Jeremiah 9

CHAP. IX.

oO . : The prophet shews the excess of his grief . for the miseries of his people, and his abhorrence of their crimes; and also the justice of God in his dealings with them, I1—16. He calls them to lamentation, 17—22. Warnings not to glory in wisdom, strength, riches, or.external dis- _tinctions, but in the knowledge of God, and of: his grace, 23, 24. IJVicked

** worketh in them to will, and to do, of his good pleasure.” If then one thought or desire of escaping the wrath of God be excited in any person’s mind, it should be turned into a prayer, ,that ‘ God would give him repentance and his Holy * Spirit,’ that he may be made wise unto salvation.

For though many boast of religious knowledge, and value themselves on being acquainted with the scriptures; yet, except taught by the Spirit of God, the instinct of brutes will proveasurer guide, than man’s supposed wisdom : for, the most sagacious in other respects act foolishly in the most important concerns, and know not aright the truths, precepts, or ordinances of God; they neither profit by the dispensations of Providence, nor prepare for the judgement to come.- When we see, how men oppose, neglect, abuse, and despise the scriptures ; we may sometimes be ready to conclude, that they were given in vain, and that preachers and expositors labour tono purpose, Yet, whilst many ‘ wrest <* them to their own destruction,” others are ‘‘ made wise ** to salvation.” But there is nothing worthy of the name of wisdom in those who reject revelation: and they will soon sbe ashamed of all systems which they now adopt ; they will be dismayed at the approach of those judgments, which they now deride ; and find themselves caught in a snare, of which they now have no conception.—Selfish teachers indeed speak in a more soothing strain, and promise ‘* peace “< when there is no peace :” thus men encourage each other in committing abomination without shame or fear; but, <« in the day of visitation,” their abused plenty will be torn from them, and they will have no refuge to flee to.

V. 19—202.

Happy are they, who by calamities, or by any means, are brought to be silent in submission and self-abasement before God: (Note, Ez.\ xvi. 63:) forall, who are not thus humbled, will be silenced before his judgment-seat, and made to drink the water of gall for their sins. (Note, Rom. iii. 19, 20.)—Whilst transgressors look for peace and prosperity, sudden destruction overtakes them; and there will

@ no charming, or escaping, the executioners of divine vengeance ; no comforting of themselves under these sorrows, But, however the servants of God may grieve for the miseries, which they foresee coming upon those whom they love; they will soon be satisfied with the reasons of the divine conduct, and ‘‘ their sorrow will be turned into joy.”—The justice of God is peculiarly manifest in the punishment of those who deem themselves secured, by the engagements of the new covenant and their relation to God; whilst they

‘ e ee, : 7 sit Israelites and uncircumcised Gentiles,* 3% Pr zut

will be punished together, 25, 20. give Ips alike 12.: xiv. 17. Ps. cxix. "Q)H, that * my head were waters, and 156 jevvl mine eyes a fountain of tears, that !!: 1% ,19 iil. ba ° ‘o ‘ ? . I might ° weep day and night for the slain , § x13. 5.

of “the daughter of my people, eae

2, Oh, ‘that I had in the wilderness a‘ Gx. 5-7) mic: lodging place of way-faring men ; that Iev.7's. xiii. 1 odging pia i § . Bz, xxii. 10, 11. might leave my people, and go from Hox. iv. 2. wi them: *for they de all adulterers, ‘an x,t. ¢ Hos, assembly of treacherous men. lil. 4. Mal, ie

3 And * they bend their tongues /ike #3, 8 Fliers. 2—4. Is. lix, 4, 5. 18—~i5. Mic. vii. 3—5, Rom. iii. 13. °

idolize the world and are slaves to their lusts.—As salvation by Christ can only be found in this life, so the present opportunity should be seized ; lest at the hour of death, or the day of judgment, any should dolefully exclaim, ‘‘ The ‘* harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not *¢ saved.”"—The Lord hath graciously become our Physician; and the blood of Christ, and the influences of the Holy Spirit are more effectual to heal the wounded conscience, and the distempered heart, than any meilicines to cure the diseases of the body. Why then are sinners not healed ? Is there no Saviour, no Sanctifier? Alas! they deem themselves whole, or are in love with their disease, or hate the Physician and his:‘means of cure, or employ ‘* Physicians of ** no value,” and madly attempt other methods of recovery, Thus they die ynpardoned and unchanged, for they will not - come to Christ for life and salvation.. NOTES. °

CHAP. IX. V. 1, 2. The prophet did not think himself sufficiently affected by the foresight of the miseries, which he was sent to predict : he longed to be more deeply and evidently impressed and in earnest ; and by the excess of his sorrow to shew the people his assured belief of what he spake, and his tender love for them, and to affect them by hisexample. (Marg.

Ref.) He therefore: pathetically exclaimed, ‘ Oh, that one would grant me, (Marg,) that * my head were a well of waters, and mine eyes as fountains, whence tears might flow without intermission, for the calamities which I foresee can never be sufficiently lamented.’—‘ The same word in the Hebrew signifies both the eye, and a fountain: as if, in this land of Sorrows, our eyes were designed rather for weeping, than seeing.* (Henry.)—At the same time the prophet spake with equal energy of his abhorrence of their crimes. ‘ His righteous “* soul was vexed day by day with their ungodly deeds,” by which God was dishonoured, and vengeance was brought down upon them.

He would therefore have preferred some mean hut in the wilderness erected by travellers for a temporary accommodation, and the life of a hermit, to his present situation ; had not his duty made it necessary for him ta

tn os So Ee.

