A briefe exposition of such chapters of the olde testament as vsually are redde in the church at common praier on the Sondayes set forth for the better helpe and instruction of the vnlearned. By Thomas Cooper Bishop of Lincolne.

The .15. Sunday after Trinitie at Euening prayer.

Ieremie. Cap. 36.

IN the fourth yéere of Ioakim the sonne of Iosias the king [ A] of Iuda, came the word of the Lorde vnto Ieremie, saying.

2 Take a booke, and write therin all the wordes that I haue spoken to thée against Israel, against Iuda, and against all the people, from the time that I began to speake vnto thée in the raigne of Iosias, vnto this daye.

3 That when the house of Iuda heareth of y^e plague which I haue deuised for them, they may peraduenture turne eue∣rie man from his wicked waye, that I may forgiue their of∣fences and sinnes.

4 Then dyd Ieremie call Baruch the sonne of Neriah, and Baruch wrote in the booke at the mouth of Ieremie all the wordes of the Lord which he had spoken vnto him.

5 And Ieremie commaunded Baruch, saying, I am in prison, so that I may not come into the house of the Lorde.

6 Therefore goe thou thither, and reade the Booke that [ B] thou haste written at my mouth, (namely) the words of the Lorde, and reade them in the Lordes house, vpon the fa∣sting daye, that the people, whole Iuda, and all they that come out of the cities may heare.

7 Peraduenture they will pray méekely before the face of the Lorde, and turne euery one from his wicked waye: for great is the wrath and displeasure that the Lorde hathe taken againste this people.

8 So Baruch the sonne of Neriah did according to al that Hieremie the Prophet commaunded him, reading the wor∣des of the Lorde out of the booke in the Lordes house.

9 And this was done in the fifth yeare of Iehoakim the sonne of Iosias king of Iuda, in the nynth moneth, when it was commanded that all the people of Hierusalem should fast before the Lord, and they also that were come from the cities of Iuda vnto Hierusalem.

10 Then redde Baruch the words of Hieremie out of the booke within the house of the Lorde, out of the treasurie of Gamariah the sonne of Saphan the scribe, which is beside the higher loft of the newe doore of the Lordes house, that al the people might heare. 11 Now when Micheas the sonne of Gamariah the sonne of Saphan, hard al the words of the Lord out of the booke. 12 He went downe to the kings pa∣lace into the scribes chamber, for there al the Princes were set, Elisama the scribe, Dalaiah the sonne of Semei, El∣nathan the sonne of Achbor, Gamariah the sonne of Sa∣phan, Zedekias the sonne of Hananias, with all the prin∣ces. 13 And Micheas tolde them all the wordes that hée hearde Baruch reade out of the booke before the people.

14 Then all the princes sent Iehudi the sonne of Natha∣niah, [ C] the sonne of Selemiah, the sonne of Chusi, vnto Ba∣ruch, saying: Take in thine hande the booke whereout thou hast readde before all the people, and come. So Baruch the sonne of Neriah tooke the book in his hād, & came vnto them

15 And they sayd vnto him, Sit downe & reade the booke, that we may heare also. So Baruch redde, that they myght heare. 16 Now when they had heard all the words, they were abashed one vpon an other, and sayde vnto Baruch: Wée will certifie the king of all these wordes.

17 And they examined Baruch, saying: Tel vs, how did∣dest thou write all these wordes out of his mouthe?

18 Then Baruch answered them: He spake al these wor∣des vnto me with his mouthe, and I wrote them in y^• booke.

19 Then sayde the princes vnto Baruch, Go thy waye, hyde thée with Hieremie, so that no mā know where ye be

20 And they went in to the king to the Courte (but they kept the booke in the chamber of Elizama the scribe, & tolde the king al the words that he might heare. 21 So the King [ D] sent Iehudi to fet him the booke: which he brought out of E∣lizama the scribes chamber, and Iehudi redde in it, that the King & all the princes which were aboute him might heare.

