Matthew Poole and continuators on Jeremiah 18:23

23 Yet LORD, thou knowest all their counsel against me to slay me : forgive not their iniquity, neither blot out their sin from thy sight , but let them be overthrown before thee; deal thus with them in the time of thine anger o.

Lord thou knowest I do not charge them falsly, though their counsels have been secret against my life.

Obj. Will some say, doth Ieremy here pray for the eternal damnation of his Adversaries? is this lawful? Sol. I do not think this is to be granted lawful, being so highly against charity: Nor that Ieremy in this is to be excused as a Prophet, for even Prophets had no such Revelations, but I take these phrases to be expounded by the next words, let them be overthrown before thee, and that all which the Prophet prayeth for is Gods shewing some temporal displeasure and vengeance against them, for forgiving, and not forgiving sin, doth not alwayes in Holy Writ signifie the discharging or not discharging the persons from the obligation to eternal death, under which sin layeth the persons, but sometimes the discharging or not discharging of them from the punishments in this life, to which sin doth expose the sinner, and all Ieremy's meaning is; that however it should please God to deal with these wicked men as to their Eternal State, yet he would so far no[illegible: 1 letter] [illegible: 1 letter]orgive, not blot out their sins, but that he would set some mark of his vengeance on them in this life, for their treachery and ingratitude to him. Whether we in it consider Ieremy as an ordinary supplyant in this cause, praying in Faith, or as a Prophet, foreknowing what God would do, it ought to lay a law upon all to take [illegible: 1 letter]eed of being mischievous, and treacherous to others. It is seldom but God before they dye repayes such men into their own bosom, especially if it be against any who are Gods Ministers or people; and that for their speaking to, or doing before them the will of God: It is a sin seldom escapes without a temporal vengeance, and if such men be saved at last, it will be as through Fire. God will mind them that he hath said, Touch not mine Anointed, and do my Prophets no harm. 1 Chron. 16.22. Psal. 105.15.

Marginal references: Heb. for death.