A17728:48
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.
Vers. 4. And the word of the Lord was given me, saying: 5 Before I formed thee in the womb I knew thee; and before thou camest out of the womb I sanctified thee, and ordained thee to be a Prophet to the nations.
Vers. 4. And the word of the Lord was giuen mee, saying: 5 Before I formed thee in the wombe I knew thee; and before thou camest out of the wombe I sanctified thee, and ordained thee to be a Prophet to the nations.
Jeremiah prosecutes that more at large here, which he touched erewhile; namely, that he was called of God: for otherwise he had rashly thrust in himself. We know that none takes this honour to himself (as the Apostle saith) but Gods calling only exalts men to the office of Prophets and teachers.1 That Jeremiah then might procure diligent attention from his auditors, he boldly avers, that he had a calling to this prophetical function: yea, and that immediately from Gods own voice. To this ⟨p. 11⟩purpose it is he saith, that the word was given him. And, that before God formed him in the womb, he knew him. He brings in God speaking then, that the word might have the greater emphasis; that is, that it might have the greater weight and vehemency. For had he made a bare narration in his own person, and told how he was ordained a Prophet by the voice of God; this would not so much have affected the minds of his hearers. But when he brings in God speaking, necessity requires, that there should be greater weight and force in this manner of speech. I now omit the full handling of this point, namely, that a calling is requisite to a Minister, that he may be heard of Gods people: for, none ought to attribute to himself authority to speak in the congregation; as if either it appertained to him by inheritance, or as having ability of himself, as I have said; because God reserves this as peculiar to himself alone. But I have else where entreated at large of the calling of the Prophets; and therefore it sufficeth for the present that I have pointed to the matter, or rather, to the sum of these things as with the finger. Besides, these things may be found in other tracts, or common places. For if I should stand to discuss every point to the full in every chapter,