Jeremiah 17

The desperate wickedness and obstinacy of the Jews, appearing even in their children, whereupon jugements must follow, vers.1, &c. The cursed conditon of him ythat trusteth in men, and the blessed condition of him, that trusteth in God,5. God searcheth the inward wickednesse of mans heart, therefore those that by crafy and secret practises, heat up unjust riches, shall not escape his pumishment, 9. The happinesse of the godly in Gods gracious presence, and the unhappinesse of back-sliders, 12. The prophets prayer for his own saftey, and for the punishment of his enemies and mockers, 14. A Sermon concerning the Sabbath, 19,etc.

1. The sin of Juda is written with an iron gaver, [Hebr.graver of iron] with the point [Hebr. Nail] of a diamond: [Oth.durable,and conquently very hard stone, or very hard iron. Because some are of opinion; that the Hebrew word schamir cometh from keeping. Compare Ezech.3.9.] graven in the table of their heart, [Compare this phase with prov.3.3. With the annotat.] and on the horns of your [O ye Jews; as such changings of persons, and in such speeches, are very usual with the Prophets] Altars. [Which ye set up unto idols, and whose horns ye sprinkle in publick with the unclean blood of your idolatrous offerings, whereunto the word, hons, mat be applied . By this comparison God will shew, that they were most inwardly and desparately wicked, obstinate and impenitent. Compare above chap.13.23.]

2. As their children remember their altars, and their groves, [or grove-gods] by the green-trees, upon the high hills. [compare above chap.2.20. The aforesaid wickednesse of the parents appeareth in their children, into whom they so implanted idolatry, that upon all occassions when they come neer to any fair green, or upon any high mountain, they have nothing else in their mouths, but Idolatry, which their parents commit in such places, and therefore they will do no lesse. Compare above chap.7.18. Oth.(they remember) their altars, &c. As they remember their children:`That is, they love Idolatry, as they love their own children; so do they dote on them.]

3. I will give my mountains [Namely Zion] with the field, thy substance, and all thy treasures to the spoil; [Or, my mountains; to wit, of Juda, together with the plain field. Oth. (because the Hebrew word may signify both) O thou mountain runner, or, thou that dwellest in the mountains , I will prevail against thee in the field,&c . that is, thou that reliest upon thy mountaineous land, and thinkest thyself to be in no danger: or, thou that daily wanderest and runnest to and from upon the mountains, to commit thine Idolatry, (which also very well agreeth with the fore-going, and with the following words) I will give all thy riches for a prey unto thine enemies, who shall spoil and carry away all as`easily, as if so be it were done upon the plain even field. See below chap.20.5,&c.](together with) high places, for sin, [Or,(to wit) thy high places, where thou hast bestowed all thy substance upom thy Idols, and wherein thy sin principally consisteth. Compare. Hos.10.8. Some conceive that these words are transposed in the hebrew, (as it is sometimes) and render it, for the sin of thy high places, by comparing above chap.15.13] in all thy borders.[compare above chap.15.31.]

4. So shall thou cease, [That is, be fain to omit the tillage of Canaan, the land shall enjoy her Sabath or rest. Compare Exod.23.10,11. and Levit.26.33,34,35.] (and that for thyself) [That is, by thine own fault] from thine heritage, [To wit, this land of Canaan] that I gave thee, and I will cause thee to serve thine enemies, in a land, which thou knowest not: [See Deuteronomy 28:18. above chap.16.13.] for ye have kindled a fire in mine anger, [ye have procured my heavy, wrath, and consequently this plague. Compare above chap.15.14.] it shall burn forever. [In respect of the impenitent, which shall feel the fire of my wrath, unto all eternity: otherwise, a long time, to wit, seventy yeers, as the word eternity, or, ever, is sometimes taken. See Genes.13. On v.15. Deut.15. On vers.17, etc.]

5. Thus saith the LORD, cursed in the man, that trusteth in a man, [As the backsliding Jews trusteth in Egypt, in their own riches. See Isai.31.1. And below vers.11.] and maketh flesh [That is, a frail, miserable man. See Psal.26. On vers. 5.] his arm, [That is,strenght, help, defence. See 2 chron.32. On vers.8.] and whose heart departeth from the LORD.

6. For he shall be like the heath in the wildernesses [Or, a Tamarisk-tree, or, shrub, which is sometimes found in most drie and barren places, where no other trees grow,as the herbarists testify. Oth.a tree that is made quite bare, or, necked, as the Hebrew word in its proper signification is taken, Psal.102.18] that feeleth [Hebr.seeth; that is, feeleth, peceiveth] it not when good [That is, good weather,rain,seasonable warmth, etc.] cometh:[some understand these and the following words of the wicked man himself, who shall not see good but, etc. The sense being but all one. Compare Psal.61.7.] but abideth,[Hebr dwelleth [That is, abideth, or continueth alwayes] (in) dry[Hebr. Properly perched, kindled; thhat is, very dry, withered] places in the wildernesse, (in) a Salt Land, [That is, barren land. See Psal.107.34 and Deut.29.23. Hebr. In a land of saltnesse] and un-inhabited. [Hebr.and (where) thou shalt not, or, shouldest not dwell: or, (which) shall not be inhabited, or, is inhabited, or is inhabitable, as the Hebrew word (which otherwise signifieth, sitting, dwelling, abiding,) is soometimes so taken, when it is used of places. See below chap.50.39. And Isai.13.20. Ezech 29.11,etc.]

