Ieremie by his epistle forwarneth the Iewes, that they shal be captiues in Babylon: and after seuentie yeares shal be released: 3. exhorting them, al that time to auoid idolatrie: 7. largely shewing the vanitie of idols.
1For the sins that you have committed before God, you shall be carried away captives into Babylon by Nabuchodonosor the king of Babylon.Copia della lettera mandata da Geremia a quegli, che doveano essere condotti schiavi a Babilonia dal re de' Babilonesi, per far loro sapere quello, che Dio aveva a lui comandato. Per ragion de' peccati commessi dinanzi al Signore voi sarete condotti schiavi a Babilonia da Nabuchodonosor re de' Babilonesi.A COPIE of the Epistle that Ieremie sent to them that were to be led away captiues into Babylon, by the king of Babylon, to tel them according to that which was commanded him of God. For the sinnes that you haue sinned before God, you shal be led away captiue into Babylon by Nabuchodonosor the king of Babylon.Propter peccata quæ peccastis ante Deum, abducemini in Babyloniam captivi a Nabuchodonosor rege Babylonis. 2And when you are come into Babylon, you shall be there many years, and for a long time, even to seven generations: and after that I will bring you away from thence with peace.Arrivati adunque a Babilonia, ivi starete per moltissimi anni, e per lungo tempo fino a sette generazioni: e dipoi vi trarrò di colà in pace.Being entered therfore into Babylon, you shal be there manie yeares, and long times euen vnto seuen generations: and after this I wil bring you forth from thence with peace.Ingressi itaque in Babylonem, eritis ibi annis plurimis, et temporibus longis, usque ad generationes septem: post hoc autem educam vos inde cum pace. 3But now, you shall see in Babylon gods of gold, and of silver, and of stone, and of wood borne upon shoulders, causing fear to the Gentiles.Ma adesso voi vedrete in Babilonia dei d'oro, e d'argento, e di pietra, e di legno portarsi sopra le spalle, e incuter timore alle genti.But now you shal see in Babylon goddes of gold, and of siluer, and of stone, and of wood to be caried vpon shoulders, shewing feare to the Gentiles.Nunc autem videbitis in Babylonia deos aureos et argenteos, et lapideos et ligneos, in humeris portari, ostentantes metum gentibus. 4Beware therefore that you imitate not the doings of others, and be afraid, and the fear of them should seize upon you.Badate adunque di non imitar voi pure il fare degli stranieri, sicché abbiate paura, e vi prenda il timore di tali dei.Beware therfore lest you also be like to the doing of strangers, and you be afrayd, and feare take you in them.Videte ergo ne et vos similes efficiamini factis alienis, et metuatis, et metus vos capiat in ipsis. 5But when you see the multitude behind, and before, adoring them, say you in your hearts: Thou oughtest to be adored, O Lord.Quando adunque vedrete la turba dinanzi, e di dietro adorarli, dite ne' vostri cuori: Te fa d'uopo di adorare, o Signore;Seeing therfore the multitude adoring behind, and before, say you in your hartes: Thou oughest to be adored ô Lord.Visa itaque turba de retro et ab ante, adorantes dicite in cordibus vestris: Te oportet adorari, Domine.
6For my angel is with you: And I myself will demand an account of your souls.Perocché il mio Angelo è con voi, ed io stesso avrò cura delle anime vostre.For mine c Angel is with you: and my selfe d wil aske account of your soules.Angelus enim meus vobiscum est: ipse autem exquiram animas vestras. 7For their tongue that is polished by the craftsman, and themselves laid over with gold and silver, are false things, and they cannot speak.Conciossiachè la loro lingua fu limata dall'artefice: quegli ancora, che sono indorati, e inargentati, sono menzogna, e non posson parlare.For their tongue polished by the craftesman, them selues also layd ouer with gold, and siluer are false thinges, and they can not speake.Nam lingua ipsorum polita a fabro; ipsa etiam inaurata et inargentata: falsa sunt, et non possunt loqui. 8And as if it were for a maiden that loveth to go gay: so do they take gold and make them up.E come si fa ad una fanciulla, che ama gli ornamenti, così dato di mano all'oro si ornano questi con arte.And as to a virgin that loueth ornaments: so taking gold their goddes are forged.Et sicut virgini amanti ornamenta, ita accepto auro fabricati sunt. 9Their gods have golden crowns upon their heads: whereof the priests secretly convey away from them gold, and silver, and bestow it on themselves.Certo, che i loro dei hanno sulle lor teste corone di oro, onde poi i sacerdoti tolgon ad essi l'oro, e l'argento, e se l'appropriano.Their goddes certes haue golden crownes vpon their heades: wherof the priestes secretely conuey away from them gold, and siluer, and bestow it on them selues.Coronas certe aureas habent super capita sua dii illorum: unde subtrahunt sacerdotes ab eis aurum et argentum, et erogant illud in semetipsos. 10Yea and they give thereof to prostitutes, and they dress out harlots: and again when they receive it of the harlots, they adorn their gods.E di questo ne ornano le prostitute, e le meretrici, e vicendevolmente riavutolo dalle meretrici ne abbelliscono i loro dei;Yea and they geue therof to strumpettes, and they decke whores: and againe when they receiue it of the harlots, they decke their goddes.Dant autem et ex ipso prostitutis, et meretrices ornant: et iterum cum receperint illud a meretricibus, ornant deos suos. 11And these gods cannot defend themselves from the rust, and the moth.E questi (dei) non san liberarsi dalla ruggine, e dalla tignuola.But these are not deliuered from the rust, and the moth.Hi autem non liberantur ab ærugine et tinea.
12But when they have covered them with a purple garment, they wipe their face because of the dust of the house, which is very much among them.Ma quando gli han rivestiti di porpora, lavati loro la faccia a motivo della polvere, che è grandissima ne' loro templi.And these being couered with a purple garment, they wype their face for the dust of the house, which is very much among them.Opertis autem illis veste purpurea, extergunt faciem ipsorum propter pulverem domus qui est plurimus inter eos. 13This holdeth a sceptre as a man, as a judge of the country, but cannot put to death one that offendeth him.E l'idolo ha in mano lo scettro come un uomo, come uno, che governa un paese: ma egli non fa morir chi lo offende.And he hath a scepter as a man, as a iudge of the countrie, that killeth him not that offendeth against him.Sceptrum autem habet ut homo, sicut judex regionis, qui in se peccantem non interficit. 14And this hath in his hand a sword, or an axe, but cannot save himself from war, or from robbers, whereby be it known to you, that they are not gods.Ha talora in mano la spada, e la scure, ma non si può salvar dalla guerra, né dai ladri; per le quali cose in tendete com'ei non son dii.He hath also in his hand a sword, and an axe, but him selfe he deliuereth not from the sword, and from robbers, wherby be it knowne to you that they are not goddes.Habet etiam in manu gladium et securim, se autem de bello et a latronibus non liberat. Unde vobis notum sit quia non sunt dii: 15Therefore fear them not. For as a vessel that a man uses when it is broken becometh useless, even so are their gods:Non abbiate adunque timore di essi: imperocché tali sono i loro dei, qual è un vaso rotto, che non è buono a nulla.Therfore feare them not. For as a mans vessel being broken is made vnprofitable: such also are their goddes:non ergo timueritis eos. Sicut enim vas hominis confractum inutile efficitur, tales sunt et dii illorum. 16When they are placed in the house, their eyes are full of dust by the feet of them that go in.Collocati, che sono in una casa, i loro occhi si cuopron di polvere smossa da' piedi di color, che vi entrano.they being placed in the house, their eies are ful of dust by the feete of them that goe in.Constitutis illis in domo, oculi eorum pleni sunt pulvere a pedibus introëuntium. 17And as the gates are made sure on every side upon one that hath offended the king, or like a dead man carried to the grave, so do the priests secure the doors with bars and locks, lest they be stripped by thieves.E siccome colui, che ha offeso il re, si chiude dentro molte porte, o come fassi ad un morto, che si conduca alla sepoltura; così i sacerdoti assicuran le porte con serrature, e chiavistelli, affinché i ladri non ispoglin gli dei.And as vpon one, that hath offended the king, the gates be shut round about, or as the dead brought to the graue, so doe the priestes gard the doores with shuttings, and lockes, lest they be spoyled of theeues.Et sicut alicui qui regem offendit circumseptæ sunt januæ, aut sicut ad sepulchrum adductum mortuum: ita tutantur sacerdotes ostia clausuris et seris, ne a latronibus expolientur.
18They light candles to them, and in great number, of which they cannot see one: but they are like beams in the house.Accendon loro eziandio molte lampane, delle quali non posson quelli vederne pur una: ei sono come le travi in una casa.They light candles to them, and that manie, of the which they can see none: but they are as beames in the house.Lucernas accendunt illis, et quidem multas, ex quibus nullam videre possunt: sunt autem sicut trabes in domo. 19And they say that the creeping things which are of the earth, gnaw their hearts, while they eat them and their garments, and they feel it not.Dicono, che i serpenti, che son dalla terra, mangian le loro interiora quando mangiano ad essi i lor vestimenti, ed essi noi sentono.And they say that the serpents which are of the earth, gnaw out their hartes, whiles they eate them and their garment, and they feele not.Corda vero eorum dicunt elingere serpentes qui de terra sunt, dum comedunt eos, et vestimentum ipsorum, et non sentiunt. 20Their faces are black with the smoke that is made in the house.Le loro facce son nere pel fumo, che si fa nelle lor case.Their faces are blacke with the smoke, that is made in the house.Nigræ fiunt facies eorum a fumo qui in domo fit. 21Owls, and swallows, and other birds fly upon their bodies, and upon their heads, and cats in like manner.Sopra il loro corpo, e sopra il loro capo volano le civette, e le rondini, e altri uccelli, e il simile fanno i gatti.The owles, and the swallowes flye vpon their bodie, and vpon their head, and the birdes also, the cattes in like manner.Supra corpus eorum et supra caput eorum volant noctuæ, et hirundines, et aves etiam, similiter et cattæ. 22Whereby you may know that they are no gods. Therefore fear them not.Donde imparate, che questi non sono dei: non abbiate adunque di essi timore.Wherby you may knowe that they are not goddes. Therfore feare them not.Unde sciatis quia non sunt dii: ne ergo timueritis eos. 23The gold also which they have, is for shew, but except a man wipe off the rust, they will not shine: for neither when they were molten, did they feel it.l'oro ancora, che hanno, è per mostra: se qualcheduno non li ripulisce dalla ruggine, non saran risplendenti: e quando erano fusi, nulla sentivano.The gold also which they haue, is for bewtie, vnles a man wype of the rust, they shal not shine: for neither when they were moulten, did they feele.Aurum etiam quod habent ad speciem est: nisi aliquis exterserit æruginem, non fulgebunt: neque enim dum conflarentur, sentiebant. 24Men buy them at a high price, whereas there is no breath in them.E furon comprati a prezzo sommo, benché spirito non sia in essi.With al price are they bought, whereas there is no breath in them.Ex omni pretio empta sunt, in quibus spiritus non inest ipsis.
