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The Annotations on Jerem. Chap. 10. Verse 2. and part of Vers. 3.
Vers. 2. THus saith the Lord, Learn not the way of the Hea∣then,] Because the Jewish people, were a great party of them to go into captivity into Babylon, and other the regions adjacent, yea, many of them in likelihood were there in captivity already, (See ver. 11. Chap. 24.1. & 29.1, 2.) God by the Prophet endeavoureth to confirm and strengthen them, the pious especially among them, (for such also there were there of them, Chap. 24.5. Ezek. 11.16.) against those superstitions and vanities that were rife in those parts; and they might be in danger, being exiles and captives in a strange land, to be strongly tempted unto: Heb. Learn not to the way: where either the particle is superfluous, omitted therefore, Psal. 106.35. Chap. 12.16. or else it may be rendred, Accustome not your selves to the way of the heathen; and so some render it; do not imitate them, See Chap. 9.5. their way; that is, their su∣perstitious courses, Lev. 18.3. & 20.23.
and be not dismaied at the signes of heaven] The first head of superstitions, which he beginneth with, is Astrologie, a study and practice so rife among them in those parts, Esay 47.13. that the professors and practisers of it, not with them alone, Dan. 2.2. & 5.7. but among other nations also, are generally de∣signed by the name of Chaldeans; See Strabo l. 17. Cicero of divination, l. 2. Pliny l. 6. c. 26. Astrologie, I say, not that which we commonly term Astronomie, whereby the true nature and motion of the celestial bodies are by grounds of reason, and rules of art thence taking their rise, enqired into, and disco∣vered; but that Judiciary Astrologie, as it is usually styled, whereby men take upon them, from the postures and aspects of them, to foretel the issu of humane affairs, either publike, or