-continue among them.—‘ The prophet, sheweth the ‘great

‘ compassion, that he had towards his people ;—which is q * special note to discern the truc pastors from the hirelings.’ The word adulterers may mark, either the sensuality, or the idolatry, of the people; or bath combined, which was generally the case. ~

V. 3—6. The people cultivated the: art of lying, as

‘men prepare bows and ‘arrows for war. They habituated

their tongues to lies, that they might utter them, without 19 L2 :

B. C. 606. JERE b Matt. ae sia ss:

Matt.x. si—ss.their bow for lies: but they are not ‘Kem. i.16. Phil." valiant for the truth upon the-earth ; for they proceed from evil to evil, and jthey know not me, saith the Lorp.

m 3. Rev. xii. he i 1 vil. 26. 2 Tim. _ Me 1S. Qh.

J iv. 22. xxii. 16.

i. 34. Jud R ° ir io 1 eam. 4 Take * ye heed every one of his

1. ohn 'vit.* neighb d trust t i bro-

1. John ‘vii. neighbour, and trust ye not in any br rom, i. 8.ther: for ' every brother will utterly sup- Q Cor: iv. 4—6.

cee ea plant, and every neighbour will ” walk peor, ay WICH slanders,

Vue

GMa: ~=6& «And ” they will t deceive every one «Onyiens, his neighbour, and will not speak the

41 Gen. xxvii 395,

96. xxxii. 28,

8. truth: they have ° taught their tongue

m see on vivas—to speak lies, and ° weary themselves to xv. s. Prov. vi. Commit iniquity, xxv.is.ez.xxi, 6° Thine % habitation is in the midst of

9. 1 Pet. ii. 1, 2. 2 ;

n See ons. 8:—Is.deceit ; through deceit they * refuse to vi. 1 Eph. iv. know me, saith the Lorp. :

t Or, mack. Job 7 Therefore thus saith the Lorp of

p Gen. xx. i.try them: for how ‘shall I do for the ir is. I. at daughter of ‘my people? n—4. wie to. 8 Their “tongue 7s as an arrow shot Mic. vi.3.Hab-Out ; it speaketh deceit : * one speaketh

qxi, 19. aviti, 18. peaceably tohis neighbour with hismouth,

but in heart he layeth § his wait.

3—6.°

© xiii. 10. Joh xxi. 14, Us. Prov. i, 24.99. Hos. iv. 6. Jolin iii. 19, 20. Rom. & 23. 1 Cor. Xv. S4. 6 Vi. 29, 3G. Is. i. 25. Xiviili, 10. Ez. xxii. 18—22. xxiv. 11, 12. Zech. xii. 9. Mal. fii. S. 1 Pet. t. 7 iv. 1% txxxt. 20. 2 Chr. xxxvi, 15. Hos. vi. 4, §. xi. 8, 9. Zech. 4.14—16. 3.5. Ps. xii. 2. Ivii. 4. Ixiv. 8 cax. 3. x 2 Sain. ii}. 27. xx. 9, 10. Ps. xxviil. 8. lv. 1. Prov. xxvi. 24—26, Matt. xxvi. 48,49. Heb. inthe midst ef him.

$ Or, wait for him.

hesitation and with confidence: they devised ingenious methods of deception, and strove to get over the restraints of shame and conscience. They were ambitious of being adepts in the whole system of dissimulation, and were continually employed in slander, flattery, cheating, and over-reaching. They were very bold in this work, and sought to obtain authority by these base practices, instead of being valiant for the truths of God, or in maintaining truth and justice in judicial proceedings. They were indefatigable in committing iniquity, and mutual deccit and fraud were so universal, that the nearest relations and neighbours could not safely trust one another.— Whilst the prophet thus complained of

his people, the Lord himself spake, and allowed that his ser-- vant’s dwelling was in the midst of deceit and lies, and that

he was on that account despised and hated: but he might be patient in his situation, when he considered, that, through the same deceit, the people were resolved not to know God, and despised him even more than his prophet. They trusted to lies for safety; they hated the holy perfections, truths, - and precepts of God, because contrary to their own cha- ‘acter and conduct: they ‘‘ loved darkness rather than light, «© because their deeds were evil ;”’ they preferred any worth-tess idol and superstition to God and his worship : and their religion was wholly hypocrisy. (8.)—Walk with slanders. (4.) « They who sow contentions and calumnies, walk about the « houses of their neighbours, to examine, whether they can « see or hear ought which they may report in the street.’ (Note, Lev. xix. 16.)—Through deceit, Se. (6.) § It is © natural for those; that are resolved at al] events to abide in ‘ their evil courses, to endeavour, if possible, to divest them-

‘ selves of all religious principles; which if insufficient to.

MIAH.

B. €. 606.

Q Shall YI not visit them for thesey s+ v. o. 0. things ? saith the Lorp: shall not my * i: 19-2 vie soul be avenged on sucha nation as this? teatic™ ©

10 ¥ For * the mountains will I take! st: 40"Si. 6 up a weeping and wailing, and for the join"

habitations of the wilderness a lamenta- b iy’6- 1» xaxiv.

-”

that none can pass through them; nei- i ther can men hear the voice of thecattle ; &¢-_se en iv + both the fowl of the heavens and the* Hy J J 2: beast are fled, they are gone. 2 Mic-4.6-fi-le.

