Chaldean army shall break in upon the land of Judah, and in a little time devour all. The day is
coming, when those careless and secure in sinful ways will be visited. It is folly to trifle when we
have eternal salvation to work out, and the enemies of that salvation to fight against. But they were
thus eager, not that they might fulfil God's counsels, but that they might fill their own treasures;
yet God thereby served his own purposes. The corrupt heart of man, in its natural state, casts out
evil thoughts, just as a fountain casts out her waters. It is always flowing, yet always full. The God
of mercy is loth to depart even from a provoking people, and is earnest with them, that by repentance
and reformation, they may prevent things from coming to extremity.
Jer. 6:9-17 When the Lord arises to take vengeance, no sinners of any age or rank, or of either
sex escape. They were set upon the world, and wholly carried away by the love of it. If we judge
of this sin by God's word, we find multitudes in every station and rank given up to it. Those are to
be reckoned our worst and most dangerous enemies, who flatter us in a sinful way. Oh that men
would be wise for their souls! Ask for the old paths; the way of godliness and righteousness has
always been the way God has owned and blessed. Ask for the old paths set forth by the written
word of God. When you have found the good way, go on in it, you will find abundant recompence
at your journey's end. But if men will not obey the voice of God and flee to his appointed Refuge,
it will plainly appear at the day of judgment, that they are ruined because they reject God's word.
Jer. 6:18-30 God rejects their outward services, as worthless to atone for their sins. Sacrifice
and incense were to direct them to a Mediator; but when offered to purchase a license to go on in
sin, they provoke God. The sins of God's professing people make them an easy prey to their enemies.
They dare not show themselves. Saints may rejoice in hope of God's mercies, though they see them
only in the promise: sinners must mourn for fear of God's judgments, though they see them only
in the threatenings. They are the worst of revolters, and are all corrupters. Sinners soon become
tempters. They are compared to ore supposed to have good metal in it, but which proves all dross.
Nothing will prevail to part between them and their sins. Reprobate silver shall they be called,
useless and worthless. When warnings, corrections, rebukes, and all means of grace, leave men
unrenewed, they will be left, as rejected of God, to everlasting misery. Let us pray, then, that we
may be refined by the Lord, as silver is refined.
Chapter 7
Confidence in the temple is vain. (Jer. 7:1-16) The provocation by persisting in idolatry. (Jer.
7:17-20) God justifies his dealings with them. (Jer. 7:21-28) And threatens vengeance. (Jer. 7:29-34)
Jer. 7:1-16 No observances, professions, or supposed revelations, will profit, if men do not
amend their ways and their doings. None can claim an interest in free salvation, who allow
themselves in the practice of known sin, or live in the neglect of known duty. They thought that
the temple they profaned would be their protection. But all who continue in sin because grace has
abounded, or that grace may abound, make Christ the minister of sin; and the cross of Christ, rightly