The Institution of Christian Religion

He containeth both these points in his law, when first he bindeth the faithful unto himself that he only may be their lawmaker: and then he prescribeth a rule whereby to be worshipped after his own mind. Of the law, because the uses and ends thereof are many, I will entreat in place fit for it. Now I only touch this point, that thereby men are bridled that they run not out of the way to wrong worshippings. Now as I first said, we must hold in mind, that if all that ever properly belongeth to godhead do not rest in God alone, he is spoiled of his honour, & his worship broken. And here must we somewhat he defully mark ⟨p. 29⟩with what subtleties superstition deceiveth. For it doth not so revolt unto strange gods that it seemeth to forsake the hiest God, or to bring him down into the number of other Gods: but while she granteth unto him the hiest place, she setteth round about him a number of lesser gods, among whom she divideth his offices? And so (albeit clokedly & craftily) the glory of the godhead is cut in parts, that it remaineth not whole with him. So in the old time, as well they of the Jews as of the Gentiles did set beneath the father & judge of gods a great rout of gods which should every one according to his degree have in common with the hiest God the government of the heaven and earth. So the saints that in a few ages past departed this life, are advanced to the fellowship of God, to be worshipped, called upon, and honoured in stead of him. And yet with such abomination we think that the majesty of God is not so much as divided, when in deed it is a great part suppressed and extinguished, saving that we retain s•yll a poor opinion of his supreme power: and in the mean time deceived with entangled subtleties we are sonderly carried to divers gods.

He conteineth both these pointes in his law, whē first he bindeth the faithful vnto hymselfe that he only may be theyr lawemaker: and then he prescribeth a rule wherby to be worshipped after his owne minde. Of the law, because the vses and endes therof are many, I wyl entreate in place fit for it. Now I only touch this point, that therby mē are bridled that they run not out of the way to wrong worshippynges. Now as I first said, we must holde in mind, that if al that euer properly belōgeth to godhead do not rest in God alone, he is spoiled of his honor, & his worship broken. And heremust we somwhat he defully marke ⟨p. 29⟩