Commentary on Romans, Treatise · Chapter 1 · Dialogue 14
DIAL. XIIII.
Verse 25.
Which turned the truth of God into a lye, and worshipped the Creature, for saking the Creator, who is to be blessed for euer, Amen.
Tim.
WHat is the Apostles method heere, how doth he proceede in this matter?
Silas.
As before in 23, 24, so now againe he openeth the Fountaine of that impurity in defiling themselues, and Iniustice toward their Neighbour, to wit; their impiety toward God, and prophanation of his worshippe, which was the very Root and Mother of such abominable Children and branches, as filthy lusts and vniust actions be: that which he called the changing of his glory, in verse 23, now he tearmeth the turning of his truth, that is, those true principles touching Gods eternall power and God-head, engrafted in their mindes; and that which before he named the Image or likenesse of a corruptible man, is heere named (falsity or a lye) because it represents him falsly, and ascribeth to him a lying kind of worship: for God will not be eyther pourtraied by an Image, or serued in an Image, or by or before one. All such worship howsoeuer it be by Idolaters intended and directed vntounto God, yet it is not so accepted of God, neither indeed is it giuen to him at all, but vntounto Idols, as Paul teacheth, 1. Cor. 10, 19, 20. therefore it is better translated (they serued the Creature) passing by, or forsaking the Creator; then thus (more then the Creator) but if we reade it more or rather) then it is like to that in Iohn 3, 19. and Luke 10, 14. thus ye hauehave both the connexion of this Text with the former, and the interpretation of the phrases therein in some part.
Tim.
What is the drift of this Verse, at what marke dooth it ayme?
First to proue (as hee did before, verse 23.) that the Gentiles, howsoeuer they knewe the Law of Nature, touching the worship of the true God, yet did violate and transgresse it by their grosse Idolatry. Secondly, to lay out the Iustice of God, in bringing vponupon them, that heauy punishment, mentioned verse 24. whereof their grosse Idolatry was the true and proper cause.
Tim.
Tell vsus now what is the sum of this Verse?
Silas.
It is a liuely description of Idolatry, which is a changing of the true God into a lye, and worshipping of the Creature, to the contempt of the Creator.
Tim.
What is meant by the truth of God?
Sil.
The God who is true, as before, verse 20. the glorie of God, being put for the God who is ful of glorie and Maiesty: so heere the [Truth of God] is put for the most true God, and such true notions as men hauehave naturally in them concerning the nature of God.
Tim.
How is the true God defaced by an Image made of him?
Silas.
First, because when God is represented by an Image, something is attributed and giuen to him, which he is not; as that he should be visible, finite, incomprehensible, mortall, corruptible, earthly. Secondly, that is denied him, and taken away from him, which in trueth is his owne, namely; his eternity, immensity, inuisiblenesse, immortality. So eueryevery Image of God, is a false and lying representation.
Tim.
Wherefore is an Image called a Lye by our Apostle?
Sil.
First, because from Idolles was taken away that which they were, for they were no more counted wood and stone, though in truth they still were so. Secondly, that was yeilded to them by Idolators, which they were not; as namely, the likenesse of God, to wit; of the power and nature of God.
Tim.
What do ye further note in this Verse?
Silas.
That there be two degrees of Idolatry. First, to make Images of the Deity. Secondly, to serue and giuegive them worship, by outward gestures of kneeling, lifting vp hands, praying before them, offering Incense, &c.
Tim.
When it is said [they worshipped the Creature aboue the Creator] is it meant they worshipped both Images & God, but Images more then God?
Sil.
No, they did not somuch as giuegive the second place to God, but wholly neglected him, being whollie addicted to the worship of the Creature.
Tim.
Is this true in all Idolaters which worship Images?
Silas.
It is so: for whatsoeuer they pretend, yet God is not worshipped at all, where he is not worshipped aright and alone: therefore, is Idoll-seruice tearmed in Deut. 22, 17. and 1. Cor. 19. Diuell-seruice.
Tim.
What learne we from the end of the sentence, wherein he saith of God, he is to be praised for euer?
Sil.
Thus much, that Idolaters hauehave no good successe of their enterprise with their practise: for, howsoeuer they seeke to rob God of his glorie, and to change his truth for a lye, yet he remaines God, to bee praised and blessed for euer: for all that men can do, is not able to alter Gods glorie or truth, he abideth alwaies one and the same, like himselfe, God, woorthy to be blessed for euer. Rom. 9, 5.