Jeremiah 31

Jeremiah 31:1

THe same time] namely, of the Messias promised in the precedent chapter.

Jeremiah 31:2

Left of] that is to say, the deliverance out of Egypt, and the bringing of the people through the Wildernesse, ought to be an example and pledge to you, of the new deliverance out ofBabylon, which I promise you, and of everlasting salvation in Christ The Sword] from the Egyptians persecution with armed hand, and from their cruell oppression Went] that is to say, in the signes and effects of my presence, the Arke going before them Rest] that is to say, a place to settle, and encampe themselves in commodiously, Numbers 10:33. Deuteronomy 1:33. and afterwards a firme and peaceable habitation in the Land of Canaan, Psal. 95. 11.

Jeremiah 31:3

Of old] the Churches reply, as if it should say, it was so indeed in those daies, but the times are now altered, God doth not now shew himselfe such towards me Yea] the Lords answer, namely, that he is alwaies the same towards his Church, Psa. 44. 4. & 74. 12.

Jeremiah 31:4

Thou shalt] that is to say, thou shalt flourish in all manner of joy. Prophecies which began to come to passe at the returne from Babylon, and were spiritually accomplished in Christ.

Jeremiah 31:5

Yet] thou shalt restore the ruines of a desolate Countrey, tilling it, and planting it with good plants.

Jeremiah 31:6

A day] that is to say, the time will come, that the difference of Nations being once taken away by Christ, the ten Tribes meant by Ephraim, which were fallen away from Gods covenant, shall be called into it againe by the Gospell, signified by the Watch-mens cries, and the Watch-towers set upon the high places of the Countrey, see Isaiah 62:6.

Jeremiah 31:7

Sing] that is to say, let every one rejoyce at the salvation which God will send his Church by the Messias; whose figure and beginning shall be the Babylonian deliverance, and let them purchase it, by vowes and prayers.

Jeremiah 31:8

The North Countrey] namely, Caldea, which is Northerly from Judea. The blind and] no infirmity shall let them from comming together. I will afford them all strength to come bodily to Ierusalem, and spiritually into my Church under the Messias, see Isa. 35. 5, 6. & 42. 16.

Jeremiah 31:9

Supplications] under this word are comprehended all acts of piety, thankesgivings, prayers, vowes, &c Rivers] namely, the abundance of my graces scattered in my Church, Psalms 23:2-3. Isaiah 35:7-8. Ephraim] that is to say, Israel according to the Spirit, and converted to Christs faith, to whom in the Christian Church shall be reserved the title of birth-right above other Nations, Exodus 4:22. The name Ephraim is used here, because that the ten Tribes did march under Ephraims ensignes, and were governed by Ephraim.

Jeremiah 31:10

Heare] let all the world heare, and beare witnesse of the promises which I make to my people.

Jeremiah 31:12

They shall come] that is to say, mine elect gathered out of my Church, shall be for ever com¦forted, and most abundantly enjoy all my favours.

Jeremiah 31:14

Saiate] the Italian, make drunken; termes taken from the good and fat parts of the Sacrifices which were allotted for the Priests, such as in Spirit are the faithfull under the Gospel.

Jeremiah 31:15

A voyce] Richel was the mother of Joseph and Bniin. By Joseph and Ephraim his sonne are meant the ten Trilies. And under Benjamin is also comprehended Judab, with whomBenjamin remained joyned, 2 Chronicles 11:12. and therefore the Prophet seemes to represent in this place, by the common mothers teares, the desolation of the whole Countrey and Nation. Now because Rachel was buried by Bethlehem, Genesis 35:19. The Holy Ghost hath also here aimed at the slaughter of the children of Bethlehem by Herod, Matth. 2. 18. and this hidden sence was brought forth, and set down by the Evangelist.

Jeremiah 31:16

Rewarded] in stead of the sorrowes which thou hast had, God will give thee comfort, and bring thy children backe againe into his Church.

Jeremiah 31:17

Thine end] after the time of thine afflictions shall be accomplished.

Jeremiah 31:18

I have surely heard] the Propher represents the future conversion of the Jewes, after the calamities which they have suffered.

Jeremiah 31:19

I repented] that is to say, God working in me by his Spirit of conversion, I will also cooperate with his grace, feeling a lively sorrow for my sins, and striving for newnesse of life I smote] a signe of sorrow and repentance, as Ezekiel 21:17. Of my youth] that is to say, of my sinnes and excesses committed, as it were, by errour and heate of youth, in the flowre of mine age, and in the time of my greatest vigor.

Jeremiah 31:20

Is Ephraim] Gods answer Since I] for all my judgements and threatnings, yet I did never cast him quite off My boels] my fatherly affection is awakened, and enflamed towards him.

Jeremiah 31:21

S thee up] to marke the way well. The meaning is, I will surely bring thee home out of thy captivity and exile, into thine own Countrey, and there I will re-establish thee.

