Jeremiah 34

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. XXXIV.—God mixes his judgments here with mercy, even to the wicked. It is a great advantage for kings and others to have faithful ministers to tell them the fatal consequences of their sins, that they may repent and live. And it is well if captivity and imprisonment lead to true reformation. God’s compassion towards us ought to influence our compassion towards our inferiors and neighbours. But reformations occasioned by fear and danger are seldom sincere and lasting. The most solemn vows will not long restrain them whose hearts are not right with God. But, if his reprieves from vengeance be abused, he will quickly proceed to execution. None ever hardened their hearts against him and prospered. And broken vows especially hasten his fearful judgments. If men will not subject themselves to his law, he must subject them to his wrath and curse. If judgments depart from us before we are humbled, they will return with redoubled force. And promising beginnings, to which the end does not correspond, only produce more aggravated guilt and surer destruction