11 And ‘I will make Jerusalem heaps, °3:."xxuv. “ts. and ¢a den of dragons; *and I wille dmv. "os. "ts out an inhabitant. Lam. ih. 47

12 Who zs ‘the wise man that may £ Dest. xxut. es.

Lam.

understand this? and who is he to whom 2. 3 , Matt. the mouth of. the Lorp hath spoken, ® y;'% “3% that be may declare it, * for what the land $23" gp perisheth and is burned up like a wilder- sx, ta: xh. ee,

ness, that none passeth through ? h ai 0, Dent. 13 And the Lorp saith, " Because they ¢ chr, wit 1p. have forsaken my law which I set before !z=Ix.30. eax: 5S. Prov. xxvilf, them, and have not obeyed my voice, *,2Ph ii. 1

6. neither walked therein ; : i iii, 17. Gen. v1.

| ; s.. Rom. i, ¢i—

14 But have ' walked after the § ima-. 72%." © gination of their own heart, and after} Sur Baalim, “ which their fathers taught them: |,* 5. St)

‘ restrain, will be sure at least to be: very troublesome to ‘ them.’ For this cause, they are ready to ‘‘ say unto God, ‘¢ Depart from us, we desire not the knowledge of thy ways.” (Job. xxi. 14.) (Blayney.) (Notes, Rom, i. 28— 32.)

V. 7. In this corrupt state of the whole nation, the only one on earth, in which the name of God was knows and worshipped, what did it behove him todo? It would have been very dishonourable to him to connive at their wickedness ; yet would he not be without a church on earth; and his engagements, to Abraham, and David, forbad .him utterly to cast off the nation, before the coming ef the Messiah. He was therefore determined to cast them into the furnace, to melt, prove, and refine. the mass; which would be attended with the destruction of vast multitudes, consumed as dross. But it would refine a small number, from whom he would raise up a purer church for the honour of his name.—‘ What can Ido else for my people; but, - ‘ by all means try to save them from the common destruce ©tion?? (Lowth.) (Notes, vi. 27—30. Zech. xiii. 8, ge. Mal. iii. 1—4.)

V.8, 9. ‘ Their tongue is as the arrow of a murderer.” (Blayney.) (Marg. Ref.) (Notes, v. 9. 29.)

V. 10, 11. (Marg. Ref.) The most dreadful desola-tions are here predicted, with the most exquisite pathes ; the. prophet being suffused in tears, and unable to repress his groans and bitter lamentations, when compelled to deliver his awful message. ‘* I have not desired the woeful day,, ‘© Lorp, thou knowest.” (Notes, iv. 19g—27. X. 19—-2% xvii. 15—18. Js. xvi. 19—22.) ane

V. 19. ‘Is there none of you so well acquainted with © the will of God,—as to be able to declare the reasons,

ents ° liv. 6. - . make the cities of Judah ¢ desolate with~ + Heb desslation, =

B. GC. 606.

CHAPTER IX,

Be lend ; i

‘B. C. 606.

» . 15 Therefore thus saith the Lonp of | O ye women, and let your’ ear ” receive 2 $023.

Mtem til.-hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, 'I in, ‘a. ux Will feed them, even this people, with

it, w.2. tam: Wormwood, and give them water of gall e il ws oe

i. white to drink. mvs: pat. 16.1 will ™scatter them also among

26, 64 weal ee the heathen, whom neither they nor their a. as xi. 17. fathers have known: "and I will send a Zech. vil. .sword after them, till I have consumed

come:

pia. === 18 And let them make haste, and ?take

q : as

6. up a wailing for us, that Jour eyes may

ia. Lake xix. UN down with tears, and our eyelids gush riv. 31. Bx. va, OUt with waters. e M i. . e eye ° to’ 19 For ‘a voice of wailing is heard out sil. 14. iv. 13. 20. ° . . ! 8 . go. Deat, xxvii Of Zion, How are we spoiled! * we dre.. Lame ¥, 2 we ti,¢ greatly confounded, because we have for-

#s.ax.9lam-saken the land, because “our dwellings

x1s, ti. 16, &e: have cast ws out.

xxxii, 9 — Il.

Luke ssi 7—- 99 Yet *hear the word of the Lorn,

‘ why he hath given such severe instances of his anger * against this land?’ (Lowth.) (Marg. Ref.)

V. 19—16. (Marg. Ref. Notes, viii. 14—16. xv. 1—4. Ez. Vv. 1—4.)

V. 17, 18. ‘ Consider the evil circumstances you are ‘in, which call for mourning and lamentation: and since ‘ you—are not sufficiently affected with the dangers that * threaten you ; send for those women, whose profession it

_ is to make publick amentation at funerals,—and let their

‘mournful ditties excite true sorrow in you.’ (Low/h.) (Marg. Ref. Notes, Am.v. 8,9. Matt. ix. 23.)

V.19. (Note, iv. 30, 31.) © Our land hath spued us out, ‘ according to the expression of Moses, and would no longer ‘ bear with our abominations.’ (Lev. xviii. 28.) (Lowth.) Or, ‘ They have cast down our habitations.”

V. 20,21. (Marg. Ref.) Throughout this chapter, the prophet speaks of the predicted judgments as actually arrived: and ‘he addresses diiferent descriptions of people, as present at the calamitous scene, that he might affect their minds with the foresight of those terrible judgments, which so much affected his own. Thus death is here spoken of as a person, that entered by the windows to destroy those; who were shut up in the houses and palaces ; as well ascutting off the children found playing in the streets, and the young men from their places of resort. (Notes, vi. 10—12. Zech. viii. 4, 5.)

V.22. The bodies of the slain would lie as thick on the ground, as the heaps of dung do on the field, which the hus-bandman is manuring: or even as the handfuls of corn, do after the reapers: the latter; however, are soon, either gathered by the owner, or gleaned by the poor; but the dead bodies of the Jews would be left unburied, to be devoured by the wild beasts and the fowls of the air. (Noes, vit. 32, 33. vill. 1—4. Zeph, i. 17.)

