Essex Remembrancer Jeremiah 50:4-5 In those days, and in that time, said the LORD, the children of Israel shall come, they and the children of Judah together… I. JEHOVAH, AS A RECONCILED GOD IN CHRIST JESUS, IS THE OBJECT OF THEIR INQUIRY. God and the light of His reconciled countenance, in opposition to the delights of sense, the gains of merchandise, the discoveries of science, and the felicities of friendship. It is the Divine favour they seek supremely, though not exclusively; for no one enjoys, with a keener relish, the productions of nature and the bounties of providence, than a true believer. II. IT IS USUAL WITH INQUIRERS TO ASSOCIATE WITH THOSE WHO ARE LIKE-MINDED WITH THEMSELVES. III. THIS INQUIRY AFTER GOD AND HAPPINESS IS FREQUENTLY ACCOMPANIED WITH TEARS. "They shall come, they and the children of Judah together, going and weeping." They weep over the times of their former ignorance. "To how little purpose have we hitherto lived," will they say; "our lives have been little better than a complete blank. And now that we have at length awaked to some sense of our danger, and desire for spiritual blessings, how little do we know of God and of ourselves, of sin and the method of salvation!" They weep over their numerous and aggravated transgressions. And they will weep frequently at such a time because of strong temptations, from the great enemy of souls. What a mercy is it when we are disposed to weep for sin! Many weep for pain of body, or because of the disappointments they have met with in business, but never grieve on account of their offences before God. They lament the difficulties of the times, but heave not a sigh over the hardness of their hearts IV. MOUNT ZION IS THE PLACE TO WHICH THEY WILL REPAIR FOR INSTRUCTION AND COMFORT. V. DEVOUT AND SINCERE INQUIRERS WILL GLADLY AVAIL THEMSELVES OF THE DIRECTION AND COUNSEL OF CHRISTIAN MINISTERS, AND OF OTHER PILGRIMS, WHO HAVE MADE SOME ADVANCES IN THE WAY TO THE CELESTIAL CITY. VI. YOUNG CONVERTS, HAVING FOUND GOD, TO THEIR UNSPEAKABLE SATISFACTION, WILL DO WELL TO JOIN THEMSELVES TO THE LORD, IN A PERPETUAL COVENANT THAT SHALL NOT BE FORGOTTEN They must do this, by pleading and laying hold for themselves on the blessings of the covenant of grace; — by publicly professing faith in the Redeemer's name; for having first given themselves to the Lord, they should give themselves up to the Church, according to the will of God. (Essex Remembrancer.) Parallel Verses KJV: In those days, and in that time, saith the LORD, the children of Israel shall come, they and the children of Judah together, going and weeping: they shall go, and seek the LORD their God. |
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