Jeremiah 23

Jeremiah 23:1

PAstors] that is to say, Governours, as well Politick as Ecclesiasticall, namely, Kings, Magistrates, and Priests.

Jeremiah 23:3

Gather] this in part and by figure may be refered to the return from the captivity of Babylon; but the perfect spirituall accomplishment is in the gathering together of all the Elect into the Christian Church by Christ the supream Pastor, who hath to that purpose imployed the Apostles, Evangelists, Prophets, &c Ephesians 4:11. see Io. 10. 16.

Jeremiah 23:5

Unto David] namely, according to the flesh, and in his stead Branch] a title which is often given to Christ in the Prophets, as well in regard of David, whose right branch he was, as also in regard of the Church, of whose life and subsistence he is the root.

Jeremiah 23:6

Iudah] that is to say, the true Israel according to the Spirit, which comprehends all the Elect and beleevers Name] namely, Christ, who shall bee acknowledged to bee the true everlasting God, who in the humane nature which he hath taken upon him, shall fulfill all manner of righteousnesse for his Church; and by vertue of his own righteousnesse, shall obtain of God justification and absolution of sins for all beleevers.

Jeremiah 23:7

Therefore] that is to say, This glorious and admirable everlasting salvation, figured by the deliverance out of Babylon, will dim the lustre, and almost blot out the memory of all ancient temporall deliverances.

Jeremiah 23:9

Mine heart] that is to say, I Ieremiah am grieved to the very heart to see this poore people made even incorrigible, and their evils past cure by the seducement of false Prophets A drunken] that is to say, troubled, partly with wrath, to see Gods Word so contemned and gainsaid; and partly with fear, by reason of Gods threatnings.

Jeremiah 23:10

Of swearing] namely, false oaths, or perjuries, &c. Or Gods curse for their execrable sins Their course] they run to evil, and study to their uttermost power for to doe it, Ier. 2. 24, 25. and 8. 6.

Jeremiah 23:12

Their way] that is to say, all their actions, and whatsoever they undertake, wanting the light and guide of good advice, shall bee occasions to make them fall into utter ruine, which there shall bee no way to deliver them from, Psal. 35. 6.

Jeremiah 23:14

The hands] flattering them in their sins, and deceiving them with their prophecies, and making themselves examples, and heads of rebellion against my true Prophets.

Jeremiah 23:18

For] these may be Gods word in this sense, they are false prophets, for none of them have had any prophetick revelation from me, vers. 22. Others will have them to be the false Prophets words, for to encourage the affrighted people against Ieremiahs threatnings; as if he, and such as he was, could not certainly know nor declare things to come, and therefore that they ought to feed themselves with good hopes.

Jeremiah 23:20

In the] that is to say, when it is come to passe you shall conceive the truth, firmnesse, and weight of my threatnings, which are now despised by you as vain terrors, because the execution of them is put off for a while.

Jeremiah 23:23

A] thinke yee that the far distance of places can hinder my knowledge or my strength?

Jeremiah 23:25

Dreamed] that is to say, I have a prophetick revelation in a dream.

Jeremiah 23:26

Is it in the heart of the] that is to say, I do appeal to their owne consciences, if they doe not know that they do falsly alleadge Gods revelations. Or have they concluded in their hearts to make a continuall trade of false prophecying?

Jeremiah 23:27

Forget] that is to say, to lose all knowledge and right understanding of my truth, and all respect due to me.

Jeremiah 23:28

The chaffe] why should mens lies and inventions, which are things of no value, be mixed with the true food of the soul, which is my Word?

Jeremiah 23:29

Is not] that is to say, the true marke and triall of my word is, that through the power of my Spirit which accompanieth it, it purifieth the Consciences of beleevers, and doth lively animate them, and inflame them with holy zeale and love: and doth also on the other side tame and terrifie obdurate Consciences: whereby it is an easie matter to discerne true Prophets which produce these good and divine effects, from false ones which doe nothing at all, but are barren and unprofitable.

Jeremiah 23:30

Steal] that do fraudulently take upon them to preach my Word which doth not belong unto them, but to the true Prophets whom I have called, and from whom they take away all authoritie and credit. Or which borrowing some termes and parcels of true Prophecies, doe cover and paint out their false ones therewith.

Jeremiah 23:31

That take their tongues and say] that doe undertake of their own heads to speak in my name. Others, that doe frame their tongues, and doe artificially counterfeit the Prophets.

Jeremiah 23:33

People] a sharpe reprehension of the peoples prophane malignity, who in scoffe or despight did reprove the Prophets, telling them that they had nothing in their mouthes but the Lords burdens, namely, his threatnings and curses, Isaiah 13:1. as if they should say, Have you yet any more mournfull prophesies for us, after so many as you have already related to us? Will you never speak any thing else to us? Say unto them] a word of indignation and refusall.

Jeremiah 23:35

Thus shall] that is to say, enquire of Gods Word with reverence and purenesse of heart.

Jeremiah 23:36

Word] the prophane scorning and sleighting of my Prophets shall be the cause of their being accursed, and of their ruine, which shall as surely befall them, as if it had beene foretold them by some Prophet.

Jeremiah 23:38

Sith ye say] namely, if you will still persist in your iniquities, contrary to all mine admonitions.