In Jeremiah, chapter twenty-six, verses twelve through fifteen, “Then spake Jeremiah unto all the princes and to all the people, saying, The Lord sent me to prophesy against this house and against this city all the words that ye have heard. Therefore, now amend your ways and your doings, and obey the voice of the Lord your God; and the Lord will repent him of the evil that he had pronounced against you. As for me, behold, I am in your hand: do with me as seemeth good and meet unto you. But know ye for certain, that if ye put me to death, ye shall surely bring innocent blood upon yourselves, and upon this city, and upon the inhabitants thereof: for of a truth the Lord hath sent me unto you to speak all these words in your ears.”
Jeremiah refused to retract his message of doom when threatened with death; rather, he emphasized that this authority came from God and he then called on the sinful people to repent. He remained faithful to God and His message despite a possible dangerous outcome.
The priests and prophets charged Jeremiah with deserving death and bore false witness against him. The elders of Israel came to inquire into this matter. Jeremiah declares that the Lord sent him to prophesy this. As long as ministers keep close to the word they have from God, they need not fear. And those are very unjust who complain of ministers for preaching of hell and damnation, for it is from a desire to bring them to heaven and salvation. Jeremiah warns them of danger if they go against him. All men may know that to hurt, or put to death, or to show hatred to their faithful reprovers, will hasten and increase their own punishment.