Matthew Poole and continuators on Jeremiah 10:23

23 ¶ O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps .

The Prophet finding that all he could say prevailed nothing upon this people, but they rather grew worse, he turns himself to God.

How far these words concern Pelagianism, or Free-wil either one way or other, or whether at all, concerns not this Comment, they seem literally to be the words of the Prophet relating, either to himself and other Holy men, q. d. it is not in our power, neither do we presume, to stop this Decree of thine against Iudaea; or else to the Enemies in general, or Neb[illegible: 1 letter]chadnezzar in particular, q. d. we know all their marches and designs are of thine appointing, and all their atchievments of thine ordering, it is thy Providence, that directs every step they take against this Land, without whom no counsels shall prosper, who alone turnest mens Hearts which way thou pleasest, Prov. 21.1. who canst bring men on, or turn them back, as thou seest good, Isa. 37.29. so that no mans way is properly his own, to give them what success he will; or to the people, whereby he doth tacitly insinuate, that all the counsels and measures they think to take, whether by their own strength at home, or confederaci[illegible: 1 letter]s and alliances abroad will avail nothing▪ however they may think to escape by some devices, or stratagems of their own, it is to no purpose, God can overturn all in a moment▪ when men think their counsels are ripe, and they want nothing but execution; or lastly, as others think, this is by way of petition▪ q. d. Lord we know it is not in our Power to divert these Judgments that are coming upon us by the Chaldaeans, but thou canst moderate▪ and limit it as thou pleasest, seeing all their designs are ordered by thy Providence, they cannot do any thing against us without thy permission; this the next verse seems to favour.

Marginal references: Prov. 16.[illegible: 1 letter]. & 20.24.