Fourthly, I fortify my proposition by approven examples: and first, we find that Jacob, Genes. 35. 4. did not only abolish out of his Sect. 5 house, the Idols, but their ear-rings also, because they were superstitionis insignia, as Calvine; res ad idololatriam pertinentes, as Junius; monilia idolis consecrata, as Pareus calleth them; all writing upon that place. We have also the example of Elijah, 1. Kings 18. 30. he would by no means offer upon Baals Altar, but would needs repair the Lords Altar, though this should hold the people the longer in expectation. This he did in P. Martyrs Judgment, because he thought it a great indignity, to offer sacrifice to the Lord, upon the Altar of Baal. Whereupon, yMartyr reprehendeth those who in administering the true Supper of the Lord, uti velint Papisticis vestibus & instrumentis. Further we have the example of Jehu, who is commanded for the destroying of Baal out of Israel, with his image, his house, and his very vestments. Read, 2. Kings, 10. from the 22. Verse to the 28. And what example more considerable, then that of Hezekiah, who not only abolished such monuments of Idolatry, as at their first institution were but mens inventions, but brake down also the Brazen serpent (though originally set up at Gods own command,) when once he saw it abused to Idolatry? 2 Kings 18. 4. This deed of Hezekiah, Pope zSteven doth greatly praise, and professeth that it is set before us for our imitation, that when our predecessors have wrought some things, which might have been without fault in their time, and afterward they are converted into error and superstition, they may be quickly destroyed by us who come after them. aFarellus saith, that Princes & Magistrates should learn by this example of Hezekiah, what they should do with those significant rites of mens devising which have turned to superstition. Yea, the bB. of Winchester acknowledgeth, that whatsoever is taken up at the injunction of men, when it is drawn to superstition, cometh under the compass of the Brazen serpent, and is to be abolished. And he excepteth nothing from this example, but only things of Gods own prescribing, Moreover, we have the example of good Josiah, 2 Kings 23. for he did not only destroy the houses and the high-places of Baal, vers. 19. but his vessels also, vers. 4. and his grove, vers 6. 14. and his Altars, vers. 12.
Fourthly, I fortify my proposition by approven examples: and first, we find that Iacob, Genes. 35. 4. did not only abolish out of his Sect. 5 house, the Idolls, but their eare-rings also, because they were superstitionis insignia, as Calvine; res ad idololatriam pertinentes, as Iunius; monilia idolis consecrata, as Pareus calleth them; all writting upon that place. We have also the example of Elijah, 1. Kings 18. 30. he would by no meanes offer upon Baals Altar, but would needs repaire the Lords Altar, though this should hold the people the longer in exspectation. This he did in P. Martyrs Iudgment, because he thought it a great indignity, to offer sacrifice to the Lord, upon the Altar of Baal. Whereupon, yMartyr reprehendeth those who in administring the true Supper of the Lord, uti velint Papisticis vestibus & instrumentis. Further we have the example of Iehu, who is commanded for the destroying of Baal out of Israëll, with his image, his house, and his very vestments. Read, 2. Kings, 10. from the 22. Verse to the 28. And what example more considerable, then that of Hezekiah, who not only abolished such monuments of Idolatry, as at their first institution were but mens inventions, but brake downe also the Brazen serpent (though originally set up at Gods owne command,) when once he saw it abused to Idolatry? 2 Kings 18. 4. This deed of Hezekiah, Pope zSteven doth greatly praise, and professeth that it is set before us for our imitation, that when our predecessors have wrought some things, which might have beene without fault in their time, and afterward they are converted into error and superstition, they may be quickly destroyed by us who come after them. aFarellus saith, that Princes & Magistrates should learne by this example of Hezekiah, what they should doe with those significant rites of mens devising which have turned to superstition. Yea, the bB. of Wincester aknowledgeth, that whatsoever is taken up at the injunction of men, when it is drawne to superstition, commeth under the compasse of the Brazen serpent, and is to be abolished. And he excepteth nothing from this example, but only things of Gods owne prescribing, Moreover, we have the example of good Iosiah,
- ycome. in illum locumcomm. in illum locum
- zapud wolphium com. in 2 Reg. 18. 4.
- aJo. Calv. epist. & resp. pag. 79.Io. Calv. epist. & resp. pag. 79.
- bserm. on Phil. 2. 10