7. Blessed (on the contrary) is the man, that trusteth in the LORD: [Compare Psal.2.12. And 34.9. prov. 16.20. and Isai..30.18.] and whose confidence the LORD is.

8. For he shall be as a tree planted by the water, [Compare Psal.1.3] and spreadeth out her roots by a river, and feeleth [Hebr. Seeth,as in former verse.]not when heat cometh,[That is, it suffereth no damage by it, withereth not because of it] but her leaf continueth [Hebr. Is] green, [see psal 37. on vers.18] and in a yeer of drought[See of the Hebrew word rendered drought, above chap.14 on vers.1.] it careth not, [It is spoken by way of comparison, as before, seeth not; that is, feeleth not] and ceaseth not [Hebr. Departeth not] from bearing [Hebr.making. See above chap.12. On vers.2.] fruit.

9. The heart is crafty [Or,fraudulent, deceitful,keeping back, prone to supplanting. The Hebrew word akob is the same, from whence the Patriarch Jacob had his name,because in his birth he took his brother by the heel: but that it also hath the signification of craft, lying in wait, deceit, fraud, supplanting,&c. Appeareth not onely here, but also above chap.9.4. Genes. 27.36. Jos.8.13. 2 Kings 10:19] more then anything,[Or, above all things] yea it is deadly: [Tending to death, whereunto death cleaveth, incurable, desparately wicked. From the Hebrew word man here hath the name of Enosch, signifying his mortal or miserable condition, into which is fallen by sin. By the heart here, is meant the heart of man since the fall, until it be renewed by the spirit of regeneration. And so wicked in heart were the hypocritical and back-sliding Jews, that departed from God and trusted not in him, although they would be not known to be such, but soothed and flattered themselves in their wickednesse, and despised the proof of the Prophets, for which God declareth that he will be their judge, in the next verse] who shall know it?

10. I the LORD search the heart,(and) try the veins:[see Psal.7.10 1Sam.16.10. Or, I the LORD,(it being as an answer to the former question)that searcheth the heart, that trieth the veins] and that, [So is the Hebrew letter vau also used for, and that, or, even, above chap.15.13. Ezech. 17.9. Joel 2:12. Amos 4:10. Micha 2.10. Also Jos.9.27. Judg.7.22, &c.] to give every man according tot his wayes,[That is, purposes, practices and conversion. See Genes.6 on vers.12.]according to the fruit of his dealings. [That is, according as his works, dealings, or his doings do require. So below chap.21.14. And 32.19. compare Prov.1. On vers.31 and above chap.6.19.]

11. (As) a patridge gathereth (egges,) but hatcheth them not , [Hebr. Bringeth not forth: because the patridge is taken, or, because, the male finding the egges, which the female hideth, breaketh them, treadeth them under foot, or through fiercenesse breaketh them in pieces, as the Naturalists do testify, so that many of the egges do often perish: Oth, as a patridge do gathereth (egges,) which had not laid,&c. meaning the strange egges of other fowl:for which cause the young ones when they are hatch forsake these strange dams] (so) is he that gathereth [Hebr.maketh] riches but not by right: [That is, unjustly] he shall be constrained to leave them [To wit, the riches] in the half of his dayes, [compare Psal.55 on vers.24] and his last [That is, end, at last] be a fool. [that is, be esteemed , and counted a fool, as Job 15:8.2 Tim.2.21,&c.]

12. A throne of glory,[Where God always manifested his honour,grace and power for the good of his Church,and consequently will severely punish the unthankfulnese of despisers, that rely upon other help, as followeth] an highness from the first, [That is, from the beginning of the building] is the place of our Sanctuary. [That is, of the Temple]

13. O LORD, the expectation of Israel [Whose help Israel expecteth in troubles: as above chapter 14.8 See there.] all that forsake thee shall be ashamed,[Compare Psal.73.25. Isai. 1.28.] and they that depart from me as thy Prophet, that prophesie in thy Name. Hebr. My departers,or,revolters. Compare below chap.18.19. Oth. They that depart,to wit,from thee] shall be written in the earth; [Our Saviou Christ saith,Luke 10:20. that the names of his disciples are written in the Heavens : on th contrary it is said here, that backsliders shall be written in the earth, That is, though they be counted here pon earth among the people of God, and the seed of Abraham according to the flesh, and consequently, are generaly held to be outwardly members of God's Church and do sometimes bear great sway among them, that yet not withstanding they pertain not the number of the elect, and shall not have a place in heaven,but shall be reckoned among those whose portion is onely in the earth: (Compare Ps.69.29.)and their memorie among God's people shall perish] for they forsake the LORD, the fountain of living waters. [See above chap 2.13]

14. Heal me, LORD, so shall I be healed, save me, so shall I be saved: [The prophet being troubled at the general abominable wickednesse of his people, with whom he had to do, and considering his present and future dangers, and likewise his own infirmities and waknesse, whereof chap.15.18&c. Prayeth unto God, that he would raise him up, strengthen and preserve him both in soul and body] for thou art my praise.[That is, he whom I alone extol,as my Saviour. Compare Deut.10.on vers.21.]

