But if they had stood in my counsel, and had caused my people to hear my words, then they should have turned them from their evil way, and from the evil of their doings.
Ver. 22. But if they had stood in my counsel, &c.] As they vainly vaunt they do, Jer 23:18 and that they know more of my mind than any others.
And had caused my people to hear my words.] And not their own fancies or cunningly devised fables. 2Pe 1:16
Then they should have turned them from the evil of their way.] Not but that a goodly preacher may want success; Isa 49:4 See Trapp on " Isa 49:4 " And, on the contrary, a bad minister may be a means of good to others, as the dull whetstone edgeth iron, and the lifeless heaven enliveneth other creatures. The head of a toad may yield the precious stone bufonites, and wholesome sugar be found in a poisoned cane. Noah's builders were a means to save him and his family, yet themselves were drowned; so was Palinurus, Aeneas's pilot in the poet. a But God usually honoureth his faithful lahourers with some success; 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, it is comfort enough. See James 5:20 .
a Virgil, Aeneid, iii.