Jeremiah 20:9

And so far as the literal truth is concerned, it is useful to recount what things Jeremiah suffered among the people, with respect to which he said, "And I said, I will not speak, nor will I call on the name of the Lord." And again, elsewhere, "I was continually being mocked." And how great sufferings he endured from the then king of Israel are written in his prophecy. And it is also written that some of the people often came to stone Moses to death. His homeland was not the stones of any place but was instead the people who followed him, among whom also he was dishonored.

That people, then, was sick; manifold diseases were in the people that had been called the people of God. God sent them physicians, the prophets. One of the physicians was Jeremiah too; he reproved the sinners, wishing to turn back those who were doing evil. But they, when they ought to have listened to what was said, accused the prophet, and accused him before judges who were much like themselves. And the prophet was always in lawsuits at the hands of those who, so far as his prophecy was concerned, were being healed, but who, because of their own disobedience, were not being healed. Concerning these things he says at one point: "And I said, I will not speak, nor will I name the name of the Lord. And it became like a burning fire, blazing in my bones, and I am unstrung on every side and cannot bear it." And at another point he says, seeing himself always brought to trial, reviled, accused, borne false witness against: "Woe is me, mother, as what have you borne me?" He said "a man" not judging but "being judged," and not passing judgment but "being disputed against by all the earth." And since the sick did not listen to him when he counseled them well and after the manner of a physician, he says, "I did not profit." And since, when he was lending the spiritual silver pieces, those to whom he spoke were unwilling to listen, that they might be profited by what they heard, he says, "Neither did anyone owe me, nor did I owe."

Then consider how the prophets are right-minded men, and do not hide their own sins as we also do, and speak not only concerning those then living, but concerning all the generations, if they have sinned. And I hesitate to confess my sins before these few here, since those who hear will be about to condemn me. But Jeremiah, having suffered something sinful, was not ashamed, but recorded his own sin; for it was a sin, what was brought in with the words, "And I said: I will not name the name of the Lord, and I will no longer speak in his name." You were taught "to do all things in the name of the Lord," to act in the name of God; and yet you say, "May I not name the name of the Lord"? But what sort of name are you about to name? "The name of other gods you shall not call to remembrance in your hearts," and you say, "I will not name the name of the Lord, and I will no longer speak in his name"? He speaks then having suffered something human, which we too are often in danger of having suffered. And especially if anyone is conscious that, on account of teaching and the word, he once was miserable and suffered and was hated, he often says: I withdraw; what have I to do with troubles? If from this I am even involved in troubles—from teaching, from putting forth the word—why do I not rather withdraw to the desert and to quiet? Something of this sort the prophet also suffered, saying, "And I said: I will not name the name of the Lord, and I will no longer speak in his name." But herein the Lord is good, who prevents such sins in men of such stature. He did not permit the prophet to speak truly in saying what lies before us, but in this too he made Jeremiah call upon faithlessness and break what had been said. […]

(Verse 9, 10.) Because the word of the Lord has become a reproach to me, and a mockery all day long. And I said: I will not mention him (or I will not call the Lord by name), nor speak any more in his name. But there was as it were a burning fire in my heart, shut up in my bones, and I was weary (or dissolved) in enduring it, and could not bear it. For I heard the reproach of many, and terror on every side (or as they gathered together everywhere), persecute him, and we will persecute him. As I was proclaiming and saying that the Babylonian army was already coming and that all would be plundered by the hostile sword, the word of the Lord came to me as a reproach and mockery, as they considered the delay of the prophecy to be a lie. Therefore, I made up my mind not to speak any longer to the people of God with words, nor to mention His name. But when I was overcome with shame, though timidly and foolishly, it became like a burning fire in my heart, shut up in my bones; and I am weary of holding it in, and I cannot endure it any longer. For the divine word conceived in the mind, not spoken by the mouth, burns in the heart. Therefore, Paul also says: If I preach the Gospel, there is no glory for me. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel! For if I do this willingly, I have a reward; but if unwillingly, a stewardship is entrusted to me. And when he was in Athens and saw the city given to idolatry, he was stirred up in his spirit and greatly distressed. And shortly after in the same volume we read: 'And when Silas and Timothy were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ.' (Acts 18). But even today, many of the Doctors in the Church endure similar things, hearing the condemnation of many that are gathered together against them, saying: 'Persecute them, and let us pursue them.'

For not only did he bear those things nobly which happen to the body, the afflictions, and whatever he enumerated, but those also which touch the soul; for neither are these wont to disturb slightly. Jeremiah at least having borne many temptations, gave in upon these, and when he was reproached, said, "I will not prophesy, neither will I name the Name of the Lord." And David too many places complains of reproach. Isaiah also, after many things, exhorteth concerning this, saying, "Fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye overcome by their reviling." And again, Christ also to His disciples; "When they shall speak all manner of evil against you falsely, rejoice and be exceeding glad," He saith, "for great is your reward in heaven."