2. Direction, Hear and receive the word with meekness, this is the direction of the text, wherefore lay aside all filthiness, and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the ingrafted word, &c. we must not be angry at the word, if so it will do us no good, people are very apt to be angry at the word, see Luke 4.28.(l) Matth. 15.12.(m) Acts 5.33.(n) Jerem. 26.8, 9.(o) 2 Chron. 25.15, 16.(p) 2 Chron. 16.8, 9, 10.(q) this is a notable instance. 1. Because this anger is great, a rage, and such a rage as put the Prophet in prison. 2. It is expressly said that this rage was against the word, ver. 10.3. This rage was found in a good and holy man, whose heart was perfect with the Lord his God, now from this instance we may learn what part of the word it is that men are most angry at. 1. The word which discovers their sins, and charges them home upon their Consciences, as the Seer charged Asa home: thou hast relied on the King of Syria, and not on the Lord thy God, and this vexed him. 2. That word that reproaches them for their sins, ver. 9. herein thou hast done foolishly. Men cannot endure to have their actions charged with folly. 3. That word that threatens them for their sins, ver. 9. henceforth thou shalt have wars: people cannot bear it to be threatened, this was the great quarrel that the ⟨p. 159⟩Jews had with Jeremiah, he came so often with a burden of the Lord and threatened them, see Jer. 26.9.(r) when Christ threatened the Scribes and Pharisees, they could bear no longer, Math. 12.12.(s) Thus you see people are apt to be angry at the hearing of the Word, but what kind of people are most apt to be angry. First, They that are great in the world, Luke 19.47.(t) It was Jeh•jakim the King that cut Jeremiahs roll in pieces, and it was Herod that thrust John into prison for reproving him. Secondly, proud men, Jerem. 43.12.(u) proud men cannot endure a check either by the public ministry, or by a private admonition. Thirdly, Guilty persons, why was Cain so touchy when God asked him about Abel? because he was guilty of his blood. Guilty persons are like galled horses, they kick if you touch their sores, nothing hinders us from receiving the word with meekness, like the Conscience of sin;
2. Direction, Hear and receive the word with meekness, this is the direction of the text, wherefore lay aside all filthiness, and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the ingrafted word, &c. we must not be angry at the word, if so it will do us no good, people are very apt to be angry at the word, see Luke 4.28.(l) Matth. 15.12.(m) Acts 5.33.(n) Jerem. 26.8, 9.(o) 2 Chron. 25.15, 16.(p) 2 Chron. 16.8, 9, 10.(q) this is a notable instance. 1. Because this anger is great, a rage, and such a rage as put the Prophet in prison. 2. It is expresly said that this rage was against the word, ver. 10.3. This rage was found in a good and holy man, whose heart was perfect with the Lord his God, now from this instance we may learn what part of the word it is that men are most angry at. 1. The word which discovers their sins, and charges them home upon their Consciences, as the Seer charged Asa home: thou hast relied on the King of Syria, and not on the Lord thy God, and this vexed him. 2. That word that reproaches them for their sins, ver. 9. herein thou hast done foolishly. Men cannot endure to have their actions charged with folly. 3. That word that threatens them for their sins, ver. 9. henceforth thou shalt have wars: people cannot bear it to be threatned, this was the great quarrel that the ⟨p. 159⟩Jews had with Jeremiah, he came so often with a burden of the Lord and threatned them, see
- (l)And all they in the Synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath.
- (m)Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?
- (n)When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them.
- (o)Now it came to pass when Jeremiah had made an end of speaking all that the Lord had commanded him, he sp•ke unto all the people, that the Priests and the Prophets and all the people took him, saying thou shalt surely dye.
- (p)Wherefore the anger of the Lord was kindled against Azariah, and he sent unto him a Prophet, which said unto him, why hast thou sought after the Gods of the people which could not deliver their own people out of thine hand? And the King said unto him, art thou made of the Kings Council? forbear, why shouldest thou be smitten.
- (q)Then Asa was wroth with the Seer, and put him in a prison house, for he was in a rage with him, because of this thing.
- (r)Why hast thou prohesied in the name of the Lord, saying, this house shall be like Shiloh, and this City shall be desolate without an inhabitant.
- (s)And they sought to lay hold on him, for they knew that he had spoken that parable against them.
- (t)And he taught daily in the Temple, but the chief of the people sought to destroy him.
- (u)When Jeremiah had made an end of speaking, &c. Then spake all the proud men saying unto Jeremiah, th•u spe•kest falsely.When Jeremi•h had made an end of speaking, &c. Then spake all the proud men saying unto Jeremiah, th•u spe•kest falsely.
