Jeremiah 18

Jeremiah 18:14-18

Though no man will prefer the waters of a dirty puddle to those that come from the rocks of Lebanon, my people Israel have preferred to me the most filthy and useless idols, which, by their worship and votaries, seduce them into abominable courses, neither used by the saints of old, nor fit for them; and which will certainly issue in the dreadful desolation of their country, and the dispersion and rejection of their nation. Yet, when Jeremiah delivers these messages of wrath, they contrive how to silence, reproach, disregard, and murder him; and boast that, in defiance of all his threatenings, they shall prosper, since they have the priests, statesmen, and prophets, all on their side

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. XVIII.—It is proper that God should exercise an absolute sovereignty over men: and highly presumptuous is it in them to complain of his providence. Yet, notwithstanding he is careful to shew them the equity, as well as the sovereignty, of his procedure: and he will at last make his glory to appear, and shew that all our miseries, public and private, may be traced from our sins. How absurd and dangerous is apostasy from God to idols! and, if men will persevere in their sins, they must expect no mercy at last. The wicked maliciously persecute, slander, and contemn, the faithful servants of Christ. But fearfully shall God resent the injuries done to them as done to himself: and he that despises them must be held as one that hates and despises him that sent them. 4