The Prophet Ieremiah borne in the citie of Anathoth in the countrey of Beniamin, was the sonne of Hilkiah, whom some thinke to be he that sound out the booke of the Lawe, and gaue it to Iosiah. This Prophet had excellent gifts of God, and most euident reuelations of prophesie, so that by the commandement of the Lord he began very yong to prophesie, that is, in the thirteenth yeere of Iosiah, and continued eighteene yeere vnder the said King, and three moneths vnder Iehoahaz, and vnder Iehoiakim eleuen yeeres, and three moneths vnder Iehoiachin, and vnder Zedekiah eleuen yeeres: vnto the time that they were caried away into Babylon. So that this time amounteth to aboue fourtie yeere, besides the time that he prophecied after the captiuitie. In this booke he declareth with teares, and lamentation the destruction of Ierusalem, and the captiuitie of the people, for their idolatrie, couetousnes, subtiltie, crueltie, excesse, rebellion, and contempt of Gods worde, and for the consolation of the Church, reueileth the iust time of their deliuerance. And here chiefely are to be considered three things. First the rebellion of the wicked, which waxe more stubburne and obstinate, when the Prophets doe admonish them most plainely of their destruction. Next howe the Prophets and ministers of God ought not to be discouraged in their vocation, though they be persecuted and rigorously handled of the wicked for Gods cause. And thirdly, though God shewe his iust iudgement against the wicked, yet will he euer shewe himselfe a preseruer of his Church, and when all meanes seeme to mans iudgement to be abolished, then will he declare himselfe victorious in preseruing his.

1 In what time Ieremiah prophesied. 6 He acknowledgeth his imperfection, and is strengthened of the Lord. 11 The Lorde sheweth him the destruction of Ierusalem. 17 He commandeth him to preache his worde without feare.

¹ The [Note: [a] That is, the sermons & prophesies. ] wordes of Ieremiah the sonne of [Note: [b] Which is thought to be he that founde the booke of the Law vnder King Iosiah, 2.King.22.8. ] Hilkiah one of the Priests that were at [Note: [c] This was a citie about three miles distant from Ierusalem, and belonged to the Priestes the sonnes of Aaron, Iosh.21.18. ] Anathoth in the lande of Beniamin.

² To whom the [Note: [d] This is spoken to confirme his vocation and office: forasmuch as he did not presume of himselfe to preache, and prophesie, but was called thereunto by God. ] worde of the Lorde came in the dayes of Iosiah the sonne of Amon King of Iudah in the thirteenth yeere of his reigne:

³ And also in the dayes of Iehoiakim the [Note: [e] Meaning, the nephewe of Iosiah: for Iehoahaz was his father, who reigned but three moneths, and therefore is not mencioned, no more is Ioachin that reigned no longer. ] sonne of Iosiah King of Iudah vnto the ende of the eleuenth yeere of Zedekiah, the sonne of Iosiah King of Iudah, euen vnto the carying away of Ierusalem captiue in the fift [Note: [f] Of the eleuenth yeere of Zedekiah, who was also called Mattaniah, & at this time the Iewes were caried away into Babylon by Nebuchad-nezzar. ] moneth.

⁴ Then the worde of the Lorde came vnto me, saying,

⁵ Before I [Note: [g] The scripture vseth this maner of speach to declare, that God hath appointed his ministers to their offices before they were borne, as Isa.49.1. gal.1.15. ] formed thee in the wombe, I knewe thee, and before thou camest out of the wombe, I sanctified thee, and ordeined thee to be a Prophet vnto the [Note: [h] For Ieremiah did not onely prophesie against the Iewes, but also against the Egyptians, Babylonians, Moabites, and other nations. ] nations.

⁶ Then said I, [Note: [i] Considering the great iudgements of God, which according to his threatnings should come vpon the worlde, he was moued with a certeine compassion on the one side to pitie them that should thus perish, and on the other side by the infirmitie of mans nature, knowing howe hard a thing it was to enterprise such a charge, as Isa.6.11. Exod 3.11. and 4.1. ] Oh, Lord God, behold, I can not speake, for I am a childe.

⁷ But the Lord said vnto me, Say not, I am a childe: for thou shalt goe to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoeuer I command thee, shalt thou speake.

⁸ Be not afraide of their faces: for I am with thee to deliuer thee, saith the Lord.

⁹ Then the Lord stretched out his hand and [Note: [k] Which declareth, that God maketh them meete, and assureth them, whom he calleth to set forth his glorie: giuing them all meanes necessarie for the same, Exod.4.12. Isai.6.7. ] touched my mouth, and the Lord said vnto me, Beholde, I haue put my wordes in thy mouth.

¹⁰ Beholde, this day haue I set thee ouer the [Note: [l] He sheweth what is the autoritie of gods true ministers, which by his word haue power to beate downe whatsoeuer lifteth it selfe vp against God: and to plant and assure the humble, and such as giue them selues to the obedience of Gods worde, 2.Corinth. 10.4. ebre.4.12. and these are the keyes which Christ hath left to loose and bind, Mat.18.18. ] nations and ouer the kingdomes to plucke vp, and to roote out, and to destroye and throwe downe, to builde, and to plant.

¹¹ After this the worde of the Lord came vnto me, saying, Ieremiah, what seest thou? And I said, I see a [Note: [m] He ioyneth the signe with the worde for a more ample confirmation: signifying by the rod of the almond tree, which first buddeth, the hastie comming of the Babylonians against the Iewes. ] rod of an almonde tree.

¹² Then saide the Lorde vnto me, Thou hast seene aright: for I will hasten my worde to performe it.

¹³ Againe the worde of the Lorde came vnto me the second time, saying, What seest thou? And I saide, I see a seething [Note: [n] Signifying, that the Caldeans, and Assyrians should bee as a pot to seethe the Iewes, which boyled in their pleasures and lustes. ] pot looking out of the North.

¹⁴ Then saide the Lorde vnto me, Out of the [Note: [o] Syria and Assyria were Northwarde in respect of Ierusalem, which were the Caldeans dominion. ] North shall a plague be spred vpon all the inhabitants of the land.

¹⁵ For loe, I will call all the families of the kingdomes of the North, saith the Lord, and they shall come, and euery one shall set his throne in the entring of the gates of Ierusalem, and on all the walles thereof rounde about, and in all the cities of Iudah.

¹⁶ And I will declare vnto them my [Note: [p] I will giue them charge and power to execute my vengeance against the idolaters, which haue forsaken me for their idoles. ] iudgements touching all the wickednesse of them that haue forsaken me, and haue burnt incense vnto other gods, and worshipped the workes of their owne handes.

¹⁷ Thou therefore trusse vp thy loynes, and arise and speake vnto them all that I commaunde

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thee: be not afraide of their faces, lest I [Note: [q] Which declareth that Gods vengeance is prepared against the, which dare not execute their duetie faithfully, either for feare of man, or for any other cause, 1.Cor.9.16. ] destroy thee before them.
¹⁸ For I, beholde, I this day haue made thee a defenced citie, and an [Note: [r] Signifying on the one part, that the more that Satan, and the world rage against Gods ministers, the more present will he be to helpe them, Iosh.1.5. ebre.13.5. and on the other part, that they are vtterly vnmeete to serue God, and his Church, which are afraide, and doe not resist wickednesse, whatsoeuer danger depende thereon, Isa.50.7. Ezek.3.8. ] yron pillar and walles of brasse against the whole lande, against the Kings of Iudah, and against the princes thereof, against the Priestes thereof and against the people of the lande.

¹⁹ For they shall fight against thee, but they shall not preuaile against thee: for I am with thee to deliuer thee, sayth the Lord.

2 God rehearseth his benefites done vnto the Iewes. 8 Against the Priests and false Prophets. 12 The Iewes are destroied, because they forsake God.

¹ Moreouer, the woorde of the Lord came vnto me, saying,

² Goe, and crie in the eares of Ierusalem, saying, Thus sayeth the Lord, I remember thee, with the [Note: [a] According to that grace, and fauour, which I shewed thee from the beginning, when I did first chuse thee to be my people, and married thee to my selfe, Ezek.16.8. ] kindenes of thy youth and the loue of thy marriage, when thou wentest after me in the wildernes [Note: [b] When I had deliuered thee out of Egypt. ] in a lande that was not sowen.

³ Israel was as a thing [Note: [c] Chosen aboue all other to serue the Lord only, and the first offered to the Lorde of all other nations. ] halowed vnto the Lord, and his first fruits: all they [Note: [d] Whosoeuer did chalenge this people, or els did annoy them, was punished. ] that eat it, shall offend: euil shal come vpon them, saith the Lord.

⁴ Heare ye the word of the Lord, O house of Iaakob, and all the families of the house of Israel.

⁵ Thus sayeth the Lord, What iniquitie haue your fathers founde in mee, that they are gone [Note: [e] That is, fallen to most vile idolatrie. ] farre from mee, and haue walked after vanitie, and are become [Note: [f] Altogether giuen to vanitie, and are become blinde and insensible as the idoles, that they serue. ] vaine?

⁶ For they saide not, Where is the Lorde that brought vs vp out of the lande of Egypt? that led vs through the wildernesse, through a desert, and waste land, through a drie land, and [Note: [g] Where for lacke of all thinges necessarie for life, ye coulde looke for nothing euery houre but present death. ] by the shadow of death, by a land yt no man passed through, and where no man dwelt?

⁷ And I brought you into a plentifull countrey, to eat the fruit thereof, and the commodities of the same: but when yee entred, yee defiled [Note: [h] By your idolatrie, and wicked maners, Psal.78.58. and 106.38. ] my land, and made mine heritage an abomination.

⁸ The priests said not, [Note: [i] They taught not ye people to seeke after God. ] Where is the Lorde? and they that should minister the [Note: [k] As the Scribes, which should haue expounded the Law to ye people. ] Lawe, knewe me not: the [Note: [l] Meaning, the princes and ministers: signifying that all estates were corrupt. ] pastours also offended against me, and the Prophets prophesied in [Note: [m] That is, spake vaine things, and brought the people from the true worship of God to serue idoles: for by Baal, which was the chiefe idole of the Moabites, are ment all idols. ] Baal, and went after things that did not profite.

⁹ Wherefore I wil yet [Note: [n] Signifying, that he would not as he might, straight way condemne them, but sheweth them by euidet examples their great ingratitude, that they might bee ashamed, and repent. ] plead with you, saith the Lorde, and I will pleade with your childrens children.

¹⁰ For goe ye to the yles of [Note: [o] Meaning, the Grecians and Italians. ] Chittim, & beholde, and sende vnto [Note: [p] Vnto Arabia. ] Kedar. and take diligent heede, and see whether there be such things.

¹¹ Hath any nation changed their gods, which yet are no gods? but my people haue chaged their [Note: [q] That is, God which is their glory, and who maketh them glorious aboue all other people: reproouing the Iewes, that they were lesse diligent to serue the true God, then were the idolaters to honour their vanities. ] glorie, for that which doeth not [Note: [r] Meaning, the idoles, which were their destruction, Psal.106.36. ] profite.

¹² O yee [Note: [s] Hee sheweth, that the insensible creatures abhorre this vile ingratitude, & as it were, tremble for feare of Gods great iudgements against the same. ] heauens, be astonied at this: bee afraid and vtterly confounded, sayeth the Lord.

¹³ For my people haue committed two euils:

they haue forsaken mee [Note: [t] Signifying, that when men forsake Gods woorde, which is the fountaine of life, they reiect God himselfe, and so fall to their owne inuentions, and vaine confidence, and procure to themselues destruction, Iona.2.8. zacha. 10.2. ] the fountaine of liuing waters, to digge them pittes, euen broken pittes, that can holde no water.

¹⁴ Is Israel a [Note: [u] Haue I ordered them like seruaunts, and not like dearely beloued children? Exo. 4.22. therefore it is their fault onely, if the enemie spoile them. ] seruaunt, or is hee borne in the house? why then is he spoiled?

¹⁵ The [Note: [x] The Babylonians, Caldeans, and Assyrians. ] lions roared vpon him & yelled, and they haue made his land waste: his cities are burnt without [Note: [y] Not one shall be left to dwel there. ] an inhabitant.

¹⁶ Also the children of [Note: [z] That is, the Egyptians: for these were two great cities in Egypt. ] Noph and Tahapanes haue [Note: [a] Haue grieuously vexed thee at sundrie times. ] broken thine head.

¹⁷ Hast not thou procured this vnto thy selfe, because thou hast forsaken the Lorde thy God, when he [Note: [b] Shewing, that God would haue still led them aright, if they woulde haue followed him. ] led thee by the way?

¹⁸ And what hast thou now to do in the way of [Note: [c] To seeke helpe of man as though God were not able ynough to defende thee, which is to drinke of the puddels, and to leaue the fountaine, read Isa.31.1. ] Egypt? to drinke the water of Nilus? or what makest thou in the way of Asshur? to drinke the water of the [Note: [d] To wit, Euphrates. ] Riuer?

¹⁹ Thine owne wickednes shal [Note: [e] Meaning, that the wicked are insensible till the punishment for their sinne waken them, as vers.26. Isa.3.9. ] correct thee, and thy turnings backe shal reprooue thee: know therefore and beholde, that it is an euil thing, and bitter, that thou hast forsaken the Lord thy God, and that my feare is not in thee, sayeth the Lorde God of hostes.

²⁰ For of olde time I haue broken thy yoke, and burst thy bondes, and thou saidest, [Note: [f] When I deliuered thee out of Egypt, Exod.19.8. Deut.5.27. iosh.24. 16. ez.10.12. ne.8.6 ] I will no more transgres, but like an harlot thou runnest about vpon al hie hilles, and vnder all greene trees.

²¹ Yet I had planted thee, a noble vine, whose [Note: Ebr. seede was all true. ] plants were all natural: howe then art thou turned vnto me into the plants of a strange vine?

²² Though thou wash thee with [Note: [g] Though thou vse all the purifications and ceremonies of the Lawe, thou canst not escape punishment, except thou turne to me by faith, and repentance. ] nitre, and take thee much sope, yet thine iniquitie is marked before me, sayeth the Lord God.

²³ Howe canst thou say, I am not polluted, neither haue I [Note: [h] Meaning, that hypocrites denie that they worship the idoles, but that they honour God in them, and therefore they call their doings Gods seruice. ] followed Baalim? beholde thy waies in the valley, & know, what thou hast done: thou art like a swift [Note: [i] He compareth the idolaters to these beasts, because they neuer cease running to and fro: for both valleis and hilles are full of their idolatrie. ] dromedarie, that runneth by his waies.

²⁴ And as a wilde [Note: [k] He copareth the idolaters to a wilde asse: for she can neuer be tamed, nor yet wearied: for as she runneth, shee can take her winde at euery occasion. ] asse, vsed to the wildernesse, that snuffeth vp the winde by occasion at her pleasure: who can turne her backe? all they that seeke her, will not wearie themselues, but wil finde her in her [Note: [l] That is, when shee is with foale, and therefore the hunters wait their time: so though thou canst not be turned nowe from thine idolatrie, yet when thine iniquitie shalbe at the full, God will meete with thee. ] moneth.

²⁵ Keepe thou thy feete from [Note: [m] Heereby hee warneth them that they should not goe into strange countreis to seeke helpe: for they should but spend their labour, and hurt themselues, which is here meant by the bare foot and thirst, Isa.57.10. ] barenes, and thy throte from thirst: but thou saidest desperately, No, for I haue loued strangers, and them will I followe.

²⁶ As the [Note: [n] As a theefe will not acknowledge his fault, till hee bee taken with the deede, and ready to bee punished, so they will not confesse their idolatrie, til the plagues due to ye same light vpon them. ] theefe is ashamed, when he is foud, so is the house of Israel ashamed, they, their kings, their princes and their Priests, and their Prophets,

²⁷ Saying to a tree, Thou art my [Note: [o] Meaning, that idolaters spoile God of his honour: and whereas he hath taught to call him the father of all flesh, they attribute this title to their idoles. ] father, and to a stone, Thou hast begotten me: for they haue turned their back vnto me, & not their face: but in ye time of their troble they wil say, Arise, & help vs.

²⁸ But where are thy gods, that thou hast made thee? let them arise, if they can helpe thee [Page]

in the time of thy trouble: for according [Note: [p] Thou thoughtest that thy gods of blocks & stones could haue holpen thee, because they were many in nuber and present in euery place: but nowe let vs see whether either the multitude, or their presence can deliuer thee from my plague, Cha.11.13. ] to the nomber of thy cities, are thy gods, O Iudah.

²⁹ Wherefore wil [Note: [q] As though I did you iniurie in punishing you, seeing that your faultes are so euident. ] ye pleade with me? ye all haue rebelled against me, sayeth the Lord.

³⁰ I haue smitten your children in vaine, they receiued no correction: your [Note: [r] That is, you haue killed your Prophets, that exhorted you to repentance, as Zechariah, Isaiah, &c. ] owne sworde hath deuoured your Prophets like a destroying lyon.

³¹ O generation, take heede to the worde of the Lorde: haue I bene as a [Note: [s] Haue I not giuen them abundance of all things? ] wildernesse vnto Israel? or a lande of darkenesse? Wherefore sayeth my people then, We are [Note: [t] But wil trust in our owne power and policie. ] lordes, we will come no more vnto thee?

³² Can a maid forget her ornament, or a bride her attire? yet my people haue forgotten me, daies without number.

³³ Why doest thou prepare thy way, to [Note: [u] With strangers. ] seeke amitie? euen therefore will I teach thee, that thy waies are wickednesse.

³⁴ Also in thy [Note: [x] The Prophets & the faithfull are slaine in euery corner of your countrey. ] wings is founde the bloud of the soules of ye poore innocents: I haue not found it in holes, but vpon all these places.

³⁵ Yet thou saiest, Because I am giltles, surely his wrath shall turne from mee: beholde, I will enter with thee into iudgement, because thou saiest, I haue not sinned.

³⁶ Why runnest thou about so much to change thy waies? for thou shalt be confounded of Egypt, [Note: [y] For the Assyrias had taken away the tribes out of Israel, & destroied Iudah, euen vnto Ierusalem: and the Egyptians slewe Iosiah and vexed the Iewes in sundrie sortes. ] as thou art confounded of Asshur.

³⁷ For thou shalt goe foorth from thence, and thine hands vpon [Note: [z] In signe of lamentation, as 2.Sam.13.19. ] thine head, because the Lorde hath reiected thy confidence, and thou shalt not prosper thereby.

God calleth his people vnto repentance. 14 He promiseth the restitution of his Church. 20 Hee reproueth Iudah and Israel, comparing them to a woman disobedient to her husband.

¹ They [Note: [a] According as it is written, Deut. 24.4. ] say, If a man put away his wife, and she goe from him, and become another mans, shall hee returne againe vnto her? shall not this land [Note: [b] If he take such one to wife again. ] be polluted? but thou hast played the harlot with many [Note: [c] That is, with idoles, and with them, whome thou hast put thy confidence in. ] louers: yet [Note: [d] And I will not cast thee off, but receiue thee, according to my mercie. ] turne againe to mee, sayeth the Lord.

² Lift vp thine eyes vnto the hie places, and beholde, where thou hast not plaied the harlot: thou hast sit waiting for them in the waies, as the [Note: [e] Which dwelleth in tentes and waiteth for them that passe by to spoile them. ] Arabian in the wildernesse: and thou hast polluted the lande with thy whoredomes, and with thy malice.

³ Therefore the showres haue beene restrained, and the [Note: [f] As God threatned by his Lawe, Deut.28.24. ] latter raine came not, and thou haddest a [Note: [g] Thou wouldest neuer be ashamed of thine actes and repent: and this impudencie is common to idolaters, which will not giue off, though they be neuer so manifestly conuicted. ] whores forehead: thou wouldest not bee ashamed.

⁴ Diddest thou not stil crie [Note: [h] He sheweth that the wicked in their miseries will crie vnto God and vse outwarde praier as the godly doe, but because they turne not from their euill, they are not heard, Isa.58.3,4. ] vnto me, Thou art my father, and the guide of my youth?

⁵ Wil he keepe his anger for euer? will he reserue it to the ende? thus hast thou spoken, but thou doest euill, euen more and more.

⁶ The Lord saide also vnto me, in the daies of Iosiah the King, Hast thou seene what this rebell [Note: [i] Meaning, the ten tribes. ] Israel hath done? for she hath gone vp vpon euery high mountaine, and vnder euery greene tree, and there plaied the harlot.

⁷ And I sayde, when shee had done all this, Turne thou vnto me: but she returned not, as her rebellious sister Iudah sawe.

⁸ When I sawe, howe that by all occasions

rebellious Israel had plaied the harlot, I cast [Note: [k] And gaue her vnto the hands of the Assyrians. ] her away, and gaue her a bill of diuorcement: yet her rebellious sister Iudah was not afraied, but shee went also, and plaied the harlot.

⁹ So that for the [Note: [l] The Ebrewe worde may either signifie lightnesse and wantonnes, or noise and brute. ] lightnesse of her whoredome shee hath euen defiled the lande: for shee hath committed fornication with stones and stockes.

¹⁰ Neuerthelesse for all this, her rebellious sister Iudah hath not returned vnto mee with [Note: [m] Iudah fained for a time that she did returne, as vnder Iosiah and other good Kinges, but shee was neuer truely touched, or wholely reformed, as appeared when occasion was offred by any wicked prince. ] her whole heart, but fainedly, sayth the Lord.

¹¹ And the Lord said vnto me, The rebellious Israel hath [Note: [n] Israel hath not declared her selfe so wicked as Iudah, which yet hath had more admonitions and examples to call her to repentance. ] iustified her selfe more then the rebellious Iudah.

¹² Goe and crie these woordes towarde [Note: [o] Whereas the Israelites were nowe kept in captiuitie by the Assyrians, to whome he promiseth mercie, if they will repent. ] the North and say, Thou disobedient Israel, returne, sayeth the Lorde, and I will not let my wrath fall vpon you: for I am mercifull, sayeth the Lord, and I will not alway keepe mine anger.

¹³ But knowe thine iniquitie: for thou hast rebelled against the Lord thy God, & hast [Note: [p] There was no way, which thou diddest not haunte to seeke after the idoles, and to trot a pilgrimage. ] scattered thy waies to the straunge gods vnder euery greene tree, but yee woulde not obey my voyce, sayeth the Lord.

¹⁴ O yee disobedient children, turne againe, sayeth the Lorde, for I am your Lorde, and I will take you one of a citie, and two of a tribe and wil bring you to Zion,

¹⁵ And I will giue you pastours according to mine heart, which shal feede you with knowledge and vnderstanding.

¹⁶ Moreouer, when yee be increased and multiplied in the land, in those daies, saieth the Lorde, they shall say no more, The [Note: [q] This is to be vnderstand of the comming of Christ: for then they shall not seeke the Lorde by ceremonies, and all figures shall cease. ] Arke of the couenant of the Lorde: for it shall come no more to minde, neither shall they remember it, neither shal they visite it, for that shalbe no more done.

¹⁷ At that time they shal cal Ierusalem, [Note: [r] Meaning the Church, where the Lorde will be present to the worldes ende, Mat.28.20. ] The throne of the Lord, & all the nations shall be gathered vnto it, euen to the Name of the Lorde in Ierusalem: and thence foorth they shal followe no more the hardnesse of their wicked heart.

¹⁸ In those daies ye house of Iudah shall walke with the house of Israel, and they shall come together out of the lande of the [Note: [s] Where they are nowe in captiuitie. ] North, into the lande, that I haue giuen for an inheritance vnto your fathers.

¹⁹ But I sayde, Howe did I take thee for children and giue thee a pleasant lande, euen the glorious heritage of the armies of the heathen, and saide, Thou shalt call mee, saying, My father, and shalt not turne from me?

²⁰ But as a woman rebelleth against her [Note: [t] The Ebrewe woorde signifieth a friende or companion, and here may be taken for a husbande, as it is vsed also, Hosea. 3.1. ] husband: so haue yee rebelled against me, O house of Israel, sayeth the Lord.

²¹ [Note: [u] Signifying, that God, whome they had forsaken, woulde bring their enemies vpon them, who should lead them captiue and make them to crie and lament. ] A voice was heard vpon the hie places, weeping and supplications of the children of Israel: for they haue peruerted their way, and forgotten the Lord their God.

²² O yee disobedient children, returne and I wil heale your rebellions. [Note: [x] This is spoken in the person of Israel to the shame of Iudah, which staied so long to turne vnto God. ] Behold, we come vnto thee, for thou art the Lord our God.

²³ Truely the hope of the hilles is but vaine, nor the multitude of mountaines: but in the Lorde our God is the health of Israel.

²⁴ For confusion hath deuoured our [Note: [y] For their idolatrie Gods vengeance hath light vpon them and theirs. ] fathers labour, from our youth their sheepe and their bullocks, their sonnes and their daughters.

²⁵ Wee lie downe in our confusion, and our

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shame couereth vs: [Note: [z] They iustifie not themselues, or say that they woulde followe their fathers, but condemne their wicked doings and desire forgiuenesse of the same, 1.Ezra.9.7. as Psal.106.6.6. Isa.64.6. ] for we haue sinned against the Lorde our God, we and our fathers from our youth, euen vnto this day, and haue not obeyed the voyce of the Lord our God.

1 True repentance. 4 He exhorteth to the circumcision of the heart. 5 The destruction of Iudah is prophesied, for the malice of their hearts. 19 The Prophet lamenteth it.

¹ O Israel, if thou returne, [Note: [a] That is, wholy, and without hypocrisie, Ioel 2.12. not dissembling to turne and serue God as they doe which serue him by halues, as Hose.7.16. ] returne vnto me, saith the Lorde: and if thou put away thine abominations out of my sight, then shalt thou not remoue.

² And thou shalt [Note: [b] Thou shalt detest the name of idoles, Psal.16.4. and shalt with reuerence sweare by the liuing God, when thine othe may aduance Gods glory, and profite others: and here, by swearing he meaneth the true religion of God. ] sweare, The Lord liueth in trueth, in iudgement, and in righteousnesse, and the nations shall be blessed in him, and shall glorie in him.

³ For thus saith the Lorde to the men of Iudah, and to Ierusalem,

⁴ Breake vp [Note: [c] He willeth them to plucke vp the impietie and wicked affection and worldly respects out of their heart, that the true seede of Gods worde may bee sowen therein, Hos.10.12. and this is the true circumcision of the heart, Deut.10. 16. rom.2.29. col.2.11. ] your fallowe ground, and sowe not among the thornes: be circumcised to the Lord, & take away the foreskinnes of your hearts, ye men of Iudah, and inhabitants of Ierusalem, lest my wrath come foorth like fire, and burne, that none can quenche it, because of the wickednesse of your inuentions.

⁵ [Note: [d] Hee warneth them of the great dangers that shall come vpon them by the Caldeans, except they repent, and turne to the Lord. ] Declare in Iudah, and shewe forth in Ierusalem, and say, Blowe the trumpet in the lande: cry, and gather together, and say, Assemble your selues, and let vs goe into strong cities.

⁶ Set vp the standart in Zion: [Note: [e] Hee speaketh this to admonish them of the great danger when euery man shall prepare to saue him selfe, but it shall be too late, 2.King. 25.4. ] prepare to flee, and stay not: for I will bring a plague from the North, and a great destruction.

⁷ The [Note: [f] Meaning, Nebuchad-nezzar King of Babylon, 2.Kin. 24.1. ] lyon is come vp from his denne, and the destroyer of the Gentiles is departed, and gone forth of his place to lay thy land waste, and thy cities shalbe destroyed without an inhabitant.

⁸ Wherefore girde you with sackecloth: lament, and howle, for the fierce wrath of the Lord is not turned backe from vs.

⁹ And in that day, saith the Lorde, the heart of the King shall perish, and the heart of the princes and the Priestes shall be astonished, and the [Note: [g] That is, the false prophets which still prophesied peace & securitie. ] Prophets shall wonder.

¹⁰ Then saide I, Ah, Lord God, surely thou hast [Note: [h] By the false prophets, which promised peace and tranquilitie: and thus thou hast punished their rebellious stubbernesse by causing them to hearken vnto lies which would not beleeue thy trueth, 2.Kin. 22.23. Ezek.14.9 2.Thess.2.11. ] deceiued this people and Ierusalem, saying, Ye shall haue peace, and the sworde perceth vnto the heart.

¹¹ At that time shall it bee saide to this people and to Ierusalem, A dry [Note: [i] The North winde whereby he meaneth Nebuchadnezzar. ] winde in the hie places of the wildernes commeth towarde ye daughter of my people, but neither [Note: [k] But to carie away both corne and chaffe. ] to fanne nor to clense.

¹² A mightie winde shall come vnto me from those places, and nowe will I also giue sentence vpon them.

¹³ Beholde, he shall come vp as the [Note: [l] Meaning, that Nebuchadnezzar shoulde come as suddenly, as a cloude that is caried with the winde. ] cloudes, and his charets shalbe as a tempest: his horses are lighter then egles. [Note: [m] This is spoken in the person of all the people who in their affliction should cry thus. ] Woe vnto vs, for wee are destroyed.

¹⁴ O Ierusalem, wash thine heart from wickednes, that thou maiest be saued: how long shall thy wicked thoughtes remaine within thee?

¹⁵ For a voyce declareth from [Note: [n] Which was a citie in the vtmost border of Israel Northward toward Babylon. ] Dan, and publisheth affliction from mount [Note: [o] Which was in the mid way betweene Dan & Ierusale. ] Ephraim.

¹⁶ Make ye mention of the heathen, and publish in Ierusalem, Beholde, the skoutes come from a farre countrey, and crie out against the cities of Iudah.

¹⁷ They haue compassed her about as the watchmen of the [Note: [p] Which keepe the fruites so straitly, that nothing can come in not out: so should the Babylonians compasse Iudah. ] fielde, because it hath prouoked me to wrath, saith the Lord.

¹⁸ Thy wayes and thine inuentions haue procured thee these things, such is thy wickednesse: therefore it shall be bitter, therefore it shall perce vnto thine heart.

¹⁹ My bely, [Note: [q] He sheweth that the true ministers are liuely touched with the calamities of the Church, so that all the parts of their body feele the griefe of their heart, albeit with zeale to Gods glorie they pronouce his iudgements against the people. ] my bely, I am pained, euen at the very heart: mine heart is troubled within me: I cannot be still: for my soule hath heard the sounde of the trumpet, and the alarme of the battell.

²⁰ Destruction vpon destruction is cryed, for the whole lande is wasted: suddenly are my [Note: [r] Meaning, the cities, which were as easily cast downe as a tent. ] tents destroyed, and my curtaines in a moment.

²¹ Howe long shall I see the standert, and heare the sounde of the trumpet?

²² For my people is foolish, they haue not knowen me: they are foolish children, and haue none vnderstanding: [Note: [s] Their wisedome and policie wisedome, and policie tend to their owne destruction, and pulleth them from God. ] they are wise to doe euill, but to doe well they haue no knowledge.

²³ I haue looked vpon the earth, and loe, it was without forme and [Note: [t] By these maner of speaches hee sheweth the horrible destruction that should come vpon the land, and also condemneth the obstinacie of the people, who repent not at the feare of these terrible tidings, seeing that the insensible creatures are moued therewith, as if the order of nature should be changed, Isa.13.10. and 24.23. Eze.32. 7. Ioel 2.31. & 3.15. ] voide: and to the heauens, and they had no light.

²⁴ I behelde the mountaines: and loe, they trembled and all the hilles shooke.

²⁵ I behelde, and loe, there was no man, and all the birdes of the heauen were departed.

²⁶ I behelde, and loe, the fruitfull place was a wildernesse, and all the cities thereof were broken downe at the presence of the Lorde, and by his fierce wrath.

²⁷ For thus hath the Lorde saide, The whole lande shall be desolate: yet will I [Note: [u] But for his mercies sake he will reserue himselfe a residue to be his Church, and to prayse him in earth, Isai.2.9. ] not make a full ende.

²⁸ Therefore shall the earth mourne, and the heauens aboue shall be darkened, because I haue pronounced it: I haue thought it, and will not repent, neither will I turne backe from it.

²⁹ The whole citie shall flee, for the noyse of the horsemen and bowemen: they shall goe into thickets, and clime vp vpon the rockes: euery citie shall be forsaken, and not a man dwell therein.

³⁰ And when thou shalt be destroyed, what wilt thou doe? Though thou [Note: [x] Neither thy ceremonies nor riche giftes shall deliuer thee. ] clothest thy selfe with skarlet, though thou deckest thee with ornaments of golde, though thou paintest thy face with colours, yet shalt thou trimme thy selfe in vaine: for thy louers will abhorre thee and seeke thy life.

³¹ For I haue heard a noyse as of a woman trauailing, or as one labouring of her first child, euen the voyce of the daughter Zion that sigheth and stretcheth out her handes: [Note: [y] As the Prophets were moued to pitie the destruction of their people, so they declared it to the people to moue them to repentance, Isai.22.4. chap.9.1. ] woe is me nowe: for my soule fainteth because of the murtherers.

1 In Iudah no righteous man founde neither among the people nor the rulers. 15 Wherefore Iudah is destroyed of the Caldeans.

¹ Rvnne to and fro by the streetes of Ierusalem, and beholde nowe, and knowe, and inquire in the open places thereof, if ye can finde a man, or if there be any that executeth iudgement, and seeketh the trueth, and I will spare [Note: [a] That is, the citie. ] it.

² For though they say, The [Note: [b] Though they pretend religion and holinesse, yet all is but hypocrisie: for vnder this kinde of swearing is conteined the true religion. ] Lord liueth, yet doe they sweare falsely.
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³ O Lord, are not thine eyes vpo the [Note: [c] Doest not thou loue vprightnesse and faithfull dealing? ] trueth? thou hast [Note: [d] Thou hast oft times punished them, but all is in vaine, Isa.9.13. ] striken them, but they haue not sorowed: thou hast consumed them, but they haue refused to receiue correction: they haue made their faces harder then a stone, and haue refused to returne.

⁴ Therefore I saide, Surely they are poore, they are foolish, for they know not the way of the Lord, nor the iudgement of their God.

⁵ I will get me vnto the [Note: [e] He speaketh this to the reproch of them, which should gouerne and teache others, and yet are farther out of the way then the simple people. ] great men, and will speake vnto them: for they haue knowen the way of the Lord, and the iudgement of their God: but these haue altogether broken the yoke, and burst the bondes.

⁶ Wherefore [Note: [f] Meaning, Nebuchadnezzar and his armie. ] a lyon out of the forest shall slay them, and a wolfe of the wildernesse shall destroy them: a leopard shall watch ouer their cities: euery one that goeth out thence, shall be torne in pieces, because their trespasses are many, and their rebellions are increased.

⁷ Howe should I spare thee for this? thy children haue forsaken me, and [Note: [g] He sheweth that to sweare by any thing then by God, is to forsake him. ] sworne by them that are no gods: though I fed them to the full, yet they committed adulterie, and assembled them selues by companies in the harlots houses.

⁸ They rose vp in the morning like fed horses: for euery man [Note: Ezek.22.11. ] neyed after his neighbours wife.

⁹ Shall I not visite for these things, saith the Lorde? Shall not my soule be auenged on such a nation as this?

¹⁰ [Note: [h] He commaundeth the Babylonians and enemies to destroy them. ] Clime vp vpon their walles, and destroy them, but make not a full ende: [Note: [i] Reade Chap. 4.27. ] take away their batilments, for they are not the Lords.

¹¹ For the house of Israel, and the house of Iudah haue grieuously trespassed against me, saith the Lord.

¹² They haue [Note: [k] Because they gaue no credite to the wordes of his Prophetes, as Isa.28.15. ] denied the Lorde, and saide, It is not he, neither shall the plague come vpon vs, neither shall we see sworde nor famine.

¹³ And the Prophetes shall be as [Note: [l] Their wordes shall be of none effect, but vaine. ] winde, and the worde is [Note: [m] They are not sent of the Lord, and therefore that which they threaten to vs, shall come vpon them. ] not in them: thus shall it come vnto them.

¹⁴ Wherefore thus saith the Lorde God of hostes, Because ye speake such wordes, beholde, I will put my wordes into [Note: [n] Meaning, Ieremiah. ] thy mouth, like a fire, and this people shall be as wood, and it shall deuoure them.

¹⁵ Loe, I will bring a nation vpon you [Note: [o] To wit, the Babylonians and Caldeans. ] from farre, O house of Israel, saith the Lord, which is a mightie nation, and an ancient nation, a nation whose language thou knowest not, neither vnderstandest what they say.

¹⁶ Whose quiuer is as an [Note: [p] Who shall kill many with their arrowes. ] open sepulchre: they are all very strong.

¹⁷ And they shall eate thine haruest and thy bread: they shall deuoure thy sonnes and thy daughters: they shall eate vp thy sheepe and thy bullocks: they shall eate thy vines and thy figge trees: they shall destroy with the sworde thy fensed cities, wherein thou didest trust.

¹⁸ Neuerthelesse at those dayes, sayth the Lord, I will not make a full ende of [Note: [q] Here the Lord declareth his vnspeakeable fauour toward his church, as Chap.4.27. ] you.

¹⁹ And when [Note: Chap.16.10. ] ye shall say, Wherefore doeth the Lord our God doe these things vnto vs? then shalt [Note: [r] Meaning the Prophet Ieremiah. ] thou answere them, Like as ye haue forsaken me and serued strange gods in your land, so shall ye serue strangers in a land that is not yours.

²⁰ Declare this in the house of Iaakob, and publish it in Iudah, saying,

²¹ Heare nowe this, O foolish people, and [Note: Ebr. without heart. ] without vnderstanding, which haue [Note: Isa.6.9. matth.13.14. actes 28.27. rom.11.8. ] eyes and see not, which haue eares and heare not.

²² Feare ye not me, saith the Lord? or will ye not be afraide at my presence, which haue placed the sand for the [Note: Iob 26.10. ] bounds of the sea by the perpetuall decree that it cannot passe it, and though the waues thereof rage, yet can they not preuaile, though they roare, yet can they not passe ouer it?

²³ But this people hath an vnfaithfull and rebellious heart: they are departed and gone.

²⁴ For they say not in their heart, Let vs nowe feare the Lorde our God, that giueth raine both early and late in due season: hee reserueth vnto vs the appointed weekes of the haruest.

²⁵ Yet your [Note: [s] If there be any staye, that we receiue not Gods blessings in abundance, wee must consider that it is for our owne iniquities, Isa. 59.1, 2. ] iniquities haue turned away these things, and your sinnes haue hindred good things from you.

²⁶ For among my people are founde wicked persons, that lay waite as hee that setteth snares: they haue made a pit, to catch men.

²⁷ As a cage is full of birdes, so are their houses full of deceite: thereby they are become great and waxen riche.

²⁸ They are waxen fat and shining: they doe ouerpasse the deedes of the wicked: [Note: Isai.1.23. zech.7.9. ] they execute no iudgement, no not the iudgement of the fatherlesse: yet they [Note: [t] They feele not the plague of God for it. ] prosper, though they execute no iudgement for the poore.

²⁹ Shall I not visite for these things, sayth the Lord? or shall not my soule be auenged on such a nation as this?

³⁰ An horrible and filthie thing is committed in the land.

³¹ The [Note: [u] Meaning, that there coulde be nothing but disorder, where the ministers were wicked persons and corrupt. ] Prophets prophesie lies, and ye Priests [Note: Or, beare rule. ] receiue giftes in their handes, and my people delite therein. What will ye then doe in the ende thereof?

1 The comming of the Assyrians and Caldeans. 16 Hee exhorteth the Iewes to repentance.

¹ O ye children of [Note: [a] He speaketh to them chiefely because they should take heede by the example of their brethren, the other halfe of their tribe, which were nowe caried away prisoners. ] Beniamin, prepare to flee out of the middes of Ierusalem, and blowe the trumpet in [Note: [b] Which was a citie in Iudah sixe miles from Bethlehem, 2. Chr.11.6. ] Tekoa: set vp a standart vpon [Note: [c] Reade Nehe. 3.14. ] Beth-haccerem: for a plague appeareth out of the North and great destruction.

² I haue compared the daughter of Zion to [Note: [d] I haue intreated her gently and giuen her abundance of all things. ] a beautifull and daintie woman.

³ The pastors with their flockes [Note: [e] She shall be so destroyed, that the sheepe may be fed in her. ] shall come vnto her: they shall pitche their tentes rounde about by her, & euery one shal feede in his place.

⁴ [Note: [f] He speaketh this in the person of the Babylonians, which complaine that the time faileth them before they haue brought their enterprises to passe. ] Prepare warre against her: arise, and let vs goe vp toward the South: wo vnto vs: for the day declineth, and the shadowes of the euening are stretched out.

⁵ Arise, and let vs goe vp by night, and destroy her palaces.

⁶ For thus hath the Lord of hostes said, Hewe downe wood, and cast a mounte against Ierusalem: this citie must be visited: all oppression is in the middes of it.

⁷ As the fountaine casteth out her waters, so she casteth out her malice: [Note: [g] He sheweth the cause why it should be destroyed, and howe it commeth of them selues. ] crueltie and spoyle is continually heard in her before me with sorowe and strokes.

⁸ Be thou instructed, O [Note: [h] He warneth them to amende by his corrections and to turne to him by repentance. ] Ierusalem, lest my soule depart from thee, lest I make thee desolate

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as a land, that none inhabiteth.
⁹ Thus sayeth the Lorde of hostes, They shall gather as a vine, the residue of Israel: turne [Note: [i] He exhorteth the Babylonians to be diligent to search out all and to leaue none. ] backe thine hande as the grape gatherer into the baskets.

¹⁰ Vnto whome shall I speake, and admonish that they may heare? beholde, their eares are [Note: [k] They delite to heare vaine things & to shut vp their eares to true doctrine. ] vncircumcised, and they cannot hearken: beholde, the worde of the Lord is vnto them as a reproche: they haue no delite in it.

