John Trapp on Jeremiah 45:1

CHAP. XLV.

Ver. 1. THe word that Jeremiah the Prophet ſpake unto Baruch] It is thought that Jeremiah preached his laſt when he prophecyed in the foregoing Chapter the deſtruction of Pharaoh Hophra, and together with him of the Jewes that were found in Egypt by Nebuchadnezzar. He ſeemed to them to ſpeak ſtones (as the proverb hath it) and therefore they ſtoned him to death as Epiphanius, and others report.Lapides loquitur. This word that he ſpake to Baruch belongeth to chap. 36. and ſhould have been annexed unto it in a natural order; as appeareth both by the date and by the matter. Baruch had with much pains and patience, firſt written out Jeremiah's Prophecies, and then read them to the people, and afterwards to the Princes. For this piece of work he expected, belike, ſome good piece of preferment (as the Apoſtles alſo did, for their forſaking all, and following Chriſt. Mat. 18.19.20. &c. Thus fleſh will ſhew it ſelf in the beſt, and in many things we offend all.) But inſtead of any ſuch thing, Baruch, together with his Maſter Jeremy, was ſought for to be ſlaughtered: and beſides he meets with here a contrary Prophecy, wherby, before he is comforted, he is ſharply reproved. 1. For a daſtardly deſpondency of mind, becauſe his riſing expectation, it ſeems, was fruſtrated: 2. For a vain ambitious ſelf-ſeeking, which was not hid from God.