Jeremiah 39

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. XXXIX.—Alas, how the families of the north sit in the gates of Jerusalem, and the lords of the heathen where their gods had been worshipped! God’s judgments fearfully convince such as would not believe his threatenings. And fruitless are all attempts to flee from his vengeance. But it will be awfully piercing to see our children murdered or damned through our obstinacy in sinning; and shut up at last in spiritual and eternal darkness through our obstinate ignorance of God’s will! Marvellous, but just, are the changes and retributions of providence; and the ruin of oppressors is the rise of the oppressed. God comforts his people while their enemies are tormented and heathens deliver them when hypocrites persecute them: yea, even prisons protect and mark them out for particular favours. Nor shall a cordial kindness to God’s servants in trouble ever pass without distinguished honour and reward: and be will suit his comforts to the fears and griefs of his people. None that trust in him shall ever perish or be confounded