¹¹ Therefore I am full of the wrath of the Lorde: I am weary with holding it: [Note: [l] As the Lord had giue him his word to be as a fire of his indignation to burne the wicked, Chap.5.14. so hee kindleth it now when he seeth that all remedies are past. ] I will powre it out vpon the [Note: [m] None shall be spared. ] children in the streete, and likewise vpon the assembly of the yong men: for the husbande shall euen be taken with the wife, and the aged with him that is full of daies.

¹² And their houses with their landes, & wiues also shalbe turned vnto strangers: for I will stretch out mine hande vpon the inhabitants of the land, sayeth the Lord.

¹³ For from the least of them, euen vnto the greatest of them, euery one is giuen vnto couetousnesse, and from the Prophet euen vnto the Priest, they all deale falsely.

¹⁴ They haue healed also ye hurt of the daughter of my people with sweete woordes, saying, [Note: [n] When the people began to feare Gods iudgements, the false Prophets comforted them by flatterings, shewing that God would send peace and not warre. ] Peace, peace, when there is no peace.

¹⁵ Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not ashamed, no neither coulde they haue any shame: therefore they shall fall among the [Note: Ebr. them that fal. ] slaine: when I shall visite them, they shall be cast downe, sayth the Lorde.

¹⁶ Thus sayeth the Lord, Stande in the waies and beholde, and aske for the [Note: [o] Wherein the patriarkes and Prophets walked, directed by the word of God: signifying that there is no true way, but that which God prescribeth. ] olde way, which is the good way and walke therein, and yee shall finde rest for your soules: but they saide, We will not walke therein.

¹⁷ Also I set [Note: [p] Prophets which should warne you of the dangers that were at hand. ] watchmen ouer you, which said, Take heede to the sound of the trumpet: but they said, We will not take heede.

¹⁸ Heare therefore, yee [Note: [q] God taketh all the world to witnes and the insensible creatures of the ingratitude of the Iewes. ] Gentiles, and thou Congregation knowe, what is among them.

¹⁹ Heare, O earth, beholde, I will cause a plague to come vpon this people, euen the fruite of their owne imaginations: because they haue not taken heede vnto my woordes, nor to my Lawe, but cast it off.

²⁰ To what purpose bringest thou mee [Note: [r] Read Isa.1.11. & Amos 5.21. ] incense from Sheba, and sweete calamus from a farre countrey? Your burnt offerings are not pleasant, nor your sacrifices sweete vnto me.

²¹ Therefore thus sayeth the Lorde, Beholde, I will laie stumbling blockes before this people, and the fathers and the sonnes together shall fall vpon them: the neighbour and his friende shall perish.

²² Thus sayeth the Lorde, Beholde, a people commeth from the [Note: [s] From Babylon by Dan, which was North from Ierusalem. ] North countrey, and a great nation shall arise from the sides of the earth.

²³ With bowe and shield shal they be weaponed: they are cruell and will haue no compassion: their voyce roareth like the sea, and they ride vpon horses, well appointed, like men of warre against thee, O daughter Zion.

²⁴ We haue heard their fame, and our handes waxe [Note: [t] For feare of the enemie: he speaketh this in the person of the Iewes. ] feeble sorrowe is come vpon vs, as the sorrowe of a woman in trauaile.

²⁵ Goe not foorth into the fielde, nor walke by the way: for the sword of the enemie and feare

is on euery side.

²⁶ O daughter of my people, girde thee with sackecloth, and wallowe thy selfe in the ashes: make lamentation, and bitter mourning as for thine onely sonne: for the destroier shall suddenly come vpon vs.

²⁷ I haue set [Note: [u] Meaning, Ieremiah, whome God had appointed to trie out the godly from the wicked as a founder doeth the pure metall from the drosse. ] thee for a defence and fortres among my people, that thou maiest knowe and trie their waies.

²⁸ They are all rebellious traitours, walking craftily: they are brasse, and yron, they all are destroyers.

²⁹ The [Note: [x] All the paine and labour that hath beene taken with them, is lost. ] bellowes are burnt: the lead is consumed in the fire: the founder melteth in vaine: for the wicked are not taken away.

³⁰ They shall call them reprobate siluer, because the Lord hath reiected them.

2 Ieremiah is commanded to shewe vnto the people the word of God, which trusteth in the outwarde seruice of the Temple. 13 The euils that shall come to the Iewes for the despising of their Prophets. 21 Sacrifices doeth not the Lord chiefly require of the Iewes, but that they should obey his worde.

¹ The woordes that came to Ieremiah from the Lorde, saying,

² Stand in the gate of the Lordes house and crie this woorde there, and say, Heare the woorde of the Lord, all yee of Iudah that enter in at these gates to worship the Lorde.

³ Thus sayeth the Lord of hostes, the God of Israel, [Note: Chap.26.13. ] Amend your waies and your woorkes, and I will let you dwell in this place.

⁴ Trust not in [Note: [a] Beleeue not the false Prophets, which say that for the Temples sake, and the sacrifices there, the Lord wil preserue you, and so nourish you in your sinne, and vaine confidence. ] lying woordes, saying, The Temple of the Lorde, the Temple of the Lorde: this is the Temple of the Lord.

⁵ For if you amende and redresse your waies and your woorkes: if you execute iudgement betweene a man and his neighbour,

⁶ And oppresse not the stranger, the fatherlesse and the widow and shed no innocent blood in this place, neither walke after other gods to your destruction,

⁷ Then [Note: [b] God sheweth on what condition he made his promes to this Temple: that they shoulde be an holy people vnto him as hee would be a faithfull God to them. ] will I let you dwell in this place in the lande that I gaue vnto your fathers, for euer and euer.

⁸ Beholde, you trust in lying woordes, that can not profite.

⁹ Will you steale, murder, and commit adulterie, and sweare falsely and burne incense vnto Baal, and walke after other gods whome yee knowe not?

¹⁰ And come and stande before mee in this House, whereupon my Name is called, and saye, We are deliuered, though we haue done all these abominations?

¹¹ Is this House become [Note: [c] As theeues hid in holes, and dennes thinke themselues safe, so when you are in my Temple, you thinke to bee couered with the holines therof, and that I cannot see your wickednesse, Mat.21.13. ] a denne of theeues, whereupon my Name is called before your eyes? Beholde, euen I see it, sayeth the Lord.

¹² But go ye nowe vnto my place which was in Shilo, [Note: [d] Because they depended so much on the Temple, which was for his promes, that hee would be present and defende them where ye Arke was, he sendeth them to Gods iudgements against Shilo, where ye Arke had remained about 300. yeeres, and after was taken, the Priestes slaine and the people miserably discomfited, 1.Sam. 4.11. chap.26.6. ] where I set my Name at the beginning, and beholde, what I did to it for the wickednesse of my people Israel.

¹³ Therefore nowe because yee haue done all these woorkes, sayeth the Lorde, (and I [Note: [e] That is, I neuer ceased to warne you, as Isa.65.2. prou.1.23. ] rose vp earely and spake vnto you: but when I spake, yee would not heare me, neither when I called, would [Note: [f] He sheweth what is the onely remedie to redresse our fautes: to suffer God to leade vs into the way, and to obey his calling, Isa.66.4. ] yee answere).
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¹⁴ Therefore will I do vnto this House, wherupon my Name is called, wherein also yee trust, euen vnto the place that I gaue to you & to your fathers, as I haue done vnto Shilo.

¹⁵ And I will cast [Note: [g] I wil send you into captiuitie as I haue done Ephraim, that is the ten tribes. ] you out of my sight, as I haue cast out all your brethren, euen the whole seede of Ephraim.

¹⁶ Therfore thou shalt not [Note: [h] To assure them that God had determined with himselfe to punish their wickednesse, he sheweth that the praier of the godly can nothing auaile them, whiles they remaine in their obstinacie against God, and will not vse the meanes that he vseth to cal them to repentance, Chap.11.14. & 14.11. ] pray for this people, neither lift vp crie or praier for them neither intreat me, for I will not heare thee.

¹⁷ Seest thou not what they doe in the cities of Iudah and in the streetes of Ierusalem?

¹⁸ The children gather wood, & the fathers kindle the fire, and the women knede the dough to make cakes [Note: [i] That is, they sacrifice to ye sunne, moone and starres, which they called the Queene of heauen, Chap.44.17.2. king.23.5. ] to the Queene of heauen and to powre out drinke offrings vnto other gods, that they may prouoke me vnto anger.

¹⁹ Doe they prouoke me to anger, sayeth the Lorde, and not themselues to the confusion of their owne faces?

²⁰ Therefore thus sayeth the Lorde God, Beholde, mine anger and my wrath shall be powred vpon this place, vpon man and vpon beast, and vpon the tree of the fielde, and vpon the fruite of the grounde, and it shall burne and not bee quenched.

²¹ Thus sayth the Lord of hostes, the God of Israel, Put your burnt offerings vnto your sacrifices, and eat the flesh.

²² For [Note: [k] Shewing that it was not his chiefe purpose & intent, that they shoulde offer sacrifices: but that they shoulde regarde, wherefore they were ordeined: to wit, to be ioyned to ye word as seales and confirmations of remission of sinnes in Christ: for without the word they were vaine and vnprofitable. ] I spake not vnto your fathers, nor commaunded them, when I brought them out of the land of Egypt, concerning burnt offrings and sacrifices.

²³ But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voyce, and I will be your God, and yee shalbe my people: and walke yee in all the wayes which I haue commaunded you, that it may be well vnto you.

²⁴ But they would not obey, nor incline their eare, but went after the counsels and the stubbernesse of their wicked heart, and went backewarde and not forwarde.

²⁵ Since the day that your fathers came vp out of the lande of Egypt, vnto [Note: [l] Which was about fourteene hundreth yeeres. ] this day, I haue euen sent vnto you al my seruants the Prophets, [Note: [m] Read verse 13. ] rising vp earely euery day, and sending them.

²⁶ Yet would they not heare me nor encline their eare, but hardened their necke & did worse then their fathers.

²⁷ Therefore shalt thou speake al these words vnto them, but they [Note: [n] Whereby hee sheweth that the pastours ought not to leaue their flockes in their obstinacie: for the Lorde will vse the meanes of his seruants to make the wicked more fautie and to prooue his. ] will not heare thee: thou shalt also crie vnto them, but they will not answere thee.

²⁸ But thou shalt say vnto them, This is a nation that heareth not the voice of the Lorde their God, nor receiueth discipline: trueth is perished, and is cleane gone out of their mouth.

²⁹ Cut off thine [Note: [o] In signe of mourning, as Iob 1.20. micha.1.6. ] heare, O Ierusalem, and cast it away, and take vp a complaint on the hie places: for the Lorde hath reiected and forsaken the generation of his [Note: [p] Against whom hee had iust occasion to powre out his wrath. ] wrath.

³⁰ For the children of Iudah haue done euill in my sight, sayth the Lorde: they haue set their abominations in the House, whereupon my Name is called, to pollute it.

³¹ And they haue built the hie place of [Note: [q] Of Topheth read 2.King.23.10. ] Topheth, which is in the valley of Ben-Hinnom to burne their sonnes & their daughters in the fire, which I [Note: [r] But commanded the contrary, as Leuit.18.21.& 20.3. deut.18.10. ] commaunded them not, neither came it in mine heart.

³² Therefore beholde, the dayes come, sayeth the Lord, that it shall no more be called Topheth, nor the valley of Ben-Hinnom, but the valley of slaughter: for they shall burie in Topheth til there be no place.

³³ And ye carkeises of this people shalbe meat for the foules of the heauen and for the beastes of the earth, and none shall fraie them away.

³⁴ [Note: Ezek.26.13. ] Then I will cause to cease from the cities of Iudah and from the streetes of Ierusalem the voice of mirth & the voice of gladnesse, the voice of the bridegrom & the voice of the bride: for the lande shalbe desolate.

1 The destruction of the Iewes. 4 The Lord mooueth the people to amendment. 10 He reprehendeth the lying doctrine & the couetousnesse of the Prophets and Priests.

¹ At that time, sayeth the Lorde, they shal bring out the bones of the Kings of Iudah, and the bones of their princes, & the bones of the Priests and the bones of the Prophets, and the bones of the inhabitants of Ierusalem out of their [Note: [a] The enemie for griedinesse of gaine shall rifle your graues, and lay you before those idoles, which in your life you worshipped, to see if they can helpe you. ] graues.

² And they shal spread them before the sunne and the moone, and all the host of heauen, whom they haue loued, and whome they haue serued, and whome they haue followed, and whome they haue sought, and whome they haue worshipped: they shall not be gathered nor be buried, but shall be as doung vpon the earth.

³ And death shall bee desired [Note: [b] Because of the afflictions yt they shall feele through Gods iudgements. ] rather then life of all the residue that remaineth of this wicked familie, which remaine in all the places where I haue scattered them, sayeth the Lorde of hostes.

⁴ Thou shalt say vnto them also, Thus sayeth the Lorde, Shall they [Note: [c] Is there no hope, that they will returne? ] fall and not arise? shall he turne away and not turne againe?

⁵ Wherefore is this people of Ierusalem turned backe by a perpetuall rebellion? they gaue themselues to deceit, and would not returne.

⁶ I hearkened and heard, but none spake aright: no man repented him of his wickednesse, saying, What haue I done? euery [Note: [d] They are full of hypocrisie, and euery one followeth his owne fantasie without any consideration. ] one turned to their race, as the horse rusheth into the battell.

⁷ Euen the storke in the aire knoweth her appointed times, and the turtle and the crane and the swallowe obserue the time of their comming, but my people knoweth not the [Note: [e] Hee accuseth them in that that they are more ignorant of gods iudgements then these birdes are of their appointed seasons to discerne the cold, and heat, as Isa.1.3. ] iudgement of the Lorde.

⁸ Howe doe yee say, Wee are wise, and the Lawe [Note: [f] The Lawe doeth not profite you, neither neede it to haue bene written for ought that you haue learned by it. ] of the Lorde is with vs? Loe, certeinly in vaine made hee it, the penne of the scribes is in vaine.

⁹ The [Note: [g] They that seeme wise, may be ashamed of their ignorance: for all wisdome consisteth in Gods worde. ] wise men are ashamed: they are afraid and taken. loe, they haue reiected the word of the Lorde, and what wisdome is in them?

¹⁰ Therefore will I giue their wiues vnto others, and their fieldes to them that shall possesse them: [Note: Isa.36.11. chap.5. 31. & 6.13. ] for euery one from the least euen vnto the greatest is giuen to couetousnesse, and from the Prophet euen vnto the Priest, euery one dealeth falsely.

¹¹ For they haue healed the hurt of the daughter of my people with sweete woordes, saying, [Note: [h] Read Chap.6.14. ] Peace, peace, when there is no peace.

¹² Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not ashamed, neither coulde they haue any shame: therefore shall they fall among the slaine: when I shall visite them, they shall be cast downe, sayeth the Lorde.


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¹³ I wil surely consume them, sayth the Lord: there shalbe no grapes on the vine, nor figges on the figtree, and the leafe shall fade, and the things that I haue giuen them, shal depart from them.

¹⁴ Why doe we stay? [Note: [i] He speaketh in the person of the people, who when the enemie commeth, will runne about to hide themselues, and acknowledge that it is Gods hand. ] assemble your selues, and let vs enter into the strong cities, and let vs be quiet there: for the Lorde our God hath put vs to silence and giuen vs water with [Note: [k] That is, hath brought vs into extreme affliction, and thus they shal not attribute this plague to fortune, but to Gods iust iudgement, Chap.9.15.& 23.15. ] gall to drinke, because we haue sinned against the Lord.

¹⁵ [Note: Chap.14.19. ] We looked for peace, but no good came, & for a time of health, and behold troubles.

¹⁶ The neying of his horses was heard from [Note: [l] Reade Chap.4. 15. ] Dan, the whole lande trembled at the noyse of the neying of his strong horses: for they are come, and haue deuoured the land with all that is in it, the citie, and those that dwell therein.

¹⁷ For beholde, I will [Note: [m] God threatneth to send the Babylonians among them, who shal vtterly destroy them in such sort as by no meanes they shal escape. ] sende serpents, and cockatrices among you, which will not be charmed, and they shal sting you, sayth the Lord.

¹⁸ I would haue [Note: [n] Reade Chap.4. 19. ] comforted my selfe against sorowe, but mine heart is heauie in me.

¹⁹ Behold, the voice of the cry of the daughter of my people for feare of them of a farre countrey, Is not the Lorde in Zion? is not her king in her? Why [Note: [o] Thus the Lord speaketh. ] haue they prouoked mee to anger with their grauen images, and with the vanities of a strange god?

²⁰ The [Note: [p] The people wonder that they haue so long time looke for succour in vaine. ] haruest is past, the sommer is ended, and we are not holpen.

²¹ I am [Note: [q] The Prophet speaketh this. ] sore vexed for the hurt of ye daughter of my people: I am heauie, & astonishment hath taken me.

²² Is there no balme [Note: [r] Meaning, that no mans helpe or meanes could saue them: for in Gilead was precious balme, Chap.46.11. or els deriding the vaine confidence of the people, who looked for helpe at their Priestes, who shoulde haue bene the Physitions of their soules, and dwelt at Gilead, Hos.6.8. ] at Gilead? is there no Physition there? Why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recouered.

1 The complaint of the Prophet for the malice of the people. 24 In the knowledge of God ought we only to reioyce. 26 The vncircumcision of the heart.

¹ Oh, that mine head were full of [Note: [a] The Prophet sheweth the great compassion that he had toward this people, seeing that he could neuer sufficiently lament the destruction that he sawe to hang ouer them. Which is a special note to discerne the true pastours from the hirelings, Reade Chap.4.19. ] water and mine eyes a fountaine of teares, that I might weepe day and night for the slayne of the daughter of my people.

² Oh, that I had in the wildernes a [Note: [b] He sheweth that this were more quietnesse and greater safetie for him to dwell among the wilde beasts then among this wicked people, saue that God hath inioyned him this charge. ] cottage of wayfaring men, that I might leaue my people, and go from them: for they be all [Note: [c] Vtterly turned from God. ] adulterers & an assembly of rebels,

³ And they bende their tongues like their bowes for [Note: [d] To belye and slaunder their neighbours. ] lyes: but they haue no courage for the trueth vpon the earth: for they proceede from euill to worse, and they haue not knowen mee, sayth the Lord.

⁴ Let euery one take heede of his neighbour, and trust you not in any [Note: [e] Meaning, that al were corrupt & none could find an honest man. ] brother: for euery brother will vse deceite, and euery friend will deale deceitfully,

⁵ And euery one wil deceiue his friende, and wil not speake the trueth: for they [Note: [f] They haue so practised deceite, that they can not forsake it. ] haue taught their tongues to speake lies, and take great paynes to do wickedly.

⁶ Thine habitation is in the middes of deceiuers: [Note: [g] They had rather forsake God, then leaue their wicked trade. ] because of their deceit they refuse to know me, sayth the Lord.

⁷ Therefore thus sayth the Lorde of hostes, Behold, I wil [Note: [h] With the fire of affliction. ] melt them, & trie them: for what should I els do for the daughter of my people?

⁸ Their tongue [Note: Psal.28.3. & 120.4. ] is as an arow shot out, and speaketh deceite: one speaketh peaceably to his neighbour with his mouth, but in his heart hee layeth waite for him.

⁹ Shal I not visit them for these things, saith the Lorde? or shall not my soule be auenged on such a nation as this?

¹⁰ Vpon the [Note: [i] Signifying that al the places about Ierusalem should be destroyed. ] mountaines will I take vp a weeping and a lamentation, and vpon the fayre places of the wildernes a mourning, because they are burnt vp: so that none can passe through them, neyther can men heare the voyce of the flocke: both the foule of the aire, and the beast are fled away and gone.

¹¹ And I wil make Ierusalem an heape, and a den of dragons, & I will make the cities of Iudah waste, without an inhabitant.

¹² Who is [Note: [k] Meaning, that they are all without sense and vnderstanding, & that God hath take his spirit from them. ] wise, to vnderstande this? and to whome the mouth of the Lorde hath spoken, euen he shal declare it. Why doth the land perish, and is burnt vp like a wildernesse, that none passeth through?

¹³ And the Lorde sayeth, Because they haue forsaken my Lawe, which I set before them, and haue not obeyed my voice, neither walked thereafter,

¹⁴ But haue walked after the stubbernesse of their owne heart, and after Baalims, which [Note: [l] He sheweth that the children can not excuse themselues by their fathers: for both father, and childe if they be wicked, shall perish. ] their fathers taught them,

¹⁵ Therefore thus sayth the Lorde of hostes, the God of Israel, Behold, I will feede this people with wormewood, and giue them waters of gall [Note: [m] Reade Cha.8.14. ] to drinke:

¹⁶ I wil scatter them also among the heathen, whom neither they nor their fathers haue knowen, and I will send a sworde after them, til I haue consumed them.

¹⁷ Thus sayeth the Lorde of hostes, Take heede, and call for [Note: [n] Seeing you can not lament your owne sinnes, call for those foolish women, whome of a superstition you haue to lament for the dead, that they by their fayned teares may prouoke you to some sorow. ] the mourning women, that they may come, and send for skilfull women that they may come,

¹⁸ And let them make haste, & let them take vp a lamentation for vs, that our eyes may cast out teares & our eye liddes gush out of water.

¹⁹ For a lamentable noyse is heard out of Zion, Howe are we destroyed, and vtterly confounded, for we haue forsaken the land, and our dwellings [Note: [o] As though they were weary of vs, because of our iniquities, Leui.18.28. and 20.22. ] haue cast vs out.

²⁰ Therefore heare the worde of the Lord, O ye women, and let your eares regard the words of his mouth, & [Note: [p] He derideth the superstition of the women, which made an arte of mourning, and taught to weepe with fained teares. ] teach your daughters to mourne, and euery one her neighbour to lament.

²¹ For death is come vp into our [Note: [q] Signifying, that there is no meanes to deliuer the wicked from Gods iudgements: but when they thinke to be most sure, & most farre off, then are they soonest taken. ] windowes, and is entred into our palaces, to destroy the children without, and the yong men in the streetes.

²² Speake, thus sayth the Lorde, The carkeises of men shall lye, euen as the doung vpon the fielde, and as the handfull after the mower, and none shal gather them.

²³ Thus saith the Lord, Let not the [Note: [r] Forasmuch as none can saue him selfe by his owne labour or any worldly meanes, he sheweth that it is in vaine to put our trust therein, but that we trust in the Lord and reioyce in him, who only can deliuer vs, 1.Cor.1.31. 2.cor.10.17. ] wise man glory in his wisedome, nor the strong man glorie in his strength, neyther the riche man glorie in his riches.

²⁴ But let him that glorieth, glorie in this, that he vnderstandeth, and knoweth me: for I am the Lorde, which [Note: [s] These three points are necessarie to know aright: his mercy, wherein consisteth our saluation: his iudgement, which he executeth cotinually against ye wicked: & his iustice, wherby he desendeth, & mainteineth the faithfull. ] shewe mercie, iudgement, and [Page]

righteousnes in the earth: for in these things I delite, sayth the Lord.

²⁵ Beholde, the dayes come, sayth the Lorde, that I wil visite all them, which are [Note: [t] Meaning both Iewes & Gentiles, as in the next verse he sheweth the cause, reade Chap. 4.4. ] circumcised with the vncircumcised:

²⁶ Egypt and Iudah, and Edom, and the children of Ammon, and Moab, and all the vtmost corners of them that dwell in the wildernesse: for all these nations are vncircumcised, & al the house of Israel are vncircumcised in the heart.

2 The constellations of the starres are not to be feared. 5 The weakenesse of idoles, and of the power of God. 21 Their Pastours are become bruite beastes.

¹ Heare ye the worde of the Lord that he speaketh vnto you, O house of Israel.

² Thus saith the Lorde, Learne not the way of the heathen, & be not afraid for the [Note: [a] God forbiddeth his people to giue credite or feare the constellations and coniunctions of starres and planets, which haue no power of themselues, but are gouerned by him, and their secrete motions and influences are not knowen to man, and therfore there can be no certaine iudgement thereof, Deut. 18.9. ] signes of heauen, though the heathen be afraid of such.

³ For the [Note: [b] Meaning not onely in the obseruation of the stars, but their Lawes and ceremonies whereby they confirme their idolatrie, which is forbidden, Deut.12. 30. ] customes of the people are vaine: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest (which is the worke of the handes of the carpenter) with the axe,

⁴ And another decketh it [Note: [c] The Prophets vse thus plainely and simply to set forth the vile absurditie of the idolaters, that men might learne to be ashamed of that, whereunto their corrupt nature is most subiect, reade Isa.44.12. ] with siluer, and with golde: they fasten it with nailes, and hammers, that it fall not.

⁵ The idoles stande vp as the palme tree, but speake not: they are borne because they cannot go feare them not, for they cannot do euill, neither can they do good.

⁶ There is none like vnto thee, O Lorde: [Note: [d] He teacheth the people to lift vp their eyes to God, who hath all power, and therefore ought onely to be feared: and herein he sheweth them not only the euill that they ought to eschew, bnt the good which they ought to folow, Reue. 15.4. ] thou art great, and thy name is great in power.

⁷ Who would not feare thee, O King of nations? for to thee appertaineth the dominion: for among all the wise men of the Gentiles, and in al their kingdomes there is none like thee.

⁸ But, altogether they dote, and are foolish: for the stocke is a [Note: [e] Because the people thought that to haue images, was a meane to serue God, and to bring them to the knowledge of him, he sheweth that nothing more displeaseth God, nor bringeth man into greater errours and ignorance of God: and therefore he calleth them the doctrine of vanitie, the worke of errors, verse 15. & Habak.2.18. calleth them the teachers of lyes: contrary to that wicked opinion, that they are the bookes of the laye people. ] doctrine of vanitie.

⁹ Siluer plates are brought from Tarshish, & golde [Note: [f] Whereas they founde the best golde: shewing that they thought nothing too deare for their idoles: some reade Ophir, as 1.King 9.28. ] from Vphaz, for the worke of the workeman, and the handes of the founder: the blewe silke, and the purple is their clothing: all these things are made by cunning men.

¹⁰ But the Lord is the God of trueth: he is the liuing God, and an euerlasting King: at his anger the earth shal tremble, and the nations cannot abide his wrath.

¹¹ (Thus shall you say vnto them, The gods [Note: [g] This declareth, that all that hath bene in this Chapter spoken of idoles, was to arme the Iewes when they shoulde be in Caldea among the Idolaters, & now with one sentence he instructeth them both how to protest their owne religion against the idolaters, & how to answere them to their shame which should exhort them to idolatrie, and therefore he writeth this sentence in the Caldeans tongue for a memorial, whereas all the rest of his writing is Ebrew. ] that haue not made the heauens and the earth, shall perish from the earth, and from vnder these heauens)

¹² He hath made the earth by his power, and established the worlde by his wisedome, and hath stretched out the heauen by his discretion.

¹³ Hee giueth by his voyce the multitude of waters in the heauen, and he causeth the cloudes to ascend from the endes of the earth: he turneth lightnings to rayne, and bringeth forth the winde out of his treasures.

¹⁴ Euery man is a [Note: [h] The more that man thinketh to do any thing well by his owne wisdome, and not as God instructeth him, the more doth he proue himselfe to be a vile beast. ] beast by his owne knowledge: euery founder is confounded by the grauen image: for his melting is but falsehood, and there is no breath therein.

¹⁵ They are vanitie, and the worke of errours: in the time of their visitation they shall perish.

¹⁶ The [Note: [i] By these wordes, Portion & rod, he signifieth their inheritace: meaning, yt God should be al sufficient for them, & that their felicitie cosisted in him alone, & therefore they ought to renounce all other helpes, & succours as of idoles, &c. Deu.32.9. psa 16.5. ] portion of Iaakob is not like them: for he is the maker of all things, and Israel is the rodde of his inheritance: the Lorde of hostes is his Name.

¹⁷ ¶ [Note: [k] The Prophet willeth the Iewes to prepare themselues to this captiuitie, shewing that it was now at hand, that they should feele the things, whereof he had told them. ] Gather vp thy wares out of the land, O thou that dwellest in the strong place.

¹⁸ For thus sayth the Lorde, Beholde, at this time I will throwe as with a sling the inhabitants of the lande, and will trouble them, and they shal finde it so.

¹⁹ Wo is me for my destruction, and my grieuous plague: but I thought, Yet it [Note: [l] It is my iust plague, and therefore I wil take it patiently: whereby he teacheth the people howe to behaue themselues toward God. ] is my sorow, and I will beare it.

²⁰ [Note: [m] He sheweth howe Ierusalem shal lament. ] My tabernacle is destroyed, and all my coardes are broken: my children are gone from me, and are not: there is none to spread out my tent any more, and to set vp my curtaines.

²¹ For the Pastours [Note: [n] The gouernors and ministers. ] are become beasts, and haue not sought the Lorde: therefore haue they none vnderstanding: and all the flockes of their pastures are scattered.

²² Beholde, the noyse of the brute is come, & a great commotion out of the [Note: [o] Reade Chap.4. 15. ] North countrey to make the cities of Iudah desolate, and a denne of dragons.

²³ O Lord, I knowe, that [Note: [p] He speaketh this because that Nebuchad-nezzar purposed to haue made warre against the Moabites and Ammonites, but hearing of Zedekiahs rebellion, he turned his power to goe against Ierusalem, Ezek 21 21. therefore the Prophet sayth, that this was the Lordes direction. ] the way of man is not in himselfe, neyther is it in man to walke and to direct his steps.

²⁴ O Lorde, correct mee, but with [Note: [q] Considering that God had reueiled vnto him the certitude of their captiuitie, Chap.7.16 he onely prayeth, that he would punish them with mercy, which Isaiah calleth, in measure Chap.17.8. measuring his rods by their infirmitie. 1 Cor.10.13. for here by iudgement is meant not onely the punishment, but also the merciful moderation of the same, as Cha.30.11. ] iudgement, not in thine anger, least thou bring mee to nothing.

²⁵ Powre out [Note: [r] Forasmuch as God cannot onely be knowen and glorified by his mercy, that he vseth towarde his Church, but also by his iustice in punishing his enemies, he prayeth that his glory may fully appeare both in the one and the other, Psal.79.6. ] thy wrath vpon the heathen, that knowe thee not, and vpon the families that call not on thy Name: for they haue eaten vp Iaakob and deuoured him & consumed him, & haue made his habitation desolate.

3 A curse of them that obey not the worde of Gods couenant. 10 The people of Iudah, following the steppes of their fathers, worship strange gods. 15 The Lorde forbiddeth Ieremiah to pray for them.

¹ The worde that came to Ieremiah from the Lord, saying,

² Heare ye the wordes of this couenant, and speake vnto the men of Iudah, and to the inhabitants of Ierusalem,

³ And say thou vnto them, Thus sayeth the Lorde God of Israel, [Note: [a] He calleth the Iewes to the cosideration of Gods mercies, who freely chose the, made a couenat of eternal felicitie with them, and howe he euer performed it on his behalfe, and howe they euer shewed theselues rebellious and ingrate towarde him & brake it on their part, & so are subiect to the curse of the Lawe, Deut.27.26. ] Cursed be the man that obeyeth not the wordes of this couenant,

⁴ Which I commaunded vnto your fathers, when I brought them out of the lande of Egypt, from the yron fornace, saying, Obey my voyce, and doe according to all these things, which I commande you: so shall ye be my people, and I will be your God,


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⁵ That I may confirme the othe, that I haue sworne vnto your fathers, to giue them a lande, which floweth with milke and hony, as appeareth this day. Then answered [Note: [b] Thus he speaketh in the person of the people, which agreed to the couenant. ] I and sayde, So be it, O Lord.

⁶ Then the Lord saide vnto me, Cry all these words in the cities of Iudah, and in the streetes of Ierusalem, saying, Heare yee the words of this couenant, and doe them.

⁷ For I haue protested vnto your fathers, whe I brought them vp out of the land of Egypt vnto this day, [Note: [c] Reade Chap.7. 13. ] rising earely and protesting, saying, Obey my voyce.

⁸ Neuerthelesse they would not obey, nor encline their eare: but euery one walked in the stubbernesse of his wicked [Note: [d] According to his owne fantasie, and not as my word appoynted him. ] heart: therefore I will bring vpon them all the [Note: [e] Meaning, the menaces and curses conteyned in the Lawe, Leuit. 26.14. deut.28. 16. ] wordes of this couenant, which I commanded them to do, but they did it not.

⁹ And the Lord sayd vnto me, A [Note: [f] That is, a generall consent to rebell against me. ] conspiracie is found among the men of Iudah, and among the inhabitants of Ierusalem.

¹⁰ They are turned backe to the iniquities of their forefathers, which refused to heare my wordes: and they went after other gods to serue them: thus the house of Israel, & the house of Iudah haue broken my couenant, which I made with their fathers.

¹¹ Therefore thus sayth the Lord, Beholde, I will bring a plague vpon them, which they shall not be able to escape, and though they crye vnto me, [Note: [g] Because they will not pray with true faith and repentance, but for the smart & griefe, which they feele, Prou. 1.28. ] I will not heare them.

¹² Then shall the cities of Iudah, and the inhabitants of Ierusalem goe, and crie vnto the gods vnto whome they offer incense, but they shall not bee able to helpe them in time of their trouble.

¹³ [Note: [h] Reade Chap.2. 28. ] For according to the number of thy cities were thy gods, O Iudah, and according to the number of the streetes of Ierusalem haue yee set vp altars of confusion, euen altars to burne incense vnto Baal.

¹⁴ Therfore thou shalt not pray [Note: [i] Reade Chap.7. 16 and 14.11. ] for this people, neither lift vp a crie, or prayer for them: for when they cry vnto mee in their trouble, I will not heare them.

¹⁵ What shoulde my [Note: [k] My people of Israel whome I haue hitherto so greatly loued. ] beloued tarie in mine house, seeing they haue committed abomination with manie? and the holy flesh [Note: [l] Meaning, that they offer not in the Temple to God, but vpon the altars of Baal and the idoles, and so reioyced in their wickednesse. ] goeth away from thee: yet when thou doest euill, thou reioycest.

¹⁶ The Lord called thy name, A greene oliue tree, faire, and of goodly fruite: but with [Note: [m] Of the Babylonians and Caldeans. ] noyse and great tumult he hath set fyre vpon it, and the branches of it are broken.

¹⁷ For the Lorde of hostes that planted thee, hath pronounced a plague against thee, for the wickednes of the house of Israel, and of the house of Iudah, which they haue done against themselues to prouoke me to anger in offering incense vnto Baal.

¹⁸ And the Lorde hath taught me, and I knowe it, euen then thou shewedst mee [Note: [n] Which went about priuily to conspire my death. ] their practises.

¹⁹ But I was like a lambe, or a bullocke, that is brought to the slaughter, and I knewe not that they had deuised thus against me, saying, Let vs [Note: [o] Let vs destroy the Prophet and his doctrine. Some reade, let vs corrupt his meat with wood, meaning, poyson. ] destroy the tree with the fruite thereof, and cut him out of the lande of the liuing, that his name may be no more in memory.

²⁰ But O Lord of hostes, that iudgest righteously, and triest the reines and the heart, let me see thy [Note: [p] Thus he spake, not for hatred, but being moued with the Spirit of God, he desireth the aduancement of Gods glory and the verifying of his word, which is by the destruction of his enemies. ] vengeance on them: for vnto thee haue I opened my cause.

²¹ The Lorde therefore speaketh thus of the men of [Note: [q] To wit, both the Priests and the rest of the people: for this towne was the Priestes, and they dwelt in it, reade Chap.1.1. ] Anathoth, (that seeke thy life, and say, [Note: [r] Not that they coulde not abide to heare God named: (for herein they woulde shewe them selues most holy) but because they coulde not abide to be sharpely reproued, and therefore desired to be flattered, Isa.30.10. and to be maintained in their pleasures, Mich.2.11. and not to heare vice condemned, Amos 7.12. ] Prophecie not in the Name of the Lorde, that thou die not by our hands)

²² Thus therefore sayth the Lorde of hostes, Beholde, I will visite them: the yong men shall die by the sword: their sonnes and their daughters shall die by famine,

²³ And none of them shall remaine: for I will bring a plague vpon the men of Anathoth, euen the yeere of their visitation.

1 The Prophet marueileth at the prosperitie of the wicked, although he confesse God to be righteous. 7 The Iewes are forsaken of the Lord. 10 He speaketh against pastors and preachers, that seduce the people. 14 The Lord threatneth destruction vnto the nations, that troubled Iudah.

¹ O Lorde, if I dispute with thee, thou art [Note: [a] The Prophet confesseth God to be iust in al his doings, although man be not able to giue a reason of all his acts. ] righteous: yet let mee talke with thee of thy iudgements: wherefore doeth the way of the wicked [Note: [b] This question hath bene alway a great tentation to the godly, to see the wicked enemies of God in prosperitie, and his deare children in aduersitie, as Iob.21.7. psalm. 37.1. and 73.3. Habac.1.3. ] prosper? why are all they in wealth that rebelliously transgresse?

² Thou hast planted them, and they haue taken roote: they grow, and bring forth fruite: thou art neere in their mouth, and farre from their [Note: [c] They professe God in mouth, but denie him in heart, which is here meant by the reines, Isa.29.13. matth. 15 8. ] reines.

³ But thou, Lord, knowest me: thou hast seene me, and tried mine heart towarde thee: pull them out like sheepe for the slaughter, and [Note: [d] The Ebrewe word is, sanctifie them, meaning, that God would be sanctified in the destruction of the wicked, to whom God for a while giueth prosperitie, that afterwarde they shoulde the more feele his heauie iudgement when they lacke their riches, which were a signe of his mercy. ] prepare them for the day of slaughter.

⁴ Howe long shall the lande mourne, and the herbes of euery fielde wither, for the wickednesse of them that dwell therein? the beastes are consumed and the birdes, because they sayd, [Note: [e] Abusing Gods lenitie and his promises, they flattered themselues as though God woulde euer be mercifull, and not vtterly destroy them: therefore they hardened themselues in sinne, till at length the beastes and insensible creatures felt the punishment of their stubburne rebellion against God ] He wil not see our last ende.

⁵ If thou hast runne with the [Note: [f] Some thinke that GOD reproueth Ieremiah in that, that hee woulde reason with him, saying, that if hee were not able to match with men, that hee were farre vnable to dispute with God. Others, by the foote men, meane them of Anathoth, and by the horsemen them of Ierusalem, which shoulde trouble the Prophet worse then his owne countrie men did. ] footemen and they haue wearied thee, then howe canst thou match thy selfe with horses? and if thou thoughtest thy selfe safe in a peaceable lande, what wilt thou do in the swelling of Iorden?

⁶ For euen thy brethren, and the house of thy father, euen they haue delt vnfaithfully with thee, and they haue cryed out altogether vpon thee: but beleeue them not, though they speake faire to thee.

⁷ I haue forsaken [Note: [g] God willeth the Prophet to denounce his iudgementes against Ierusalem, notwithstanding that they shall both by threatnings and flatteries labour to put him to silence. ] mine house: I haue left mine heritage: I haue giuen the dearely beloued of my soule into the hands of her enemies.

⁸ Mine heritage is vnto mee, as a [Note: [h] Euer ramping and raging against me and my Prophets. ] lion in the forest: it crieth out against mee, therefore haue I hated it.

⁹ Shall mine heritage bee vnto mee, as a bird [Page]

[Note: [i] In steade of bearing my liuerie and wearing ouely my colours, they haue change and diuersitie of colours of their idoles and superstitions: therefore their enemies, as thicke as the foules of the aire, shall come about them to destroy them. ] of diuers colours? are not the birdes about her, saying, Come, assemble all ye beastes of the fielde, come to eate her?

¹⁰ Many pastors haue destroyed my [Note: [k] He prophecieth of the destruction of Ierusalem by the captaines of Nebuchad-nezzar, whom he calleth pastors. ] vineyarde, and troden my portion vnder foote: of my pleasant portion they haue made a desolate wildernesse.

¹¹ They haue layde it waste, and it, being waste, mourneth vnto me: and the whole lande lyeth waste, because no man setteth his minde on [Note: [l] Because no man regardeth my worde, or the plagues that I haue sent vpon the land. ] it.

¹² The destroyers are come vpon all the high places in the wildernesse: for the sworde of the Lord shal deuoure from the one end of the land, euen to the other ende of the lande: no flesh shall haue peace.

¹³ [Note: [m] To wit, the Prophets. ] They haue sowen wheate, and reaped thornes: they were [Note: [n] They lamented the sinnes of the people. ] sicke, and had no profite: and they were ashamed of [Note: [o] For in steade of amendement, you grewe worse and worse, as Gods plagues testified. ] your fruites, because of the fierce wrath of the Lord.

¹⁴ Thus sayeth the Lord against all mine euill [Note: [p] Meaning, the wicked enemies of his Church which blasphemed his name, and whom he woulde punish after that he hath deliuered his people. ] neighbours, that touch the inheritance, which I haue caused my people Israel to inherite, Beholde, I will plucke them out of their lande, and plucke out the house of Iudah from among them.

¹⁵ And after that I haue plucked them out, I [Note: [q] After that I haue punished the Gentiles, I will haue mercie vpon them. ] will returne, and haue compassion on them, and will bring againe euery man to his heritage, and euery man to his land.

¹⁶ And if they will learne the [Note: [r] The true doctrine and maner to serue God. ] wayes of my people, to sweare by my Name, ( [Note: [s] Reade Chap.4.2. ] The Lord liueth, as they taught my people to sweare by Baal) then shall they be built [Note: [t] They shalbe of the number of the faithfull, & haue a place in my Church. ] in the middes of my people.

¹⁷ But if they will not obey, then will I vtterly plucke vp, and destroy that nation, sayeth the Lord.

The destruction of the Iewes is prefigured. 11 Why Israel was receiued to be the people of God, and why they were forsaken. 15 He exhorteth them to repentance.

¹ Thus sayth the Lorde vnto mee, Goe, and buy thee a linen girdle, & put it vpon thy loynes, and put it not in water.