25And having not the use of feet they are carried upon shoulders, declaring to men how vile they are. Be they confounded also that worship them.Li portano sulle spalle quasi sian senza piedi, facendo vedere agli uomini la vergognosa loro impotenza. Siano confusi anche color, che gli adorano.As being without feete they are caried vpon shoulders, shewing their basenes to men. Be they confounded also that worship them.Sine pedibus, in humeris portantur, ostentantes ignobilitatem suam hominibus: confundantur etiam qui colunt ea. 26Therefore if they fall to the ground, they rise not up again of themselves, nor if a man set them upright, will they stand by themselves, but their gifts shall be set before them, as to the dead.Per questo se cascan per terra, non si rialzan da loro, e se uno li collocherà ritti, da per loro non istaranno, ma si reggeranno sugli omeri di quelli, come i morti.Therfore if they fal to the ground, they rise not vp of them selues, nor if a man set him vpright, shal he stand by him self, but as to dead men their giftes shal be set before them.Propterea si ceciderint in terram, a semetipsis non consurgunt: neque si quis eum statuerit rectum, per semetipsum stabit: sed sicut mortuis munera eorum illis apponentur. 27The things that are sacrificed to them, their priests sell and abuse: in like manner also their wives take part of them, but give nothing of it either to the sick, or to the poor.Le loro ostie le vendono i sacerdoti in loro pro, ed anche le loro donne ne strappano, e non ne fanno parte all'ammalato, né al mendico;Their priestes sel their sacrifices, and abuse them: likwise also their wiues plucking from them, impert nothing, neither to the sicke, nor to the begger.Hostias illorum vendunt sacerdotes ipsorum, et abutuntur: similiter et mulieres eorum decerpentes, neque infirmo, neque mendicanti, aliquid impertiunt. 28The childbearing and menstruous women touch their sacrifices: knowing, therefore, by these things that they are not gods, fear them not.I lor sagrifizj li toccano donne fresche dal parto, e le menstruate. Conoscendo adunque da tali cose, ch'ei non son dei, non li temete;Of their sacrifices wemen in childbed, and in flowers doe touche: knowing therfore by these thinges that they are not goddes, feare them not.De sacrificiis eorum fœtæ et menstruatæ contingunt. Sciens itaque ex his quia non sunt dii, ne timeatis eos.
29For how can they be called gods? because women set offerings before the gods of silver, and of gold, and of wood:Imperocché a qual titolo si chiaman dei perché le donne presentano doni a questi dei d'argento, d'oro, e di legno,For whence are they called goddes? Because we men offer to the goddes of siluer, and gold, and wood:Unde enim vocantur dii ? quia mulieres apponunt diis argenteis, et aureis, et ligneis: 30And priests sit in their temples, having their garments rent, and their heads and beards shaven, and nothing upon their heads.E nelle case di essi seggono i sacerdoti, portando tonache stracciate, e rase le teste, e la barba, e il capo ignudo.And priestes sitte in their houses, hauing their garments rent, and their heades, & beard shauen, whose heades be bare.et in domibus eorum sacerdotes sedent habentes tunicas scissas, et capita et barbam rasam, quorum capita nuda sunt. 31And they roar and cry before their gods, as men do at the feast when one is dead.E dan ruggiti alzando la voce ai loro dei, come si fa alla cena di un morto.And they were crying before their goddes, as at the supper of the dead.Rugiunt autem clamantes contra deos suos sicut in cœna mortui. 32The priests take away their garments, and clothe their wives and their children.I sacerdoti tolgon loro le vestimenta, e ne riveston le mogli, e i figliuoli.The priests take away their garments, and they cloath their wiues & their children.Vestimenta eorum auferunt sacerdotes, et vestiunt uxores suas et filios suos. 33And whether it be evil that one doth unto them, or good, they are not able to recompense it: neither can they set up a king, nor put him down:E se è fatto loro del male, e se è fatto loro del bene, non posson rendere il contraccambio: e non possono fare un re, né disfarlo.Neither if they suffer anie euil, nor if anie good of anie man, are they able to recompence it: neither can they make a king, nor take him away:Neque si quid mali patiuntur ab aliquo, neque si quid boni, poterunt retribuere: neque regem constituere possunt, neque auferre. 34In like manner they can neither give riches, nor requite evil. If a man make a vow to them, and perform it not: they cannot require it.Parimente non possono né dar ricchezze, né vendicarsi. Se uno fa ad essi un voto, e noll'adempie, neppur di ciò si querelano.In like maner they can neither geue riches, nor requyre euil. If a man vow a vow vnto them, and performe it not; neither this doe they require.Similiter neque dare divitias possunt, neque malum retribuere. Si quis illis votum voverit et non reddiderit, neque hoc requirunt.
35They cannot deliver a man from death, nor save the weak from the mighty.Non liberan l'uomo dalla morte, e non salvano il debole dal più possente.They deliuer not a man from death, nor saue the weake from the mightier.Hominem a morte non liberant, neque infirmum a potentiori eripiunt. 36They cannot restore the blind man to his sight: nor deliver a man from distress.Non rendono a' ciechi la vista non traggon uomo dalla miseria.The blind man they restore not to his sight: they shal not deliuer a man out of necessitie.Hominem cæcum ad visum non restituunt; de necessitate hominem non liberabunt. 37They shall not pity the widow, nor do good to the fatherless.Non avran pietà della vedova, né faranno bene agli orfani.They shal not pitie the widow, nor doe good to the fatherlesse.Viduæ non miserebuntur, neque orphanis benefacient. 38Their gods, of wood, and of stone, and of gold, and of silver, are like the stones that are hewn out of the mountains: and they that worship them shall be confounded.Simili alle pietre del monte son questi loro dei di legno, di pietra, d'oro, e d'argento. E color, che gli onorano, saran confusi.Like vnto the stones of the mountaine are their goddes, of wood, and of stone, and of gold, and of siluer. & they that worship them, shal be confounded:Lapidibus de monte similes sunt dii illorum, lignei, et lapidei, et aurei, et argentei: qui autem colunt ea, confundentur. 39How then is it to be supposed, or to be said, that they are gods?Come dunque è da pensarsi, o da dirsi, ch'ei siano dei,How then is it to be supposed, or to be sayd, that they are goddes?Quomodo ergo æstimandum est aut dicendum illos esse deos ? 40Even the Chaldeans themselves dishonor them: who when they hear of one dumb that cannot speak, they present him to Bel, entreating him, that he may speak.Quando di più i Caldei stessi non li rispettano? eglino quando hanno udito, che uno non può parlare, perché è mutolo, lo presentano a Bel, pregandolo a far, ch'ei parli;Moreouer the Ch•dees themselues not honoring them: who when they heare that the dumme can not speake, they offer it to Bel, requesting of him, that it may speake.Adhuc enim ipsis Chaldæis non honorantibus ea: qui cum audierint mutum non posse loqui, offerunt illud ad Bel, postulantes ab eo loqui: 41As though they could be sensible that have no motion themselves: and they, when they shall perceive this, will leave them: for their gods themselves have no sense.Come se potessero aver sentimento coloro, che non hanno moto; ed egli stessi, fatti accorti, gli abbandonano; perocché i loro dei non han senso.As though they could feele that haue no motion: and they when they shal vnderstand, wil leaue them: for their goddes them selues haue no sense.quasi possint sentire qui non habent motum ! Et ipsi, cum intellexerint, relinquent ea: sensum enim non habent ipsi dii illorum.
42The women also, with cords about them, sit in the ways, burning olive-stones.Ma le donne cinte di corde seggon per le strade, brugiando noccioli d'ulivi.And wemen compassed with cordes, sit in the waies, burning the bones of oliues.Mulieres autem circumdatæ funibus in viis sedent, succendentes ossa olivarum: 43And when any one of them, drawn away by some passenger, lieth with him, she upbraideth her neighbor, that she was not thought as worthy as herself, nor her cord broken.E quando una di esse condotta via da uno, che passa, ha dormito con lui getta in faccia alla sua vicina, che ella non è stata stimata da tanto com'essa, e che la sua corda non è stata rotta.And when one of them being drawen of some passenger shal lie with him, she vpbraydeth her neighbour, that she is not counted worthie, as her self, neither is her cord broken.cum autem aliqua ex ipsis, attracta ab aliquo transeunte, dormierit cum eo, proximæ suæ exprobrat quod ea non sit digna habita, sicut ipsa, neque funis ejus diruptus sit. 44But all things that are done about them, are false: how is it then to be thought, or to be said, that they are gods?E tutto quello, che intorno ad essi ai fa, è cosa falsa. Come mai è da pensarsi, o da dirsi, ch'ei siano dei?But al thinges that are done about them. are false, how is it then to be thought, or to be sayd, that they be goddes? And they are made by craftesmen, & by goldsmithes. They shal be nothing els, but that which the priestes wil haue them to be.Omnia autem quæ illi fiunt, falsa sunt: quomodo æstimandum aut dicendum est illos esse deos ? 45And they are made by workmen, and by goldsmiths. They shall be nothing else but what the priests will have them to be.Sono stati fatti da legnajuoli, e da orefici. E non altro saranno, che quello, che piacerà a' sacerdoti.A fabris autem et ab aurificibus facta sunt: nihil aliud erunt, nisi id quod volunt esse sacerdotes. 46For the artificers themselves that make them, are of no long continuance. Can those things then that are made by them, be gods?Gli stessi artefici, che li fanno, non son di lunga durata. Potrann'eglino adunque esser dei i lavori fatti da essi?For the artificers themselues, that make them, are of no long time. Why, can those thinges then that are made by them, be goddes?Artifices etiam ipsi, qui ea faciunt, non sunt multi temporis: numquid ergo possunt ea, quæ fabricata sunt ab ipsis, esse dii ? 47But they have left false things and reproach to them that come after.Hanno lasciate menzogne, e obbrobrio a quei, che saranno dopo di loro.But they haue left forged things & reproch, to them that shal come after.Reliquerunt autem falsa et opprobrium postea futuris.