15. Behold,they say unto me;[Mocking at thy threatnings and at thy long-suffering in delaying punishment] Where is the word of the LORD, let it come now. [Compare Isai.5.19. Ezech.12.22,23,25,27,28. 2Pet.3.4.]

16. Yet I have not pressed on, more then(became) an herdman [That is, more then became a Prophet feeding and ruling thy people with thy word] after thee[: as if the prophet should say: They tell me continually, that I am very urgent,and hasty,and wit for nohing more, but that destruction may sieze upon them: whereas thou,Lord, knowest well,that I have no other wayes carried myself,nor demeaned myself more hasty,then it becometh a Prophet that followeth thee,to do, onely telling them that, which thou gavest me in charge. This agreeth very well with that which went before,and that which followeth. Oth.I have not indeed been instant,that I should not be a shepherd after thee:That I have not shewed myself unwilling and backward, to follow thee. See above chap.1.4 etc] neither have I desired the deadly day,[That is, I have not wished for the time of their destruction,longed for it. See below chap18.20. Or,have had no delight of myself to prophesie unto them of their ruin,they are thy words,etc.Thhe Hebrew word is the same, which is used, vers 9.of man's heart] thou knowest(it;)that which came out of my lips,[Hebr.the issue of my lips]was before the face. [That is,I have spoken it sincerely,as in thy presence,being fully assured,that I neither deminished,there from nor added thereto,whereof thou art witnesse]

17. Be not thou a aterrour unto me [OR, dismayrdness Oth. ruine, breaking, destruction, that thou shouldest cut me down: as thou hast threatened me, if l should refuse t6 follow thy calling, above chap.1.17.] thou art my refuge in the day of evil. [That is, of misery as also in the next verse. Compare above chap.16.19.]

18. Let my persecutours be confounded,[compare Psal.35.4. And 40.15.above chap.15.15.]but let me not be confounded;let them be terrified,but let not me be terrified;bring upon them the day of evil,[see Psal.37 on vers13]and break them with a double[that is,perfect.compare above chap 16.18.]breaking.

19. Thus said the LORD unto me;go thy wayes, and stand in the gate of the children of the people,[This hath respect unto one of the chiefest gates of the city,where the greatest part of the people met together,because the Kings were wont to go in and out by it, as followeth]whereby the Kings of Judah come in,and by the which they go out: Yea in all the gates of Jerusalem.

20. And say unto them;hear the word of the LORD,the Kings of Juda, and all Juda, and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem,yea that enter in by these gates.

21. Thus saith the LORD;take heed to your souls[That is,as ye love the salvation of your own souls. Or take heed to yourselves;look to your own persons;watch your own selves. Compare Deut.4.15. Jos.23.11.]and bear no burden on the Sabbath-day,nor bring(ought)in by the gates of Jerusalem.[Compare Neh.13.19.]

22. Neither shall ye carry forth any burden out of your houses on the Sabbath-day,nor do any work:but ye shll hallow the Sabbath-day,[See Genes.2.on vers.8.]according as I commanded your fathers.[See Exod.20.8.and 23.2 and 31.13. Ezech.20.12.]

23. But they hearkened not,[That is,obeyed not]neither inclined their ear:{As above chap.11.10. And 13.10. and 16.12.]but they had haerdened their neck,[As above chap.7.26.]that they might not hear[As above chap.16.22.]and that they might not recieve discipline. See Prov.1.on verse2 and 7.on ver.22.]

24. It shall then come to pass,if ye shall deligently hearken[Hebr.heakning shall hearken]unto me,saith the LORD,to bring in no burden through the gates of the City on the Sabbath-day,and shall hallow the Sabbath-day,to do no work therein.

25. Then shall(there)enter in by the gates of this City,Kings and Princes,sitting upon the throne of David,riding upon Chariots and upon horses,[Compare below chap.22.4.]they and their Princes,the men[or everyone,Hebr.man,as above chap.4.3.]of Juda,and the inhabitants of Jerusalem;and this City shall be inhabited forever.[or,shall remain forever. Compare above chap 7.3,7.etc]

26. And they shall come from the Cities of Juda,and from the places round about Jerusalem,and from the land of Benjamin,and from the low ground, and from the mountains,and from the South,bringing burnt-offering,and slay-offering, and meat-offering, and incense, and bringing praise-offering into the house of the LORD.

27. But if ye will not heaken unto me,to hallow the Sabbath-day,and to bear no burden,when ye enter in thorow the gates of Jerusalem on the Sabbath-day;then will I kindle a fire[The war of the Babylonians,whereby Jerusalem and all Judea shall be laid desolate,as followeth. Compare above ver.4.]in the gates thereof,[to wit, of Jerusalem]which shall burn the palaces of Jerusalem,and (shall)not be quenched.