² So I bought the girdle according to the commandement of the Lord, and put it vpon my loynes.

³ And the worde of the Lorde came vnto me the second time, saying,

⁴ Take the girdle that thou hast bought, which is vpon thy loynes, and arise, goe towarde [Note: [a] Because this riuer Perath or Euphrates was farre from Ierusalem, it is euident, that this was a vision, whereby was signified that the Iewes shoulde passe ouer Euphrates to be captiues in Babylon, and there for length of time shoulde seeme to be rotten: although they were ioyned to the Lord before as a girdle about a man. ] Perath, and hide it there in the cleft of the rocke.

⁵ So I went, and hid it by Perath, as the Lord had commanded me.

⁶ And after many dayes, the Lorde sayde vnto mee, Arise, goe towarde Perath, and take the girdle from thence, which I commaunded thee to hide there.

⁷ Then went I to Perath, and digged, & tooke the girdle from the place where I had hid it, and behold, the girdle was corrupt, and was profitable for nothing.

⁸ Then the word of the Lord came vnto me, saying,

⁹ Thus sayth the Lord, After this maner will I

destroy the pride of Iudah, and the great pride of Ierusalem.

¹⁰ This wicked people haue refused to heare my word, and walke after ye stubbernesse of their owne heart, and walke after other gods to serue them, and to worship them: therefore they shalbe as this girdle, which is profitable to nothing.

¹¹ For as the girdle cleaueth to the loynes of a man, so haue I tied to me the whole house of Israel, and the whole house of Iudah, saith the Lorde, that they might bee my people: that they might haue a name and prayse, and glory, but they would not heare.

¹² Therefore thou shalt saye vnto them this word, Thus sayth the Lorde God of Israel, Euery [Note: [b] Euery one of you shalbe filled with spirituall drunkennes, and be without all knowledge to seeke howe to helpe your selues. ] bottell shalbe filled with wine, and they shal say vnto thee, Doe we not knowe that euery bottell shalbe filled with wine?

¹³ Then shalt thou say vnto them, Thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will fill all the inhabitants of this land, euen the Kings that sit vpon the throne of Dauid, and the Priestes and the Prophets and all the inhabitantes of Ierusalem with drunkennesse.

¹⁴ And I [Note: [c] It shall be as easie for me to destroy the greatest and the strongest, as it is for a man to breake earthen bottels. ] wil dash them one against another, euen the fathers and the sonnes together, sayeth the Lord: I will not spare, I will not pitie nor haue compassion, but destroy them.

¹⁵ Heare and giue eare, be not proude: for the Lord hath spoken it.

¹⁶ Giue glory to the Lorde your God before he bring [Note: [d] That is, affliction and miserie by the Babylonians, Isa.8. 22. ] darknes, and or euer your feete stumble in the darke mountaines, and whiles you look for [Note: [e] Meaning, for helpe and support of the Egyptians. ] light, he turne it into the shadowe of death and make it as darkenesse.

¹⁷ But if ye will not heare this, my soule shall [Note: [f] You shall surely be led away captiue, and I, according to mine affection towarde you, shall weepe and lament for your stubbernnes. ] weepe in secrete for your pride, and mine eye shall weepe and drop downe teares, because the Lords flocke is caried away captiue.

¹⁸ Say vnto the [Note: [g] For Iehoiachin, and his mother rendred theselues by Ieremiahs cousel to the king of Babylon, 2.King. 24.12. ] King and to the Queene, Humble yourselues, sit downe, for the crowne of your glorye shall come downe from your heads.

¹⁹ The cities of [Note: [h] That is, of Iudah, which lieth Southward from Babylon. ] the South shall be shut vp, and no man shall open them: all Iudah shall be caried away captiue: it shall be wholy caried away captiue.

²⁰ Lift vp your eyes and beholde them that come fro the North: where is the [Note: [i] He asketh the King, where his people is become. ] flocke that was giuen thee, euen thy beautifull flocke?

²¹ What wilt thou saye, when hee shall visite thee? (for thou hast [Note: [k] By seeking to strangers for helpe thou hast made them skilfull to fight against thee. ] taught them to be captaines and as chiefe ouer thee) shall not sorow take thee as a woman in trauaile?

²² And if thou say in thine heart, Wherefore come these things vpon me? For the multitude of thine iniquities are thy skirts [Note: [l] Thy cloke of hypocrisie shall be pulled off and thy shame seene. ] discouered and thy heeles made bare.

²³ Can the blacke More change his skin? or the leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do euill.

²⁴ Therefore will I scatter them, as the stubble that is taken away with the South winde.

²⁵ This is thy portion, and ye part of thy measures from me, sayth the Lorde, because thou hast forgotten me and trusted in lyes.

²⁶ Therefore I haue also discouered thy skirts vpon thy face, [Note: [m] As thine iniquities haue bene manifest to al the world: so shall thy shame, and punishment. ] that thy shame may appeare.

²⁷ I haue seene thine adulteries, and thy [Note: [n] He compareth idolaters to horses inflamed after mares. ] neiings, the filthinesse of thy whoredome on the hils

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in [Note: [o] There is no place so hie nor low, whereas the markes & signes of thine idolatrie appeare not. ] the fieldes, and thine abominations. Wo vnto thee, O Ierusalem: wilt thou not bee made cleane? when shal it once be?

1 Of the dearth that shoulde come. 7 The prayer of the people asking mercie of the Lord. 10 The vnfaithfull people are not heard. 12 Of prayer, fasting, and of false prophets that seduce the people.

¹ The worde of the Lord that came vnto Ieremiah, concerning the [Note: [a] Which came. for lacke of raine, as verse 4. ] [Note: Or, restreint. ] dearth.

² Iudah hath mourned, and the gates thereof are desolate, they haue bene [Note: [b] The word signifieth to be made blacke, & so is here taken for extreme sorow. ] brought to heauinesse vnto the grounde, and the cry of Ierusalem goeth vp.

³ And their nobles haue sent their inferiours to the water, who came to the welles, and founde no water: they returned with their vessels empty: they were ashamed and confounded, and [Note: [c] To wit, with ashes in token of sorowe. ] couered their heads.

⁴ For the grounde was destroyed, because there was no rayne in the earth: the plowmen were ashamed, and couered their heads.

⁵ Yea, the hinde also calued in the fielde, & forsooke [Note: [d] Meaning, that the brute beasts for drought were compelled to forsake their yong, contrary to nature, & to go seeke water which they could not finde. ] it, because there was no grasse.

⁶ And the wilde asses did stande in the hygh places, & drew in their winde like [Note: [e] Which are so hote of nature, that they cannot be cooled with drinking of water, but still gape for the aire to refresh them. ] dragons their eyes did faile, because there was no grasse.

⁷ [Note: [f] He sheweth the only way to remedie Gods plagues, which is by vnfained confession of our sinnes, & returning to him by repentance. ] O Lorde, though our iniquities testifie against vs, deale with vs according to thy name: for our rebellions are many, we sinned against thee.

⁸ O the hope of Israel, the sauiour thereof in the time of trouble, why art thou as a [Note: [g] That taketh no care for vs. ] strager in ye land, as one that passeth by to tary for a night?

⁹ Why art thou as a man astonied, and as [Note: [h] As one that hath strength to helpe, and yet is afraide to put to his hand. ] a strong man that cannot helpe? yet thou, O Lord, art in the middes of vs, and thy Name is called vpon vs: forsake vs not.

¹⁰ Thus saith the Lord vnto this people, Thus haue they delited to wander: they haue not refrained their feete, therefore the Lorde hath no delight in them: but he will now remember their iniquitie, and visite their sinnes.

¹¹ Then sayd the Lord vnto me, [Note: [i] Reade Chap.7. 16 & 11.14. ] Thou shalt not pray to do this people good.

¹² When they fast, I will not heare their cry, and when they offer burnt offering, and an oblation, I will not accept them: but I will consume them by the sworde, and by the famine and by the pestilence.

¹³ Then answered I, Ah Lord God, beholde, the [Note: [k] He pitieth the people, & accuseth the false prophets, which deceiued them: but the Lord answered, that both the prophets, which deceiued, & the people, which suffered themselues to be seduced, shall perish, Chap.23.15. & 27. 8,9. and 29 8. ] prophets say vnto them, Ye shal not see the sworde, neither shal famine come vpon you, but I wil giue you assured peace in this place.

¹⁴ Then the Lord said vnto me, The prophets prophecie lyes in my Name: [Note: Chap.23.21. and 27.10,15.& 29.9. ] I haue not sent them, neither did I command them, neither spake I vnto them, but they prophecie vnto you a false vision, and diuination, and vanitie, and deceitfulnes of their owne heart.

¹⁵ Therefore thus saith the Lord, Concerning the prophets that prophecie in my Name, whom I haue not sent, yet they say, Sworde and famine shal not be in this land, by sword and famine shal those prophets be consumed.

¹⁶ And the people to whome these prophets doe prophecie, shalbe cast out in the streetes of Ierusalem, because of the famine, & the sword, & there shall be none to bury them, both they, and their wiues, and their sonnes, and their daughters: for I wil powre their wickednes vpon them.

¹⁷ Therefore thou shalt say this worde vnto them, Let mine eyes drop downe [Note: [l] The false prophets promised peace, & assurance, but Ieremiah calleth to teares, and repentance for their affliction, which is at hand, as Chap.9.1. Lamen. 1.16. and 2.18. ] teares night & day without ceasing: for the virgine daughter of my people is destroyed with a great destruction, and with a sore grieuous plague.

¹⁸ For if I go into the field, behold the slaine with the sworde: and if I enter into the citie, behold them that are sicke for hunger also: moreouer the Prophet also & the Priest go a wandring [Note: [m] Both hie and lowe shalbe led captiues into Babylon. ] into a land that they know not.

¹⁹ Hast thou vtterly reiected [Note: [n] Though the Prophet knewe that God had cast off the multitude, which were hypocrites, and bastarde children, yet he was assured that for his promes sake he woulde haue stil a Church, for the which he prayeth. ] Iudah, or hath thy soule abhorred Zion? why hast thou smitten vs, that we cannot be healed? Wee looked for peace, and there is no good, and for the time of health, and behold trouble.

²⁰ We [Note: [o] He teacheth the Church a forme of prayer to humble themselues to God by true repentance, which is the onely meane to auoyde this famine, which was the beginning of Gods plagues. ] acknowledge, O Lord, our wickednesse and the iniquitie of our fathers: for we haue sinned against thee.

²¹ Doe not abhorre vs: for thy Names sake cast not downe the throne of thy glory: remember and breake not thy couenant with vs.

²² Are there any among the [Note: [p] Meaning, their idoles, reade Chap.10.15. ] vanities of the Gentiles, that can giue raine? or can the heauens giue showres? is it not thou, O Lorde our God? therefore we will waite vpon thee: for thou hast made all these things.

1 The Lord would heare no prayer for the Iewes, 3 But threatneth to destroy them with foure plagues.

¹ Then sayde the Lord vnto me, [Note: [a] Meaning, that if there were any man liuing moued with so great zeale toward the people, as were these two, yet that he would not grant this request, forasmuch as he had determined the contrary, Ezek.14.14. ] Though Moses and Samuel stoode before mee, yet mine affection coulde not be toward this people: cast them out of my sight, and let them depart.

² And if they say vnto thee, Whither shal we depart? then tell them, Thus saith the Lord, [Note: Zech.11.9. ] Such as are appointed to death, vnto death: and such as are for the sworde, to the sworde: and such as are for the famine, to the famine: and such as are for the captiuitie, to the captiuitie.

³ And I wil appoint ouer them foure kindes, sayth the Lord, the sworde to slay, and the [Note: [b] The dogges, birdes and beastes should deuoure them, that were slaine. ] dogs to teare in pieces, and the soules of the heauen, and the beastes of the earth to deuoure, and to destroy.

⁴ I will [Note: [c] The word signifieth to runne to & fro for feare & vnquietnes of coscience, as did Kain. ] scatter them also in all kingdomes of the earth, [Note: [d] Not that the people was punished for the kings sinne onely, but for their owne sinnes also, because they consented to his wickednes, 2.King. 21.9. ] because of Manasseh the sonne of Hezekiah King of Iudah, for that which he did in Ierusalem.

⁵ Who shal then haue pitie vpon thee, O Ierusalem? or who shalbe sorie for thee? or who shal go to pray for thy peace?

⁶ Thou hast forsaken me, sayth the Lord, and gone backward: therefore wil I stretch out mine hand against thee, and destroy thee: for I [Note: [e] That is, I will not call backe my plagues, or spare thee any more. ] am weary with repenting.

⁷ And I wil scatter them with the fanne [Note: [f] Meaning, the cities. ] in the gates of the earth I haue wasted, and destroyed my people, yet they would not returne from their wayes.

⁸ Their widdowes [Note: [g] Because I had slaine their husbandes. ] are increased by mee aboue the sande of the sea: I haue brought vpon them, and against the [Note: Or, mother. ] assembly of the yong men a destroyer at noone day: I haue caused him to fal vpon them, and the citie suddenly, and [Note: Or, fearefully. ] speedily.

⁹ Shee that hath borne [Note: [h] She that had many, lost all her children. ] seuen, hath bene made weake: her heart hath failed: the sunne hath failed [Note: [i] She was destroyed in ye middes of her prosperitie. ] her, whiles it was day: she hath bene confounded, and ashamed, and the residue of them [Page]

will I deliuer vnto the sworde before their enemies, sayth the Lord.

¹⁰ ¶ [Note: [k] These are the prophets words, complaining of ye obstinacie of the people, and that he was reserued to so wicked a time: wherein also he sheweth what is the condition of Gods ministers: to wit, to haue all the world against the, though they giue none occasion. ] Wo is mee, my mother, that thou hast borne mee, a contentious man, and a man that striueth with the whole earth I haue neither [Note: [l] Which is an occasion of contention and hatred. ] lent on vsury, nor men haue lent vnto me on vsurie: yet euery one doeth curse me.

¹¹ The Lord sayd, [Note: [m] In this perplexitie the Lord comforted me, and said that my last dayes should be quiet: and by the enemie he meaneth here, Nebuzardan ye captaine of Nebuchad nezzar, who gaue Ieremiah the choise either to remaine in his countrey, or to goe whither he would: or by the enemy he meaneth the Iewes, which should afterward knowe Ieremiahs fidelitie, and therefore fauour him. ] Surely thy remnant shal haue wealth: surely I will cause thine enemie to intreate thee in the time of trouble, & in the time of affliction.

¹² Shall the [Note: [n] As for the people, though they seemed strong as yron, yet should they not be able to resist the hard yron of Babylon, but should be led captiues. ] yron breake the yron, and the brasse that commeth from the North?

¹³ Thy substance and thy treasures wil I giue to be spoyled without [Note: Or, ransome. ] gaine, and that for all thy sinnes euen in all thy borders.

¹⁴ And I wil make thee to go with thine enemies into a land that thou knowest not: for a fire is kindled in mine anger, which shal burne you.

¹⁵ O Lord, thou knowest, remember me, and visite me, & reuenge me of my [Note: [o] He speaketh not this for desire of reuengeance, but wishing that God would deliuer his Church of them whome he knew to be hardened, and incorrigible. ] persecuters: take mee not away in the continuance of thine anger: know that for thy sake I haue suffered rebuke.

¹⁶ Thy wordes were founde by me, and I did [Note: [p] I receiued them with as great ioy as he, that is affamished, eateth meate. ] eate them, and thy worde was vnto me the ioy and reioycing of mine heart: for thy Name is called vpon me, O Lord God of hostes.

¹⁷ I sate not in the assembly of the mockers, neither did I reioyce, but sate alone [Note: [q] I had nothing a doe with the wicked contemners of thy word, but lamented bitterly for thy plagues: shewing what the faithful should do when they see tokens of Gods anger. ] because of thy plague: for thou hast filled me wt indignation.

¹⁸ Why is mine heauines continuall? and my plague desperate and cannot be healed? why art thou vnto me [Note: [r] And hast not assisted me according to thy promes? wherein appeareth, that in the Saints of God is imperfection of faith, which through impatiencie is oft times assailed, as Chap.20.7. ] as a lyar, and as waters that faile?

¹⁹ Therefore thus saith the Lord, If thou [Note: [s] If thou forget these carnall considerations, & faithfully execute thy charge. ] returne, then wil I bring thee againe, and thou shalt stand before me: and if thou take away the [Note: [t] That is, seeke to winne the good from the bad. ] precious from the vile, thou shalt be [Note: [u] To wit, as my mouth hath pronounced, Chap.1.18. & as here foloweth, ver.20. ] according to my worde: let them returne [Note: [x] Conforme not thy selfe to their wickednes, but let them followe thy godly example. ] vnto thee, but returne not thou vnto them.

²⁰ And I will make thee vnto this people a strong brasen wal, & they shal fight against thee, but they shal not [Note: [y] I wil arme thee with an inuincible strength & constancie, so that all the powers of ye world shal not ouercome thee. ] preuaile against thee: for I am wt thee to saue thee & to deliuer thee, saith ye Lord.

²¹ And I will deliuer thee out of the hand of the wicked, and I will redeeme thee out of the hand of the tyrants.

2 The Lord forbidding Ieremiah to marrie, sheweth him what should be the afflictions vpon Iudah. 13 The captiuitie of Babylon. 15 Their deliuerance. 19 The calling of the Gentiles.

¹ The worde of the Lorde came also vnto mee, saying,

² Thou shalt not take [Note: [a] Meaning, that ye affliction should be so horrible in Ierusale, that wife & children should but increase his sorowe. ] thee a wife, nor haue sonnes nor daughters in this place.

³ For thus sayeth the Lorde concerning the sonnes, and concerning the daughters that are borne in this place, & concerning their mothers that beare them, & concerning their fathers, that beget them in this land,

⁴ They shal die of deathes and diseases: they shal not be lamented, neither shal they be buried,

but they shalbe as dung vpon the earth, and they shalbe consumed by the sword, & by famine, and their carkeises shall be meate for the foules of the heauen, and for the beasts of the earth.

⁵ For thus saith the Lord, [Note: [b] Signifying that ye affliction should be so great, that one should not haue leisure to comfort another. ] Enter not into the house of mourning, neither goe to lament, nor be moued for the: for I haue taken my peace, fro this people, saith the Lord, euen mercy & compassion.

⁶ Both the great, and the smal shal die in this land: they shall not be buried, neither shall men lament for them [Note: [c] That is, should not rent their clothes in signe of mourning. ] nor cut themselues, nor make themselues balde for them.

⁷ They shal not stretch out the hands for the in the mourning to comfort them for the dead, neither shal they giue them the [Note: [d] For in these great extremities all consolation & comfort shalbe in vaine. ] cup of consolation to drinke for their father or for their mother.

⁸ Thou shalt not also goe into the house of feasting to sit with them to eate and to drinke.

⁹ For thus sayth the Lord of hostes, the God of Israel, Beholde, I wil cause to cease out of this place in your eyes, euen in your dayes the voyce of myrth, and the voyce of gladnes, the voyce of the bridegrome and the voyce of the bride.

¹⁰ And when thou shalt shewe this people all these wordes, & they shal say vnto thee, [Note: Chap.5.19. ] Wherefore hath the Lorde pronounced all this great plague against vs? or what is [Note: [e] Because the wicked are alwayes rebellious & dissemble their owne sinnes, and murmure against Gods iudgements as though he had no iust cause to punish them, he sheweth him what to answere. ] our iniquitie? and what is our sinne that we haue committed against the Lord our God?

¹¹ Then shalt thou say vnto them, Because your fathers haue forsaken me, sayth the Lord, & haue walked after other gods, and haue serued them, and worshipped them, & haue forsaken me, and haue not kept my Law,

¹² ( [Note: Chap.7.26. ] And ye haue done worse then your fathers: for beholde, you walke euery one after the stubbernesse of his wicked heart, and will not heare me)

¹³ Therefore will I driue you out of this land into a lande that ye knowe not, neither you, nor your fathers, & there shal ye serue other gods day and night: for I will shew you no grace.

¹⁴ [Note: Chap.23.7. ] Behold therfore, saith the Lord, the dayes come that it shal no more be sayde, The Lord liueth, which brought vp the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt,

¹⁵ But the Lorde liueth, that brought vp the children of Israel [Note: [f] Signifying the benefite of their deliuerance out of Babylon should be so great that it shoulde abolish the remembrance of their deliuerace from Egypt: but he hath here chiefly respect to the spirituall deliuerance vnder Christ. ] from the lande of the North, and from all the landes where hee had scattered them, and I wil bring them againe into their land that I gaue vnto their fathers.

¹⁶ Behold, sayth the Lord, I wil send out many [Note: [g] By the fishers & hunters are meant the Babylonians & Caldeans, who should destroy the in such sort, that if they escaped the one, the other should take them. ] fishers, and they shal fish them, and after, will I send out many hunters, and they shal hunt them from euery mountaine and from euery hill, and out of the caues of the rockes.

¹⁷ For mine eyes are vpon al their wayes: they are not hid from my face, neither is their iniquitie hid from mine eyes.

¹⁸ And first I will recompense their iniquitie and their sinne double, because they haue defiled my lande, and haue filled mine inheritance with their filthie [Note: [h] That is, their sonnes and daughters, which they offred to Molech. ] carions and their abominations.

¹⁹ O Lord, thou art my [Note: [i] He wondereth at the great mercy of God in this deliuerance, which shal not only extend to the Iewes, but also the Gentiles. ] force, & my strength & my refuge in the day of affliction: the Gentiles shal come vnto thee from the ends of the world, & shal say, Surely our fathers haue inherited [Note: [k] Our fathers were most vile idolaters: therefore it commeth onely of Gods mercie, that he performeth his promes, and hath not vtterly cast vs off. ] lies, and vanitie, wherein was no profite.

²⁰ Shall a man make gods vnto himselfe, and they are no gods?


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²¹ Beholde, therefore I will this once [Note: [l] They shall once againe feele my power, and mercie for their deliuerance, that they may learne to worship me. ] teach them: I will shewe them mine hande and my power, and they shall know that my Name is the Lord.

1 The frowardnesse of the Iewes. 5 Cursed bee those that put their confidence in man. 9 Mans heart is wicked. 10 God is the searcher of the heart. 13 The liuing waters are forsaken. 21 The right keeping of the Sabbath commanded.

¹ The sinne of Iudah is [Note: [a] The remembrance of their contempt of God can not passe, albeit for a time he deferre the punishment, for it shall be manifest to men and Angels. ] written with a pen of yron, and with the poynt of a diamonde, and grauen vpon the [Note: [b] In steade of the Lawe of God, they haue written idolatry and all abominations in their heart. ] table of their heart, and vpon the hornes of your [Note: [c] Your sinnes appeare in all the altars that you haue errected to idoles. ] altars.

² [Note: [d] Some reade, So that their children remember their altars, that is, followe their fathers wickednesse. ] They remember their altars as their children, with their groues by the greene trees vpon the hilles.

³ [Note: [e] Zion that was my mountaine shall nowe be left as a waste fielde. ] O my mountaine in the fielde, I will giue thy substance, and all thy treasures to be spoyled, for the sinne of thy high places throughout all thy borders.

⁴ And thou shalt rest, [Note: [f] Because thou wouldest not giue the lande rest at such times, dayes, and yeeres as I appoynted, thou shalt hereafter be caryed away, and it shall rest for lacke of labourers. ] and in thee shall be a rest from thine heritage that I gaue thee, and I will cause thee to serue thine enemies in the land, which thou knowest not: for yee haue kindled a fire in mine anger, which shall burne for euer.

⁵ ¶ Thus saith the Lord, [Note: [g] The Iewes were giuen to worldly policies, & thought to make themselues strong by the friendshippe of the Egyptians, Isa.31.3. and strangers, and in the meane season did not depende on God, and therefore he denounceth Gods plagues against them, shewing that they preferre corruptible man to God, which is immortall, Isa.2.22. Chap.48.6,7. ] Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arme, and withdraweth his heart from the Lord.

⁶ For he shall be like the heath in the wildernesse, and shall not see when any good commeth, but shall inhabite the parched places in the wildernesse, in a salt land, and not inhabited.

⁷ Blessed be the man, that trusteth in ye Lord, and whose hope the Lord is.

⁸ [Note: [h] Reade Psal.1.3. ] For he shall be as a tree that is planted by the water, which spreadeth out her rootes by the riuer, and shall not feele when the heate commeth, but her leafe shall be greene, and shall not care for the yeere of drought, neyther shall cease from yeelding fruit.

⁹ [Note: [i] Because the wicked haue euer some excuse to defende their doings, he sheweth, that their owne lewde imaginations deceiue them, and bring them to these inconueniences: but God will examine their deedes by the malice of their hearts, 1.Samu.16.7. 1.Chron 28.9. Psalm.7.10. Chap. 11.20. and 20 12. Reuel.2.23. ] The heart is deceitfull and wicked aboue all things, who can knowe it?

¹⁰ I the Lord search the heart, and try ye reines, euen to giue euery man according to his wayes, and according to the fruite of his workes.

¹¹ [Note: [k] As the Partrich by calling gathereth others, which forsake her, when they see that she is not their damme: so the couetous man is forsaken of his riches, because hee commeth by them falsely. ] As the partryche gathereth the yong, which she hath not brought forth: so he that getteth riches, and not by right, shall leaue them in the middes of his dayes, and at his ende shall bee a foole.

¹² As a glorious throne [Note: [l] Shewing that the godly ought to glory in nothing, but in God: who doeth exalt his, and hath left a signe of his fauour in his Temple. ] exalted fro the beginning, so is the place of our Sanctuarie.

¹³ O Lorde, the hope of Israel, all that forsake thee, shall be confounded: they that depart from thee, shalbe written [Note: [m] Their names shall not be registred in the booke of life. ] in the earth, because they haue forsaken the Lord, the fountaine of liuing waters.

¹⁴ Heale me, O Lorde, and I shall bee whole: [Note: [n] He desireth God to preserue him that hee fall not into tentation considering the great contempt of Gods worde, and the multitude that fall from God. ] saue me, and I shall bee saued: for thou art my prayse.

¹⁵ Behold, [Note: [o] The wicked say that my prophecie shall not come to passe because thou deferrest the time of thy vengeance. ] they say vnto me, Where is the word of the Lord? let it come nowe.

¹⁶ But [Note: [p] I am assured of my vocation, and therefore knowe that the thing which thou speakest by me, shall come to passe, and that I speake not of any worldly affection. ] I haue not thrust in my selfe for a pastour after thee, neither haue I desired the day of miserie, thou knowest: that which came out of my lips, was right before thee.

¹⁷ Be not [Note: [q] Howsoeuer the wicked deale rigorously with me, yet let me finde comfort in thee. ] terrible vnto mee: thou art mine hope in the day of aduersitie.

¹⁸ Let them bee confounded, that persecute me, but let not me be confounded: let them be afraide, but let not me be afraide: bring vpon them the day of aduersitie, [Note: [r] Reade Chap.11. 20. ] and destroy them with double destruction.

¹⁹ Thus hath the Lord said vnto me, Goe and stande in the [Note: [s] Whereas thy doctrine may be best vnderstande both of hie and lowe. ] gate of the children of the people, whereby the Kings of Iudah come in, and by the which they goe out, & in all ye gates of Ierusalem,

²⁰ And say vnto them, Heare the word of the Lord, ye Kings of Iudah, and al Iudah, and all the inhabitants of Ierusale, yt enter in by these gates.

²¹ Thus sayth the Lorde, Take heede to your soules, and beare no burden in the [Note: [t] By naming the Sabbath day, he comprehendeth the thing, that is thereby signified for if they transgressed in the ceremonie, they must needes be culpable of the rest, reade Exod.20.8. and by the breaking of this one commandement, he maketh them transgressors of the whole lawe, forasmuch as the first and seconde table are conteined herein. ] Sabbath day, nor bring it in by the gates of Ierusalem.

²² Neither cary foorth burdens out of your houses in the Sabbath day: neither doe yee any worke, but sanctifie the Sabbath, as I commanded your fathers.

²³ But they obeied not, neither inclined their eares, but made their neckes stiffe and would not heare, nor receiue correction.

²⁴ Neuerthelesse if ye will heare me, sayth the Lorde, and beare no burden through the gates of the citie in the Sabbath day, but sanctifie ye Sabbath day, so that ye do no worke therein,

²⁵ Then shall the Kings and the princes enter in at the gates of this citie, and shal sit [Note: Chap.22.4. ] vpon the throne of Dauid, and shall ride vpon charets, and vpon horses, both they and their princes, the men of Iudah, and the inhabitants of Ierusalem: and this citie shall remaine for euer.

²⁶ And they shall come from the cities of Iudah, and from about Ierusalem, and from the land of Beniamin, and from the plaine, and from the mountaines, and fro the South, which shall bring burnt offrings, and sacrifices, and meate offrings, and incense, and shall bring sacrifice of prayse into the house of the Lord.

²⁷ But if ye will not heare me to sanctifie the Sabbath day, and not to beare a burden nor to go through the gates of Ierusalem in the Sabbath day, then will I kindle a fire in the gates thereof, and it shall deuoure the palaces of Ierusalem, and it shall not be quenched.

2 God sheweth by the example of a potter, that it is in his power to destroy the despisers of his worde. 18 The conspiracie of the Iewes against Ieremiah. 19 His prayer against his aduersaries.

¹ The worde which came to Ieremiah from the Lord, saying,

² Arise, and go downe into the potters house, and there shall I shewe thee my words.

³ Then I went downe to the potters house, & behold, he wrought a worke on the wheeles.

⁴ And the vessell that he made of [Note: [a] As the potter hath power ouer the clay to make what pot he wil, or to breake them, when he hath made them: so haue I power ouer you to doe with you as seemeth good to me, Isa 45.9. wis.15.7. rom.9.20, 21. ] clay, was broken in the hand of the potter. so he returned, and made it another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.

⁵ Then the worde of the Lord came vnto me, saying,
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⁶ O house of Israel, cannot I doe with you as this potter, sayth the Lord? beholde, as the clay is in the potters hande, so are you in mine hande, O house of Israel.

⁷ I will speake suddenly against a nation or against a kingdome to plucke it vp, and to roote it out and to destroy it.

⁸ But if this nation, against whom I haue pronounced, turne from their wickednesse, I will [Note: [b] When ye scripture attributeth repentance vnto God, it is not that he doeth contrary to that which he hath ordeyned in his secrete counsell: but when he threatneth, it is a calling to repentance, and when he giueth man grace to repent, the threatning (which euer conteineth a condition in it) taketh no place: and this the scripture calleth repentance in God, because it so appeareth to mans iudgement. ] repent of the plague that I thought to bring vpon them.

⁹ And I wil speake suddenly concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdome to builde it and to plant it.

¹⁰ But if it do euill in my sight and heare not my voyce, I will repent of ye good that I thought to do for them.

¹¹ Speake thou nowe therefore vnto the men of Iudah, and to the inhabitants of Ierusalem, saying, Thus saith ye Lord, Behold, I prepare a plague for you, and purpose a thing against you: returne you therefore euery one from his euill way, and make your wayes and your workes good.

¹² But they sayde [Note: [c] As men that had no remorse, but were altogether bent to rebellion, and to their owne selfe will. ] desperately, Surely wee will walke after our owne imaginations, and doe euery man after the stubburnnesse of his wicked heart.

¹³ Therefore thus saith the Lord, Aske now among the heathen, who hath heard such thinges? the virgin of Israel hath done very filthily.

¹⁴ Will a man forsake the snowe of Lebanon, which commeth from the rocke of the fielde? [Note: [d] As no man that hath thirst, refuseth fresh conduit waters which he hath at home, to goe and seeke waters abroad to quench his thirst: so they ought not to seeke for helpe and succour at strangers and leaue God, which was present with them. ] or shall the colde flowing waters, that come from another place, be forsaken?

¹⁵ Because my people hath forgotten me, and haue burnt incense to vanitie, and their prophets haue caused them to stumble in their wayes from the [Note: [e] That is, the way of trueth, which God had taught by his lawe, reade Chap.6.16. ] auncient wayes, to walke in the pathes and way that is not troden,

¹⁶ To make their land desolate and a perpetual derision, so that euery one that passeth thereby, shalbe astonished and wagge his head,

¹⁷ I will scatter them with an East winde before the enemie: I will shewe them the backe, and [Note: [f] I will shewe mine anger and not my fauour toward them. ] not the face in the day of their destruction.

¹⁸ Then sayde they, Come, and let vs imagine some deuice against Ieremiah: for the Lawe [Note: [g] This argument the wicked haue euer vsed against the seruantes of God, The Church can not erre: we are the Church, and therefore whosoeuer speaketh against vs, they ought to die, 1.King.22.24. chap.7.4. and 10.2. malac.2.4. and thus the false Church persecuteth the true Church, which standeth not in outward pompe, and in multitude, but is knowen by the graces of the holy Ghost. ] shal not perish from the Priest, nor counsell from the wise, nor the worde from the Prophet: come, and let vs smite him with the [Note: [h] Let vs slander him, and accuse him: for we shall be beleeued. ] tongue, and let vs not giue heede to any of his words.

¹⁹ Hearken vnto mee, O Lorde, and heare the voyce of them that contend with me.

²⁰ Shall euill be recompensed for good? for they haue digged a pit for my soule: remember that I stood before thee, to speake good for the, and to turne away thy wrath from them.

²¹ Therefore, [Note: [i] Seeing the obstinate malice of the aduersaries, which grew daily more and more, the Prophet being moued with Gods Spirit, without any carnall affection prayeth for their destruction, because hee knewe that it shoulde tende to Gods glory, and profite of his Church. ] deliuer vp their children to famine, and let them drop away by the force of the sworde, and let their wiues be robbed of their children, and be widowes: and let their husbandes be put to death, and let their yong men be slayne by the sword in the battell.

²² Let the crye bee heard from their houses, when thou shalt bring an hoste suddenly vpon them: for they haue digged a pit to take me, and hid snares for my feete.

²³ Yet Lord thou knowest al their counsel against me tendeth to death: forgiue not their iniquitie, neither put out their sinne from thy sight, but let them be ouerthrowen before thee: deale thus with them in the time of thine anger.

Hee prophecieth the destruction of Ierusalem for the contempt and despising of the word of God.

¹ Thus sayth the Lord, Goe, and buy an earthen bottel of a potter, and take of the ancients of the people, and of the ancients of the Priests,

² And goe forth vnto the valley of Ben-hinnom, which is by the entrie of the [Note: Or, gate of the sunne. ] East gate: and thou shalt preache there the wordes, that I shall tell thee,

³ And shalt say, Heare yee the worde of the Lorde, O [Note: [a] By Kings here and in other places are meant councellers and gouernors of the people; which he called the Ancients, verse 1. ] Kings of Iudah, and inhabitantes of Ierusalem, Thus sayth the Lorde of hostes, the God of Israel, Behold, I will bring a plague vpon this place, the which whosoeuer heareth, his eares shall [Note: [b] Reade of this phrase, 1.Sam 3. 11. ] tingle.

⁴ Because they haue forsaken me, and prophaned this place, and haue burnt incense in it vnto other gods, whome neyther they, nor their fathers haue knowen, nor the Kings of Iudah (they haue filled this place also with the blood of innocents,

⁵ And they haue built the hie places of Baal, to burne their sonnes with fire for burnt offrings vnto Baal, which I [Note: [c] Whereby is declared, that whatsoeuer is not commanded by Gods worde touching his seruice, is against his word. ] commanded not, nor spake it, neither came it into my minde)

⁶ Therefore behold, the dayes come, sayth the Lord, that this place shal no more be called [Note: [d] Reade chap.7. 31. and 2.king.23.10. isa 30.33. ] Topheth, nor ye valley of Ben-hinnom, but the valley of slaughter.

⁷ And I will bring the counsell of Iudah and Ierusalem to nought in this place, and I will cause them to fall by the sword before their enemies, & by the hand of them that seeke their liues: and their carkeises will I giue to be meate for ye foules of the heauen, and to the beastes of the fielde.

⁸ [Note: Chap.18.16.and 49.13. and 50.13. ] And I will make this citie desolate and an hissing, so that euery one that passeth thereby, shalbe astonished & hisse because of all ye plagues thereof.

⁹ [Note: Deut.28.53. lament.4.10. ] And I will feede the with the flesh of their sonnes and with the flesh of their daughters, and euery one shall eate the flesh of his friende in the siege and straitnes, wherewith their enemies that seeke their liues, shall hold them strait.

¹⁰ Then shalt thou breake the bottell in the sight of the men that go with thee,

¹¹ And shalt say vnto them, Thus saith ye Lord of hostes, Euen so will I breake this people and this citie, as one breaketh a [Note: [e] This visible sight was to confirme them touching the assurance of this plague, which the Lord threatned by his Prophet. ] potters vessell, that cannot be made whole againe, and they shal bury them in Topheth till there be no place to bury.

¹² Thus will I doe vnto this place, sayth the Lorde, and to the inhabitantes thereof, and I will make this citie like Topheth.

¹³ For the houses of Ierusalem, and the houses of the Kings of Iudah shalbe defiled as the place of Topheth, because of al the [Note: [f] He noteth the great rage of the idolaters, which left no place free from their abominations, in somuch as they polluted their owne houses therewith, as we see yet among the Papistes. ] houses vpo whose [Note: [g] Reade Deut. ] roofes they haue burnt incense vnto all the host of heauen, and haue powred out drinke offerings vnto other gods.

¹⁴ Then came Ieremiah fro Topheth, where the Lord had sent him to prophecie, and he stood in the court of the Lordes house, and sayde to all the people,


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¹⁵ Thus saith the Lorde of hostes, the God of Israel, Beholde, I will bring vpon this citie, and vpon all her townes, all the plagues that I haue pronounced against it, because they haue hardened their neckes, & would not heare my wordes.

2 Ieremiah is smitten and cast into prison for preaching of the worde of God. 3 He prophecieth the captiuitie of Babylon. 7 He complaineth that he is a mocking stocke for the worde of God. 9 He is compelled by the spirite to preache the worde.

¹ When Pashur, the sonne of Immer, the Priest, which was appointed gouernour in the house of the Lorde, heard that Ieremiah prophecied these things,

² Then Pashur smote Ieremiah the Prophet, and put him in the [Note: [a] Thus we see that the thing which neither the King, nor the Princes, nor the people durst enterprise against the Prophet of God, this Priest as a chiefe instrument of Satan first attempted, reade Chap.18.18. ] stockes that were in the hie gate of Beniamin which was by the House of the Lorde.

³ And on the morning, Pashur brought Ieremiah out of the stockes. Then said Ieremiah vnto him, The Lord hath not called thy name Pashur, but [Note: Or, feare round about. ] Magor-missabib.

⁴ For thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will make thee to be a terrour to thy self, & to al thy friends, and they shall fall by the sword of their enemies, and thine eyes shall beholde it, and I will giue all Iudah into the hande of the King of Babel, and he shall cary them captiue into Babel, and shall slay them with the sworde.

⁵ Moreouer, I will deliuer all the substance of this citie, and all the labours thereof, and al the precious things thereof, and all the treasures of the Kings of Iudah will I giue into the hande of their enemies, which shall spoyle them, and take them away and cary them to Babel.

⁶ And thou Pashur, and all that dwell in thine house, shal go into captiuitie, and thou shalt come to Babel, and there thou shalt die, and shalt be buryed there, thou and all thy [Note: [b] Which haue suffred them selues to be abused by thy false prophecies. ] friendes, to whome thou hast prophecied lyes.

⁷ O Lorde, thou hast deceiued me, and I am [Note: [c] Herein appeareth the impaciencie, which oftetimes ouercommeth the seruants of God, when they see not their labours to profite, and also feele their owne weakenesse, reade chap.15.18. ] deceiued: thou art stronger then I, and hast [Note: [d] Thou diddest thrust me foorth to this worke against my will. ] preuailed: I am in derision daily: euery one mocketh me.

⁸ For since I spake, I cryed out of wrong, and proclaimed [Note: [e] He sheweth that he did his office in that he reprooued the people of their vices, and threatned them with Gods iudgements: but because he was derided and persecuted for this, he was discouraged and thought to haue ceased to preach, saue that Gods Spirit did force him thereunto. ] desolation: therefore the word of the Lorde was made a reproche vnto me, and in derision daily.

⁹ Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speake any more in his Name. But his worde was in mine heart as a burning fire shut vp in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay.

¹⁰ For I had heard the railing of many, and feare on euery side. [Note: [f] Thus the enemies conferred together to knowe what they had heard him say, that they might accuse him thereof, reade Isa.29 21. ] Declare, said they, and wee wil declare it: all my familiars watched for mine halting, saying, It may be that he is deceiued: so we shall preuaile against him, and we shal execute our vengeance vpon him.

¹¹ [Note: [g] Here he sheweth howe his faith did striue against tetation, & sought to the Lorde for strength. ] But the Lorde is with me like a mightie gyant: therefore my persecuters shall be ouerthrowen, and shall not preuaile, and shalbe greatly confounded: for they haue done vnwisely, and their euerlasting shame shall neuer be forgotten.

¹² [Note: 1 Sam.16.7. 1.chron.28.9. psalme.7.9. chap.11.20. and 17.10. ] But, O Lorde of hostes, that tryest the righteous, and seest the reines and the heart, let me see thy vengeance on them: for vnto thee haue I opened my cause.

¹³ Sing vnto the Lorde, praise ye the Lorde: for he hath deliuered the soule of the poore fro

the hande of the wicked.

¹⁴ ¶ [Note: [h] How the children of God are ouercome in this battel of the flesh and the spirit, and into what inconueniences they fall till God raise them vp againe, reade Iob.3 1. and chap.15.10. ] Cursed be the day wherein I was borne: and let not the day wherein my mother bare me, be blessed.

¹⁵ Cursed be the man, that shewed my father, saying, A man child is borne vnto thee, and comforted him.

