Jeremiah 37

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. XXXVII.—Hard are their hearts who can both see and feel the judgments of God without being humbled. And often they, who in health and prosperity despised Christ’s ministers, entreat their counsels and prayers in a day of distress. Many would gladly be rid of their sufferings who have no heart to part with their sins. And often they use the intermissions or slow progress of God’s judgments to harden themselves, while they easily credit the flatteries and lies which their corrupt inclinations wish to be true. Even Satan could not deceive men if they deceived not themselves. No created help can avail but as God pleases: and no created power can withstand the weakest instruments in his hand. When we have no call from God to stay, it is prudent to retire into privacy, and shun the evils which we foresee. But the 92 102 purest characters and conduct may be blackened with the vilest aspersions; and every lie, however improbable, is easily believed against a man obnoxious for his piety and reproofs. And, if passion and prejudice ascend the chair of the magistrate, we need not expect any justice. It is the best of men that have to suffer most for conscience sake. But God can provide them relief from whence they little expected it. If men will cheerfully, but prudently, expose their life for God, he will take care that they shall be no losers, but their very affliction be the mean of substantial blessing. But they, who will not regard God’s calls to repentance, need not expect messages of peace. And they, who have wilfully shun their eyes to their danger, deserve to be upbraided with their folly. 27