48For when war cometh upon them, or evils: the priests consult with themselves, where they may hide themselves with them.Che se sopraggiunge loro guerra, e sciagure, i sacerdoti vanno pensando dove riporsi con que' lor dei.For when battel commeth vpon them, and euils: the priestes deuise with them selues, where they may hide them selues with them.Nam cum supervenerit illis prælium et mala, cogitant sacerdotes apud se ubi se abscondant cum illis. 49How then can they be thought to be gods, that can neither deliver themselves from war, nor save themselves from evils?Come mai adunque possono essere in concetto di dei coloro, che né dalla guerra si liberano, né si sottraggono alle sciagure?How then may they be thought, that they are goddes, which neither deliuer them selues from battel, nor saue them selues from euils?Quomodo ergo sentiri debeant quoniam dii sunt, qui nec de bello se liberant, neque de malis se eripiunt ? 50For seeing they are but of wood, and laid over with gold, and with silver, it shall be known hereafter that they are false things, by all nations, and kings: and it shall be manifest that they are no gods, but the work of men’s hands, and that there is no work of God in them.Imperocché essendo cose di legno, e indorate, e inargentate, si conoscerà una volta da tutte le genti, e dai regi che son falsità: manifesto essendo, ch'ei non son dei, ma opere delle mani degli uomini, e non fanno nulla, che sia da Dio.For seing they be of wood, & layd ouer with gold, and with siluer, it shal be knowne afterwards that they are false thinges, of al the Gentiles, and kinges: Which are manifest that they are no goddes, but the workes of mens handes, and no worke of God is with them.Nam cum sint lignea, inaurata et inargentata, scietur postea quia falsa sunt ab universis gentibus et regibus: quæ manifesta sunt quia non sunt dii, sed opera manuum hominum, et nullum Dei opus cum illis. 51Whence, therefore, is it known that they are not gods, but the work of men’s hands, and no work of God is in them?E donde adunque conoscesi, ch'ei non sono dei, ma opere delle mani degli uomini, e che nulla fanno, che sia da Dio?Whence then is it knowne, that they are not goddes, but the workes of mens handes, & no worke of God is in them?Unde ergo notum est quia non sunt dii, sed opera manuum hominum, et nullum Dei opus in ipsis est. 52They cannot set up a king over the land, nor give rain to men.Non danno il re ad un regno, né concedono agli uomini la pioggia,A king to the countrie they raise not vp, neither shal they geue rayne to men.Regem regioni non suscitant, neque pluviam hominibus dabunt.
53They determine no causes, nor deliver countries from oppression: because they can do nothing, and are as daws between heaven and earth.Non decideranno le controversie, né libereranno le provincie dalle ingiurie; perocché nulla possono, come cornacchie, che volan di mezzo tral cielo, e la terra.Iudgement also they shal not decerne, neither shal they deliuer countries from iniurie: because they can not do nothing, as choughes betwen the heauen and the earth.Judicium quoque non discernent, neque regiones liberabunt ab injuria, quia nihil possunt, sicut corniculæ inter medium cæli et terræ. 54For when fire shall fall upon the house of these gods of wood, and of silver, and of gold, their priests indeed will flee away, and be saved: but they themselves shall be burnt in the midst like beams.Imperocché quando si sarà appiccato il fuoco alla casa degli dei di legno, d'argento, e d'oro, i lor sacerdoti fuggiran certamente, e si metteranno in salvo; ma eglino vi brugeranno dentro non men che le travi.For when fire shal fal into the house of the woodden, and siluer, and golden goddes, their priestes in dede shal flee, and be deliuered: but themselues as beames shal be burnt in the middes.Etenim cum inciderit ignis in domum deorum ligneorum, argenteorum et aureorum, sacerdotes quidem ipsorum fugient, et liberabuntur: ipsi vero sicut trabes in medio comburentur. 55And they cannot withstand a king and war. How then can it be supposed, or admitted, that they are gods?E non faran resistenza a un re in tempo di guerra: come adunque da pensarsi, o da tenersi, ch'ei siano dei?And king and battel they shal not resist. How is it then to be supposed, or to be receiued that they are goddes?Regi autem et bello non resistent. Quomodo ergo æstimandum est aut recipiendum quia dii sunt ? 56Neither are these gods of wood, and of stone, and laid over with gold, and with silver, able to deliver themselves from thieves or robbers: they that are stronger than them,Non si salveranno da' ladri, né da' malandrini gli dei di legno, e di pietra, e indorati, e inargentati, perchè quelli ne posson più,Not from theeues, nor from robbers shal the goddes of wood, and of stone, and layd ouer with gold, and with siluer deliuer them selues, stronger then which are the wicked men.Non a furibus, neque a latronibus se liberabunt dii lignei, et lapidei, et inaurati, et inargentati: quibus hi qui fortiores sunt, 57Shall take from them the gold, and silver, and the raiment wherewith they are clothed, and shall go their way, neither shall they help themselves.E terranno loro l'argento, e l'oro e il vestito, onde son ricoperti, e se v'anderanno; e gli dei non aiuteranno se stessi.The gold, and siluer, and the garment where with they are couered, they shal take from them, and shal depart, neither shal they helpe themselues.aurum et argentum, et vestimentum quo operti sunt, auferent illis, et abibunt, nec sibi auxilium ferent.
58Therefore it is better to be a king that sheweth his power: or else a profitable vessel in the house, with which the owner thereof will be well satisfied: or a door in the house, to keep things safe that are therein, than such false gods.Perla qual cosa miglior cosa è un re, che fa mostra di suo valore, od un vaso utile nella casa, di cui si farà gloria il padrone, o la porta della casa, che custodisce quel, che in essa si trova, che i falsi dei.Therfore it is better to be a king shewing his strength: or a profitable vessel in the house, wherin he wil glorie that possesseth it: or a doore in the house, which kepeth the thinges that are therin, then false goddes.Itaque melius est esse regem ostentantem virtutem suam, aut vas in domo utile, in quo gloriabitur qui possidet illud, vel ostium in domo, quod custodit quæ in ipsa sunt, quam falsi dii. 59The sun, and the moon, and the stars being bright, and sent forth for profitable uses, are obedient.Certamente il sole, e la luna, e le stelle mandate ad esser utili col loro splendore, sono ubbidienti.The sunne certes, and the moone, and the starres wheras they are bright, and sent forth for profitable vses, obey.Sol quidem et luna ac sidera, cum sint splendida et emissa ad utilitates, obaudiunt: 60In like manner the lightning, when it breaketh forth, is easy to be seen: and after the same manner the wind bloweth in every country.Similmente anche il folgore si fa distinguere quando apparisce; e parimente anche il vento spira in ogni regione.Likewise also the lightning, when it shal appeare is perspicuous: and the winde also bloweth the self same in euerie countrie.similiter et fulgur cum apparuerit, perspicuum est: idipsum autem et spiritus in omni regione spirat: 61And the clouds, when God commandeth them to go over the whole world, do that which is commanded them.E le nuvole quando è lor comandato da Dio di scorrere tutto l'orbe, fanno quel, che fu lor comandato.And the clowdes, which when God shal command to walke throughout the whole world, they doe that which is commanded them.et nubes, quibus cum imperatum fuerit a Deo perambulare universum orbem, perficiunt quod imperatum est eis: 62The fire also being sent from above to consume mountains, and woods, doth as it is commanded. But these neither in shew, nor in power, are like to any one of them.Il fuoco ancora mandato di sopra a consumare i monti, e le selve, fa quel, che gli fu ordinato. Ma costoro né per bellezza, né per virtudi sono simili ad una di queste cose:The fyre also being sent from aboue to consume mountaines, and woodes, doeth that which is commanded it. But these neither in shapes, nor in vertues are like to one of them.ignis etiam missus desuper, ut consumat montes et silvas, facit quod præceptum est ei: hæc autem neque speciebus, neque virtutibus, uni eorum similia sunt.
63Wherefore it is neither to be thought, nor to be said, that they are gods: since they are neither able to judge causes, nor to do any good to men.Per la qual cosa da pensarsi non è, né da dirsi, che questi siano dei, mentre non possono né far giustizia, né far cosa alcuna agli uomini.Wherfore neither is it to be thought, nor to be said, that they be goddes: wheras they can neither iudge iudgment, nor doe anie thing for men.Unde neque existimandum est, neque dicendum illos esse deos, quando non possunt neque judicium judicare, neque quidquam facere hominibus. 64Knowing, therefore, that they are not gods, fear them not.Conoscendo pertanto, che ei non son dei, voi perciò non li temete;Knowing therfore that they are not goddes, then feare them not.Scientes itaque quia non sunt dii, ne ergo timueritis eos. 65For neither can they curse kings, nor bless them.Imperocché eglino non manderanno maledizione ai regi, né benedizione.For neither shal they curse, kinges, nor blesse them.Neque enim regibus maledicent, neque benedicent. 66Neither do they shew signs in the heaven to the nations, nor shine as the sun, nor give light as the moon.Ei non mostrano a' popoli nel cielo i segni de' tempi: né splenderan come il sole, né faran lume come la luna.Signes also in the heauen to the Gentiles they shew not, neither shal they shine as the sunne, nor geue light as the moone.Signa etiam in cælo gentibus non ostendunt: neque ut sol lucebunt, neque illuminabunt ut luna. 67Beasts are better than they, which can fly under a covert, and help themselves.Da più di loro sono le bestie, che possono fuggire al coperto, e giovare a se stesse.Beastes are better then they, which can flie vnder the roofe, and profite themselues.Bestiæ meliores sunt illis, quæ possunt fugere sub tectum ac prodesse sibi. 68Therefore there is no manner of appearance that they are gods: so fear them not.In verun modo adunque non sono, dei, com'è manifesto: per questo adunque non li temete;By no meanes therfore is it manifest vnto vs, that they are goddes: for which cause feare them not.Nullo itaque modo nobis est manifestum quia sunt dii: propter quod ne timeatis eos. 69For as a scarecrow in a garden of cucumbers keepeth nothing, so are their gods of wood, and of silver, and laid over with gold.Imperocché siccome in un cocomeraio uno spauracchio non è buona guardia, così sono i loro dei di legno, d'argento, e d'oro.For as in a garden of cucumbers a scarcrow keepeth nothing, so are their goddes of wood, and of siluer, and layd ouer with gold.Nam sicut in cucumerario formido nihil custodit, ita sunt dii illorum lignei, et argentei, et inaurati. 70They are no better than a white thorn in a garden, upon which every bird sitteth. In like manner also their gods of wood, and laid over with gold, and with silver, are like to a dead body cast forth in the dark.E nella stessa guisa succede della vitalba in un orto, sulla quale vanno posarsi tutti gli uccelli. Simili ancora son questi loro dei di legno, e indorati, e inargentati ad un morto gittato tralle tenebre.After the same sorte also in a garden the white thorne, vpon the which euerie bird sirteth. In like manner also their goddes of wood, and layd ouer with gold, and with siluer, are like to a dead bodie cast forth in the darke.Eodem modo et in horto spina alba, supra quam omnis avis sedet, similiter et mortuo projecto in tenebris, similes sunt dii illorum lignei, et inaurati, et inargentati.