¹⁶ And let that man be as the [Note: [i] Alluding to the destruction of Sodom and Gomorah, Gen.19.25. ] cities, which the Lord hath ouerturned and repented not: and let him heare the cry in the morning, and the showting at noone tide,

¹⁷ Because he hath not slaine me, euen from the wombe, or that my mother might haue bene my graue, or her wobe a perpetual [Note: [k] Meaning, that the fruite thereof might neuer come to profite. ] conception.

¹⁸ How is it, that I came forth of the wombe, to see labour and sorowe, that my dayes shoulde be consumed with shame?

He prophecieth that Zedekiah shall be taken, and the citie burned.

¹ The worde which came vnto Ieremiah from the Lord, when king Zedekiah sent vnto him Pashur, the sonne of Malchiah, and Zephaniah, the sonne of Maaseiah the Priest, saying,

² [Note: [a] Not that the King was touched with repentance of his sinnes and so sought to God, as did Hezekiah when he sent to Isaiah, 2. King.19.1. Isa.37.2. but because the Prophet might pray vnto God to take this present plague away, as Pharaoh sought vnto Moses, Exod.9.28. ] Inquire, I pray thee, of the Lorde for vs, (for Nebuchad-nezzar King of Babel maketh warre against vs) if so be that the Lord will deale with vs according to all his wonderous workes, that he may returne vp from vs.

³ Then said Ieremiah, Thus shall you say to Zedekiah,

⁴ Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, Behold, I will [Note: [b] To wit, from your enemies to destroy your selues. ] turne backe the weapons of warre that are in your hands, wherewith ye fight against the King of Babel, and against the Caldeans, which besiege you without the walles, and I will assemble them into the middes of this citie.

⁵ And I my selfe will fight against you with an outstretched hand, & with a mighty arme, eue in anger and in wrath, and in great indignation.

⁶ And I will smite the inhabitants of this citie, both man, and beast: they shall die of a great pestilence.

⁷ And after this, sayeth the Lorde, I will deliuer Zedekiah the King of Iudah, and his seruants, and the people, and such as are left in this citie, from the pestilence, from the sworde and from the famine into the hande of Nebuchad-nezzar King of Babel, and into the hande of their enemies, and into the hande of those that seeke their liues, and he shall smite them with the edge of the sworde: he shall not spare them, neither haue pitie nor compassion.

⁸ ¶ And vnto this people thou shalt say, Thus saith the Lorde, Beholde, I set before you the [Note: [c] By yeelding your selues to Nebuchad-nezzar. ] way of life, and the way of [Note: [d] By resisting him. ] death.

⁹ [Note: Chap.38 2. ] He that abideth in this citie, shall dye by the sword and by the famine, and by the pestilence: but he that goeth out, and falleth to the Caldeans, that besiege you, he shall liue, and his life shalbe vnto him for a [Note: [e] As a thing recouered from extreeme danger, Chap.37.2. and 39.18. and 45.5. ] pray.

¹⁰ For I haue set my face against this citie, for euill and not for good, saith the Lorde: it shalbe giuen into the hande of the King of Babel, and he shall burne it with fire.

¹¹ ¶ And say vnto the house of the King of Iudah, Heare ye the worde of the Lorde.

¹² O house of Dauid, thus saith the Lorde, [Note: Chap.22.3. ] Execute iudgement [Note: [f] Be diligent to doe iustice. ] in the morning, and deliuer the oppressed out of the hande of the oppressor, [Page]

lest my wrath go out like fire and burne, that none can quench it, because of the wickednes of your workes.

¹³ Beholde, I come against thee, [Note: [g] Meaning, Ierusalem, which was builded part on the hill and part in the valley, and was compassed about with mountaines. ] O inhabitant of the valley, & rocke of the plaine, saith the Lord, which say, Who shall come downe against vs? or who shall enter into our habitations?

¹⁴ But I wil visite you according to the fruite of your workes, saith the Lord, and I will kindle a fire [Note: [h] That is, in the houses thereof, which stoode as thicke as trees in the forest. ] in the forest thereof, and it shall deuoure rounde about it.

2 He exhorteth the King to iudgement and righteousnesse. 9 Why Ierusalem is brought into captiuitie. 11 The death of Shallum the sonne of Iosiah is prophecied.

¹ Thus said the Lorde, Goe downe to the house of the King of Iudah, and speake there this thing,

² And say, Heare the worde of the Lorde, O King of Iudah, that sittest vpon the throne of Dauid, thou and thy seruants, and thy people that enter in by these gates.

³ Thus saith the Lorde, [Note: Chap.21.12. ] Execute ye iudgement and [Note: [a] This was his ordinarie maner of preaching before the Kings from Iosiah vnto Zedekiah, which was about fourtie yeeres. ] righteousnes, and deliuer the oppressed from the hande of the oppressor, and vexe not the stranger, the fatherlesse, nor the widowe: doe no violence, nor sheade innocent blood in this place.

⁴ For if ye do this thing, then shall the kings sitting vpon the throne of Dauid enter in by the gates of this House, [Note: Chap.17 25. ] and ride vpon charets, and vpon horses, both he and his seruants and his people.

⁵ But if ye will not heare these wordes, I [Note: [b] Shewing that there is none greater then he is, Hebr.6.13. and that he will most certainely perfourme his othe. ] sweare by my selfe, saith the Lorde, that this House shalbe waste.

⁶ For thus hath the Lorde spoken vpon the Kings house of Iudah, Thou art [Note: [c] He compareth Ierusalem to Gilead, which was beyonde Iorden, and the beautie of Iudea to Lebanon. ] Gilead vnto me, & the head of Lebanon, yet surely I wil make thee a wildernes and as cities not inhabited,

⁷ And I will [Note: [d] The Ebrewe worde signifieth to sanctifie, because the Lord doeth dedicate to his vse and purpose such as he prepareth to execute his worke, Isa 13.3. chap.6.4. & 12.3. ] prepare destroyers against thee, euery one with his weapons, and they shall cut downe thy chiefe [Note: [e] Thy buildings made of Cedar trees. ] cedar trees, and cast them in the fire.

⁸ [Note: [f] As they that wonder at a thing which they thought would neuer haue come so to passe, Deut.29. 24. 1.king 9.8. ] And many nations shall passe by this citie, and they shall say euery man to his neighbour, Wherefore hath the Lorde done thus vnto this great citie?

⁹ Then shall they answere, Because they haue forsaken the couenant of the Lorde their God, & worshipped other gods, and serued them.

¹⁰ ¶ Weepe not for the dead, & be not moued for them, but weepe for him [Note: [g] Signifying that they should lose their King: for Iehoiachin went forth to meete Nebuchad-nezzar, and yeelded him selfe and was caryed into Babylon, 2.King.24.12. ] that goeth out: for he shall returne no more, nor see his natiue countrey.

¹¹ For thus saith ye Lord, As touching [Note: [h] Whome some thinke to be Iehoiachin and that Iosiah was his grandfather: but as seemeth, this was Iehoiakim, as verse 18. ] Shallum the sonne of Iosiah King of Iudah, which reigned for Iosiah his father, which went out of this place, he shall not returne thither,

¹² But he shall die in the place, whither they haue ledde him captiue, and shall see this lande no more.

¹³ ¶ Wo vnto him that buildeth his house by [Note: [i] By bribes and extortion. ] vnrighteousnesse, and his chambers without equitie: he vseth his neighbour without wages, and giueth him not for his worke.

¹⁴ He saith, I will build me a wide house and large chambers: so he will make him selfe large windowes, and feeling with cedar, and paint them with vermilion.

¹⁵ Shalt thou reigne, because thou closest thy selfe in cedar? did not thy [Note: [k] Meaning, Iosiah, who was not giuen to ambition and superfluitie, but was content with mediocritie and did onely delite in setting foorth Gods glory and to doe iustice to all. ] father eate and drinke and prosper, when he executed iudgement and iustice?

¹⁶ When he iudged the cause of the afflicted and the poore, he prospered: was not this because he knewe me, saith the Lorde?

¹⁷ But thine eyes and thine heart are but only for thy couetousnesse, and for to sheade innocent blood, and for oppression, and for destruction, euen to doe this.

¹⁸ Therefore thus saith the Lorde against Iehoiakim, the sonne of Iosiah king of Iudah, They shall [Note: [l] For euery one shall haue ynough to lament for him selfe. ] not lament him, saying, Ah, my brother, or ah, sister: neither shall they mourne for him, saying, Ah, lord, or ah, his glorie.

¹⁹ He shalbe buryed, as an asse [Note: [m] Not honourably among his fathers, but as carions are cast in a hole because their stinke should not infect, reade 2.King.24.9. Iosephus Antiquit 10.8. writeth that the enemie slewe him in the citie, and commanded him to be cast before the walles vnburied, looke chap. 36.30. ] is buryed, euen drawen and cast foorth without the gates of Ierusalem.

²⁰ ¶ Goe vp to [Note: [n] To call to the Assyrians for helpe. ] Lebanon, and cry: showte in [Note: [o] For this was the way out of Iudea to Assyria: whereby is meant that all helpes shoulde faile: for the Caldeans haue subdued both them and the Egyptians. ] Bashan and crye by the passages: for all thy louers are destroyed.

²¹ I spake vnto thee when thou wast in prosperitie: but thou saidest, I will not heare: this hath bene thy maner from thy youth, that thou wouldest not obey my voyce.

²² The wind shall feede all thy pastors, [Note: [p] Both thy gouernours and they that should helpe thee, shall vanish away as winde. ] and thy louers shall goe into captiuitie: and then shalt thou be ashamed and confounded of al thy wickednesse.

²³ Thou that dwellest in Lebanon, and makest thy nest in the [Note: [q] Thou that art built of the faire Cedar trees of Lebanon. ] cedars, howe beautiful shalt thou be when sorowes come vpon thee, as the sorowe of a woman in trauaile?

²⁴ As I liue, saith the Lord, though [Note: [r] Who was called Iehoiachin or Ieconiah, whome he calleth here Coniah in contempt, who thought his kingdome could neuer depart from him, because he came of the stocke of Dauid, and therefore for the promes sake coulde not be taken from his house: but he abused Gods promise, and therefore was iustly depriued of the kingdome. ] Coniah the sonne of Iehoiakim King of Iudah, were the signet of my right hand, yet would I plucke thee thence.

²⁵ And I will giue thee into the hande of them that seeke thy life, and into the hande of them, whose face thou fearest, euen into the hand of Nebuchad-nezzar king of Babel, and into the hande of the Caldeans.

²⁶ And I will cause them to cary thee away, and thy mother that bare thee, into another countrey, where ye were not borne, and there shall ye die.

²⁷ But to the lande, whereunto they desire to returne, they shall not returne thither.

²⁸ Is not this man Coniah as a despised and broken idole? or as a vessell, wherein is no pleasure? wherefore are they caryed away, hee and his seede, and cast out into a lande that they knowe not?

²⁹ O [Note: [s] He sheweth that all posteritie shall be witnesses of this iust plague, as though it were registred for perpetuall memorie. ] earth, earth, earth, heare the worde of the Lorde.

³⁰ Thus saith the Lorde, Write this [Note: [t] Not that he had no children (for after that he begate Salathiel in the captiuitie, Matthewe 1.12.) but that none shoulde reigne after him as King. ] man destitute of children, a man that shall not prosper in his dayes: for there shall be no man of his seede that shall prosper & sit vpon the throne of Dauid, or beare rule any more in Iudah.

Against false pastours. 5 A prophecie of the great Pastour Iesus Christ.


[Page 70]

¹ Wo be vnto [Note: [a] Meaning the princes, gouernours and false prophets, as Ezek.34.2. ] the pastors that destroy and scatter [Note: [b] For the which I haue especiall care and haue prepared good pastures for them. ] the sheepe of my pasture, saith the Lorde.

² Therefore thus saith the Lorde God of Israel vnto the pastors that [Note: [c] Whose charge is to feede the flocke but they eate the fruite therof, Ezek.34.3. ] feede my people, Yee haue scattered my flock and thrust them out, and haue not visited them: beholde, I will visite you for the wickednesse of your works, saith the Lord.

³ And I will gather the [Note: [d] Thus the Prophets euer vse to mixe the promises with the threatnings, lest the godly shoulde bee to much beaten downe, and therefore he sheweth how God will gather his church after this dispersion. ] remnant of my sheepe out of all countreyes, whither I had driuen them, and will bring them againe to their foldes, and they shall growe and encrease.

⁴ And I will set vp shepheardes ouer them, which shall feede them: and they shall dread no more nor be afraide, neither shall any of them be lacking, saith the Lorde.

⁵ Behold, The dayes come, saith the Lord, that I will raise vnto Dauid a righteous [Note: [e] This prophecie is of the restitution of the Church in the time of Iesus Christ, who is the true branch, reade Isa.11.1. and 45.8. chap.33.15. dan.9.24. ] branche, and a King shal reigne, and prosper, and shall execute iudgement, and iustice in the earth.

⁶ In his dayes Iudah shalbe saued, and [Note: Deut.33.28. ] Israel shall dwell safely, and this is the Name wherby they shall call him, [Note: Chap.33.16. ] The Lorde our righteousnesse.

⁷ Therefore behold, the dayes come, sayth the Lord, that they shall no more say, The [Note: [f] Reade Chap. 16.14. ] Lord liueth, which brought vp the children of Israel out of the lande of Egypt,

⁸ But the Lord liueth, which brought vp & led the seede of the house of Israel out of the North countrey and from all countryes where I had scattered them, and they shall dwell in their owne lande.

⁹ Mine heart breaketh within mee, because of the [Note: [g] Meaning, the false prophets which deceiue the people: wherein appeareth his great loue toward his nation, reade chap.14.13. ] prophets, all my bones shake: I am like a drunken man (and like a man whome wine hath [Note: Ebr. paßed ouer or troubled. ] ouercome) for the presence of the Lorde and for his holie wordes.

¹⁰ For the lande is full of adulterers, and because of othes the lande mourneth, the pleasant places of the wildernesse are dried vp, and their [Note: [h] They runne headlong to wickednesse, and seeke vaine helpe. ] course is euill, and their force is not right.

¹¹ For both the prophet and the Priest [Note: Or, are hypocrites. ] doe wickedly: and their wickednesse haue I found in mine [Note: [i] My Temple is full of their idolatrie and superstitions. ] House, saith the Lorde.

¹² Wherefore their way shalbe vnto them as slipperie wayes in the darknesse: they shalbe driuen foorth and fall therein: for I will bring a plague vpon them, euen the yeere of their visitation, saith the Lorde.

¹³ And I haue seene foolishnesse in the prophets of Samaria, that prophecied in Baal, & caused my people Israel to erre.

¹⁴ I haue seene also in the prophets of Ierusalem [Note: [k] They which should haue profited by my rods against Samaria, are become worse then they. ] filthines: they commit adulterie & walke in lies: they strengthen also the hands of the wicked that none can returne from his wickednesse: they are all vnto [Note: [l] Though to the world they seeme holy fathers, yet I detest them as I did these abominable cities. ] me as Sodom, and the inhabitants thereof as Gomorah.

¹⁵ Therefore thus saith the Lorde of hostes concerning the prophets, Beholde, I will feede them with [Note: [m] Reade Chap. 8.14. ] wormewood, & make them drinke the water of gall: for from the prophets of Ierusalem is [Note: Or, hypocrisie. ] wickednesse gone forth into all the lande.

¹⁶ Thus sayth ye Lord of hosts, Heare not the wordes of the prophets that prophecie vnto you, and teach you vanitie: they speake the vision of their owne [Note: [n] Which they haue inuented of their owne braine. ] heart, and not out of the mouth of the Lorde.

¹⁷ They say still vnto them that despise mee, The Lord hath sayde, Ye [Note: [o] Reade Chap.6.14. & 8.11. ] shall haue peace: and they say vnto euery one that walketh after the stubbernesse of his owne heart, No euill shall come vpon you.

¹⁸ For [Note: [p] Thus they did deride Ieremiah as though the word of God were not reueiled vnto him: so also spake Zidkiiah to Michah, 1.King 22.24. ] who hath stand in the counsel of the Lord that he hath perceiued and heard his word? Who hath marked his worde and heard it?

¹⁹ Beholde, the tempest of the Lorde goeth forth in his wrath, and a violent whirlewinde shal fall downe vpon the head of the wicked.

²⁰ The anger of the Lorde shall not returne vntill he haue executed, and till he haue perfourmed the thoughts of his heart: in the latter dayes ye [Note: [q] Both that God hath sent mee, and that my wordes shalbe true. ] shall vnderstande it plainely.

²¹ [Note: Chap.14 13, 14. and 27.15. and 29.8,9. ] I haue not sent these prophets, sayth the Lord, yet they ranne; I haue not spoken to them, and yet they prophecied.

²² But if they had stande in my counsell, and [Note: [r] He sheweth the difference betweene the true Prophets and the false, betweene the hireling and the true minister. ] had declared my words to my people, then they should haue turned them from their euill way, & from the wickednesse of their inuentions.

²³ Am I a God at hande, saith the Lord, and not a God [Note: [s] Doe not I see your falsehod. howsoeuer you cloke it, & wheresoeuer you commit it? ] farre off?

²⁴ Can any hide him selfe in secrete places, that I shall not see him, sayth the Lorde? Do not I fill heauen and earth, saieth the Lord?

²⁵ I haue heard what the prophets said, that prophecie lies in my Name, saying, I [Note: [t] I haue a prophecie reueiled vnto me, as Nom.12.6. ] haue dreamed, I haue dreamed.

²⁶ Howe long? [Note: Ebr. Is it in the heart of the Prophets? ] Doe the prophets delite to prophecie lies, euen prophecying the deceit of their owne heart?

²⁷ Thinke they to cause [Note: [u] Hee sheweth that Satan raiseth vp false prophets to bring the people from God. ] my people to forget my Name by their dreames, which they tell euery man to his neyghbour, as their forefathers haue forgotten my Name for Baal?

²⁸ The prophet that hath a dreame, let him [Note: [x] Let the false prophet declare that it is his owne fantasie, and not slaunder my word as though it were a cloke to couer his lies. ] tell a dreame, and hee that hath my worde, let him speake my worde faithfully: [Note: [y] Meaning, that it is not sufficient for Gods ministers to absteine from lies and to speake the word of God: but that there bee iudgemet in alledging it, and that it may appeare to be applied to the same purpose that it was spoken, Ezek.3.17. 1.cor.2.13. and 4.2. 2.tim.2.15. 1.pet.4.10, 11. ] what is the chaffe to the wheate, sayth the Lord?

²⁹ Is not my word euen like a fire, sayeth the Lorde? and like an hammer, that breaketh the stone?

³⁰ Therefore beholde, I will come against the prophets, saieth the Lorde, that [Note: [z] Which set forth in my name that which I haue not commanded. ] steale my word euerie one from his neighbour.

³¹ Beholde, I will come against the prophets, saith the Lord, which haue sweete tongues, & say, [Note: [a] To wit, the Lorde. ] He saith.

³² Beholde, I will come against them that prophecie false dreames, saith the Lorde, and doe tell them, and cause my people to erre by their lies, and by their flatteries, and I sent them not, nor commanded them: therefore they bring no profite vnto this people, saith the Lord.

³³ And when this people, or the prophet, or a Priest shall aske thee, saying, What is the [Note: [b] The Prophets called their threatnings Gods burden, which the sinners were not able to susteine: therefore the wicked in deriding the worde, woulde aske of the Prophets, what was the burden, as though they woulde say, You seeke nothing els, but to lay burdens on our shoulders: and thus they reiected the word of God as a grieuous burden. ] burden of the Lord? thou shalt then say vnto them, What burden? I will euen forsake you, saith the Lorde.

³⁴ And the prophet, or the Priest, or the people that shall say, The [Note: [c] Because this worde was brought to contempt and derision, hee will teache them another maner of speach, and will cause this worde Burden to cease, and teache them to aske with reuerence, What saith the Lorde? ] burden of the Lorde, I [Page]

will euen visite euerie such one, and his house.

³⁵ Thus shall yee say euery one to his neighbour, and euerie one to his brother, What hath the Lorde answered? and what hath the Lorde spoken?

³⁶ And the burden of the Lorde shall yee mention no more: for euery mans [Note: [d] The thing which they mock and, come vpon them. ] worde shall bee his burden: for ye haue peruerted the words of the liuing God, the Lord of hostes our God.

³⁷ Thus shalt thou say to the Prophet, What hath the Lord answered thee? and what hath the Lorde spoken?

³⁸ And if you say, The burden of the Lorde, Then thus saith the Lorde, Because yee say this word, The burden of the Lorde, and I haue sent vnto you, saying, Ye shall not say, The burden of the Lorde,

³⁹ Therefore beholde, I, euen I will vtterly [Note: Or, take you away. ] forget you, and I will forsake you, and the citie that I gaue you and your fathers, and cast you out of my presence,

⁴⁰ And will bring [Note: Chap.20.11. ] an euerlasting reproche vpon you, and a perpetual shame which shall neuer be forgotten.

1 The vision of the baskets of figges 5 Signifieth that part of the people shoulde bee brought againe from captiuitie, 8 And that Zedekiah and the rest of the people, shoulde bee caryed away.

¹ The Lord shewed me, and beholde, two [Note: [a] The good figges signified them that were gone into captiuitie, and so saued their life, as Chap.21.8. and the naughtie figges them that remained, which were yet subiect to the sword, famine & pestilence. ] baskets of figges were set before the Temple of the Lorde, after that Nebuchad-nezzar King of Babel had caryed away captiue Ieconiah ye sonne of Iehoiakim King of Iudah, and the princes of Iudah with the workemen, and cunning men of Ierusalem, and had brought them to Babel.

² One basket had verie good figges, euen like the figges that are first ripe: and the other basket had verie naughtie figges, which could not be eaten, they were so euill.

³ Then saide the Lorde vnto mee, What seest thou, Ieremiah? And I said, Figges: ye good figges verie good, & the naughtie verie naughtie, which cannot be eaten, they are so euill.

⁴ Againe the worde of the Lord came vnto me, saying,

⁵ Thus sayeth the Lorde, the God of Israel, Like these good figges, so will I knowe them that are caryed away captiue of Iudah to bee good, whome I haue sent out of this [Note: [b] Whereby he approoueth the yelding of Ieconiah, and his companie, because they obeyed the Prophet, who exhorted them thereunto. ] place, into the land of the Caldeans.

⁶ For I wil set mine eyes vpon them for good, and I will bring them againe to this lande, and I will build them, and not destroy them, & I will plant them, and not roote them out,

⁷ And I will giue them [Note: [c] Which declareth that man of him selfe can know nothing, till God giue the heart and vnderstanding. ] an heart to knowe me, that I am the Lord, & they shalbe my [Note: Chap.31.33. hebr.8.10. ] people, and I wil be their God: for they shal returne vnto mee with their whole heart.

⁸ [Note: Chap.29.17. ] And as the naughtie figges which can not bee eaten, they are so euill (surely thus saith the Lorde) so wil I giue Zedekiah the King of Iudah, and his princes, and the residue of Ierusalem, that remaine in this lande, and them that dwell [Note: [d] Which fled thither for succour. ] in the lande of Egypt:

⁹ I will euen giue them for a terrible plague to all the kingdomes of the earth, and for a reproche, and for a prouerbe, for a common talke, and for a curse, in all places where I shall cast them.

¹⁰ And I will sende the sworde, the famine, and the pestilence among them, till they bee consumed out of the land, that I gaue vnto them and to their fathers.

1 Hee prophecieth that they shall bee in captiuitie seuentie yeres, 12 And that after the seuentie yeeres the Babylonians shoulde bee destroyed. 15 The destruction of all nations is prophecied.

¹ The word that came to Ieremiah, concerning all the people of Iudah in the [Note: [a] That is, in the third yere accomplished, and in the beginning of the fourth: for though Nebuchad nezzar began to reigne in the ende of the third yeere of Iehoiakims reigne, yet that yere is not here counted, because it was almost expired, Dan.1.1. ] fourth yeere of Iehoiakim the sonne of Iosiah King of Iudah that was in the first yeere of Nebuchad-nezzar King of Babel:

² The which Ieremiah the Prophet spake vnto all the people of Iudah, and to all the inhabitants of Ierusalem, saying,

³ From the thirteenth yeere of Iosiah the sonne of Amon King of Iudah, euen vnto [Note: [b] Which was the fist yeere and the ninth moneth of Iehoiakims reigne. ] this day (that is the three and twentieth yeere) the word of the Lorde hath come vnto mee, and I haue spoken vnto you [Note: [c] That is, I haue spared no diligence or labour, Chap.7.13. ] rising earely & speaking, but ye woulde not heare.

⁴ And the Lord hath sent vnto you all his seruantes the Prophets, rising early & sending them, but yee would not heare, nor encline your eares to obey.

⁵ They [Note: [d] Hee sheweth that the Prophets wholy with one consent did labour to pull the people from those vices, which then reigned: to wit, from idolatrie and the vaine confidence of men: for vnder these two all other were conteined, 2 King.17.13. chap.18.11. and 35.15. Ionah., 8. ] sayde, Turne againe now euery one from his euill way, and from the wickednes of your inuentions, and ye shall dwell in the lande that the Lord hath giuen vnto you, and to your fathers for euer and euer.

⁶ And go not after other gods to serue them and to worshippe them, and prouoke me not to anger with the workes of your hands, and I will not punish you.

⁷ Neuerthelesse ye would not heare me, saith the Lord, but haue prouoked mee to anger with the workes of your hands to your owne hurt.

⁸ Therefore thus saith the Lord of hostes, Because ye haue not heard my wordes,

⁹ Beholde, I will send and take to mee all the [Note: [e] The Caldeans, & all their power. ] families of the North, saith the Lorde, and Nebuchad-nezzar the King of Babel my [Note: [f] So the wicked and Satan him selfe are Gods seruants, because he maketh them to serue him by constreint, and turneth that which they doe of malice, to his honour and glorie. ] seruant, & will bring them against this lande, and against the inhabitantes thereof, and against all these nations [Note: [g] As the Philistims, Ammonites, Egyptians and others. ] rounde about, and will destroy them, and make them an astonishment and an hissing, and a continuall desolation.

¹⁰ [Note: Chap.16.9. ] Moreouer I will [Note: Or, destroy. ] take from them the voyce of mirth and the voyce of gladnesse, the voyce of the bridegrome and the voyce of the bride, the noise of the [Note: [h] Meaning, that bread and all things that should serue vnto their feastes, shoulde bee taken away. ] milstones, and the light of the candle.

¹¹ And this whole land shalbe desolate, and an astonishment, and these nations shall serue the King of Babel seuentie yeeres.

¹² And when the [Note: [i] This reuelation was for the confirmation of his prophecie, because he told them of the time, that they should enter and remaine in captiuitie, 2.Chro.36 22. ezra.1.1. chap.29.10. dan.9 2. ] seuentie yeres are accomplished, I will visite [Note: [k] For seeing the iudgement began at his owne house, the enemies must needes bee punished most grieuously, Ezek 9.6. 1.pet.4.17. ] the King of Babel and that nation, saith the Lorde, for their iniquities, euen the land of the Caldeans, and will make it a perpetuall desolation,

¹³ And I will bring vpon that lande all my wordes which I haue pronounced against it, euen all that is written in this booke, which Ieremiah hath prophecied against all nations.

¹⁴ For many nations, and great Kings shall euen

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[Note: [l] That is, of the Babylonians, as Chap.27.7. ] serue themselues of them: thus will I recopense them according to their deedes, and according to the workes of their owne handes.
¹⁵ For thus hath the Lorde God of Israel spoken vnto me, [Note: [m] Signifying, the extreeme afflictions that God had appointed for euery one, as Psal.75.8. Isa.31. 17. and this cup, which the wicked drinke, is more bitter then that which he giueth to his children, for he measureth the one by mercie, and the other by iustice. ] Take the cuppe of wine of this mine indignation at mine hand, and cause all the nations, to whome I sende thee, to drinke it.

¹⁶ And they shall drinke, and be moued and be mad, because of the sworde that I will sende among them.

¹⁷ Then tooke I the cup at the Lordes hand, and made all people to drinke, vnto whome the Lorde had sent me:

¹⁸ Euen Ierusalem, and the cities of Iudah, and the Kings thereof, and the princes thereof, to make them desolate, an astonishment, an hissing, and a curse, [Note: [n] For now it beginneth and shall so continue till it be accomplished. ] as appeareth this day:

¹⁹ Pharaoh also, King of Egypt, and his seruants, and his princes, and all his people:

²⁰ And all sortes of people, and all the Kings of the lande [Note: [o] Reade Iob. 1.1. ] of Vz: and all the Kings of the lande of the Philistims, and [Note: [p] Which were cities of the Philistims. ] Ashkelon, and Azzah, and Ekron, and the remnant of Ashdod:

²¹ [Note: [q] Edom is here taken for the whole countrey, and Vz for a part thereof. ] Edom, and Moab, and the Ammonites,

²² And all the Kings of Tyrus, & all the kings of Zidon, and the Kings of the [Note: [r] As Grecia, Italie, and the rest of those countreies. ] Yles, that are beyonde the Sea,

²³ And [Note: [s] These were people of Arabia which came of Dedan the sonne of Abraham and Keturah. ] Dedan, and Tema, and Buz, and all that dwell in the vttermost corners,

²⁴ And all the Kings of Arabia, and all the Kings of Arabia, that dwell in the [Note: [t] For there were two countreyes so named, the one called plentifull, and the other, baren, or desert. ] desert,

²⁵ And all the Kings of Zimri, and all the Kings of [Note: Or, Persia. ] Elam, and all the Kings of the Medes,

²⁶ And all the Kings of the North, farre and neere one to another, and all the kingdomes of the worlde, which are vpon the earth, & the king of [Note: [u] That is, of Babylon, as Chap. 51.41. ] Sheshach shall drinke after them.

²⁷ Therefore say thou vnto them, Thus saith the Lord of hostes, the God of Israel, Drinke and bee drunken, and spewe and fall, and rise no more, because of the sworde, which I will sende among you.

²⁸ ¶ But if they refuse to take the cuppe at thine hande to drinke, then tell them, Thus saith the Lorde of hostes, Ye shall certainely drinke.

²⁹ For loe, [Note: [x] That is, Ierusalem, reade verse.12. ] I beginne to plague the citie, where my Name is called vpon, and shoulde you goe free? Ye shall not goe quite: for I will call for a sword vpon al the inhabitants of the earth, saith the Lorde of hostes.

³⁰ Therefore prophecie thou against them al these words, and say vnto them, [Note: Ioel.3.16. amos.1.2. ] The Lord shall roare from aboue, and thrust out his voyce from his holy habitation: he shall roare vpon his habitation, and crie aloude, as they that presse the grapes, against all the inhabitants of the earth.

³¹ The sounde shall come to the endes of the earth: for the Lord hath a controuersie with the nations, and will enter into iudgement with all flesh, and he will giue them that are wicked, to the sworde, saith the Lord.

³² ¶ Thus saith the Lorde of hostes, Behold, a plague shall goe foorth from nation to nation, and a [Note: Chap.30.23. ] great whirlewinde shalbe raised vp from the coastes of the earth,

³³ And [Note: [y] They which are slaine at the Lordes appointment. ] the slaine of the Lorde shall be at that day, from one ende of the earth, euen vnto the other ende of the earth: they shall not bee mourned, neither gathered nor buried, but shalbe as the dongue vpon the grounde.

³⁴ Howle, [Note: [z] Ye that are chiefe rulers, and gouernours. ] ye shepherdes, and crie, and wallowe your selues in the ashes, ye principall of the flocke: for your dayes of slaughter are accomplished, and of your dispersion, and ye shall fall like [Note: [a] Which are most easily broken. ] precious vessels.

³⁵ And the [Note: [b] It shall not helpe them to seeke to flee. ] flight shall faile from the shepherdes, and the escaping from the principall of the flocke.

³⁶ A voyce of the crye of the shepherdes, and an howling of the principall of the flocke shalbe heard: for the Lord hath destroyed their pasture.

³⁷ And the [Note: Ebr. peaceable. ] best pastures are destroyed because of the wrath and indignation of the Lorde.

³⁸ He hath forsaken his couert, as the lyon: for their land is waste, because of the wrath of the oppressor, & because of ye wrath of his indignatio.

2 Ieremiah moueth the people to repentance. 7 He is taken of the false prophets and Priestes, and brought to iudgement. 23 Vriiah the Prophet is killed of Iehoiakim contrary to the will of God.

¹ In the beginning of the reigne of Iehoiakim the sonne of Iosiah King of Iudah, came this worde from the Lorde, saying,

² Thus saith the Lorde, Sande in the [Note: [a] That is, in that place of the Temple, whereunto the people resort out of all Iudah to sacrifice. ] court of the Lordes House, & speake vnto all the cities of Iudah, which come to worshippe in the Lords House, all the wordes that I commaunde thee to speake vnto them: keepe not [Note: [b] To the intent that they should pretende no ignorance, as Actes 20.27. ] a worde backe,

³ If so be they will hearken, and turne euery man from his euill way, that I may [Note: [c] Reade chap. 18.8. ] repent me of the plague, which I haue determined to bring vpon them, because of the wickednesse of their workes.

⁴ And thou shalt say vnto them, Thus saith the Lord, If ye will not heare me to walke in my Lawes, which I haue set before you,

⁵ And to heare ye wordes of my seruants the Prophets, whome I sent vnto you, both rising vp earely, and sending them, and will not obey them,

⁶ Then will I make this House like [Note: [d] Reade chap. 7.12. ] Shiloh, and will make this citie [Note: [e] So that when they would curse any, they shall say, God do to thee as to Ierusalem. ] a curse to all the nations of the earth.

⁷ So the Priestes, and the Prophets, and all the people heard Ieremiah speaking these wordes in the House of the Lorde.

⁸ Nowe when Ieremiah had made an end of speaking all that the Lord had commanded him to speake vnto all the people, then the Priestes, and the prophets, and all the people tooke him, and saide, Thou shalt die the death.

⁹ Why hast thou prophecied in the Name of the Lorde, saying, This [Note: [f] Because of Gods promes to the Temple, Psal. 132.14. that he would for euer remaine there, the hypocrites thought this Temple coulde neuer perish, and therefore thought it blasphemie to speake against it, Matth.26.61. Actes 6.13. not considering that this was meant of the Church, where God will remaine for euer. ] House shall be like Shiloh, & this citie shalbe desolate wtout an inhabitant? and all the people were gathered against Ieremiah in the House of the Lord.

¹⁰ And when the princes of Iudah heard of these things, they came vp from the Kings house into the House of the Lorde, and sate downe in the entrie of the [Note: [g] So called, because it was repaired by Ioatham, 2.King. 15.35. ] new gate of the Lords House.

¹¹ Then spake the Priestes, and the prophets vnto the princes, and to all the people, saying, [Note: Ebr. iudgement of death belongeth to this man. ] This man is worthie to die: for he hath prophecied against this citie, as ye haue heard with your eares.

¹² Then spake Ieremiah vnto all the princes, and to al the people, saying, The Lord hath [Note: [h] He both sheweth the cause of his doings plainly, and also threatneth them that they should nothing auaile, though they should put him to death, but heape greater vengeance vpon their heades. ] sent me to prophecie against this house and against this citie all the things that ye haue heard.

¹³ Therefore nowe amende your wayes and [Page]

your workes, and heare the voyce of the Lorde your God, that the Lorde may repent him of the plague, that he hath pronounced against you.

¹⁴ As for me, beholde, I am in your hands: do with me as ye thinke good and right.

¹⁵ But knowe ye for certaine, that if ye put me to death, ye shall surely bring innocent blood vpon your selues, and vpon this citie, and vpon the inhabitants thereof: for of a trueth the Lord hath sent me vnto you, to speake all these words in your eares.

¹⁶ Then saide the princes and all the people vnto the Priestes, and to the prophets, This man is not worthie to die: for he hath spoken vnto vs in the Name of the Lorde our God.

¹⁷ ¶ Then rose vp certaine of the Elders of the lande, and spake to all the assemblie of the people, saying,

¹⁸ Michah the Morashite [Note: Micah.1.1. and 3.12. ] prophecied in the dayes of Hezekiah king of Iudah, and spake to al the people of Iudah, saying, Thus saith the Lorde of hostes, Zion shall be plowed like a fielde, and Ierusalem shalbe an heape, and the mountaine of the [Note: [i] That is, of the House of the Lord, to wit, Zion and these examples the godly alledged to deliuer Ieremiah out of the Priestes handes, whose rage els would not haue bene satisfied, but by his death. ] House shalbe as the hie places of the forest.

¹⁹ Did Hezekiah King of Iudah, and all Iudah put him to death? did he not feare ye Lorde, and prayed before the Lord, and the Lord repented him of the [Note: [k] So that the citie was not destroyed, but by miracle was deliuered out of the hands of Saneherib. ] plague, that he had pronounced against them? Thus might we procure great euill against our soules.

²⁰ And there was also a man that prophecied in the Name of the Lord, one Vriiah the sonne of Shemaiah, of Kiriath-iarem, who prophecied against this citie, and against this lande, according to all the wordes of Ieremiah.

²¹ Nowe when Iehoiakim the King with all his men of power, and all the princes heard his wordes, the King sought to slay him. But when Vriiah heard it, he was afraide and fled, and went into Egypt.

²² Then Iehoiakim the King [Note: [l] Here is declared the furie of tyrants, who can not abide to heare Gods word declared, but persecute the ministers thereof, and yet in the end they preuaile nothing, but prouoke Gods iudgements so much the more. ] sent men into Egypt, euen Elnathan the sonne of Achbor, and certaine with him into Egypt.

²³ And they fet Vriiah out of Egypt, and brought him vnto Iehoiakim the King, who slew him with the sword, and [Note: [m] As in the first Hezekiahs example is to be folowed, so in this other Iehoiakims acte is to be abhorred: for Gods plague did light on him, and his housholde. ] cast his dead bodie into the graues of the children of the people.

²⁴ But the hande of Ahikam [Note: [n] Which declareth that nothing could haue appeased their furie, if God had not moued this noble man to stande valiantly in his defence. ] the sonne of Shaphan was with Ieremiah that they shoulde not giue him into the hande of the people to put him to death.

1 Ieremiah at the commandement of the Lorde sendeth bonds to the King of Iudah and to the other Kings that were neere, whereby they are monished to be subiectes vnto Nebuchad-nezzar. 9 He warneth the people, and the Kings and rulers that they beleeue not false prophets.

¹ In the beginning of the reigne of [Note: [a] As touching the disposition of these prophecies, they that gathered them into a booke, did not altogether obserue the order of times, but did set some afore, which should be after, and contrariwise: which if the reader marke well, it shall auoide many doubtes, and make the reading much more easie. ] Iehoiakim the sonne of Iosiah King of Iudah came this worde vnto Ieremiah from the Lorde, saying,

² Thus saith the Lorde to me, Make thee [Note: [b] By such signes the Prophets vsed sometimes to confirme their prophecies, which notwithstanding they could not doe of them selues, but in as much as they had a reuelation for the same, Isa.20 2. and therefore the false prophets to get more credite, did vse also such visible signes but they had no reuelation, 1.King.22.11. ] bonds, and yokes, & put them vpon thy necke,

³ And send them to the King of Edom, and to the King of Moab, & to the King of the Ammonites, and to the King of Tyrus, & to the king of Zidon, by the hande of the messengers which

come to Ierusale vnto Zedekiah ye king of Iudah,

⁴ And commande them to saye vnto their masters, Thus saith the Lord of hostes the God of Israel, Thus shall ye say vnto your masters,

⁵ I haue made the earth, the ma, and the beast that are vpon the groud, by my great power, and by my outstreched arme, and haue giuen it vnto whom it pleased me.

⁶ But nowe I haue giuen all these landes into the hand of Nebuchad-nezzar the King of Babel my [Note: [c] Reade Chap. 25.9. ] seruant, and the beastes of the fielde haue I also giuen him to serue him.

⁷ And all nations shall serue him, and his [Note: [d] Meaning, Euilmerodach, and his sonne Belshazar. ] sonne, and his sonnes sonne vntill the very time of his lande come also: then many nations and great Kinges shall [Note: [e] They shall bring him, and his kingdome in subiection, as Chap.25.14. ] serue themselues of him.

⁸ And the nation and kingdome which will not serue the same Nebuchad-nezzar king of Babel, and that will not put their necke vnder the yoke of the King of Babel, the same nation will I visite, saith the Lord, with the sworde, and with the famine, and with the pestilence, vntill I haue wholy giuen them into his hands.

⁹ Therefore heare not your prophets nor your southsayers, nor your dreamers, nor your inchanters, nor your sorcerers, which say vnto you thus, Ye shall not serue the King of Babel.

¹⁰ For they prophecie a lie vnto you to cause you to goe farre from your lande, and that I should cast you out, and you should perish.

¹¹ But the nation that put their neckes vnder the yoke of the King of Babel, & serue him, those wil I let remaine stil in their owne land, saith the Lord, and they shall occupie it, and dwel therein.

¹² ¶ I spake also to Zedekiah king of Iudah according to all these wordes, saying, Put your neckes vnder the yoke of the King of Babel, and serue him and his people, that ye may liue.

¹³ Why will ye dye, thou, and thy people by the sworde, by the famine, and by the pestilence, as the Lorde hath spoken against the nation, that will not serue the King of Babel?

¹⁴ Therefore heare not the words of the prophets, that speake vnto you, saying, Ye shall not serue the King of Babel: for they prophecie a lie vnto you.

¹⁵ For I haue not [Note: Chap.14.14. and 23.21. and 29.9. ] sent them, saith the Lord, yet they prophecie a lie in my name, that I might cast you out, and that ye might perish, both you, and the prophets that prophecie vnto you.

¹⁶ ¶ Also I spake to the Priests, and to all this people, saying, Thus saith the Lorde, Heare not the wordes of your prophets that prophecie vnto you, saying, Behold, [Note: Chap.28.3. ] the vessels of the house of the Lord shall nowe shortly be [Note: [f] Which were taken when Ieconiah was ledde captiue into Babel. ] brought againe from Babel, for they prophecie a lie vnto you.