22 Nowe the king sate in the winter house (for it was in the ninthe moneth) and there was a fire before him.

23 And when Iehudi had red thrée or foure leaues therof, he cut the book in péeces with a penknife, and cast it into the fire vpon the harth, vntill the booke was all brent in the fire vpon the harth. 24 Yet no man was abashed thereof, nor rent his clothes, neither the king himself, nor his seruants, though they heard all these words. 25 Neuerthelesse El∣nathan, Dalaiah, and Gamariah besought the king that he would not burne the book: notwithstanding the king wolde not heare them, 26 But commanded Ierahmel the sonne of Amelech, Saraiah the sonne of Ezriel, & Selemiah the sonne of Abdeel, to lay handes vpon Baruch the scribe, and vpon Ieremie the Prophet: but the Lord kept them oute of sight. 27 Now after that the king had brent the Booke, and the sermōs which Baruch wrote at the mouth of Hieremie, the word of the Lord came vnto Hieremie, saying:

[ E] 28 Take an other booke, & write in it all the forsayd Ser∣mons

that were written in the first booke which Iehoakim the king of Iuda hath brent. 29 And tell Iehoakim y^e king of Iuda, thus sayth the Lord: Thou hast brent the Booke, and thoughtest within thy selfe: Why haste thou written therin, that the king of Babylon shal come and make this land wast, so that he shal make both people and cattell to be out of it? 30 Therfore thus the Lord sayth of Iehoakim the king of Iuda: There shall none of his generation sitte vpon the throne of Dauid, his dead coarse shall be caste out, that the heate of the day, and the frost of the night may come vpon him. 31 And I wil visite the wickednesse of him, of his séede, and of his seruants: Moreouer all the euill that I haue promised them, thoughe they hearde me not, will I bring vpon them, vpon the inhabiters of Hierusalem, and vpon all Iuda. 32 Then tooke Hieremie an other booke and gaue it Baruch the scribe the sonne of Neriah, whiche wrote therin out of the mouth of Hieremie, all the sermons that were in the first booke, which Iehoakim the king of Iu∣da did burne: and there were added vnto them many moe Sermons, lyke vnto the former.

The Exposition vpon the .xxxvj. Chapter of Hieremie.

In the fourthe yeare of Iehoakim, the sonne of Iosias the king of Iuda. &c.

IN this chapter is described a notable historie, & very profitable to be conside∣red, how God apointed Hieremie to put in Writing al the Sermons & Prophe∣cies that frō the beginning he had vttred by his mouth against Israell and Iuda, & how Hieremie

performed the same by his minister or Secre∣tarie Baruch, whom he caused also to Reade the same openly in the Temple, and what thereof folowed, before the king hymselfe and all the Nobles and Counsellours.

The Iewes oftentimes had heard the word of God at the mouthe of Hieremie, and yet not∣withstanding, did obstinately Contemne & re∣iect the same. Wherfore god nowe willeth him to put the summe of all in Writing, that either they might be therwith somwhat more moued to embrace the same, and to Turne to the true worshipping of God: or else that his woordes might remain in Writing, as * witnesses against their obstinate, and Indurate heartes, whiche by no calling or teaching coulde be broughte to Relent. By this example wee may learne the greate Benefite & commoditie of Writing, and that the People of God may be wel taught, not only by a mans own Speach, but also by Rea∣ding of the Good & godly Exhortatiōs of other vnto them. Those things that are vttered by mouth only, may soone slip out of memorie, & be forgotten, or not be wel vnderstāded at the first, But whē they remain in Writing, they may be redde again, & better weighed & cōsidered at lei∣sure, & so wil both sticke more Surely in remē∣brance, and be the more easily vnderstanded.

Seing therfore the Prophet by speaking, had laboured in vaine, wyth that waywarde Peo∣ple the space of .23. yeares, as appeareth cap. 25.

of the Prophet, God now willeth him to Write the Prophecies whiche he had Vttered, to the end they might haue no Excuse, nor want anye externall meanes, wherby they might come to the vnderstanding of his will, and therby turne vnto him, that he mighte take mercie of them: or else that y^• their obstinate Disobedience both of the King, the Counsellors, & the whole Peo∣ple might be made thereby more notorious and open to the worlde.

Then dyd Hieremie call Baruch, the sonne of Neriah, and Baruch. &c.

