The child's portion, or, The unseen glory of the children of God asserted and…

The Princes, (who, though possibly they had but little, if any thing more of Religion then the rest, yet pretending to more civility) interpose in this fray, and call the matter to a legal hearing; which (by the over-ruling providence of God) determineth in his delivery out of their hands.

The Princes, (who, though possibly they had but little, if any thing more of Religion then the rest, yet pretending to more civility) enterpose in this fray, and call the matter to a legal hearing; which (by the over-ruling providence of God) determineth in his delivery out of their hands.

The Principal things observable in this transaction, are, the Peoples Accusation, and Jeremiah's Apology. The former is briefly touched in vers. 11. in which, while they pretend to accuse▪ they undertake to Judge, and with a full cry pronounce him a man of death. This man is worthy to dye; or, the judgement of death is for this man, as the Hebrew text reads it: Which lest they should seem to have spoken of prejudice, they article against him for sedition: For he hath spoken against this City: nor need witnesses be ⟨p. 166⟩sought, for they themselves had heard it with their ears. We see what different interpretations the words and actions of men lie open unto; how change of times changeth mens opinions of things; how dangerous it is for men to speak the truth in Apostatizing times. Micah the Morasthite delivered a more fearful, because a more positive Prophecy, in the days of Hezekiah, Mic. •. 12. Zion shall be ploughed as a field, and Jerusalem shall become heaps, and the mountain of the house, as the high places of the forrest. And yet was not branded for a turbulent person, nor prosecuted as a ring-leader of sedition; but received as a Prophet of the Lord, and his prediction improved to repentance, which averted eminent desolation. Jeremiah so threatens calamity, as withal to promise mercy, in case of sound repentance; and he is an offender, prophesieth against the City, and no less than his blood can serve to expiate his crime. How happy a thing is it to preach to a pious Generation, who, because they hate their sins, love their reprovers? How unhappy to come to a People wedded to their wicked waves, who count those their enemies who are so to their lust? As for the Prophets Apology, I need, for the present occasion, to take notice only of the just defence which he makes both of himself and his prophecy, which is contained in the Text. The Persons before whom he makes it are the Princes, and all the