¹⁷ Heare them not, but serue the King of Babel, that ye may liue: wherefore shoulde this citie be desolate?

¹⁸ But if they be Prophets, and if the word of the Lorde be with them, let them [Note: [g] For it was not onely the Prophets office to shewe the word of God, but also to pray for the sinnes of the people, Gen.20.7. which these coulde not do because they had no expresse worde: for God had pronounced the contrary. ] intreate the Lorde of hostes, that the vessels, which are left in the House of the Lorde, and in the house of the King of Iudah, and at Ierusalem, go not to Babel.

¹⁹ For thus saith the Lord of hostes, concerning the [Note: 2.King.25.13. ] pillars, and concerning the sea, and concerning the bases, and concerning the residue of the vessels that remaine in this citie,

²⁰ Which Nebuchad-nezzar King of Babel tooke not, when he caryed [Note: 2.King.24.12,15. ] away captiue Ieconiah

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the sonne of Iehoiakim King of Iudah from Ierusalem to Babel, with all the nobles of Iudah and Ierusalem.
²¹ For thus saith the Lord of hostes the God of Israel, concerning the vessels that remaine in the House of the Lorde, and in the house of the King of Iudah, and at Ierusalem,

²² They shalbe brought to Babel, and there they shalbe vntil the day that I visite [Note: [h] That is, for the space of seuentie yeres, till I haue caused the Medes and Persians to ouercome the Caldeans. ] them, saith the Lord: then will I bring them vp, and restore them vnto this place.

1 The false prophecie of Hananiah. 12 Ieremiah reproueth Hananiah, and prophecieth.

¹ And that same yeere in the beginning of the [Note: [a] When Ieremiah began to beare these bondes and yokes. ] reigne of Zedekiah King of Iudah in the [Note: [b] After that the land had rested, as Leuit.25.2. ] fourth yeere, and in the fifth moneth Hananiah the sonne of Azur the prophet, which was of [Note: [c] This was a citie in Beniamin belonging to the sonnes of Aaron, Iosh.21.17. ] Gibeon, spake to mee in the House of the Lorde in the presence of the Priestes, and of all the people, and said,

² Thus speaketh the Lorde of hostes, the God of Israel, saying, I haue broken the yoke of the King of Babel.

³ [Note: Ebr two yeeres of dayes. ] Within two yeeres space I will bring into this place all the vessels of the Lords House, that Nebuchad-nezzar King of Babel tooke away from this place, and caried them into Babel.

⁴ And I will bring againe to this place Ieconiah the sonne of Iehoiakim King of Iudah, with all them that were caried away captiue of Iudah, and went into Babel, saith the Lorde: for I will breake the yoke of the King of Babel.

⁵ Then the Prophet Ieremiah saide vnto the [Note: [d] He was so esteemed, though hee was a false prophet. ] Prophet Hananiah in the presence of ye Priests, and in the presence of all the people that stoode in the House of the Lorde.

⁶ Euen the Prophet Ieremiah sayde, So bee it: the [Note: [e] That is, I would wish the same for Gods honor, and welth of my people, but he hath appointed the contrarie. ] Lord so doe, the Lord confirme thy words which thou hast prophecied to restore the vessels of the Lordes House, and al that is caried captiue, from Babel, into this place.

⁷ But heare thou now this worde that I will speake in thine eares and in the eares of all the people.

⁸ The Prophets that haue beene before mee and before thee in time past, [Note: [f] Meaning, that the Prophets that did either denounce warre or peace, were tried either true or false by the successe of their prophecies. Albeit God maketh to come to passe sometime that which the false prophet speaketh, to trye the faith of his, Deut.13.3. ] prophecied against many countreyes, and against great kingdomes, of warre, and of plagues, and of pestilence.

⁹ And the Prophet which prophecieth of peace, when the word of the Prophet shall come to passe, then shall the Prophet be knowen that the Lorde hath truely sent him.

¹⁰ Then Hananiah the Prophet tooke the yoke from the Prophet Ieremiahs necke, and [Note: [g] This declareth the impudencie of the wicked hirelings, which haue no zeale to the trueth, but are led with ambition to get the fauour of men, and therefore cannot abide any, that might discredite them, but burst forth into rages, and contrarie to their owne conscience, passe not what lies they report, or howe wickedly they do, so that they may mainteine their estimation. ] brake it.

¹¹ And Hananiah spake in the presence of all the people, saying, Thus saith the Lorde, Euen so will I breake the yoke of Nebuchad-nezzar King of Babel, from the necke of al nations within the space of two yeres: and the Prophet Ieremiah went his way.

¹² ¶ Then the word of the Lorde came vnto Ieremiah the Prophet, (after that Hananiah the Prophet had broken the yoke from the necke of the Prophet Ieremiah) saying,

¹³ Go, and tell Hananiah, saying, Thus sayth the Lord, Thou hast broken the yokes of wood, but thou shalt make for them yokes of yron.

¹⁴ For thus saith the Lord of hostes the God of Israel, I haue put a [Note: [h] That is, a hard, & cruel seruitude. ] yoke of yron vpon the necke of all these nations, that they may serue Nebuchad-nezzar King of Babel: for they shall serue him, and I haue giuen him the [Note: [i] Signifying, that all should be his, as Dan.2.38. ] beasts of the fielde also.

¹⁵ Then sayd the Prophet Ieremiah vnto the Prophet Hananiah, Heare nowe Hananiah, the Lorde hath not sent thee, but thou makest this people to trust in a lye.

¹⁶ Therefore thus saith the Lorde, Beholde, I will cast thee from of the earth: this yeere thou shalt die, because thou hast spoken rebelliously against the Lord.

¹⁷ So Hananiah the Prophet [Note: [k] Seeing this thing was euident in the eies of the people and yet they returned not to the Lord, it is manifest, that miracles can not moue vs, neither the word itselfe, except God touch the heart. ] dyed the same yeere in the seuenth moneth.

1 Ieremiah writeth vnto them that were in captiuitie in Babylon. 10 Hee prophecieth their returne after seuentie yeeres. 16 Hee prophecieth the destruction of the King and of the people that remaine in Ierusalem. 21 Hee threatneth the prophets that seduce the people. 25 The death of Shemaiah is prophecied.

¹ Now these are the wordes of the [Note: Or, letter. ] booke that Ieremiah the Prophet sent from Ierusalem vnto [Note: [a] For some dyed in the way. ] the residue of the Elders which were caryed away captiues, and to the Priestes, and to the Prophets, and to all the people whome Nebuchad-nezzar had caried away captiue from Ierusalem to Babel:

² (After that Ieconiah the King, and the [Note: [b] Meaning, Ieconiahs mother. ] Queene, and the eunuches, the [Note: Chap.24.1. ] princes of Iudah, and of Ierusalem, and the workemen, and cunning men were departed from Ierusalem)

³ By the hand of Elasah the sonne of Shaphan and Gemariah the sonne of Hilkiah, (whom Zedekiah King of Iudah [Note: [c] To intreate of some equall condicions. ] sent vnto Babel to Nebuchad-nezzar King of Babel) saying,

⁴ Thus hath the Lorde of hostes the God of Israel spoken vnto all that are caryed away captiues, whome I haue [Note: [d] To wit, the Lorde, whose worke this was. ] caused to be caryed away captiues from Ierusalem vnto Babel:

⁵ Buylde you houses to dwell in, and plant you gardens, and eate the fruites of them.

⁶ Take you wiues, and beget sonnes and daughters, and take wiues for your sonnes, and giue your daughters to husbands, that they may beare sonnes and daughters, that ye may bee increased there, and not diminished.

⁷ And seeke the prosperitie of the citie, whither I haue caused you to be caried away captiues, and [Note: [e] The prophet speaketh not this for the affection that he bare to the tyrant but that they should pray for the common rest, and quietnes, that their troubles might not be increased, and that they might with more pacience and lesse griefe wayte for the time of their deliuerance, which God had appointed most certeine: for els not onely the Israelites, but all the world, yea, and the insensible creatures should reioyce when these tyrants should bee destroyed, as Isa. 14.4. ] pray vnto the Lorde for it: for in the peace thereof shall you haue peace.

⁸ ¶ For thus saith the Lord of hostes the God of Israel, Let not your prophets, and your southsayers that bee among you, deceiue you, neither giue eare to your dreames, which you dreame.

⁹ For they prophecie you a lie in my Name: I haue not sent them, saith the Lorde.

¹⁰ But thus saith the Lorde, That after seuentie yeeres be accomplished at Babel, I will visite you, and performe my good promes toward you, and cause you to returne to this place.

¹¹ For I knowe the thoughtes, that I haue thought towards you, saith the Lorde, euen the thoughtes of peace, and not of trouble, to giue you an ende, and your hope.

¹² Then shall you crie vnto mee, and ye shal go and pray vnto me, and I will heare you,

¹³ And ye shall seeke mee and finde mee, because [Page]

ye shall seeke mee with all [Note: [f] When your oppression shalbe great, and your afflictions cause you to repent your disobedience, and also when the seuentie yeeres of your captiuitie shalbe expired, 2.Chro.36.22. Ezra.1.1. Chap.25. 12. dan.9.2. ] your heart.

¹⁴ And I wil be found of you, saith the Lord, and I will turne away your captiuitie, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places, whither I haue cast you, saith the Lord, and will bring you againe vnto the place, whence I caused you to be caryed away captiue.

¹⁵ ¶ Because ye haue sayd, The Lord hath raised vs vp [Note: [g] As Ahab, Zedekiah, and Shemaiah. ] Prophets in Babel,

¹⁶ Therefore thus saith the Lorde of the King, that sitteth vpon the throne of Dauid, and of all the people, that dwell in this citie, your brethren that are not gone forth with you into captiuitie:

¹⁷ Euen thus sayth the Lorde of hostes, Beholde, I will sende vpon them the [Note: [h] Whereby hee assureth them, that there shalbe no hope of returning before the time appointed. ] sworde, the famine, and the pestilence, and will make them like vile [Note: [i] According to the comparison, Chap.24.1,2. ] figges, that cannot bee eaten, they are so naughtie.

¹⁸ And I will persecute them with the sword, with the famine, and with the pestilence: and I will make them a terror to all kingdomes of the earth, and [Note: [k] Read Chap. 26.6. ] a curse, and astonishment and an hissing, and a reproche among all the nations whither I haue cast them,

¹⁹ Because they haue not hearde my words, saith the Lorde, which I sent vnto them by my seruantes the Prophetes, [Note: [l] Reade Chap. 7. 13. & 25.3.& 26.5. ] rising vp earely, and sending them, but yee woulde not heare, saith the Lorde.

²⁰ ¶ Heare ye therefore the word of the Lord all ye of the captiuitie, whome I haue sent from Ierusalem to Babel.

²¹ Thus saith the Lorde of hostes, the God of Israel, of Ahab the sonne of Kolaiah, and of Zedekiah the sonne of Maaseiah, which prophecie lyes vnto you in my Name, Beholde, I will deliuer them into the hande of Nebuchad-nezzar King of Babel, and he shall slay them before your eyes.

²² And al they of the captiuitie of Iudah, that are in Babel, shal take vp this curse against them, and say, The Lorde make thee like Zedekiah and like Ahab, whome the King of Babel burnt [Note: [m] Because they gaue the people hope of speedie returning. ] in the fire,

²³ Because they haue committed [Note: [n] Which was adultery, and falsifying the worde of God. ] vilenie in Israel, and haue committed adulterie with their neighbours wiues, and haue spoken lying words in my Name, which I haue not commaunded them, euen I knowe it, and testifie it, saith the Lorde.

²⁴ ¶ Thou shalt also speake to Shemaiah the [Note: Or, dreamer. ] Nehelamite, saying,

²⁵ Thus speaketh the Lorde of hostes, the God of Israel, saying, Because thou hast sent letters in thy Name vnto all the people, that are at Ierusalem, and to Zephaniah the sonne of Maaseiah the Priest, and to all the Priests, saying,

²⁶ The Lorde hath made thee Priest for [Note: [o] Shemaiah the false prophet flattereth Zephaniah the chiefe Priest, as though God had giuen him the spirit and zeale of Iehoiada to punish whosoeuer trespassed against the word of God, of the which hee would haue made Ieremiah one, calling him a rauer and a false prophet. ] Iehoiada the Priest, that yee should bee officers in the House of the Lorde, for euery man that raueth and maketh himselfe a Prophet, to put him in prison and in the stockes.

²⁷ Nowe therefore why hast not thou reproued Ieremiah of Anathoth, which prophecieth vnto you?

²⁸ For, for this cause hee sent vnto vs in Babel, saying, This captiuitie is long: buyld houses to dwell in, and plant gardens, and eate the fruites of them.

²⁹ And Zephaniah the Priest red this letter in the eares of Ieremiah the Prophet.

³⁰ Then came the worde of the Lorde vnto Ieremiah, saying,

³¹ Send to all them of the captiuitie, saying, Thus saith the Lorde of Shemaiah the Nehelamite, Because that Shemaiah hath prophecied vnto you, and I sent him not, and hee caused you to trust in a lye,

³² Therefore thus saieth the Lord, Behold, I wil visite Shemaiah the Nehelamite, & his seede: hee shall not haue a man [Note: [p] He & his seede shalbe destroyed, so that none of them should see the benefite of this deliuerance. ] to dwell among this people, neither shall he beholde the good, that I will doe for my people, sayth the Lorde, because he hath spoken rebelliously against the Lorde.

1 The returne of the people from Babylon. 16 Hee menaceth the enemies, 18 And comforteth the Church.

¹ The worde, that came to Ieremiah from the Lord, saying,

² Thus speaketh the Lorde God of Israel, saying, Write thee all the wordes, that I haue spoken vnto thee in [Note: [a] Because they should be assured and their posteritie confirmed in the hope of this deliuerance promised. ] a booke.

³ For loe, the dayes come, saith the Lord, that I wil bring againe the captiuitie of my people Israel and Iudah, saith the Lord: for I will restore them vnto the lande, that I gaue to their fathers, and they shall possesse it.

⁴ Againe, these are the wordes that the Lord spake concerning Israel, and concerning Iudah.

⁵ For thus saith the Lorde, wee haue heard a [Note: [b] He sheweth that before that this deliuerance shall come, the Caldeans should be extremely afflicted by their enemies, and that they shoulde bee in such perplexitie and sorowe as a woman in her trauaile, as Isa.13.8. ] terrible voyce, of feare and not of peace.

⁶ Demand now and beholde, if man trauayle with childe? wherefore doe I beholde euery man with his hands on his loynes as a woman in trauaile, and all faces are turned into a palenesse?

⁷ Alas, for this [Note: [c] Meaning, that the time of their captiuitie should be grieuous. ] day is great: none hath bene like it: it is euen the time of Iaakobs trouble, yet shall he be deliuered from it.

⁸ For in that [Note: [d] When I shall visite Babylon. ] day, sayth the Lorde of hostes, I will breake [Note: [e] Of the King of Babylon. ] his yoke from off thy necke, and breake thy bondes, and strangers shall no more serue themselues [Note: [f] To wit, of Iaakob. ] of him.

⁹ But they shall serue the Lorde their God, and [Note: [g] That is, Messiah, which should come of the stocke of Dauid according to the flesh, and should be the true pastor, as Ezek.34.23. who is set forth, and his kingdome that should bee euerlasting, in the person of Dauid, Hos.3 5. ] Dauid their King, whom I will raise vp vnto them.

¹⁰ Therefore feare not, O my seruant Iaakob, saith the Lorde, neither be afrayde, O Israel: for loe, I will deliuer thee from a farre countrey, and thy seede from the lande of their captiuitie, and Iaakob shall turne againe, and shalbe in rest and prosperitie and none shall make him afraide.

¹¹ For I am with thee, sayth the Lord, to saue thee: though I vtterly destroy all the nations where I haue scattered thee, yet will I not vtterly destroy thee, but I will correct thee by iudgement, and not [Note: [h] Heade Chap. 10.24. ] vtterly cut thee off.

¹² For thus saith the Lorde, Thy bruising is incurable, and [Note: [i] Meaning, that no man is able to finde out a meane to deliuer them, but that it must be the worke of God. ] thy wound is dolorous.

¹³ There is none to iudge thy cause, or to lay a plaister: there are no medicines, nor help for thee.

¹⁴ All thy [Note: [k] The Assyrians and Egyptians whom thou didest entertaine with giftes, who left thee in thine affliction. ] louers haue forgotten thee: they seeke thee not: for I haue striken thee with the wound of an enemie, and with a sharpe chastisement for ye multitude of thine iniquities, because thy sinnes were increased.

¹⁵ Why cryest thou for thine affliction? thy sorowe is incurable, for the multitude of thine iniquities: because thy sinnes were increased, I haue done these things vnto thee.


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¹⁶ [Note: [l] Herein is commended Gods great mercie toward his, who doth not destroy them for their sinnes, but correct and chastise them, till he haue purged and pardoned them, and so burneth the rods by the which he did punish them, Isa.33.1. ] Therefore all they that deuoure thee, shal be deuoured, & all thine enemies euery one shall goe into captiuitie: and they that spoyle thee, shalbe spoyled, and all they that robbe thee, wil I giue to be robbed.

¹⁷ For I will restore health vnto thee, and I will heale thee of thy woundes, saith the Lord, because they called thee, The cast away, saying, This is Zion, whom no man seeketh after.

¹⁸ Thus saith the Lorde, Beholde, I will bring againe the captiuitie of Iaakobs tentes, and haue compassion on his dwelling places: and the citie shalbe builded vpon her owne heape, [Note: [m] Meaning, that the citie and the Temple should be restored to their former state. ] and the palace shall remaine after the maner thereof.

¹⁹ And out of them shall proceede [Note: [n] Hee sheweth howe the people shall with praise and thankesgiuing acknowledge this benefite. ] thankesgiuing, and the voyce of them that are ioyous, and I will multiplie them, and they shall not bee fewe: I will also glorifie them, and they shall not be diminished.

²⁰ Their children also shall be as afore time, and their congregation shall be established before me: and I will visite all that vexe them.

²¹ And their [Note: [o] Meaning, Zerubbabel, who was the figure of Christ, in whome this was accomplished. ] noble ruler shall be of themselues, and their gouernour shall proceede from the middes of them, and I will cause him to draw neere, and approche vnto me: for who is this that directeth his [Note: [p] Signifying, that Christ doeth willingly submit himselfe to the obedience of God his father. ] heart to come vnto mee, saith the Lorde?

²² And ye shall be my people, and I will bee your God.

²³ Beholde, [Note: [q] Lest the wicked hypocrites should flatter themselues with these promises, the Prophet sheweth what shal be their portion. ] the tempest of the Lorde goeth foorth with wrath: the whirlewinde that hangeth ouer, shall light vpon the head of the wicked.

²⁴ The fierce wrath of the Lorde shall not returne, vntill he haue done, and vntill he haue performed the intents of his heart: in the [Note: [r] When this Messiah and deliuerer is sent. ] latter dayes ye shall vnderstand it.

1 Hee rehearseth Gods benefites after their returne from Babylon, 23 And the spirituall ioy of the faithfull in the Church.

¹ At the [Note: [a] When this noble gouernour shal come: meaning Christ, not onely Iudah and Israel, but the rest of the world shalbe called. ] same time, saith the Lorde, will I be the God of all the families of Israel, and they shall be my people.

² Thus saith the Lord, The people which [Note: [b] Which were deliuered fro the crueltie of Pharaoh. ] escaped the sworde, founde grace in the wildernes: [Note: [c] To wit, God. ] he walked before Israel to cause him to rest.

³ The Lord hath appeared vnto me [Note: [d] The people thus reason as though he were not so beneficiall to them nowe, as he had bene of olde. ] of old, say they: [Note: [e] Thus the Lord answereth that his loue is not changeable. ] Yea, I haue loued thee wt an euerlasting loue, therefore with mercie I haue drawen thee.

⁴ Againe I will builde thee, and thou shalt be builded, O virgine Israel: thou shalt stil [Note: [f] Thou shalt haue still occasion to reioyce: which is met by tabrets and dancing, as their custome was after notable victories, Exod.15.20. iudges 5.2. and chap.11.34. ] be adorned with thy timbrels, and shalt goe foorth in the dance of them that be ioyfull.

⁵ Thou shalt yet plant vines vpon the mountaines of [Note: [g] Because the Israelites, which were the ten tribes, neuer returned to Samaria, therefore this must be spiritually vnderstand vnder the kingdome of Christ, which was the restauration of the true Israel. ] Samaria, and the planters that plant them, [Note: [h] That is, shall eate the fruite thereof, as Leuiticus 19.23. deuter.20.6. ] shall make them common.

⁶ For the dayes shall come that the [Note: [i] The ministers of the word. ] watchmen vpon the mount of Ephraim shall cry, Arise, and let vs go vp vnto [Note: [k] They shall exhort all to the embracing of the Gospel, as Isa.2.3. ] Zion to the Lord our God.

⁷ For thus saith the Lord, Reioyce with gladnesse for Iaakob, and shoute for ioye among the chiefe of the [Note: [l] Hee sheweth what shall be the concorde and loue of all vnder the Gospel, where none shalbe refused for their infirmities; and euery one shall exhort one another to embrace it. ] Gentiles: publish praise, and say, O Lord, saue thy people, the remnant of Israel.

⁸ Beholde, I will bring them from the North

countrey, and gather them from the coastes of the world, with the blinde & the lame among them, with the woman with childe, and her that is deliuered also: a great companie shall returne hither.

⁹ They shall come [Note: [m] That is, lamenting their sinnes, which had not giuen care to the Prophets, & therefore it followeth that God receiued them to mercie, Chap.50.4. Some take it that they should weepe for ioye. ] weeping, and with mercie will I bring them againe: I will lead them by the riuers of [Note: [n] Where they found no impediments, but abundance of al things. ] water in a straight way, wherein they shall not stumble: for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is [Note: [o] That is, my dearely beloued, as the first childe is to the father. ] my first borne.

¹⁰ ¶ Heare the worde of the Lord, O ye Gentiles, and declare in the yles afarre off, and say, Hee that scattered Israel, wil gather him and wil keepe him, as a shepheard doeth his flocke.

¹¹ For the Lorde hath redeemed Iaakob, and ransomed him from the hande [Note: [p] That is, from the Babylonians, and other enemies. ] of him, that was stronger then he.

¹² Therefore they shall come, and reioyce in the height of Zion, and shall runne to the bountifulnes of the Lord, euen for the [Note: [q] By these temporall benefites he meaneth the spirituall graces, which are in the Church, and whereof there should bee euer plentie, Isa.58.11,12. ] wheat and for the wine, and for the oyle, and for the increase of sheepe, & bullocks: and their soule shalbe as a watered garden, and they shall haue no more sorow.

¹³ Then shall ye virgine reioyce in the [Note: [r] In the companie of the faithfull, which euer praise God for his benefites. ] dance, and the yong men and the old men together: for I wil turne their mourning into ioy, and wil comfort them, and giue them ioy for their sorowes.

¹⁴ And I wil replenish the soule of the Priests with [Note: [s] Meaning the spirit of wisedome, knowledge and zeale. ] fatnesse, and my people shalbe satisfied with my goodnesse, saith the Lord.

¹⁵ Thus saith the Lord, A voyce was heard on hie, a mourning and bitter weeping. [Note: [t] To declare the greatnesse of Gods mercie in deliuering the Iewes, hee sheweth them that they were like to the Beniamites, or Israelites: that is, vtterly destroyed and caried away, in so much that if Rahel the mother of Beniamin coulde haue risen againe to seeke for her childre, she should haue found none remayning. ] Rahel weeping for her children, refused to be comforted for her children, because they were not.

¹⁶ Thus saith the Lorde, Refraine thy voyce from weeping, and thine eyes from teares: for thy worke shalbe rewarded, saith the Lord, and they shall come againe from the land of the enemie:

¹⁷ And there is hope in thine ende, saith the Lord, that thy children shall come againe to their owne borders.

¹⁸ I haue heard [Note: [u] That is, the people that were led captiue. ] Ephraim lamenting thus, Thou hast corrected me, and I was chastised as an [Note: [x] Which was wanton and could not be subiect to the yoke. ] vntamed calfe: [Note: [y] Hee sheweth how the faithfull vse to pray: that is, desire God to turne them, for as much as they can not turne of themselues. ] conuert thou me, and I shalbe conuerted: for thou art the Lord my God.

¹⁹ Surely after that I conuerted, I repented: and after that I was instructed, I smote vpon my [Note: [z] In signe of repetance, and detestation of my sinne. ] thigh: I was ashamed, yea, euen confounded, because I did beare the reproch of my youth.

²⁰ Is Ephraim [Note: [a] As though he would say, No: for by his iniquitie he did what laye in him to cast me off. ] my deare sonne or pleasant childe? yet since I spake vnto him, I still [Note: [b] To wit, in pitying him for my promes sake. ] remembred him: therefore my bowels are troubled for him: I wil surely haue compassion vpon him, saith the Lorde.

²¹ Set thee vp [Note: [c] Marke by what way thou diddest go into captiuitie, & thou shalt turne againe by the same. ] signes: make thee heapes: set thine heart towarde the path and way, that thou hast walked: turne againe, O virgine of Israel: turne againe to these thy cities.

²² How long wilt thou goe astray, O thou rebellious daughter? for the Lorde hath created [Note: [d] Because their deliuerance fro Babylon was a figure of their deliuerance from sinne, he sheweth how this should be procured, to wit, by Iesus Christ whome a woman should conceiue, & beare in her wombe. Which is a strage thing in earth, because he should be borne of a virgine without man: or, he meaneth, that Ierusalem which was like a barren woman in her captiuitie, should be fruitfull as she, that is ioyned in mariage, and whome God blesseth with children. ] a newe thing in the earth: A vvoman shall compasse a man.

²³ Thus saith the Lord of hostes, the God of Israel, Yet shall they say this thing in the land of [Page]

Iudah, and in the cities thereof, when I shall bring againe their captiuitie, The Lorde blesse thee, O habitation of iustice and holy mountaine.

²⁴ And Iudah shall dwell in it, and all the cities thereof together, the husbandmen and they that goe foorth with the flocke.

²⁵ For I haue saciate the wearie soule, and I haue replenished euery sorowfull soule.

²⁶ Therefore I awaked and behelde, and my sleepe [Note: [e] Hauing vnderstand this vision of the Messiah to come, in whom the two houses of Israel and Iudah should be ioyned, I reioyced. ] was sweete vnto me.

²⁷ Beholde, the dayes come, saith the Lorde, that I will sowe the house of Israel, and the house of Iudah [Note: [f] I will multiplie, and enriche them with people and cattell. ] with the seede of man and with the seede of beast.

²⁸ And like as I haue watched vpon them, to plucke vp and to roote out, and to throw downe, and to destroy, and to plague them, so wil I watch ouer them, to build & to plant them, saith ye Lord.

²⁹ In those dayes shall they say no more, The fathers haue [Note: [g] The wicked vsed this prouerbe, whe they did murmure against Gods iudgments pronounced by the Prophets, saying, That their fathers had committed the fault, and that the children were punished, Ezek.18.3. ] eaten a sowre grape, and the childrens teeth are set on edge.

³⁰ But euery one shall die for his owne iniquitie: euery man that eateth the sowre grape, his teeth shalbe set on edge.

³¹ ¶ Beholde, the dayes come, saith the Lord, that I will make a [Note: [h] Though the couenant of redemption made to the fathers, and this which was giuen after, seeme diuers, yet they are all one, and grounded on Iesus Christ, saue that this is called newe, because of the manifestation of Christ, and the abundant graces of the holy Ghost giuen to his Church vnder the Gospel. ] new couenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Iudah,

³² Not according to ye couenant that I made with their fathers, when I tooke them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, the which my couenant they [Note: [i] And so were the occasion of their owne diuorcement through their infidelitie, Isa.50.1. ] brake, although I was [Note: Or, master. ] an husband vnto them, saith the Lord.

³³ But this shall be the couenant that I will make with the house of Israel, After [Note: [k] In the time of Christ my law shal in steade of tables of stone be written in their heartes by mine holy Spirit, Ebrew.8.10. ] those dayes, saith the Lord, I will put my Lawe in their inward partes, and write it in their hearts, and wil be their God, and they shalbe my people.

³⁴ And they shall [Note: [l] Vnder the kingdome of Christ there shalbe none blinded with ignorance, but I will giue them faith, and knowledge of God for remission of their sinnes and dayly increase the same: so that it shall not seeme to come so much by the preaching of my ministers, as by the instruction of my holy Spirit, Isa.54.13. but the full accomplishing hereof is referred to the kingdome of Christ, when we shall be ioyned with our head. ] teach no more euery man his neighbour and euery man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for they shall all know me from the least of them vnto the greatest of them, saith the Lord: for I wil forgiue their iniquitie, and will remember their sinnes no more.

³⁵ Thus saith the Lorde, which giueth [Note: [m] If the sunne, moone, and starres can not but giue light according to mine ordinance, so long as this worlde lasteth, so shall my Church neuer faile, neither shall any thing hinder it: and as sure as I will haue a people, so certaine is it, that I will leaue them my word for euer to gouerne them with. ] the sunne for a light to the day, and the courses of the moone and of the starres for a light to the night, which breaketh the sea, when the waues thereof roare: his Name is the Lord of hostes.

³⁶ If these ordinances depart out of my sight, saith the Lorde, then shall the seede of Israel cease from being a nation before me, for euer.

³⁷ Thus saith the Lorde, If the heauens can be measured, [Note: [n] The one and the other is impossible. ] or the fundations of the earth be searched out beneath, then wil I cast off all the seed of Israel, for all that they haue done, saith the Lord.

³⁸ Behold, the dayes come, saith the Lord, that the [Note: [o] As it was perfourmed, Nehemiah 3.1. By this description he sheweth that the citie should be as ample, and beautifull as euer it was: but he alludeth to the spirituall Ierusalem, whose beautie should be incomparable. ] citie shalbe built to the Lord from the tower of Hananeel, vnto the gate of the corner.

³⁹ And the line of the measure shal go foorth in his presence vpon the hil Gareb, and shall compasse about to Goath.

⁴⁰ And the whole valley of the dead bodies, and of the ashes, & all the fields vnto the brooke of Kidron, and vnto the corner of the horsegate

toward the East, shalbe holy vnto the Lorde, neither shal it be plucked vp nor destroyed any more for euer.

Ieremiah is cast into prison because hee prophecied that the citie should be taken of the King of Babylon. 7 Hee sheweth that the people should come againe to their owne posseßion. 38 The people of God are his seruants, and he is their Lord.

¹ The worde that came vnto Ieremiah from the Lord, in the [Note: [a] So that Ieremiah had now prophecied from the thirtenth yeere of Iosiah vnto the last yeere saue one of Zedekiahs reigne, which was almost fourtie yeeres. ] tenth yere of Zedekiah king of Iudah, which was the eightenth yeere of Nebuchad-nezzar.

² For then the King of Babels hoste besieged Ierusalem: And Ieremiah the Prophet was shutte vp in the court of the prison, which was in the King of Iudahs house.

³ For Zedekiah King of Iudah had shut him vp, saying, Wherefore doest thou prophesie, and say, Thus saith the Lord, [Note: Chap.29.16,17. and 34.2. ] Beholde, I will giue this citie into the handes of the King of Babel, and he shall take it?

⁴ And Zedekiah the King of Iudah shall not escape out of the hande of the Caldeans, but shall surely be deliuered into the handes of the King of Babel, and shal speake with him mouth to mouth, and his eyes shall beholde his face,

⁵ And he shal lead Zedekiah to Babel, & there shall he be, vntil [Note: [b] Till I take Zodekiah away by death: for he shall not die by the sword, as chap.34.4. ] I visit him, saith ye Lord: though ye fight with the Caldeans, ye shall not prosper.

⁶ ¶ And Ieremiah said, The word of the Lord came vnto me, saying,

⁷ Beholde, Hanameel, the sonne of Shallum thine vncle, shall come vnto thee and say, [Note: [c] Whereby was ment that the people should returne againe out of captiuitie and enioye their possessions and vineyards, as verse 15.and 44. ] Bye vnto thee my fielde, that is in Anathoth: for the [Note: Or, right to redeeme it. ] title by kindred appertaineth vnto thee [Note: [d] Because he was next of the kinred, as Ruth 4.4. ] to bye it.

⁸ So Hanameel, mine vncles sonne, came to mee in the court of the prison, according to the word of the Lord, & said vnto me, Bye my [Note: [e] Of the possession of the Leuites, reade Leuit.25.32. ] field, I pray thee, that is in Anathoth, which is in the countrey of Beniamin: for the right of the possession is thine, & the purchase belongeth vnto thee: bye it for thee. Then I knewe that this was the worde of the Lord.

⁹ And I bought the field of Hanameel, mine vncles sonne, that was in Anathoth, and weighed him the siluer, euen seuen [Note: [f] Which mounteth to of our money, about tenne shillings six pence, if this shekel were the common shekel, reade Gene.23. 15. for the shekel of the Temple was of double value and ten pieces of siluer were halfe a shekel, for twentie made the shekel. ] shekels, and tenne pieces of siluer.

¹⁰ And I writ it in the booke and signed it, and tooke witnesses, and weighed him the siluer in the balances.

¹¹ So I tooke the booke of the possession, being sealed [Note: [g] According to the custome the instrument or euidence was sealed vp with the common seale, and a copie thereof remained, which coteined the same in effect, but was not so autentical as the other, but was left open to be seene if any thing should bee called into doubt. ] according to the Lawe, and custome, with the booke that was open,

¹² And I gaue the booke of the possession vnto Baruch the sonne of Neriah, the sonne of Maaseiah, in the sight of Hanameel mine vncles sonne, and in the presence of the witnesses, written in the booke of the possession, before al the Iewes that sate in the court of the prison.

¹³ And I charged Baruch before them, saying,

¹⁴ Thus saith the Lorde of hostes, the God of Israel, Take the writings, euen this booke of the possession, both that is sealed, and this booke that is open, and put them in an earthen [Note: [h] And so to hide them in the groud, that they might be preserued as a token of their deliuerance. ] vessell, that they may continue a long time.

¹⁵ For the Lorde of hostes, the God of Israel saith thus, Houses and fieldes, and vineyardes shall be possessed againe in this land.

¹⁶ ¶ Now when I had deliuered the booke of the possession vnto Baruch, the sonne of Neriah, I prayed vnto the Lord, saying,


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¹⁷ Ah Lord God, beholde, thou hast made the heauen and the earth by thy great power, and by thy stretched out arme, & there is nothing [Note: Or, hid. ] hard vnto thee.

¹⁸ [Note: Exod.34.7. deut.5.9. ] Thou shewest mercie vnto thousands, and recompensest the iniquitie of the fathers into the bosome of their [Note: [i] Because the wicked are subiect to the curse of God, he sheweth, that their posteritie, which by nature are vnder this malediction, shalbe punished both for their owne wickednes, and that the iniquitie of their fathers, which is likewise in them, shalbe also reuenged on their head. ] children after them: O God the great & mightie, whose Name is ye Lord of hostes,

¹⁹ Great in counsell, & mightie in worke, (for thine eyes are open vpon all the wayes of ye sonnes of men, to giue to euery one according to his wayes, and according to the fruite of his workes)

²⁰ Which hast set signes and wonders in the land of Egypt vnto this [Note: [k] Meaning, that his miracles in deliuering his people, should neuer be forgotten. ] day, and in Israel, and among all men, and hast made thee a Name, as appeareth this day,

²¹ And hast brought thy people Israel out of the land of Egypt with signes, and with wonders, and with a strong hand, with a stretched out arme, and with great terrour,

²² And hast giuen them this land, which thou diddest sweare to their fathers to giue them, euen a land, that floweth with milke and hony,

²³ And they came in, and possessed it, but they obeyed not thy voyce, neither walked in thy Law: all that thou commaundedst them to doe, they haue not done: therefore thou hast caused this whole plague to come vpon them.

²⁴ Beholde, the [Note: [l] The worde signifieth any thing that is cast vp, as a mount or ram part, and is also vsed for engins of warre, which were layde on an hie place to shoote into a citie before that gunnes were in vse. ] mounts, they are come into the citie to take it, and the citie is giuen into the hande of the Caldeans, that fight against it by meanes of the sword, and of the famine, and of the pestilence, and what thou hast spoken, is come to passe, and beholde, thou seest it.

²⁵ And thou hast sayd vnto me, O Lord God, Bye vnto thee the fielde for siluer, and take witnesses: for the citie shall be giuen into the hand of the Caldeans.

²⁶ ¶ Then came the worde of the Lord vnto Ieremiah, saying,

²⁷ Beholde, I am the Lord God of all [Note: [m] That is, of euery creature: who as they are his worke, so doeth he gouerne and guide them as pleaseth him, whereby he sheweth that as he is the authour of this their captiuitie for their sinnes, so wil he for his mercies be their redeemer to restore them againe to libertie. ] flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?

²⁸ Therefore thus saith the Lord, Beholde, I wil giue this citie into the hand of the Caldeans, and into the hand of Nebuchad-nezzar, King of Babel, and he shall take it.

²⁹ And the Caldeans shall come and fight against this citie, and set fire on this citie and burne it, with the houses, vpon whose rouses they haue offred incense vnto Baal, and powred drinke offrings vnto other gods, to prouoke me vnto anger.

³⁰ For the children of Israel, and the children of Iudah haue surely done euill before me from their [Note: [n] From the time that I brought them out of Egypt, and made them my people, and called them my first borne. ] youth: for the children of Israel haue surely prouoked me to anger with the workes of their hands, saith the Lord.

³¹ Therefore this citie hath bene vnto me as a prouocation of mine anger, and of my wrath, from the day, that they built it, euen vnto this day, that I should remoue it out of my sight,

³² Because of all the euill of the children of Israel, and of the children of Iudah, which they haue done to prouoke mee to anger, euen they, their Kings, their Princes, their Priests, and their Prophets, and the men of Iudah, and the inhabitants of Ierusalem.

³³ And they haue turned vnto me the backe and not the face: though I taught them [Note: [o] Reade Pro.1.24. isa.65.2. chap 7.13. and 25.3.& 26.5. & 29.19.& 2.chro. 36.15.and chap.35. 14. and 44.4. ] rising vp earely, and instructing them, yet they were not obedient to receiue doctrine,

³⁴ But they set their abominations in ye house (whereupon my Name was called) to defile it,

³⁵ And they built the hie [Note: [p] That is, the altars, which were made to offer sacrifice vpon to their idoles. ] places of Baal, which are in the valley of [Note: [q] Reade Chap. 7.31. 2.King.21.4,6. ] Ben-hinnom, to cause their sonnes & their daughters to [Note: [r] Reade 2.King. 16.3. ] passe through the fire vnto Molech, which I commaunded them not, neither came it into my minde, yt they should doe such abomination, to cause Iudah to sinne.

³⁶ And nowe [Note: [s] Reade Chap. 30.16. ] therefore, thus hath the Lorde God of Israel spoken, concerning this citie, whereof ye say, It shalbe deliuered into the hand of the King of Babel by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence,

³⁷ [Note: Deut.30.3. ] Beholde, I will gather them out of all countreys, wherein I haue scattered them in mine anger, and in my wrath, and in great indignation, and I wil bring them againe vnto this place, and I will cause them to dwell safely.

³⁸ And they shall be [Note: Chap.30.22. ] my people, and I will be their God.

³⁹ And I wil giue them [Note: [t] One consent and one religion, as Ezek.11.19.and 36.27. ] one heart and one way that they may feare me for euer for ye wealth of them, and of their children after them.

⁴⁰ And I wil make an [Note: [u] Reade Chap. 31.32,33. ] euerlasting couenant with them, that I wil neuer turne away from them to doe them good, but I wil put my feare in their hearts, that they shal not depart from me.

⁴¹ Yea, I wil delite in them to do them good, and I wil plant them in this land assuredly with my whole heart, and with all my soule.

⁴² For thus sayth the Lorde, Like as I haue brought all this great plague vpon this people, so wil I bring vpon them all the good that I haue promised them.

⁴³ And the fields shalbe possessed in this land, whereof ye say, It is desolate without ma or beast, and shalbe giuen into the hand of the Caldeans.

⁴⁴ Men shal bye [Note: [x] This is the declaration of that, which was spoken, verse 8. ] fieldes for siluer, and make writings and seale them, and take witnesses in the land of Beniamin, and round about Ierusalem, and in the cities of Iudah, and in the cities of the mountaines, and in the cities of the plaine, and in the cities of the South: for I wil cause their captiuitie to returne, saith the Lord.

1 The Prophet is monished of the Lorde to pray for the deliuerance of the people, which the Lord promised. 8 God forgiueth sinnes, for his owne glory. 15 Of the birth of Christ. 20 The kingdome of Christ in the Church shall neuer be ended.

¹ Moreouer, the worde of the Lord came vnto Ieremiah the second time (while he was yet shut vp in the [Note: [a] Which was in the Kings house at Ierusalem, as chap. 32.1,2. ] court of prison) saying,

² Thus sayth the Lord, the maker [Note: [b] To wit, of Ierusalem, who as he made it, so will he preserue it, reade Isai.37.26. ] thereof, the Lord that formed it, and established it, the Lord is his Name.

³ Call vnto me, and I will answere thee, and shewe thee great and mightie things, which thou knowest not.

⁴ For thus saith the Lord God of Israel, concerning the houses of this citie, and concerning the houses of the Kings of Iudah, which are destroyed by the [Note: [c] Reade Chap. 32.24. ] mounts, and by the sword,

⁵ They come to [Note: [d] The Iewes thinke to ouercome the Caldeans, but they seeke their owne destruction. ] fight with the Caldeans, but it is to fill themselues with the dead bodies of men, whome I haue slaine in mine anger and in my wrath: for I haue hid my [Note: [e] He sheweth that Gods fauour is cause of all prosperitie, as his anger is of all aduersitie. ] face from this citie, because of all their wickednes.

