For ye have perverted the words of the living God] And thus have sinned against your own souls.

Jer. 23:1-8 Woe be to those who are set to feed God's people, but tak no concern to do them good! Here is a word of comfort to the neglecte sheep. Though only a remnant of God's flock is left, he will find the out, and they shall be brought to their former habitations. Christ i spoken of as a branch from David's family. He is righteous himself, an through him all his people are made righteous. Christ shall break the usurped power of Satan. All the spiritual seed of believing Abraham an praying Jacob shall be protected, and shall be saved from the guilt an dominion of sin. In the days of Christ's government in the soul, the soul dwells at ease. He is here spoken of as "the Lord ou Righteousness." He is so our Righteousness as no creature could be. Hi obedience unto death is the justifying righteousness of believers, an their title to heavenly happiness. And their sanctification, as the source of all their personal obedience is the effect of their unio with him, and of the supply of this Spirit. By this name every tru believer shall call him, and call upon him. We have nothing to plea but this, Christ has died, yea, rather is risen again; and we have taken him for our Lord. This righteousness which he has wrought out to the satisfaction of law and justice, becomes ours; being a free gif given to us, through the Spirit of God, who puts it upon us, clothes u with it, enables us to lay hold upon it, and claim an interest in it "The Lord our Righteousness" is a sweet name to a convinced sinner; to one that has felt the guilt of sin in his conscience; seen his need of that righteousness, and the worth of it. This great salvation is fa more glorious than all former deliverances of his church. May our soul be gathered to Him, and be found in him.

Jer. 23:9-22 The false prophets of Samaria had deluded the Israelite into idolatries; yet the Lord considered the false prophets of Jerusalem as guilty of more horrible wickedness, by which the people were made bold in sin. These false teachers would be compelled to suffer the most bitter part of the Lord's indignation. They mad themselves believe that there was no harm in sin, and practise accordingly; then they made others believe so. Those who are resolve to go on in evil ways, will justly be given up to believe stron delusions. But which of them had received any revelation of God, or understood any thing of his word? There was a time coming when the would reflect on their folly and unbelief with remorse. The teachin and example of the true prophets led men to repentance, faith, an righteousness. The false prophets led men to rest in forms and notions and to be quiet in their sins. Let us take heed that we do not follo unrighteousness.

Jer. 23:23-32 Men cannot be hidden from God's all-seeing eye. Will the never see what judgments they prepare for themselves? Let them conside what a vast difference there is between these prophecies and thos delivered by the true prophets of the Lord. Let them not call their foolish dreams Divine oracles. The promises of peace these prophet make are no more to be compared to God's promises than chaff to wheat The unhumbled heart of man is like a rock; if not melted by the word of God as a fire, it will be broken to pieces by it as a hammer. How can they be long safe, or at all easy, who have a God of almighty powe against them? The word of God is no smooth, lulling, deceitful message And by its faithfulness it may certainly be distinguished from fals doctrines.

Jer. 23:33-40 Those are miserable indeed who are forsaken and forgotte of God; and men's jesting at God's judgments will not baffle them. God had taken Israel to be a people near to him, but they shall now be cas out of his presence. It is a mark of great and daring impiety for me to jest with the words of God. Every idle and profane word will add to the sinner's burden in the day of judgment, when everlasting shame wil be his portion __________________________________________________________________

Original Hebrew