to walk in paths, a way not cast up. Hebr. in their ways, the ancient ways, or ways of Eternity. Vulgar, the ways of the World, a long time gone in: and according to this the sense is thus given by Jerome, their false Prophets made them fall in their evil ways, which were ways of Idolatry that the Nations of the world had long walked in, and so they went in ways not beaten by their godly forefathers, or not cast up or made by God for them to go in, and therefore were a way tending to destruction. So likewise Lyra, Tho. Aquin. Hugo, calling these evil ways of wicked men, such as are spoken of Job 22. That say to God, depart from us, we care not for the knowledge of thy ways. But Calvin, Vatabl. and Cald. following the first reading, they make one another to fall in the ways by God appointed them to walk in, which are ways so long ago gone in, that it is a wonder, that they should now stumble and fall in them by taking a distaste at them, and preferring the abominable ways of Idolatry which are so dangerous, as being like unto ways that were never made, as common ways are by causing and evening them, that men may go safely upon them without stumbling or falling. And this is the case of all the wicked, they take no liking to the good way wherein is safety, but turn into [Note.] ways most dangerous for pits and quagmires, into which they sink, and can get out no more till they perish everlastingly. Wherefore John Baptist is said to have prepared the way of the Lord by filling valleys, &c. when he brought them by repentance unto Christ, for then they went in a plain way, but before in ways wherein they might fall so, as never to rise up again, even the valley and shadow of death, such as all sinful ways are.

For the Law shall not perish from the Priest, nor Counsel from the wise, nor the word from the Prophet. Say what Jeremiah could in exhorting or threatening them, they were so far from being reformed thereby, that they were the more stirted up against him, sometime to kill, and sometime to vex him with scoffs and mocks, as here, where they stir up one another, to smite him with the tongue: In saying the law shall not perish from the Priest, &c. they meant, that they had priests and Elders, and Prophets among them, that were sufficient to direct them, for the Priests lips shall preserve knowledge, &c. Mal. 2. 7. see also, Deut. 17. and therefore they might safely contemn whatsoever Jeremiah said, therefore come and let us threaten him, as he threatens us, and devise to say something to him, so that he may be ashamed and have little heart to go on in prophesying against us anymore, as, That he is a fool or a mad man, a Priest that affecteth singularity, and to bear rule over all others, and a common enemy to all. And by such a common Argument Calvin noteth that the Papists elude whatsoever is brought against their abominations in divine worship. Do ye tell us of error and superstition, we have an holy High Priest, the Pope, that cannot err, and a representative Church of Cardinals, Bishops and learned Priests that cannot err, for the Spirit is promised to the Apostles, and them their successors, to lead them into all truth: ye are therefore but giddy-headed and phanatical heretics and novellists, that reprove and speak against our doings, and if we can devise any means to be revenged upon you for so doing, certainly we will by opprobrious speakings, cursings, killing up and massacring, or plotting against you some terrible blow, which shall one day be your ruin. But as the Jews, so they do but herein fight against God and his truth, for which they indeed are accursed as in the words following, verse. 19. 20. and 21, 22, 23. where his praying against them is in way of prophesying, as being such as the Lord would not forgive, but do according to all that is here threatened, because that in combining against Jeremiah they plainly impugned God, in whose name and words only he spake unto them from the beginning.

CHAP. XIX.

AFter teaching by one sign of a potter making and breaking his pots at his pleasure, Chap. 18. now the Lord diverteth Jeremiah to teach by another of a pot taken to the valley of the son of Hinnom, and by him broken there in the sight of some Priests and Elders called thither by him. By the former having shown, that they were in his hands, as the pots in the hands of the potter, so that he could whensoever he disliked, break them by his Judgments, and being broken, when he was reconciled by their repentance make them again a more prosperous and flourishing Nation then they were before: now he showeth by this, that he could not only break them so, as that they should not be repaired again, but that he would certainly do it for their obstinate going on in their sins, that is, the wicked Jews then living, the remnant always excepted, whom he promised to replant and build again. And this other sign, as Calvin conjectureth, is added, least any should think, that although the Lord could do by them as the potter by his pots being new made, yet he could not do so by them, that had been so long formed into a glorious state, so that they were safe enough and needed not to fear his Judgments to come to their utter ruining as Jeremiah threatened. But by this resemblance he made the contrary most plain, that they should not only be broken in pieces, but also broken so as never to be made again into so excellent a body, as they had formerly been, as indeed they were not, no not after their return from Babylon, because they were under other Kings, the Persian, the Grecian, &c. and had never more any such Kingdom again as in David's and Solomon's time. And the Prophet is bidden to show this in the valley of the son of Hinuom, otherwise called Tophet, of which see before, Chap. 7. 32. where the same threatening with this is made, that where such abominable sins were committed such dreadful judgments should be executed, as they had sinned therein unnaturally burning their sons and daughters in sacrificing to Molock; so in Jerusalem which was near unto it they should eat the flesh of their sons and daughttes for extreme hunger in the time of their siege, wherewith their enemies should besie • e them: of which see, 2 King, 25. Levite. 26. 29. And he is bidden to take of the Priests and Elders with him to this place: vulgar Latin, take an earthen vessel of the potter from the Elders: but Hebr. it is, get or buy an earthen pot, of the potter, and from the Elders, that is, some chosen from amongst them both of the people and Priests, to hear and see what thou dost, but none of the common sort, because they were lead and guided by the Elders, and they had not so much understanding. The Elders of the Priests were the chief and most ancient of their several families, as they are spoken of, Chron. 24. the Elders of the people governors amongst those of other tribes: and go to the valley of the son of Hinnom, which is at the entrance of the East gate, Vulg. of the potters gate, but the word signifieth the Suns gate, which was eastward where the sun arose. But because the word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 signifying a potters vessel, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 the Sun, which is here used, are so near the one to the other, yea the same in pronunciation, because 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 hath the point in the left horn, the Vulgar Latin hath it, the potters gate, and to justify that reading it is alleged that the gate next to the valley of the son of Hinnom stood not East, but Southward, as may be seen, Josh. 15. 8. 18. 16. and the same was also called the dung gate, affirmed also by Brocardus to stand Southward. Against this nothing makes, but the word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 here used and not 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 ; of which because so good a reason hath been rendered before, I cannot for my part, but be satisfied in it, and therefore determine with the vulgar Latin that the best reading is the potters gate, so called for the potters dwelling near unto it and thereby carrying forth their potsherds, for which being as dung, R. Solomon saith it was called the dung-gate, Cald. Par. for the dung carried out by it. And in bidding him go by the potters gate, there is an allusion to the pot, which he was bidden to carry that way.

And have burnt incense to strange gods, which neither their fathers nor they have known, that is, saith Jerome, their fathers, that were godly, for they that lived not long before since Idolatry took place amongst them, are not here looked at, as unworthy to be counted fathers, but only the most ancient. Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, Moses, Samuel and David, whose knowing and acknowledging was regulated by the Law of God. And therefore the like may be objected against the Papists now, Ye offer and pray to Saints departed and images, which neither your fathers, nor ye have known, that is, Peter, and Paul, and other Apostles, and first Preachers of the Gospel, nor ye from their example, and whereas ye pretend, that our forefathers did so, it is true, that they did indeed, but not any except those of later & more corrupt times, who are not therefore worthy of his name, for they worshipped, as Christ to the Samaritan Woman, they knew not what, because they knew them not to be such as should be worshipped by the rule of God's Holy Word, and without this to know, as Calvin well noteth, is not to know. Some yet by these words, which neither your fathers, nor ye have known, understand, to have any power to save, or help you in the time of danger, which neither is to be disliked.

I will bring to naught the Counsel of Judah and Jerusalem in this place, that is, when they shall fall by the sword here, and suffer as hath been threatened, the Counsel that they took together of saving themselves by such or such means shall all be frustrate, thus Hugo, from whom others differ not, but that some say, that in this place the bringing of their Councils to naught is threatened, to show that their Council and wisdom was by serving Baal here, and plying him with human sacrifices so to ingratiate themselves with him, as that they might surely trust unto him, for preservation, come the greatest danger that might come: and the Paranomasie in the word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 here used, is to be noted as answering to 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 a Pot, v. 1.

The flesh of their sons and daughters, that this was done, as is threatened, see Lament. 2. 20. 4. 10.

Whereas he threatens, that they shall be as a pot broken that cannot be made again, but before Chap. 18. that upon repentance they should be planted and built, that is to be understood, if before the Judgments come they repented, they should be like unto a pot, not yet burnt and hardened in the fire, which may be made into any form, though broken: but Judgment being once come by the Chaldees, their case should be as of a pot burnt and then broken, which is irreparable; so they till the seventy years expired, and not then neither so fully as before, according to that which hath been already said.

All houses▪ upon the roofs whereof they have sacrificed to the host of Heaven, so the Vulgar Latin, but N. Tr. because of all the houses, upon the roofs whereof they have burnt incense, Heb. I will make all the houses of Jerusalem and of the Kings of Judah as Tophet, to all the houses upon the roofs whereof, &c. That is, one as well as another, in what place of the Land soever they have burnt incense upon their roofs, they shall together be all defiled by the dead▪ as Tophet, for all places shall be filled with dead corpses, which I will cause to be slain as a sacrifice to my justice for your sacrificing so shamelessly everywhere to false gods. Now all this is set forth by a pot broken in pieces, to show, that wicked men are like earthen pots, and if they continue in sin, death will suddenly come and break them, their place shall be as Tophet, a dark stinking filthy [Note.] valley, where the fire of God's wrath shall burn forever, &c. For from the valley of Hinnom, which was Tophet, being Hebr. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Gehenna hell, the fire whereof is so much spoken of by our Lord, that never goeth out.

Having finished his prophesying at Tophet Jeremiah returned again to the Lord's house, & there spake the same to all the people, that although he called not so great a multitude forth with him, yet all night be warned of the evil to come, and be moved to fear and tremble and turn from their sins, and the Priests also, that went not forth with him, either because not called, or because being called they refused, as some conjecture; which the Lord knowing, bad him take from amongst them some, leaving the rest, that they which would might hear what he said, and see the action at Tophet, and the rest where he could find them to speak unto them.

CHAP. XX.

PAshur the Priest, who was also the Governor of the house of the Lord, Ch. 19. 14. Jeremiah is said to come from Tophet, and to have stood in the Court of the Lord's house, and to have prophesied destruction to the Jews there in the hearing of all the people. This Pashur no sooner heard, but he smote him, &c. Some think that he was high Priest: But others deny him to be the high Priest, because 1 Chron. 6. 12. Helchias was high Priest in the time of Josiah, and after him Azarias his son, 2 Kings 22. 8. and then his son Seraius, who in the eleventh year of Hezekiah, Jerusalem being taken was slain at the command of Nebuchadnezzar, Ier. 52. 27. Some therefore take him to have been chief under the high-Priest to rule in the house of the Lord, and finding Jeremiah, whom he took to be a man that of his own head took upon him to prophesy against the state, as sometime some arreptitious Prophets did, he used him so harshly as is said v. 2. For the high Priest had some under him, whom he made Officers to rule in the Temple, as it is said of Jehoiadah, 2 Chron. 23. 18. see also 2 Kings 22. 5. 2 Chron. 26. 24. 2 Mach. 3. 4. There was a Ruler that contended with Onias the high-Priest, others over the treasure, and others over those that stood to praise God.

He smote Jeremiah, and put him in the stocks, Vulg. misit eum in nervum, Calvin in Cyppum, aut carcerem, the prison. But Josephus, and Kimhi say, it was an instrument made of two pieces of wood, which met together, and had in them three holes, into one of which the head was put, into the other two the two arms. And that a prison is not meant, appeareth, because that afterwards when he was put in prison, c. 29. 26. it is called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , but this 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 . In the upper gate of Benjamin in the house of the Lord. N. Tr. In the high gate of Benjamin which was by the house of the Lord, Heb. in the house of the Lord, that is, within the bounds of the Temple, as Lyra and Vatable note. For the gates of Benjamin, Jerome saith, that there were two so called, standing towards Benjamin, which possesses the North part of the Temple, as Judah the South: one more to the East called the high gate, and the other towards the West, and in the high gate were they judged that came under the censure of the high Priest most properly as Prophets, and such as lived about the Temple, according to that Ierem. 29. 26. Zephaniah is said to be made high-Priest, that he might put in prison and in the stocks, everyone that is mad and feigneth himself a Prophet, by Shemaiah. Some there are that agree not to this touching the gate here spoken of, but I will spend no more time about circumstances, but come to the matter. The madness of some in authority even in the Church [Note.] is such, that they are enraged against the true servants of God reproving sin, and going according to the Word of God in all things, so as that in taking revenge upon them, they posse the bounds of moderation that should be in Judges: as Pashur, who first smote Jeremiah, and then committed him to be brought forth the next day to be judged; whereas it is the duty of those that be in Authority, first to apprehend Offendors, and then to bring them to a trial; and after Sentence given to punish, and not before. Therefore we may see, that all things were now out of order in Jerusalem to the provoking of God, the more to hasten his judgments.

The Lord hath not called thy name Pashur, but Magor. Missabib. Of the last word a reason is rendered, v. 4. fear round about; for he saith, I will make thee a terror to thyself, and to all thy friends, that is, which are about thee, and have been deceived, by thy false prophesying, as is intimated, v. 6. But for the word Pashur, it is not agreed amongst Expositors, some say, it comes of Pe, signifying a mouth, and Shear black, some of Pashah to increase, and Sar, a Prince, as Calvin saith; but he enforceth another denomination of his own, from Shappah, to cut, or to open, one opening the light. That of Pagninus seemeth to me to be so right, that all others are nothing to it, he derives it from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Push growing, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , whiteness, a name setting forth one in eminent place, and shining in glory, as the bright light; for such was he in his ruling Office: but he saith, that he should be brought down to misery, when looking round about him, he should see nothing but matter of terror and fear, when he should fall into his enemies hands, together with his friends in Jerusalem, and be carried captive to Babylon, and die there. And in telling Pashur thus after his smiting [Note.] and putting him in the stocks, Jeremiah shown the magnanimity of a Prophetical spirit, which abates not by suffering disgrace and pain, but rather increaseth, and spareth not to speak to men of power anymore than to such as be of the common sort.

Thou shalt be carried to Babylon and die, and be buried there. Here first is Babylon plainly mentioned, as the place from whence judgment was threatened, in saying that it should come out of the North; and not only Pashur is threatened thus, but all his house, and friends to whom he had prophesied lies, that is, made fair promises of peace, as from the Lord, whose priest he was, to make them slight Jeremiah his threatenings: whereby we may see what it is to have such a Priest as to procure the friendship of men will daub with untempered Morter, [Note.] and speak peace to them, to whom there is no peace, he shall bring both himself and them to ruin, whereas his dying, and being buried in Babylon, is spoken of as a judgment, because it was out of the holy Land, and before being suffered to lie unburied, it is to be understood, that it is so to the wicked, but not to the righteous, who are blessed and happy wheresoever they die, or howsoever they be used after death, whether buried or unburied.

O Lord! I was deceived, and thou hast deceived me. This is not saith Calvin spoken seriously, but ironically, as if he had said, O ye Priests, that are so mad against me for speaking as I have done; it is true indeed, I have abused you by speaking so bitterly against my own Nation in the name of the Lord; and the Lord that set me a work is deceitful, if I should herein yield unto you to say thus, would ye not be ashamed? but ye do in effect say so, when ye say that I am a false Prophet, and come with feigned messages from the Lord unto you. Thus also Lyra and Isidore: But Jerome, Raban, &c. Thou hast deceived me, in telling me that I should prophesy unto Kingdoms and Nations, whereby I thought that heathen Nations only had been meant, and not Judah. And some, Thou hast deceived me; because thou didst promise, that I should be a brazen wall, Chap. 1. 18. Chap. 15. 20, 21. against which none shall prevail; but now I find it otherwise, for Pashur hath violently smitten me, and disgraced me, as is aforesaid; and to this do I subscribe, because it is not probable, that Jeremiah being so vexed, as he had been, would now utter anything ironicall, but out of grief speak all things seriously; and the goodness of his conscience might make him thus bold to challenge the Lord, as he had done in part before, Chap. 15. 18. seeing he was so unwillingly, and upon so great promises drawn to this prophesying: and he spake thus also to move the Lord the more to stand for him, and confirm him against the assaults of his enemies, and not to suffer him to be put down by the wicked in his just cause, since that to stand to him, and to hasten to take the power to hurt him out of their hands, would make so much for the glory of his truth and power, in approving him to be his faithful servant, which together with his credit now lay at the stake, and being inseparable the one from the other, for so much as his cause was God's, and God's cause his.

Since I spake unto them, I cried out Violence and Spoile. That is, I reaped none other fruit of my labors, but harsh and violent usage and derision at their hands, to whom I spake: so also Jerome, Raban, Tho. Aquin. But since I cried out against them of destruction and spoil to come for their sins, but to none other effect, but to make myself a scorn and derision, through God's delaying to bring the judgments threatened, for that was the thing troubled Jeremiah, as we may see by his often calling to the Lord, to take revenge upon them: as Jonah was provoked to impatience by his sparing Nineveh, when he had set him to threaten it. Calvin, I cried out against their gross sins, whereupon I saw them to be so set, that mild speaking to turn them therefrom would do no good. Any of these ways the sense will be good; but I prefer the second, because the Prophet met not with violence so long ago, but more lately; neither were their oppressions the sins, against which he cried out so much, as their Idolatries and gross Superstition.

