Jeremiah 52

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. LII.—How corrupt dignified persons, churches, and nations, sometimes become! But God casts out none from his church or protection till they first cast off him. If sinners wilfully depart from him, he gives them up to their own folly; and often nothing more is necessary for their destruction. Iniquity not only deserves, but hastens men’s ruin upon them. And however sweet rebellion against God be at first, it is dreadful and bitter in its fruits. And the folly of parents often plunges their children into ruin. Divine ordinances, long abused, are removed at last. And external privileges, instead of excusing our sins, or exempting from miseries, become a grievous aggravation of both. Nor can our unbelief make void God’s promises any more than his threatenings — In this world all things are in a perpetual revolution; new kings, new laws, new conditions, new frames. And long nights of trouble often usher in joyful deliverances. Our times are all in God’s hand, as well as the hearts of all men with whom we deal. And he can make our most wicked and infatuated oppressors to favour us whenever he sees meet. a D