V.2g, 24. Men * glory” in those things, by which they

the word of his mouth, *and teach your" séur sx i7 Ez. ix. 5, 6. xxi.

daughters wailing, and every one her May 18. “Am. Wi neighbour lamentation. b vii. $3. vill,. e. XVie 4. XXV. 99. 21 For *death is come up into our king ix. 57.

IXXI11. 106

windows, and is entered into our palaces, 15.+. 2%. Zeph: to cut off the children from without, and © 30> v.19 the young men from the streets. Lapse te

16. 19.1%. Mle

22 Speak, Thus saith the Lorn, Even "2" 2% the carcases of men shall ° fall as dung oa Cori. 19 upon the open field, and as the handful ts—20. sam iii:

after the. harvest-man, and none shall] apex.’ viii, a7. gather them. aie 4 °23 @| Thus saith the Lorn, ° Let not <i. 15, 1. the wise wan glory in bis wisdom, “neither §,% 2 *"*.- let the mighty man glory in his might, a Ree “let not the rich man glory in his riches: 32'%5. ““* *" 24 But ‘let him that glorieth, glory “ps. nix. 6-9. in this, that he understandeth and *know- Prov. si. «Be: : Vii. 19. Zeph. i.

eth me, that I am the Lorn, which ex- 10, Mark &. 04. ercise "loving-kindness, judgment, and ,,)'Tim. vi. to,”

righteousness in the earth: ' for in these &, ts. xl. 16. things I delight, saith the Lorn. 11. Greek. 1 Core

i. 31. 2 Cor. Xe

17. Gal. vi. 14. Phil. iii. s.- £ Xxxi. 98, 34. Ps. xci. 14. Matt. xi. 27. Luke x. 99. John xvii. 3. 2 Cor. iv. 6. 1 John v. 20. h Bx. xxxiv. 5—7. Ps. xxxvi. 5—~7: li. f. cxlv. 7, 8-cxlvi. 7—9. Rom. iii. 95, 26.

i 1 Sam. xv. 22. Ps, xcix. 4.45. lxis 8. MiCe Vi. 8. Vile 16n

en seer en account themselves honourably distinguished from others,

and entitled to applause, respect, or admiration ; on which they congratulate themselves ; which they make the subject of their boastings ; and from which they expect safety and felicity. (Marg. Ref.) Thus the Jews were prone to glory in their prudence, policy, valour, strength, or wealth, both

as to their national and their personal concerns. But the

Lord here solemnly warned them not to glory in these empty distinctions, which at all times were precarious and transient, and could little profit their possessors; but in their case, would only expose them very speedily to more

complicated miseries, by rendering them the first objects of:

attention to the rapacious, revengeful, and cruel invaders. But if any of them were disposed to glory ; let him see to it, that he possessed a really valuable and honourable distinction, and ground of self-congratulation and confidence. This no man could have, but he who knew the Lord, and by faith had become acquainted: with his glorious perfections, and the methods of his dealings with mankind. (Notes, 1 Chr. XXviil. g.

John xvil. r—3.) ‘ To have a serious sense of his. ‘ mercies to the penitent, of his judgments to the obstinate, ‘ and of his truth and integrity in making good his promises ‘and threatenings to both.’ (Low/h.) To- have a genuine transforming knowledge of the eternal and glorious God, in the character-‘of a merciful Father, and of @ righteous Judge ; and as exercising his abundant mercy and: truth, in full harmony with his glorious justice and holiness, aceording to the wonderful plan devised by his infinite wisdom, and rea vealed in his holy word ; and as delighting in these displays of his perfections, and in secing his creatures copy. the example of his mercy, truth, purity and righteousness, formed the-only distinction, in which any one of them could reasonably glory, as his inestimable privilege and happiness ; because the only thing, which would secure his permanent,,yea,

B. C. 606.

‘kHz, xvii. 10. \25 Behold, the days come, saith the il o> Rom: Lorp, * that I will * punish all them . G.*, 378. which are circumcised with the uncircum-aii. 327, xvi C1SEM a8 26 ‘Egypt, and "Judah, and Edom,

hi. Is. xiii xxiv. Ez. xxiv— xxxii. Am. i. ii, Zeph. i. ii, =m Is. xix. 9, 25.

eternal honour and felicity.—-As God is thus known to sinners in and through Christ alone, the apostle applies this passage in its genuine meaning, when he speaks of believers glorifying in him and his salvation. (Nofes, Js. xlv. 23—25,. 1 Cor..i. 26—~31. Gal. vi. 11—14. Phil. iii. 1—7.)

V. 25, 26. The Jews were prone to glory and confide in the external sign of circumcision: but the Lord here assures theni, that he would entirely disregard this distinc- ' tion, in the judgments about to be inflicted on the nations by the Chaldeans. Accordingly Judah seems purposely to be named betwixt Egypt and Edom, as no more entitled to the special benefits vouchsafed to the people of God, than those - Nations; because of the uncircumcision of their hearts, and their utter want of faith and love‘to him. (Nofes, .iv. 3, 4. Gen. xvii. g—12. Lev. xxvi. 41, 42. Deut. xxx. 1—10.