⁶ ¶ Behold, [Note: [f] In the mids of his threatnings God remembreth his and comforteth them. ] I will giue it health & amendment: for I wil cure them, and will reueile vnto them the abundance of peace, and trueth.
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⁷ And I wil cause the captiuitie of Iudah and the captiuitie of Israel to returne, and will build them as at the first.

⁸ And I wil [Note: [g] Declaring that there is no deliuerance nor ioy, but whereas we feele remission of sinnes. ] clense them from all their iniquitie, whereby they haue sinned against me: yea, I wil pardon all their iniquities, whereby they haue sinned against me, and whereby they haue rebelled against me.

⁹ And it shalbe to me a name, a [Note: [h] Whereby hee sheweth that the Church, wherein is remission of sinnes, is Gods honour and glory, so that whosoeuer is enemie to it, laboureth to dishonour God. ] ioy, a praise, and an honour before all the nations of the earth, which shal heare all ye good that I doe vnto them: and they shal feare & tremble for all the goodnes, and for all the wealth, that I shew vnto this citie.

¹⁰ Thus sayth the Lord, Againe there shalbe heard in this place (which ye say shalbe desolate, without man, and without beast, euen in the cities of Iudah, and in the streetes of Ierusalem, that are desolate without man, and without inhabitant, and without beast)

¹¹ The voyce of ioy and the voyce of gladnes, the voyce of the bridegrome, and the voyce of the bride, the voyce of them that shall say, [Note: [i] Which was a song appointed for the Leuites to prayse God by, 1.Chro.16.8. psal. 105.1. isa.12.4. Psal 106.1.& psal. 107.1.& psal.118.1. and psal.136.1. ] Prayse the Lord of hostes, because the Lord is good: for his mercy endureth for euer, and of them that offer the sacrifice of prayse in the House of the Lord, for I will cause to returne the captiuitie of the land, as at the first, sayth the Lord.

¹² Thus sayth the Lorde of hostes, Againe in this place, which is desolate, without man, & without beast, and in all the cities thereof there shall be dwelling for shepheards to rest their flockes.

¹³ In the cities of the [Note: [k] Meaning that all the countrey of Iudah shall be inhabited againe. ] mountaines, in the cities in the plaine, and in the cities of the South, and in the land of Beniamin, and about Ierusalem, & in the cities of Iudah shall the sheepe passe againe, vnder the hand of him that telleth them, sayth the Lord.

¹⁴ Beholde, the dayes come, sayth the Lorde, that I wil performe that good thing, which I haue promised vnto the house of Israel, & to the house of Iudah.

¹⁵ In those dayes and at that time, wil I cause [Note: [l] That is, I will send the Messiah, which shall come of the house of Dauid, of whome this prophecie is meant, as testifie all the Iewes, and that which is written, Chap.23.5. ] the branch of righteousnesse to growe vp vnto Dauid, & he shall execute iudgement, and righteousnes in the land.

¹⁶ In those dayes shal Iudah be saued, and Ierusalem shal dwell safely, and hee that shall call [Note: [m] To wit, Christ that shal call his Church. ] her, is the Lord our [Note: [n] That is, Christ is our Lord God, our righteousnes, sanctification, and redemption, 1.Cor.1.30. ] righteousnesse.

¹⁷ For thus sayth the Lord, Dauid shall neuer want a man to sit vpon the throne of the house of Israel.

¹⁸ Neither shal the Priests and Leuites want a man before me to offer [Note: [o] This is chiefly meant of the spirituall sacrifice of thankesgiuing, which is left to the Church in the time of Christ, who was the euerlasting Priest and the euerlasting sacrifice figured by the sacrifice of the Lawe. ] burnt offerings, & to offer meat offerings, & to doe sacrifice continually.

¹⁹ ¶ And the worde of the Lorde came vnto Ieremiah, saying,

²⁰ Thus sayth the Lord, If you can breake my couenant of the [Note: [p] Reade Chap. 31.35. ] day, and my couenant of the night, that there should not be day, and night in their season,

²¹ Then may my couenant be broken with Dauid my seruant, that he should not haue a sonne to reigne vpon his throne, and with the Leuites, and Priests my ministers.

²² As the army of heauen can not be nombred, neither the sand of the sea measured: so wil I multiplie the seede of Dauid my seruant, and the Leuites, that minister vnto me.

²³ ¶ Moreouer, the worde of the Lord came to Ieremiah, saying,

²⁴ Considerest thou not what [Note: [q] Meaning, the Caldeans & other infidels which thought God had vtterly cast off Iudah and Israel or Beniamin, because he did correct them for a time for their amendment. ] this people haue spoken, saying, The two families, which the Lord hath chosen, hee hath euen cast them off? thus they haue despised my people, that they should be no more a nation before them.

²⁵ Thus sayth the Lorde, If my couenant be not with day and night, and if I haue not appointed the order of heauen and earth,

²⁶ Then will I cast away the seede of Iaakob and Dauid my seruant, and not take of his seede to be rulers ouer the seede of Abraham, Izhak, and Iaakob: for I wil cause their captiuitie to returne, and haue compassion on them.

2 He threatneth that the citie, and the King Zedekiah shall be giuen into the hands of the King of Babylon. 11 Hee rebuketh their crueltie toward their seruants.

¹ The worde which came vnto Ieremiah from the Lord (when [Note: [a] Who commonly of Ieremiah was called Nebuchad-rezzar, and of other Nebuchad-nezzar. ] Nebuchad-nezzar King of Babel, and all his hoste, and all the kingdomes of the earth, that were vnder the power of his hand, and all people fought against Ierusalem, and against all the cites thereof) saying,

² Thus sayth the Lorde God of Israel, Goe, and speake to Zedekiah King of Iudah, and tell him, Thus sayth the Lord, Beholde, [Note: 2.Chro.36.19. chap.29.16,17. and 32.3. ] I will giue this citie into the hand of the King of Babel, and he shall burne it with fire,

³ And thou shall not escape out of his hand, but shalt surely be taken, and deliuered into his hand, and thine eyes shal beholde the face of the King of Babel, & he shal speake with thee mouth to mouth, and thou shalt go to Babel.

⁴ Yet heare the worde of the Lord, O Zedekiah, King of Iudah: thus sayth the Lord of thee, Thou shalt not dye by the sword,

⁵ But thou shalt die in [Note: [b] Not of any violent death. ] peace: and according to the burning for thy fathers the former Kings which were before thee, so shall they burne odours for thee, and they shall lament thee, saying, Oh [Note: [c] The Iewes shall lament for thee their lorde and King. ] lorde: for I haue pronounced the worde, sayth the Lord.

⁶ Then Ieremiah the Prophet spake all these words vnto Zedekiah King of Iudah in Ierusalem,

⁷ (When the King of Babels hoste fought against Ierusalem, and against all the cities of Iudah, that were left, euen against Lachish, and against Azekah: for these strong cities remained of the cities of Iudah)

⁸ This is the worde that came vnto Ieremiah from the Lorde, after that the King Zedekiah had made a couenant with all the people, which were at Ierusalem, [Note: [d] When the enemie was at hand, and they saw them selues in danger, they would seeme holy, and so began some kinde of reformation: but soone after they vttered their hypocrisie. ] to proclaime libertie vnto them,

⁹ That euery man should let his [Note: [e] According to the Lawe, Exod.21.2. Deut.15.12. ] seruant go free, and euery man his handmayde, which was an Ebrue or an Ebruesse, and that none should serue himselfe of them, to wit, of a Iewe his brother.

¹⁰ Now when all the princes, and all the people which had agreed to the couenant, heard that euery one should let his seruant go free, & euery one his handmaide, and that none should serue them selues of them any more, they obeyed and let them go.

¹¹ But afterwarde they [Note: Ebr. returned. ] repented and caused the seruants and the handmayds, whom they had let go free, to returne, and helde them in subiection as seruants and handmayds.

¹² Therefore the worde of the Lorde came vnto Ieremiah from the Lord, saying,

¹³ Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, I made a

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couenant with your fathers, when I brought them out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of [Note: Or, bondage. ] seruants, saying,
¹⁴ [Note: Deut.15.1,12. ] At the terme of seuen yeres let ye go, euery man his brother an Ebrewe which hath bene solde vnto thee: and when he hath serued the sixe yeres, thou shalt let him go free fro thee: but your fathers obeyed me not, neither inclined their eares.

¹⁵ And ye were nowe turned, and had done right in my sight in proclayming libertie, euery man to his neighbour, and ye had made a couenant before mee in [Note: [f] Meaning, in the Temple, to declare that it was a most solemne and streit couenant, made in the Name of the Lord. ] the house, whereupon my Name is called.

¹⁶ But ye repented, and polluted my Name: for ye haue caused euery man his seruant, and euery man his handmayde, whom ye had set at libertie at their pleasure, to returne, and holde them in subiection to bee vnto you as seruantes and as handmaydes.

¹⁷ Therefore thus saith the Lord, Ye haue not obeyed mee, in proclayming freedome euery man to his brother, and euery man to his neighbour: beholde, I proclaime a libertie for you, saith the Lorde, to [Note: [g] That is, I giue the sword libertie to destroy you. ] the sworde, to the pestilence, and to the famine, and I will make you a terrour to all the kingdomes of the earth.

¹⁸ And I will giue those men that haue broken my couenant, and haue not kept the wordes of the couenant, which they had made before me, when they [Note: [h] As touching this maner of solemne couenant which the ancient vsed by passing betweene the two partes of a beasts, to signifie that the transgressour of the same couenant should be so diuided in pieces, reade Gen. 15.10. ] cut the calfe in twaine, and passed betweene the partes thereof:

¹⁹ The princes of Iudah, and the princes of Ierusalem, the Eunuches, and the Priestes, and all the people of the lande, which passed betweene the partes of the calfe,

²⁰ I wil euen giue them into the hand of their enemies, and into the handes of them that seeke their life: and their dead bodies shalbe for meate vnto the foules of the heauen, and to the beastes of the earth.

²¹ And Zedekiah King of Iudah, and his princes will I giue into the hand of their enemies, and into the hande of them that seeke their life, and into the hande of the King of Babels hoste, which [Note: [i] To fight against the Egyptians, as Chap.37.11. ] are gone vp from you.

²² Beholde, I will commande, saith the Lord, and cause them to returne to this citie, and they shall fight against it, and take it, and burne it with fire: and I will make the cities of Iudah desolate without an inhabitant.

Hee proposeth the obedience of the Rechabites, and thereby confoundeth the pride of the Iewes.

¹ The worde which came vnto Ieremiah from the Lorde, in the dayes [Note: [a] For the disposition and order of these prophecies, reade Chap.27.1. ] of Iehoiakim the sonne of Iosiah King of Iudah, saying,

² Go vnto the house of the [Note: [b] They came of Hobab Moses father in lawe, who was no Israelite, but after ioyned with them in the seruice of God. ] Rechabites, and speake vnto them, and bring them into the house of the Lorde into one of the chambers, and giue them wine to drinke.

³ Then tooke I Iaazaniah, the sonne of Ieremiah the sonne of Habazziniah, and his brethren, and all his sonnes, and the whole house of the Rechabites,

⁴ And I brought them into the House of the Lord, into the chamber of the sonnes of Hanan, the sonne of Igdaliah a man [Note: [c] That is, a Prophet. ] of God, which was by the chamber of the princes, which was aboue the chamber of Maaseiah the sonne of Shallum, the keeper of the [Note: Or, doore. ] treasure.

⁵ And I set before the sonnes of the house of the Rechabites, pots full of wine, and cuppes, and [Note: [d] The Prophet saith not, The Lord saith thus: for then they ought to haue obeyed: but he tendeth to another ende: that is, to declare their obedience to man, seeing the Iewes would not obey God himselfe. ] said vnto them, Drinke wine.

⁶ But they said, We will drinke no wine: for [Note: [e] Whom Iehu the King of Israel fauoured for his zeale, 2.King.10.15. ] Ionadab the sonne of Rechab our father commaunded vs, saying, [Note: [f] Teaching them hereby to flee all occasion of intemperancie, ambition and auarice, and that they might knowe that they were strangers in the earth, and be readie to depart at all occasions. ] Ye shall drinke no wine, neither you nor your sonnes for euer.

⁷ Neither shall ye build house, nor sow seede, nor plant vineyarde, nor haue any, but all your dayes ye shall dwell in tentes, that ye may liue a long time in the land where ye be strangers.

⁸ Thus haue wee obeyed the voyce of Ionadab the sonne of Rechab our father, in all that he hath charged vs, and wee drinke no wine all our dayes, neither wee, our wiues, our sonnes, nor our daughters.

⁹ Neither builde wee houses for vs to dwell in, neither haue we vineyard, nor fielde, nor seede,

¹⁰ But we haue remained in tentes, and haue obeyed, and done according to [Note: [g] Which was now for the space of three hundreth yeeres from Iehu to Iehoiakim. ] all that Ionadab our father commaunded vs.

¹¹ But when Nebuchad-nezzar King of Babel came vp into the land, we said, Come, & let vs go to Ierusalem, from the hoste of the Caldeans, and from the host of Aram: so we [Note: [h] Which declareth that they were not so bound to their vowe, that it could not be broken for any necessitie: for where they were commanded to dwell in tents, they dwel nowe at Ierusalem for feare of the warres. ] dwel at Ierusalem.

¹² Then came the word of the Lord vnto Ieremiah, saying,

¹³ Thus saith the Lorde of hostes, the God of Israel, Goe, and tell the men of Iudah, and the inhabitants of Ierusalem, Will [Note: [i] Whome I haue chosen to be my children, seeing these which were the children of an heathe man, obeyed the commandement of their father. ] ye not receiue doctrine to obey my wordes, saith the Lord?

¹⁴ The commandement of Ionadab the sonne of Rechab that hee commaunded his sonnes, that they should drinke no wine, is surely kept: for vnto this day they drinke none, but obey their fathers commaundement: notwithstanding I haue spoken vnto you, [Note: [k] I haue most diligently exhorted and warned you both by my selfe and my Prophets. ] rising earely, and speaking, but ye would not obey me.

¹⁵ I haue sent also vnto you all my seruants the Prophetes, rising vp earely, and sending, them, saying, [Note: Chap.18.11. and 25.5. ] Returne nowe euery man from his euill way, and amende your workes, and goe not after other gods to serue them, and ye shall dwel in the lande which I haue giuen vnto you, and to your fathers, but ye would not encline your eare, nor obey mee.

¹⁶ Surely the sonnes of Ionadab the sonne of Rechab, haue kept the commaundement of their father, which he gaue them, but this people hath not obeyed me.

¹⁷ Therefore thus saith the Lorde of hostes, the God of Israel, Beholde, I will bring vpon Iudah, and vpon all the inhabitants of Ierusalem, all the euill that I haue pronounced against them, because I haue [Note: [l] That is, by his Prophets and ministers: which sheweth that it is as much as though he should speake to vs himselfe, when he sendeth his ministers to speake in his Name. ] spoke vnto them, but they would not heare, and I haue called vnto them, but they would not answere.

¹⁸ And Ieremiah said to the house of the Rechabites, Thus saith the Lorde of hostes the God of Israel, Because ye haue obeyed the commandement of Ionadab your father, and kept all his precepts, and done according vnto all that hee hath commaunded you,

¹⁹ Therefore thus saith the Lord of hostes, the God of Israel, Ionadab the sonne of Rechab shall [Note: [m] His posteritie shall continue and be in my fauour for euer. ] not want a man, to stand before me for euer.

1 Baruch writeth, as Ieremiah inditeth, the booke of the curses against Iudah and Israel. 9 He is sent with the booke vnto the people and readeth it before them all. 14 Hee is called before the rulers and readeth it before them also. 23 The King casteth it in the fire. 28 There is another written at the commandement of the Lord.
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¹ And in the fourth [Note: [a] Reade Chap. 25.1. ] yeere of Iehoiakim the sonne of Iosiah King of Iudah, came this word vnto Ieremiah from the Lord, saying,

² Take thee a roule or booke, and write therein all the wordes that I haue spoken to thee against Israel, and against Iudah, and against all the nations, from the day that I spake vnto thee, euen [Note: [b] Which were twentie and three yere, as Chap 25.3. counting from the thirtenth yeere of Iosiahs reigne. ] from the dayes of Iosiah vnto this day.

³ It may bee that the House of Iudah will heare of all the euill, which I determined to doe vnto them that they may returne euery man from his euil way, that I may forgiue their iniquitie and their sinnes.

⁴ Then Ieremiah called Baruch the sonne of Neriah, and Baruch wrote [Note: [c] As he did indite. ] at the mouth of Ieremiah all the wordes of the Lorde, which hee had spoken vnto him, vpon a roule or booke.

⁵ And Ieremiah commaunded Baruch, saying, I am [Note: [d] Meaning, in prison, through the malice of the Priestes. ] shut vp, and can not go into the House of the Lord.

⁶ Therefore goe thou, and reade the roule wherein thou hast written at my mouth the words of the Lorde in the audience of the people in the Lordes House vpon the [Note: [e] Which was proclaimed for feare of the Babylonias, as their custome was when they feared warre or any great plague of God. ] fasting day: also thou shalt reade them in the hearing of all Iudah, that come out of their cities.

⁷ It may be that they will [Note: [f] He sheweth that fasting without prayer and repentance auaileth nothing, but is mere hypocrisie. ] pray before the Lorde, and euery one returne from his euill way, for great is the anger and the wrath, that the Lord hath declared against this people.

⁸ So Baruch the sonne of Neriah did according vnto all, that Ieremiah the Prophet commanded him, reading in the booke the wordes of the Lord in the Lords House.

⁹ ¶ And in the fift [Note: [g] The fast was then proclaimed, and Baruch read this roule, which was a litle before that Ierusalem was first taken, and then Iehoiakim and Daniel, and his companions were ledde away captiues. ] yeere of Iehoiakim the sonne of Iosiah King of Iudah, in the ninth moneth, they proclaimed a fast before the Lord to all the people in Ierusalem, and to all the people that came from the cities of Iudah vnto Ierusalem.

¹⁰ Then read Baruch in the booke the wordes of Ieremiah in the house of the Lord, in the chamber of Gemariah the sonne of Shaphan the secretarie, in the hier court at the entrie of the [Note: [h] Which is the East gate of the Temple. ] new gate of the Lordes house, in the hearing of all the people.

¹¹ When Michaiah the sonne of Gemariah, the sonne of Shaphan had heard out of the booke all the wordes of the Lord,

¹² Then hee went downe to the Kings house into the Chancellours chamber, and loe, all the princes sate there, euen Elishama the Chancellour, and Delaiah the sonne of Shemaiah, and Elnathan the sonne of Achbor, and Gemariah the sonne of Shaphan, and Zedekiah the sonne of Hananiah, and all the princes.

¹³ Then Michaiah declared vnto them all the wordes that he had heard when Baruch read in the booke in the audience of the people.

¹⁴ Therefore all the princes sent Iehudi the sonne of Nethaniah, the sonne of Shelemiah, the sonne of Chushi, vnto Baruch, saying, Take in thine hande the roule, wherein thou hast read in the audience of the people, and come. So Baruch the sonne of Neriah, tooke the roule in his hand, and came vnto them.

¹⁵ And they saide vnto him, Sit downe now, and reade it, that we may heare. So Baruch read

it in their audience.

¹⁶ Now when they had heard all the wordes, they were [Note: [i] The godly were afraide, seeing God so offended, and the wicked were astonied for the horror of the punishment. ] afraid both one and other, & said vnto Baruch, We will certifie the King of all these wordes.

¹⁷ And they examined Baruch, saying, Tell vs nowe, howe diddest thou write all these wordes at his mouth?

¹⁸ Then Baruch answered them, He pronounced all these wordes vnto me with his mouth, and I wrote them with ynke in the booke.

¹⁹ Then saide the princes vnto Baruch, Goe, [Note: [k] They that were godly among the princes, gaue this counsell, by whose meanes it is like that Ieremiah was deliuered: for they knew the rage of the King and of the wicked to be such, that they could not escape without danger of their liues. ] hide thee, thou and Ieremiah, and let no man knowe where ye be.

²⁰ ¶ And they went in to the King to the court, but they layde vp the roule in the chamber of Elishama the Chancellour and tolde the King all the wordes, that he might heare.

²¹ So the King sent Iehudi to fet the roule, and he tooke it out of Elishama the Chancellours chamber, and Iehudi read it in the audience of the King, and in the audience of all the princes, which stoode beside the King.

²² Nowe the King sate in the winter House, in the [Note: [l] Which conteined part of Nouember and part of December. ] ninth moneth, and there was a fire burning before him.

²³ And when Iehudi had read three, or foure sides, hee cut it with the penknife and cast it into the fire, that was on the hearth vntil all the roule was consumed in the fire, that was on the hearth.

²⁴ Yet they were not afraide, nor rent [Note: [m] Shewing, that the wicked in steade of repenting when they heare Gods iudgements, grow into further malice against him and his word. ] their garmets, neither the King, nor any of his seruants, that heard all these wordes.

²⁵ Neuerthelesse, Elnathan, and Delaiah, and Gemariah had besought the King, that he would not burne ye roule: but he would not heare them.

²⁶ But the King commaunded Ierahmeel the sonne of Hammelech, and Seraiah the sonne of Azriel, and Shelemiah the sonne of Abdiel, to take Baruch the scribe, and Ieremiah the Prophet, but the Lord [Note: [n] Thus we see the continuall care, that God hath euer ouer his to preserue them from the rage of the wicked. ] hid them.

²⁷ ¶ Then the word of the Lord came to Ieremiah (after that the King had burnt the roule and the words which Baruch wrote at the mouth of Ieremiah) saying,

²⁸ Take thee againe [Note: [o] Though the wicked thinke to haue abolished the worde of God, when they haue burnt the booke thereof: yet this declareth that God wil not onely raise it vp againe, but also increase it in greater abundance to their condemnation, as vers.32. ] another roule and write in it all ye former words that were in the first roule which Iehoiakim the King of Iudah hath burnt,

²⁹ And thou shalt say to Iehoiakim King of Iudah, Thus saith the Lorde, Thou hast burnt this roule, saying, [Note: [p] These are Iehoiakims wordes. ] Why hast thou written therein, saying, that the King of Babel shal certainly come and destroye this land, and shall take thence both man and beast?

³⁰ Therefore thus saith the Lorde of Iehoiakim King of Iudah, Hee shall haue [Note: [q] Though Iehoiachin his sonne succeeded him, yet because he reigned but three moneths, it was esteemed as no reigne. ] none to sit vpon the throne of Dauid, and his [Note: [r] Reade Chap. 22.19. ] dead body shall be cast out in the day to the heate, and in the night to the frost.

³¹ And I will visite him and his seede, and his seruants for their iniquitie, and I will bring vpon them, and vpon the inhabitants of Ierusalem, and vpo the men of Iudah all the euil that I haue pronounced against them: but they would not heare.

³² Then tooke Ieremiah another roule, and gaue it Baruch the scribe the sonne of Neriah, which wrote therein at the mouth of Ieremiah all the wordes of the booke which Iehoiakim King of Iudah had burnt in the fire, and there were added besides them many like wordes.


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Zedekiah succeeded Ieconiah. 3 He sendeth vnto Ieremiah to pray for him. 12 Jeremiah, going into the land of Beniamin, is taken. 15 He is beaten and put in prison.

¹ And [Note: 2.Kin.24.17. a.chro.36.10. chap.52.1. ] King Zedekiah the sonne of Iosiah reigned for [Note: [a] Who was called Iehoiachin, of Ieconiah. ] Coniah the sonne of Iehoiakim, whome Nebuchad-nezzar King of Babel [Note: [b] And called him Zedekiah, whereas before his name was Mattaniah, 2.King.24.17. ] made King in the land of Iudah.

² But neither he, nor his seruants, nor the people of the land would obey the wordes of the Lorde, which he spake by the [Note: Ebr. hand. ] ministerie of the Prophet Ieremiah.

³ And Zedekiah the King [Note: [c] Because he was afrayd of the Caldeans that came against him. ] sent Iehucal the sonne of Shelemiah, and Zephaniah the sonne of Maaseiah the Priest to the Prophet Ieremiah, saying, Pray now vnto the Lord our God for vs.

⁴ (Now Ieremiah [Note: [d] That is, was out of prison and at libertie. ] went in & out among the people: for they had not put him into the prison.

⁵ Then Pharaohs hoste was [Note: [e] To helpe the Iewes. ] come out of Egypt: and when the Caldeans that besieged Ierusalem, heard tidings of them, they [Note: Ebr. went vp. ] departed from Ierusalem)

⁶ Then came the worde of the Lord vnto the Prophet Ieremiah, saying,

⁷ Thus sayth the Lorde God of Israel, Thus shall ye say to the King of Iudah, that sent you vnto me to inquire of me, Behold, Pharaohs hoste, which is come forth to helpe you, shall returne to Egypt into their owne land.

⁸ And the Caldeans shall come againe, and fight against this citie, and take it and burne it with fire.

⁹ Thus sayth the Lorde, [Note: Or, lift not vp your mindes. ] Deceiue not your selues, saying, The Caldeans shall surely depart from vs: for they shal not depart.

¹⁰ For though ye had smitten the whole hoste of the Caldeans that fight against you, and there remained but wounded men among them, yet should euery man rise vp in his tent, and burne this citie with fire.

¹¹ ¶ When the hoste of the Caldeans was broken vp from Ierusalem, because of Pharaohs armie,

¹² Then Ieremiah went out of Ierusalem to goe into the [Note: [f] As some thinke to go to Anathoth his owne towne. ] land of Beniamin, separating himselfe thence from among the people.

¹³ And when hee was in the [Note: [g] By the which men went into the countrey of Beniamin. ] gate of Beniamin, there was a chiefe officer, whose name was Iriiah, the sonne of Shelemiah, the sonne of Hananiah, and he tooke Ieremiah the Prophet, saying, Thou [Note: Ebr. fallest. ] fleest to the Caldeans.

¹⁴ Then sayde Ieremiah, That is false, I flee not to the Caldeans: but he would not heare him: so Iriiah tooke Ieremiah, and brought him to the princes.

¹⁵ Wherefore the princes were angry with Ieremiah, and smote him, and layde him in prison in the house of Iehonathan the scribe: for they had made that the [Note: [h] Because it was a vile and straight prison. ] prison.

¹⁶ When Ieremiah was entred into the dungeon, and into the prisons, & had remained there a long time,

¹⁷ Then Zedekiah the King sent, and tooke him out, and the King asked him secretly in his house, and said, Is there any worde from the Lord? And Ieremiah sayd, Yea: for, sayd he, thou shalt be deliuered into the hand of the King of Babel.

¹⁸ Moreouer, Ieremiah sayd vnto King Zedekiah, What haue I offended against thee, or against thy seruants, or against this people, that ye

haue put me in prison?

¹⁹ [Note: Chap.28.4. ] Where are nowe your prophets, which prophecied vnto you, saying, The King of Babel shall not come against you, nor against this land?

²⁰ Therefore heare nowe, I pray thee, O my lorde the King: let my prayer be [Note: Ebr. fall. ] accepted before thee, that thou cause mee not to returne to the house of Iehonathan the scribe, least I die there.

²¹ Then Zedekiah the King commaunded, that they should put Ieremiah in the court of the prison, & that they should giue him dayly a piece of bread out of the bakers streete vntill all the [Note: [i] That is, so long as there was any bread in the citie: thus God prouideth for his that he wil cause their enemies to preserue them to that end whereunto hee hath appointed them. ] bread in the citie were eaten vp. Thus Ieremiah remained in the court of the prison.

1 By the motion of the rulers Ieremiah is put into a dungeon. 14 At the request of Ebed-melech the King commaundeth Ieremiah to be brought forth of the dungeon. 17 Ieremiah sheweth the King howe he might escape death.

¹ Then Shephatiah the sonne of Mattan, and Gedaliah the sonne of Pashhur, and Iucal the sonne of Shelemiah, and Pashhur the sonne of [Note: [a] For Zedekiah had sent these to Ieremiah to inquire at the Lord for the state of the countrey nowe when Nebuchad-nezzar came, as Chap.21.1. ] Malchiah, heard the wordes that Ieremiah had spoken vnto all the people, saying,

² Thus sayth the Lord, He that remaineth in this citie, shall dye by the sworde, by the famine and by the pestilence: but hee that goeth foorth to the Caldeans, shall liue: for he shall haue his life for [Note: [b] Reade Chap. 21.9.and 45.5. ] a praye, and shall liue.

³ Thus sayth the Lord, This citie shall surely be giuen into the hand of the King of Babels armie, which shall take it.

⁴ Therefore the Princes sayd vnto the King, We beseech you, let this man be put to death: for thus hee [Note: Or, discourageth. ] weakeneth the hands of the men of warre [Note: [c] Thus we see how the wicked when they can not abide to heare the trueth of Gods worde, seeke to put the ministers to death as transgressours of policies. ] that remaine in this citie, and the hands of all the people, in speaking such wordes vnto them: for this man seeketh not the wealth of this people, but the hurt.

⁵ Then Zedekiah the King sayd, Behold, he is in your hands, for ye King can denie [Note: [d] Wherein he grieuously offended in that that not onely hee would not heare the trueth spoken by the Prophet, but also gaue him to the lustes of the wicked to be cruelly intreated. ] you nothing.

⁶ Then tooke they Ieremiah, and cast him into the dungeon of Malchiah the sonne of Hammelech, that was in the court of the prison: and they let downe Ieremiah with coards: and in the dungeon there was no water but myre: so Ieremiah stacke fast in the myre.

⁷ Now when Ebed-melech ye [Note: Ebr. Cushite, or, Ethiopian. ] blacke More one of ye Eunuches, which was in the kings house, heard that they had put Ieremiah in the dungeon (then the King sate in the [Note: [e] To heare matters and giue sentence. ] gate of Beniamin)

⁸ And Ebed-melech went out of the Kings house, and spake to the King, saying,

⁹ My lorde the King, [Note: [f] Hereby is declared that the Prophet found more fauour at this strangers hands, then he did by all them of his countrey which was to their great condemnation. ] these men haue done euill in all that they haue done to Ieremiah the Prophet, whom they haue cast into the dungeon, and he dyeth for hunger in the place where he is: for there is no more bread in the citie.

¹⁰ Then the King commaunded Ebed-melech the blacke More, saying, Take from hence thirtie men [Note: Ebr. vnder thine hand. ] with thee, and take Ieremiah the Prophet out of the dungeon before he dye.

¹¹ So Ebed-melech tooke the men with him and went to the house of the King vnder the treasurie, and tooke there olde rotten ragges, and olde worne cloutes, and let them downe by coards into the dungeon to Ieremiah.

¹² And Ebed-melech the blacke More sayde vnto Ieremiah, Put now these olde rotten ragges and worne, vnder thine arme holes, betweene [Page]

the coards. And Ieremiah did so.

¹³ So they drewe vp Ieremiah with coards and tooke him vp out of the dungeon, and Ieremiah remained in the [Note: [g] Where the King had set him before to be at more libertie, as Chap.37.21. ] court of the prison.

¹⁴ ¶ Then Zedekiah the King sent, and tooke Ieremiah the Prophet vnto him, into the thirde entrie that is in the House of the Lorde, and the King sayd vnto Ieremiah, I wil aske thee a thing: hide nothing from me.

¹⁵ Then Ieremiah sayd to Zedekiah, If I declare it vnto thee, wilt not thou slay me? and if I giue thee counsell, thou wilt not heare me.

¹⁶ So the King sware secretly vnto Ieremiah, saying, As the Lorde liueth that made vs these soules, I will not slay thee, nor giue thee into the hands of those men that seeke thy life.

¹⁷ Then sayd Ieremiah vnto Zedekiah, Thus sayth the Lord God of hostes, the God of Israel, If thou wilt goe foorth vnto the King of Babels [Note: [h] And yelde thy selfe vnto them. ] princes, then thy soule shall liue, and this citie shal not be burnt vp with fire, and thou shalt liue, and thine house.

¹⁸ But if thou wilt not go forth to the King of Babels princes, then shall this citie be giuen into the hand of ye Caldeans, & they shal burne it with fire, and thou shalt not escape out of their hands.

¹⁹ And Zedekiah the King sayde vnto Ieremiah, I am carefull for the Iewes that are fled vnto the Caldeans, least they deliuer mee into their hands, and they [Note: [i] Which declareth that he more feared the reproch of men then the threatnings of God. ] mocke me.

²⁰ But Ieremiah sayd, They shall not deliuer thee: hearken vnto the voyce of the Lorde, I beseech thee, which I speake vnto thee: so shal it be well vnto thee, and thy soule shall liue.

²¹ But if thou wilt refuse to go forth, this is the worde that the Lorde hath shewed me.

²² And beholde, all the women that are [Note: [k] When Ieconiah and his mother with others were caried away, these women of the kings house were left: which shalbe taken, sayth the Prophet, and tell the King of Babel how Zedekiah hath bene seduced by his familiar friends and false prophets, which haue left him in the myre. ] left in the King of Iudahs house, shalbe brought forth to the King of Babels princes: and those women shall say, Thy friends haue perswaded thee, and haue preuailed against thee: thy feete are fastened in the myre, and they are turned backe.

²³ So they shall bring out all thy wiues, & thy children to the Caldeans, and thou shalt not escape out of their hands, but shalt be taken by the hand of the King of Babel: and this citie shalt thou cause to be burnt with fire.

²⁴ Then said Zedekiah vnto Ieremiah, Let no man know of these words, and thou shalt not die.

²⁵ But if ye princes vnderstand that I haue talked with thee, & they come vnto thee, & say vnto thee, Declare vnto vs nowe, what thou hast sayde vnto the King, hide it not from vs, & we will not slay thee: also what the King sayd vnto thee,

²⁶ Then shalt thou say vnto them, I humbly [Note: [l] Herein appeareth the infirmitie of the Prophet, who did dissemble to saue his life albeit it was not to the deniall of his doctrine, or to the hurt of any. ] besought the King that he would not cause me to returne to Iehonathans house, to die there.

²⁷ Then came all the princes vnto Ieremiah and asked him. And he tolde them according to all these wordes that the King had commaunded: so they left off speaking with him, for the matter was not perceiued.

²⁸ So Ieremiah abode still in the court of the prison, vntill the day that Ierusalem was taken: and he was there, when Ierusalem was taken.

1 Nebuchad-nezzar besugeth Ierusalem. 4 Zedekiah fleeing is taken of the Caldeans. 6 His sonnes are slaine. 7 His eyes are thrust out. 11 Ieremiah is prouided for. 15 Ebed-melech is deliuered from captiuitie.

¹ In [Note: 2.King.25.1. chap.52.4. ] the ninth yeere of Zedekiah King of Iudah in the tenth moneth, came Nebuchad-nezzar King of Babel and all his hoste against Ierusalem, and they besieged it.

² And in the eleuenth yeere of Zedekiah in the fourth moneth, the ninth day of the moneth, the citie was broken [Note: [a] The gates and walles were broken downe. ] vp.

³ And all the princes of the King of Babel came in, and sate in the middle gate, euen Neregal, Sharezer, Samgar-nebo, Sarsechim, Rab-saris, Neregal, Sharezer, Rab-mag with all the residue of the princes of the King of Babel.

⁴ And when Zedekiah the King of Iudah saw them, and all the men of warre, then they fled, and went out of the citie by night, through the Kings garden, and by the [Note: [b] Which was a posterne doore, reade 2.Kin.25.4. ] gate betweene the two walles, and he went toward the wildernes.

⁵ But the Caldeans hoste pursued after them, and ouertooke Zedekiah in the desart of Iericho: and when they had taken him, they brought him to Nebuchad-nezzar King of Babel vnto [Note: [c] Which is called Antiochia in Syria. ] Riblah in the land of Hamath, where he gaue iudgement vpon him.

⁶ Then the King of Babel slewe the sonnes of Zedekiah in Riblah before his eyes: also the King of Babel slewe all the nobles of Iudah.

⁷ Moreouer he put out Zedekiahs eyes, and bound him in chaines, to cary him to Babel.

⁸ And the Caldeans burnt the Kings house, and the houses of the people with fire, and brake downe the walles of Ierusalem.

⁹ Then Nebuzar-adan the [Note: Or, captaine of the garde. ] chiefe stewarde caried away captiue into Babel the remnant of the people, that remained in the citie, and those that were fled and fallen vnto him, with the rest of the people that remained.

¹⁰ But Nebuzar-adan the chiefe steward left the [Note: [d] For the riche and the mightie which put their trust in their shifts and meanes, were by Gods iust iudgements most rigorously handled. ] poore that had nothing in the land of Iudah, and gaue them vineyards and fieldes at the same time.

¹¹ Nowe Nebuchad-nezzar King of Babel gaue charge concerning Ieremiah [Note: Ebr. by the hand of. ] vnto Nebuzar-adan the chiefe stewarde, saying,

¹² Take him, and [Note: Ebr. set thine eyes vpon him. ] looke well to him, & doe him no harme, but doe vnto him [Note: [e] Thus God preserued his Prophet by his means, whome he made the scourge to punish the King, and them that were his enemies. ] euen as he shal say vnto thee.

¹³ So Nebuzar-adan the chiefe steward sent, and Nebushazban, Rabsaris, and Neregal, Sharezar, Rab-mag, and all the King of Babels princes:

¹⁴ Euen they sent, and tooke Ieremiah out of the court of the prison, and committed him vnto [Note: [f] Whome the King of Babel had now appointed gouernour ouer the rest of the Iewes that he left behinde. ] Gedaliah the sonne of Ahikam the sonne of Shaphan, that he should cary him home: so he dwelt among the people.

¹⁵ Now the worde of the Lord came vnto Ieremiah, while he was shut vp in the court of the prison, saying,

¹⁶ Go and speake to Ebed-melech the blacke More, saying, Thus saith the Lorde of hostes the God of Israel, Beholde, I wil bring my wordes vpon this citie for euill, and not for good, and they shalbe accomplished in that day before thee.

¹⁷ But I wil deliuer thee in that day, saith the Lorde, and thou shalt not be giuen into the hand of the men whome thou fearest.

¹⁸ For I will surely deliuer thee, and thou shalt not fall by the sworde, but thy life shall be for a praye vnto thee, because thou [Note: [g] Thus God recompensed his zeale and fauour, which he shewed to his Prophet in his troubles. ] hast put thy trust in me, sayth the Lord.


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4 Ieremiah hath licence to goe whither he will. 6 He dwelleth with the people that remaine with Gedaliah.

¹ The worde which came to Ieremiah from the Lorde after that Nebuzar-adan the chiefe stewarde had let him goe from Ramath, when hee had taken him being bound in chaines among all that were caried away captiue of Ierusalem & Iudah, which were caried away captiue vnto Babel.

² [Note: [a] From this seconde verse, vnto Chap.42.7. it seemeth to be as a parenthesis, and separated matter: and there this storie beginneth againe, and this vision is declared what it was. ] And the chiefe stewarde tooke Ieremiah, and said vnto him, The Lord thy God hath pronounced this plague vpon this place.

³ Nowe the Lord hath brought it, and done according as he hath said: because ye haue [Note: [b] God moued this infidell to speake this, to declare the great blindnesse and obstinacie of the Iewes, which coulde not feele that which this heathen man confessed. ] sinned against the Lorde, and haue not obeyed his voyce, therefore this thing is come vpon you.

⁴ And nowe beholde, I loose thee this day from the chaines which were on thine handes, if it please thee to come with me into Babel, come, and I will looke well vnto thee: but if it please thee not to come with mee into Babel, [Note: Ebr. cease. ] tarie still: beholde, all the lande is [Note: Or, at thy commandement. ] before thee: whither it seemeth good, and conuenient for thee to goe, thither goe.

⁵ For yet he was not returned: therefore he said, Returne to Gedaliah the sonne of Ahikam, the sonne of Shaphan, whom the King of Babel hath made gouernour ouer all the cities of Iudah, and dwell with him among the people, or goe wheresoeuer it pleaseth thee to goe. So the chiefe stewarde gaue him vitailes and a rewarde, and let him goe.

⁶ Then went Ieremiah vnto Gedaliah the sonne of Ahikam, to [Note: [c] Which was a citie of Iudah. ] Mizpah, and dwelt there with him among the people that were left in the lande.

⁷ Nowe when all the captaines of the hoste, [Note: [d] Which were scattered abroad for feare of the Caldeans. ] which were in the fieldes, euen they and their men heard, that the King of Babel had made Gedaliah the sonne of Ahikam gouernour in the land, and that he had committed vnto him, men, and women, and children, and of the poore of the lande, that were not caried away captiue to Babel,

⁸ Then they came to Gedaliah to Mizpah, euen [Note: [e] Who was of the Kings blood and after slewe him, Chap.41.2. ] Ishmael the sonne of Nethaniah, and Iohanan, and Ionathan the sonnes of Kareah, and Seraiah the sonne of Tanehumeth, and the sonnes of Ephai, the Netophathite, and Iezaniah the sonne of Maachathi, they and their men.

⁹ And Gedaliah the sonne of Ahikam, the sonne of Shaphan [Note: 2.King.25.24. ] sware vnto them, and to their men, saying, Feare not to serue the Caldeans: dwell in the lande, and serue the King of Babel, and it shall be well with you.

¹⁰ As for me, Beholde, I will dwell at Mizpah to [Note: Or, to receiue them, or to intreate them for you. ] serue the Caldeans, which will come vnto vs: but you, gather you wine, and sommer fruites, and oyle, and put them in your vessels, and dwell in your cities, that ye haue [Note: Or, chosen to dwell in. ] taken.

¹¹ Likewise when all the Iewes that were in [Note: [f] Which were fled also for feare of the Caldeans. ] Moab, and among the Ammonites, and in Edom, and that were in all the countries, heard that the King of Babel had left a remnant of Iudah, and that he had set ouer them Gedaliah the sonne of Ahikam the sonne of Shaphan,

¹² Euen all the Iewes returned out of all places where they were driuen, and came to the land of Iudah to Gedaliah vnto Mizpah, and gathered wine and sommer fruites, very much.

