Jeremiah 46

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. XLVI.—God will reckon with sinners at last. And alas, at what expense, and with what parade, they rush forward into their own destruction! When they think to magnify themselves by their wicked enterprizes, he glorifies himself in blasting their designs and cutting them off. At infinite hazard do kings, in their pride, march multitudes into sudden death and damnation. And the more confident they are, the nearer is their ruin. No numbers, no armour, no courage, no strength, no cunning, no wealth, no flight, avails when God is the assailant and pursuer. Mighty armies make but a pitiful figure when he masters the best of their enemies to the battle. And noisy busters do least in a time of need. They, who disappointed others, are at last disappointed themselves. Now, what desolation sin makes in the most populous and wealthy countries? Quickly is Egypt too hot for the Jews, who fled thither, and all her thousands of cities turned into ruinous heaps. Amidst external preparations it is necessary to prepare chiefly for trouble, captivity, death, and eternity. But great is his grace, who secures the salvation of his church and people in the worst of times, and even grants partial deliverances to his enemies