Rom. ii. 28, 29.) —‘ The marginal reading is to be preferred,’ —‘* They that have the corners of their hair polled.” ¢ The ¢ expression denotes those Arabians who cut their hair on ¢ the forepart of their heads round, and let the hair grow ¢ long behind.’ (Lev. xix. 27.) (Lowth.) Some however, think, that the peninsular form of one main division of Arabia, is intended. The Septuagint instead of ‘‘ Judah” xead Idumea, though ‘* Edom,” another name for the same people, follows directly! It seems these translators were Ghwilling to have Judah introduced in this connexion.

PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. V. 1—g. , a

If ministers would have the people deeply affected by their representations of the evil and fatal consequences of sin, their conduct must manifest that their own hearts are suitably impressed with the subject, as well as full of tender sympathy with them in their sufferings ; thus sshewing that their severe rebukes, and awful warnings, spring from love, and not from resentment or moroseness. But they, who most lament the miseries, which are coming on the wicked, are sensible that they ought to be more affected : and if they could ‘* weep over. them day and night,” it would not exceed the cause of sorrow, and would give emphasis to their exhortations and expostulations. Nay, the state of this world always suggests matter of lamentation ; and a compassionate heart is ready to ‘‘ take up a weeping and wail-

$6 ing” continually, for the havock made ameng the human species by wars, famines, pestilences, and other judgments, ‘with which God visits guilty nations, turns cities into heaps, and desolates the countries. Yet we must adore the divine justice, and acquiesce in the divine will: and what we see, hear, and discover by careful investigation, of the conduct of mankind, even where favoured with revelation, will serve to oe these mysteries of Providence. Such scenes would also render us weary of human society, and ' lead us to prefer a lodging place in the wilderness: were we not conscious, that we must carry along with us, in our

| JEREMIAH.

«B.C. 606, and the children of Ammon, and Moab, -

and all that are t in the * utmost corners,‘ eames ee that dwell in the wilderness; for all these nevoftherbale: . : . ; polled. nations are uncircumcised, and all thes sv. ».xtz.m.

house of Israel are ° uncircumcised in AU. Dest sex, ‘the heart. | , Acta i. 12

own hearts, an epitome of this wicked world; and that the ~ powers of darkness would have access to us in every retirement. Even the desert would certainly be the scene of hor- ‘rid temptations, abominable imaginations, and the most hateful affections, without communion with God through Jesus Christ, and the influences of the Holy Spirit: whereas, with these, we may live in purity and peace amidst’ the wickedness of populous cities.

Yet, the more holy any man is, the more painful will it be for him to witness the impiety and wickedness of mankind: and when ministers see no success attend their labours, it is not wonderful that they wish to leave them, They are men of like | with others: continual disappointment, in the leading desire of their hearts, is very painful; they cannot but fe the contempt and ill treatment, which they meet with for theis plain-dealing ; and though preserved from resentment, they must be grieved to be always giving offence, and rendering themselves obnoxious.

It also distresses them to recollect, that they must prove the occasion of increasing the condemnation of those whose salvation they long after.

But, whilst it is proper for them toexpress very strongly their sentiments on these subjects: it is generally best for them to abide in ~ their place and work, and to leave the.event with God. ] their lot be cast where deceit and wickedness abound, they should protest against these by their exampleand their preach. . ing: and in reproving sin, it is necessary to mention particulars, even in the detail, that their hearers‘*may know themselves to be the persons concerned ; whether they be livi

in adultery or dishonesty, in avarice or malice.—- Whilst al men are offended at the imputation of being liars, all, in one way or other, have been guilty of lying ; and multitudes use their tongues almost wholly for this purposee The whole social intercourse of thousands and millions is a mere interchange of dissimulation: now they lavish deceitful compliments, professions, and panegyricks ; and shortly they deviate as widely from the truth, in slander and back-biting, and perhaps in respect of the very same persons.

In trade, a-similar system of falsehood is prevalent; and buying and selling are often conducted by the same interchange of deceit, as visiting and conversation; but with still more atrocious iniquity. In short, men are every where seeking to accomplish their selfish designs by concealing them ; and to prey on one another by fair professions, and with smiling countenances: and, as nothing is so prolifick as lies, they proceed from evi] to evil; wander more and more from God and truth; and employ all their ingenuity, industry, and even in-trepidity, in venturing upon daring schemes of deception.

So that there is need for every one to take heed of his nejgh-bour, and to be-cautious how he trusts even. the nearest relation ; lest he should be supplanted and circumvented. But whilst men thus lie in wait for their neighbours, Satan takes their souls in his snare, and God gives them over to strong delusions: the state of their hearts indisposes them for true religion: if they. pretend to any, they are mere hypocrites ; ‘¢ not liking to retain God in their knowledge,” they are.) Warnings against the idolatry and superstition of the heathen, 1—-5.

None like to Jenovan the Creator and Lord of all, 6—16. Prophecies concerning the captivity, with suitable lamentations and

3 | ers, 17—25. al, aa we = Prayers, 17

cPa. 17 i HEAR ye the word which the Lorp

speaketh unto you, Ohouseof Israel:

2 Thus saith the Lorp, ” Learn not

3.'Deat. xil.s0, the way of the heathen, and ° be not dis-os 1, mayed at the signs of heaven; for the Lake xxl. — heathen are dismayed at them.

left to some foolish scheme of superstition, enthusiasm, or scepticism ; and so become perhaps the instruments of the devil, in propagating and strenuously contending for lies, instead of being ‘‘ valiant for the truth upon the earth.” But, however corrupt any part of the visible church may become, or however God may visit, and avenge himself on, guilty nations, who are called by his name, he will always have a people upon earth. And he will either utterly cast off professing churches, that become thus corrupt; or he -will’ melt and try them ; and, putting away numbers as dross, he will bring forth a few as vessels of honour fitted

for his use.