The readie Willingnesse of Baruch is here to be obserued, who was not onely Contented to Write the thing at the Mouth of Hieremie, but also at his Appointment openly to Reade it in the face of all the People, wherof in all likely∣hood of Reason, it muste needes haue ben, that great Displeasure and danger shuld haue come vnto him. But to Further the will of God, hee did not sticke to hazard himselfe to all Perils of the world. Neyther may we thinke, that Hie∣remie Cūningly shifted the danger hereof from himselfe to Baruch. For hee coulde not procure greater Misliking by this publishing of things in Writing, than he had doone by Speaking of the same to their faces. It may bee, that for some causes and respectes hee was letted and stayed by the Spirit of God, that he might not doe it himself, for so I iudge this place to be vn∣derstanded.

Now Hieremie shuld be Letted by Imprisonement, I doe not well conceiue, seing verse. 19. of this same chap. Baruch is willed by the Princes, That he and Hieremie shoulde hide themselues, and not be knowne where they vvere. And also in the .26. verse, the king willeth cer∣tain to lay hand on Baruch & Hieremie, but that The Lord kept them out of sight. Whiche cōman∣dement & maner of Speaking, should not haue ben vsed, if Hieremie had ben in prison before.

And therfore that which some Translaters in∣terprete Clausus sum, that is, I am in prison, or shut vp, other doe expounde, Detentus or impe∣ditus sum, that is, I am stayed or letted, meaning, by the Spirite of God: as we read that Paule was Letted and stayed from going to Bithinia.

In the seuenth Verse Hieremie noteth the cause why he willed Baruch to Reade his Ser∣mōs vnto the people, that is, if it were possible, that they might be moued to Turne from their Wicked wayes, & humble thēselues in Prayer before the face of the Lord, therby to turn away his heauie Wrath and displeasure from them.

True Prayer is alway ioyned with Faith & hūblenes. Faith doth lift vp our mindes to hea∣uē, and maketh our Prayer to Ascend vnto the Lord, Feare & reuerēce which is ioyned w^t faith, bicause of y^e sense of our vnworthines, doth moue vs to Hūble & debase our selues in the sight of God, & to ••lee only to his Mercie, & especially, whē he declareth Signes of his terrible Wrath

toward vs, as he did at this tyme by the Pro∣phete to his People. If God did but Lightely threaten vs, we should not Contemne it, but be Greatly moued therwith: and much more whē he sheweth his Displeasure so greuous, as we may Iustly looke for Vtter confusion.

So Baruch the sonne of Neriah did according to all that Hieremie. &c.

He describeth now the readie Obedience of Baruch, & the maner of his doing, noting the cir∣cumstances, at what Time, in what Place, and before Whom it was done. It was done the fift yeare and ninth moneth of Ioakims Reigne: at that tyme that the king according to the custo∣mable maner of the Iewes in tyme of danger, had commaunded a solemne and Publique fast, and Prayer to be made vnto the Lord, to turne away the Danger that they were in by Nabu∣chodonosor and the Chaldeis at their first Inua∣sion that was made in his Reigne, and is men∣tioned .4. Reg. 24. This maner is very good, in time of Danger to proclame publique Prayer & Fasting withal, that we may by that Testimo∣nie declare the true Sorow of our hearts, con∣ceiued bicause of the displeasure of God toward vs. But we are taught by this place, that Ex∣ternal Prayer & Fasting done for a Forme on∣ly, and not with earnest Repentaunce and true Faith to God, doth not at all moue gods mercie toward vs, but rather incēseth his displeasure,

and Hasteneth his heauie iudgement, bicause of our Hipocrisie and dissimulation. How vnplea∣sant such Fasting is to God, ye may reade Esaie 58. & what the true Fast is, ye may learne there also, and Ioell. 2. Suche a tyme Hieremie had chosen, very fit for the publishing of the Thret∣nings of God against them, that they might be Moued not onely to Praye, but also, as he say∣eth, To pray meekely before the face of the Lorde.

Baruch did reade these Prophecies of Hiere∣mie in a notable place of the Temple here des∣cribed, verse. 10. where the Greatest assembly of the People was, and where he mought be beste hearde. His Audience were not one or two, but the Whole number of the People, as wel of the Citie, as also of the Countrey, gathered toge∣ther at that tyme: wherby his doing was the more Notable, and further Knowne and Pu∣blished.

Nowe when Micheas the Sonne of Gamariah had hearde all. &c.

