Jeremiah 34

Funeral Burnings, among the Heathen, were of the dead bodies: But among the Jewes, not of the bodies; but of sweet odours; and divers kinds of spices, prepared by the Art of the Apothecaries, burned in the Tombe where the embalmed body was to lie, 2 Chr. XVI. 14. This was denied to the wicked King Jehoram, 2 Chron. XXI. 19. yet granted here to Zedekiah, in Babylon: And that burning of the Flesh of Saul, and his sonnes, 1 Sam. XXXI. 12. was a case extraordinary, and as their present condition, and that exigent seemed to require.

Jeremiah 34:18

when they cut the calf in twaine, &c.] The maner of making Covenants; whence the Hebrew phrase is to Cut a Covenant, that is from the right of Cutting a beast in twaine, sometime for Sacrifice, sometime for Feasting; and the Covenanters passing through betweene the Parts of it; implying it seemes, and that by way of execration, Themselves to be alike cut in sunder in case of violating the Conditions of the Covenant, Matth. 24. 51. Though some make the Cutting to relate to the strict and exact cutting out of Articles agreed upon for mutual performance by both parties, Gen XV. 9, 10, 17. Deut. XXIX. 12. Of Covenants, see more betweene man and man, and betweene God and man, Gen. IX. 9,—17. Gen. XXI. 27,—32. and chap.

XXVI. 28,—31. and chap. XXXI. 44,—55. Exod. XXIV. 4,—8. Deut. V. 2, 3. whence the two tables are called the Tables of the Covenant; and the Ark, the Ark of the Covenant. And the Tabernacle, The Tabernacle of the Covenant; the Book of the Law, the Book of the Covenant, Josh. XXIV. 24, 25, 26, 27.

Neh. IX. 38. 1 Sam. XVIII. 3, 4. and XXIII. 18. 1 Kings V. 12. and XX. 34. 2 Kings XI. 17. and XXIII. 3. Ezra. X. 3. Esay LIX. 21. Jer. L. 5.

And God promises to make a New Covenant with his people, Jer. XXXI. 31, 32, 33, 34. cited, Heb. VIII. 8, 9. which yet is not simply New, in regard of the substance of it: for the maine matter and substance of the former Covenant is there, verse 33. And, Gen. XVII. 7. Deut. XXVI. 17, 18. and XXIX. 13. And both Covenants ratified by the blood of the Messias.

But as Love is called a New Commandment, John XIII. 34. So this a New Covenant; in that it is ratified by the death of our Saviour exhibited; in that the Doctrine of the Gospel is now more fully and clearly revealed; in that this runneth wholly upon the spiritual, and celestial Blessings; in that the Ceremonials are removed, and the more Spiritual Service substituted for it; in that it is more generaly dilated and enlarged to all Nations; in that a large measure of Spiritual Gifts and efficacie of the Spirit is now vouchsafed; in that the continuance of it, without change, is to be to the end of the world.