V. 10—26.

When the judgments of God are abroad in the earth, they, who are indeed wise, and understand such matters, and have heard and believed his word, will perceive for what reason he causes these calamities. And.sugely it be-shoves the Jews, -who have been so long scattered among the nations, and consumed by a succession of calamities, to enquire, ‘* Wherefore the Lorp hath thus fed them with <‘ wormwood, and given them water of gall to drink ?” Must it not be obvious, that it is because they have ‘¢ for-

-‘€ saken his Jaw, and not obeyed his voice ; but followed

‘¢ their own imaginations,” and the traditions of their fathers, in contempt of the Messiah, the Prince of peace, and the King of Israel ?—It avails little to multiply expressions of sorrow, or to excite each other to lamentation, when death enters our houses, or desolates our strects: except we obey the word of the Lord, and mourn with ‘‘ that godly “* sorrow, which worketh repentance unto salvation, not “to be repented of.”” This, and this alone, can prepare the heart for true comfort, and convert the heaviest afflictions into the most precious mercies.—But, in this world of sin and sorrow, terminating speedily in death and future judgment ; how unreasonable is it for men to glory in learning, knowledge, sagacity, health, strength, authority,. ‘wealth, or any other appendage, which leaves them under

the dominion of sin and the wrath of God! which cannot avert temporal or eternal misery! which may be torn from them- ina moment, and of which an account must hereafter be given! which instead of rendering them happy, may probably increase their eternal condemnation! Happy is he, who knows God by true faith and the expe-sience of his mercy and grace in Seats Christ ; who beholds

ae \ ~ B.C; 606. as CHAPTER X, B.C. 606. - CHAP. X. 8 For ‘the *customs of the people!‘are vain: for * one cutteth a tree out of Natt inom in 21,22. 1 Pet.

the forest, the work of the hands of the_ its: workmen, with the axe. ” ordinance ar 4 They ‘deck it with silver and With ¢ See om 1, aii gold: *they fasten it with nails and with He. vii, 4 hammers, that it move not. gitar 5 They are upright as the palm-tree, #37 %? *

but "speak not: they must needs be” eoexr.” "16-18. ° e 1 ew born, because they cannot go. Be not 1 Cor, “iis 8. » . e i el 9 Se afraid of them; for ithey cannot do i ecxivi 127. = e e e e e S$. Xl. >: s evil, neither also zs i¢ in them to do xiv.9, 10. xiv. : - . BX. viii. 10. dre 6 Forasmuch as «there is noné like \.2".!".Dest.

26. 2Sam. vii. 22. Ps, xxxv. 10. Ixxxvi. S10. Ixxxix. 6—8. Is. xl. 18, 95. xvi. be 9. . J

his glory, and is changed into his image ; whois a follower of him in his ‘* loving-kindness, judgment, and righteous~ ‘* ness ;” and who delights in those things in which God de-lighteth! This is the true ‘* circumcision of the heart, the ‘* praise of which is not of men but of God.”? Such men are the true Israel, ‘* who worship God in the Spirit, glory ‘Cin Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.”? Let us then prize this distinction, which is divine and eternal.

Let us seek for it diligently, and then rejoice and glory in it abové all other things: let us so value ourselves upon it, as to be above grovelling pursuits, and deem ourselves set apart for the glory of God our Saviour ; and to him let us devote all our possessions and endowments, that he may be honoured in our use of them.—But the time is coming, when the uncircumcised in heart, and those, who know no other than baptismal regeneration, will notwithstanding their external forms and notions, with the heathens and infidels, be “* punished with an everlasting destruction from the pre- ‘¢ sence of the Lord.”

e NOTES.

CHAP, X. V.2. Thepeople of Israel, when in their own land, had always been disposed to learn the idolatries and superstitions of their neighbours: the ten tribes were already dispersed in heathen countries, and the Jews were about to be carried captive to Babylon, the very centre of idolatry.

The gentiles in general, and the Chaldeans above all others, were addicted to astrology, and omens; they were dismayed by comets, eclipses, and other unusual appearances of the heavenly bodies; and their determinations in the most important matters were often formed from such signs of the heavens, rather than from sound policy. This was the effect of ignorance concerning God; ef idolatrous regard to his creatures, and of vain endeaveurs to pry inta futurity: and therefore the Lord’s people. must not imitate their customs.

Whatever might seem to. be portended by the signs of the heavens, they would be safe while trusting in God and walking in the path of duty ; and nothing could truly presage prosperity to.them, ih the way of disobedience. (Notes, Is. xlvii. 1225. Dan. ii. a.)

V. 3—5. The prophet exposes the folly, and stupidity of idolaters, in the same manner as Isaiah had done. (Notes, Is. xli. 5—7. 21—24. xliv. g—20. xlvi, 1—g.

V. 6—-8. The prophet, here contrasts the glory of Israel’s Gad with the impotency of senseless idols, in an act of so~ lemon worship addressed to him; that by interweaving ades.

eS Ee Te ae YP TP a oN ve eae

B. C. 606.

“JEREMIAH.

B. C: 604.

Tarai. 18, Neb. unto thee,O Lorn; ! thou ar¢ great, and | lasting King: ‘at his wrath the earth = may. Y.4. Job

Pm. xvii, 1 thy name is great in might. alviiedseate Who “would not fear thee, "O

cxlvit. db. le. xil.