The Prophet seeing their contempt after so long and much labor, through the infirmity of the flesh, grew so weary, that he thought to prophesy unto them no more: but the spirit, as a fire in him, would not suffer him to sit still. This showeth the strife between the flesh and the spirit that is in God's servants, but in [Note.] time the Spirit prevaileth in all such.

For I heard the reproaches of many, and terror round about: Magor-Missabib. The same words there were used before in threatening Pashur verse 3. whereunto he alludeth the reproaches and blasphemies increasing upon his silence, being a terror to him to hear, coming from the wicked Jews; which his zeal not suffering him to bear, he brake out from his silence resolved upon, and went on in prophesying against them. Whereupon Gregory: The same force that moved him for zeal to the glory of God to hold his peace, lest by the increase of reproach, caused through his speaking, it should suffer more; now caused him contrariwise to speak again, when he saw that by holding his peace, reproaches were more increased. It oftentimes happeneth, that wise men seeing that they are not heard, silence themselves: but then perceiving through their silence sins to increase more, they are by a kind of fear of the Spirit, compelled again to break out into open reproof. So Jeremiah, when he outwardly held his peace, through the tediousness of speaking, he suffered a fire within, out of the zeal of Charity. Thus also Jerome, but Theod. Lyra, and Tho. Aquinas take not these words for a reason of his breaking out again into speaking; but as having reference to verse 8. and as a proceeding further to declare his sufferings, as if he had said; I cry out of violence, and see that none other effect comes of it, than the turning the Word of God into derision; so that I was for a time in suspense whether it were not best to forbear speaking anymore: but when I thought thus, the Spirit within me would not suffer it, the reproach was so great, and so many combined herein together; whereat I was terrified which way soever I looked; because it is a trouble to a godly heart to hear blasphemies against God, and the more, the greater; this agreeth so well, that we may rest in it: See the like of the fire burning within David, Psalm 39. 3. Report, and we will report it: That is, my enemies said thus one to another, Tell the King and his Council what he saith against the State, and we will join with you in accusing him: All my familiars • atched for my halting; peradventure he will be enticed: That is, they with whom I lived in peace, as the words signify, in former times, now give themselves to entrap me in my speeches; and for this end come about me, and provoke me to speak, that they may have some advantage against me to accuse me to the higher powers, and so be revenged of me: The like complaint was made by the Prophet David in the Psalms, and afterwards the like is said of Christ, Matth. 22. 15.

Sing unto the Lord, praise him, for he hath delivered the soul of the poor, &c. The Prophet in the midst of his sufferings and dangers having looked up to God by the eye of faith, as being on his side to save him, and to bring his wicked enemies to confusion, verse 11, 12. Now being fully persuaded of his help at hand, and that his prayer was heard for revenge to be taken upon them, he breaketh out into singing and praising of God, as if it had been already, as David also ofttimes did in the Psalms.

Cursed be the day wherein I was born. It is strange, that Jeremiah having praised God, verse 13. out of the confidence that he had in his help, should now so suddenly break out into these speeches of impatience: Therefore Calvin understands them not as belonging to this place, but to verse 8, 9, 10. they being only set down here by way of commemoration of what he had said in the bitterness of his soul, before the comfort expressed upon his prayer, verse 12, 13. But I see no cause thus to determine; for the like may be seen before, Chap. 15. verse 18. after joy expressed in the Word, verse 16. he crieth out, as smitten with a disease incurable, and expostulates with the Lord for lying unto him, as in this Chap. v. 8. for deceiving him. It is therefore rather to be conceived, that Jeremiah was so troubled by the hard measure which he met withal, speaking nothing but the words of the Lord: hearing therefore, and suffering such intolerable reproach, that in zeal for God he counted himself a most unhappy man; for that discharging his Office so faithfully, he could move none to repentance, but by his prophesying was a means to aggravate their sins to God's greater dishonor, and their own utter overthrow: He was, I say, so troubled at this, that he thus crieth out, wishing, that he had rather never been born, than to live to increase the sins of his people, that it should go worse with them by his means, and consequently to be a cause of God's greater dishonor, Job 3. 5. The like is said by that holy man for his bodily sufferings, and yet he is justified in his sayings, Chap. 42. 7. Therefore Jeremiah much more, who had greater cause thus to utter himself, viz. a cause joined with God's cause, whereby he was brought into these troubles; so that whatsoever he said came not so much out of any impatience, but zeal, which is so highly accepted of before God, and makes a man in such cases sometimes to complain, sometimes to rejoice, and suddenly again to cry out as the most miserable of all other men, as David did, and Paul, Rom. 7. 22. Whereas his cursing the day of his birth, and the man that brought tidings of it is aggravated against him by some, as being no less than blasphemy: It is better noted by others, that he uttered not a word against God, by whose Providence he knew that he suffered thus, and what he uttered is not to be looked at as the words sound, but according to the meaning, which was only, that there had never been any such day, a messenger, and therefore that he had never been born, rather than to live to hear, and see, and know the horrible things before spoken of. And he spake so, the rather to move the Jews, if they had any moving in them, to desist from this their malice and causeless hatred against him, seeing this office of prophesying things so unpleasing, was not a thing by him affected, but necessarily imposed upon him, as Chap. 1. 17. and it was so grievous unto him, that he was even weary of his life, through God's pressing him on to it on the one side, and their maligning of him therefore on the other. Other Expositors seek to excuse him otherwise, as Origen, saying that the day of his birth was past, and therefore nothing now; so that cursing it, he cursed nothing. Theod. as Jerome, that it is not credible that Jeremiah sinned herein, who was sanctified from the womb. Isidore, That this cursing is but conditional; if any, let that day be cursed. Chrys. He cursed not any day made by God, as it was his day, but as his own; the day of the birth of one sinful and miserable, or he was as a man cut by a Chirurgeon extremely pained, and hereby moved to strike at and to bite those about him that hold him. Gregory, Let the day of mutibility perish, that the light of eternity may break forth. But Cajetan is for the first, that it is only to be taken, as if he had wished, that he had never been born; not that such a day had not been, nor such a man, but that he had had no cause by his birth to bring such tidings. And all this is spoken also out of some anger against God, as his friend, that he suffered it to be thus, as one friend may speak to another, to provoke him the more to stand for him, whom he seemed too much to neglect, upon such quarrels amongst men that are friends, it being common to renew their mutual love.

CHAP. XXI.

JEremiah having upon his hard usage by Pashur Chap. 20. made his complaint to God, and by all means sought to stir him up with speed to be revenged upon such a generation of mock-God's, and fighters against him; now seeth the judgment beginning by Nebuchadnezzar, which he had so long threatened, in the ninth year of Zedekiah his reign, as we may see 2 Kings 25. 1, 2. For it is not to be doubted, but that was the time of Zedekiah his sending to Jeremiah here spoken of: and therefore this comes in by hysteron-proteron in this place; for Jerusalem was not besieged till Chap. 32. and Iehojachim reigned, Chap. 25. who was before Zedekiah, and after him Iehojachim. Pashur said here to be sent, was not the same Priest before spoken of, but another of that name, whom the King thought to be more gracious with the Prophet, and so the more likely to obtain some comfortable answer from him. But Jeremiah nothing moved by this honor done by him, by the King himself, in sending Ambassadors thus, as it were, unto him, returns a terrible answer, even what the Lord said unto him; as it becometh every faithful Minister of God to do, without respect of persons, declaring his Word truly and fully, without detracting or altering it in anything: This Pashur yet seeing Jeremiah his inflexibility, counsels the King to put him to death, Ier. 38.

Execute judgment in the morming. Here the Prophet is sent to the Court, after that the King had sent to him, and he is bidden to say, Hear the Word of the Lord (O house of David;) not to honor the King the more, by mentioning so worthy a King as David, from whom he was descended; but meet with him in his vain confidence, because he was of his line, that he should continue in his Royal Dignity, by virtue of the promise made to David, and to his seed, 2 Sam. 7. For if he executed judgment, he showeth that he should better provide for the establishment of his Throne, from which he should otherwise be suddenly removed. And he saith, Execute judgment in the morning. That is, diligently, without any further delay, doing justice to everyone that was oppressed; not deferring to hear the cause of the widow and fatherless, because they were poor and could not bribe him, as the rich could; a great sin taxed Esa. 1. 23, 24. Vatablus, In the morning, before that by drinking and excess he had made himself unfit to judge aright. Note hence, that no privilege of alliance to the most excellent, nor humbling a man's self outwardly before God and his Servants, will prevail for mercy in time of danger, so much as breaking off from sin; [Note.] and especially the sin of a man's Calling, as oppression and injustice in Judges. For Zedekiah was of David's line, and being in danger, humbled himself to send to Jeremiah; yet he was not for this accepted of, no more than Ahab; but turning from sin makes acceptable, Isa. 1. 16, 17, 18.

I am against thee, O inhabitant of the valley, and rock of the plain. That is, O Jerusalem, called also a valley, Isa. 22. 1. because compassed about with Mountains, although it stood high, and it was firm as a Rock, and a strong defense to the fielding round about. And for the strength of the place they were confident against all enemies: but the Lord threateneth to come against them, and then what are the strongest holds to defend men? Mystically it is called valley, because base and brought low by sin, having nothing now eminent or excellent in it.

And I will kindle a fire in the Forest thereof. He continueth to threaten Jerusalem, calling the streets of houses, that stood so thick as trees in the Forest of Lebanon, a Forest: the fire which he threatens to kindle therein, being the fire wherewith the Chaldees should burn them all down: and to a Forest they are likened, because without any good fruit; according to which he saith, that he would recompense them, in the former part of the verse. For what are trees good for that bear no good fruit, but to be hewn down, and cast into the fire? And this is opposed to that which they had said before, verse 13. Who shall come to our houses? of the house of the King, as the head of the Forest of Lebanon: See also Chap. 22. 6. Some will have Jerusalem set forth by the name of a Forest, not so much for the houses therein, as for the Towns about; but he speaks plainly of the City itself, which might for the magnificent buildings therein of Cedars out of the Forest of Lebanon, wherein they gloried, be called the Forest, and set forth but as fuel for the fire, that the thing wherein they had gloried, might be turned into matter of misery and afrightment, when they should see it all of a light fire.

CHAP. XXII.

GO down to the house of the King of Judah. By this King Jerome understands Zedekiah, of whom Chap. 21. 1. and 12. 13. where he was before bidden to speak to him; and he will have the same to be Shallum, spoken of verse 11. But I have shown before, that Chap. 21. is misplaced; and by that which followeth in this Chapter, and Chap. 25, &c. to 32. the things said in other Kings reigns are spoken of, and not in the reign of Zedekiah; although Jerome brings a reason from the signification of the word Shallum, Consummation, to prove Zedekiah to be the King here meant, because that in him the Kingdom of Judah was consummared; for so the Hebrews at the end of a Boook use to write this word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Sellum, it is ended; and therefore for the ending of the Kingdom in him he is thus called. Some will have him to be Jehoiakim, and some Iehojakin; but I have already determined this question in 2 Kings 23. 30. showing, that Jehoahaz was otherwise set forth by this name, who was made King next after his Father Josiah, although younger than Jehoiakim: Only 1 Chron. 3. 15. seems to make against it, where Shallum is said to be the fourth son of Josiah; Iebanan the first, Jehoiakim the second, Zedekiah the third. But three of them only reigned, and Jehoahaz that reigned first was not Johanan, for he was but 23 years old when he was made King; and he having continued but three months that reigned first, Iehojakin his successor is said to be 25 years old when he began; therefore he must needs be elder than Jehoahaz, and Jehoahaz the youngest, otherwise called Shallum, and Johanan died young, before his Father: as for the signification of the name, for this the Hebrews called all the sons of Josiah, that reigned, Shallum, because then began the consummation of the Kingdom wen they began to reign; for they were all put down, and the Kingdom in them from the first, who was seen carried into Egypt and died there, who was Jehoahaz, or Shallum; then Jehoiakim after him was but a tributary and no free King, and so was Zedekiah, before called Mattaniah, as Jehoiakim was Eliakim.

Thou art Gilead unto me, and the head of Lebanon. Gilead was on the other side of Jordan, in former times a fruitful Country, especially of Balsam, but now being in the lot of the ten Tribes, that were long ago carried away Captive, a spectacle of desolation, as Shiloh spoken of before, that had flourished by reason of the Arks being there, when the Ark was gone, grew a desert place. So the Kings Palace, the head house of Jerusalem, called Lebanon for the frequency of houses therein, as was said before, Chap. 21. 13. shall be made desolate. And Gilead is called the head of Lebanon, because that Forest beginneth there, and extendeth far south. And it is to be noted, that Gilead had the name first from an heap, because Jacob and Laban made a Covenant there; and for a witness thereof made a great heap of stones, because Gilead, Hebr. signifieth an heap. It was a kind of a mountain, and therefore not unaptly spoken of, to set forth Mount Zion, where the King dwelt: and in Zion a Covenant was made with God by Sacrifice, as in Gilead betwixt Jacob and Laban; and the Covenant made here was notoriously broken, therefore it was more worthy to be made a Desert, than Gilead.

Weep not over the dead, but weep for him that is carried away. This Calvin thinks to be spoken generally of the Jews that should die in Jerusalem, and of them that should be carried away Captive into Babylon, and verse 11. applied in particular to Shallum, whom he takes to be Jehoiakim, who was carried into Babylon, and died there. But forsomuch as the Prophesy is expressly directed to the King, the meaning seemeth rather to be, Weep not for Josiah slain in battle by Pharaoh Necho, but for Jehoahaz his son, otherwise called Shallum, as was before shown, because he was carried into Egypt a prisoner, and after much misery suffered at the hands of his cruel enemies, dying there, and never seeing his own Country more, or being dead, brought thither to be buried: For this was counted more grievous than to be slain out-right, and to be buried in that Land where Abraham lay, and Jacob and Joseph desired to be brought, and to have their bones laid there. And these words, verse 11. Which reigned instead of Josiah his Father, further confirm, that Shallum was Jehoahaz, having two names, as well as his other two brethren, Jehoiakim called also Eliakim, and Zedekiah called Mattaniah; for it is said, 2 Kings 23. that the people of the Land took Jehoahaz, and made him King instead of Josiah his Father.

Woe to him that builds his house by unrighteousness. Having spoken against Shallum, that reigned next after Josiah, now he cometh to Jehoiakim, that wicked King, that by Necho was set up next after him; he was subdued by Nebuchadnezzar, and became his servant, swearing fealty to him; but after this, he was taken again, and bound to be carried into Babylon, but was not; but upon agreement restored again; but being false the second time, he was at length slain by the Chaldees, and ignominiously cast out of Jerusalem, as an Ass, or any unclean beast, as is threatened verse 19. But an Ass is named as one of the basest. It is probable, that to gather the Tribute laid upon the Land by the King of Egypt, mentioned 2 Kings 23. he used great exactions, and being in a way of exaction he took more, being drawn by the love of gain to enrich himself also, that he might live the more royally, and slant it out in magnificent buildings; not regarding in the mean season, as the office of a King required, to execute justice and judgment, to the saving of his poor Subjects from wrong, of which it is complained, verse 13, 14, 15, 16, 17. the example of the good King Josiah his Father being propounded unto him: And for this is so base an end threatened unto him, and for his oppressions and palpable wrongs that he did, no man should lament him, as they commonly did good Kings, and specially the fore-named godly Josiah. A notable example to be looked at by all [Note.] Kings and Potentates, to make them flee Exactions, whereby the people are pilled and polled, and imbittered against them, waiting but for an opportunity of revolting from their obedience, as they did by Rehoboam: And Richard the second of England, by his Exactions to maintain a great Court and Favorites, brought his Subjects upon him to his own ruin. And what was the beginning of King Charles his miseries, but Exacting likewise Ship moneys, Knight-moneys, Forest▪moneys and Monopolies? But God give him to see into it and to repent, that his end may yet be better to the comfort of us all.

Ascend to Lebanon and cry, utter thy voice in Bashan. Here the Prophet derides Jerusalem, not Jehoiakim, as some think, of whom he spake last; for the verb is Feminine; and when the King is wicked and suffereth, the people must not think to go scot-free, but to suffer also; as they always are either drawn by him to the like sins, or some of them by their evil counsel draw him. Now for the places spoken of in this ironicall passage, they were both beyond Jordan towards Egypt, and were very high, therefore in bidding them go up to these Mountains, it is as if he had said, Go cry for help to the Egyptians against the Chaldees, since that by the King of Egypt their King was set up, when as they knew, that Egypt could not help them, for Nebuchadnezzar smote the Egyptians also, and took away a great part of their Territories. Cry from the passages, Hebr. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , from Abarim, which is the name of a Mountain in Moab, whereupon Moses died, Deut. 32. 49. the vulg. Lat. Cry to the Passengers; but it is most probable, that another high place Mount Abarim is meant, as two had been before named: For all thy lovers are destroyed.] That is, all the Nations about, to whom they were wont to seek for help in distress, the Syrians especially; and sometime the Assyrians, for seeking to whom, and not relying upon the Lord's help, they were often reproved. But now the Assyrian Empire was brought under by the Babylonians, and the Kingdom of Syria was long before that subdued by the Assyrian, in the time of King Ahaz.