71By the purple also and the scarlet which are motheaten upon them, you shall know that they are not gods. And they themselves at last are consumed, and shall be a reproach in the country.Dalla porpora ancora, e dallo scarlatto, che intignono addosso a loro, imparerete di certo, ch'ei non son dei. Eglino stessi finalmente saran mangiati, e saranno l'obbrobrio d'ogni paese.By the purple also and the murex colour layde vpon them, which fadeth, you shal know that they are not goddes. At the last also they are consumed, and shal be a reproch in the countrie.A purpura quoque et murice, quæ supra illos tineant, scietis itaque quia non sunt dii: ipsi etiam postremo comeduntur, et erunt opprobrium in regione. 72Better, therefore, is the just man that hath no idols: for he shall be far from reproach.Migliore è l'uomo giusto, che non ha idoli: perocché egli sarà lungi dall'ignominia.Better is therfore the iust man, that hath not Idols: for he shal be farre from reproches.Melior est homo justus qui non habet simulacra, nam erit longe ab opprobriis.
6:1
Year of the World 3405, Year before Christ 599.
6:2
Challoner
Seven generations; that is, seventy years. (Challoner)
Cornelius a Lapide
A generation sometimes consisted of seven, ten, fifteen, thirty, thirty-five, fifty, or a hundred years. (Cornelius a Lapide; Menage.)
Calmet
Eighteen years of the seventy had already elapsed. (Calmet)
Haydock
Seven is often put for many, (Haydock) or a general number, (Worthington) because so many days form a week. (Haydock)
6:3
Menander
Shoulders. This custom was very ancient, suggested by the avarice of the priests, who begged on such occasions. (Menander, ap. Clem. protrep.)
6:4
Haydock
Fear. Worship not such things. (Haydock)
6:6
Calmet
Angel Michael, the conductor of Israel in the desert, etc., Daniel 10:13., and Exodus 33:2. (Calmet)
Worthington
He protected them also in Babylon. (Worthington)
6:8
Calmet
Gay. Nothing could be more despicable. (Calmet)
6:10
Haydock
The harlots. Their hire was rejected by the Lord. But idols suffered themselves to be despoiled or adorned at pleasure. Greek, "But they will give of them even to harlots under the same roof, while they adorn them (idols) like men with garments, gods of gold, silver, and wood." (Haydock)
6:12
Calmet
Them, on account of the many votaries, ver. 16. Arnobius (6) ridicules such gods. (Calmet)
Haydock
Protestants adopt similar arguments against the real presence as if we believed that Christ was hurt when the sacramental species were broken or devoured by vermin. A little more boldness will prompt them to reject the divinity of Christ, who was pleased to give up his body to those who treated him shamefully. Almost every argument which is levelled against Christ's real presence in the blessed Eucharist, may be turned against the incarnation; and hence so many now become Socinians, being unwilling to submit their understanding to the mysteries of religion. To apply these texts to holy pictures, would be nugatory. See Isaias xl 18. (Haydock)
Worthington
The absurdities here specified, shew how foolish are those who serve idols or take any images to be gods. (Worthington)
6:13
Calmet
Judge, or ruler. (Calmet)
Eustath
The sceptre and spear were badges of power. (Eustath.)
Mars had a sword, Hercules a club. We know little of the idols of Babylon.
6:15
Calmet
Vessel; armour, or any utensil. (Calmet)
6:18
Haydock
Candles. Literally, "lamps." (Haydock)
Some temples in Egypt were famous for their numbers. (Herodotus 2:62.)
The Lord prescribed them to be used. But who ever imagined that he stood in need of them to see, as the idolaters supposed their idols did?
6:19
Calmet
Hearts: the wood is worm-eaten. (Calmet)
6:24
Worthington
Price, foolishly believing that they have divine power. (Worthington)
6:26
Gifts. The Chaldeans supposed that Bel could eat, Daniel xiv.
Dead. Food was placed on the tombs. St. Augustine abolished this custom in Africa.
6:27
Take. Greek, "salt." They give none to the poor, for fear of their imposture being detected, though they allow even the unclean to eat, ver. 28., Leviticus 12:2., and Deuteronomy 14:29.
6:29
Calmet
Women. They make gods. (Calmet)
Qui rogat, ille facit. (Martial 8:24.)
6:30
Calmet
Shaven, as in mourning, contrary to the custom of Israel, Leviticus 21:10. (Calmet)
Heads. The Jewish priests wore mitres or caps.
6:31
Calmet
Dead, even of Adonis, (Haydock) whose worship is here ridiculed. (Calmet)
Lucian
At Biblos people bewailed his death, and the next day proclaimed that he was alive. All cut off their hair, as the Egyptians do for Apis, except such as submitted to prostitute themselves to strangers. The hire they consecrated to Venus. (Lucian, Dea Syra.)
At funerals a feast was usually made, as is still the custom in Syria, (Roger, 2:14.) and near Bagdad. (Chardin. 2:7.)
6:34
Haydock
Requite. Greek, "brass," much less gold. (Haydock)
6:40
Haydock
Chaldeans. The priests themselves despise the idols most, (Calmet) and expose them to contempt, by pretending that they work miracles. (Haydock)
St. Augustine
"Those who first set up representations of the gods, deprived cities of reverential awe, and increased the error," said Varro; "prudently supposing that gods might easily be contemned, when like stupid images." In simulacrorum stoliditate. (St. Augustine, City of God 4:26.)
6:41
Haydock
They. Greek, "he could perceive. And they reflecting on this, cannot still abandon them; for they have no sense." (Haydock)
Calmet
They are so stupid, that they will not quit such impotent idols. (Calmet)
6:42
Calmet
Women. Aristophanes calls harlots, "corded bodies." (Eccles. Act. i.) The women of Babylon "prostituted themselves once, in honour of Venus, (Haydock. Mylitta. Calmet) sitting with crowns on their heads in the temple, till some stranger selected them, and took them from their partition, made with cords," (Haydock) to some more secret place, where they broke their bands. (Herodotus 1:199.) (Calmet)
That some deluded women, led by various desires, should think thus to honour that impure deity, by an action which some modern casuists have not scrupled to rank among simple venial sins, cannot excite our astonishment so much, when we reflect on the tenets of the ancient Gnostics, and of Antinomians at the present day, whom J. Wesley, the late founder of the Methodists, applauded and followed even in the meridian of the gospel light! See Deuteronomy 16:22., and 23:17. Yet these men read and perhaps distributed the Bible!
Tirinus
Stones. Literally, "bones;" (Haydock) or the refuse of what had been crushed, (pitura. Atheneus 2:14.) to excite impure love. (Menochius) (Tirinus)
Calmet
Theocritus (Phar.) represents a witch doing the like; and Sanchez tells us, that some were taken in the fact in Spain. (Calmet)
Grotius
Fumigation, used by the Babylonians after marriage, (Herodotus 1:198.) may be insinuated. (Grotius)
6:45
Haydock
To be. Isaias 44:14. Horace (i. Sat. 8) introduces Priapus thus ridiculously explaining his origin; "I was formerly an useless piece of a fig-tree; when the workman, not knowing whether to make a bench or a Priapus, chose rather that I should be a god. Hence I am a god, the greatest terror of thieves and birds." Septuagint, "they are nothing but what the workmen wish to form." (Haydock)
6:51
Haydock
Them. Greek has simply, (Calmet) "Who then knows not that they are no gods?" (Haydock)
6:53
Daws. They have no greater influence (Calmet) than jackdaws.
6:58
Haydock
Gods. Septuagint repeat this after satisfied, or "will use;" and here add, "or a pillar of wood in palaces, than," etc. (Haydock)
6:59
Calmet
Obedient to God. They were appointed to mark out the seasons, etc., (Genesis 1:14.) and if any creature were worthy of adoration, they would. (Calmet)
The Babylonians adored them as well as statues, and therefore their proper destination is specified here and by Moses.
6:69
Haydock
Scarecrow. Priapus answered this glorious purpose, ver. 45. (Haydock)
Calmet
When birds become accustomed to such things, they mind them not. (Calmet)
6:71
Calmet
Scarlet. Greek, "marble" coloured wood. Grotius would substitute margarou, "a pearl," which decays through age. (Calmet)
Greek also, "From the purple, which also shines upon them rotting, you shall," etc. Marmarou means, "of marble or shining."
6:72
Haydock
Reproach, provided he also avoid the idols of the mind and of the heart. (Haydock)
6:2
Seven generations.... That is, seventy years.
6:56
They that are stronger than them.... That is, robbers and thieves are stronger than these idols, being things without life or motion.
6:72
THE PROPHECY OF EZECHIEL
EZECHIEL, whose name signifies the STRENGTH OF GOD, was of the priestly race; and of the number of captives that were carried away to Babylon with king JOACHIN. He was contemporary with JEREMIAS, and prophesied to the same effect in Babylon, as JEREMIAS did in Jerusalem; and is said to have ended his days in like manner, by martyrdom.
6:1
Ieremie writte this Epistle before the common people were in Babylon, but Baruch redde it vnto them in Babylon, and so it was sent back to the rest, which were yet in Ierusalem.
Concordanza Iere 1•. v. 8. 9. &c.