It is not here expressed of what mind or Pur∣pose this Micheas did make so greate Speede to declare the doing of Baruch vnto the Nobles and Counsellers. If he did it as beeing stricken with Admiration and Terrour of those things that he did heare, as it may be thought he did, (bycause hee was the sonne of Gamariah, who shewed himselfe to haue the Feare of God, in persuading the King not to Burne the Booke,)

then his doyng was worthy greate commenda∣tion. But if he did it to purchase Blame vnto the Prophete, or to get Fauour of the Counsailers, it was that, which alway dothe folow the Pro∣phetes & Preachers of almightie God in doing of his message: that is that * All doe not heare them fruitfullie & to good purpose, but Some are readie to depraue their doings and sayings, & by malitious Accusations to worke thē trou∣ble and danger. But howsoeuer it was with Micheas, it was not done withoute the assured prouidence of God, that the Prince and Nobles might knowe of it, and not pretende ignorance. Where by y^e way this also is to be Noted, that while the multitude and people were at the com∣mon appointed Prayer in the house of God, the Nobles, verie v••seasonablie, were in the Coun∣saile house consulting by like what might be best to doe. The care of Praying to God shold haue touched them aswell as the people, and after∣warde taken oportunitie to haue mette in coun∣saile.

Then all the Princes sent Iehudi the sonne of Nathaniah. &c.

It may appeare that the Princes did not neg∣lect the reporte of this matter, as being striken with feare of Danger hanging ouer them, and therefore with spede they sente a Messenger, as may appeare of some Name and credite, to bring Baruch vnto them ••••ho althoughe he migh••e

loke for nothing but Imprisonment & Danger of life, yet was he willing and ready to goe Be∣fore them, and there in their hearing, Redde the same things that he had openlye declared vnto the People.

Nowe when they had hearde all the wordes, they were abashed. &c.

The Maiestie of Gods wordes and Threat∣nings in the Prophecies of Hieremie, strake a Feare and terrour into the hartes of the Princes, so that as men astonied, they loked one vpon the other. But yet there appeared great wante of True repentāce and right feare of Gods wrath. For if that had bene in them, surely they would haue donne as Iosias▪ did at the readyng of the Booke of the lawe of God. 2. Reg. 22. But the af∣fection of these Noble men seemed, in compari∣son therof to be Fainte & colde. They questioned with Baruch, how he was hable to write those things, and he answered simply, that Hieremie spake them and he wrate them at his mouthe. Wherby they might vnderstand that it was not done by the curious Deuise & Industrie of man, nor laid vp together in writing as matters Cu∣riously penned: But by the strength of y^e Spirite of God, which brought those things freshe in re∣membrance to Hieremie, that he in speache had vttered long before. With whiche consideration, & the weighte of those things that were redde, they being Somewhat moued, said they would

Enfourme y^e king of all that was done, & know his pleasure. But bicause they suspected his Furie & crueltie, they willed Baruch & Hieremie to Hide themselues out of the way, that no mā might know where they were.

And they wente in to the King to the Court, but they kept the booke. &c.

The Princes might seme to be touched with some Feare of God, but yet not so greatlye, but that they feared the Prince more, and especially the multitude of them. And therefore did they put the matter so vnto him, that they would not doe otherwise than stoode with his Pleasure. Some of them did more Freelye deale with the King, as Elnathan, Dalaiah, and Gamariah, and in his most vehement rage with some Danger of their owne state & liues perswaded & intreated him not to Burne the booke. But nothing could staie his Furie, but that before he had hearde it redde through, euē in Contempt of God & of his worde and Threatnings, he out it in peeces and cast it in the fire. When God, in the wordes of his Prophete, did so terribly Thunder in y^e eares of the king, he should haue bene Greatly moued therwith, and haue * Rent & tore his garments in token of the inward feare and Sorow of his hearte, knowing most assured Danger to hang ouer both him and his kingdome. But after the maner of Indurate hartes, as a furious beast he Rageth euē against God himself, & thinketh by Fire, as it were, to Consume his Threatnings.

