A42469:183
Thomas Gataker B.D. his vindication of the annotations by him published upon these words,…
Thomas Gataker B.D. his vindication of the annotations by him published upon these words, Thus saith the Lord, learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven, for the heathen are dismayed at them, Jer. 10. 2 against the scurrilous aspersions of that grand impostor Mr. William Lillie : as also against the various expositions of two of his advocates, Mr. John Swan, and another by him cited, but not named : together with the annotations themselves : wherein the pretended grounds of judiciary astrology, and the Scripture-proofs produced for it are discussed and refuted.Thomas Gataker B.D. his vindication of the annotations by him published upon these words, Thus saith the Lord, learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signes of heaven, for the heathen are dismayed at them, Jer. 10. 2 against the scurrilous aspersions of that grand imposter Mr. William Lillie : as also against the various expositions of two of his advocates, Mr. John Swan, and another by him cited, but not named : together with the annotations themselvs : wherein the pretended grounds of judiciary astrologie, and the Scripture-proofes produced for it are discussed and refuted.
London: printed by J.L. for Richard Thrayle, 1653
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.
Where first, letting pass all curious debate, about the several versions, and the more accurate Grammar Analysis of the Text, whereof in the Annotation hereunto annexed enough; we shall take at present what M. Swan gives us, and we are both agreed upon. He saith aright, (for he renders a good reason for what he saith from the words of the Text) that the Prophet in these words, Be not dismayed at the Signs of Heaven, doth speak,1 not of an active fear, as fear is put oft for Worship, or of the worshipping of the Stars; whereof he entreateth at large in the words ensuing; but of such a passive fear and consternation, as might arise in, and seize on, mens minds,2 from the apprehension of such sad, disastrous and dismal events, as might be presaged from the motions, configurations, risings, settings, aspects, apparitions, occultations, Eclipses, conjunctions, and the like, of the Stars, and of such direful effects, as from their malignant influences are threatened▪ even unto the subversion of States and Kingdoms;3 all which as the Chaldeans in those days took upon them thereby to foretell, so do our Wizards also at this day; that is, in plainer terms; of fears arising from the dictates and predictions given out by such; and consequently, that the Prophet speaks here, not of Idolatry, but of Astronomy, or Judiciary Astrology.
Where first, letting passe all curious debate, about the several versions, and the more accurate Grammar Annalysis of the Text, whereof in the Annotation hereunto annexed enough; we shal take at present what M. Swan gives us, and we are both agreed upon. He saith aright, (for he renders a good reason for what he saith from the words of the Text) that the Prophet in these words, Be not dismaid at the Signs of Heaven, doth speak,1 not of an active fear, as fear is put oft for Worship, or of the worshipping of the Stars; whereof he entreateth at large in the words ensuing; but of such a passive fear and consternation, as might arise in, and seiz on, mens minds,2