6:2
Tenne, being the firstarticle number, signifieth a general number; and so seuen generations signifie seuen times tenne, that is, seuentie yeares. Sometimes seuen •• signific a generalitie, because this whole world is counted by seuen dayes: sometimes. 100. signifie the same; as Gen. 15. v 16. 400. yeares are called four generations.
Concordanza Isa 44.
6:15
c The Angel which guided this people coming out of Aegypt. Exo. 12. 33. protected them also in Babylon.
6:18
d The innumerable absurdities in forging and adoring false goddes here recited by the prophet shew how foolish & sensles they are, that serue idols, or anie images for goddes.
6:24
Idolaters imagining that sensles idols had diuiue powre, foolishly estemed them of great value, & price.
Concordanza Is. 46. v. •.
6:3
Tertulliano † 220 d.C. Scorpiace 8
… Beware, therefore, that ye also do not be altogether like the foreigners, and be seized with fear while ye behold crowds worshipping those gods before and behind, but say in your mind, Our duty is to worship Thee, O Lord.”
6:6
san Tascio Cecilio Cipriano † 258 d.C. On the Lord's Prayer 5
… and God did hear her.” We read also in the Psalms, “Speak in your hearts, and in your beds, and be ye pierced.” The Holy Spirit, moreover, suggests these same things by Jeremiah, and teaches, saying, “But in the heart ought God to be adored by thee.”
6:11
Teodoreto di Cirro † 458 d.C. Letters of the Blessed Theodoret, Bishop of Cyprus 147
… The dæmons who have deceived mankind have given this title to idols; whence Jeremiah exclaims, “The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth even they shall perish from the earth and from under these heavens;” and again “They made to themselves gods of silver and gods of gold;”
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2. Usque ad generationes septem. — Id est usque ad 70 annos manebitis in Babylone. Nota, graecum γενεά, id est aetas vel progenies, quae in Scriptura dicitur generatio, varie definitur. Primo, Dionysius Halicarnassus, lib. I Rom. Ant., dat illi centum annos. Sic et Varro, lib. V, qui et addit saeculum dici a sene, « quod illud spatium senescendorum hominum putarint. » Sic et Scriptura, Genes. xv, 16, ubi dicitur fore ut Hebraei generatione quarta ex Aegypto revertantur, id est post 400 annos. Secundo, Censorinus De die natali, et alii passim, dant ei annos triginta. Sic Nestor dicitur vixisse tres aetates, id est 90 annos. Tertio, Herodotus, lib. I, dat ei 23 annos. Quarto, Eusebius, lib. X Praepar. cap. ult., dat ei annos viginti. Quinto, S. Augustinus, in Psalm. civ, dat ei annos quindecim: ea enim aetate homo potens est ad generandum. Sexto, γενεά sive generatio est spatium septem annorum, sic medici vetant ante duas generationes venam incidi puero: et apud Suidam Orpheus dicitur vixisse novem generationes, id est 63 annos. Septimo, aetas est annus: unde Virgilius, III Georgic.: At tribus exactis ubi quarta advenerit aetas. Ubi Servius: « Quarta aetas, inquit, id est quartus annus, » et addit: Aetas, ait, significat quodvis tempus. Sic ait et Varro: « Aetatem vix decimam, » id est vix decimum annum, « ingressus; » et Plinius, lib. VIII, cap. xi: « Annua, inquit, aetas canum justa est ad pariendum. » Hinc octavo, γενεά, sive aetas, est spatium decem annorum: denarius enim insignis plenusque est numerus, qui omnes simplices numeros, quos arithmetici digitos vocant, puta omnes ab uno ad novem, in se complectitur. Rursum, denarius primus est numerus multitudinis post digitos, estque terminus numerandi: nam post decem redimus ad unitatem: decem et unum sunt undecim; decem et duo sunt duodecim, et ita consequenter. Sic hoc loco capitur γενεά, id est generatio. Septem ergo generationes sunt septuaginta anni captivitatis, qui inchoantur anno undecimo Joakim, et terminantur anno primo Cyri, ut dixi, Jerem. xxv, 11; eo enim se refert Baruch discipulus et scriba Jeremiae. Licet a Castro haec referat ad 70 annos desolationis, qui, inquit, inchoantur anno undecimo Sedeciae, et terminantur anno secundo Darii Hystaspis, de quibus dicendum est, Zach. I, 12. Nonnulli generationem hic accipiunt septem annorum, ut septem generationes sint 49 anni; tot enim, inquiunt, fluxerunt ab anno undecimo Sedeciae, quando haec scripsit Jeremias, usque ad annum primum Cyri: nam Nabuchodonosor exinde regnavit 24 annos, Evilmerodach 23, Baltasar 3; verum haec nostrae chronologiae non consentiunt: inchoando enim annos 70 captivitatis ab anno undecimo Joakim, dicendum est ab anno undecimo Sedeciae usque ad primum Cyri fluxisse annos 59. Aliter has septem generationes explicat Vilalpando Noster in Apparatu Ezech. part. I, lib. III, cap. II: Generatio, inquit, complectitur quatuordecim annos; tunc enim mas potens est generare, tuncque valide matrimonium contrahit. Porro generatio hic capitur non pro actu generandi, sed pro genitis sive filiis. Generatio ergo prima ab Jerusalem est translata Babylonem: ea cum primum Babylonem appulit, filios, id est secundam generationem, procreavit; haec vero post quatuordecim annos tertiam; tertia post totidem annos, scilicet anno 28 desolationis, quartam genuit; quarta anno 42 desolationis genuit quintam; haec sextam anno 56, quae tandem septimam generationem edidit anno desolationis 70 quo e captivitate liberati sunt. Haec explicatio non est improbabilis, nec incongrua.
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3. Ostentantes metum gentibus, — ad incutiendum hominibus religionem et sacrum quemdam metum ac reverentiam. 4. Factis alienis. — Graece est ἀλλοφύλοις, id est alienigenis, puta Chaldaeis, q. d. Ne vos conformetis Chaldaeorum idololatriae. 5. Adorantes, — Graece est προσκυνοῦντας αὐτά, id est adorantes (scilicet turbam, puta Chaldaeos) ipsa, scilicet idola. Noster non legit τὸ αὐτά; unde adorantes retulit ad Judaeos, non ad Chaldaeos.
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6. Angelus enim, — scilicet Michael, ut colligitur, Daniel. XII, 1, ubi inducitur Michael quasi custos et praeses Hebraeorum, q. d. Me adorate, non idola Chaldaeorum, nec est quod Chaldaeos timeatis: ego enim vos ab illis defendam; nam ego paternam vestri curam gero. Primo, quia angelum meum vobis destino in tutorem, utque ipse vos educat ex Babylone, sicut eduxit ex Aegypto; eo enim alludit, scilicet ad Exodi XXXIII, 2. Secundo, quia exquiram animas vestras, id est vindex vester ero, ulciscar injurias vestras, ac praesertim mortem si quis eam vobis intulerit. Ita Hugo et Lyranus.
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8. Amanti ornamenta (sicut virgini φιλοκόσμῳ, id est ornatum amanti et affectanti, undecumque ornamenta conquiruntur): ita (Chaldaei idololatrae) auro accepto — idolis ornatum asciscunt. 9. Unde subtrahunt, — q. d. Sacerdotes aurum a diis suis auferunt, et in suos usus convertunt, dantque prostitutis et meretricibus quas domi alunt. Ita Graeca. Ex eo quod idola sint insensibilia quasi saxa et metalla, quae patiantur sibi ornamenta eripi, omnemque aliam injuriam tolerent; ostendit eos non esse deos, imo non esse animatos, nec ullam habere nostri cognitionem, curam atque providentiam. Vere Poeta: Idolum nihil est nisi marmor inutile, cujus Est proprium numquam vivere, scire nihil.
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11. Ab aerugine et tinea, — q. d. Idola corroduntur aerugine et tinea, atque pulveribus opplentur, nec eos excutere possunt, perinde ac si mera ligna aut lapides essent, uti revera sunt: non ergo sunt dii. 13. Sceptrum autem habet, — idolum sceptrum gestat, quasi rex et judex esset omnia gubernans, cum neminem damnare et interficere possit. Est enallage: locutus est enim de idolis in plurali, nunc de iis loquitur in singulari numero. 17. Sicut alicui qui regem offendit, circumseptae sunt januae (dum quasi reus carceri includitur); aut sicut ad sepulcrum adductum mortuum. — Id est, sicuti cadaver mortuum cum ad sepulcrum adducitur, tutari solent custodes, ne spolietur pretiosis vestibus, armis et instrumentis, cum quibus illud humare solent tam Judaei quam gentiles. Ita Hugo et Lyranus. Aliter ex Graeco jam vertit Vatablus, sic: Uti cuipiam qui regem offendit atria circumcludi solent, tanquam ad supplicium abducendo: ita sacerdotes aedes eorum muniunt ostiis, claustris et vectibus, ne a latronibus, aut potius furibus (quos et ipsos a latendo latrones voces) compilentur. 18. Sunt autem sicut trabes, — idola sunt stipites, ligna et saxa, quae lumen videre non possunt. Vide Delrio, adagio 883. 19. Corda. — Aliqua enim idola erant interius terrea, vel ex alia fragili materia; exterius vero erant aenea vel aurea, et sic serpentes qui terram comedunt, comedebant corda, id est interiora horum deorum. Secundo, Maldonatus: « Corda, inquit, id est medullam ligni ex quo facti sunt, elingunt et corrodunt serpentes, id est vermes, » ut sit catachresis. 22. Cattae, — catti, feles: graece enim est αἴλουροι. Ita Vatablus.
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24. Ex omni pretio, — maximo pretio sunt empta, et tamen carent spiritu. Ita Vatablus. In quibus spiritus non inest ipsis. — ipsis per hebraismum redundat, unde videtur interpres ex Hebraeo haec transtulisse: nam in Graeco non est.
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26. Munera. — Graecum δῶρον etiam significat palmum minorem, qui quaternum digitorum erat, idem quod ζαλαισίν, seu tertia pars spithamae, ut tradit Eustathius. Sic accipit hic Pagninus, q. d. Palmo humerisque fulciunt idolum, ut stet, ne cadat. 27. Mulieres eorum decerpentes, — ex donariis quae idolis oblata sunt. Graece ταριχεύουσαι, id est in penum recondentes, q. d. Omnia sibi reservant, nihil egenis impertiuntur. 28. Foetae, — puerperae, quae quia immundae, arcentur templo et sacris, Levit. XII, 2. Licet enim hac lege Judaeorum gentiles non obligarentur, tamen per se indecens erat personas ita sordidas et pollutas sacra contingere, praesertim apud Judaeos quibus id erat abominabile; unde Propheta id eis inculcat, ut ex cultorum irreverentia ostendat ipsius culturae, puta idololatriae turpitudinem.
