Stood before thee to speak good for them] I was their continual intercessor.

Jer. 18:1-10 While Jeremiah looks upon the potter's work, God dart into his mind two great truths. God has authority, and power, to for and fashion kingdoms and nations as he pleases. He may dispose of us a he thinks fit; and it would be as absurd for us to dispute this, as for the clay to quarrel with the potter. But he always goes by fixed rule of justice and goodness. When God is coming against us in judgments, we may be sure it is for our sins; but sincere conversion from the evil of sin will prevent the evil of punishment, as to persons, and to families, and nations.

Jer. 18:11-17 Sinners call it liberty to live at large; whereas for man to be a slave to his lusts, is the very worst slavery. They forsoo God for idols. When men are parched with heat, and meet with cooling refreshing streams, they use them. In these things men will not leave certainty for an uncertainty; but Israel left the ancient path appointed by the Divine law. They walked not in the highway, in whic they might travel safely, but in a way in which they must stumble: suc was the way of idolatry, and such is the way of iniquity. This mad their land desolate, and themselves miserable. Calamities may be borne if God smile upon us when under them; but if he is displeased, an refuses his help, we are undone. Multitudes forget the Lord and his Christ, and wander from the ancient paths, to walk in ways of their ow devising. But what will they do in the day of judgment!

Jer. 18:18-23 When the prophet called to repentance, instead of obeyin the call, the people devised devices against him. Thus do sinners dea with the great Intercessor, crucifying him afresh, and speaking agains him on earth, while his blood is speaking for them in heaven. But the prophet had done his duty to them; and the same will be our rejoicin in a day of evil __________________________________________________________________

Original Hebrew