I spake unto thee in thy prosperity, &c. This hath been thy manner from thy youth. Judah did not now only first begin to show this treachery towards God, who was as a husband and protector unto her; but this was her manner always, when the kingdoms were first divided under Rehoboam, Abijah, Jehoram, Joash, Ahaz, &c. In all whose times the Lord ceased not by his Prophets to speak unto them, and to warn them against this persidiousness, even at the beginning of each ones Reign, whilst they were in prosperity; as Rehoboam was for five years together, and Abijah, &c. Jerome and other Expositors go higher, and say that the time of their being brought out of Egypt is meant: but rather if we take it as spoken to all Israel, their prosperity under Joshua in Canaan must be meant chiefly.

The wind shall eat up thy Pastors. That is, thy Kings, Rulers, and Priests, and Prophets (for Pastors is a common name to them all) shall be driven away, and vanish as the dust or chaff before a strong wind: Or because wind sometime setteth forth the frustration of men's counsels, and bringing them to nothing; as where it is said, They conceive mischief, and bring forth the wind: The perishing of their Princes and Counselors, (whom they thought to be wise) by their own evil counsels against the Lord is meant. And specially their being fed with vain hopes of help out of Egypt, is called their being eaten up of the wind, as is most commonly held: Then thou shalt be ashamed of all thy wickedness. That is, of this thy treachery against the Lord, being turned to thy confusion, and of all other thy sins, in which thou wentest on, contemning and mocking at all admonitions to the contrary.

O Inhabitant of Lebanon, that makest thy nest in the Cedars. As he began ironically, verse 20. in showing the vain confidence of the Jew in other help whereto they trusted, bidding them, Go up to Lebanon, and cry; so he concludeth in the like allusion, meaning, that their high and magnificent buildings with Cedars out of Lebanon, wherein they dwelt, neasting themselves as it were therein, should avail them nothing in the day of their calamity by the enemy, nor be any grace or glory to them, as now they thought them; but as groaning Chambers to women in travel in Child-birth; this being all that they should be able to do to help themselves; therefore in saying, How gracious shalt thou be? He meaneth, How ridiculous; so Jerome, Theod. Raban, &c. But Calvin, Thou that imaginest thyself to be as safe as the birds neasts, that are build upon the top of Cedars in Lebanon: but the first is most favored by the Context before ver. 13, 14. ver. 6. & Chap. 21. 14.

Though Coniah were the Signet of my right hand, yet I would pluck him thence. Now the Prophet having done with Jehoiakim, and Jehoahaz, called also Shallum, two Kings of Judah after Josiah, he comes to speak against the third, as they were all worthy for their wickedness. His name was Iechoniah, the son of Jehoiakim, or Iehojakin, as 2 Kings 24. but the syllable Ie being part of the name of Jehovah is cut off, and he is called Coniah; as when God would honor Abram and Sarai, he added 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 a letter of his own name to his, calling him Abraham, and to hers, calling her Sarah; so contrariwise from the name of Iechoniab he takes away Ie, and speaks of him by the name Coniah, signifying Prepared; hereby intimating, that he was prepared for misery, and yet he was now but eighteen years old, 2 Kings 24. 8. a warning to them that are young, and [Note.] not yet come to full age, to receive into their hearts impressions of Piety betimes, as Josiah did at sixteen, and not to do even then what their nature, or evil breeding inclineth them unto, as thinking, that because they are young, they shall have Indulgence at the hands of our heavenly Father. Nay, nay, youth sinning shall be spared no more than age; this young King smarted for his evil doing most sharply, being in three months, after his beginning to reign, devested from his Royal Dignity, and made a Captive and Prisoner in a strange land: For it is commanded Eccl. 12. Remember thy Creator in the days of thy youth: And, Go to young man, follow the lusts of thy heart, and delight of thine eyes, but know that for this thou shalt be brought to judgment. Memorable is the example of Henry 5 ^th for this, sometime King of England, who at eighteen years of age coming to the Crown, although dissolute before, yet then upon the sudden he changed, put away all his old companions, and was most stayed and grave, as became his Royal place: And Edward 6 ^th was also another rare example of marvelous virtue, being of more young and tender age. For the comparison of a Signet here used, it is taken from the manner of men; the husband giveth to the wife, whom he dearly loveth, a Ring, putting it upon the fourth finger of her l • ft hand, hereby declaring his hearty love unto her. For as the Anatomists have observed, from the heart there cometh a Nerve extending, thither and there it endeth; thus Cald. and Vatabl. or because the word properly signifieth a Seal, and it is said to be on the right hand, upon a finger whereof a Ring with a Seal is put so fast, that it can hardly be plucked off, that it may at all times be ready to seal any in • trument for further confirmation. Jerome, Raban, Lyra, &c. understand it of this; although he had fixed it to his right hand, as the offspring of David, to whom he had bound himself by promise, as by Hand and Seal; yet he failing on his part of keeping this Covenant, the Lord threatens to pluck him off, and reject him. It is the prayer of the Spouse, Cant. 8. 6. Set me as a Seal upon thy heart, upon thine arm: That is, through love join me so firmly unto thee as never to be parted: an Isa. 49. 16. I have graven thee on my right hand, so that the sense seemeth best, which is for most affectionate and immovably settled love. Another use there is of a Ring for ostentation, to show ones wealth: and sometime when in love to any person a Ring hath been worn, his picture hath been stamped upon it, according to that of Cicero, Our familiar friends have our Image, not only in Tables or Pictures drawn at large, but also in Cups and Rings. This is by Nazianzen applied to Preachers, whom God used as seals to seal up [Note.] such as they convert to eternal life; yet if in their lives they be wicked, God will cast them away as most vile, as it followeth ver. 28. touching Coniah, who is called a despised broken Idol: Vulg. an earthen Vessel broken. Symmach Nunquid quisquiliae viles & projectae? but the first agreeth best with the Hebrew, as an Idol, when the vanity thereof is seen into, is broken in pieces and cast away as an abominable thing; so he showeth, that Coniah should be for his abominations. The word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 rendered Idol, signifieth sorrow; because whosoever makes him an Idol, shall reap nothing but sorrow by it in the end; and hereby Coniah is set forth, to show the world of sorrows that he should go into and live many years in, as we read that he did 2 Kings 25. 27. even 37 years being kept a Prisoner in Babylon, and as it is threatened verse 26. that he should be carried away, and his mother also; so it shown, that they were 2 Kings 24. 12. when they had yielded themselves.

O earth, earth, earth, hear the word of the Lord, Write ye this man childless: Heb. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 childless or solitary: It is a Prophesy of the line of Kings coming of David, failing in this man, till the coming of Christ Jesus; and therefore as Calvin noteth, to be expounded by that Ezek. 21. 26, 27. where having mentioned the Diadem and Crown, he saith, overturn, overturn, overturn it, till he cometh to whom it belongeth: That is, Christ Jesus, the branch out of the stump of Jesse, Isa, 11. 1. And here it is to be noted, that he meant not, that he should have no son; but no son a King, sitting upon the Throne of David, who was but a m • er man; for he had a Son called Salathiel, 1 Chron. 3. 17. and he Zerubbabel: See also Matth. 1. 12. and how this line reached to Jesus, in whom the Kingdom of David was renewed, to continue according to promise forever. But because none coming of Jeconiah, sat upon his Throne ruling as a worldly King after him, it is thus said, and written here for memorial to all generations. There was after the Captivity again a Principality in his line beginning in Zerubbabel, and continuing till the Assamoneans, and in them being of his line by the mother side, till Herod: but they were no absolute Kings, some little lights: and when Jesus came, his Kingdom was not of this world, as he said John 18. Thus also Jerome, who besides this hath another way of satisfying this doubt, viz. by saying that Zerubabel, and other Princes successively coming of his line, had not the chief power of the Jews; but the high-Priests; the Prince that was, being only as a General to defend them, and to fight their battles; and lastly, that Salathiel, of whom those Princes came, Jesus descended, not Jeconiah, who came of Solomon, but of another line, drawn from Nathan, another Son of David; of which see more in my Exposition on Mat. 1. 12. And touching the Princes that came of Jeconiah, some say, that this Prophesy was verified in that he lived not to see any of them come to such honor, and the Kingdom was not given to any son of his after his deprivation; but to his Uncle Mattanias, called afterward Zedekiah, in whom it perished. And this may fully satisfy the question about a King sitting upon the Throne of David, in saying, that no man descended from him should, nothing else was meant, but that none should, whilst the Kingdom stood as then it did, for the little time of the continuance thereof none did, and at the end of that little time David's worldly Kingdom was annulled, and never set up more, but only his mystical Kingdom, which was the only Kingdom meant, when ever it was spoken of as everlasting. For his speaking to the earth trebling the word, herein he did as Isa. 1. Hear O Heavens, and hearken, O earth; to intimate the stupidity of the Jews, and slowness to believe the thing here spoken, or to regard it, as being fore-stalled in their judgments, with an opinion, that the worldly Kingdom of David should never fail; and therefore not Iehojakims posterity from being Kings after him. Wherefore he speaks to the earth, as more obedient, and readier to hear her Maker speaking than they. For the great Creator of all, can make even Creatures without life to hear his voice, when wicked men will not, and to speak also in accusing and testifying against them, as Gen. 4. Hab. 2. 11. His trebling of the word is, as Ezek. 21. 27. for the more assurance that it should thus come to pass, His bidding [write ye,] is to men believing; as if he had said, Put it upon public Record by writing, as things concerning the weal public are, that it may never be forgotten, but men to all posterities may learn by this example to take heed how they provoke the Lord by [Note.] obstinately going on in sin, the son after the father, especially Kings, and such as are in highest authority, who according to their disposition either to pride, cruelty or covetousness, are ready to forget their duty, as being God's Vice-gerents, and gods upon earth, many times turning devils. See (O ye Potentates) if ye grow to this, how short your time of prosperity is like to be, and how ill ye provide for your dear children, who are through your default in danger to be cut off, and brought down, and never to rise again to your glory and regal power.

CHAP. XXIII.

WOe to the Pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my Pasture. After Prophecies against three wicked Kings, Chap. 22. now he prophesieth for the comfort of the faithful, of more joyful and blessed times to come, when the sheep, which had been under such evil Pastors to their ruin, should have better Pastors set over them, being first gathered from all places, where through the fault of these evil Pastors, they had been scattered and suffered much misery. And it was necessary, that this consolation should follow immediately after the former threatening, lest the faith of the Elect should be shaken, when they heard Coniah their King of the line of David so threatened, not only in respect of himself, but also of his posterity. For none of his line should ever sit upon the Throne of David again, where was the promise made, and so fully set forth Psalm 89. that David's line should never sa • l, but that his Kingdom should in his posterity be everlasting? To satisfy this doubt here, v. 5. he saith, The Lord shall raise up to David a righteous branch, that shall reign i • righteousness. But before he comes to this, he cries, Woe to the wicked Pastors, or Kings before threatened Chap. 22. and Zedekiah spoken of Chap. 21. although out of his due place: Thus also Theodoret and Dionysius; but Jerome saith, that because the Kings were desperately evil, and the Prophet had accordingly spoken to them before, he now bends his speech to the Governors of the Church, the Priests and Prophets that fed them with teaching and Counsel; and after him, Rabanus, Hugo, Thomas Aquinas, Calvin. But they understand not Eclesiasticks alone, but both Kings and Rulers, and Priests also, which is best, seeing both sorts were before spoken against, as we may see Chap, 5. 31. Chap. 20. 1. and 21. 1. two of them come as Counselors of the King. And it is ordinary to call Kings Pastors, as well as Eclesiasticks; as David is said to be a Shepherd over his people of Israel; and in Ahab's time, when Micaiah foresaw the fall of Ahab at Ramoth Gilead, he sets it forth by the similitude of a people scattered and without a Shepherd: See also Chap. 22. 22. Woe to the Shepherds then that scatter my sheep; is as much as if he had said to the Kings, Rulers, Priests, and Prophets, who by their evil teaching, counsel, and example cause them to sin so greatly, that I am enforced to bring this terrible judgment of the Chaldees upon them, by whom they shall be carried and driven away and dispersed into all Countries, living lives most miserable. And he calls the people, although most wicked, and so severely judged by him, the sheep of his Pasture, because of the Cove • ant made with their Fathers; for which his compassion was moved towards them even when he brought his severest judgments upon them; for which he calleth them his strange work. Isa. 28. 21.

Against the Pastors that feed my people. It is strange that he should say, that feed my people, and yet chargeth them with scattering them, and not visiting them; but he speaketh of their place and office, which was to feed them with wholesome food of good teaching and Laws; but they contrariwise fed them with their own imaginations, whereby they were destroyed. They visited them not for good then, that they might have comfort hereof, but terror, which was all one with not visiting them.

And I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all Countries, whither I have driven them. This is by some Hebrews expounded of their being brought again out of Babylon, when they had faithful Pastors, Zerubbakel, Jeshua, Ezra, Nehemiah, Haggai and Zachariah, of which Isaiah speaking, Chap. 1. 25. saith, I will restore Judges and Counselors as at the beginning. But this cannot stand, because they were not then gathered cut of all lands; and if their return then were meant, who was the righteous branch spoken of verse 5. that should reign? for Zerubbabel could not be he, because he never reigned as David, neither was Judah and Israel both safe then, as verse 6. for Judah only returned, and they dwelt not safely or securely then, as is also promised, but they were put in fear by their enemies, and hindered in building the Temple and Walls of the City, as appeareth in Ezra and Nehemiah: neither doth the title of the branch, being further called Jehovah • sidkenu, the Lord our righteousness, agree to any mere man; for which other Rabins of ancient expound it of the Messiah, and so do all ours generally. Neither doth that which followeth verse 7. of the famousness of this deliverance in comparison of that out of Egypt agree to that, as I have shown before upon the like passage, Chap. 16. 14, 15. where Jeremiah first prophesied of this deliverance more obscurely, here more plainly. And it is to be noted, that he saith, I will gather the remnant of my flock, whereby he meaneth not all the Jews, but a few Elect ones of them; as Isa. 1. 9. and Chap 10. 22. it was said before, that a remnant of them only should be saved, Rom. 11. 5. For whilst Christ lived here in the flesh, a few only believed, the rest were hardened. Although there be some that by this remnant understand the Gentiles of all lands; but they are plainly in an error, as appears both by the Text, wherein nothing is spoken of the Gentiles, but Jews only; and from the other parallel places alleged. And it is said expressly Acts 2. that there were at the Feast of Pentecost some of all Nations under heaven, Jews and Proselytes, that heard the Apostles speaking in strange tongues, and were astonished at it, and converted; and James 1. 1. it is said to the twelve Tribes that are scattered abroad; but the next words of their increasing and being fruitful, are spoken of the increase of the Church of the faithful by the accession of the Gentiles, who are often spoken of by the Prophet Isaiah, as the children brought forth to the Jewish Church. Isa. 49. 18. and 60. 4. and will bring them to their folds; that is, unite them in the true faith of Christ, who were before scattered not only into divers Countries, but carried away, and divided amongst themselves by divers errors.

And I will set up shepherds over them. That is, the Apostles and other Preachers at the first going out of the Gospel, who aimed at nothing else, but the converting and saving of souls; And they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed or lacking. That is, these Pastors shall be of invincible courage against all adverse powers, although they be persecuted, standing to the faith of Christ unto the death; and although some of them be cut off by persecution, yet there shall be no want, but others shall immediately be raised up; and so it shall be with Christian people, the spirit of courage and resolution, which shall be in their Pastors, shall enter into them also, and when some are cut off, others more shall stand up; according to which it was observed, that The blood of the Martyrs was the seed of the Church. Of Preachers then called Pastors, see Eph. 4. 12. 1 Peter 5. 1. and Peter accordingly is bidden, Feed my sheep, feed my lambs, Joh. 21. Of their courage in standing to the truth; see Acts 7. & Ch. 4. 12. & 21. and more abundantly in Eclesiastical History.

I will raise up to David a righteous branch. Of Christ thus called; see before Isa. 11. 1. c. 4. 2. And after, Ier. 33. 15. Zech. 3. 8. c. 6. 12 Hebr. it is 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , of the reason of which name see the places before quoted, and also of his reigning and executing Justice and judgment everlastingly.

This is his name; the Lord our righteousness; for he is made of God unto us Wisdom, Righteousness, Sanctification, and Redemption, 1 Cor. 1. 30. And he was made sin for us, that we might be made the righteousness of God through him, 2 Cor. 5. 20. And then is he our righteousness, when we by faith rest upon his righteousness only, and in no part upon our own, according to the example of the Apostle, Phil. 3. 7, 8. And yet cast not away the care of righteous living, but endeavor to find in ourselves the power of his Resurrection in rising up to newness of life, and after a conformity to his death, in patient suffering for righteousness sake, as he did, as it followeth v. 10. Rom 8. 16.