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29. Quia mulieres apponunt — escas, vel donaria et anathemata suis idolis. Est subjectio: rogarat enim: Unde idola sunt dii? Respondet: Quia stultae et superstitiosae mulierculae eis, quasi diis dona apponunt: mulieres ergo faciunt hosce deos. 30. Tunicas scissas. — Quod vetatur Judaeis, Levit. x, 6. Barbam rasam. — Quod vetatur laicis Judaeorum, Levit. xix, 27; et sacerdotibus, Levit. xxi, 5, tum honestatis et decoris causa, tum ne hac in re communicarent cum sacerdotibus Isidis, aliorumque deorum gentilium. Vide dicta Levit. xix et xxi, Ezech. XLIV, 22. Notat illorum hypocrisin et simulationem. Rursum Judaeos absterret ab eorum cultu et caeremoniis, quod eae repugnent ritibus a Deo et Mose institutis.
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31. Rugiunt contra deos (clamant ad deos suos misero et lugubri ejulatu) sicut in coena mortui, — id est, sicut solent audiri lugubres clamores et gemitus in coena funerea alicujus mortui, maxime qua gentiles, ut ait Epiphanius in Ancorat., ad sepulcrum ferentes cibum, insolenti clamore evocabant defunctos, dicendo: Resurge, o Hector! comede et bibe. Vel dicentes, Vale. Sic Achillem in funere Patrocli fecisse ait Homerus Iliad. XVIII: « Salve, mi Patrocle, atque vale; » et Eneam in funere Pallantis, Virgilius, Eneid. XI: Salve aeternum mihi maxime Palla, Aeternumque vale. Ita Hugo, Lyranus et Dionysius. Innuit deos gentium fuisse homines, jamque esse mortuos. Nam ut ait Cicero, lib. I De Natura Deor.: « Suscepit vita hominum consuetudoque communis, ut beneficiis excellentes viros in coelum fama ac voluntate tolleret. Hinc Hercules, hinc Castor, hinc Pollux, hinc Aesculapius, hinc Liber. » Nam Aesculapium medicina; Liberum, Saturnum et Cererem agricultura; Apollinem cithara; Vulcanum fabrica deos fecit. Hinc Aegyptus Isidem, doctae Athenae Minervam coluere; quod illa lini, haec olei usum artemque lanificii invenisse credatur. « Accesserunt etiam Poetae, ait Lactantius, lib. I, cap. xv, qui compositis ad voluptatem carminibus, in coelum eos sustulerunt, sicut faciunt qui apud reges etiam malos, panegyricis mendacibus adulantur. Quod malum a Graecis ortum est. Unde eos sic increpat Sibylla: Graecia quid confidis in viros principes? Ad quid dona inania mortuis ponis? Immolas idolis: quis tibi in mentem dolorem Imposuit, ut haec perficias magni Dei ore Relicto? Porro coena haec mortuorum a Graecis vocabatur περίδειπνον, a Tertulliano in Apolog. et a Latinis silicernium. Hinc senes capulares, etiam dicti silicernii, quasi pro quibus jamjam morituris coena funeralis paranda esset. Non ergo a curvitate, quod silices spectent, ita dicti sunt, ut aliqui putarunt, sed a coena hac quae silicernium dicebatur, eo quod cum silentio edentes cernerentur, vel quod silentes cogitarent se mox illum secuturos esse. Unde abeuntes a convivio, velut non amplius se visuri, invicem salutabant, dicebantque: Vale. Hinc Varro: « Funus exsecuti, laute ad sepulcrum antiquo more silicernium confecimus, id est convivium in quo pransi discedentes dicimus aliis alii: Vale. »
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34. Neque hoc requirent, — non expostulant, non ulciscuntur voti et promissi sibi facti neglectum et perfidiam. 40. Adhuc enim Chaldaeis non honorantibus ea, — q. d. Praesertim cum etiam ipsi Chaldaei contemnant idola sua; cum enim muti a Belo muto loquelam petunt, nec impetrant, sicque intelligunt idola sua esse muta, relinquunt ea et missa faciunt. Ita Juvenalis, satyra 13, Jovi insultat: Audis, Jupiter, haec, nec labra moves? cum mittere vocem Debueras, vel marmoreus, vel aheneus. 41. Quasi possint sentire quae non habent motum, — scilicet naturalem, ut animalia. Non enim potest quippiam, quod totum sit atque integrum, et suam naturam retineat, tali motu carens, habere sensum. Omne ergo quod sentit, per se et moveri potest, vel progradiendo, vel se dilatando et contrahendo. Dico per se: nam per accidens, puta per morbos, et in toto animali, et in parte potest perire motus manente sensu: in toto quidem, ut per catalepsim; in parte vero, cum paralysis non procedit usque ad sensus sublationem. Adde, ex motu nos judicare de sensu et vita: unde Ecclesia non baptizat abortivos foetus, nisi motus alicujus speciem prae se ferant. Haec et plura Valesius Sacrae Philosoph. cap. LXXIX. Ratio a priori est, quia animalia omnia habent cerebrum: a cerebro autem quasi a proprio principio manat tam motus quam sensus, per instrumenta, scilicet per nervos et musculos. Nota: Idola et statuae movere se possunt variis modis. Primo, si eis indatur argentum vivum. Secundo, per ventum quem sinibus suis affabre factis excipiunt, quomodo Albertus Magnus olim, et nunc Mirabiliarii faciunt corvos et dracones volantes, quales saepius vidi. Tertio, per pondera, rotas et aequilibria dextre in statua, quasi in horologio, disposita. Ita oblata est mihi Norimbergae venalis statua pueri Jesu elegantissima, quae mox ut loculum in quo jacebat aperiebas, caput motitando annuere et arridere videbatur. Ita Augustae Vindelicorum vidi tum alia, tum Centaurum inauratum Nostro P. Trigautio pro Sinensibus donatum, qui tactu rotulae cujusdam per se et sponte procurrebat ad spatium trium quatuorve pedum, telum ex arcu ejaculabatur usque in tabulatum, sonabat, pulsabat, aliaque mira faciebat. Verum nihil horum fit motu animali, qui a forma intrinseca, puta ab anima et spiritu vitali, proficiscitur: unde motus hi non diu durant, et cessante causa impellente cessant. Et ipsi — cultores idolorum, puta Chaldaei, relinquunt ea, ut dixi. Graeca contrarie habent, et non possunt ipsi intelligentes relinquere ea, id est ipsi idololatrae adeo sunt dementati et excaecati, ut cum intelligant idolorum mutorum vanitatem et stoliditatem, ea tamen ex inveterata prava consuetudine relinquere non possint. 42. Mulieres circumdatae funibus. — Nota ex Herodoto, lib. I, Babylonias et Cyprias virgines ante matrimonium, imo omnes eorum mulieres sic coluisse Venerem, ut semel saltem in vita ad Veneris templum desiderent, suamque pudicitiam exponerent, ut qui primo obvius vellet, eis abuteretur, dato tamen pretio cum hac imprecatione: « Tanti ego tibi deam Milyttam, » id est Venerem, « imploro, » hocque pretium istae illusae templo Veneris dicabant, sicque virginitate quasi Veneri dicata, putabant se faustas inire nuptias. Audi S. Augustinum, lib. IV De Civit. cap. x: « Veneri, ait, Phoenices donum dabant de prostitutione filiarum, antequam eas jungerent viris. » Idem de Phoenissis mulieribus testatur S. Athanasius, orat. Contra idola, ubi originem idololatriae investigans eam institutam esse ait « desiderio eorum, qui stupris et propudiis pleni, figmentis repraesentantur; » itaque turpissimam sibi suorum deorum vitam idolorum cultores imitandam proposuisse. Et Strabo, lib. XI, in fine, agens de sacris Persarum, Medorum et Armeniorum, sic scribit de Anaïtide: « Haec est Venus in oriente culta, Armeniorum idolum: illustrissimi ejus nationis filias suas virgines ei dedicant, ac lex est ut longo tempore apud deam constupratae, deinde nuptum dentur, nemine talis mulieris conjugium dedignante (o miseros cornutos, et infames gentilium maritos!) » Tale quippe etiam Herodotus de Lydiis mulieribus scribit: omnes enim eae meretrices sunt. Sic Scoti gentiles, filias suas sponsas antequam a sponsis cognoscerentur, primo regi suo violandas tradebant: cujus incestus loco et vice jam christiani effecti induxerunt, ut novae sponsae certum nummum regi pendant. Cujus rei testes sunt Polydorus Virgilius et Hector Boetius in Hist. Scot. Vide hic gentilismi stolidam et insanam spurcitiam, religionis, id est superstitionis larva, daemonis suggestu obtectam. Hac de causa juxta templum Veneris plurima erant diverticula, ait Herodotus, funiculis distincta, additque aliquas difformes ad duos vel tres annos ibi desedisse, et amasios exspectasse in tentoriis, quae funibus tendebantur. Atque de hisce funibus putant aliqui Baruch hic loqui. Verum obstat quod non erat necesse hos funes rumpere; quod tamen de suis ait hic Baruch: deinde addit ipsas mulieres circumligatas fuisse funibus: ergo mulierum, non tentoriorum erant hi funes. Quare secundo, funiculi hi possunt accipi serta de juncis et floribus contexta, quibus hae prostitutae capita cingebant, teste Herodoto, et Strabone qui ait eas thominge, id est vinculo vel funiculo, coronatas fuisse. Tertio et propriissime, hae mulieres cingulo vel funiculo corpus vinciebant, ut significarent se virgines, et Veneris religione et amore captas detineri, hocque signo quasi Veneri sacras, primo obvio sui copiam facere, et petere ut funem solvat, et nefaria sacra Veneri faciat: sicque incesta copulatione, cesto sive zona dirupta, matrimonium inibant. Idem faciebant conjugatae si Veneri se dicare vellent. Ita ex Herodoto, Strabone et Curtio, lib. V, a Castro. Hinc cestus, sive zona priscis signum erat virginis et virginitatis, quam tunc primum solvebant mariti, cum nova nupta primo eorum thalamum subibat. Sic Romani in philtro, amasii statuam ternis funiculis colligabant. Testis est Virgilius, ecloga 8. Ossa olivarum, — τὰ πίτυρα, id est furfures tritici vel hordei, ait Vatablus. Sic enim πίτυρα accipiunt Hesychius, Dioscorides et Theophrastus. Sed melius Noster hic vertit, « ossa olivarum, » id est nucleos duros et quasi osseos olivarum (sic Beroaldus apud Henricum Stephanum in Lexico πίτυρα vocat ossiculum olivae), vel minutas olivas duriores, ac pene osseas, utpote quae solo fere constent nucleo. Dicuntur hae πίτυρα, quod furfuracei sint coloris, vel quod in olivis tritis et contusis ossa sint quasi furfures et excrementa. Ita Athenaeus, lib. II, cap. xiv, ex Callimacho et Philemone: Πιτυρίδες, ait, sunt olivae μασταὶ, id est tritae, contusae; vel, ut alii legunt, φαῦλαι, id est malae. Oliva enim priscis tam Aegyptiis quam Hebraeis, teste Pierio, hieroglyph. 