Matthew Poole and continuators on Jeremiah 23:15

15 Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts concerning the prophets , Behold, I will feed them with wormwood , and make them drink the water of gall: for from the prophets of Jerusalem is profaneness gone forth into all the land .

Under the term Prophets he comprehendeth all the Ecclesiastical Guides of Ierusalem at this time, whether Priests or Prophets.

He threatens to feed them with wormwood, some think the word is better translated Poyson, by Wormwood, or poyson and the water of gall, he threatens great and fatal Judgments that he would bring upon them.

Marginal references: chap. 8.14. & 9.15.; Or, Hypocrisie.; And he giveth the reason why God would deal so severely with that order of men, who seemed by their office, and imployment to have the nearest Relation to himself, because they were the Fountain of wickedness, those from whom wickedness flowed out over the whole land. This was either by their conniving at wicked mens sins, for fear of displeasing them; or by teaching them Licentious Doctrine, that gave a liberty to the Flesh; or by their vile lives setting the people patterns of sin: And indeed thus it is generally, when Ministers, and such as are to teach others, are wicked, either in their Doctrine or Practice, they are a fountain of Wickedness; Wickedness floweth from them to the whole City, Town, Parish where they are imployed: And on the contrary it is observed that where God gives a Place a good Ministry, Goodness in one Degree or other floweth from them to the whole City, Town or Parish. Though all are not Converted, yet the generality are Civilized and Restrained from those gross and brutish immoralities which other places abound with. Ill Ministers must look for the severest indignation of God. Others sin, and shall die in their sins; but they teach others to break Gods Commandments, and have the sins of many to answer for, who perish either by their flatteries, or loose Doctrine, or looser Lives and Examples.