My heart within me is broken, because of the Prophets. That is, because the false Prophets by their flatteries and promising peace, made the people to harden themselves in their sins; so that he foresaw that the terrible words which he had spoken against them should be made good, and they should by no means escape most horrible destruction, as the next words do show, Because of the Lord, and [Note.] the words of his holiness. And if God's threatenings against sinners make so holy a man as Jeremiah so terribly afraid, how shall sinful and wicked men be able to bear it, when such & greater judgments without end come to be executed upon them?

For Adulteries the land mourneth, and for Oaths. Here he mentioneth the foul sins in particular, that reigned amongst them, two being named, and the rest understood. The word rendered Oaths is 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 signifying to swear; but because swearing is never without cursing expressed or understood, some render it cursing, or forswearing; take it every of these ways, and so we shall best attain the true and full meaning, With such horrible sins did that land abound, for which it is said the land mourned by a prosopopeia, to make the Jews ashamed, and specially the false Prophets, to whom he chiefly speaketh, verse 9. and chargeth them again by name with Adultery, verse 14. both Prophets and Priests. For, shall the dumb and dead creature be affected with sorrow, and men, yea Teachers who provoke to so great a judgment, be without all sense of sorrow; whereas he addeth, Their course is evil, and their force is not right; He meaneth not, of the pleasant places, said before to be dried up: but of the foresaid wicked Prophets, he meaneth that they studied and bent all their forces to do wickedly, and to encourage others both by Doctrine and Life to do likewise.

Even in my house I have found their wickedness, saith the Lord. Here he chargeth the Prophets and Priests not only with profaneness in the course of their lives, when they were out of God's house, doing not as persons sanctified, but common notorious evil worldlings; but also with sin in God's own house in unfaithfully executing their office there, either as Hophni and Phineas the wicked sons of Eli, who robbed God's Sacrifices, and committed Adultery with women that came thither, or corrupting the Doctrine of the Law by teaching so, opposing the teaching of true Prophets so, as that they hardened the people in their wickedness to their utter undoing. And this is by Calvin not amiss applied against the Pope and his Bishops, who they say cannot err as they are Ecclesiastical [Note.] persons, although in their lives they be wicked as other men are; no Doctrine yet that comes from them in the house of God can be corrupt, because the spirit is there always with them, according to promise to lead them into all truth. For if the high Priest, and Priests under the Law, who were by God himself set up, had not this infallibility; who but fools will believe, that the Pope now hath, that was never made high-Priest of God, but by his own ambition and arrogancy?

I have s • en also in the Prophets of Jerusalem an horrible thing. Here to aggravate the sins of their Prophets, he saith verse 13. I have seen folly in the Prophets of Samaria; but coming to speak of the Prophets of Jerusalem: [I have seen an horrible thing.] Samaria was the Chief City of the ten Tribes, where they constantly in one Kings time after another, worshipped Baal, or at the least the golden Calves that Jeroboam had set up, and after many judgments brought upon them for this and their other sins, they were delivered into the hands of Salmanasor King of Assyria, 2 Kings 17. Jerusalem was the chief City of the Kingdom of Judah, where the Temple stood, and the true God had Sacrifices offered unto him, where also the high-Priest, and other Priests lived continually to guide them aright. Yet even here the Prophets and Priests did more abominably, neither took warning by the sufferings of Israel; for which they might justly fear greater judgments to come upon them, as they were threatened. Then in showing wherein they did more abominably, he saith, They committed Adultery, and went about with Lies, and strengthen the hands of evil doers, that they turn not;] being for this in God's account as Sodom and Gomorrah. Vulg. Lat. for an horrible thing] hath the similitude of those that commit Adultery. Whereupon Jerome, and others after him understand hereby Idolatry, which is like Adultery, and therefore commonly set forth by this name, as if nothing else were meant, but that they did, as the Idolatrous Prophets of Samaria. But the Hebrew signifieth an horrible thing, as all confess; and if it be thus expounded, we shall come short of the full sense of the Prophet, whose drift is not to show, that the Prophets of Jerusalem were only like to those of Samaria, but much worse, for which he doth use a word setting forth an hairy horrid form wherein Devils sometimes appeared; hereby intimating them to be as Devils in the shape of men, transformed into Angels of light, because that coming in the name of the Lord, and as sent and instructed by him by dreams and visions, as is expressed verse 17. 25. 31. they vented their own lying imaginations. And whosoever [Note.] presseth to the people corrupt and false Doctrine, under the name of the truth of God, doth likewise act the part of that horrid Fiend, and shall be proceeded against as a Devil, as Judas was afterwards for his Treachery called: For the next word it is not, They commit Adultery; but Hebr. [Adultery.] I have seen an horrible thing, Adultery, and walking with a Lie; where Adultery is properly to be understood, and not mystically only, that which is Idolatry, according to v. 10. and Chap. 29. 23. where two false Prophets were executed by roasting with fire for Adultery with other men's Wives. For their lying, it was by saying, Thus saith the Lord, when the Lord never said so, but the contrary; for under this pretence, they speaking peace to the wicked, made them confident of safety, although they went on in their sins, and so their hearts were hardened against turning therefrom. Of the Jews, being likned to Sodom and Gomorrah, see before Isa. 1. 10. 3. 9. For their gross sins, here they are thus set forth, both for their sins, and the terrible destruction that should come upon them therefore, saith Calvin; but that their like destruction is not meant, appeareth Isa. 1 9. because none of Sodom were saved, but of the Jews a remnant.

From the Prophets of Jerusalem profaneness is gone out into all the land. Heb. pollution or hypocrisy: whilst by their evil example, and speaking peace to the wicked, they encourage them to go on in their sins. Of their being sed with wormwood or bitterness it hath been spoken before; bitter and killing sufferings being here meant.

Who hath stood in the Counsel of the Lord? Because these false Prophets said, Thus saith the Lord: he here asketh, Which of them had stood in his counsel, as if he had said, not one; for that which they said came not from the Lord, but from themselves in deep dissimulation.

In the latter days ye shall consider it perfectly. Having threatened his judgments coming in an impetuous manner, like a whirl-wind, which none can resist, verse 19. Now he addeth, that although now they would not know or believe it, they should hereafter to their smart, when these judgments should be executed, and there should be no more place for repentance to escape them, as now there was, according to the common Proverb, Sero sapiunt Phryges, Fools are wise too late, Heb. They shall be made often to understand knowledge in is. That is, in this threatening, which now they so much slighted, and had no knowledge in, nor would, but in their sufferings they should often think what sots they had been, that before would take no warning; and this is the case of [Note.] all the wicked, now they are fools, and neither understand, nor will understand in what danger of God's wrath they are; but they shall understand, when they come to feel the smart thereof, and shall never be delivered out of their miseries.

But if thy had stood in my Counsel, and caused my people to hear my words, they should have turned them, &c. Here the Lord works further upon that which was said verse 18. proving that none of these Prophets stood in his Counsel, because if they had, they would have applied themselves to speak so, as to turn the people from their sins, that they might have escaped his judgments. For whosoever is a true Prophet of God, bends himself altogether in teaching his [Note.] Word, to expound and to speak so upon it, as that his Hearers may hereby be converted; therefore if any contrariwise teach liberty to sin, or vanisheth away in his teaching in vain speculations, or soareth aloft in high strains of eloquence, or broaching error, he is not one that stands in God's Counsel, but rather like the false Prophets here taxed and threatened.

Am I a God near at hand, and not afar off? Here he meeteth with an opinion that might be in these wicked Prophets, that although they pretended revelations from God, which they never had, yet he should not know it, because he he was afar off in heaven above, and could not see or know it: against this he saith thus, meaning, that he could as well see from the highest heavens into the very thoughts of their hearts, as if he were nearest unto them, or within them: whereof he rendereth a reason, verse 24. saying, I fill heaven and earth; as is further set forth Psalm 139. That is, I am always so in one place, as well as in another, and do so see things cunningly hidden by men, as manifestly and openly acted, as that no plot or device of the most subtle can be hid from me. For the Translation of Sept. I am a God near, and not afar off; although expounded by Jerome in respect of time; as if the meaning were, I know things now, and that shall shortly be done; and not things done long ago only; it is neither to the purpose here, nor a true, but a Translation contrary to the Hebr. verity.

What is the Chaff to the Wheat. Having taxed the false Prophets, verse 25, 26, 27. for coming with their dreams to make the people to forget the Lord; in this Verse he chargeth them, when they publish their own dreams, to publish them as dreams, and not as the Word of the Lord; but whosoever he be that comes pretending the Word of the Lord, let him do it truly, that is, speak no other words than those that come from his mouth. And hereof he yields a reason in these words; What is the Chaff to the Wheat? meaning, that whatsoever else is brought by any man, although it be pretended to be a Revelation in a dream from God, it is but as Chaff, light and without substance or worth, being by any blast of wind coming from God, made to appear to be such: as when contrary to such dreams of peace and prosperity, misery and destruction cometh; or when Christ cometh with his Fan in his hand, by his divine Doctrine blowing away all such vanities, and finally burning all that teach and embrace them with unquenchable fire. And hereby we may know what is a dream of a false Teacher, and not the Word of God, although it be pretended: If it be without true [Note.] ground in the Word, or if it tendeth to draw men to anything contrary to it, or to make them secure in their sins, see Deut. 13. Isa. 8. 20. Gal. 1. 8. Wherefore the Invocation of Saints departed, adoration of Images, the Doctrine of Purgatory, and prayers for the dead, and of the necessity of Priests leading a [Note.] single life, taught amongst the Papists, but founded upon Revelations and feigned miracles, are undoubtedly Chaff, Hey, and Stubble that shall be burnt, when the day of trial cometh: See 1 Cor. 3. 11.

Is not my Word like a Fire, or an Hammer that breaketh the Rocks in pieces? Having compared the Word of God to Wheat, verse 28. now he compares it to a Fire, and an Hammer. It is as Wheat to them that hear, believe and obey it, to feed and strengthen them to eternal life; whilst the seduced by lying imaginations to hold errors, or to please themselves in their sinful doings, are fed with Chaff or Husks with the Prodigal Luke 15. and so are hunger starved. And the very Word, which is so precious to the godly, is as a Fire or Hammer breaking Rocks to the wicked; because, as is herein threatened, the Fire of God's anger, smoking, as it were, against them in his Word, shall one day break out into an hot burning Flame; and although the threatenings thereof seem now unto them to be but as an empty sound beating the air, yet they shall prove an huge and most strong Hammer breaking them in pieces who have hardened their hearts like a Rock; as a bar of Iron breaks a Potters Vessel all to pieces, so as that it cannot be made up again. The Word of God indeed, as Calvin noteth, is also a Fire to them that obey it, as Ch. 20. 4. and an Hammer, to purge out corruption, when the Spirit accompanying it inflames their hearts with the love of God, and the hatred of sin, and to break their hearts with godly sorrow for their sins. But it is not a Fire to them, as to the wicked, neither shall ever be. Therefore serve the Lord with fear, &c. Kiss the son lest he be angry, and so ye perish, &c. Psal. 2. 11, 12.

That steal my Word everyone from his neighbor, or fellow. Here the Lord further describeth a false Prophet; he is such an one as in secret compacteth with others what he will tell, as a Revelation from God, and so by mutual consent he beginneth to utter it, then another, and another likewise comes with the same, saying, Thus saith the Lord; as the first man did, when as indeed he stole his Prophecy from him his fellow Pseudo-Propheta. Verse 31. he describeth the same further by this, That use their tongues, saying, He saith. Some render it, That smooth their tongues, expounding it of Flattery; some by tollunt, they lift them up: Expounding it by speaking magnifically of themselves, as the undoubted true Prophets of the Lord. And hence some note three sorts of false Prophets. 1. Such as steal somewhat out of other men's writings. 2. That apply themselves to speak in high strains of Eloquence, or so as that they may be accounted learned. 3. That speak flatteringly: as Lyra, Dionys. Vatabl. Isidor. But the word used is 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , which is, to take; and then the sense is, taking their their tongues as the instruments of their lying speeches, to say He saith;] when as in their hearts they know, that the Lord never said so, but the contrary. This part of the false Prophets then is now notoriously acted over again, or hath been by Friars and Priests of the Church of Rome, who likewise by compact • ng together, have one seconded another, to make the people believe all their inventions introduced in matter of Religion to have come from God, whereby they have bred in them such a blind faith, and venerable opininion of their lying Legends, that they think it a deadly sin once to question any of them. Their stealing from their fellows spoken of verse 30. is by some under • tood, from the true Prophets of God, of whom they took somewhat to credit their false Prophesying the more; but it is not likely that he would ever have called them their fellows, if he had meant them; wherefore the first is best, that they stole from one another, as they compacted together: Thus also Calvin.

When they shall say unto thee, What is the burden of the Lord? From hence to the end of this Chapter is shown, how both People, Priests and Prophets, derided the true Prophets of the Lord for saying, The burden of the Lord; for this was common with Isaiah, Chap. 13. 15. 22, 23. and some other Prophets when they threatened judgments. And their sin in saying so lay in this, that they asked, What is the burden of the Lord? in contempt and hatred against those Prophets, that came with this saying, as if they had said, Speak these words as much as ye will, but know that when ye speak them, ye are but unwelcome Messengers to us, ye shall reap nothing but enmity at our hands for so speaking, or to that effect. For we love to hear such a • come unto us speaking comfortable things; neither do we indeed regard what ye say in this kind, because it hath been the manner of such as thou art thus to terrify us many years ago, as Isaiah did; but we thank God, we feel not yet any such burden as ye threaten, and we hope never shall. But against them that thus despised and mocked at the Prophets, he threateneth this burden to come upon them, that he would forsake them; and lest this should be slighted, he addeth, I will punish that man and his house, that is, everyone that saith so. And lest this also should be slighted, he addeth, Every ones word shall be his burden; that is, that dares to speak thus, it shall be counted an intolerable sin in him, the burden whereof he shall never be able bear, but sink and be crushed to death under it. And finally, that they might not think, that the Lord would haply make some sew examples of his judgments for speaking thus contemptuously contrary to his command, and that the Nation should still escape, and continue in prosperity, he concludeth, saying,

I will utterly forget and forsake you, and your Nation, and cast you out of my presence.

And I will bring an everlasting reproach upon you. Whereby he showeth their utter destruction to come upon them and their City, they being left to the will of their enemies to be slain, and captived, and their City burnt. Wh • re we may see, [Note.] that it is not a small judgment for the Lord to forsake any people for the contempt of his Prophets, leaving them destitute of light and means of grace, but the greatest punishment that can befall mortail men; for if he thus forsakes a Nation, woe unto it, for together all blessing and good forsakes it, and all evil and misery to utter ruin cometh instead thereof. Whereof he saith, I will bring everlasting reproach. Whereas this judgment continued but seventy years, it hath been resolved before Ch, 18. 10. and Chap. 25. 9 11. will resolve it more clearly.

Whereas they are directed to ask, What is the Word of the Lord? not the burden. The meaning is, that they should thus inquire with an heart desirous to learn, believe and obey. For when a people is thus affected, the Lord will [Note.] dwell amongst them with his Word and Blessing, otherwise he forsakes them.

CHAP. XXIV.

IN this Chapter the Lord would have Jeremiah teach again by Signs. He shown him two Baskets of Figs set before the Temple, after that Nebuchadnezzar had carried away Jeconiah Captive into Babylon, and the Princes, Carpenters, and Smiths. By these he teacheth what should be done to them, and to the people still remaining in the Land. These might haply think, and did think themselves more happy that remained, than those that were carried away; but God hereby shown the contrary, the Captived should find more favor and suffer less, and such as remained should find none, but suffer all manner of misery, because most probably they, upon their escape at that time, took more courage to themselves to go on in their sins, despising all admonitions, as thinking the brunt of danger to be now over, and that they should never come into it again: whereas Jeconiah, although a most wicked King, as he is set forth, Chapter 22. yet by the Prophets admonitions and threatening and advice to yield to Nebuchadnezzar when he came against him, he and his Princes submitting themselves, and going out unto him, and not obstinately standing out contrary to God's will, as Zedekiah afterwards did, came into more grace, and was with his company carried away with him, comforted. Whereby we may [Note.] see what good cometh of obeying God at the last, although a man hath before sinned most notoriously, and what evil of obstinate and continued disobedience against all admonitions, threatenings, and counsels of God's servants, his Prophets. For this manner of teaching, it hath been spoken upon before, Chap. 18. and 19. where he teacheth by a Potters making and breaking his Pots; and Ch. 13. by a girdle, he would have him teach not only by word of mouth, but by a sensible outward sign, as being more moving. The two Baskets of Figs standing b • fore the Temple, are thought by some to have been set there right over against the Temple, where some sat to sell fruits, and that this opportunity was taken by the Lord; but it is rather to be thought according to others, that they were shown him in vision. The Hebrews conjecture, that the Basket of Figs which was worst shown best, and the other worst; but being tasted, the contrary appeared; If this were so, the similitude did the more aptly set forth the thing for which it was brought, they that continued in Jerusalem seeming to be in the best case, but were in the worst; and those that were carried away seeming to be in the worst, in the best. And these Baskets stood before the Temple, the more aptly to set forth the Jews of both sorts, they belonged both to one and the same God, that dwelt in the Temple, but from hence, as from his Judgment Seat, he passeth a divers Sentence upon them.