53, hieroglyphicum fuit misericordiae, pacis, amoris, concordiae; imo supplicationis, spei et precum. Unde Statius: Vittatae laurus et supplicis arbor oliva. Hinc Romani pro oliva laurum teste Virgilio urebant, quasi amasio supplicantes. Hoc ergo philtrum sive veneficium magicum erat, quo diabolares istae, quas nec divitiae, nec forma, nec genus commendabat, cremando ossa, id est nucleos, olivarum flammam concupiscentiae testabantur, et procorum duritiem mollire et incantare studebant, ne diu desiderarent, sed cito amasium allicerent. Unde simul cum hac crematione precabantur, ut sic hospites earum amore torrerentur. Tandem sic adusta, et in cineres redacta spargebant in ventum, jacta trans caput. Sic enim Theocritus, in Pharmaceutria, docet hoc a Babyloniis didicisse Graecos, scilicet Simethaeam veneficam, quae Delphidem juvenem deperibat. Sic enim ait: « Sicut ego hanc ceram Deo juvante liquefacio, ita prae amore statim liquefiat Myndius Delphis; utque volvitur hic aeneus orbis, ope Veneris, sic ille volvatur ante nostras fores. Iynx, trahe tu illum meum virum ad domum nostram, nunc sacrificabo vel succendam pityra. » Et Virgilius, ecloga 8: Fer cineres, Amarilli, foras, rivoque fluenti Transque caput jace. Ita Guevara praefatione in Habacuc. Vide Delrio in Magic. part. I, Quaest. III, sect. II, et Pererium in Daniel. v, 4. Porro apposite ignem concupiscentiae suae testabantur cremando nucleos olivarum, quia hi nuclei, utpote oleati et pingues, vehementer ardent, imo prae nucleis aliarum arborum flammam vomunt: qua de causa in Apulia fornaces, in quibus coquitur vitrum, calx, etc., quae ardentissimae sunt, nucleis olivarum tritis accendunt: oleis enim ita abundant, ut inde ignem struant. Lignum autem oleae, etiamsi viride sit et recenter succisum, ardet tamen et flammam edit, quia pingue et oleatum. Idipsum Romae mihi affirmarunt viri graves oculati testes, imo ad oculum ostenderunt. Affert obscaenitatem hanc idololatrarum Jeremias, q. d. O Hebraei, advertite obscaenitatem idololatriae, videte an hic sit Deus, cui quasi lenoni stupra, et stupri pretia gentiles offerunt, contra legem, Deut. xxiii, 18; rursum cui ne olivas quidem aut oleum, sed tantum ossa olivarum contrita, scilicet sordes et excrementa, dedicant. Nimirum talibus gaudet daemon, hoc ejus est thymiama, ut habent Graeca. Deus autem vester et verus gaudet castitate, victimis purissimis et optimis, ac thymiamati odoratissimo. Hinc Isidorus, lib. III Sententiarum, cap. XIII: Poetae, ait, finxerunt Venerem impudicam esse deam, et Martem adulterum esse deum, ut hominibus haec flagitia persuaderent, quasi in iis deos imitarentur; quis enim non honestum putaret, sibique licere arbitraretur, quod dii fecisse dicebantur? 44. Falsa, — vana sunt, res nihili, res mendaces sunt, q. d. Idola omnisque eorum cultus falsa sunt, et superstitiose ab hominibus adinventa. 45. Sacerdotes. — Graece τεχνῖται, id est fabricatores sive artifices idolorum, quales erant sacerdotes, qui ea curabant fieri, vel ipsi ea faciebant. 46. Non sunt multi temporis, — q. d. Artifices idolorum sunt brevis aevi et vitae; quomodo ergo possunt facere deos aeternos et immortales?
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47. Reliquerunt autem falsa et opprobrium, — reliquerunt idola, quae sunt res falsae et mendaces, dignaeque opprobrio. Secundo, reliquerunt posteris falsam fidem et religionem idolorum, dignamque opprobrio. Tertio, q. d. Pro diis reliquerunt materiam falsitatis et opprobrii posteris: magna enim falsitas, error et opprobrium est ligna et lapides colere quasi deos. Ita Maldonatus. 49. Sentiri, — existimari, q. d. Palpari pene potest manibus quod ipsi non sunt dii. Ita Graeca. 50. Scietur postea, — prudentia naturalis ex eventu et experientia quod idola non sentiant, nec juvent, docebit tandem omnes gentes ea non esse deos. Ita Hugo. Secundo, q. d. In lege et luce evangelica totus mundus cognoscet et despiciet idola. Ita Lyranus. Et nullum Dei opus cum illis, — idola scilicet nihil posse facere quod proprium sit Dei; puta non posse mortuos suscitare, caecos illuminare, mutis loquelam dare, reges creare, pluvias tribuere, ut sequitur. 51. Unde ergo notum est, — q. d. Non aliunde quam ex ipsa idolorum inspectione, et ex experientia, q. d. Quid opus est argumentis? res in se nota et clara est, scilicet quod idola non sunt dii. Unde Graeca habent, τίνι οὖν γνωστέον ἐστίν, cui ergo cognoscendum est eos non esse deos? q. d. Quis tam hebes est, ut debeat doceri idola non esse deos? Vatablus pro cui legit quis, unde vertit, quis nesciat illos non esse deos?
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53. Judicium quoque non discernent, — non diriment lites hominum edito miraculo, uti Deus diremit litem Aaronis contra Core, Dathan et Abiron, Num. 16, et alias saepe. Sicut corniculae, — imbelles et imbecilles, quae licet avium putentur esse duces, tamen ignavae volantes vix teli jactum effugiunt, et in praelio statim hosti cedunt. Secundo, sicut corniculae infirmissimae sunt aves, et praeter crocitationem nihil habent: sic et idola praeter materiam et externam figuram nihil habent. Hinc a corniculis proverbium est κωρικίζειν, id est cornicari, significans inepte garrire, quod usurpat S. Hieronymus, epist. ad Rusticum, et Persius, satyra 5: Nescio quid tecum grave cornicaris inepte. Tertio, sicuti gentiles observabant volatus et clamores cornicularum, ut ex iis superstitiose divinarent res futuras: ita et observabant idola, id est idolorum victimas, earumque gestus et motus, tus, ut ex iis divinarent futura. Ita olim puellae nubiles ut ominatas consequerentur nuptias, opimum prandium afferebant cornici, ut patet ex Phoenice Colophonio apud Athenaeum, lib. VIII. Quin et apud Romanos, ait Festus, « Corniscarum divarum lucus trans Tiberim cornicibus dicatus erat, quod in Junonis tutela esse putabantur. » Superstitionis origo fuit, quod cornix sit conjugalis amoris symbolum. Mares enim, feminis connubio conjuncti, nunquam ad alteram divertunt cornicem, nec femina quoad vivit, ad alium marem: quod si mors divortium fecerit, qui superstes est perpetuum sibi indicit caelibatum. Ita Horus Apollo, lib. I Hierogl. cap. viii, et ibidem, P. Nicolaus Causinus. Insuper vulgus corniculam, quia garrula est, fatidicam putat. Hinc illud ejus aenigma: Vivo novem vitas, si non me Graecia fallit: Et non irascens ultro convicia dico. 56. Quibus hi qui fortiores sunt, — q. d. Qui idolis injurii sunt, eaque diripiunt, iis sunt fortiores, q. d. Fures sunt potentiores idolis.
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59. Obaudiunt, — obediunt Deo creatori et gubernatori suo. 60. Idipsum (id est similiter) spiritus (id est ventus) in omni regione spirat. — Nam, ut ait Seneca, lib. V Natur. Quaest. cap. xvi, xvii, xviii: « Totidem ventorum sunt, quot coelo discrimina. Nulla enim propemodum regio est, quae non habeat aliquem flatum ex se nascentem, et circa se cadentem. » Et Plinius, lib. II, cap. xlvii: « Omnes, ait, venti vicibus suis spirant, majori ex parte autem, ut contrarius desinenti incipiat. » Quin et S. Thomas in Job. cap. xxxvii, 12: Venti, inquit, videntur per vices suas solis motum sequi, ut primum cum oriente sole orientales, deinde meridionales, postea occidentales venti spirent. Idem innuit, Eccles. I, 5: « Oritur sol, et occidit, et ad locum suum revertitur: ibique renascens, gyrat per meridiem, et flectitur ad aquilonem; lustrans universa in circuitu pergit spiritus. »
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62. Haec autem (idola) neque speciebus (graece εἴδεσι, id est formis et pulchritudinibus) neque virtutibus (id est viribus) similia sunt — soli, igni, fulguri, etc.; sed informia sunt, inepta, mortua, imbecilla. 63. Neque regibus maledicent, — neque regibus facient male nec bene, non facient reges felices vel infelices. Prae aliis hominibus nominat reges, quia in iis dirigendis maxime cernitur Dei providentia, quae regna et respublicas praemiat vel punit per suos reges et praesides. Ipse enim confert, conservat, amplificat, vel minuit, debilitat aut tollit regna, ut indicavit vers. 33 et 52, et Job cap. XII, 18, et Daniel. iv, 14. Ita Maldonatus.
