at
was their whole history but backsliding, threatening upon threatening?
then chastisement, turning, repenting, pardon, reconciliation, and the
same round again, every chastisement severer than the last, while
worldlings in general have their day to the end; then 'are they
brought into desolation as in a moment.' I wish you to take a
particular view of God's dealings with them, before Nebuchadnezzar
sacked the city of Jerusalem. The decree was passed after many
warnings, and much long-suffering. How many pauses, as it were, did
the merciful Lord God make before he gave them finally up to their
enemies; and when the decree was irrevocable, and the chastisement to
take place, still he followed them with mercy. See Jeremiah 27:12; and
chapter 29, the letter which God commanded Jeremiah to write to those
who had been carried away captive with Jehoiakim, advising them to
build houses and plant vineyards, and to make the most of their
situation. Those at Jerusalem were commanded to submit to the king of
Babylon, as in that case he would not destroy the city; but no, they
stood it out, and the threatened vengeance overtook them.

"The poor were left to take care of the vineyards. Jeremiah
remained with them in preference to going with the king of Babylon to
be promoted to honor. God offered to take them under his protection
and be their God: but no, they would go to Egypt, and put themselves
under the king of Egypt's protection. Jeremiah told them from the
Lord, that Egypt itself should soon go into captivity. But to Egypt
they went and carried Jeremiah with them. See Isaiah's prophecy on
this occasion, chapter 30:1-4. Now look at chapter 42:24; there you
see God's judgment and chastening; follow him in the beginning of
chapter 43, and view his mercy; in the end of the same chapter, again,
see his charge against them, but it is followed, with mercy,
not judgment.

"Thus we learn the character of God. Thus we learn his dealings
with his people. They are not called to earthly comfort and
prosperity. They ever have been, and still are a suffering people;
they are all sinners--sin brings suffering, and God overrules
suffering, so as to make it profitable to them. Though redeemed by the
life and death of Christ, being justified by faith, they have peace
with God; yet the Lord has not pleased all at once to qualify them for
the purchased possession. They receive a new birth, new life, and are
called to work out their o