The description that is here given of the state of this people, their feelings and their conduct, finely exhibit the state of real penitents, who are fervently seeking the salvation of their souls.

1. In those days when Jesus Christ is manifested in the flesh; and in that time, when through him is preached the remission of sins, and the people who hear are pricked in their conscience.

2. The children of Israel and the children of Judah together. - No distinctions being then felt or attended to; for all feel themselves sinners, who have come short of the glory of God. Even national distinctions and religious differences, which bind men fastest, and hold them longest, are absorbed in the deep and overpowering concern they feel for their eternal interests.

3. Going and weeping shall they go. - Religious sorrow does not preclude activity and diligence. While they are weeping for their sins, they are going on in the path of duty, seeking the Lord while he may be found, and calling upon him while he is near.

4. They shall ask the way to Zion. - Real penitents are the most inquisitive of all mortals; but their inquiries are limited to one object, they ask the way to Zion. What shall we do to be saved? How shall we shun the perdition of ungodly men, &c.

5. With their faces thitherward. - They have turned FROM sin, and turned TO God. They have left the paths of the destroyer, and their hearts are towards God, and the remembrance of his name. Thus they are profiting by that light which has convinced them of sin, righteousness, and judgment.

6. Come, and let us join ourselves to the Lord. - Religion is a social principle, and begets a social feeling in the soul. No man who feels his own sore, and the plague of his heart, wishes to venture alone in the way to heaven. He feels he wants counsel, support, comfort and the company of those who will watch over him in love. Like David, the true penitent is a companion of all those who fear the Lord. These heavenly feelings come from one and the same Spirit, and lead to the same end; hence they say,] 7. Let us join ourselves to the Lord in a perpetual covenant. It is said, that to be undecided, is to be decided. They who are not determined to go to heaven, will never reach it. If the heart be not laid under obligation, it will do nothing. "I hope I am in earnest; I trust I shall be in earnest about the salvation of my soul, it is very proper I should be so;" and such like, show an irresolute soul. Such persons are ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Let us therefore bind ourselves. We have trifled too long; been indecisive too long; have halted too long between two opinions. We know now that Jehovah is God; let us, therefore, enter into a covenant with him. Let this covenant be a perpetual one: let us not make it for a day, for any particular time, but for ever; and let it never be broken. Let our part be kept inviolable: we ARE and WILL BE thy people; and God's part will never fail, I AM and WILL BE your God.

The covenant requires a sacrifice. - Hence tyrb berith signifies both.

Christ crucified is the great covenant sacrifice. By him God becomes united to us, and through him we become united to God.

Jer. 50:1-7 The king of Babylon was kind to Jeremiah, yet the prophe must foretell the ruin of that kingdom. If our friends are God' enemies, we dare not speak peace to them. The destruction of Babylon is spoken of as done thoroughly. Here is a word for the comfort of the Jews. They shall return to their God first, then to their own land; the promise of their conversion and reformation makes way for the othe promises. Their tears flow not from the sorrow of the world, as when they went into captivity, but from godly sorrow. They shall seek afte the Lord as their God, and have no more to do with idols. They shal think of returning to their own country. This represents the return of poor souls to God. In true converts there are sincere desires to attai the end, and constant cares to keep in the way. Their present case is lamented as very sad. The sins of professing Christians never wil excuse those who rejoice in destroying them.

Jer. 50:8-20 The desolation that shall be brought upon Babylon is se forth in a variety of expressions. The cause of this destruction is the wrath of the Lord. Babylon shall be wholly desolated; for she hat sinned against the Lord. Sin makes men a mark for the arrows of God' judgments. The mercy promised to the Israel of God, shall not onl accompany, but arise from the destruction of Babylon. These sheep shal be gathered from the deserts, and put again into good pasture. All wh return to God and their duty, shall find satisfaction of soul in s doing. Deliverances out of trouble are comforts indeed, when fruits of the forgiveness of sin.

Jer. 50:21-32 The forces are mustered and empowered to destroy Babylon Let them do what God demands, and they shall bring to pass what he threatens. The pride of men's hearts sets God against them, and ripen them apace for ruin. Babylon's pride must be her ruin; she has bee proud against the Holy One of Israel; who can keep those up whom God will throw down?

Jer. 50:33-46 It is Israel's comfort in distress, that, though they ar weak, their Redeemer is strong. This may be applied to believers, wh complain of the dominion of sin and corruption, and of their ow weakness and manifold infirmities. Their Redeemer is able to keep what they commit to him; and sin shall not have dominion over them. He wil give them that rest which remains for the people of God. Also here is Babylon's sin, and their punishment. The sins are, idolatry an persecution. He that will not save his people in their sins, never wil countenance the wickedness of his open enemies. The judgments of God for these sins will lay them waste. In the judgments denounced agains prosperous Babylon, and the mercies promised to afflicted Israel, we learn to choose to suffer affliction with the people of God, rathe than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season __________________________________________________________________

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