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66. Signa etiam in coelo, — q. d. Plus possunt sol et luna, plusque praestant hominibus quam idola: tum quia signa sunt dierum, mensium et temporum, eaque describunt, Gen. I, 14, eo enim alludit; tum quia gentibus timorem incutiunt: gentes enim ex superstitione metuebant ab astris, ut patet Jerem. x, 2. 69. Formido, — graece τὸ βασσκάνιον, id est terriculamentum, v. g. Puer stamineus cum arcu, positus in horto ut aves terreat et fuget, quae cum vident puerum non moveri, pulso timore libere in cucumeres involant. Haec Graeci vocant μορμολυκεῖα. Ita Horatius: Olim truncus eram ficulnus, inutile lignum, Cum faber incertus, scamnum faceretne Priapum, Maluit esse Deum. Deus inde ego furum, aviumque maxima formido. Comparat idola hisce terriculis avium, quae fructus vere non custodiunt, sed tantum ex opinione et phantasia avium, quae putant ea esse veros homines, cum tantum sint simulacra hominum: sic enim et idola non sunt dii, sed simulacra. Secundo, comparat ea spinae hortensi, id est rhamno, cui aves libere insident, cum videant spinam esse sine aculeis. Tertio, cadaveri mortuo et insensibili. Tropologice, talis est princeps et praelatus insipiens et timidus, ait Hugo, et ex eo Delrio, adagio 886: Sicut enim, inquit, aves primo intuitu metuunt hoc terriculum, mox tamen ut moveri aut laedere non posse advertunt, assident propius, deinde insident et coinquinant: ita subditi primo praelatum reverentur, at dum vident ignavum et timidum, contemnunt, supplantant, conculcant. Hic similis est Sobnae praeposito templi, cui ait Isaias cap. XXII, 15: « Quid tu hic, aut quasi quis hic? » De talibus queritur Jeremias, cap. XXIII, 13: « In prophetis Samariae vidi fatuitatem. » Et Zacharias, cap. XI, 17: « O pastor, et idolum, derelinquens gregem. » Tales enim sunt idola: umbrae et larvae pastorum, non veri pastores; quibus, uti et idolis, ac terriculis, recte competit vetus paraemia: « Simia in purpura. » Quam multos id genus simios videre est in aulis principum, quibus si purpuram, si torquem, si gemmam detrahas, meros cerdones deprehendes! In hos competit illud quod, teste S. Hieronymo ad Pammach., de Caesare egregie dixit Tullius: « Cum quosdam, ait, ornare voluit, non illos honestavit, sed ornamenta ipsa turpavit. »
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71. A purpura quoque et murice, quae supra illos tineant. — Ita legendum, non teneant, q. d. Ex vestibus idolorum purpureis et muriceis, quae a tineis consumuntur, utique scietis quid sint idola, scilicet quod sint saxa et ligna, non dii. Nota: Pro murice aliqui legunt marmore: graece enim est τῆς μαρμάρου, quod Vatablus vertit, splendore; μάρμαρος enim signat fulgorem, splendorem, et a splendore dictus est tam lapis marmor, uti docet Anselmus Boetius, lib. II De Lapidibus, cap. cclxiv, quam hic murex sive purpura: nam, ut ait Poeta, Eneidos IV: « Tyrioque ardebat murice laena: » laena, id est toga duplex, quae erat amictus auguralis, ait Paulus Manutius; si ardebat, ergo et splendebat. Secundo, marmor tingi solet rubeo colore. Hinc significat muriceum sive conchyliatum et purpureum colorem et vestem, quae supra idola tineat, id est a tinea arroditur et consumitur; graece σηπομένης, id est quae putrescit. Sciens itaque. — Potius legendum cum Maldonato, scietis utique: sic enim connexa erit sententia praecedentium, eaque hic explebitur. Id ita esse patet ex Graeco. Et erunt opprobrium, — erunt omnibus risui et probro. Omnes enim rident, cum vident aliquod idolum saxeum vel ligneum, cariosum, truncum pedibus, manibus, oculis aut capite, adorari aut adoratum fuisse. Ex hoc capite refellitur Calvinus, qui ait Gentiles non fuisse tam stupidos, ut adorarent ligna et lapides, sed in iis adorasse Deum, quasi in imagine, uti faciunt Christiani. Hoc enim falsissimum esse patet ex toto hoc capite, et ex Arnobio, Lactantio, Tertulliano, Justino, Athenagora et aliis, qui passim rident Gentiles, quod lapides et ligna pro diis colant. Idem videmus hodie facere Japones et Indos. Simplices ergo statuas colebant ut deos: sapientiores quasi corpus vel membra Dei; putabant enim numen statuae et idolo, sui quasi simulacro, esse affixum, in illo habitare, et circa illud versari et ludere: sapientissimi riserunt idola, ut Socrates et Plato; licet quidam ex eis ea coluerint metu hominum, qua de re alibi plura dixi. Quocirca Barlaam, apud Damascenum in Historia cap. x, Josaphato demonstrat stultitiam idololatrarum per apologum aucupis et lusciniae, eamque triplicem. Primo, quod res praeteritas, puta Jovem, Mercurium aliosque homines flagitiosos jam mortuos suscitare velint. Secundo, quod tentent impossibilia: petunt enim vitam a statua inanimata. Tertio, quod credant rem incredibilem, scilicet saxa esse deos. Apologum lusciniae recensui Jerem. viii, 7. Et S. Augustinus, in Sententiis, Sent. II, 15: « Sic, ait, sunt qui colunt idola, quomodo qui in somnis vident vana. Si autem evigilet anima ipsorum, intelligit a quo facta sit, et non colit quod ipsa fecit. » Moraliter ergo disce hoc capite, quam impia et stolida sit idololatria, quae Deum verum divinitate sua privare, eamque in creaturam transferre conatur. Hinc Sancti eam, ut summum crimen laesae Majestatis divinae, tantopere detestati sunt, ut maluerint quaevis tormenta et mortes acerbissimas pati, quam idola colere. Primis trecentis Ecclesiae Christianae annis, plusquam sexcenta Christianorum millia hac una de causa martyrium subierunt, vel ad furcas, vel ad ignes, vel ad gladios, vel ad cruces, vel ad bestias damnati. Quocirca B. Remigius Archiepiscopus Rhemensis, cum Clodovaeum Francorum regem, primum ex regibus Franciae conversum ad Christum post superatos Alemannos baptizare deberet, coram procerum frequentia, deponenti ornamenta regalia, et ad sacrum se lavacrum humilianti, cunctis audientibus dixit: « Mitis depone colla Sicamber; adora quod incendisti; incende quod adorasti, » hoc est Christum adora, cujus ecclesias incendisti paganus; incende idola, quae tunc adorasti. Ita Joannes Trithemius, lib. I Compend. Annal., et lib. De Origine Francorum. S. Chrysogonus, Diocletiano Imperatore Romae inclusus in carcere, ibi biennium vixit. Sed cum Imperator Diocletianus Dalmata, obscuro loco natus, Romam scripsisset, ut reliquis Christianis, qui in vinculis essent, interfectis, Chrysogonus Aquileiam ad se mitteretur, eo perductus est; cui Imperator: Accersivi, inquit, te, Chrysogone, ut honoribus augeam, si modo induxeris animum deos colere. At ille: « Ego eum, qui vere est Deus, mente et oratione veneror; deos autem, qui nihil sunt nisi daemonum simulacra, odi et exsecror. » Quo responso excandescens Imperator, ad Aquas Gradatas eum securi percuti jubet. Ita habet ejus Vita. Romae, sub Adriano Imperatore Seraphia Virgo Antiochena, cum in domo Sabinae praeclarissimae feminae apud urbem commaneret, rapta ab officio Praesidis, exhibita est in conspectu ipsius. Cui ille: Sacrifica diis immortalibus, quibus sacrificant domini Imperatores. B. Seraphia respondit: « Timeo, et colo omnipotentem Deum, qui fecit coelum et terram, et omnia quae in eis sunt. Nam dii quos jubes adorare, non sunt dii, sed sunt daemonia; et ideo non licet mihi eos adorare, quia Christiana sum. » Rursum Praeses: Sacrifica diis, inquit, ne morte plectaris. Cui virgo: « Non facio voluntatem patris tui Satanae, quia Christiana sum. » Quare varie torta tandem capite plexa, Martyr in coelum evolavit. Ita Ado in Martyrol. 3 septemb. SS. Perpetua et Felicitas Africanae Martyres sub Severo Imperatore anno Domini 205, quas saepe dilaudat S. Augustinus, damnatae ad leones, cum ducerentur ad amphitheatrum ut iis objicerentur, alta alacrique voce canebant: « Omnes dii Gentium daemonia, Dominus autem coelos fecit; » cumque Praeses juberet alapis faciem et os earum contundi, illae majori et contentiori voce idipsum canendo iterarunt, ut habent earum Acta 7 martii. Illa enim die S. Perpetua a leonibus, S. Felicitas a leopardis dilacerata, de idolis et daemonibus triumpharunt. Tropologice idolum haeretici est haeresis, superbi honor, gulosi crapula, inobedientis propria voluntas, etc. Morere hisce tuis idolis, vive Deo: despice vana, suspice vera: despice terrena, suspice coelestia: morere saeculo, vive coelo: morere tempori, vive aeternitati.
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72. Melior est homo justus, qui non habet simulacra: nam erit longe ab opprobriis. q. d. Longe praestantior et felicior est homo justus qui simulacra non colit, quia is procul aberit ab opprobrio et poenis, quibus Deus idololatras mulctat hic et in aeternum. Hic versus totius epistolae est quasi clausula et conclusio, in qua Jeremias Hebraeos, quasi eos amplectens, rogat et obsecrat ut ab idolis caveant, eaque detestentur, q. d. Charissimi, videtis quam vana, stulta et noxia sit idololatria: quare ab ea cavete; potius quaevis perpessimini quam ut idola colatis. Manete in cultu Dei vestri, qui solus verus est Deus, solus vos diligit, solus vos tuetur, solus vos e captivitate liberabit, qui vivit et regnat in saecula saeculorum. Amen.
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · Vulgata Clementina · Douay-Rheims originale (Douai 1609-10), trascrizione EEBO-TCP (CC0) · La Sacra Bibbia, tradotta dalla Volgata da Antonio Martini (1769-1781) (LaParola (laparola.net), Martini OSIS text, Public domain (LaParola's electronic edition marks it 'Dominio pubblico')). Pubblico dominio.