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82 A Commentary
Chapter Fortune, and thought thofe who dwelt at Jerufa-
XI L * lem in a much better Condition than themfelves.
C-^V^NJ Therefore the following Parables are defigned to
fhew, that they who are left behind to endure the
Miferies of a Siege, and the Infults of a Conqueror,
will be in the worfe Condition of the two.
St. Jercm in his Treface to Ezekiel, obferves
this was the Temper of thofe Captives to whom
Ezekiel prophefied ;
lis qui cum eo Captivi fuerant
prophetavit, pcenitentibus quod ad Jeremia vathinium
fe ultro adverfariis tradidiffent, fcjf viderent
adhuc urbem Hierojolymam flare, quam ille cafuram
effe pradixerat.
Ibid. Which have Eyes, and fee not, &c] Who
will not make ufe of that Senfe and Underftanding
that God hath given them. See Ifa. vi. 9. Jerem.
v. 21.
Ver. j. Ver. 3. Trepare thee fluff for removing, &c.]
Get all thy Goods together, and pack them up as
thofe do that move from one Houfe to another. Do
this openly and at Noon day, that they may all fee
and take Notice of it. The Prophets often prophe-
fied by Signs, as being of greater Force and Effi-
cacy than Words. See Chap. iv. 1.
Ver. 4. Ver. 4. Thou fhalt go forth at Even in their
Sight, as they that go forth into Captivity.'] As
Men do that would go off by Stealth : To fignify
alfo that Zj:de\iah and his Retinue fhouid efcape
out of the City by Night, 2 Kings xxv. 4.
Ver. 5. Ver. 5. Dig thou thro"* the Wall in their Sight.]
To fhew that the King fhall make his efcape by the
fame Means :
See Ver. 1 2.
Ibid, and Ver. 6. (And carry out thereby. In
their fight thou fhalt hear it upon thy Shoulders
in