I will bring them again to this Land. Many gracious promises are here made of good to be done to Iehojakin and the Captives that were carried away with him upon their submiss yielding, related 2 Kings 24. For which probably they that stayed behind, derided them, as some conjecture, which was fulfilled in the King, 2 Kin. 25. and in his son Zerubbabel returning at the time set, Jer. 29 10. and many more, yea all of them that were then living. The King indeed came no more to Jerusalem in his own person, but in Babylon his head was lifted up, and he found great favor, and his posterity returned, he being then dead, and Daniel and the other three Children came to great preferment in Babylon, as Daniel showeth: And it is not to be doubted, but that other Jews also by their means found great favor, even beyond expectation in that Country.

And I will give them an heart to know me. Here is a far greater blessing spoken of, the blessing of knowing God, and turning to him with the whole heart; not going here with in part after him, and in part after Baal, as some formerly did, or in part after the profits or pleasures of the world. He that attaineth not this blessing is unhappy still, notwithstanding all his temporal blessings, but attaining this, he is perfectly blessed, as Chap. 9. 23. Let not the wise glory in his wisdom, &c. but that he knoweth me, saith the Lord. But note, that no man attaineth to this of himself, but it must be given unto him, against Pelagians and Papists.

And them that dwell in Egypt. Some think, that such Jews are meant, as before the destruction of Jerusalem, or at the coming of the Chaldees fled into Egypt to be out of their danger, as amongst their confederates; but others better, those that would needs remove thither, contrary to the Lord's command, Chap. 43. for against them is the like threatened to that which is threatened here. And this Chapter as well as Chap. 21. is placed out of order, as appeared by the next, viz. Chap. 25.

CHAP. XXV.

THE Prophecy of this Chapter is noted by the time, the fourth of Jehojakin, the first of Nebuchadnezzar, but Dan. 1. 2. the third of Jehojakin; for the reconciling of which difference, see my Comment upon 2 Kings 24. This was the year wherein Nebuchadnezzar came first against Jerusalem; the former Prophecies of Jeremiah beginning to work, so that it was a most fit time to speak as he doth in upbraiding to people for their hardening of their hearts against all his admonitions given them early and late for three and twenty years together, and of other Prophets before him, according to that which is said, verse 2, 3, 4, 5, &c.

I will send and bring all the kindreds of the earth, and Nebuchadnezzar my servant. Because he saith, I will send and bring. Some of the Ancients have thought, that it is meant of sending his Angels good or evil to stir up the Chaldees forces, lying far and wide in the North parts; for all the Countries about were under them, and were at their command to go forth to war, as they were required, with them; for which they are called all the Families of the earth. But Calvin better, I will send; that is, by Nebuchadnezzar my servant, who shall serve my Providence herein, although not knowing me, and gather them an huge Army. And he calleth Nebuchadnezzar his servant, partly to confound the Jews the more, who were peculiarly chosen to serve him, but rebelled against him, and partly to terrify them by his coming, not of himself so much, as by God's appointment, who doubtless would therefore be with him, and make him by any power irresistable. He is not called his servant, as Moses and other godly men, but as one made by a secret power to serve and do the will of God unwittingly, by executing his judgments upon the Jews, and other Nations round about them for their sins. He was indeed carried by his own ambition and desire of revenge to these wars, but withal he did the work that God would have done, who knoweth how to punish sinners by sinners, and strengthens them to it, being yet without all tincture or stain of sin; yea, so far from it, as that he cannot be said to be the cause thereof, but the sinners that suffer are the only cause of it to themselves; and the sinners that serve in this work, shall have none other reward in the end; but as a Rod, wherewith God corrected other sinners, be cast into the fire, and therein burn forever, for their malice, cruelty and pride, wherein they have done this work; and not in obedience to the Lord, as God's faithful servants do; as Joshua in destroying the Canaanites, and other faithful persons. Of the King called God's Rod, see Isa. 10. Whereas it is added further, And all the Nations round about. The cause was, that the Jews might not feed themselves with hope of help from them against Nebuchadnezzar, as the common enemy. For when any Potentate, as the Turk, arms to come against any Christian Kingdom, or against one petty Kingdom at once, a jealousy ariseth in the rest round about, so that they join their Forces together to repel him. But the Lord here showeth, that it should not be so in respect of Nebuchadnezzar; but although they should combine, yet they should not be able to stand before him; but indeed they were so infatuated, that they did not, that we read of, but each Nation kept timorously at home, when this storm arose, and so he set upon them one after another, overcoming them with the more facility. Whereas he addeth, that they should be made an hissing, and perpetual deselation, the 11 ^th Verse makes it plain, that the word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 here used, doth not always signify forever, that is, everlastingly, but sometimes for a long time, which yet shall have an end, as Jerusalem's desolation, in seventy years; although sometime it is put forever and ever, as verse 12. where it is said of Babylon, that it shall be an everlasting desolation.

And I will bring upon that land all my words which are written. Having threatened perpetual desolations to Babylon, as he had done, verse 9. to all Nations round about Judea, now he exemplifieth the case of Babylon by the same Nations, showing hereby, that the Babylonians should be brought into servitude, as they had been by the Babylonians. To express which, verse 14. it is said, Many Nations and great Kings shall serve themselves of them also. Calvin, Quia fecerunt in illis ad servitutem etiam ipsi, gentes multae, &c. Expounding it as the cause, why Babylon should be punished, as is aforesaid, verse 13. viz. because they had brought the Jews to servitude; or rather as the reason of that which was before said, verse 14. or the means whereby the Babylonians should be brought so low, the Jews should have them and other Nations under them, being many, and having mighty Kings over them, and so it should be rendered to them according to their doings. But I must needs confess, that in this passage I understand not either the ground of his Exposition, or his meaning, and see not how it can be made good, because although the Babylonians were subjugated, yet it was not by the Jews, whom they had formerly subdued; but by the Persians and Medes; neither were other Nations brought under them, but they even after their return continued servants to the Persians. Or if by Jews the faithful be understood under the Gospel, to whom many Nations were subdued by the power of the Gospel, how can the next words agree, where this subduing is spoken of as a judgment, whereas subduing to the faith was a favor? The Vulg. Latin, Because they served them, when they were many Nations, and great Kings. That is, being compelled by them, all the Nations before spoken of, and Judea also, were servants to them, that is, to the Chaldees, yea and mighty Kings also, who were taken and Captived by them, and kept as servants under that great Monarch, as we may see 2 Kings 25. where King Jehojakin and more Kings are spoken of, as prisoners to Nebuchadnezzar, and his son Evilmerodach, but his head was then lifted up above them all. And this is rendered as a reason, why they should be done to accordingly, as in the latter part of the Verse, viz. because they made them serve in pride, glorying in having so many Nations and Kings subdued unto them, as if by their own strength they had brought them under, thus robbing God of his glory. But the word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 may be also rendered Glory. For as in N. Tr. before going, and then rendering it word for word according to the Hebr. For many Nations shall serve in or with them, even them. Where to make sense, this word themselves must needs be understood, and then the meaning will easily appear to be this; As they have brought many Nations and Kings under, so it shall be done to them: Nations and Kings, that is, the Medes and Persians and their Kings shall subdue and make servants of them, and they shall never more get up to Imperial Power again; and to this Expositors generally agree, and this is the same in effect with the Exposition given before upon the Vulgar Latin, though the reading be divers, and confirmed Chap. 27. 7.

Take this Wine-cup of my fury, and cause all Nations to drink of it, to whom I shall send thee. Having threatened the Jews, and all Nations round about, and lastly the Chaldees in the Verses before going; now he hath in a vision the cup of God's indignation given into his hand to make them all to drink hereof, as the efficient cause of the foresaid destruction and misery. And by the cup of God's wrath, he meaneth his wrath against them for their sins, assimulating it to a Cup of Wine; because as that intoxicateth the brain, and makes some foolish, some infirm, and some mad, and to spew and fall; and if they be dead drunk, to fall so as never to rise again, but to die in that drunken fit: so the wrath of God by horrible destructions coming upon these Nations, should make them at their wits end, not knowing what course to take for their preservation, and make their hearts so faint and timorous, that they should be without all strength to resis • and mad through vexation, and finally sick as it were to spuing and inability to stand any longer, so that they fall by the sword, or are brought under, not being able to rise up, and to shake off the yoke anymore. Which Exposition we may gather upon these words, verse 16. and 27. And he saith not only that he took and gave it them to drink, but made them drink it, verse 17. 28. Hereby showing his power over them, as it was at the first given him by the Lord, Ch. 1. 10. And the like power hath every faithful servant of God whom he employeth [Note.] to threaten the sins of the people, his words shall not be wind, but powerful to make them to suffer whom he threateneth, do they what they can to keep themselves from drinking, how many and potent soever they be, although the judgment be for a time deferred.

Pharaoh King of Egypt, and his servants. Next to Jerusalem Pharaoh must drink, because the Jews relied much upon him, that they might not therefore think by his help to be preserved from this judgment, he is next threatened, and the mingled people; that is, people of other Nations dwelling in Egypt, having fled thither for shelter, as many Jews did. For so the same word that is here used signifieth, Exod. 12. 38. Nehemiah 13. 3. And thus Jerome expounds it, and Theod. Rabane, Hugo, &c. Although Vatabl. is for people of divers Nations gathered together, and dwelling in the Desarts near to Judea; but the first is most probable: For the Kings of Uz next named; for Uz the Septuagint and Vulgar have Ansilidis, it was a Country near to Idumea, which lay on the South, where Job dwelt; of whose cattle therefore it is said, that the Idumeans and Sabaeans made a prey, it had the name most probably from Huz the first-born of Nahor; and it seems to have been a part of Idumea, Lam. 4. 21. where it is said, Daughter of Iaumea, that dwellest in the land of Uz. Azotus was one of the five Lordships of the Philistines, whereof three more are also here mentioned, and for Gath the fifth most probably it is said, the remnant of Azotus; because Gath stood near unto it. Of Azotus see more Isa. 20. 1.

For the Countries next named, Idumea and Ammon, he speaks of them more fully Cap. 49. adjoining Dedan, Teman and Buz, and of Moab Chap. 48. being all Countries near about Judea, and of Tyrus and Zidon, Chap. 27. and 47. For the Islands, these were Cyprus, Rhodes, Crete, taken by the Babylonians: so Jerome Raban, &c. for the Kings of Arabia, that is, both Araba felix and deserta; the Kings whereof were rather Captains of Thieves than Kings.

The Kings of Zimri. Of Zimran son to Keturah, see Gen. 25. 2. And of him this Kingdom seems to have the name; and because he was wi • h 〈◊〉 brethren sent Eastward to inhabit, Gen. 25. 6. it stood eastward; and all the Kings of each Country are spoken of; not that everyone had more Kings, but meaning the succession of them. For Elam. that was Media, of which afterwards, Chap. 49. 34. For the Kings of the North, they were such as lived near to Babylon, whom the King first subdued, and then used them to fight under his Banner against other Countries. And the King of Sheshak shall drink after them. This is by Lyra thought to be the King of Egypt, because one King of Egypt was so called, 1 Kings 11. 40. But that King was spoken of before, verse 19. as one of the first that should drink, whereas this drinks after all others. And therefore others expound it better of the King of Babylon, as Jerome, Theod. Raban, &c. There being manifest ground for this Exposition, Chap. 5. 41. where being also called, The King of Sheshak, he is by and by called for further Explanation [the King of Babylon] and they conjecture, that he is called King of Sheshak by inversion of the Letters of the Hebrew Alphabet, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 having two letters next unto the first, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 a middle letter; but turn the name into letters of the end of the Alphabet, taking two, which are last but one, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , and a middle letter 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , we have the name 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , signifying, Thy silk, for Babel confusion; but the signification is not so much respected, as the inversion of the letters, the latter being now put for the former, to intimate, as Calvin noteth, that the time should not hastily come, wherein that King should drink, but all others having drunk before, as 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 is after all the rest of the letters, but 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 . Or we may look at the signification of the word, thy silk, because when other Kings were in misery, and were habited accordingly, the King of Babylon sat gloririously apparrelled in silk, and gold, and silver: whereas it is commonly conceived, that the Prophet thus obscures his name, lest he should offend that King Calvin showeth well that this cannot be the reason, because Chapter 50. and 51. he spares him not, but speaks terribly against Babylon, yea and more than against any other Kingdom: wherefore the reason before going may suffice, he changeth the name, that in the very name there might be a Prophetical Prediction.

He shall roar from his habitation, he shall give a shout, as they that tread the Wine press. Having threatened all Nations with his judgments after Jerusalem, he yields a reason to persuade them, that it should certainly be so, verse 29. and to terrify them the more, he ascribeth roaring to the Lord, and shouting, as in treading Grapes they make a great noise, and one by his voice stirs up another to work lustily in treading, and making the blood of the Grapes to run out; so he would stir up himself to the effusion of their blood in greatest abundance.

Howl ye Shepherds. Here by the consent of all Expositors, Jeremiah returneth in conclusion of this terrible Prophecy against Jerusalem, and all other Nations before mentioned, to the King, Princes, Priests and Prophets of Judea, according to the word Pastors before used Chap. 23. 1. seeing so great calamities to come, saying, Howl and cry. And he giveth four Reasons. 1. Because they should be broken, as a precious Vessel, or a pleasant Vessel: For such the Jews had been through God's peculiar favor unto them more than other Nations, and men grieve more for the breaking of a China, than a plain earthen Pot. 2. Because they should have no place to slee to, they or the principal of the Flock, that is, the rich, who formerly had divers strong holds. 3. Because their Pasture should be spoiled, and their habitations cut down; wherein he continueth his Metaphor of Shepherds and Sheep, by their Pasture, meaning their fruitful Country, full of Corn, and Wine, and Oil, now made desolate and destitute as a Wilderness, and their houses cut down; because being burnt down, they were as trees in a Forest in times past a shelter, cut down. 4. He hath forsaken his covert as a Lion. That is, the Lord hath left his Temple and City, as being formerly to him like a Lions Den, into which no Beasts durst enter, whilst he was there; but being gone, any dare come and enter, and take what they find, and devour it without fear. As in the next words is shown, that the King of Babylon did, For their Land is desolate; because of the fierceness of the oppressor; But here because the word Oppressor is 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Expositors differ, some applying it to the Lord, being as the word signifieth, a Dove, for mildness and innocence, when by their wickedness he was forced to deal with them: Some to Nebuchadnezzar, deriving the word from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 to oppress; others also that apply it to him, follow the first interpretation of a Dove; because the Chaldees had in their Standard the picture of a Dove, in regard of this, that Semir amis the Queen of the Assyrians, whose Monarchy was translated to the Babylonians, had been in her infancy exposed and nourished by Doves; for which they always after, that ruled that Monarchy, carried in their Standard a Dove; by which name, Nebuchadnezzar the present Monarch was here set forth; as if one should by the Eagle set forth the Roman Emperor; for the Eagle, his Arms, and pictured in his Standard, and so speaking of him say The Eagle.

CHAP. XXVI.

HEre the Prophet is hidden to threaten them, that the House of God should be like Shiloh, unless they turned to the Lord by true repentance; to which effect he had spoken before in the time of Josiah, Chap. 7. in 13. or 14 Verses together. But now threatening them with the same in the first year of Jehoiakim, his son, he was hereupon conspired against by the Priests and People, that would have murdered him. Whereby we may see how wickedness aboundeth under a wicked King. In saying that it was the first year of his reign, he showeth plainly, that the former Chapter is misplaced; because things done anno 4. of his reign are therein related. When Jeremiah had this tumult raised up against him by the Priests, Prophets, and people, the Princes hearing it, came and sat in the entry of the new gate of the Lord's house: the Chaldeans call this the East gate; Lyra and Vatabl. say it was that built by Jotham, 2 Kings 15. 35. which might well be, because it was but lately built, viz. not much above one hundred years before; whereas the Temple was built in Solomon's time, betwixt whom and Jotham was Uzziah 52 years, 2 Kings 15. Amaziah 29. 2 Chron 25. Ioasb 40. 2 Chron. 24. Athaliah 6. 2 Chron. 12. 12. Ahazia 1. Jehoram 8. 2 Chron 21. 5. Jehoshaphat 35. 2 Chron. 20. Asa 41. 2 Chron 16. Alijah 3. 2 Chron 13. Rekoboam 17. 2 Chren. 12. Solomon 16. after the house finished; for he began anno 4. of his reign, and finished all in twenty years; sunma tot. 228 years. And this new gate was of great note, and called for divers reasons by divers names, as David Kimhi observeth, 1 Sur. 2 Kings 12. 6. because the unclean were there separated, 2 Jesod. a foundation, 2 Chron. 23. 5. because there the foundation of Doctrine was laid, by teaching the rights of the Lord's house. 3 Harsith, because it stood East-ward to the Sun rising, Ier. 19. 21. 4. The gate Ithon; that is, of entrance. 5. Hatanath, the middle, because it was between two gates. 6. Asharahalta, the upper, for the height thereof, and because it was over the Court, the place of Prayer, 7. The new gate, as here. To this the Princes come and sit, to hear the matter betwixt Jeremiah and the Priests, Prophets and People; so that it seemeth here was a place to sit, and hear, and determine causes concerning God, betwixt one man and another; and herein the Princes had a power. And it is to be noted, that when they heard the cause of Jeremiah, they judged truly without respect of persons, for him, a despised [Note.] Prophet alone, against all the other; yea, the Priests, that were of great authority, who neither being moved with reverence of good, whose servants in a peculiar manner they were, nor by this consideration, that Jeremiah was one of themselves, were carried altogether with envy and wrath, rashly to destroy him; so impetuous a thing is wrath and malice for reproof, although never so just. For hereby Jeremiah first incensed Pashur, Chap. 20. and then all of them, Ch. 23. where he most bitterly inveighed against them, not sparing the Princes also But they could easilier forget it, than the Priests, who indeed should have been examples of all virtue to them. But even the Princes soon after turned his cruel enemies also, Chap. 37. 15. for his free reproving of them for their sins, Chap. 34. and threatening their destruction.

