The Institution of Christian Religion

¶The .xii. Chapter. That God is severally discerned from idols, that he may be only and wholly worshipped.

¶The .xii. Chapter. That God is seuerally discerned from idols, that he may be only and wholly worshipped.

WE said in the beginning that the knowledge of God standeth not in bare speculation, but draweth with it the worshipping of him, and by the way we touched how he is rightly worshipped, which point shall be in other places more largely to be set forth. Now I do but shortly repeat, that so oft as the Scripture affirmeth that there is but one God, it striveth not for the bare name of God, but withal commandeth this, that whatsoever belongeth to the godhead be not given to any other. Whereby also appeareth what pure religion doeth differ from superstition. Eusebeia, in Greek signifieth as much as true worship, because alway even the blind themselves groping in darkness have found that this rule ought to be holden, that God be not unorderly worshipped.¹ The name of religion although Cicero truly and well deriveth from relegere, to record, or gather up together: yet is the reason that he assigneth enforced and far fet, that good worshippers did often record and diligently weigh what was the trueth. I rather think that that name is set as a contrary to wandering liberty, because the greater part of the world unadvisedly taketh hold of that which they first mete withal, and flieth about hither and thither: but true godliness, to the end it may stand in steadfast state, Religit, that is to say doth gather up it self together within her bonds. Like as I think superstition to have her name hereof, that not being contented with the manner and order prescribed she heapeth up together a superfluous non ber of vain things. But to leave the words it hath alway ben agreed by consent of all ages, that religion is with false errors corrupted & perverted. Whereupon we gather that it is a very fond colour which the superstitious do pretend, when with undiscrete zeal we give our selves leave to do all things. And although this confession sound in the mouths of all men: yet herein a shameful ignorance betrayeth it self, that neither they cleave to the one God, nor have any regard of order in the worshipping of him, as we have already showed. But god, to claim his own right unto himself, crieth out that he is jealous, and that he will be a severe revenger if he be mingled with any feigned god. And then he setteth forth the lawful manner of worshipping, to hold mankind in obedience.