If he thought it to be the doyng of poore Hiere∣mie onely, why did he make so great accompt of the matter, and shew himselfe so much grieued therwith, seyng he knewe, that so contemptible a person, as he iudged him to be, coulde not of himselfe worke hurte to him, or to his realme? If his conscience, trembling at the matter, dyd tel him, that the Authoritie of God was in those wordes, why did he so furiouslie storme at the thing, as thoughe he had bene hable by his rage to haue Discountenanced the wrath of God to∣ward him and his people? But cruell Hipocrites haue euer some * pretenses of reason to bolster vp their obstinacie against God & his Prophetes, and therefore caused he Hieremie and Baruch to be sent for, if God had not hyd them, and by his prouidence kepte them from his furie and wic∣ked purpose. For God vseth to preserue his Messengers from danger and perill, euen mau∣gre the heades of all his Enemies vntill their full and appointed time be come, that his Name may be glorified, & his Truth enlarged by their Death.

Nowe after the King had burnte the booke, and the sermons which. &c.

The wicked persecuters thinke by crueltie and violence to Suppresse and Extinguishe the worde of God and his trueth, but by his proui∣dence it riseth more Strongly against them to

their greater confusion. Ioakim thoughte by casting the Booke of Hieremies Prophecies into the fire, he had, as it were, cutte of the hande of God, and deliuered himselfe and his kingdome from those plagues, that weare denounced by those * Seditious and Factious men, as he toke them, Hieremie and Baruch. But beholde, that he and all his, mighte vnderstande that he strug∣gled in vaine, and stroue againste the streame, the prouidence of God publisheth another booke containing not onely the same matter, but also an euidente declaration of Gods iuste Iudge∣ment and sharpe punishment to come vpon that wicked King and his stocke, that is, that his owne deade Corpse shoulde be caste forthe con∣temptuouslie withoute Buriall, as is saide in the former Chapiter, and that none of his issue and generation in righte descente should sit any time in the throne of Dauid after him. For Iecho∣nias his Sonne raigned onely three monethes, and was ledde away Captiue, so that he might scantly seme to haue raigned: and Sedechias was his Vncle and was set vp in despite of him and his Sonne Iechonias or Ioakim after whō they had no King of that directe liue but Zorobabel vntill the comming of the Messias Christ Iesu, who was The yong branche that sprang a freshe out of the olde vvorne stocke of Iessie as oute of a roote that had not flourished in manye yeares before. Yea, and he assureth both the King and al his people, though they did neuer so contemp∣tuously

refuse to hearken to his worde, that he woulde visite their wickednesse, and bring vpon them all those euils that he hath promised. In like maner God in al ages dealeth with the per∣secuters of his word and holy Scriptures, and neuer more than in these latter dayes. The ene∣mies of the Gospell haue thoughte to suppresse Gods trueth by burning the godly writings of learned men: and by destroying the Preachers and professours of the same with fire, and with the sworde, shedding their bloude most cruellie. But the prouidence of God raiseth other euen of the ashes of them, that doe as constantly teache and defende his truth euen to the faces of them, and maugre their heartes publishe the Gospell in writing more largely thā euer it was before. And so wil it be, vntill God bring their iuste de∣serued plagues vpon their heades, though they in the meane time to the heaping of his greater wrath vpon them, in furious rage kill and s••ea some of his Saintes which he hath appointed that way to glorifie his name.

Notes

• Jere. 30. d. 2.
• Jere. 45. a. 1.
• Jere. 26. a. 2.
• 1. Mac. 3. c.
• 2. Reg. 24. b. Jere. 22. c.
• Verse. 1. 2. 3.
• Jo. 12. f. 48.
• Jere. 25. a. 3.
• Jere. 26. a. 3. Ezec. 2. b. 7.
• Vers. 4. 5. &c.
• Act. 16. a. 7
• Verse. 8. 9. 10
• 4. Re. 24. a. 1
• Esai. 58. b. 5. Joel. 2. c. 13.
• Vers. 11. &c
• Esai. 53. a. 1. Rom. 10. c. 16 Jo. 12. f. 38. Jo. 7. b. 12.
• Verse. 14. 15.
• Verse. 16. &c.
• 4. Re. 22. b. 11
• Verse. 20. &c.
• 3. Re. 21. g. 27 2. pa. 34. d. 19
• Jere. 38. a. 4. 1. Re. 22. c. 13. Luc. 13. c. 14. 3. reg 22. b. 8.
• Verse. 27. &c.
• 3. reg. 18. c. 17
• Jere. 22. e. 19.
• Esai. 11. a. 1. Act. 13. d. 23.