Then rose up certain Elders of the Land. When the Princes had spoken, certain ancient men, here called Elders, that best knew what had been done long ago, took courage to themselves to speak for Jeremiah also: for so Calvin understands Elders in this place, Elder-men; and reason makes it most probable, and that they were not of the Elders preferred by Moses, Numb. 11. of whom the Synedrion magnum consisted, for they were the Princes of the Land. And they allege the example of Micah, threatening that Jerusalem should be ploughed, that is, so destroyed, as it should have none appearance of a City, but be as a field ploughed and sown with Corn; as the Poet said of Troy, Et seges est ubi Troia fuit; as now Jeremiah threatened ruin likewise; but Hezekiah, in whose days he lived, did nothing against him, but feared before the Lord, and besought him, and so the Lord repented of the evil, and did it not. This was done above eighty years ago; for between Hezekiah and Jehoiakim was Manassah 52, Amon 2, Josiah 32: yet there might be old men then living, that might remember it, especially being godly, as it seems these were; and therefore such as kept a Record of such famous passages betwixt Prophers and Kings.

There was also a man that prophesied against this Land; then Jehoiakim, &c. Here Expositors differ, some thinking, that in these words the foresaid old men go on still in their speech, and some, that some other man, an enemy to Jeremiah, spake this in opposing what they had said, because they think it not probable, that the same men should bring a contrary example, to make the example before brought less moving; and because in conclusion it is added, verse 27. Nevertheless the hand of Ahikam was with Jeremiah, the adversative particle here implying something done in his behalf, notwithstanding the example before going, which tended to frustrate the speech of the old men, and to stir up the people against Jeremiah, by setting before their eyes what the way now was that they had Jehoiakim for their King, wherein it stood them in hand to go whatsoever they had done in Hezekiah his time; for we say, New Lord's, new Lawest yet because in some relations, if after some, other some speak, an hint hereof by saying; but others spake thus, or contrariwise there were that said thus; and here is no word intimating a divers speaker; the first Exposition seems most probable, that the foresaid Elders go on in producing this example also; whereas it may be objected, they durst not certainly after they had related, what was done in Hezekiah his time, and made application by speaking of a good event, bring another contrary example of a thing done by the King, under whom they now lived, but as it were, the other day, (for it was the beginning of Jehojakims reign, when these things were agitated, as appeareth verse 1.) For what construction could be made hereof, but that this King for this tyrannical act against Urijah, together with his Princes, was already upon ruin? I answer, who so shall consider the whole relation, there being none application made as before, must needs hence rather gather, that the same men spake thus also, and not an adverse party; for then they would have been bold to have applied it by saying, after they had produced the example; yet Jehoiakim suffereth no evil for all this. But the old men speaking it, descretion required, that they should suspend an application against the King, leaving this relation barely made to each ones consideration, that they may be the more out of danger. And it was enough after the other, barely to relate it, none being so shallow, but that he must needs gather, that Jehoiakim and his mighty men by killing that Prophet Urijah had done too much already, to pull down God's wrath upon them, and therefore it stood them in hand to beware, how they added more innocent blood-shed by persecuting Jeremiah, as they did, to break off from this fury, and rather go to prayer. For the adversative Particle, verse 24. the meaning is, say these old men what they could, or the Princes what they could, the Priests and people yet were carried with such a spirit of madness, that they would have killed Jeremiah, but that Ahikam the son of Shaphan, some man of great power with his men about, came and took him with a strong hand away from them, and so he was safe for that time. Of Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and what place he was, we may gather from 2 Kings 22, 12. Where he is said to be sent by Josiah together with Hilkiah, and some others, as being most honorable persons, to inquire of the Lord, when he saw himself in great danger. For Urijah, the Prophet, I find not any other mention made of him elsewhere; but hereby it appeareth, that when Ierem 5. it was said, that he found not a man, he meant not precisely any one; for this Urias was Cotemporanean with him. And although he fled into Egypt, when his life was sought, yet it was not out of timerousness, but prudence to save himself, as long as he could, to do service to God in this world, as Christ himself did, and Elijah, and the Apostles were bidden, when they were persecuted in one City, to flee to another: for that he was not timorous, appeared, because that being brought back out of Egypt, he retracted not, but stood to that which he had said to the death. Whereas Jeremiah sled not, and yet was preserved; God's singular providence appeared herein, that the people might not even in the wickedest times be destitute of one to admonish and threaten them, that they might be brought to repentance: Touching Iehojakins sending and fetching him out of Egypt, it may easily be conceived, how he might do this, because Pharaoh Necho King of Egypt made him King, 2 Kings 23. 34: Thus Jerome. For Uriah his being buried amongst the Vulgar sort, it is to be understood, that every man of note then had his several burying place for him and those of his Family; and because Prophets were most of all such, if they had no such places, the manner was at the public charge to honor them so far, as to build them Sepulchers, and thereupon to subscribe their names; as we may see 2 Kings 23. 17. and Mat. 23. 22. Uriah then was not only persecuted whilst he lived, but his persecutors to increase their sin the more, denied unto him the honor of a Prophets burial.

CHAP. XXVII.

THis Chapter beginneth as Chapter 26. In the beginning of the reign of Iehojakin. Although this Prophecy concerned the time of Zedekiah, which was not till divers years after. For the Lord bids the Prophet send yokes to the Kings about Judah, by their Ambassadors that should come to Zedekiah. But the Lord revealed to his Prophet now, that they should all be subdued; and before also Ch. 25. 19. Where he nameth many more, that should drink, so that this Prophecy was to lie dormant for certain years, but made known now for Jeremiah his comfort, and better satisfaction touching his former threatenings; the execution whereof he saw still to be delayed. But now the time is made known unto him, when they should be executed, even in Zedekiah his days. And the Lord goeth on to teach by outward signs, as he did before to affect them, to whom the Prophet was sent, the more. For coming of Ambassadors from the Kings about to Zedekiah, it was without doubt to confederate against Nebuchadnezzar, whose power they saw to be very great, that although they were not able each nation alone to withstand him; yet joining all their forces together they might. But the Prophet showeth, that this confederacy would be but vain, because all Kingdoms of the earth are the Lord's, and to be given to whom he pleased; and it was now his pleasure to give them all to Nebuchadnezzar and his posterity for a certain time, and then to give them again into the hands of others, as was also said before Chap. 25. 13, 14. Wherefore he persuadeth them voluntarily to yield unto him, promising that if they did, they should still dwell in their own land; but if they would not, threatening them with destruction by the sword, famine and pestilence. Whence note, that whatsoever God commandeth it is wisdom to obey him herein; for in serving him we shall be in the way to have the earth serve us for habitation, and nutriment, but contrariwise ready to spew us out by destructions and consumptions of divers sorts. The time for all to serve Nebuchadnezzar is limited to him; His son and sons son, that is, Evilmerodach and Belshazzar; for he reigned 36 years after Iehojakin his captivity, as appears 2 Kings 25. Evilmerodach, as some say 23, Belshazzar 3; but Beros. hath between the two last, Nenglith Soroores, in whom seventy years may be made up: but of this see more 2 Kings 25 8.

Hearken not to them that say, The Vessels of the Lord's house shall be brought back again from Babylon. Of the carrying of these precious Vessels into Babylon, see 2 Kin. 24. 13. and that more were carried away afterwards in Zedekiah his time, 2 Kin. 25. 13. But none were brought back again, till the time of Cyrus, Ezra 1. according to this Prophecy, verse 19, 20, 21, 22. yet so impudent were the false Prophets of the Jews, that they dared to promise the bringing of them shortly back again. So at all times there be Prophets, that flatter the state and make it secure, when God is resolved upon nothing but destruction and ruin for sin.

CHAP. XXVIII.

HEre is a Prophecy in the fourth year of Zedekiah, which was the last King of Judah: for he did not only evil as other Kings had done, but worse; for he swore to Nebuchadnezzar, that made him King, and brake his Oath by rebelling against him; yet a false Prophet Hananiah was so impudent, as that in opposing Jeremiah, that threatened him, he presumed to prophesy the breaking of the yoke of Nebuchadnezzar within two years, and the bringing back of the Vessels of the Lord's house; and to purchase more credit to his Prophecy, he breaks the yoke from Jeremiah his neck, and saith, Thus will the Lord break the yoke of the King of Babylon; but for it Jeremiah makes an Iron yoke, hereby signifying a more strong subjection to him, and threatens the false Prophet with death the same year, which came to pass accordingly. Whereas verse 6. Jeremiah saith to Hananiah his prophecy (Amen) when he knew it to be false, and if not, he must needs be a false Prophet, It is to be understood, that his meaning is nothing else, but that he could wish it might be so for the love that he bare to his Country, although he knew by the spirit where with he was endued, that it should not be so. So Moses, as Calvin noteth, offered to have his name blotted out of the Book of life; and Paul could wish himself an Anathema for the Jews his kinsmen, so Jerome, Raban, &c. But Vatable thinks, that he spake thus, as uncertain, whether God would give the people repentance and change his former decree, and spare the people, notwithstanding the former threatenings; for which cause verse 7, 8. he speaks as one expecting the event to prove or disprove it; and as if Jeremiah for the present knew not whether he said true or false, it is said verse 11. That he went away; and verse 12. That the Word of the Lord came unto him to the contrary, and this is most probable, and then the submiss and lowly mind, that was in Jeremiah more than in Jonah, shown itself, in that he could be content to be disgraced, as a Prophecyer of things not coming to pass, so that God might be glorified in saving so many thousands of his Country men from ruin.

The Prophet that prophesieth of peace, when his word is come to pass, it shall be known that the Lord sent him. This is not always a true rule, for Deut. 13. a case is put of a Prophet not sent of God, but of the Devil, to seduce to Idolatry, that yet might give a Sign, which afterwards cometh to pass: how then doth Jeremiah give this as a rule here? Answ. Moses giveth the same Deut. 18. also. Wherefore it is to be understood, that this is for the most part a certain rule to know a true Prophet, when the event answers his Prophecy; because that God only that sendeth such, knoweth before what shall come to pass, and neither devil nor man, but only by conjecture, foretelling things therefore sometimes true, and sometimes false; For let them tell what shall come, and we will say they are God's. This then is the common rule to know a true Prophet by, and if by this we cannot know him, then we must observe at what he aimeth, if at the turning of men away from God to Idols, then he is a false Prophet, although his sign be true; and this is permitted only to try the constancy of God's people in cleaving to him. Now Jeremiah propoundeth the first and most common mean of trial; to the time of manifesting which it would not be long; for he pitched upon two years; and this trial was fittest in the present case, when two Prophets speaking contraries, contend whether of them is the true Prophet.

Hananiah the Prophet took the yoke from Jeremiah his neck, and brake it, saying, &c. He carried himself most insolently and boldly; insomuch that the pecple being ready to hear anything, whereby it might be detracted from Jeremiah his prophesying, were in danger to be seduced to think him a false, and Hananiah a true Prophet. For how else durst he have gone on from prophesying to so high a degree of opposing Jeremiah in his sign, breaking it, and saying, In the Name of the Lord of Hosts, the God of Israel, that so the yoke of Nebuchadnezzar should be broken within two years? For if the yoke taken and worn by Jeremiah were a sign appointed of God, his breaking it was a plain fighting against God; and therefore they might think he durst not do so, except God had sent him. It was therefore a most desperate fact in him, and a most dangerous temptation to the people to subvert their Faith in Jeremiah his words. Yet for the present Jeremiah departed, as not thinking it best to contend, till he knew further of the mind of the Lord, and then he came again, and threatened him with death, as he was well worthy.

Thou hast broken the yokes of wood, thou hast made for them yokes of Iron. That is, tell Hananiah according to the first words, and do thou Jeremiah according to the last: make and wear Iron yokes in token of an harder subjecton of all the Nations threatened to Nebuchadnezzar. For whereas wooden yokes were appointed before, that were weaker and lighter; to show, that if they would have yielded at command, their servitude should have been the lighter; but now being hardened to stand out, it should be more grievous by being carried into other lands; whereas yielding, they should have been still permitted to dwell in their own land, only paying to Nebuchadnezzar a Tribute. If it be said, But how had the people deserved to have their misery thus aggravated by the petulancy of one man Hananiah? I answer, he was a means to harden them more thereby, and this was also cordial to them; therefore it was just with God too deal thus by them. And all that desire to hear pleasing things spoken unto [Note.] them, and reject sound Doctrine, because it crosseth their humors, shall be likewise left to obduration and horrible destruction. And it is to be noted, that this fact of a false Prophet, took such impression in their corrupt hearts, that although Hananiah died the same year as Jeremiah threatened, yet there followed after that no relenting in them, but they persisted in their obstinacy to the end.

CHAP. XXIX.

JEremiah writes Letters to the captivated Jews in Babylon, who were carried away with Iechoniah, 2 Kings 24. 12. and he sent them by Elasah, the son of Shaphan. For having prophesied Chap. 25. of a Captivity to continue seventy years; but being herein opposed by Hananiah, a false Prophet, Chap. 28. he thought it necessary (lest they of the Captivity hearing thereof, should be stirred up to tumultuate against the State Wherein they lived, and to seek immediately a liberty of returning) to give them warning to be quiet, and patiently to bear their Exile, during their time set by the Lord, being comforted by the hope upon good ground to return then, and enjoy their own Country again. For the men by whom he wrote thus, they are said to be Ambassadors sent by Zedekiah to King Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him King, when he carried away Iehojakin into Babylon. Therefore being made King at his will, and being for this cause a Tributary unto him, and not knowing how long it would be his pleasure to continue him in this royal dignity, because he had with him Iehojakin, touching whom Hananiah had prophesied, that he should return again within two years, he thought it necessary to send unto him, to show his obsequiousness, that his favor might still be towards him, to keep him still in his place, and Iehojakin there in prison. And upon this consideration he might well condescend, that his Messengers should carry Jeremiah his Letters to them of the Captivity, that hereby they might be moved quietly with their King to abide there, and not think yet of returning to his disturbance, that he might live all his days in this honor in peace. To this effect almost Calvin, and Lyra, Hugo, Tho. Aquinas add, that these men were sent to Babylon with Tribute in the first year of Zedekiah his reign, which is not improbable. Some move a needless question here, Whether the Captives carried away anno 4 ^th of Jehoiakim be not here meant, giving sentence, that they are, and not those that were carried with Jehoiakim. But we read not in the said fourth year of Jehoiakim of any that were carried away, but only of Vessels of the house of the Lord, and of the King bound to be carried; but he was not at that time: Wherefore Jerome without question saith, That the Captives who are carried away with Jehoiakim, are meant.

Pray to the Lord for it; for in the peace thereof ye shall have peace. According to this 1 Tim. 2. we are commanded to pray for Kings, that under them we may lead a godly life in all quietness and honesty, and yet the Kings were then Heathen, and enemies to Christians. Hereby we learn then, that the vices of Kings are not a Supersedeas to our obedience to them, but we must both be [Note.] subject notwithstanding, and ex animo pray to God for them, as the Saints of God constantly did in the Primitive Church; and not rebel against them, or plot their destruction, as Papists have impiously done sundry times. For in their peace, that is in the Kingdom wherein we live is in a prosperous estate, we fare the better, although the King be a Tyrant, because all things in time of peace and fruitfulness do more abound. Yet this was not true to the Jews without limitation, but for the term of seventy years; for this term being expired, Babylon came into misery, and the time of the Jews felicity for their deliverance by Cyrus subduing that State, came, as was promised: when these 70 years began and ended, is not agreed amongst Expositors; but of this see my Comment upon 2 Kings 25. 8.