6. Dan. iv.$. 34,

$s. Ma. King of nations? for * to thee doth it

My. 22

Dv vies, seappertain: forasmuch as °among all Luke xli.5- Reve the wise men of the nations, and in alk 2 Ps

Q. Is. ii. ¢. Zech. ii. il. Rev. xi. thee,

ese om &—P.and foolish: Ithe stock 7s a doctrine of

rages 6. 1 Cor. a t Heb. in ‘one, or, vanities. : : : > ime. sp. -Q ‘Silver spread into plates is brought

io us aieaa.from *'Tarshish, and gold from ‘ Uphaz, yeixaronthe work of the workman, and of the

i. <i, 29. bd

ail. g. is. nv. hands of the founder: blue and purple is

19. as. 1V.

r See on 4.

si Kings x. Bz. xxvii. 1.

¢ Dan. x. 5.

u | Kings xviii. $9.

br. -xv. 3.

‘cunning men.: 10 But “the Lorp is the *true God, gon 2". sshe is *the living God, ’ and an § ever- 1 Jobn v. 20. t Heb. God of truth. Deut. xxxii. 4. Ps. xxxi. 5. c. 5. cxlvi. 6. X xxiii. 96. Deut. v. 26. 1 Sam. xvii. 26. 96. Ps. xiii. 9, lxxxiv. @ Is. xxxvil. 4.17. Dan.

vi. 26. Matt. xvi. 16. xxvi. 68. Acts xiv. 15. Heb. x. 31. y Ps. xciii. 2. cxlv. 13) Dan. iv. S$. 34. vii. 14. t Tim.i. 17. § Heb. King of eternity. Is. li. 15.

rations with his instructions, the people might be led to concur in this holy service. None of the imaginary deities, which some professed to worship under the form of their images, could be equalled to JEHOVAH: they were either inanimate creatures, or the departed spirits of eminent men,

or ideal characters, or devils. (Notes, Deut. xxxli.17.1 Cor.

viii. 1—g. x. 18—22.) Nor could any of the wise legislators, philosophers, or rulers of the nations vie with the Lord, ‘‘ the King of all nations.” (The word is the same, ‘before rendered ‘‘ heathen.”’) (1.) (Adarg. Ref.) Who then would refuse to fear and worship him; whose infinite perfection, and abselute, universal, and everlasting sovereignty over aJl creatures, which are the works of his hands and wholly dependent on him; and whose power to save and to destroy, entitle him to this honour, and make it reasonable and advantageous to. all rational creatures? Idolaters therefore must be altogether brutish and foolish ; and the worship of a senseless block of wood, (however carved, or ornamented, or whatever it was suppossed to represent,) must lead to the most unworthy apprehensions of God, to the most gross and pernicious mistakes, and to all. vain and abominable practices. (10. Nofes. v. 21—25. Ps. cxXV. 3—

8. Hab. ii. 18—20.)

V.9,10. Some think that Uphaz isthe sameas Ophir: but this is quite uncertain.—The contrast between the most expensive and most richly ornamented dead images, anid “<< the living and true God, the everlasting King, whose ‘¢ wrath the nations could not abide,”’ is very expressive and instructive. ‘ They, (the idols,) are indebted to the art and ‘ labour of man, for all their costly ornaments, and their € splendid outward shew.’ (Bilayney.)—Where, but in the Scriptures, do we meet with such sublime and rational thoughts concerning the great Creator and Lord of all? The very circumstance that tbe Bible, (and the Bible alone, ) has established the doctrine of one God of infinite perfection, to the exclusion of all others, who have been or arecalled God, or have been or are worshipped ; isa very convincing argument to a considerate mind, that it is the word of that One.

living and true God himself, (Aderg. Ref.) : 9? a their clothing ; they are all the work of. ©donians,—Milcom the god of the Ammonites, Chemosh.filment proves the words genuine and divine; though Blay-. lation.

shall tremble, and *the nations shall not 7. limi be able to abide his indignation. 4. civ, 98 cxlv.

11 Thus shall ye say unto them, f,'¢ i *The gods that have not made the hea- Rev'ax/it. ™

vens and the earth, even ‘they shall’. Soa hit:

Nah. i.°6. Mal.

perish from the earth, and from “under i these heavens. 12 He ‘ hath made the earth by his Zech. ‘sia power, he hath ‘established the worlddtem tio. by his wisdom, and hath * stretched out '*,-Geal.1.6: ; . —9 Job kzxvili. the heavens by his discretion. ° Sea se 13 When he "uttereth his voice, there Siti, 5 ¢

is a | multitude of ‘waters in the hea- 7"3'*: (Ps. -xiivs % vens, and ‘he causcth the vapours to ixxviil-6o. sci. 1. CXix. 90. Pror. ascend from the ends of the earth: he. iii. is. xxx.<

7 ‘ ‘ . Is, xlv. 15. Kmaketh lightnings * with. rain, and | &, vacua Mhe 1 } . Ps. civ. @. M4.

bringeth forth the wind out of his 7, Rigs treasures. tee ie Zech, xii. te h Job xxxrii. 2—5. xxxviii. $4, 95., Ps. xviii. 18. xxix. 9—J0. Ixvili. $9. j Or, noise. i 1 Kings xviii. 41. 44, 46. Job xxxvi. 27—83. Ps. cxuxv. 7. cxivil. 8. k Bx. ix. 23. t Sam. xii. 17, 18. Job xxxviii. 25—27. 34, 35. Zech. x. 1. Sarg. - @ Or, Sor rain. I Job xxxviil. 22. Ps. Cxxxv. 7.

V.11. This verse, in the original, is in the Chaldee, and not the Hebrew, language; and it seems to have been thus previously inserted, that the captive Jews might have an answer ready for the idolaters, in their own language, when they tempted them to join in their worship. The idols were no gods, they had not created the world, and they would shortly be destroyed from the earth.