¹³ Moreouer Iohanan the sonne of Kareah, and all the captaines of the hoste, that were in the fieldes, came to Gedaliah to Mizpah,

¹⁴ And said vnto him, Knowest thou not that [Note: [g] For vnder the colour of entertaining of Ishmael he sought onely to make them to destroy one another. ] Baalis the King of the Ammonites hath sent Ishmael the sonne of Nethaniah to slay thee? But Gedaliah the sonne of Ahikam beleeued them not.

¹⁵ Then Iohanan the sonne of Kareah spake to Gedaliah in Mizpah secretly, saying, Let me goe, I pray thee, and I will slay Ishmael the sonne of Nethaniah, and no man shall know it. Wherefore should he kill thee, that all the Iewes, which are gathered vnto thee, shoulde be scattered, and the remnant in Iudah perish?

¹⁶ But Gedaliah the sonne of Ahikam said vnto Iohanan the sonne of Kareah, Thou shalt [Note: [h] Thus the godly, which thinke no harme to others, are soonest deceiued and neuer lacke such as conspire their destruction. ] not doe this thing: for thou speakest falsely of Ishmael.

2 Ishmael killeth Gedaliah guilefully, and many other with him. 11 Iohanan followeth after Ishmael.

¹ Bvt in the [Note: [a] The citie was destroyed in the fourth moneth: and in the seuenth moneth, which contained part of September, & part of October, was the gouernour Gedaliah slaine. ] seuenth moneth came Ishmael the sonne of Nethaniah, the sonne of Elishama of the seede royall, and the princes of the [Note: [b] Meaning, Zedekiah. ] King, and tenne men with him, vnto Gedaliah the sonne of Ahikam to Mizpah, and there they did [Note: [c] They did eate together as familiar friendes. ] eate bread together in Mizpah.

² Then arose Ishmael the sonne of Nethaniah with these tenne men that were with him, and smote Gedaliah the sonne of Ahikam the sonne of Shaphan with the sword, and slewe him, whom the King of Babel had made gouernour ouer the lande.

³ Ishmael also slewe all the Iewes that were with Gedaliah at Mizpah, and all the Caldeans that were found there, and the men of warre.

⁴ Now the second day that he had slaine Gedaliah, and no man knewe it,

⁵ There came men from Shechem, from Shiloh, and from Samaria, euen fourescore men, hauing their beardes shauen, & their clothes rent and cut, with [Note: [d] For they thought that the Temple had not bene destroyed, and therefore came vp to the feast of Tabernacles, but hearing of the burning thereof in the way, they shewed these signes of sorowe. ] offerings and incense in their hands to offer in the house of the Lord.

⁶ And Ishmael the sonne of Nethaniah went forth from Mizpah to meete them, weeping as he went: and when he met them, he said vnto them, Come [Note: [e] For his death was kept secret, and he fained that he lamented for the destruction of Ierusalem and the Temple: but after slewe them when they seemed to fauour Gedaliah. ] to Gedaliah the sonne of Ahikam.

⁷ And when they came into the middes of the citie, Ishmael the sonne of Nethaniah slewe them, and cast them into the middes of the pit, he and the men that were with him.

⁸ But tenne men were founde among them, that saide vnto Ishmael, Slay vs not: for we haue treasures in the fielde, of wheate, and of barley, and of oyle, and of honie: so he stayed, and slew them not among their brethren.

⁹ Now the pit wherein Ishmael had cast the dead bodies of the men (whom he had slayne because of Gedaliah) is it, which Asa the King had [Note: [f] Asa fortified Mizpah for feare of the enemie, and cast ditches and trenches, 1.King. 15.22. ] made because of Basha King of Israel, and Ishmael the sonne of Nethaniah filled it with them that were slaine.

¹⁰ Then Ishmael caryed away captiue all the residue of the people that were in Mizpah, euen the Kings daughters, and all the people that remained in Mizpah, whom Nebuzar-adan the chiefe steward had committed to Gedaliah the sonne of Ahikam, and Ishmael the sonne of Nethaniah caried them away captiue, and departed to goe ouer to the Ammonites.

¹¹ But when Iohanan the sonne of Kareah, and [Page]

all the [Note: [g] Which had bene captaines vnder Zedekiah. ] captaines of the hoste that were with him, heard of all the euill that Ishmael the sonne of Nethaniah had done,

¹² Then they all tooke their men, and went to fight with Ishmael the sonne of Nethaniah, & founde him by ye great waters that are in Gibeon.

¹³ Nowe when all the people whom Ishmael caryed away captiue, sawe Iohanan the sonne of Kareah, and all the captaines of the hoste, that were with him, they were glad.

¹⁴ So all the people, that Ishmael had caryed away captiue from Mizpah, returned and came againe, & went vnto Iohanan the sonne of Kareah.

¹⁵ But Ishmael the sonne of Nethaniah, escaped from Iohanan with eight men, and went to the [Note: [h] For Baalis the King of the Ammonites was the cause of this murther. ] Ammonites.

¹⁶ Then tooke Iohanan the sonne of Kareah, and all the captaines of the hoste that were with him, all the remnant of the people, whom Ishmael the sonne of Nethaniah had caried away captiue from Mizpah, (after that he had slaine Gedaliah the sonne of Ahikam) euen the strong men of warre, and the women, and the children, and the eunuches, whom hee had brought againe from Gibeon:

¹⁷ And they departed and dwelt in Geruth [Note: [i] Which place Dauid of olde had giuen to Chimham the sonne of Barzillai the Gileadite, 2.Sam.19.38. ] Chimham, which is by Beth-lehem, to goe and to enter into Egypt,

¹⁸ Because of the Caldeans: for they feared them, because Ishmael ye sonne of Nethaniah had slaine Gedaliah the sonne of Ahikam, whom the King of Babel made gouernour in the land.

1 The captaines aske counsell of Ieremiah what they ought to do. 7 He admonisheth the remnant of the people not to goe into Egypt.

¹ Then all the captaines of the hoste, and Iohanan the sonne of Kareah, and Iezaniah the sonne of Hoshaaiah, and all the people from the least vnto the most came,

² And saide vnto Ieremiah the Prophete, [Note: Ebr. Let our prayer fall before thee, as Chap.36.7. ] Heare our prayer, we beseeche thee, and pray for vs vnto the Lorde thy God, euen for all this remnant (for we are left, but a fewe of many, as thine eyes doe beholde)

³ That the Lord thy God may shewe vs the way wherein wee may walke, and the thing that we may [Note: [a] This declareth the nature of hypocrites, which would knowe of Gods word what they shoulde doe, but wil not folow it, but in asmuch as it agreeth with that thing which they haue purposed to doe. ] doe.

⁴ Then Ieremiah the Prophet said vnto them, I haue heard you: behold, I will pray vnto ye Lord your God according to your wordes, and whatsoeuer thing the Lord shall answere you, I will declare it vnto you: I will keepe nothing backe from you.

⁵ Then they said to Ieremiah, [Note: [b] There are none more ready to abuse the Name of God and take it in vaine, then the hypocrites, which to colour their falsehode vse it without all reuerence, and make it a meanes for them to deceiue the simple and the godly. ] The Lord be a witnesse of trueth, and faith betweene vs, if we doe not, euen according to all things for ye which the Lord thy God shall send thee to vs.

⁶ Whether it be good or euill, we will obey the voyce of the Lorde God, to whom we sende thee that it may be well with vs, when wee obey the voyce of the Lord our God.

⁷ ¶ [Note: [c] Here is declared the vision and the occasion thereof, whereof mention was made, Chap.40.1. ] And so after ten dayes came the word of the Lord vnto Ieremiah.

⁸ Then called he Iohanan the sonne of Kareah, and all the captaines of the hoste, which were with him, & all ye people from ye least to the most,

⁹ And saide vnto them, Thus saith the Lorde God of Israel, vnto whom ye sent me to present your prayers before him,

¹⁰ If ye will dwell in this land, then I wil build

you, and not destroy you, and I will plant you, and not roote you out: for I [Note: [d] Reade Chap. 18.8. ] repent me of the euill that I haue done vnto you.

¹¹ Feare not for the King of Babel, of whom ye are afraide: be not afraid of him, saith the Lord: for I am with you, to saue you, and to deliuer you [Note: [e] Because all Kings heartes and wayes are in his handes, he can turne them and dispose them as it pleaseth him, and therefore they neede not to feare man, but onely obey God, Prouerb.21.1. ] from his hand,

¹² And I will graunt you mercie that he may haue compassion vpon you, and he shall cause you to [Note: Or, returne. ] dwell in your owne land.

¹³ But if ye say, We will not dwell in this land, neither heare the voyce of the Lord your God,

¹⁴ Saying, Nay, but we will goe into the land of Egypt, where we shall see no warre, nor heare the sounde of the trumpet, nor haue hunger of bread, and there will we dwell,

¹⁵ (And nowe therefore heare the worde of the Lorde, ye remnant of Iudah: thus sayeth the Lord of hostes the God of Israel, If ye set your faces to enter into Egypt, and goe to dwell there)

¹⁶ Then the sworde that ye feared, [Note: [f] Thus God turneth the policie of the wicked to their owne destruction: for they thought themselues sure in Egypt, and there Nebuchad-nezzar destroyed them, and the Egyptians, Chap. 46.25. ] shall take you there in the land of Egypt, and the famine, for the which ye care, shall there hang vpon you in Egypt, and there shall ye die.

¹⁷ And all the men that set their faces to enter into Egypt to dwell there, shall die by ye sword, by the famine and by the pestilence, and none of them shall remaine nor escape from the plague, that I will bring vpon them.

¹⁸ For thus saith the Lorde of hostes the God of Israel, As mine anger and my wrath hath bene powred foorth vpon the inhabitants of Ierusalem: so shall my wrath be powred foorth vpon you, when ye shall enter into Egypt, and ye shall be a detestation, and an astonishment, and a [Note: [g] Reade Chap. 26.6.and 24.12. shewing that this should come vpon them for their infidelitie and stubbernesse. ] curse and a reproche, & ye shall see this place no more.

¹⁹ O ye remnant of Iudah, the Lorde hath said concerning you, Goe not into Egypt: knowe certeinely that I haue admonished you this day.

²⁰ Surely ye [Note: [h] For you were fully minded to goe into Egypt, whatsoeuer God spake to the contrary. ] dissembled in your hearts When ye sent me vnto the Lord your God, saying, Pray for vs vnto the Lorde our God, and declare vnto vs euen according vnto al that the Lord our God shall say, and we will doe it.

²¹ Therefore I haue this day declared it you, but you haue not obeyed the voyce of the Lorde your God, nor any thing for the which he hath sent me vnto you.

²² Nowe therefore, knowe certeinely that ye shall die by the sworde, by the famine, and by the pestilence, [Note: [i] To wit, in Egypt. ] in the place whither ye desire to goe and dwell.

Iohanan caryeth the remnant of the people into Egypt, contrary to the minde of Ieremiah. 8 Ieremiah prophecieth the destruction of Egypt.

¹ Nowe when Ieremiah had made an ende of speaking vnto ye whole people all the wordes of the Lorde their God, for the which the Lorde their God had sent him to them, euen all these wordes,

² Then spake [Note: [a] Who was also called Iezaniah, Chap.42.1. ] Azariah the sonne of Hoshaiah, and Iohanan the sonne of Kareah, and all the [Note: [b] This declareth that pride is the cause of rebellion, and contempt of Gods ministers. ] proude men, saying vnto Ieremiah, [Note: [c] When the hypocrisie of the wicked is discouered, they brast forth into open rage: for they can abide nothing but flatteries, reade Isai.30.10. ] Thou speakest falsely: the Lorde our God hath [Note: [d] He sheweth what is the nature of the hypocrites: to wit, to fayne that they woulde obey God and imbrace his worde, if they were assured that his messengers spake the trueth: though in deede they be most farre from all obedience. ] not sent thee to say, Goe not into Egypt to dwell there,

³ But Baruch ye sonne of Neriah [Note: [e] Thus the wicked doe not onely contemne and hurt the messengers of God, but slander, & speake wickedly of all them yt support or fauour ye godly. ] prouoketh

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thee against vs, for to deliuer vs into the hand of the Caldeans, that they might slay vs, and cary vs away captiues into Babel.
⁴ So Iohanan the sonne of Kareah, and all the captaines of the hoste, and all the people obeied not the voyce of the Lorde, to dwell in the lande of Iudah.

⁵ But Iohanan the sonne of Kareah, and all the captaines of the hoste tooke all the remnant of Iudah, yt were returned fro al [Note: [f] As from the Moabites, Ammonites, & Edomites, Chap.40.11. ] nations, whither they had bene driuen, to dwel in ye land of Iudah:

⁶ Euen men and women, and children, and the Kinges daughters, and euery person, that Nebuzar-adan the chiefe steward had left with Gedaliah the sonne of Ahikam, ye sonne of Shaphan, and Ieremiah [Note: [g] Whom these wicked led away by force. ] the Prophet, & Baruch the sonne of Neriah.

⁷ So they came into the lande of Egypt: for they obeied not the voice of the Lorde: thus came they to [Note: [h] A citie in Egypt neere to Nilus. ] Tahpanhes.

⁸ ¶ Then came the worde of the Lord vnto Ieremiah in Tahpanhes, saying,

⁹ Take great stones in thine hand, and [Note: [i] Which signified that Nebuchad-nezzar shoulde come euen to the gates of Pharaoh, where were his bricke killes for his buildings. ] hide them in the claie in the bricke kil, which is at the entrie of Pharaohs house in Tanpanhes in ye sight of the men of Iudah,

¹⁰ And say vnto them, Thus sayeth the Lorde of hostes the God of Israel, Beholde, I will sende and bring Nebuchad-nezzar the King of Babel [Note: [k] Reade Chap. 25.9. ] my seruant, and will set his throne vpon these stones that I haue hid, and he shall spread his pauilion ouer them.

¹¹ And when he shall come, he shal smite the land of Egypt: [Note: [l] Euery one shall be slaine by that meanes that God hath appointed, Chap.15.2. ] such as are appoynted for death, to death, and such as are for captiuitie, to captiuitie, and such as are for the sword to the sword.

¹² And I wil kindle a fire in the houses of the gods of Egypt, and he shall burne them and carie them away captiues, and he shall aray himself with the land of Egypt, as a [Note: [m] Meaning, most easily, and suddenly shall he cary the Egyptians away. ] shepheard putteth on his garment, and shall depart from thence in peace.

¹³ He shal breake also ye images of [Note: Or, the house of the sunne. ] Beth-shemesh, that is in the lande of Egypt, and the houses of the gods of the Egyptians shal he burne wt fire.

He reprooueth the people for their idolatrie. 15 They that set light by the threatning of the Lorde, are chastened. 26 The destruction of Egypt and of the Iewes therein is prophecied.

¹ The worde that came to Ieremiah concerning all the Iewes, which dwell in the lande of Egypt, and remained at Migdol and at [Note: [a] These were all famous and strong cities in Egypt, where the Iewes, that were fled, dwelt for their safetie: but the Prophet declareth that there is no holde so strong, that can preserue them from Gods vengeance. ] Tahpanhes, & at Noph, & in the coutry of Pathros, saying,

² Thus sayeth the Lorde of hostes the God of Israel, Yee haue seene all the euill that I haue brought vpon Ierusalem, and vpon all the cities of Iudah: and beholde, this day they are desolate, and no man dwelleth therein,

³ Because of their wickednes which they haue comitted, to prouoke me to anger in yt they went to burne incense, & to serue other gods, who they knew not, neither they nor you nor your fathers.

⁴ Howbeit I sent vnto you all my seruats the Prophets [Note: [b] Reade Chap.7. 25.and 25.3.& 36. 5.& 29.19. & 32.33. ] rising earely, and sending them, saying, Oh doe not this abominable thing that I hate.

⁵ But they would not heare nor incline their eare to turne from their wickednes, and to burne no more incense vnto other gods.

⁶ Wherefore [Note: [c] He setteth before their eyes Gods iudgements against Iudah and Ierusalem for their idolatrie, that they might beware by their example, and not with the like wickednes prouoke the Lord: for the they should be double punished. ] my wrath, & mine anger was powred foorth and was kindled in the cities of Iudah, and in the streetes of Ierusalem, and they are

desolate, and wasted, as appeareth this day.

⁷ Therefore now thus saith the Lord of hosts the God of Israel, Wherfore commit ye this great euill against your soules, to cut off from you man and woman, childe and suckling out of Iudah, and leaue you none to remaine?

⁸ In that yee prouoke mee vnto wrath with the woorkes of your hands, burning incense vnto other Gods in the lande of Egypt whither yee be gone to dwell: that yee might bring destruction vnto your selues, and that ye might be a curse and a reproch among all nations of the earth.

⁹ Haue yee forgotten the wickednes of your fathers, and the wickednesse of the [Note: [d] Hee sheweth that we ought to keepe in memorie Gods plagues from the beginning, that considering them, we might liue in his feare, and know, if he haue not spared our fathers, yea, Kings, princes, and rulers, and also whole countreys, and nations for their sinnes, that we vile wormes cannot looke to escape punishment for ours. ] Kings of Iudah and the wickednesse of their wiues and your owne wickednes & the wickednes of your wiues, which they haue committed in the land of Iudah and in the streetes of Ierusalem?

¹⁰ They are not [Note: Or, beaten downe. ] humbled vnto this day, neither haue they feared nor walked in my lawe nor in my statutes, that I set before you and before your fathers.

¹¹ Therefore thus sayeth the Lorde of hostes the God of Israel, Beholde, I will set my face against you [Note: Amos 9.4. ] to euill and to destroy all Iudah,

¹² And I will take the remnant of Iudah, that [Note: [e] Which haue fully set their mindes, and are gone thither on purpose. Whereby he excepteth the innocents as Ieremiah and Baruch that were forced: therefore the Lord sheweth, that he wil set his face against them: that is, purposely destroy them. ] haue set their faces to goe into the lande of Egypt there to dwell, and they shall all bee consumed and fall in the lande of Egypt: they shall euen bee consumed by the sworde and by the famine: they shall die from the least vnto the most, by the sworde, and by the famine, and they shall be a detestation and an astonishment and a [Note: [f] Reade Chap.26. 6. and 41.18. ] curse and a reproche.

¹³ For I will visite them that dwel in the land of Egypt, as I haue visited Ierusalem, by ye sworde, by the famine, and by the pestilence,

¹⁴ So yt none of the remnant of Iudah, which are gone into the lande of Egypt to dwell there, shall escape or remaine, that they shoulde returne into the land of Iudah to the which they [Note: Ebr. lift vp their soules. ] haue a desire to returne to dwell there: for none shall returne, but [Note: [g] Meaning, but a fewe. ] such as shall escape.

¹⁵ Then all the men which knewe that their wiues had burnt incense vnto other gods and all the wome that stoode by, a great multitude, euen all the people that dwelt in the lande of Egypt in Pathros, answered Ieremiah, saying,

¹⁶ The worde that thou hast spoken vnto vs in the Name of the Lorde, wee will [Note: [h] This declareth howe dangerous a thing it is to decline once from God, and to followe our owne fantasies: for Satan euer soliciteth such and doth not leaue them till he haue brought them to extreme impudencie and madnes, euen to iustifie their wickednes against God and his Prophets. ] not heare it of thee,

¹⁷ But wee will doe whatsoeuer thing goeth out of our owne mouth, as to burne incense vnto [Note: [i] Reade Chap.7. 18. It seemeth that the papists gathered of this place Salue Regina, and Regina celi letare, calling the virgin Marie Queene of heauen, & so of the blessed virgin, and mother of our Sauiour Christ made an idole: for here the Prophet condemneth their idolatrie. ] the Queene of heauen, and to powre out drinke offerings vnto her, as we haue done, both we & our fathers, our Kings and our princes in the cities of Iudah, and in the streetes of Ierusalem: for then [Note: Ebr. we were satiate with bread. ] had wee [Note: [k] This is still the argument of idolaters, which esteeme religion by the bellie, and in steade of acknowledging Gods woorkes, who sendeth both plentie and dearth, health and sicknesse, they attribute it to their idoles, and so dishonour God. ] plentie of vitailes and were well and [Note: Or, saw. ] felt none euill.

¹⁸ But since wee left off to burne incense to the Queene of heauen, and to powre out drinke offerings vnto her, we haue had [Note: Or, want. ] scarcenesse of all things, and haue beene consumed by the sworde and by the famine.

¹⁹ And when we burnt incense to ye Queene of heauen, and powred out drinke offerings vnto [Page]

her, did wee make her cakes [Note: Or, to appease her. ] to make her glad, and powre out drinke offerings vnto her without [Note: [l] This teacheth vs how great danger it is for the husbands to permit their wiues any thing wherof they be not assured by Gods woorde: for thereby they take an occasion to iustifie their doings, & their husbands shall giue an accompt thereof before God, reade Isa.3.25. ] our husbands?

²⁰ Then said Ieremiah vnto all the people, to the men, and to the women, and to all the people which had giuen him that answere, saying,

²¹ Did not the Lorde remember the incense, that yee burnt in the cities of Iudah, and in the streetes of Ierusalem, both you, and your fathers, your Kinges, and your princes, and the people of the land, and [Note: Ebr. is it not come vp into his heart? ] hath he not considered it?

²² So that the Lord could no longer forbeare, because of the wickednes of your inuentions, and because of the abominations, which ye haue committed: therefore is your lande desolate and an astonishment, and a curse and without inhabitant, as appeareth this day.

²³ Because ye haue burnt incense and because ye haue sinned against the Lorde, and haue not obeyed the voyce of the Lorde, nor walked in his Lawe, nor in his statutes, nor in his testimonies, therefore this plague is come vpon you, as appeareth this day.

²⁴ Moreouer Ieremiah saide vnto all the people and to all the women, Heare the word of the Lord, all Iudah that are in the land of Egypt.

²⁵ ¶ Thus speaketh the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, saying, Ye & your wiues haue both spoken with your mouthes, and fulfilled with your [Note: [m] You haue committed double euil in making wicked vowes, and in performing the same. ] hande, saying, We will performe our vowes that we haue vowed to burne incense to the Queene of heauen, and to powre out drinke offerings to her: yee will perfourme your vowes and doe the things that yee haue vowed.

²⁶ Therefore heare the word of the Lorde, all Iudah that dwel in the land of Egypt. Beholde, I haue sworne by my great Name, sayeth the Lord, that my Name [Note: [n] This declareth an horrible plague toward idolaters, seeing that God wil not vouchsafe to haue his Name mentioned by such as haue polluted it. ] shall no more be called vpon by the mouth of any man of Iudah, in all the lande of Egypt, saying, The Lord God liueth.

²⁷ Behold, I wil watch ouer them for euil and not for good, and all men of Iudah that are in the land of Egypt, shalbe consumed by the sword, and by the famine, vntill they be vtterly destroied.

²⁸ Yet a small nomber that escape the sworde, [Note: [o] We see therfore, that God hath a perpetuall care ouer his, wheresoeuer they are scattered: for though they be but two or three, yet he wil deliuer them whe he destroieth his enemies. ] shall returne out of the lande of Egypt into the lande of Iudah: and all the remnant of Iudah that are gone into the lande of Egypt to dwell there, shal know whose words shall stad, mine or theirs.

²⁹ And this shal be a signe vnto you, saith the Lord, whe I visit you in this place, yt ye may know yt my words shal surely stand against you for euill.

³⁰ Thus sayth the Lord, Beholde, I will [Note: [p] He sheweth the meanes whereby they should be destroied, to assure them of ye certeintie of the plague, & yet they remain still in their obstinacie till they perish: for Iosephus lib.10.de Antiq. cap.11. writeth yt fiue yere after the taking of Ierusale, Nebuchad-nezzar the yonger, hauing ouercome the Moabites and the Ammonites, went against Egypt, and slew the King, & so brought these Iewes, and other into Babylon. ] giue Pharaoh Hophra King of Egypt into the hand of his enemies, and into the hand of them that seeke his life: as I gaue Zedekiah King of Iudah into the hand of Nebuchad-nezzar King of Babel his enemie, who also sought his life.

2 Ieremiah comforteth Baruch, assuring him that hee shoulde not perish in the destruction of Ierusalem.

¹ The woorde that Ieremiah the Prophet spake vnto [Note: [a] Which was Ieremiahs disciple, and wrote his prophesies vnder him. ] Baruch the sonne of Neriah, when he had written these [Note: [b] Whereof read Chap.36.9,10. ] woordes in a booke at the mouth of Ieremiah, in the fourth yeere of Iehoiakim the sonne of Iosiah King of Iudah, saying,

² Thus sayeth the Lorde God of Israel vnto thee, O Baruch,

³ Thou diddest say, Wo is me nowe: for the Lord hath laied sorrow vnto my sorrowe: I [Note: [c] Baruch mooued with an inconsiderate zeale of Ieremiahs imprisonment, but chiefly for the destruction of the people, and the Temple, maketh this lamentation, as Psal.6.6. ] fainted

in my mourning, and I can finde no rest.

⁴ Thus shalt thou say vnto him, The Lorde sayeth thus, Behold, that which I haue built, will I [Note: [d] Meaning, that God might destroy this people because he had planted them. ] destroy, and that which I haue planted, will I plucke vp, euen this whole lande.

⁵ And seekest [Note: [e] Thinkest thou to haue honour and credit? wherein he sheweth his infirmitie. ] thou great things for thy self? seeke them not: for beholde, I wil bring a plague vpon al flesh, saith the Lord: but thy life wil I giue thee for [Note: [f] Read chap.21.9. ] a pray in all places, whither thou goest.

1 He prophesieth the destruction of Egypt. 27 Deliuerance is promised to Israel.

¹ The wordes of the Lord, which came to Ieremiah the Prophet against the [Note: [a] That is, nine nations, which are round about the land of Egypt. ] Gentiles,

² As against Egypt, against ye armie of [Note: [b] Read 2.King. 23.29.& 24.7.& 2.chro.35.20. ] Pharaoh Necho King of Egypt, which was by the riuer Perath in Carchemish, which Nebuchad-nezzar King of Babel smote in the fourth yere of Iehoiakim the sonne of Iosiah King of Iudah.

³ [Note: [c] He warneth the Egyptians to prepare themselues to warre. ] Make readie buckler and shielde, and goe forth to battell.

⁴ Make readie the horses, and let the horsemen get vp, and stande vp with your sallets, fourbish the speares, and put on the brigandines.

⁵ [Note: [d] The Prophet had this vision of the Egyptians which should be put to flight by the Babylonians at Carchemish. ] Wherefore haue I seene them afraid, and driuen backe? for their mighty men are smitten, and are fled away, and looke not backe: for feare was rounde about, sayeth the Lord.

⁶ The swift shal not flee away, nor the strong man escape: they shall stumble, and fall towarde the [Note: [e] The Babylonians shal discomfite them at the riuer Euphrates. ] North by the riuer Perath.

⁷ Who is this, that commeth vp, as [Note: [f] He derideth the boastings of the Egyptians, who thought by their riches, and power to haue ouercome all the world, alluding to the riuer Nilus, which at certaine times ouerfloweth the coutrey of Egypt. ] a flood, whose waters are mooued like the riuers?

⁸ Egypt riseth vp like the flood, & his waters are mooued like the riuers, and he sayth, I wil goe vp, and will couer the earth: I wil destroy the citie with them that dwell therein.

⁹ Come vp, ye horses, and rage ye charets, and let the valiant men come foorth, [Note: [g] For these nations tooke part wt the Egyptians. ] the blacke Mores, and the Lybians that beare the shield, and the Lydians that handle and bend the bowe.

¹⁰ For this is the day of ye Lord God of hostes, and a day of vengeance, that he may auenge him of his enemies: for the sworde shall deuoure, and it shall be saciate, & made drunke with their blood: for the Lord God of hosts hath [Note: [h] He calleth the slaughter of Gods enemies a sacrifice, because it is a thing that doeth please him, Isa.34.6 ] a sacrifice in the North countrey [Note: [i] That is, at Carchemish. ] by the Riuer Perath.

¹¹ Goe vp vnto Gilead, [Note: [k] For at Gilead did, growe most soueraine balme for woundes. ] and take balme, O virgine, [Note: [l] So called because Egypt had not yet bene ouercome by the enemie. ] the daughter of Egypt: in vaine shalt thou vse many [Note: [m] He sheweth that no salue or medicine can preuaile where as God giueth the wound. ] medicines: for thou shalt haue no health.

¹² The nations haue heard of thy shame, and thy crie hath filled the lande: for the strong hath stumbled against the strong and they are fallen both together.

¹³ ¶ The woorde that the Lord spake to Ieremiah the Prophet, howe Nebuchad-nezzar king of Babel shoulde come and smite the lande of Egypt.

¹⁴ Publish in Egypt and declare in Migdol, and proclaime in Noph, and in Tahpanhes, & say, Stand still, and prepare thee: for the sworde shall deuoure rounde about thee.

¹⁵ Why are thy valiant men put backe? they could not stand, because the Lord did driue them.

¹⁶ Hee made many to fall, and one fell vpon another: and they saide, Arise, let vs goe againe to our [Note: [n] As they that should repent that they helped the Egyptians. ] owne people, and to the land of our natiuitie from the sworde of the violent.

¹⁷ They did cry there, Pharaoh King of Egypt,

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and of a great multitude [Note: [o] He derideth them which shall impute their ouerthrowe to lacke of counsell and policie, or to fortune, and not obseruing of time, not considering that it is Gods iust iudgement. ] hath passed the time appointed.
¹⁸ As I liue, saith the King, whose Name is the Lorde of hostes, surely as Tabor is in the mountaines, and as Carmel is in the sea: so shal [Note: [p] To wit, that the Egyptians shalbe destroyed. ] it come.

¹⁹ O thou daughter dwelling in Egypt, make thee geare to goe into captiuitie: for Noph shall be waste and desolate, without an inhabitant.

²⁰ Egypt is like a [Note: [q] They haue abundance of all things, and therefore are disobedient and proude. ] faire calfe, but destruction commeth: out of the North it commeth.

²¹ Also her hired men [Note: [r] As verse 9. ] are in the middes of her like fat calues: they are also turned backe and fled away together: they could not stand, because the day of their destruction was come vpon them, and the time of their visitation.

²² The voyce thereof shall goe foorth like a [Note: [s] They shalbe scarse able to speake for feare of the Caldeans. ] serpent: for they shall march with an armie, and come against [Note: [t] Meaning, Egypt. ] her with axes, as hewers of wood.

²³ They shall cut downe [Note: [u] That is, they shall slaye the great and mightie men of power. ] her forest, saith the Lord: for they cannot be counted, because they are moe then ye [Note: [x] To wit, Nebuchad-nezzars armie. ] grashoppers, & are innumerable.

²⁴ The daughter of Egypt shall be confounded: she shall be deliuered into the handes of the people of the North.

²⁵ ¶ Thus saith the Lord of hostes, the God of Israel, Behold, I will visite the [Note: [y] Some take the Ebrewe worde Amon for the Kings name of No, yt is, of Alexandria. ] common people of No and Pharaoh, & Egypt, with their gods & their Kings, euen Pharaoh, & al them that trust in him,

²⁶ And I will deliuer them into the handes of those, that seeke their liues, and into the hand of Nebuchad-nezzar King of Babel, and into the handes of his seruants, and afterwarde she shall dwell as [Note: [z] Meaning, that after the space of fourtie yeeres Egypt shoulde be restored, Isa.19.23. ezek.29.13. ] in the olde time, saith the Lord.

²⁷ ¶ [Note: [a] God comforteth all his that were in captiuitie, but specially the small Church of the Iewes, whereof were Ieremiah and Baruch, which remained among the Egyptians: for the Lord neuer forsaketh his, Isa. 44.2. Chap.30.10. ] But feare not thou, O my seruant Iaakob, and be not thou afraid, O Israel: for behold, I will deliuer thee from a farre countrey, and thy seede from the land of their captiuitie, and Iaakob shall returne and be in rest, and prosperitie, and none shall make him afraid.

²⁸ Feare thou not, O Iaakob my seruant, saith the Lord: for I am with thee, and I will vtterly destroy all the nations, whither I haue driuen thee: but I will not vtterly destroy thee, but correct [Note: [b] Read chap.10.24. ] thee by iudgement, and not vtterly cut thee off.

The worde of the Lord against the Philistims.

¹ The wordes of the Lord that came to Ieremiah the Prophet, against the Philistims, before that Pharaoh smote [Note: [a] Which was also called Gaza a citie of the Philistims. ] Azzah.

² Thus saith the Lord, Beholde, waters rise vp out of the [Note: [b] He meaneth the armie of the Caldeans, Isa.8.7,8. ] North, and shalbe as a swelling flood, and shall ouerflowe the land, and all that is therein, and the cities with them that dwell therein: then the men shall crie, and all the inhabitants of the land shall howle,

³ At the noise and stamping of ye hoofes of his strong horses, at the noise of his charets, and at the rumbling of his wheeles: ye fathers shall not [Note: [c] The great feare shall take away their naturall affection. ] looke backe to their children, for feeblenes of [Note: [d] Their heart shal so faile them. ] handes,

⁴ Because of the day that commeth to destroy all the Philistims, and to destroy Tyrus, and Zidon, and all the rest that take their part: for the Lord will destroy the Philistims, the remnant of the yle of [Note: [e] For the Caphtorims, which are also called Cappadocians, had destroyed in olde time the Philistims and dwelt in their land euen to Gaza, Deu.2.23. ] Caphtor.

⁵ [Note: [f] They haue pulled off their heare for sorowe and heauinesse. ] Baldenes is come vpon Azzah: Ashkelon is cut vp with the rest of their valleys. Howe long wilt [Note: [g] As the heathen vsed in their mourning which ye Lord forbad his people to doe, Deut.14.1. ] thou thy selfe?

⁶ O thou sword of the Lord, how long will it be or thou cease! turne againe into thy scaberd, rest and be still.

⁷ Howe can it [Note: [h] Meaning that it is not possible that the wicked should by any meanes escape or stay the Lord, when he wil take vengeance. ] cease, seeing the Lorde hath giuen it a charge against Ashkelon, and against the sea banke? euen there hath he appointed it.

The worde of the Lord against the Moabites, 26 Because of their pride and crueltie.

¹ Concerning Moab, thus saith ye Lord of hostes, the God of Israel, Woe vnto [Note: [a] These were cities of the Moabites, which Nebuchad-nezzar tooke before he went to fight against Necho king of Egypt. ] Nebo: for it is wasted: Kiriathaim is confounded and taken: Misgab is confounded and afraide.

² Moab shall boast no more of Heshbon: for they haue deuised euill against it. [Note: [b] Thus shall the Babylonians incourage one another. ] Come, and let vs destroy it, that it be no more a nation: also thou shalt be destroyed, [Note: [c] Reade Isa.25.10. ] O Madmen, and the sworde shall pursue thee.

³ A voyce of crying shall be from Horonaim with desolation and great destruction.

⁴ Moab is destroyed: her litle ones haue caused their crie to be heard.

⁵ For at the going vp of [Note: [d] Horonaim and Luhith were two places whereby the Moabites should flee, Isa.15.5. ] Luhith, the mourner shall goe vp with weeping: for in the going downe of Horonaim, the enemies haue heard a cry of destruction,

⁶ Flee and saue your liues, and be like vnto the [Note: [e] Hide your selues in barren places, where the enemie will not pursue after you, Chap.17.6. ] heath in the wildernesse.

⁷ For because thou hast trusted in thy [Note: [f] That is, the idoles which are the workes of thine hands. Some reade, in thy possessions, for so the worde may signifie, as 1 Sam.25.2. ] workes and in thy treasures, thou shalt also be taken, and [Note: [g] Both thy great idole and his mainteiners shall be led away captiues, so that they shal then knowe that it is in vaine to looke for helpe at idoles, Isai.15.2. ] Chemosh shall goe forth into captiuitie with his Priestes and his princes together.

⁸ And the destroyer shall come vpon all cities, and no citie shall escape: the valley also shall perish and the plaine shalbe destroyed as the Lord hath spoken.

⁹ Giue wings vnto Moab, that it may flee and get away: for the cities thereof shalbe desolate, without any to dwell therein.

¹⁰ [Note: [h] He sheweth that God would punish the Caldeans, if they did not destroy the Egyptians, & that with a courage, & calleth this executing of his vengeance against his enemies his worke: though the Caldeans sought another ende, Isa.10.12. ] Cursed be he that doeth the worke of the Lord [Note: Or, deceitfully. ] negligently, and cursed be he that keepeth backe his sword from blood.

¹¹ Moab hath bene at rest from his youth, and he hath setled on his lees, and hath not bene [Note: [i] Hath not bene remooued as the Iewes haue, but hath liued at ease, and as a wine that feedeth himselfe on his lees. ] powred from vessell to vessell, neither hath he gone into captiuitie: therefore his taste remained in him and his sent is not changed.

¹² ¶ Therefore beholde, the dayes come, saith the Lord, that I will send vnto him such as shall carie him away, and shall emptie his vessels, and breake their bottels.

¹³ And Moab shalbe ashamed of Chemosh as the house of Israel was ashamed of [Note: [k] As the calfe of Beth-el was not able to deliuer the Israelites: no more shall Chemosh deliuer the Moabites. ] Beth-el their confidence.

¹⁴ Howe thinke you thus, We are mightie and strong men of warre?

¹⁵ Moab is destroyed, & his cities [Note: Ebr. gone vp, or destroyed. ] burnt vp, & his chose yong men are gone downe to slaughter, saith ye King, whose name is ye Lord of hostes.

¹⁶ The destruction of Moab is ready to come, and his plague hasteth fast.

¹⁷ All ye that are about him, mourne for him, and all ye that knowe his name, say, [Note: [l] Howe are they destroyed that put their trust in their strength and riches? ] Howe is the strong staffe broken, and the beautifull rod!

¹⁸ Thou daughter that doest inhabite Dibon, come downe from thy glory, and sit in thirst: for the destroyer of Moab shall come vpon thee, and he shall destroy thy strong holdes.

¹⁹ Thou that dwellest in Aroer, stand by the way, and beholde: aske him that fleeth and that escapeth, and say, What is done?

²⁰ [Note: [m] Thus they that flee, shall answere. ] Moab is cofouded: for it is destroied: howle, and cry, tell ye it in Arnon, yt Moab is made waste,
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²¹ And iudgement is come vpon the plaine countrey, vpon Holon and vpon Iahazah, and vpon Mephaath,

²² And vpon Dibon, and vpon Nebo, and vpon the house of Diblathaim,

²³ And vpon Kiriathaim, and vpon Beth-gamul, and vpon Beth-meon,

²⁴ And vpon Kerioth, and vpon Bozrah, & vpon all the cities of ye land of Moab farre or neere.

²⁵ The [Note: [n] That is, his power & strength. ] horne of Moab is cut off, & his arme is broken, saith the Lord.

²⁶ Make ye him [Note: [o] He willed the Caldeans to lay afflictions ynough vpon them, till they be like drunken men that fall downe to their shame and are derided of all. ] drunken: for he magnified himselfe against the Lord: Moab shall [Note: Or, shalbe full or clap his handes. ] wallowe in his vomite, and he also shalbe in derision.

²⁷ For diddest not thou deride Israel, as though he had bene found among theeues? for when thou speakest of him, thou art [Note: [p] Thou reioycest to heare of his miserie. ] moued.

²⁸ O ye that dwell in Moab, leaue the cities, and dwell in the rockes, and be like the doue, that maketh her nest in the sides of the holes mouth.

²⁹ [Note: Isai.16.6. ] We haue heard the pride of Moab (hee is exceeding proude) his stoutnesse, and his arrogancie, and his pride, and the hautinesse of his heart.

³⁰ I know his wrath, saith ye Lord, [Note: [q] He shall not execute his malice against his neighbours. ] but it shall not be so: & his dissimulatios, for they do not right.

³¹ [Note: [r] Reade Isai.16.1,8. ] Therefore will I howle for Moab, and I will crie out for all Moab: mine heart shal mourne for the men of Kir-heres.

³² O vine of Sibmah, I will weepe for thee, as I wept for Iazer: thy plants are gone ouer the sea, they are come to the sea [Note: [s] Which citie was in the vtmost border of Moab: and hereby he signifieth that the whole land should be destroyed and the people caried away. ] of Iazer: ye destroyer is fallen vpon thy somer fruites, & vpon thy vintage,

³³ And ioye, and gladnesse is taken from the plentifull fielde, and from the land of Moab: and I haue caused wine to faile from the winepresse: none shall treade with shouting: their shouting shall be no shouting.

³⁴ From the cry of Heshbon vnto Elaleh and vnto Iahaz haue they made their noyse fro Zoar vnto Horonaim, ye [Note: [t] Reade Isa.15.5. ] heiffer of three yere old shal go lowing: for ye waters also of Nimrim shalbe wasted.

³⁵ Moreouer, I will cause to cease in Moab, saith the Lord, him that offered in the high places, and him that burneth incense to his gods.

³⁶ Therefore mine heart shall sounde for Moab like a [Note: [u] Their custome was to play on flutes or instruments, heauie and graue tunes at burials and in the time of mourning, as Matth.9.23. ] shaume, and mine heart shall sound like a shaume for the men of Ker-heres, because the riches that he hath gotten, is perished.

³⁷ [Note: Isai.15.2,3. ezek.7.18. ] For euery head shalbe [Note: Or, shauen. ] balde, and euery beard plucked: vpon all the handes shall be cuttings, and vpon the loynes sackecloth.

³⁸ And mourning shall be vpon all the house toppes of Moab and in all the streetes thereof: for I haue broken Moab like a vessell wherein is no pleasure, sayeth the Lord.

³⁹ They shal howle, saying, How is he destroyed? howe hath Moab turned the backe with shame? so shall Moab be a derision, and a feare to all them about him.

⁴⁰ For thus saith the Lord, Beholde, [Note: [x] That is, Nebuchad-nezzar, as Chap.49.22. ] he shall flee as an egle, & shal spread his wings ouer Moab.

⁴¹ The cities are taken, and the strong holdes are wonne, and ye mightie mens hearts in Moab at that day shalbe as ye heart of a woman in trauaile.

