John Trapp on Jeremiah 23:22

Ver. 22. But if they had ſtood in my counſel, &c.] As they vainly vaunt they do, ver. 18. and that they know more of my mind then any others.

And had cauſed my people to hear my words] And not their own fancies, or cunning deviſed fables, 2 Pet. 1.16.

Then they ſhould have turned them from the evil of their way] Not but that a godly Preacher may want ſucceſſe, Iſa. 49.4. (See the Notes there) and on the contrary, a bad Miniſter may be a means of good to others, as the dull whetſtone edgeth iron, and the lifeleſſe heaven enliveneth other creatures. The head of a Toad may yield the precious ſtone Bufonites, and wholeſome Sugar be found in a poyſoned cane. Noah's builders were a means to ſave him and his family,Virgil. Aeneid. 3. yet themſelves were drowned: ſo was Palinurus, Aeneas his Pilot in the Poet, &c. But God uſually honoureth his faithful laborers with ſome ſucceſſe: and they can ſay as Chryſoſtom doth, Si decimus quiſque, ſi unus perſuaſus fuerit, ad conſolationem abunde ſufficit. If but one in ten be converted by our Miniſtry, yea if but one in all, tis comfort enough. See James 5. ult.