This is an express prediction of the total extirpation of idolatry, which hath already received a most wonderful accomplishment ; and will be perfectly fulfilled, when that ambitious spifit, whom all idolaters worship, shall be confined in the bottomless pit. (Note, Rev. xx. 1—3.)—‘ Lest they should ‘ think they had acquitted themselves well, if they abstained ‘from what they saw the heathen do; he tells them, that ‘ they must do yet more than this.

They must make open ‘ profession against their gods; they must proclaim against ‘ their idolatry : and therefore in the middle of his exhorta- “tion, he interlaceth these words in the Chaldee tongue.— ‘ Can every friar ina pulpit—warrant his words from being ‘ mistaken or perverted to heresy?

And are the words—-of ‘ God so obnoxious that they may not be read ?’—* If God ‘ himself may not speak in a vulgar tongue; I see far less ‘ reason why a friar should.’—* Ye have heard the state of “the times, wherein this prophecy is commanded ; now let ‘us consider of the event.—We have heard—of the ad- ‘ mired oracles of the gentiles, of Apollo at Delphos, and of ‘ Jupiter Ammon in Egypt:—but all of them have long ‘ since perished from the earth, and from under these hea- “vens.—We have heard of the names of many gods in ‘ former times of great renown in these islands of the gen- ‘tiles; Jupiter, Mars, Apollo, &c:—yet they are ali pe- ¢ rished.— Where now is Be], the god of Babylon, Nisroch ‘ the god of Assyria, Baal and Asteroth the gods of the Zido-

‘of Moab, and Thammus of the Egyptians?—their ve ‘ names are perished.’ (Mede’s Sermon on this text.) The ful-ney unreasonably supposes this important verse an interpo-

B.C. 606..

18. Ps. xix. 2. civ, . Prov. ; : Pk Ta, aby knowledge; ” every founder is confound-

8. nom. 1. ov,€d by the graven image; for his molten * Of, more brutish {TALE is falsehood, °and there is no: to know Bi. 17. Ps.

h.a7. Bs xevii. breath in them.

- ait bed e o' s es e ei as of errors: ‘in the time of their visitation xii. at. Is. xll.ee.

for he zs ‘the Former of all ii. 1891. Jon. ies, 5,

Po. ie. beat, they shall perish. | aaitsuie, 16 The ‘Portion of Jacob is not like qu. via isi, them : fs, Zeph.i.s, things: and ‘TJsrael is the rod of his _ 4. Zech. xiii. 2. - : u ' : ° FM ig, a,x inheritance: ° the Lorp of hosts is his exix. 97. cxlii. name, "

5. Lam. lii, 2¢.

xia, a. "- “"Y I will sling out the inhabitants of the tee lind at this once, and will distress them, ie s. : = that they may find i¢ so. iz Mii, 19 * Woe is me for my hurt! my HH behabitrer, WOUNC is grievous : but I said, * truly this y t's, Maw. tsa grief, and I must bear it. |

- 20 My “tabernacle is spoiled, and all

Deut, xxviil. 63,

G4. 18am. xxv,

29. ° wxxill. @. Bz. vi. 10. Zech. i. 6. a See on iv. 19. 31. viii. Qt. ix. L—xvii. 1S. Lam. i. @. 19, Sc. ii. 11, &c. ini. 48. b Ps. xxxix. 9. Ixxviie 10. Is. viii. 17. Lam. ii, 181. $9, 40. C iv. 20. Is. liv. @, Lam. ii. 4—6.

V. 12—15. (Note, li. 15—19.) Here again, the almighty and all-wise Creator and Upholder.of the universe is contrasted with the senseless idols, in a manner exquisitely suited to shame the idolaters. (Marg. Ref.) The great

Disposer of all events, giveth rain from heaven and fruit-,

** ful seasons;” and often accompanics the rain with tremendous thunder and lightning; and with hurricanes, which, while they produce terrible.effects at the time, greatly tend to purify the atmosphere, and to render the air salubrious. Thus he ordereth the whole in judgment and mercy. (Notes, X1V. 19—-22. Job xxxvii. 1—13. XXxxvill, 91—41. Ps, CXXxy. 7, Zech. x.1.)—* The more any man thinketh to do * any thing well by his own wisdom, and not as God in- * structeth him; the more doth he prove himself to bea * vile.beast.’ (Note, 3—8.)—‘ The time of their visita- ‘* tion” means, the time appointed by the only wise God for punishing the idolaters, and pouring contempt on the idols. (Note, 11. Zech. xiii. 2, 3.) :

V. 16. - Jenovan himself was Jacob’s Portion; and he - was not at all like the worthless idols, which were the portion of the heathen: for he is the Former, or Creator, of all things, and existed before all things; and from eternity. His infinite sufficiency is the riches of his chosen people ; his wisdom chooses, and his power effects, their felicity ; his truth engages to them, and his bounty bestows upon them, whatever can conduce to their good; and he is their

reat Protector, ‘‘ the Lorp of hosts,’ or armies, ** is his ' &

** name, —The nation of Israel typified this people of God; and as far as they lived up to their privileges, they possessed this happiness, and needed not to seek help fromidols. In his disposal of the nations, JEHovAH had taken them as his jnireritauce : his worship was established among them, his sevenue of honour, from fallen-man, was chiefly collected from them, and his peculiar delight was in them; while other mations were left'to the worsbip and service of Satan.

Jeremiah Chapter 9 · Thomas Scott