John Trapp on Jeremiah 3:1

CHAP. III.

Ver. 1. THey ſay] Vulgo dicitur, ſaith the Vulgar; Dicendo dicitur, ſay others. They ſay, and they ſay well, for they have good law for it, Deut. 24.4. But I am above law, ſaith God, and will deal with thee, not according to mine ordinary Rule, but according to my Prerogative. Thou ſhalt be a Paradox to the Bible: for I will do that in favour of thee, which I have inhibited others in like caſe to do, and that ſcarce any man would do, though there were no law to inhibit it, as one here Paraphraſeth.

Shall not the land be greatly polluted] Great ſins do greatly pollute; that of adultery eſpecially: for this is an hainous crime, yea it is an iniquity to be puniſhed by the Judges, Job. 31.11.

But thou hast plaid the harlot—yet return unto me] Haec eſt Dei clementia inſuperabilis; Gods mercy is matchleſs. No man, no God would ſhew mercy as he doth, Mic. 7.18. Mal. 3.7. Zach. 1.3. He followeth after thoſe that run from him, as the Sun-beams do the paſſenger that goeth from them; and as is ſweetly ſet forth by our Saviour in thoſe three Parables, of the loſt groat, the loſt ſheep, and the loſt ſonne, Luk. 15. Paul alloweth of Marke, 2 Tim. 4.11. (though before he had refuſed him, Act. 15.38.) and willeth others to entertain him, Coloſ. 4.10, 11. Let none deſpair that hath but a mind to return to God, from whom he hath deeply revolted. There is a natural Novatianiſme in the timorous conſcience of convinced ſinners, to doubt and queſtion pardon for ſins of Apoſtaſie, and falling after repentance. But this need not be, we ſee here. Pernicious was Ahitophels counſel to Abſolom, Go in to thy Fathers Concubines: this he judged ſuch an injury as David would never put up: yet return again to me ſaith the Lord, and all ſhall be well betwixt us.