Let not your Prophets or Diviners, that are in the midst of you, deceive you. Of Prophets amongst others carried away from Jerusalem, see verse 1. These it seemeth, took upon them amongst those of the Captivity to promise a speedy return, as Hananiah did at Jerusalem; and of three of them the Prophet speaks verse 21. 24. by name, viz. Ahab, and Zedekiah, and Shemaiah, threatening them diversely.

Touching Ahab and Zedekiah, 'they did not only prophesy falsely in the name of the Lord, but were also filthy Adulterers; and therefore Jeremiah threaneth them, that they should be judged accordingly, by being roasted in the fire. Some will have these two to be the two Elders, that accused Susanna and were found out by Daniel to be false Conspirators, and therefore suffered death by starving: but both the manner of their death differing from the death of these two, and their Title Elders, but these Prophets were the contrary: and therefore Jerome rejects it as a Fable: For Nebuchadnezzar his putting of them to so cruel death, he might haply, as Calvin conjectureth, be incensed against them for seeking to stir up trouble amongst his people, by their prophesying of a speedy return: but for so much as even Heathens lead only by the light of nature, abominate the the foul sin of Adultry, it is to be held that the King was most exasperated hereby, as being the more abominable in them pretending greatest holilines, as being men that took upon them to be Prophets led by divine inspiration. And God doubtless had an over-ruling hand in it, to terrify the more from such horrible wickednesses; and by the form of cursing taken up, hereupon to notify [Note.] the foul conditions of false Prophets and Idolaters to all the world; as indeed Idolatry and Adultry go commonly together, as they come both under the same name of Adultery; whereof see for example Jezebel, and Maacha the mother of Asa; and the Nuns, Friers and Priests amongst the Idolatrous Papists.

Touching Shemaiah the Nehelamite, interpreted by Kimhi the Dreamer, as the word signifieth, it is said, that he had written against Jeremiah to Zephaniah, and the other Priests, flatteringly telling him, that he was by God set up in the room of Jehoiadah; of whom 2 Kings 11. 18. that by by his means Matthan the Priest of Baal was slain, to stir him up to do the like by Jeremiah, as a false Prophet; whereas indeed he was not high-Priest, as Jehoiadah had been; but the second Priest, 2 Kings 25. 18. For Seraias was the high-Priest: and he incites Zephaniah against Jeremiah, saying; For everyone that is mad, to put him in the stocks. Whereby we may gather, that wicked men counted the Prophets of God mad, because they were strangely moved by the Spirit of God after the manner of arreptitij, that are wrapped so, that they do madly, as Saul, when the Spirit came upon him, cast off his clothes, 1 Sam. 19. 24. And according to this, 2 Kings 9. 11. one said to Jehu, touching a Prophet that came unto him to anoint him King, What said this mad fellow to thee? And herein sometimes false Prophets were like unto the true; and therefore the second to the high. Priest had authority given him to judge of such; and finding them false, to put them in stocks or prison, to be brought forth afterwards to be adjudged to death, if they were found false. And therefore Pashur, who was in this Office before, dealt thus by Jeremiah, Ch. 20. but most injuriously, and was therefore threatened, and it seems, because there was now another in that place, deposed. But Shemaiah would have had him to have done likewise; for which he also is threatened, verse 31. with the destruction both of himself and his posterity. And it is further said, that Shemiah wrote also to the Priests, that they might herein be assistant to Zephaniah, to which they were prone enough of themselves; as we may see in many other places, especially Chap. 26. 8.

CHAP. XXX.

HEre because the Prophecy before going of deliverance at the end of seventy years might be in danger otherwise to be forgotten, and so the faithful might want the comfort hereof for want of the knowledge of it, especially another generation thirty or forty years after, the Lord commandeth Jeremiah to write it in a Book. And, as appears by that which followeth, not only the words which he had received from him, which tended to comfort; but first of the words of terror, verse 4, 5. We have heard a voice of trembling and fear. Wherein the Lord puts upon him the person of the people, teaching them how they should have been affected at his threatening of judgments before going. To express the greatness of which fear he compares men under these calamities threatened to an woman in travel, holding her sides, and making a grievous moan. And then plainly showeth, that it should be such, as there was never any like unto it; for it should be the time of Jacob's trouble, that is, of his posterity, and he calleth it, the time of his trouble; because whatsoever they had formerly suffered was nothing in comparison of this, when the City and Temple should be destroyed, the Kingdom of David abolished, and the holy Land made desolate, and left lying so for seventy years. But he shall be saved out of it. Verse 8. For I will break his yoke from thy neck. All that hath been said hitherto is to make way to speak of the comfort, that this deliverance might be the more magnified: for the greater the misery of a people is, the more doth God's mercy shine in their deliverance, and settling in an happy estate, not only according to the time of their suffering, but forever: to intimate which he saith, That strangers shall no more serve themselves of them.

But they shall serve the Lord, and David their King, whom I will raise up unto them. In which words he leapeth suddenly from the joyful tidings of their deliverance out of Captivity under the Chaldees, to another far more joyful by Christ Jesus, whom he setteth forth by the name of David, because he was his seed, and is said to sit upon his Throne to rule, Isa. 9. 7. For that the Messiah is here prophesied of, all, both Jews and Christians teach; yea Calvin himself, that impugnes the application of other things here before spoken of to the Messiah, yet consents, that this is a prophecy concerning his Kingdom; noting, [Note.] that simply to be delivered from the servitude of strangers tyranny, is not a benefit; but when being delivered, a people is brought under a better government. Because the case of such as are under an Anarchy, so that every man may do what he lusteth, is worse than to be under the cruellest Tyrant that ever lived, if he were a devil in the shape of a man; but to be delivered from strangers, and to be under God and his Son Jesus Christ, rusing by godly Vicegerents, is the height of worldly felicity. That this cannot be understood of the time of their return from Babylon appeareth, because then they served not King David, although they were under the Government of one of his Line, Zerubbabel; for he was but a Prince substituted by the Persian; neither had the Jews ever after an absolute King, till Christ came, whom they ungratefully rejected and crucified. For although Alexander in the time of the Assamoneans made himself King, yet his reign was most uncomfortable, by reason of the Civil wars betwixt him and the Pharisees; as I have shown in my continuation of the History from Nehemiah to the destruction of Jerusalem. Again, strangers still served themselves of them, sometime the Kings of Syria, sometime the Kings of Egypt, under whom they were. And lastly, although Judah returned then, yet Israel did not, as is promised verse 3. that they should serve the Lord and his King Christ, whom he set up, as is said here, Whom I will raise up unto them.

And as v. 9. he passeth from one deliverance to another, from that from Babylon, to that by Christ; so verse 10. I will save thee from afar. That is, by bringing thee from Babylon, a Country so far off from Jerusalem; and thy seed shall return out of Captivity: which is spoken of their coming from Babylon, is also a Prophecy with another far greater annexed unto it; None shall make thee afraid. For they that returned from Babylon were many times much affrighted by their enemies, as is shown in Nehemiah; but through Christ such undaunted courage came to the faithful, that his Apostles feared no threatenings of Tyrants, but rejoiced when they were threatened and suffered. Some because the Israelites never came in yet to serve Christ, but some Jews only, and they but a few; whereas this seems to be spoken of the generality of the Nation, hold, that this is a Prophecy of a time yet to come; when as the Apostle saith, Rom. 11. All Israel shall be saved. That is, when the fullness of the Gentiles shall come in. But about this there are two gross errors, one of the Rabbins, teaching that the Messiah is not yet come, but then shall, and gather together all Israel from all parts of the world, and set up a most glorious Kingdom in Judea: another of some Ancients embraced by the Papists, that Antichrist coming, the Jews shall be gathered to him, as to the Messiah; but Enoch and Elias shall be sent to preach, and do miracles, whereby they shall be converted to Christ, and fall from Antichrist, for which they shall suffer much at his hands, but be soon delivered; for the whole time of his reign shall be but three years and an half. For that this, as well as the other of the Rabins, is a gross error, is manifest; seeing Antichrist is already come, and hath long reigned, even the Pope of Rome; to whom all things spoken of Antichrist do so agree, as that some Papists themselves confess him to be the Antichrist, as the French, and so he hath long ago been proclaimed in Paris. And Gregory the first, the most pious and learned of all the Roman Bishops, gave a sign of him before, whereby he might easily be known to be the man, viz. his t •• ing upon him to be universal Bishop; as Gregory the seventh, one of his successors, by the help of Phocas a murderer, first did. But these errors being rejected, we may safely hold the conversion of the Jewish nation to the faith of Christ towards the end of the world to be here pointed at, whereof Isaiah also spake ofttimes in his Prophecy. At what time the faithful shall live without fear of their enemies and the Israelites in particular, never to be brought under again by any human power, as they were after Joshua, in the time of Judges, then of Kings, and finally of the Romans, being dispersed into all Countries to this day: and that the mercy finally to be shown is meant, see verse 24. In the latter days ye shall consider.

For though I make a full end of all Nations whither I have scattered thee, yet I will not make a full end of thee. The cause why the Lord will deal so favourably with Jacob, as hath been said, is here shown, viz. his singular love and favor towards them; for which he would not deal by them, as by their enemies, the Babylonians, who are utterly destroyed; as I have shown in writing upon Isa. 13. 14. And this partial dealing with the Jews, and saving a remnant of them, hath been often spoken of before; and where the destroying of them is sometime spoken of also, as an utter destruction forever, it is spoken in respect of the wicked, of which sort the generality of the Nation was, a few only that feared God scarce to be found out, being excepted; as we may see Chap. 5. and 1 Kings 19.

For thy wound is incurable. Here, and so forth to verse 16. to magnify God's mercy the more, he setteth forth the desperate case of the Jewish Nation, by reason of their sins; that it appearing to be so, but deliverance and restitution to happiness for the destruction of their cruel enemies then coming, they might be the more stirred up to give him thanks and praise, For when we find it said, Thy wound is incurable: and yet verse 11. In measure I have corrected thee. But verse 14. I have wounded thee with the wound of an enemy, a cruel one, Here may seem to be a contradiction, and it may be said, How can both these be true? But it is easily answered: Thy wound is incurable, both because thou canst not of thyself find out how to heal it; neither can the Nations, in whom thou hast formerly trusted as thy friends, yet the Lord can and will do it. And the Prophet doth the rather set forth their case thus as desperate, to meet with the vain confidence that they had in their false Prophets, promising them deliverance within 2 year; to beat them from which, he thought he could not speak to much, as Calvin noteth, who also, for incurable, hath grievous; thy wound is grievous, holding that the word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 here used signifieth gravitas, and cannot rightly be otherwise translated. But because a wound incurable is grievous above all others, it is no error to render it so, especially because verse 13. he addeth for further Explanation, None to bind it up, no medicines to heal it; or according to the Vulgar Latin, no utility of sanations, word for word according to the Hebrew.

I have wounded thee with the wound of an enemy, and with the chastisement of a cruel one. The miseries of the Jews here spoken of were by the Chaldeans; but because God would have them know and consider his hand in it, he takes it upon himself, the Chaldees being but his instruments in all their cruelty exercising against them, and by them he was provoked to scourge them for their sins. But verse 16. he saith; Therefore all that devour thee shall be devoured; that is, Notwithstanding the Chaldees being brought upon thee by me to exercise such cruelty, they shall be devoured by others, that is, by Medes and Persians; because that although I did it in Justice, yet they in pride and cruelty, as was also shown before.

I will bring again the Captivity of Jacob's Tents. Having promised salvation to Israel, verse 17. Now he showeth how he should be saved, viz. by being brought out of Captivity: and he speaks of his Tents, because the habitations in Babylon, where most probably like unto Tents, being of the meanest sort: And the City shall be built upon her former heap; That is, where the City Jerusalem stood before, but now lay upon ruinous heap, in the self same place it shall be built: In which words he speaks of the state of things after their return from Babylon under Cyrus. At what time he saith, that they should praise God, and multiply again, and have Congregations.

And their Governor shall proceed from the midst of them, and he shall draw near unto me, and approach; for who is this that engaged his heart to approach unto me? Here most Expositors by their Ruler understand Christ, that should in his due time spring up from the Jews themselves, as supreme; whereas they had always since the time of their Captivity been under strangers; yet Jerome doth not understand it of Christ, but at first concerning Zerubbabel, in whom it was fulfilled in part, and afterwards perfectly in Christ. Some apply it altogether to him and to the Jews in those days; as Theodore, and Thomas Aquinas. But that of Jerome seemeth to be best, and so the words of verse 18, 19, 20 are spoken also of both, the first being but a Figure of the other. And being understood of Zerubbabel, by these words; He shall draw near unto me, and I will cause him to approach. He commends that Prince for his forwardness in returning and leading the people to their old land, to build the holy City again, and the Temple: For then God caused him to come near unto him. And then in way of admiration, the more to commend his prompt and ready mind, he saith, Who is this that engaged his heart to approach unto me? As if he were for this singularly to be praised. And the Hebrew expression is to be noted, which is not one word alone, but two, to set him forth a rare man, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , This he; Because as Calvin noteth, many by continuing long in Babylon, were so taken with the love of that Country, that they had no heart to return to the Holy Land, and Temple; and many that returned had no heart to do this, being moved through piety, whereby he is moved that engageth his heart to approach to God: being understood of Christ, the meaning is, that he approached unto God so as never any man did, or can do, in the perfect fulfilling of his will, being without all stain or spot of sin or imperfection, as the best are not, neither hath any else ever been. For the first words of the Verse, Their Nobles, Hebrew it is His Captain, Vulgar Latin, Fortis, or, Dux ejus & dominator ex eo. Calvin follows that of Fortis; and therefore the N. Tr. rendering it Their Nobles, erreth.

He concludeth with comfort to the godly; Ye shall be my people; But with terror to the wicked, against whom his wrath shall go out as a Whirl-wind. And although little faith was now given to these things, yet he addeth further, and saith; In the latter days ye shall consider it. That is, when all things are come to pass, as I have spoken, and the wicked, although now in prosperity, shall lie in misery. And this he saith, as to comfort the faithful, who although they believed, yet met with many brunts of temptation, for which they had need of further confirmation, so to the terror of the wicked, that would not believe; for he showeth hereby, that they should be made to believe it by woeful experience. By the latter days, he meaneth either towards the end of the world, when the wicked enemies of the truth, not only Babylon properly so called, but also mystical Babylon, Rev. 17. shall be destroyed, and the Turk also, the Jews being converted that yet remain in unbelief; and all false worship shall everywhere be put down: or at the day of Judgment, when the wicked shall too late see into their extreme folly, and sorrow the refore bootlesly; and the faithful shall by experience find the promises of God all verified in being brought to everlasting happiness to their unspeakable comfort; as is notably set forth in the Book of the Wisdom of Solomon, Chap. 2, 3, 4, 5.

CHAP. XXXI.

IN this Chapter the Prophet amplifieth further that which he had Prophesied of Chap. 30. 18, 19, 20, 21, 22. for having said in the name of the Lord, Ye shall be my people, and I will be your God: Now he saith more fully; I will be the God of all the Families of Israel, and they shall be my people. Which because it is the same with verse 22. before going, some annex unto Chapter 30. and begin this with verse 2. But we shall not need so to do; for by the consent of all Expositors that Prophecy and this are all one, as is also intimated in the first words, [at the same time:] That is, in the beginning of Zedekiah his reign, as Chap. 27. and 28. is expressly said. And he saith, All the families of Israel. That this Prophecy might not be thought to pertain only to the Kingdom of Judah, consisting but of two Tribes, whereof they all were, that came out of Babylon, and none of them of the ten. Yet some will have it a Prophecy only of that deliverance, but they are confuted plainly by the very first words; and it appears manifestly to be of that far greater deliverance to come by Jesus Christ, through whom all Israel shall come in to be the people of God again finally and be saved, Rom. 11. 26. Yet as I said upon Chap. 30. the Prophesy is mixed, sometimes pointing at the deliverance out of the North; and sometimes this greatest deliverance by Christ, as many Expositors agree.

But before he proceedeth to the Prophecy of deliverance, he makes way unto it verse 2, 3. saying, The people that were left of the sword found grace in the wilderness, &c. something like unto which, see before Isaiah 51. 10. and 41. 1, 2, 3. As if he had said, Those of Israel that survived in the wilderness, wherein many were consumed for their Rebellions and Unbelief, were taken and brought under Joshua into the Land of Canaan, the old Inhabitants being expelled, and rested and dwelt there, after that they had been long kept in the wilderness, even forty years, to the admiration of all men, although the work seemed impossible, even to the Israelites themselves. Therefore that which is now prophesied of, shall also by God's Almighty power be accomplished in his due time: For these words, Even Israel when I went to cause him to rest, Hebr. it is, Israel, going to cause him to rest. Where [I] must be understood, or the Lord] going before him in a fiery Pillar, and a Cloud, and by a divine power making way for him thorough Jordan, and into Jericho, by casting down the strong and high Walls thereof, and the rest of the land by fighting from heaven for them.

