Jeremiah 23:15-40

At the opening of this passage, we have the Lord's sentence upon them, and an awful one it is. Wormwood and gall are strong figures to set forth the awful bitterness in the close of such a life! Prophets not sent, not commissioned, and who utter lies among God's people; what can be more awful. But the Lord hath marked out a right method of judgment, for such as hear them. As pure wheat is discoverable from chaff; so the pure doctrine of the cross is discoverable from the vain doctrine of the pride of men. The Father's love in redemption, and the Son's grace in the accomplishment of it, when taught the soul by God the Holy Ghost, will prove, that this word is as fire, and as the hammer, both to break and to inflame, the souls of the hearers, with the truth of salvation. And though faithful Preachers, who call upon their people to attend to these things, may be made the jest and the sneer of the Infidel, concerning the burden of the Lord: yet such only mock to their own confusion, and bring upon themselves swift destruction!