A17728:589
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. 13. The Prophets shall go away with the wind, and the word is not in them: thus shall it be done unto them.
Vers. 13. The Prophets shall goe away with the wind, and the word is not in them: thus shall it be done vnto them.
The Prophet prosecutes the same doctrine: wherefore this place is diligently to be noted, in regard the external ministry of the word, is therein singularly recommended unto us. For what thing more detestable can be imagined,1 than the denial of God. But if the word retain not its authority; it is all one as if the contemners should pluck God out of heaven, and deny him to be God. We see then, how the majesty of God is with an inseparable band, joined with the outward preaching of the word. And this verse tends to the very same end: wherein Jeremiah discovers ⟨p. 281⟩the scorns and deridings of the Jews. For he brings them in speaking these words, The Prophets shall be as the wind, the word is not in them: that is, the evils wherewith they threaten us, shall fall upon their own heads. It may be the Jews uttered not such blasphemies in plain terms: but there was among them such a gross and shameful contempt of the Prophets, that this impiety was manifested well enough to all the world, by their practice: it is not without cause then, that he condemns so odious an impiety when they said, the Prophets should go away with the wind. As the most part of men at this day, who when God thunders from heaven, and by his servants manifests sure signs of his displeasure; they are not a whit moved therewith, but stand scorning of us, and boldly repulse all fear far, enough off from them. Oh! These are but words. These Preachers thunder terribly,2 when they are in their pulpits, but all shall vanish in the air; and that which they denounce against us, shall light upon their own heads. Many such scorners and profane persons we may hear of, almost in every corner, who stick not to disgorge such blasphemies. Although (as I have said) the Jews peradventure durst not spit thus openly (as it were) in Gods face. But the holy Ghost, who exerciseth his jurisdiction upon mens hearts, spirits, secret intentions, and affections; no doubt justly condemns the Jews, of this so shameful and execrable an impiety. Albeit out of other places it is not hard to collect, how they were grown to such a pride, that they made no bones, in plain terms, to scorn all the threats which the Prophets denounced. How ever it be, the Prophet, as in a glass, sets before us, to what a height the obstinate rebellion of the Jews against God, was now come unto: