Four sermons of Master John Calvin entreating of matters very profitable for our time,…Foure sermons of Maister Iohn Caluin entreating of matters very profitable for our time,…

That God will not be worshipped in spirit in such sort, that he forsaketh the other part to wit, the body, as though that pertained not unto him. For he hath spoken enough thereof in other places, of bowing the knees before him, and of lifting up the hands unto heaven: what then? The principal service that he demandeth, is in deed spiritual: but the open declaration ⟨image 10⟩which the faithful make, that it is he only whom they serve and honour, followeth immediately, and must straightway be joined unto it. But the objection which they make, taking occasion of one word, one only place shall be sufficient to reprove them. It is written in the second Chapter of the Prophet Daniel, that Sidrach, Meshach and Abednego, refusing too Nebuchadnezzar once too seem to consent to the superstition which he had erected, they plainly declare, that they will not worship his gods.

That God will not bee woorshipped in spirite in such sorte, that hee forsaketh the other parte to witte, the body, as though that pertayned not vnto him. For hee hath spoken enough thereof in other places, of bowing the knees before him, and of lifting vp the handes vnto heauen: what then? The principall seruice that hee demaundeth, is in deede spirituall: but the open declaration ⟨image 10⟩which the faithfull make, that it is he onely whome they serue and honour, followeth immediatly, and muste straightwaye bee ioyned vnto it. But the obiection which they make, taking occasion of one woorde, one onely place shall be sufficient to reprooue them. It is written in the seconde Chapter of the Prophet Daniel, that Sidrach, Misach and Abednego, refusing too Nabuchodonosor once too seeme to consent to the superstition whiche hee had erected, they plainely declare, that they will not woorship his gods.

If these subtle Sophisters had been there, they would have laughed too scorn the simplicity of these three servants of GOD. For they would have said, Poor souls, This is not too worship them, seeing you put no affiance in them: there is no idolatry but where there is devotion. But these holy personages followed better counsel. And in deed, this answer proceeded not from their own brain: but it was the holy Ghost that enforced their tongues: against which if we will not resist, it is meet we take out of this place a true rule and definition, that this is a true kind of Idolatry, when any outward act is done that is contrary to the true service of God, although that it be done colourably and through hypocrisy. These hypocrites cavil gaily, This no Idolatry, seeing we have no trust in them: yet shall these men continually remain condemned by this sentence, that the great judge hath pronounced thereof. But such kind of people strive about a word, pretending only in part too lessen their fault, which they can not altogether excuse. They will easily grant and