The Lord hath appeared of old unto me. Hebrew from afar: But it may be understood, as in respect of place, so in respect of time; therefore this Translation is good; and thus Calvin also renders it: and the Vulgar Latin hath it [Longe.] It is spoken as by Israel, in way of acknowledgement of the truth of that which was said verse 2. But yet as complaining touching the present, as if he had said; It is true indeed, thou hast of old appeared doing for me according to thine Almighty power; but what is that unto me now, I being in misery and having no help? so Cald. Vatabl. Calvin. To this the Lord answers in the next words, I have loved thee with a perpetual love; therefore I have drawn thee with mercy; or, I have prolonged unto thee mercy. That is, I was not so gracious unto thee once and no more, but from time to time, delivering thee by Judges when thou wert oppressed, and after setting up Kings to fight thy battles, and to subdue thine enemies, as David, Asa, Hezekiah, and Jehoshaphat. Jerome, Raban, and Hugo expound it of God's being far from their help, when they were destroyed by the Romans; Lyra, of the time, it will be long before the Lord appears for my deliverance, viz. at the end of the world, or of seventy years. But the true sense hath been already given, and these agree not to the words.

I will build thee again. Having said somewhat to establish their faith of things done of old, now he cometh to the Prophecy, which is the same with Ch. 30. 18. only verse 5. and in the end of this verse, he amplifieth it, saying, Thou shalt again be adorned with Tabrets, and go forth in Dances, and there, there shall be the voice of Thanksgiving, and of them that make merry, verse 19. Which is all one. And verse 5. Thou shalt plant Vines in the Mountains of Samaria: Than which nothing is more cheering the heart. For the next words, They that plant them shall eat them as common things, Hebr. it is 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , They shall profane them. For to profane, and commonly to use a thing, is in the Hebrew phrase all one; and because eating is not proper in speaking of the fruit of the Vine, but drinking, I should rather render, The Planters shall commonly drink thereof, there shall be so great abundance. Calvin thinks, that the word profaning is used either because that by the Law trees were to be counted, as uncircumcised, and so unsanctified to the fourth year; or because the Heathens possessing that land so long, profaned it and the fruits thereof. But of fleeing to such reasons I see no reason, since the sense before given may suffice.

I will bring them from the North Country, and gather them from the Coasts of the earth, the blind, and the lame, the woman great with child, and in child-bed. By the North, is commonly meant Babylon; by the coasts of the earth, all other parts where Israel was scattered; therefore here not only the deliverance of the Jews out of Babylon, but of all Israel from all other parts is prophesied of, which should be long after by Christ, for which he concludeth, verse 9. saying; I am a Father to Israel and Ephraim is my first-born: For by this name was the Kingdom of the ten Tribes commonly called. For the great company that should return, verse 8. This further implies the same, and is not unlike to verse 19. of Chapter 30. For the blind and the lame coming, which cannot the one sort see, nor the other go; and great bellied women, &c. This is added, to show what manner of deliverance this should be, viz. spiritual; of which the bodily blind and lame are as capable as the seeing and sound of limbs. But of this see enough before Chap. 3. 18. where Judah and Israel are spoken of as going together to the land given to their Fathers; so here; I am a Father to Israel, and Ephraim is my first-born; both the Kingdom of two Tribes, and that of ten may well be understood, Ephraim being called his first-born, in alluding to Jacob's blessing of Ephraim above Manasseh, though he were younger: thus making him as the first-born in preferring him before the other brother. Some resolve the doubt, how Ephraim, that is, the Kingdom of the ten Tribes had this performed to it, (since none of Israel, but of Judah only returned; and so they only, some few of them received the Gospel afterwards) by saying, that some of Israel lived mixed among the Samaritans, and so altogether would be counted the children of Israel; and accordingly it is here spoken of them, it being a prophecy of their Conversion to the faith, of which we read John 4. and Acts 8. and of their glorying to be called of their Fathers, as common to them and the Jews, in the woman's saying to Jesus, Our Fathers worshipped in this Mountain, because Jacob had done so. However when they were converted, they might worthily be thus spoken of for their coming into the faith at the first, which makes God the Father of any people, and them his first-born, as being his heirs. According to this it hath been fulfilled already in part which is here prophesied, and shall be perfectly, when there shall be a more famous conversion of all that Nation; as hath been before said.

And they shall not sorrow anymore at all. From verse 9. hitherto, he speaks of a most joyful time to come to Israel, that he should be redeemed from the hands of a stronger then himself verse 11. and this must be published to the Nations verse 10. whereby is meant the deliverance from the devil by the death of Christ; for of him the Lord speaketh, as a strong man armed, and the publishing of it to the Nations is to none other end, but to show, that the Gospel, whereby this is effected should come to them also. And then all should come together to the height of Zion, and sing, that is, to the Church figured out by Zion, being filled with unspeakable joy, for the Corn, Wine and Oil, &c. That is, for spiritual comfort; which that we might the better understand, are set forth, under the names of Corn, Wine and Oil, because what these or anything else here enumerated are to the body, the like is grace to the soul, yea the means of the Word and Sacrament, both which are set forth by Bread or Corn and Wine, and by Oil the gift of the Holy Ghost, by the increase of the Flock and the Herd, the increase of the faithful: or taking it as the words are; The young of the Flock; Fat Lambs, Kids, and Calves, which are delicious Meat; as the comforts of the Gospel are set forth by a Feast of Fat things, Prov. 9. Mat. 22. Luke 15. And when it is thus, the soul is as a watered Garden: That is, wherein waters never fail to make it fruitful, but abound continually, and so there can be no sorrow anymore, which is destitute of spiritual consolation, for this, that God will turn all things to good to his. For verse 9. he saith, That they shall come with weeping and supplication: weeping for their sins, and in thinking upon him whom they have pierced. And they shall go by the Rivers of Waters. Being the same with this of a watered garden; unless we understand Baptism also herein intimated: thorough which all the faithful go to everlasting joy. And yet, as Calvin hath it, temporal blessings are also here promised; For godliness hath the promise both of this life, and of that which is to come: And the reason why the state of the Church is out wardly no more prosperous, is for sin abounding therein, and for particulars, that be truly godly, yet either they have their imperfections of covetousness, too much love of the world, pride, or fleshly lusts, that have need by crosses to be corrected, or if they be perfect, as Job, God sometimes draweth forth some of them, as his Champions to fight with temptations of great and grievo us sufferings, that his grace of faith and patience, and Christian magnanimity and courage for the truth may shine the more in them, to draw others into an admiration of their constancy to their conversion, and the working of a greater weight of glory in the world to come, to such sufferers. And of this sort were the Apostles and innumerable Martyrs in [Note.] the primitive time, and all the godly that in any place still suffer by persecutors, yet not merely for conscience, but for a good conscience illuminated by the Word, and not by Enthousaism, or a new pretended light, divers from the light of the Word, according to which If they speak not, it is because they have no light in them. And it is not to be thought, but that the faithful did in like manner look at spiritual comforts, when all blessings of this life were promised to such as keep God's Commandments, and not at them only, as some think. For Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses and Joseph with many more, of whom a Catalogue is made Heb. 11. looked for a City not made with hands, for which they were most patient in their sufferings, and remained still elevated to heaven in their enjoyments of these worldly things when ever they most abounded with them, for which hear one David speaking for all, Psal. 4. 7. Thou hast put more gladness into my heart, then in the time when corn and wine increased. And therefore being in exile, at what time he was debarred from the comforts of the Sanctuary, he complains of this only, and not of his being driven from his sumptuous Palace, treasures wherewith he abounded, and royal state.

I will satisfy the soul of the Priest with fatness. In setting forth the affluence of all worldly blessings, he mentioneth the Priests in particular, as a principal part of the state, who amongst the people of God always fared the better, the more God's blessings abounded towards the people amongst whom they ministered and taught, by reason of tithes and offerings coming in in greater abundance, as in the days of Hezekiah, that was so greatly blessed, and the whole Kingdom under him; and also in the time of Nehemiah, Chap. 13. 12. For without Priests what doth any Nation differ from the Heathen? and when maintenance fails them, what heart can they have to stand in God's house to minister? For when their tithes were not paid them, it is noted as a thing that much troubled Nehemiah. Chap. 13. 11. that the Priests were fled everyone to his own field. Which would be considered by them that would put down this ancient custom of paying tithes in our Kingdom, and introduce a benevolence, whereas if for any inconvenience espied herein such a thing should be done, it cannot be otherwise lawful, but by converting them into money, and that not by deduction, but by addition, as of old it was by God himself ordered, that whosoever would turn his Tithe into money, must add a fifth part thereunto, even as in case of a trespass done to any man in respect of his goods, Levite. 6. 5. The Vulgar Latin, Inebriabo animam sacerdotum, expounded by Jerome of the Spirit, wherewith the Apostles were filled at the coming down of the holy Ghost upon them, Act. 2. So that they seemed to many to be drunken, because they spake so strangely; and the word used properly signifieth to inebriate. But although this be principally intended, as in speaking of corn, wine and oil, yet worldly blessings are not to be excluded, but to be taken in also, as pertaining to the faithful, as hath been already shown.

A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and lamentation. Here the Prophet to magnify the mercy of God the more in the deliverance of Israel, makes a commemoration of their lamentable condition, when the ten Tribes set forth by Ephraim, were carried away into Captivity, from thence proceeding to prophesy of their return. Touching Ramah, some take it for an appellative, and render it an High-place, but it is better taken by others for a City in Benjamin, according to Josh. 18. 25. of which read also Judge. 10. 19. and Jer. 40. 1. Jeremiah being bound amongst other Captives, was brought to Ramah, and loosed there. It was, saith Hugo, twelve miles from Jerusalem, and the way to Chaldea, and so it might be also to Assyria, seeing both are spoken of, as lying North. The meaning therefore is, That the case of the Kingdom of Israel was most lamentable, making, if it were possible, the dead to lament it. For Rachel was dead many years before, being the beloved wife of Jacob, by whom he had Joseph and Benjamin, two fathers of the Tribes of Israel, and that the principal, one of the sons of Joseph, Ephraim being the head of all the rest, yet their mother Rachel by a Prosopopeia is brought in weeping for their misery at that time. But as great as it was, and still continued, he saith, Refrain from weeping, for thy work shall be rewarded, and they shall come again from the land of the enemy, Mat. 2. 18. This is applied to the children then slain in Bethlehem of Judah; for he saith, Then was fulfilled that which was said by Jeremiah, A voice was heard in Ramah, &c. But it is to be understood, that it was fulfilled the second time, and that more lamentably then the first, because now Infants were murdered that were innocents, then wicked rebels against God, who never ceased to provoke the Lord by their sins. For sometime a thing is said to be fulfilled, properly spoken of before, as that of the Virgins conceiving, Matth. 1. 22. sometime figuratively, as Heb. 1. 6. I will be unto him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son, being properly spoken of Solomon, 2 Sam. 7. 14. sometime when the like is done again, as Isa. 29. 13. applied to the Pharisees, as fulfilled in them, Matth. 15. and so is this, Matth. 2. 18. Origen, Augustine and Hugo apply this Prophecy to that slaughter made of the Tribe of Benjamin, Judge. 20. 19. and to that Matth. 2. Jerome tells of some Hebrews that understand it of the Jews destruction by the Romans, which were lead by the way of Ephratah, where Rachel lay buried. Jerome, Rabanus and Hugo consent in the first. But the Chaldee Paraphrast, Vatablus, Isidor and Thomas Aquinas, understand it of the Kingdom of Judah consisting of Judah and Benjamin, carried by Ramah of Benjamin, the son of Rachel captive, as Chap. 40. 1. is shown, and so take it for a Prophecy of that which was to come. And if it be thus taken, the Preter-tense is put for the future, as is usual in Prophecies. And this seemeth to be best, although Ephraim were spoken of before verse. 9. and after verse. 18. because those two Tribes only returned, as is here prophesied verse. 16. and if it be thus taken, Prophecies touching deliverance out of Babylon, and touching deliverance by Christ are intermingled, 1. That by Christ being spoken of verse. 4, 5, &c. to verse. 15. then that out of Babylon, verse. 15, 16, 17. and after this again that by Christ, verse. 18. to verse. 23, &c. Touching these words verse. 16. Thy work shall be rewarded, The meaning is nothing else, but that according to the sorrow which thou hast had for thy children carried away, thou shalt have joy for their return again. There shall be hope in the end, Hebr. In thy posterity, or those shall come of thee afterwards 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , and he saith, There shall be hope then, not to exclude those of the time intervening from hope, but because then the thing hoped for should be accomplished; so Calvin also.

I have heard Ephraim bemoaning himself. Here the Prophet returns again to the ten Tribes, of whose deliverance he had spoken before verse. 9, 10, &c. showing the manner of it, by coming first to a sight and sense of their sins by their grievous sufferings, grace working in their hearts withal. For God [Note.] chastiseth them whom he loveth, and hereby many times brings them to repentance that before went astray, as David, Psal. 119. 71. and blessed are they whose worldly sorrow is thus turned into godly: of their weeping see before Vers. 9. Turn thou me, Here is the efficient cause of our turning by affliction denoted, God must work this grace by his spirit in us, or else we shall never attain it, but yet there must be a co-operation in our will, Turn me (O Lord) I and everyone that would be turned and saved must pray.

Set thee up way-marks. Ephraim being truly penitent, God's compassion is towards him, as the Prodigals fathers to him, verse. 20. and hereupon he biddeth him set up way-marks; the meaning being nothing else, but that he should not do as a man that goeth in a way, in which he never thinketh to go again; pass thorough it without once taking notice of any remarkable thing therein, whereby he may help himself to remember it, and go right when ever he cometh into that way again, but like one that makes account to return by the same, marks everything, whereby his remembrance may be holpen at his return. And this he saith to quicken their faith, because they were so hard of belief; as if a father should say to his son, mark well this way, for thou must one day go by it again; so the Lord in thus saying assureth his people of their deliverance, although not altogether according to the letter, yet to the same effect, only a spiritual deliverance being understood by and thorough Christ turned unto. Jerome and some others will have it the same with that Isa. 40. Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths strait.

How long wilt thou go about, &c. The Lord hath created a new thing in the earth, A woman shall compass a man. The person to whom he speaks thus, is called backsliding Daughter, by the word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 not much unlike to which is the word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , Shall compass, there being some Paranomasie betwixt them. It is hereby implied, that it should be long before that Israel would come in and embrace the faith, being for many years first carried after a Messiah to come against the plain evidence of Scripture, Miracles and Heaven itself, declaring Jesus to be the man. But at length the veil should be taken from before their eyes, that by the eye of Faith they might see this new wonderful thing happening under the New Testament, of a woman's compassing a man, that is, having him enclosed in her womb, she being a Virgin, and having never known man. And this is generally understood of the Virgin Mary, bearing her Son Jesus, for which the word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 is used to signify this man, that is, one strong and mighty, because he was so above all other men, as appeared by his mighty works. Calvin saith, That this is worthily derided by the Hebrews, and inventeth another, viz. the Jew, who was weak as a woman in comparison of the Babylonian, shall yet prevail against him: But forsomuch as this was no such new thing, as to be thus spoken of, for a greater wonder had been wrought, when Moses compassed and straightened Pharaoh so by his miracles, that he forced him to let Israel go, and the Jew indeed did nothing for his own deliverance out of Babylon, but Cyrus that mighty Champion; this of Calvin cannot stand. He also mentioneth another of the Hebrews, a woman the Synagogue or Church of the Jews, shall come about her man, or Husband God again by turning unto him. But before this is that of Oleaster to be preferred, the Synagogue of the Jews being oft compared to a woman shall come about her man, or Husband Christ Jesus at the last, by being converted unto him, whom she so long most unkindly forsook, being yet most lovingly invited unto him, according to Cant. 3. 2. I will rise and go about the streets of the City to seek him, whom my soul loveth; and Chap. 8. 1. Psal. 7. 8. The congregation shall compass thee. Isa. 11. 5. Righteousness shall be his Girdle, expounded by the Chaldee, The righteous shall compass him about as a Girdle.

Here and verse. 24, 25. the Prophet returns again to speak of the comfortable condition of the Kingdom of Judah, after their deliverance from the Babylonish Captivity, it shall then be said thereof, The Lord bless thee thou habitation of justice, and mountain of holiness, intimating that there should be just Judges, instead of unrighteous Kings; of which see before Isa. 1. 26.

Then I awaked as out of a sleep, and I saw, and my sleep was sweet unto me. Some expound these words, as spoken in the person of the people; some by Jeremiah, and some by Christ. Of the people who were buried, as it were, in a dead sleep all the time of their Captivity, but then awaking they were comforted, as a man that hath had a sweet sleep. Of Jeremiah, to whom this unspeakable comfort of the deliverance from Babylon, and after from sin by Christ was revealed by dream, or of Christ, who is brought in thus speaking after his passion, being past, and he raised up again to life, it was but as a sleep unto him. Calvin will have Jeremiah his heaviness for miseries of his people foreseen hear meant, but foreseeing also their deliverance, and the most joyful deliverance by Christ beforespoken of, all his former heaviness was but as a sweet sleep unto him, and this I prefer as best.

I will sow the house of Israel, and of Judah with the seed of man.