Jeremiah 38

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. XXXVIII.—It is better to submit to the rebukes of providence than to contend with them. If we cannot have our liberties, let us never throw away our lives. And let God’s ministers act faithfully and friendly, though impenitent shoners should reward them with hatred and murder. It forebodes ill when magistrates are daily growing worse; [compare ch. xxvi. xxxiv. xxxvi.] when great men weakly yield to their inferiors in the cause of God and truth; and when they, who have a friendship for his faithful servants, will not own it as they might in time of need, when perhaps their enemies attempt privately to murder them. But, lo, how God cares for them, and raises up and emboldens friends beyond expectation! How early Ethiopia stretches out her hands to God! And what sense of justice and piety is found in a Gentile, living amidst the most degenerate professors! With speed and compassion we ought to relieve the distressed: and with great meekness and earnestness should ministers lastruct such as oppose themselves, and render good for evil. Nor is a readiness to die in the cause of truth inconsistent with every prudent precaution to preserve ourselves. Sinners fondly desire that God would alter his purposes or threatenings for their sake, even when they continue deaf to his admonitions, and refuse submission, the only real means of deliverance. They often deter themselves from duty by fears trifling and groundless; and that which they seek to avoid by sin is brought on them by the justice of God; and by sinning to avoid shame they often bring both shame and ruin upon themselves and their subjects. To avoid shame, they will not avow before men the regard which their conscience obliges them to have for the faithful servants of God: nay, to preserve their reputation before wicked men, they will risk their eternal salvation. We had need then to be wise as serpents as well as harmless like doves. And, though we must never tell a lie, yet we must not tell all that we know to every impertinent inquirer. 2