Jeremiah 31:22

Goe about] running as mad after idols and idolaters, see Jeremiah 2:18; Jeremiah 2:23; Jeremiah 2:36. Or seeking after mens assistance, and making false leagues with them Created] namely, hath by his just judgement abandoned his people, to the infamous purchasing of these forraigne and prophane leagues and friend-ships, which is the same thing, as if a woman, did not stay for to be requested, but should solicite the man, see Jeremiah 2:24. Ezek i. 3, 34 Hosea 8:9. And this is more likely to be the meaning, then the common construction which referreth this to the blessed Virgin, big with Christ by the onely power of the Holy Ghost Compasse] that is to say, doth hang about him, to daly with him to obtaine his love, doth solicite him, seeke after him or embrace him.

Jeremiah 31:24

They that goe] namely shepheards that have no firme abode, but sold their sheep here and there, looking after their pastures.

Jeremiah 31:26

I awaked] that is to say, I Jeremiah, considering the Churches most happy state, which was revealed to me in a propheticke dreame found my selfe recreated and comforted as by a very sweet sleepe.

Jeremiah 31:27

Will sow] that is to say, I will againe populate, and cause to be inhabited their waste and desolate Countrey, and spiritually will raise up many believers in my Church.

Jeremiah 31:28

Like as I] my providence shall labour for their restorement, as well as it hath been employed in punishing of them.

Jeremiah 31:29

The fathers] an ordinary proverbe, Ezekiel 18:2. to blame, as it were, Gods judgements by an oblique and indirect way, as if they did punish the innocent children, for the fathers offences. The meaning is, the old sinnes of the Nation shall lie buried from thenceforth, and if any one sinneth, he shall be punished. And finally under the Gospel, God shall shew more favour then under the Law, where oftentimes one mans fault did draw the punishment upon all, and the sins of the fathers were required at the childrens hands.

Jeremiah 31:31

A new] not in substance, for that hath alwaies been the same; but in the dispensing of it, which shall be done more clearely, freely, effectually, and spiritually under the Gospell: like to a son that is out of ttelage, being of full age, in comparison of a pupill, who is under age, and hath not knowledge, nor full possession, nor free administration of those things which by right belong to him; nor hath not such familiar accesse nor communication with the father, see Gal. 4 1, 3, 4.

Jeremiah 31:32

Although I was] the Italian, whereupon I regarded them not, saith, &c. for so the Greeke translation hath ranslated it, with which agreeth that of the Apostle, Hebrews 8:9. Others translate it, though I had married them, J. 3. 14.

Jeremiah 31:33

I will put my Law] that is to say, I will sanctifie them by my Spirit, and will give them a heart and will, agreeable to my Law, from whence shall ensue their voluntary obedience, seePsal. 40. 8 Romans 6:17.

Jeremiah 31:34

Teach no more] that is to say, all the true members of Christs Church shall be lively illuminated by Gods Spirit, so that all humane instruction and perswasion, after that divine and internall, shall be of small vertue; as without it, it hath no force at all, but is altogether unprofitable. Or, he speaks of the infusion of the supernaturall light, and of the motion of the heart, which are the true beginnings of faith created by the Spirit, and not framed by any humane precepts or authority For I will.] that is to say, I will give them my Spirit, for I shall have received them into favour. As by the sinne of man Gods gifts had been taken away from him, see Romans 11:27.

Jeremiah 31:36

If thse ordinances] that is to say, as I have established the order of nature, and chiefly for the heavens, so that it is unvariable untill the end of the world, Psal. 72. 5. 17. and 9. 2, 36. and 119. 89. So I have also decreed that my Church shall never totally fail, Psal. 102. 28. and also that the Israelitish nation shall never be utterly abolished, Psalms 83:4. untill I do re-establish it at is last conversion.

Jeremiah 31:38

The city] under the figure of Jerusalems restauration after the captivity, must be understood the Churches eternall re-establishment by Christ, see Zach. 14. 10. The tower] see concerning these places, 2 King. 14. 13. 2 Chronicles 26:9. Nehem. 3. 1. Zechariah 14:10. the space here mentioned was the North side of Jerusalem.

Jeremiah 31:39

Gareb, Goath] these places are not mentioned elsewhere. It is thought that Gareb was a little hill on the north-west side of the City, the word signifying North in the Caldaick tongue, and Goath is thought to be the same as Golgotha, by which is meant the western side of Jerusalem.

Jeremiah 31:40

Valley] this was, as it is thought, a certain bottom neer to mount Calvarie, which served for a place to cast out ordures in, and also the bodies of executed malefactors Of the ashes]this seems to be some place neer to the said valley, where they did use to carry the ashes of the brazen altar, Levit. 4. 12. and 6. 11. these places also were on the west side The fields]hereby is meant the south side, where there were without the City divers closes called fields, as the fullers field, Isaiah 7:3. the potters field, Matth. 27. 7. The horsegate] of which see 2King. 11. 16. Nehemiah 3:28. now this gate and brook were on the east side of the City, whose whole compasse is here described by the four winds Holy] that is to say, unviolable, protected by the Lord, even as his own dwelling, which by a figure must be understood of the spirituall safeguard of the Church.