Sermons upon Deuteronomy

But now let us come to the second reason. It is not enough for the faithful to refrain from all idolatry: but they must also show that they abhor and hate all things that are against Gods service: And to the uttermost of their power they must endeavour to have them all wiped away, so as the remembrance of them may be rooted out, that they may never be spoken of any more. For else what zeal have we to the honour of God, when we see idols set up in steed of him, and look upon things that serve to corrupt and deface the true and pure religion? If we do but laugh at them, and take them as small trifles, or as children's games: is it not a token that we esteem the honour of our God no more than a thing of nothing? For if our desire to have God glorified, were as earnest as it ought to be: surely it would wound our hearts to see idols so set up in his place, and to see men bereave him of his majesty of attribute the same to dead creatures, and that so precious and holy a thing as religion is, should be so marred, corrupted & turned upsidedown. When these marks come before our eyes, surely if we have any one drop of good zeal, it must needs vex us and grieve us: and we must to the uttermost of our power deface all those signs and marks of idolatry, and cause Gods honour to be maintained unimpaired. And indeed, when he requireth that we should make confession of our faith unto him: this also is comprehended therein. For as the mouth ought to utter what is in our hart,¹ that is to wit, that we have but the only one God which hath redeemed us: if we yield him such record with our mouth: our outward doings must also be answerable thereunto, so as both feet and hands tend that way. [If we were at that point,] we would not wittingly and willingly suffer any superstitions, if it lay in us to abolish them. But yet there is a thing in it, which is that Moses commandeth the people expressly, to do it when they be come into the Land which God had appointed them to enjoy for their inheritance. For if we be in a strange Country where we have no authority: it is not in our power to put down idols, neither doeth this commandment stretch thereunto.

But nowe let vs come to the seconde reason. It is not ynough for the faithful to refreine from all ydolatrie: but they must also shewe that they abhorre and hate all thinges that are against Gods seruice: And to the vttermost of their power they must indeuour to haue them all wyped away, so as the rememberance of them may be rooted out, that they may neuer bee spoken of any more. For else what zeale haue we to the honour of God, when we see ydols set vp in steed of him, and looke vppon thinges that serue to corrupt and deface the true and pure religion? If wee doe but laugh at them, and take them as small trifles, or as childrens games: is it not a token that we esteem the honour of our God no more than a thing of nothing? For if our desire to haue God glorified, were as earnest as it ought to be: surely it would wound our hearts to see ydols so set vp in his place, and to see men bereaue him of his maiestie of attribute the same to deade creatures, and that so precious and holy a thing as religion is, should be so marred, corrupted & turned vpsidedown. When these marks come before our eyes, surely if we haue any one droppe of good zeale, it must needes vex vs and greeue vs: and wee must to the vttermost of our power deface all those signes and marks of ydolatrie, and cause Gods honour to be maintained vnappayred. And indeede, when hee requireth that wee shoulde make confession of our faith vnto him: this also is comprehended therein. For as the mouth ought to vtter what is in our hart,