Jeremias — Book front (modern spelling)

The Original Douay-Rheims (1582/1609), orthography normalized only: spelling regularized and apparatus names modernized, while the 1609 vocabulary, pronouns, and -eth/-est endings are kept. The argument gives the sum of Jeremias' life, that he wrote two Books and an Epistle, the contents of his books, and the fivefold division of the Prophecy.

The Argument of the Book of Jeremias

Jeremias the son of Helcias, Priest and Prophet, being sanctified in his mother's womb, began to prophesy as yet a child, in Juda; in the thirteenth year of the reign of king Josias; continued the rest of his time, which was nineteen years more; and the eleven years of Joakim (wherein are counted the three months of Joachaz, and other three of Jechonias, otherwise called Joachin) and eleven years of Sedecias; in all forty one years; before he went into Egypt. Where he also prophesied, and finally was stoned to death by the people, in the city of Taphnis. His whole work containeth two distinct Books, besides an Epistle, which followeth after the Prophecy of Baruch. The former book is called his Prophecy, the other his Lamentations. S. Ierom comprehendeth the sum of all briefly, saying: Jeremias connecteth a nutty (or watching) rod, and a pot boiling hot, from the face of the north, the leopard spoiled his colours; and the fourfold Alphabet in divers metres. Signifying, that God will correct his people with a rod, in his hot fury, from the north, to wit, by the king of Babylon, for their pertinacity in sundry kinds of sins. All which the Prophet lamenteth with his doleful verse of divers metre. The Prophecy may be divided into five parts. First he sheweth the conditions and qualities of himself, with the manner of his mission: then God's great clemency in recalling the people from sin, denouncing dangers imminent for their obstinacy: in the twelve first chapters. Secondly, in the eight chapters following by divers Metaphorical, and other figurative descriptions, he declareth the ingratitude, & other sins of the people, threatening punishment, for which they persecute him. Thirdly, in other eight chapters, he reprehendeth the inhabitants of Jerusalem, especially the King, evil Priests, and false prophets, some being already carried into captivity: for which free preaching, he is again persecuted. Fourthly in the next eleven chapters, he mixeth consolations & threats, especially the destruction of Jerusalem, captivity of king and people, and their release after seventy years. Fifthly in the other thirteen chapters, he prophesieth the destruction of the Jews, that go into Egypt: and of sundry nations for their idolatry, and for their cruelty against the Jews. In every part interposeth many prophecies of Christ, and his Church: besides the mystical sense included in the historical.