Jeremiah 27

Jeremiah 27:7

They served Nebuchadnezzar, and Evil-merodach his son, and Belshazzar his grandson: and then came the time fixed by God for the overthrow of the Chaldean monarchy, when the Medes, Persians, and their allies, reduced it, and rendered the Chaldeans tributaries and slaves. 4

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. XXVII.—The whole earth is the Lord’s, and he may dispose of it as he pleases. And, since he puts little value upon it, he often gives most of it to the wicked; and soon he will call them to account for their use of his gifts. Civil dominion is far from being founded on either the reality or the appearance of saving grace. And they, who have no shadow of a right to eternal life, may have a justifiable right to temporal enjoyments. They, who in any respect serve God, never lose by his service: and, if we will not serve our Maker and Preserver, it is but just that we be forced to serve our enemies. It is very unsafe to struggle against his providence; for when he judges he will 91 100* overcome. When his judgments are abroad in the earth we ought not to seek great things for ourselves, but to be thankful for little. And, if his judgments are begun, it is better to alleviate the burden by submission than to make it heavier by perverseness. Yea, though we should never see the deliverance of God’s church, we ought never to despair of it: he will at last, in wrath, remember mercy. Meanwhile, let us detest flattering clergy. Incapable of interceding for their welfare, these hurry nations and churches into utter destruction, and perish in misery, along with those whom they have deceived. 6 U