of the protection which God vouchsafes to good men in times of calamity. What happened to Ebed-melech, shows in particular, that those who protect the innocent, and take upon them to defend the servants of God when they are oppressed, receive the reward of their zeal and piety.

CHAPTER XL.

THIS and the following chapters contain the history of what happened to the Jews, whom the king of Babylon left in Judea, after the taking of Jerusalem. Jeremiah being carried to Ramah in chains, with the rest of the captive Jews, the captain of the guard to the king of Babylon gave Jeremiah his choice, either to go to Babylon or to stay in the country with the Jews; but the prophet preferred staying in Judea, and went to Gedaliah, whom Nebuchadnezzar had appointed governor of that country. Gedaliah exhorts the Jews to submit themselves to the Babylonians, and assures them, they might remain in their land with safety. This governor is warned, that Ishmael and the king of the Ammonites had entered into a conspiracy against him, but he would not believe it.

Reflections.

THE remarks we are to make on this chapter are, I. That the Chaldeans had a particular regard for Jeremiah when Jerusalem was taken: and that while the Jews were in chains, and carried away captives, the prophet was set at liberty. This was a reward of his zeal and integrity, and is a proof of God's care of those that fear him. II. We here see Jeremiah's piety and attachment to his own country and nation. He chose rather to stay in Judea with the Jews who remained there, than to go to Babylon, where he might have shared in the favour and kindness of Nebuchadnezzar. Thus should we always prefer our duty, and the edification of our brethren, before all worldly advantages. III. From the account given in this chapter it appears, that the Jews might, if they would, have

lived securely in their own country, under Gedaliah, by submitting themselves to the Chaldeans; and even that God sent them that year a plentiful harvest. This was a mark of God's goodness towards that people; and shows, that we ought to submit to, and continue in that condition which God is pleased to allot us; and that he is always ready to do good to those who submit to the dispensations of his providence. Lastly, The conduct of Gedaliah is worthy of our attention. When notice was given him of the conspiracy which Ishmael, a prince of the royal family of Judah, had formed against him, he would not believe it, nor suffer them to take away his life. In this he acted like an honest man. Good men do not easily give credit to tale-bearers; and as they act with candour, and are incapable of doing an ill action, they do not judge others capable of it, nor ever make use of treachery, or other unlawful means to secure themselves.

CHAPTER XLI.

Ishmael treacherously kills Gedaliah, the governor of Judea, and the Chaldeans that were with him. The next day he slew threescore and ten Jews, who were going to pray and offer their gifts upon the ruins of the temple; and he took prisoners all the Jews that were at Mizpah, to carry them to the Ammonites; but Johanan delivered them, and forced Ishmael to fly. After which, the Jews fearing that the Chaldeans would revenge the death of Gedaliah, whom Ishmael had slain, formed the design of retiring into Egypt.

Reflections.

THE death of Gedaliah, and of the Jews who were assassinated by Ishmael and the other conspirators, is an instance of base and detestable treachery; which shows, that among the Jews who remained in Judea, there were some exceeding wicked. However, it appears from what is here said of the fourscore men, who were going to pray at the ruins of the temple, that there

were likewise some pious and zealous persons among the remnant of that nation. What befel them, shows that God permits sometimes the innocent to be oppressed to bring about the wise ends of his providence. However, God did not suffer the traitor Ishmael, and his accomplices, to succeed in the design they had formed of making themselves masters of the Jews: Ishmael did not long enjoy the fruit of his crimes; but God set bounds to his wickedness by the means of Johanan, who put Ishmael to flight, and delivered the people. If God suffers wicked men, in some measure to succeed in their evil purposes, he likewise puts a stop to them, and does not always suffer them to bring about their unjust schemes.

CHAPTER XLII.

THE Jews who remained in Judea after the taking of Jerusalem, consult with Jeremiah about the design they had formed of retiring into Egypt, and promise with an oath to do as he should direct them. The prophet orders them to stay in the land, and to submit themselves to the Chaldeans, promising them security if they did so, and threatening them, that if they went into Egypt, they should there perish miserably, and never see their own country again.

Reflections.

THIS chapter presents us with two reflections: I. That the Jews asked counsel of the Lord by Jeremiah, whether they should go into Egypt, and promised, with an oath, to obey the commandment of the Lord, which, nevertheless, they did not do. Thus men seem sometimes sincerely to desire to know the will of God, and resolved to obey it, and yet follow their own will and break their promises. But to consult God is of no use, if we will not do what he commands us. II. God ordered the Jews to stay in Judea, and promised them that they should be there in peace; whereas, if they went into Egypt, thinking to escape the resent

ment of the Chaldeans, and war and famine, the Divine vengeance would pursue them there, and they should perish by those very scourges which they thought to avoid. This was the effect of the great goodness of God, who was willing to preserve them in their own country, and secure them from the miseries that were coming shortly upon the Egyptians. God, in his dealings with men, affords them sufficient means of happiness, and forewarns them of the dangers that threaten them. If we follow his directions, we are always secure; but if we reject them, and prefer the maxims of human prudence before the way which God has revealed, we fall inevitably into misery. Lastly, It is to be observed, that notwithstanding all that Jeremiah declared to the Jews, they were obstinately bent upon going into Egypt; and as the phet reproached them for it, they deceitfully desired him to consult the Lord for them. Strange infidelity and rebellion! The Jews think themselves secure in their own country, when the prophets threaten them with Divine judgments; and think themselves in the utmost danger, when Jeremiah assures them they have nothing to fear. Thus men believe neither God's promises nor threatenings; and by that means stop the current of his mercies towards them, and expose themselves to his severest vengeance.

CHAPTER XLIII.

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THE Jews oppose Jeremiah, who commanded them, in God's name, to remain in their own country; and they go into Egypt, carrying with them Jeremiah and Baruch. When the prophet was at Tahpahnes in Egypt, he foretold that Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, should destroy the Egyp tians, and their idol temples, and the Jews who had retired into that country.

Reflections.

In the behaviour of the Jews, we have an instance of great impiety, joined to the most notorious hypo

crisy. They had promised with an oath to follow the advice of the prophet; but because his counsel was not agreeable to their inclinations, they went down into Egypt; and even accused the prophet of speaking falsely in the name of the Lord, and desiring to deliver them into the hands of the Chaldeans. These Jews represent those, who upon some occasions express their zeal and good intentions; but forget their promises, and reject the most wholesome counsels, when they thwart their passions, and what they had secretly proposed; till at length they proceed to open rebellion, and cast off all restraint. However, it is remarkable, that God suffered Jeremiah to be carried to Egypt, that he might there denounce the ruin of the Egyptians, as well as of the Jews, who had put their trust in them. Wherever the wicked are, the hand of God finds them out; and those who think to avoid, by disobeying him, the evils they dread, and to that end make use of unlawful means, by those very means fall into the evils they thought to shun, and are confounded in their hope.

CHAPTER XLIV.

In this prophecy, which Jeremiah pronounced in Egypt against the Jews that were fled thither, the prophet reproaches them for continuing in their idolatry and rebellion against God, after all the miseries that had befallen them; and declares, that vengeance should pursue them in the country whither they were fled. but the Jews haughtily replied, that they were resolved to sacrifice to idols, and to the queen of heaven, that is, the Moon; which made Jeremiah inform them, that God would root them all out, except a small number; and the king of Egypt should be delivered into the hands of the king of Babylon. This chapter deserves a particular attention.

Reflections.

THERE are several very important reflections to be made upon this chapter: We see, that the Jews that were in Egypt, were not subdued nor humbled by the