Most fruitful [and] learned co[m]mentaries of Doctor Peter Martyr Vermil Florentine, professor of divinity,…Most fruitfull [and] learned co[m]mentaries of Doctor Peter Martir Vermil Florentine, professor of deuinitie,…

Neither is this to be passed over, in that the mother saith that she had consecrated it unto the lord, and he useth the name of .4. letters.¹ Wherefore we must consider that there are two kinds of Idolatry. The one is, whereby a strange God is called upon, the other is, whereby the true God indeed is worshipped, but not with that worshipping which he himself hath commanded, but by images or idols, or by some other means invented of our selves. To the second kind of idolatry pertaineth the sin of this woman. As often as we hear an image that is made, and a strange God not added, we must understand that that image was made under the show of the worshipping of the true god: but that religion is far contrary to the institution of sound religion. Wherefore when the people (as it is written in Exodus) made themselves a golden calf, Aaron proclaimed a holy day unto the Lord, that is to the true god, and not to an idol. For they counted it absurd, to worship, either the true god himself without an image, or else an image without the title of the true God. And so must we think that Jeroboam did when he consecrated the golden calves in Dan and Bethel. For I do not believe that in images he instituted the worshipping of Baal, or Ashtaroth, or Chamos, but he would under them worship the Lord. Into the self same error fell the Samaritans also,² who (as Josephus writeth) would have a temple among them like that which was at Jerusalem. And the self same thing went the Jews about at Heliopolis, when they were in exile in Egypt. And it was detestable to worship god with oblations and sacrifices in any other place, then in that which he himself had chosen to be worshipped in. Wherefore the woman vowed that she would make an idol, which she delivered unto her son, that he should institute a new religion in her house. I will (saith she) that thou have the silver, but thou shalt make an idol thereof.

Neither is this to be passed ouer, in that the mother sayth yt she had consecrated it vnto the lord, and he vseth the name of .4. letters.¹ Wherfore we must consider that there are two kinds of Idolatry. The one is, wherby a straūge God is called vpō, the other is, wherby the true God indede is worshipped, but not with that worshipping which he himself hath commaunded, but by images or idoles, or by some other meanes inuented of our selues. To the seconde kinde of idolatry perteineth the sinne of this woman. As often as we heare an image that is made, and a straunge God not added, we muste vnderstand that that image was made vnder the shew of the worshipping of the true god: but that religion is far contrary to the institution of sound religiō. Wherfore when the people (as it is written in Exodus) made themselues a golden calfe, Aaron proclaimed a holye day vnto the Lord, that is to the true god, and not to an idole. For they counted it absurd, to worshippe, either the true god himself without an image, or els an image without the title of the true God. And so muste we thinke that Ieroboam did when he consecrated the golden calfes in Dan and Bethel. For I doo not beleue that in images he instituted the worshipping of Baal, or Astharoth, or Chamos, but he would vnder them worship the Lorde. Into the selfe same error fell the Samaritanes also,