Jeremiah 15

Jeremiah 15:9

Jerusalem, or Judea, which was once so populous, is bereaved of her inhabitants: destruction hath come upon her in the height of her prosperity, when it was altogether unexpected

Jeremiah 15:12-14

The hard-hearted and self-conceited Jews shall never be able to grapple with the Chaldean forces, to whom I will give all their wealth, without any possibility of redemption; and who, in execution of my kindled wrath, shall carry them away captives

Jeremiah 15:15-18

Lord, thou knowest my circumstances; protect, favour, and comfort me, and punish my persecutors. While they are spared, let me not be destroyed, but manifest thy regard to me as one persecuted for thy sake. I very cheerfully received my commission from thee to be thy prophet, and with pleasure declared thy messages to this people, expecting that they might be moved to repent: but the repeated messages of wrath which I have been appointed to deliver, and the persecution which I have endured on their account, have inexpressibly burdened and sunk my spirits. And must my troubles be perpetual? Will thou never deliver me according to thy promise?

Jeremiah 15:19-21

If thou repent of this sinful distrust, and cheerfully and diligently discharge thine office, I will continue thee in it; and, if thou faithfully endeavour to convince and reclaim wicked 99 99* hypocrites, and to comfort upright saints, thou shalt be honoured as a true prophet. But remember by faithful reproofs to reduce them to that course in which thou walkest, and never comply with or flatter them in their sinful courses; and then will I constantly protect thee against, and at last deliver thee from, all thy furious and powerful persecutors

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. XV.—Dreadful is the case of nations when chargeable with sins which God will not pardon, and when the prayers of the choicest saints avail nothing for their relief. For in diversified and dreadful forms God can, even on earth, avenge himself on his enemies. Ministers, if faithful, must expect the most ungrateful returns from the world. And, however earnestly they should follow after peace with all men, it must never be purchased by base and flattering compliances in sin; nor ought they to entangle themselves with the affairs of this world. But it is hard for the best to keep their temper in an evil day. It is astonishing that God should be so condescending and kind to his peevish saints. And they, who distinguish themselves in piety, taitaminess, and diligence, may expect his distinguished favours and protections. If hypocrites will persecute them, heathens shall show them kindness. And, however our frames change, we ought never to doubt of his faithfulness, and fulfilment of all his promises