Jeremiah 17

Jeremiah 17:1

IS written] they carry it deeply engraven in their hearts, and cannot put out the stampe. Or, their consciences are such witnesses to it, that it can no way be disannulled nor gain-said The hornes.] God had appointed that the hornes of the Altar should be sprinkled with the blood of the Sacrifices, Levit 4, 7. 8 16. 18. for to remaine there as a token of propitiation. Now the idolaters using the same ceremoni upon the altars of their idols; the Prophet saith, that contrary to the other blood, this blood was a permanent signe of abomination.

Jeremiah 17:2

Remember] they love their idols as dearely as their dearest things.

Jeremiah 17:3

O my mountaine] the Italian, O thou mountaineer] that is to say, O thou Jewish Nation that trustest in the strength and situation of thy hilly Countrey, as if it were inaccessible, Jeremiah 21:13. I will deliver thee into the hands of thine enemies, as well as if thou stoodest in the plaine field High places] namely all mountaines, hils, and cliffs are filled with idols, temples, chappels and altars.

Jeremiah 17:4

For ever] namely, for a long time, continually, untill the determined end.

Jeremiah 17:5

Cursed] this is added, because of them that trusted to mens helpe, against the Prophets threatnings Flesh] namely, mortall man, so called by contempt in respect of God who is an everlasting Spirit, Isaiah 31:3. H〈…〉e] namely, his prop and strength.

Jeremiah 17:6

Heath] a bastard kinde of plant, which is good for nothing, but onely for the fire; that is to say, he, shall have no part in the grace of regeneration, he shall not be manured nor dressed by Gods Word in his Church, he shall beare no fruits of good works, and his end shall be everlasting perdition.

Jeremiah 17:9

The heart] he seems to touch another false support which men trust to, namely, carnall wisdom and cuning, contrary to faith, simplicity, and sincerity Wicked] the Italian,incurable; as diseases, impostumes, and hidden ulcers are: hee means that mens hypocrisie and falshood makes it impossible for any one, save onely God, to cure their souls. Others translate it, perverse or obstinate, and desperate or unsearchable.

Jeremiah 17:11

The p〈…〉ridge] of which it is written, that she gathereth other Partridges and other birds eggs, and hatcheth them as her own, but the young ones, being once hatched, flie away to the right dam so soon as they hear her voyce. Others expound it, like the Partridge, which gathereth together many eggs, but doth not hatch them, for the cock Partridge findeth them out, and breaketh them: So wealth evil gotten, either returneth to the right owner, or is quite lost That getteth] mans third false confidence, namely, in riches.

Jeremiah 17:12

Throne] that is to say, the glorious seat of Gods presence amongst men, which is also inaccessible and imprgble to men The place] mans fourth false confidence, namely, in the materiall Temple, Jeremiah 7:4.

Jeremiah 17:13

They that] namely, turing to other false and vain hopes Written] that is to say, condemned to perish with the earth, in which they have put all their trust, heart, and hope; and shall have no part nor right to eternall life, which is proper for the Elect, whose names are written in Heaven, Luke 10:20. see Psal. 17. 14.

Jeremiah 17:14

Heal me] Jeremiahs words, as much as to say, Comfort and strengthen me in my vocation amidst so many dangers and combats My praise] namely, the Lord, in whose support and grace I doe onely glorifie my selfe. Or who is the onely subject of my praises.

Jeremiah 17:15

They say] namely, the prophane which are amongst the people, making a scoffe of my predictions and threatnings.

Jeremiah 17:16

I have not] the meaning seems to be thus, Mine adversaries doe accuse me, that by my prayers to thee I doe purchase their ruine; thou knowest that therein I never went beyond the zeale of a true Pastor and a faithfull Prophet. Others, I have not hastened, nor intruded my selfe after thee, more then was befitting a true Pastor; that is to say, I have followed thy Commandments step by step as thy servant, and have attempted nothing by any rash boldnesse.

Jeremiah 17:17

Be not] that is to say, Doe not suffer me to be in continuall danger and terrour, by reason of doing thy service.

Jeremiah 17:18

Double] namely, a most heavy, doubled, and entire destruction.

Jeremiah 17:19

The gate] he seems to meane that gate which was called the water-gate, Nehemiah 3:26. neer unto which was a great market place called the Eastern-place, at the end of which was the Kings Palace built by Solomon, and therefore it was the ordinary gate at which the Kings went out and came in, and where the people did use to come together, because it was neer the Court, and therefore it is here called the gate of the children of the people, see 2 Chron. 29. 3, 4. and 32. 6 Neh. 8. 1. 16.

Jeremiah 17:21

Selves] even as you tender the salvation of your souls, upon pain of incurring Gods judgements in your persons, Deuteronomy 4:15. Joshua 23:11.

Jeremiah 17:25

Enter] that is to say, The City and Kingdom and people shall be kept in their estates.

Jeremiah 17:26

About] the land of Judah is ofimes divided into these parts as are here specified.