A17728:257
Two and twenty lectures upon the five first chapters of Jeremiah With prayers annexed,…Tvvo and tvventie lectures vpon the fiue first chapters of Ieremiah With prayers annexed,…
Two and twenty lectures upon the five first chapters of Jeremiah With prayers annexed, at the end of every lecture: by Master John Calvin. Which being faithfully collected form him as he uttered them in Latin, in the schools of Geneva, were afterwards translated into French: and now newly turned out of French, into English, with a table at the end, containing the sum and scope of every lecture.Tvvo and tvventie lectures vpon the fiue first chapters of Ieremiah With prayers annexed, at the end of euery lecture: by Master Iohn Caluin. Which being faithfully collected form him as hee vttered them in Latine, in the schooles of Geneua, were afterwards translated into French: and now newly turned out of French, into English, with a table at the end, containing the summe and scope of euery lecture.
London: printed by Felix Kyngston for Nathanael Newbery, 1620
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Here the Prophet confirms that which he said before, touching the obstinacy of the people in their wicked courses. He shows then it is not without cause, he affirmed that their sins were grown too apparent, and that it was impossible for them to excuse themselves by any of their evasions. For to a tree they said (saith he) thou art my father, &c. By these words the Prophet would give them to understand, that idolatry was so rooted in their hearts, that they stuck not to give that honour which belongs to the living God, to their puppets, whether of wood, or stone. But the Prophet in the mean while notes that here, which is the most detestable in idolatry; namely, when that honour which is due to God, is given to images; not only touching that which appears in outward show, to wit, in kneeling or bowing before them, but when they call upon them, and that, to obtain help and deliverance from them. This then is diligently to be observed: for the Papists when they bow before their images and pictures, if you press them throughly with it, they will notwithstanding never yield that there is any idolatry in this. For in their language they have gotten a distinction,1 namely, that they worship not their images with the honour of Latria, but only with that of Doulia; which signifies servitude, or service. And thus they think they have very well quit themselves.2 But albeit we should grant them all they say, yet can they not for all that deny, but they both pray, and direct their vows unto their images. Seeing then they seek deliverance at their hands, whatsoever they cavil to the contrary, it is merely vain and frivolous. For the Prophets condemn not these outward gestures: as the bowing of the knee, or other kinds of ceremonies and rites, when they accuse idolaters in their sermons. What then? namely, because they say to the ⟨p. 112⟩Images, Thou art my father: that is to say, they fix the power of God, to images of wood and stone. It is very sure the Jews never became so brutish, as to say in express terms, that gods of wood and stone were their fathers: neither did they ever utter any such words: and yet our Prophet belies them not, although he attributes this language unto them.3 But as it is evident from other places, the Prophets note not the speech, but the intention.