Eye-Salve, Treatise · Introduction
IEREMIAH. 2.31. O generation, see ye the Word of the Lord: have I been a wilderness unto Israel? a land of darkness? wherefore say my people, We are Lords, we will come no more unto thee.
FOr the time of Ieremiahs prophesying it is declared in Chap. 1.2, 3. Commencing in a manner with the time of that happy reformation of Gods worship, begun by good Iosiah ▪ from the Idolatry and abominations found then in the Church of God: which will appear by comparing that key of the whole prophesie with 2 Chron. 34.3. that holy and blessed King being (it is like) incouraged thereunto in a degree, by this great prophet of the Lord. Thus is Religion ever best established, and flourisheth when there is a concurrence of the Magistracy and Ministry together to promote the true worship of God, and to suppress what is contrary thereunto.
These words contain the Lords solemn and affectionate expostulation with his people, both as to the equity and goodness of his way toward them, and the Iniquity and Perverseness of their wayes toward himself; wherein the Lord labours to recover the degenerating back-sliding people, shewing, (1) What he had been to them, viz. not a Wilderness, nor a Land of darkness. (2) What returns they had made unto the Lord, viz. Wherefore say my People, &c. Particularly observe: 1. The Compellation which is used, i. e. [O Generation.] 2. The attention which the Lord calls for from them, to what he had to propound to them, i. e. [Se…e the VVord of the Lord] 3. Parts of Gods Expostulation, or the thing which the Lord▪ would Expostulate with them about, viz. Have I been a VVilderness, &c. and wherefore do my People say ▪ &c. wherein we may take notice of these two things:
1. The Lords Vindication and Acquittance of himself from all blame [Have I been a VVilderness, &c.] q. d. I have not been so unto them.
2. The Lords Crimination of Israel, or his Expostulatory Indictment and Charge drawn up against this People by the Lord himself, propounded by way of Query, i. e. wherefore say my People, &c.