Jeremiah 20:12

"The Lord," then, "of hosts" is with us, "who tests just things, understanding reins and hearts." The Lord tests just things and rejects unjust things, and he is, so to name it, a moneychanger of just and unjust things; and this Lord is also "one who understands reins and hearts." I inquire how "to understand reins and hearts" differs, and "to examine hearts and reins" is another thing. He does not examine the hearts and reins of all, but of those who have sinned; for I attend to the meaning of "examine," which is used in this life concerning those who are tortured. In the courts some examine, others are examined, and there are those also in the heaviest pains. But the Lord alone has a new manner of examinations, for he is one who examines hearts, and to the Lord alone belongs the examining of hearts and reins. Robbers here are examined in their sides at the command of a ruler, but there it is not by command of God, but by the Lord himself that one is examined as to reins and hearts—unless indeed I here say that the one commanded is the Son, and the one commanding is the Father, and that the Word is the one who examines hearts and reins. And of all tortures, I think, of all pains, heavier are those from the Word, when it examines both hearts and reins. Therefore let us do all things, so that we may not be handed over to that examination. Than which examination I think those handed over to those called in the Gospel the tormentors suffer less; for they are handed over to many, perhaps to more tormentors at the beginning, not yet becoming worthy to be handed over to the one Word that examines hearts and reins. That rich man was not yet worthy to be handed over to the one who examines hearts and reins; therefore he was tormented by more. But later, whether that one too suffers this or not, let him who is able examine. […]

The Lord alone is able to certify justice, in the same way that he alone sees the interior of a person's heart. Hence, Jesus knows the thoughts of people not as an acquired skill, as some allege, but because he is God by nature. Such is what the psalmist sings: "No living creature will be justified in your presence." If none of those living in virtue are justified, how much more true will this be of those who are dead from sin! Even though the just person knows himself to have God as a defender, the impatience of human fragility desires to see right now what it knows to be coming. Jeremiah also entrusted his cause to God, to the one who said elsewhere, "Vengeance is mine. I will repay, says the Lord." But the conscience is happy whose cause is entrusted to the Lord, as the apostle said: "Anything that is visible is light."

Those who are poor in spirit and who have no riches to give them consolation in this world, concerning whom Paul said, "only let us be mindful of the poor," worshiped the Lord in spirit and gave thanks for being delivered from the hand of the wicked when they obtained vengeance from the Lord. Yet, none of this is due to our merit but to the grace of him who liberated the poor, of him who possesses none of the riches of corrupting pride but has the humility of the poor who are free.

For God does not hold out against his children when they beg his pity. And for you he will pray purely, held in high honor as an angel of God, and grieved not by you but for you. This is sincere repentance. "God is not mocked," nor does he give heed to vain words. For he alone searches the innermost recesses of the heart, and hears those that are in the fire, and listens to those who supplicate in the whale's belly and is near to all who believe, and far from the ungodly if they do not repent.

This is all that is here meant, namely, God's over-ruling him contrary to his own inclinations. Since - Since I first began to be a prophet, I have faithfully discharged my office, and that with warmth and zeal.