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196 EBEDMELECK'S KINDESS.

submit to their government, though they were permitted the free use of their own laws.

3. For his rebellious and obstinate disposition, they were frequently approved of the Lord by the mouth of the prophet Jeremiah; but they would not listen to his counsel; and hardening their hearts, even to cruelty, they cast the prophet into a deep pit, where there was much mire and filth, so that he was nigh unto death. At this time, there was in the king's house a pious and noted Ethiopian, (An African,) whose name was Ebedmeleck.

4. He was much affected with the cruelty of King Zedekiah and his princes toward Jeremiah, and he took the liberty of stating to the king the sufferings of Jeremiah, and the probability that if he remained there much longer, he would die of hunger and suffocation. This statement so wrought on the feelings of the king, that he gave Ebedmeleck permission to go and raise him out of his dungeon. So taking with him a sufficient number of men, he let down cords to Jeremiah, and directing him to place them properly under his arms, they drew him out, and he remained in the court of the prison.

5. While Jeremiah was in the latter place of confinement, the word of the Lord to him was: "Speak to Ebedmeleck, saying, Thus saith the Lord of hosts, the Gold of Israel, Behold, I will bring my words upon this city for evil, and not for good; and they shall be accomplished in that day

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before thee. But I will deliver thee in that day, and thou shalt not be given into the hand of the men of whom thou art afraid. For I will surely deliver thee, and thou shalt not fall by the sword, but thy life shall be for a prey unto thee; because thou has put thy trust in me, saith the Lord."

6. Thus we see, that, long before the declaration was made by Christ to his apostles, the law by which mankind were governed, was as it still remains to be -- "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy;
and, "With what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again."

7. In a short time after this message was delivered by Jeremiah to Ebedmeleck, the King of Babylon again sent his army against Jerusalem, broke down its walls, and made captives of many of the inhabitants, among whom were Zedekiah, with his sons and his princes. The sons and princes were put to death, but after putting out the eyes of Zedekiah, and binding him with chains, they carried him with many of the Jews to Babylon, and put him in prison, where he remained until his death.

8. But while the King of Babylon was thus incensed against Zedekiah for his rebellion, and chastising him for his obstinacy, he remembered Jeremiah, and gave his principal officer a particular charge respecting him, saying, "Take him and look well to him, and do him no harm; but do unto him even as he shall say unto thee." So