Jeremiah 38:16

So Zedekiah the king sware secretly unto Jeremiah, saying, [As] the LORD liveth, that made us this soul, I will not put thee to death, neither will I give thee into the hand of these men that seek thy life.

Ver. 16. So the king Zedekiah sware secretly unto Jeremiah.] But what credit was to be given to his oath, who was notoriously known to be a perjured person, as having broken his oath of fidelity to Nebuchadnezzar?

As the Lord liveth, that made us this soul.] Hence the truth of that assertion is cleared up unto us, that men's souls drop not down from heaven, nor are propagated by their parents, but are created by God, and infused into their bodies.

I will not put thee to death, neither will I, &c.] The former part of the prophet's condition he sweareth to perform, but saith nothing to the latter, as having no such liking to it. So many come today to hear, who resolve to practise only so far as they see good.