Verse 1

CONTENTS

The Prophet Jeremiah continuing still to prophesy, so irritated the carnal Jews, that they arose against him to put him to death; but the Lord delivered him. In this Chapter this history is related.

Verses 1-7

It is impossible to read the continued perseverance of the mournful Prophet, and to hear the sad subject of the peoples neglect of his preaching, but with much exercise and pain of the mind. Reader! is not the same part acted over again, against faithful ministers of the Lord, in the present hour? Are there not thousands who reject the counsel of God against their own souls, and both neglect and despise the Preacher, and his word, as much as those of old? What can be an higher proof of the fall of men? What afford a greater testimony of the ascendency of Satan in the human mind by nature?

Verses 8-15

Is there anything new or wonderful in this? What servant, what Prophet, what Apostle, eminent in their Lord's service, but hath been brought into the same situation. Nay, what was the Lord himself, when witnessing before Pontius Pilate a good confession, but the same. Oh! how blessed to be a witness for the testimony of Jesus!

Verses 16-24

I pray the Reader to observe with me, who were the enemies of faithful Jeremiah: namely, the unfaithful priests. Oh! what a reproach is it to any age, and to every age of the Church, that the Redeemer should be wounded in the house of his friends, and that those, who profess his name, should be the first to persecute his people. Reader! do not overlook, that Jeremiah was not singular in his services. Micah in his days, and Urijah in his, were both brought into danger, for being found faithful. That must be a most accommodating, time-serving, and worldly spirit, which chimes in with the wishes of the people, in speaking smooth things and prophesying deceits. The resolution of Paul will bring upon every preacher his odium. To preach Christ crucified and Christ glorified, is to provoke hell. The offence of the Cross hath never ceased, and never will. Oh! for faithful ministers, to do as Jeremiah did, and leave the event with the Lord. 1 Corinthians 2:2.

Verse 24

REFLECTIONS

YE ministers of the Lord Jesus! here learn from Jeremiah the blessedness of being found faithful. Solemnly enlisted under the banner of Christ, plead his cause, and fight his battle, with an ungodly world, whether men will hear, or whether they will forbear. And as the Lord hath said, fear ye not the reproaches of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings: for the moth shall eat them up like a garment, and the worm shall eat them like wool: but your Lord's righteousness shall be forever, and his salvation from generation to generation.

And oh! thou Almighty Lord of thy servants! do thou stand by them, and help them; give them to see and know, that it is thy cause they plead, and that thou art engaged for their defense. Make them a sweet savour of thyself unto God and the Father; and though a gazing stock, and a proverb of derision to the world, do thou own and bless their labours to the conversion of sinners, and the comforting of saints; that when thou, the Great Shepherd of thy fold shall appear, they may rejoice before thee at thy coming, and receive a crown of glory, that fadeth not away.