Then said they, Come, and let us devise devices against Jeremiah; for the law shall not perish from the priest, nor counsel from the wise, nor the word from the prophet. Come, and let us smite him with the tongue, and let us not give heed to any of his words.
Ver. 18. Then said they, Come, let us devise devices.] Words savouring of a most exulcerate spirit against God and his faithful prophet, quem toto coelo hic explodunt, whom they shamefully slight, and desperately oppose, both with their virulent tongues and violent hands. Hence his ensuing complaint, and not without cause.
For the law shall not perish from the priest, &c.] As he would persuade us it shall. We shall have priests, sages, and prophets still; better than he is any. Let us therefore stop his mouth, or make him away, there will be no great loss of him.
Come, let us smite him with the tongue.] By loading him with slanders, and laying false accusations against him. Some men have very sharp tongues. He that was famous for abuses stripped and whipped, had nothing but his tongue to whip them with. Some render it, Let us smite that tongue of his - that is, tie it up and tamper it, that he reprove us no more. Or if he do, yet
Let us not give heed to any of his words,] If we cannot rule his tongue, yet let us rule our own ears, and say, Tu linguae, nos aurium domini. And is not this the very language of the Romanists? Non tam ovum ovo simile, &c.