Cornelius a Lapide

Prolegomena to Jeremiah

Table of Contents

Prolegomena on Jeremiah the Prophet

XXV. In chapter 31, verse 31, the Lord says to Jeremiah: "Behold, the days are coming, and I will make with the house of Israel and the house of Judah a new covenant."

Christ instituted this covenant and testament, Hebrews 8; Matthew 26:28.

XXVI. Chapter 36, verse 26: "King Joakim commanded that they should seize Baruch the scribe and Jeremiah the Prophet; but the Lord hid them."

So the Jews often sought to seize Jesus: "But He hid Himself, and passing through the midst of them went His way," and toward the end of His life, He withdrew to the city of Ephrem, John 11:54.

XXVII. Chapter 37, verse 14, the princes seized Jeremiah and cast him into prison.

So the Jews seized Christ, struck Him with blows, and scourged Him.

XXVIII. Chapter 39, Jeremiah, destined for death by his own people, was honorably received by Nebuchadnezzar and the Chaldeans.

So Christ "came unto His own, and His own received Him not": that is, the Jews killed Him, but the Gentiles received and worshipped Him.

XXIX. Chapter 43, verse 5, Johanan, fearing Nebuchadnezzar, fled and took Jeremiah with him into Egypt.

So Joseph, fearing Herod the slayer of infants, brought the Child into Egypt, Matthew 2:14.

Finally, hear Esdras, or whoever is the author, in 4 Esdras, chapter 2, verse 18: "I will send you help, my servants Isaiah and Jeremiah, by whose counsel I have sanctified and prepared for you twelve trees laden with various fruits, and as many fountains flowing with milk and honey, and seven immense mountains bearing roses and lilies, with which I will fill your children with joy." By the twelve trees and fountains, the twelve Apostles and the twelve articles of their Creed are signified; by the seven mountains, the seven Sacraments of the Church seem to be meant, by which Isaiah and Jeremiah foretold the adorning of Christ's new Church. For even though this book of Esdras is not in the canon of Sacred Scripture, it nevertheless carries its own weight of authority, and indeed greater than the books of other Doctors; whence the Church appends it next after the canonical books.