⁴² And Moab shall be destroyed from being a people, because he hath set vp himselfe against the Lord.

⁴³ [Note: [y] He that escapeth one danger, shall be taken of another, Isa.24.17. ] Feare, and pit and snare shall be vpon thee, O inhabitant of Moab, saith the Lord.

⁴⁴ He that escapeth from the feare, shall fall

in the pit, and he that getteth vp out of the pit, shall be taken in the snare: for I will bring vpon it, euen vpon Moab, the yeere of their visitation, sayeth the Lord.

⁴⁵ They that fled, stoode vnder the shadowe [Note: [z] They fled thither thinking to haue succour of the Amorites. ] of Heshbon, because of the force: for [Note: [a] The Amorites had destroyed the Moabites in times past, and nowe because of their power, the Moabites shall seeke to them for helpe. ] the fire came out of Heshbon, and a flame from Sihon, and deuoured the corner of Moab, and the top of the seditious children.

⁴⁶ Wo be vnto thee, O Moab: the people of [Note: [b] Which vanted themselues of their idole as though he coulde haue defended them. ] Chemosh perisheth: for thy sonnes are taken captiues, and thy daughters led into captiuitie.

⁴⁷ Yet will I bring againe the captiuitie of Moab in the [Note: [c] That is, they shalbe restored by the Messiah. ] latter dayes, sayeth the Lord. Thus farre of the iudgement of Moab.

1 The worde of the Lord against the Ammonites, 7 Idumea, 23 Damascus, 28 Kedar, 34 and Elam.

¹ Vnto the children of [Note: [a] They were seperated from the Moabites by the riuer Arnon, and after that the ten tribes were caried away into captiuitie, they inuaded the countrey of Gad. ] Ammon thus saith the Lord, Hath Israel no sonnes? or hath he none heire? Why then hath their [Note: [b] To wit, of the Ammonites. ] king possessed God? and his people dwelt in [Note: [c] Meaning, of the Israelites. ] his cities?

² Therefore beholde the dayes come, sayeth the Lorde, that I will cause a noyse of warre to be heard in [Note: [d] Which was one of the chiefe cities of the Ammonites, as were Heshbon and Ai: there was also a citie called Heshbon among the Moabites. ] Rabbah of the Ammonites, and it shall be a desolate heape, and her daughters shall be burnt with fire: then shall Israel possesse those that possessed him, sayeth the Lord.

³ Howle, O Heshbon, for Ai is wasted: crie ye daughters of Rabbah: girde you with sackecloth: mourne and runne to and fro by the hedges: for their King shall goe into captiuitie; and his Priestes, and his princes likewise.

⁴ Wherefore gloriest thou in the [Note: [e] In thy plentifull countrey. ] valleis? thy valley floweth away, O rebellious daughter: she trusted in her treasures, saying, Who shall come vnto me?

⁵ Beholde, I will bring [Note: [f] Signifying that power and riches cannot preuaile when as God will execute his iudgements. ] a feare vpon thee, sayth the Lorde God of hostes, of all those that be about thee, & ye shalbe scattered euery man [Note: [g] That is, without looking backe and as euery one can finde a way to escape. ] right foorth, and none shall gather him that fleeth.

⁶ And [Note: [h] In the time of Christ when the Gentiles shall be called. ] afterward I will bring againe the captiuitie of the children of Ammon.

⁷ ¶ To Edom thus sayeth the Lord of hostes: Is wisdome no more in [Note: [i] Which was a citie of Edom called by the name of Teman Eliphaz sonne who came of Esau. ] Teman? is counsel perished fro their children? is their wisdome vanished?

⁸ Flee, ye inhabitants of Dedan ( [Note: [k] The enemies that shall dissemble as though they fled away, shall turne backe and inuade your land, and possesse it. ] they are turned backe, and haue consulted to dwell) for I haue brought the destruction of Esau vpon him, and the time of his visitation.

⁹ If the [Note: [l] Meaning, yt God would vtterly destroy them, and not spare one though ye grape gatherers leaue some grapes and theeues seeke but till they haue ynough, Obad.1.5. ] grape gatherers come to thee, would they not leaue some grapes? if theeues come by night, they will destroy till they haue ynough.

¹⁰ For I haue discouered Esau: I haue vncouered his secrets, and he shall not be able to hide himselfe: his seede is wasted, and his brethren and his neighbours, and there shall be none to say,

¹¹ Leaue thy [Note: [m] The destruction shall be so great, that there shall be none left to take care ouer the widowes, and fatherlesse. ] fathers children, and I will preserue them aliue, and let thy widowes trust in me.

¹² For thus sayth the Lord, [Note: [n] I haue not spared mine owne peoples and howe should I pitie thee? ] Beholde, they whose iudgement was not to drinke of the cuppe, haue assuredly drunken, and art thou he that shall escape free? thou shalt not goe free, but thou shalt surely drinke of it.

¹³ For I haue sworne by my selfe, sayeth the Lord, that [Note: [o] Which was a chiefe citie of Edom. ] Bozrah shall be waste, and for a reproche, and a desolation, and a curse, and all the cities thereof shall be perpetuall desolations.

¹⁴ I haue heard a rumour from the Lord, & an

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ambassadour is sent vnto the heathen, saying, Gather you together, & come against [Note: [p] That is, Bozrah. ] her, and rise vp to the battell.
¹⁵ For loe, I will make thee but small among the heathen, and despised among men.

¹⁶ Thy [Note: Or, idoll. ] feare, and ye pride of thine heart hath deceiued thee, thou that dwellest in the cleftes of the rocke, and keepest the height of ye hil: though thou shouldest make thy nest as hie as the egle, I wil bring thee downe from thece, sayth the Lord.

¹⁷ ¶ Also Edom shall be desolate: euery one that goeth by it, shall be astonished, and shal hisse at all the plagues thereof,

¹⁸ As in the ouerthrowe of Sodom, and of Gomorah, and the places thereof neere about, saieth the Lord: no man shall dwell there, neither shall the sonnes of men remaine in it.

¹⁹ Beholde, [Note: [q] To wit, Nebuchad-nezzar after he hath ouercome Iudah, which is ment by the swelling of Iordan, shall come against mount Seir and Edom. ] hee shall come vp like a lyon from the swelling of Iorden vnto the strong dwelling place: for I will make Israel to rest, euen I will make [Note: [r] That is, the Israelites, whom the Edomites kept as prisoners to haste away fro thence. ] him to haste away from her, and who is a chosen man that I may appoynt against her? for who is like mee? and who will appoint me the time? and who is the [Note: [s] The captaine and gouernour of the armie, meaning, Nebuchad-nezzar. ] shepheard that will stande before me?

²⁰ Therefore heare the counsell of the Lorde that hee hath deuised against Edom, and his purpose that hee hath conceiued against the inhabitants of Teman: surely the least [Note: [t] They shall not be able to resist his petit captaines. ] of the flocke shall drawe them out: surely [Note: [u] To wit, the enemie. ] he shall make their habitations desolate with them.

²¹ The earth is mooued at the noyse of their fall: the crie of their voice is heard in the red Sea.

²² Behold, he shall come vp, and flie as the Egle, [Note: [x] As Chap.48.40. was saide of Moab. ] and spreade his wings ouer Bozrah, and at that day shall the heart of the strong men of Edome be as the heart of a woman in trauaile.

²³ ¶ Vnto [Note: [y] Which was the chiefe citie of Syria, whereby he meaneth ye whole countrey. ] Damascus he sayeth, Hamath is confounded and Arpad, for they haue heard euill tidings, and they are faint hearted as one on the fearefull sea that can not rest.

²⁴ Damascus is discouraged, and turneth her selfe to flight [Note: [z] When she heard the sudden comming of the enemie. ] and feare hath seased her: anguish & sorowes haue taken her as a woman in trauaile.

²⁵ How is the glorious [Note: [a] He speaketh this in the person of the King and of them of the countrey who shall wonder to see Damascus the chiefe citie destroied. ] citie not reserued, the citie of my ioy?

²⁶ Therefore her yong men shall fall in her streetes, and all her men of warre shall be cut off in that day, sayeth the Lord of hostes.

²⁷ And I will kindle a fire in the wall of Damascus, which shall cosume the palaces of [Note: [b] Who was King of Syria, 1.Kin.20. 26. and had builte these palaces, which were still called the palaces of Ben-hadad. ] Benhadad.

²⁸ ¶ Vnto [Note: [c] Meaning the Arabians, and their borderers. ] Kedar, and to the kingdomes of Hazor, which Nebuchad-nezzar, king of Babel shall smite, thus sayeth the Lord, Arise, and goe vp vnto Kedar, and destroy the men of the East.

²⁹ Their tents and their flocks shall they take away: yea, they shal take to themselues their [Note: [d] Because they vsed to dwell in tents, hee nameth the things that pertaine thereunto. ] curtaines and all their vessels, and their camels, and they shall crie vnto them, Feare is on euery side.

³⁰ Flee, get you farre off ( [Note: [e] The enemies will dwell in your places. ] they haue consulted to dwell) O ye inhabitants of Hazor, saith the Lorde: for Nebuchad-nezzar King of Babel hath taken counsell against you, and hath deuised a purpose against you.

³¹ [Note: [f] He sheweth that they of Hazor wil flee to the Arabians for succour, but that shall not auaile them. ] Arise, & get you vp vnto the welthy nation that dwelleth without care, saith the Lord, which haue neither gates nor barres, but dwel alone.

³² And their camels shall be a bootie, and the multitude of their cattel a spoile, and I will scatter

them into all windes, and to the vtmost corners, and I will bring their destruction from al the sides thereof, sayeth the Lord.

³³ And Hazor shal be a dwelling for dragons, and desolation for euer: there shall no man dwell there, nor the sonnes of men remaine in it.

³⁴ ¶ The woordes of the Lorde that came to Ieremiah the Prophet, concerning [Note: [g] That is, Persia: so called of Elam the sonne of Shem. ] Elam, in the beginning of the reigne of Zedekiah King of Iudah, saying,

³⁵ Thus sayeth the Lorde of hostes, Beholde, I will breake the [Note: [h] Because the Persians were good archers, he sheweth that the thing wherein they put their trust, should not profite them. ] bowe of Elam, euen the chiefe of their strength.

³⁶ And vpon Elam I will bring the foure windes from the foure quarters of heauen, and will scatter them towardes all these windes, and there shall bee no nation, whither the fugitiues of Elam shall not come.

³⁷ For I will cause Elam to be afraied before their enemies, and before them that seeke their liues, and will bring vpon them a plague, euen the indignation of my wrath, saieth the Lord, & I wil sende the sworde after them till I haue consumed them.

³⁸ And I wil set my [Note: [i] I will place Nebuchadnezzar there: and in these prophesies Ieremiah speaketh of those countreis, which shoulde be subdued vnder the first of those foure monarchies wherof Daniel maketh mention. ] throne in Elam, & I wil destroy both the King & the princes from thence, saith the Lord: but [Note: [k] This may be referred to the empire of the Persians, and Medes after the Caldeans, or vnto the time of Christ, as Chap. 48.47. ] in the latter daies I wil bring againe the captiuitie of Elam, sayeth the Lord.

Hee prophesieth the destruction of Babylon, and the deliuerance of Israel, which was in captiuitie.

¹ The word that the Lord spake, concerning Babel, and cocerning the land of the Caldeans by the [Note: Ebr. hand. ] ministerie of Ieremiah the Prophet.

² Declare among the nations, and publish it, and set vp a standart, proclaime it and conceale it not: say, [Note: [a] After that God hath vsed the Babylonians seruice to punish other nations, he sheweth that their turne shall come to be punished. ] Babel is taken, Bel is confounded, [Note: [b] These were two of their chiefe idoles. ] Merodach is broken downe: her idols are confounded, and their images are burst in pieces.

³ For out of the North there [Note: [c] To wit, the Medes, and the Persians. ] commeth vp a nation against her, which shall make her lande waste, and none shall dwel therein: they shall flee, and depart, both man and beast.

⁴ In those daies, and at that time, sayeth the Lorde, the children of Israel shal [Note: [d] When Cyrus shall take Babel. ] come, they, and the children of Iudah together, going, and [Note: [e] Read Chap.31.9. ] weeping shal they goe, and seeke the Lord their God.

⁵ They shal aske the way to Zion, with their faces thitherward, saying, Come, and let vs cleaue to the Lorde in a perpetuall couenant that shall not be forgotten.

⁶ ¶ My people hath beene as lost sheepe: their [Note: [f] Their gouernours and ministers by their examples haue prouoked them to idolatrie. ] shepheards haue caused them to goe astray, and haue turned them away to the mountaines: they haue gone from [Note: [g] They haue committed idolatrie in euery place. ] mountaine to hil, and forgotten their resting place.

⁷ Al that found them, haue deuoured them, & their enemies saide, We offende not, because they haue sinned against the Lord, [Note: [h] For the Lord dwelt amog them in his Temple, and would haue maintained them by his iustice against their enemies. ] the habitation of iustice, euen the Lord the hope of their fathers.

⁸ [Note: [i] When God shal deliuer you by Cyrus. ] Flee from the middes of Babel, and depart out of the lande of the Caldeans, and be ye as the hee goates [Note: [k] That is, most forward and without feare. ] before the flocke.

⁹ For loe, I will raise, and cause to come vp against Babel a multitude of mightie natios from the North countrey, and they shall set themselues in aray against her, whereby shee shall be taken: their arrowes shall be as of a strong man, which is expert, for none shall returne in vaine.

¹⁰ And Caldea shalbe a spoyle: all that spoyle [Page]

her, [Note: [l] Shalbe made riche thereby. ] shalbe satisfied, sayth the Lord.

¹¹ Because yee were glad and reioyced in destroying mine heritage, & because ye are growen fatte, as the calues in the grasse, [Note: [m] For ioy of the victorie, that yee had against my people. ] and neied like strong horses,

¹² Therefore your mother shall bee sore confounded, and she that bare you, shall be ashamed: beholde, the vttermost of the nations shalbe a desert, a drie land, and a wildernes.

¹³ Because of the wrath of the Lorde it shall not be inhabited, but shal be wholy desolate: euery one that goeth by Babel, shall be astonished, [Note: [n] In signe of contempt, & disdaine. ] and hisse at all her plagues.

¹⁴ [Note: [o] Hee speaketh to the enemies the Medes & Persians. ] Put your selues in aray against Babel rounde about: all ye that bende the bowe, shoote at her, spare no arrowes: for shee hath [Note: [p] Though the Lorde called the Babylonians his seruants, and their worke his worke in punishing his people, yet because they did it not to glorifie God, but for their owne malice, and to profite them selues, it is here called sinne. ] sinned against the Lord.

¹⁵ Crie against her round about: she hath giuen her hand: her foundations are fallen, and her walles are destroyed: for it is the vengeance of the Lord: take vengeance vpon her: as she hath done, doe vnto her.

¹⁶ Destroy the [Note: [q] Destroy her so that none be left to labour the ground or to take the fruit thereof. ] sower from Babel, and him that handleth the sieth in the time of haruest: because of the sworde of the oppressor they shall turne euery one to his people, and they shall flee euery one to his owne land.

¹⁷ Israel is like scattered sheepe: the lions haue dispersed them: first the King [Note: [r] Meaning, Tiglath-pelezar who caried away the ten tribes. ] of Asshur hath deuoured him, and last this Nebuchad-nezzar King, of Babel hath broken [Note: [s] He caried away the rest, to wit, Iudah, and Beniamin. ] his bones.

¹⁸ Therefore thus saith the Lord of hostes the God of Israel, Behold, I wil visit ye King of Babel, and his land, as I haue visited the King of Asshur.

¹⁹ And I will bring Israel againe to his habitation: hee shall feede on Carmel and Bashan, and his soule shall be satisfied vpon the mount Ephraim and Gilead.

²⁰ In those daies, and at that time, sayeth the Lorde, the iniquitie of Israel shall be sought for, and there shall be none: and the sinnes of Iudah, and they shall not be founde: for I will be mercifull vnto them, whome I reserue.

²¹ Goe vp against the lande of the [Note: [t] That is, Babylon: thus the Lorde raiseth vp Cyrus. ] rebelles, euen against it, and against the inhabitantes [Note: Ezek.23.23. ] of [Note: Or, of them that should be visited. ] Pekod: destroy, and lay it waste after them, saieth the Lorde, and doe according to all that I haue commaunded thee.

²² A crie of battell is in the land, and of great destruction.

²³ Howe is the [Note: [u] Nebuchad-nezzar, who had smitten downe all the princes, & people of the world. ] hammer of the whole world destroied, and broken! howe is Babel become desolate among the nations!

²⁴ I haue snared thee, and thou art taken, O Babel, and thou wast not aware: thou art found, and also caught, because thou hast striuen against the Lorde.

²⁵ The Lord hath opened his treasure, & hath brought foorth the weapons of his wrath: for this is the woorke of the Lorde God of hostes in the lande of the Caldeans.

²⁶ Come against her [Note: Ebr. from the end. ] from the vtmost border: open her store houses: treade on her as on sheaues, and destroy her vtterly: let nothing of her be left.

²⁷ Destroy all her [Note: [x] Her princes and mightie men. ] bullockes: let them goe downe to the slaughter. Wo vnto them, for their day is come, and the time of their visitation.

²⁸ The voyce of them that [Note: [y] Of the Iewes which should be deliuered by Cyrus. ] flee, and escape out of the lande of Babel to declare in Zion the

vengeance of the Lorde our God, and the vengeance of his Temple.

²⁹ Call vp the archers against Babel: al ye that bend the bow, besiege it rounde about: let none thereof escape: [Note: Reuel.28.6. ] recompence her according to her worke, & according to all that she hath done, doe vnto her: for she hath bene proud against the Lord, euen against the holy one of Israel.

³⁰ Therefore shall her yong men fall in the streetes, and al her men of warre shalbe destroied in that day, sayeth the Lord.

³¹ Beholde, I come vnto thee, O proude man, saith the Lord God of hostes: for thy day is come, euen the time that I will visite thee.

³² And the proude shall stumble and fall, and none shall raise him vp: and I will kindle a fire in his cities, & it shall deuoure all round about him.

³³ Thus saieth the Lord of hosts, The children of Israel, and the children of Iudah were oppressed together: and all that tooke them captiues, held them, and would not let them goe.

³⁴ But their strong redeemer, whose Name is the Lord of hostes, he shall maintaine their cause, that he may giue rest to the lande, [Note: [z] He sheweth that when God executeth his iudgemets against his enemies, that his Church shall then haue rest. ] and disquiet the inhabitants of Babel.

³⁵ A sworde is vpon the Caldeans, sayeth the Lord, and vpon the inhabitants of Babel, and vpon her princes, and vpon her wise men.

³⁶ A sworde is vpon the [Note: Ebr. liars. ] soothsaiers, and they shall dote: a sword is vpon her strong men, & they shalbe afraide.

³⁷ A sworde is vpon their horses & vpon their charets, and vpon all the multitude that are in the middes of her, and they shall be like women: a sworde is vpon her treasures, and they shall be spoyled.

³⁸ A [Note: [a] For Cyrus did cut the riuer Euphrates and deuided the course thereof into many streames, so that it might be passed ouer as though there had beene no water: which thing he did by the cousel of two of Belshazzars captains, who conspired against their King, because hee had gelded the one of them in despite, & slaine the sonne of the other. ] drought is vpon her waters, and they shall be dried vp: for it is the lande of grauen images, and they dote vpon their idoles.

³⁹ Therefore the [Note: [b] Read Isa.13.21. ] Ziims with the Iims shall dwel there, & [Note: Ebr. sonnes of the ostriches, or yong. ] the ostriches shal dwel therein: for it shall be no more inhabited, neither shall it be inhabited from generation vnto generation.

⁴⁰ As God destroied [Note: Gene.19.24. isa.13.19. ] Sodom and Gomorah with the places thereof neere about, sayeth the Lord: so shal no man dwell theere, neither shal the sonne of man remaine therein.

⁴¹ ¶ Beholde, a people shall come from the North, and a great nation, and many Kings shall be raised vp from [Note: [c] Meaning, that the Persians should gather their armie of many nations. ] the coastes of the earth.

⁴² They shall holde the bowe and the buckeler: they are cruell and vnmercifull: their voyce shall roare like the sea, and they shall ride vpon horses, and be put in aray like men to the battell against thee, O daughter of Babel.

⁴³ The King of Babel hath heard the report of them, & his hands [Note: [d] Which is ment of Belshazzar, Dan.5.6. ] waxed feeble: sorow came vpon him, euen sorowe as of a woman in trauaile.

⁴⁴ Beholde, hee [Note: Chap.49.19. ] shall come vp like a lyon from the swelling of Iorden vnto the strong habitation: for I will make Israel to rest, and I will make them to haste away from her: and who is a chosen man that I may appoynt against her? for who is like me, and who will appoynt me the time? and who is the [Note: [e] Read. Chap. 49.19. ] shepheard that will stande before me?

⁴⁵ Therefore heare the counsell of the Lorde that hee hath deuised against Babel, and his purpose that hee hath conceiued against the lande of the Caldeans: surely the least of the flocke shall

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drawe them out: surely he shall make their habitation desolate with them.
⁴⁶ At the noyse of the winning of Babel the earth is moued, and the crye is heard among the nations.

6 Why Babylon is destroyed. 41 The vaine confidence of the Babylonians. 43 The vanitie of idolaters. 59 Ieremiah giueth his booke to Sheraiah.

¹ Thus sayth the Lord, Beholde, I wil raise vp against Babel, & against the inhabitants [Note: Or, of the land that riseth vp. ] that lift vp their heart against me, a destroying [Note: [a] The Medes and Persians, that shal destroy them as the winde doeth the chaffe. ] wind,

² And wil send vnto Babel fanners that shal fanne her, & shal empty her land: for in the day of trouble they shalbe against her on euery side.

³ Also to the bender that bendeth his bowe, and to him that lifteth himselfe vp in his brigandine, will I say, Spare not her yong men, but destroy all her hoste.

⁴ Thus the slaine shal fall in the lande of the Caldeans, and they that are thrust through in her streetes.

⁵ For Israel hath bene no [Note: [b] Though they were forsaken for a time, yet they were not vtterly cast off as though their husband were dead. ] widowe, nor Iudah from his God, from the Lorde of hostes, though their lande was filled with sinne against the holy one of Israel.

⁶ ¶ [Note: [c] He sheweth that there remaineth nothing for them that abide in Babylon, but destruction, Chap.17.6. and 48.6. ] Flee out of the middes of Babel, and deliuer euery man his soule: be not destroyed in her iniquitie: for this is the time of the Lordes vengeance he will render vnto her a recompence.

⁷ Babel hath bene as a golden cuppe in the [Note: [d] By whome the Lord powred out the drinke of his vengeance, to who it pleased him. ] Lordes hand, that made all the earth drunken: the nations haue drunken of her wine, therefore do the nations [Note: [e] For the great afflictions that they haue felt by the Babylonians. ] rage.

⁸ [Note: Isa.21.9. reuel.14.8. ] Babel is suddenly fallen, and destroyed: howle for her, bring balme for her sore, if she may be healed.

⁹ We would haue cured Babel, but she could not be healed: forsake her, and let [Note: [f] Thus the people of God exhort one another to go to Zion and praise God. ] vs go euery one into his owne countrey: for her iudgement is come vp vnto heauen, & is lifted vp to ye cloudes.

¹⁰ The Lorde hath brought forth our [Note: [g] In approuing our cause & punishing our enemies. ] righteousnesse: come and let vs declare in Zion the worke of the Lord our God.

¹¹ Make bright the arrowes: [Note: Or, fill, or multiply. ] gather the shieldes: the Lorde hath raised vp the spirit of the King of the Medes: for his purpose is against Babel to destroy it, because it is the [Note: [h] For the wrong done to his people & to his Temple, Chap.50.28. ] vengeance of the Lord, and the vengeance of his Temple.

¹² Set vp the standart vpon the walles of Babel, make the watch strong: set vp the watchmen: prepare the skoutes: for the Lord hath both deuised, and done that which he spake against the inhabitantes of Babel.

¹³ O thou that dwellest vpon many [Note: [i] For the land of Caldea was full of riuers which ran into Euphrates. ] waters, abundant in treasures, thine ende is come, euen the [Note: Or, measure. ] ende of thy couetousnes.

¹⁴ The Lord of hostes hath sworne by [Note: Ebr. his soule. ] him [Note: Amos.6.8. ] selfe, saying, Surely I will fill thee with men, as with caterpillers, and they shall cry and shoute against thee.

¹⁵ [Note: Chap.10.12. ] He hath made the earth by his power, & established the world by his wisedome, and hath stretched out the heauen by his discretion.

¹⁶ Hee giueth by his voyce the multitude of waters in the heauen, and he causeth the cloudes to ascend from the endes of the earth: he turneth lightnings to raine, and bringeth forth the winde out of his treasures.

¹⁷ Euery man is a beast by his owne [Note: [k] Reade Chap. 10.14. ] knowledge:

euery founder is confounded by the grauen image: for his melting is but falsehood, and there is no breath therein.

¹⁸ They are vanitie, and the worke of errors: in the time of their [Note: [l] When God shal execute his vengeance. ] visitation they shal perish.

¹⁹ The [Note: [m] That is, the true God of Israel is not like to these idoles: for he can helpe when all things are desperate. ] portion of Iaakob is not like them: for he is the maker of all things, and Israel is the rodde of his inheritance: the Lorde of hostes is his Name.

²⁰ Thou art mine [Note: [n] He meaneth the Medes & Persians, as he did before call the Babylonians, his hammer, Chap.50.23. ] hammer, and weapons of warre: for with thee will I breake the nations, & with thee wil I destroy kingdomes,

²¹ And by thee wil I breake horse and horseman, and by thee will I breake the charet & him that rideth therein.

²² By thee also will I breake man & woman, and by thee wil I breake olde & yong, & by thee wil I breake the yong man and the mayde.

²³ I wil also breake by thee the shepheard & his flocke, and by thee will I breake the husband man & his yoke of oxen, & by thee will I breake the dukes and princes.

²⁴ And I will render vnto Babel, and to all the inhabitants of the Caldeans all their euil, that they haue done in Zion, euen in your sight, sayth the Lorde.

²⁵ Beholde, I come vnto thee, O destroying [Note: [o] Not that Babylon stoode on a mountaine, but because it was strong and seemed inuincible. ] mountaine, sayth the Lord, which destroyest all the earth: and I will stretch out mine hand vpon thee, and rolle thee downe from the [Note: [p] From thy strong holds & fortresses. ] rockes, and wil make thee a burnt mountaine.

²⁶ They shall not take of thee a stone for a corner, nor a stone for foundations, but thou shalt be destroyed for euer, sayth the Lord.

²⁷ Set vp a standard in the lande: blowe the trumpets among the nations: prepare the nations against her: call vp the kingdomes of [Note: [q] By these three nations he meaneth Armenia the hier, and Armenia the lower, & Scythia: for Cyrus had gathered an armie of diuers nations. ] Ararat, Minni, and Ashchenaz against her: appoynt the prince against her: cause horses to come vp as the rough caterpillers.

²⁸ Prepare against her the nations with the Kings of the Medes, the dukes thereof, and the princes thereof, & all the land of his dominion.

²⁹ And the land shall tremble and sorow: for the deuise of the Lorde shalbe performed against Babel, to make the lande of Babel waste without an inhabitant.

³⁰ The strong men of Babel haue ceased to fight: they haue remayned in their holdes: their strength hath fayled, and they were like women: they haue burnt her dwelling places, and her barres are broken.

³¹ A post shall runne to meete the post, and a messenger to meete the messenger, to shew the King of Babel, that his citie is taken on a [Note: [r] By turning the course of the riuer, one side was made open, & the reedes that did growe in the water were destroyed, which Cyrus did by the cousel of Gobria and Gabatha Belshazzars captaines. ] side thereof,

³² And that the passages are stopped, and the reedes burnt with fire, & the me of war troubled.

³³ For thus sayth the Lorde of hosts the God of Israel, the daughter of Babel is like a threshing floore: the time of her threshing is come: yet a litle while, and the time of her haruest [Note: [s] When she shalbe cut vp & threshed. ] shal come.

³⁴ Nebuchad-nezzar the King of Babel hath [Note: [t] This is spoken in the person of the Iewes, bewailing their state and the crueltie of the Babylonians. ] deuoured me, and destroyed me: he hath made me an emptie vessel: he swallowed mee vp like a dragon, and filled his belly with my delicates, and hath cast me out.

³⁵ The spoyle of me, and that which was left of me, is brought vnto Babel, shall the inhabitant of Zion say: and my blood vnto the inhabitantes [Page]

of Caldea, shal Ierusalem say.

³⁶ Therefore thus sayth the Lorde, Beholde, I will maintayne thy [Note: [u] Thus the Lord esteemeth the iniurie done to his Church as done to himselfe, because their cause is his. ] cause, and take vengeance for thee, and I will drie vp the sea, and drie vp her springes.

³⁷ And Babel shall be as heapes, a dwelling place for dragons, an astonishment, & an hissing, without an inhabitant.

³⁸ They shal rore together like lions, and yell as the lyons whelpes.

³⁹ In their [Note: [x] When they are inflamed with surfeting & drinking, I will feast with them, alluding to Belshazzars baket, Dan.5.2. ] heate I will make them feastes, and I wil make them drunken, that they may reioyce, and sleepe a perpetual sleepe, & not wake, sayth the Lord.

⁴⁰ I wil bring them downe like lambes to the slaughter, and like rams and goates.

⁴¹ How is [Note: [y] Meaning Babel, as Chap.25.26. ] Sheshach taken! and howe is the glory of the whole earth taken! how is Babel become an astonishment among the nations!

⁴² The [Note: [z] The great armie of the Medes and Persians. ] sea is come vp vpon Babel: he is couered with the multitude of the waues thereof.

⁴³ Her cities are desolate: the land is dry and a wildernes, a land wherein no man dwelleth, neither doth the sonne of man passe thereby.

⁴⁴ I wil also visite Bel in Babel, & I wil bring out of his mouth, that which [Note: [a] That is, his gifts & presents which he had receiued as part of the spoyle of other nations, & which the idolaters brought vnto him from all countreys. ] he hath swallowed vp, and the nations shal runne no more vnto him, and the wall of Babel shal fall.

⁴⁵ My people, go out of the middes of her, & deliuer yee euery man his soule from the fierce wrath of the Lord,

⁴⁶ Least your heart euen faynt, & ye feare the rumour, that shalbe heard in the land: the rumour shall come this yeere, and after that in the other [Note: [b] Meaning, that Babylon shoulde not be destroyed all at once, but by litle & litle should be brought to nothing: for the first yeere came the tydings, the next yere the siege, and in the third yeere it was taken: yet this is not that horrible destructio which ye Prophets threatned in many places: for that was after this, whe they rebelled and Darius ouercame them by the policie of Zopyrus & haged three thousand gentlemen besides the common people. ] yeere shal come a rumour, & crueltie in the land, and ruler against ruler.

⁴⁷ Therefore beholde, the dayes come, that I will visite the images of Babel, & the whole land shalbe confounded, and all her slayne shal fall in the middes of her.

⁴⁸ Then the heauen and [Note: [c] All creatures in heauen and earth shal reioyce and praise God for the destruction of Babylon ye great enemie of his Church. ] the earth, and all that is therein, shall reioyce for Babel: for the destroyers shal come vnto her from the North, saith the Lord.

⁴⁹ As Babel caused the [Note: [d] Babylon did not only destroy Israel, but many other nations. ] slaine of Israel to fal, so by Babel the slaine of all the earth did fall.

⁵⁰ Ye that [Note: [e] Ye that are now captiues in Babylon. ] haue escaped the sworde, goe away, stand not still: remember the Lord a farre of, and let Ierusalem come into your minde.

⁵¹ Wee are [Note: [f] He sheweth how they should remember Ierusalem by lamenting the miserable affliction thereof. ] confounded because wee haue heard reproch: shame hath couered our faces, for straungers are come into the Sanctuaries of the Lordes House.

⁵² Wherefore behold, the dayes come, sayth the Lord, that I will visite her grauen images, and through all her land the wounded shal grone.

⁵³ Though Babel should mount vp to [Note: [g] For the walles were two hundreth foote hie. ] heauen, and though shee should defend her strength on hye, yet from mee shall her destroyers come, sayth the Lord.

⁵⁴ A sound of a cry commeth from Babel, and great destruction from the land of the Caldeans,

⁵⁵ Because the Lorde hath layde Babel waste and destroyed from her the great voyce, and her waues shall roare like great waters, and a sounde was made by their noyse:

⁵⁶ Because the destroyer is come vpon her, euen vpon Babel, and her strong men are taken, their bowes are broken: for the Lorde God that recompenceth, shal surely recompence.

⁵⁷ And I will [Note: [h] I wil so astonish them by afflictions that they shal not knowe which way to turne them. ] make drunke her princes, and her wise men, her dukes, and her nobles, and her strong men: and they shall sleepe a perpetuall sleepe, and not wake, sayth the King, whose Name is the Lord of hostes.

⁵⁸ Thus saith the Lord of hostes, The [Note: [i] The thicknes of the wall was fiftie foote thicke. ] thicke wall of Babel shalbe broken, & her hie gates shal be burnt with fire, and the people shall labour in vaine, & the folke in ye fire, for they shalbe weary.

⁵⁹ The worde which Ieremiah the Prophet commanded Sheraiah the sonne of Neriiah, the sonne of Maaseiah, when he went with Zedekiah the King of Iudah into Babel, in the [Note: [k] This was not in the time of his captiuitie, but seuen yeeres before, when he went either to gratulate Nebuchad-nezzar, or to intreate of some matters. ] fourth yeere of his reigne: and this Sheraiah was a peaceable prince.

⁶⁰ So Ieremiah wrote in a booke all the euill that should come vpo Babel: euen al these things, that are written against Babel.

⁶¹ And Ieremiah sayd to Sheraiah, Whe thou commest vnto Babel, and shalt see, & shalt reade all these wordes,

⁶² Then shalt thou say, O Lord, thou hast spoken against this place, to destroy it, that none should remaine in it, neither man nor beast, but that it should be desolate for euer.

⁶³ And when thou hast made an ende of reading this booke, thou shalt binde a [Note: [l] S. Iohn in his reuelation alludeth to this place, when he sayth that the Angel tooke a milstone & cast it into the sea: signifying thereby the destruction of Babylon, Reue.18.21. ] stone to it, & cast it in the middes of Euphrates,

⁶⁴ And shalt say, Thus shal Babel be drowned, and shall not rise from the euil, that I will bring vpon her: and they shal [Note: [m] They shal not be able to resist, but shal labour in vaine. ] be weary. Thus farre are the wordes of Ieremiah.

4 Ierusalem is taken. 10 Zedekiahs sonnes are killed before his face, and his eyes put out. 13 The citie is burned. 31 Iehoiachin is brought forth of prison, and fed like a King.

¹ Zedekiah [Note: 2.King.24.18. 2.chro.36.11. ] was one and twentie yeere olde when he began to reigne, and he reigned eleuen yeeres in Ierusalem, & his mothers name was Hamutal, the daughter of Ieremiah of Libnah.

² And he did euil in the eyes of the Lord, according to all that Iehoiakim had done.

³ [Note: [a] So the Lord punished sinne by sinne, & gaue him vp to his rebellious heart, till he had brought the enemie vpon him to leade him away and his people. ] Doubtlesse because the wrath of the Lord was against Ierusalem and Iudah, till he had cast them out from his presence, therefore Zedekiah rebelled against the King of Babel.

⁴ [Note: 2.King.25.1. and chap.39.1. ] But in the ninth yeere of his reigne, in the tenth moneth the tenth day of the moneth came Nebuchad-nezzar King of Babel, he and all his hoste against Ierusalem, and pitched against it, & buylt fortes against it round about.

⁵ So the citie was besieged vnto the eleuenth yeere of the King Zedekiah.

⁶ Now in the fourth moneth, the ninth day of the moneth, the famine was sore in ye citie, so that there was no more bread for ye people of the land.

⁷ Then the citie was broken vp and all the men of warre fled, and went out of the citie by night, by the [Note: [b] Reade Chap. 39.4. ] way of the gate betweene the two walles, which was by the kings garden: (now the Caldeans were by the citie round about) & they went by the way of the wildernes.

⁸ But the army of the Caldeans pursued after the king, and tooke Zedekiah in the desert of Iericho, and all his host was scattered from him.

⁹ Then they tooke the king and caryed him vp vnto the king of Babel to Riblah in the lande of Hamath, [Note: [c] Reade 2.Kin.25. 6. & Chap.39.5. ] where he gaue iudgement vpo him.

¹⁰ And the king of Babel slewe the sonnes of Zedekiah, before his eyes he slew also al ye princes

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of Iudah in Riblah.
¹¹ Then he put out the eyes of Zedekiah, and the king of Babel bound him in chaines, and caried him to Babel, and put him in pryson till the day of his death.

¹² Now in the fift moneth in the [Note: [d] In the 2.King. 25.8. it is called the seuenth day, because the fire began then, and so continued to the tenth. ] tenth day of the moneth (which was the nineteenth yere of ye King Nebuchad-nezzar King of Babel) came Nebuzar-adan chiefe steward which [Note: [e] That is, which was his seruant, as 2.King.25.8. ] stoode before the king of Babel in Ierusalem,

¹³ And burnt the House of the Lord, and the Kings house, and all the houses of Ierusalem, and all the great houses burnt he with fire.

¹⁴ And al the armie of the Caldeans that were with the chiefe steward, brake downe all ye walles of Ierusalem round about.

¹⁵ Then Nebuzar-adan the chiefe steward caried away captiue certaine of the poore of the people, and the residue of the people that remayned in the citie, and those that were fled, and fallen to the king of Babel, with the rest of the multitude.

¹⁶ But Nebuzar-adan the chiefe steward left certaine of the poore of the lande, to dresse the vines, and to till the land.

¹⁷ Also the [Note: [f] Of these pillars reade 1.King.7.15. ] pillars of brasse that were in the House of the Lorde, and the bases, and the brasen Sea, that was in the house of ye Lord, the Caldeans brake, and caried all the brasse of them to Babel.

¹⁸ The pots also and the [Note: [g] Which were also made of brasse, as 1.King.7.45. ] besomes, and the instrumentes of musicke, and the basins, and the incense dishes, and all the vessels of brasse wherewith they ministred, tooke they away.

¹⁹ And the bowles, and the ashpannes, and the basins, and the pots, and the candlestickes, and the incense dishes, and the cuppes, and all that was of golde, and that was of siluer, tooke the chiefe steward away,

²⁰ With the two pillers, one Sea, and twelue brasen bulles, that were vnder the bases, which King Salomon had made in ye house of ye Lord: the brasse of all these vessels was without [Note: [h] It was so much in quantitie. ] weight.

²¹ And concerning the pillars, the height of one pillar was eighteene cubites, and a threede of twelue cubites did compasse it, and the thickenes thereof was foure fingers: it was holowe.

²² And a chapiter of brasse was vpon it, and the height of one chapiter was fiue cubites with networke, and pomegranates vpon the chapiters round about, all of brasse: the seconde pillar also,

and the pomegranates were like vnto these.

²³ And there were ninetie and sixe pomegranates on a side: and all the pomegranates vpon the net worke were an [Note: [i] But because of the roundnesse no more coulde be seene but ninetie and sixe. ] hundreth round about.

²⁴ And the chiefe steward tooke Sheraiah the chiefe Priest, and Zephaniah [Note: [k] Which serued in the hie Priestes stead, if he had any necessary impediment. ] the seconde Priest, and the three keepers of the doore.

²⁵ Hee tooke also out of the citie an Eunuch, which had the ouersight of the men of warre, and [Note: [l] In the 2.King. 25. 19 is read but of fiue: those were the most excellet: and the other two, which were not so noble, are not there mencioned with them. ] seuen men that were in the Kings presence, which were founde in the citie, and Sopher captayne of the hoste who mustered the people of the lande, and threescore men of the people of the land, that were found in the middes of the citie.

²⁶ Nebuzar-adan the chiefe stewarde tooke them, and brought them to the king of Babel to Riblah.

²⁷ And the king of Babel smote them, and slewe them in Riblah, in the lande of Hamath: thus Iudah was caried away captiue out of his owne land.

²⁸ ¶ This is the people, whome Nebuchad-nezzar caried away captiue, in the [Note: [m] Which was the latter ende of the seuenth yere of his reigne and the beginning of the eight. ] seuenth yeere, euen three thousande Iewes, and three and twentie.

²⁹ In the [Note: [n] In the latter end also of that yeere, and the beginning of the ninetenth. ] eightenth yere of Nebuchad-nezzar he caried away captiue from Ierusalem eight hundreth thirtie and two [Note: Ebr. soules. ] persons.

³⁰ In the three and twentieth yeere of Nebuchad-nezzar, Nebuzar-adan the chiefe stewarde caried away captiue of the Iewes seuen hundreth fourtie and fiue persons: all the persons were foure thousand and sixe hundreth.

³¹ And in the seuen and thirtieth yeere of the captiuitie of Iehoiachin King of Iudah, in the twelfth moneth, in the fiue and twentieth day of the moneth, Euil-merodach King of Babel, in the first yeere of his reigne, [Note: [o] That is, restored him to liberty and honour. ] lifted vp the head of Iehoiachin King of Iudah, and brought him out of pryson,

³² And spake kindly vnto him, and set his throne aboue the throne of the Kings, that were with him in Babel,

³³ And changed his pryson [Note: [p] And gaue him princely apparel. ] garmentes, and he did continually eate bread before him all the dayes of his life.

³⁴ His porcion was a [Note: [q] That is, he had allowance in the court, and thus at length he had rest and quietnesse because he obeyed Ieremiah the Prophet where as the other were cruelly ordered, yt woulde not obey him. ] continuall portion giuen him of ye king of Babel, euery day a certaine, all the dayes of his life vntill he died.