Sermons upon Deuteronomy

Here is this moreover, that Moses sayeth not here, that the Jews shall destroy and break the idols in all places wheresoever they become: but that GOD commandeth them to do it in the land that is given them to inherit. Wherein we see that the holy Ghost commandeth not all the faithful in general to pull down and to break all idols in the world: but only where they themselves have authority. And it is a point well worth the noting. For if we be among idolaters, it lieth not in us to rid the Land from the superstitions that reign in it. What is to be done then? Every man must reform himself in his own heart, so as all idols may be thrust out from thence. When I see Gods service corrupted any where, I must forbear to haunt that place or to communicate in company with those idolaters. I must cut off all the wicked affections that are in my flesh, and I must show moreover that I am not minded to forsake my GOD, nor to falsify the faith that I have plighted unto him by defiling my self with the idolatries that are about me. Therefore every man must first and foremost reform his own heart, and secondly separate himself from all things that may defile him. And that is because GOD hath given us a charge of our own persons, and made us as it were keepers of his temples, to the intent that every of us should look narrowly to ourselves. That is a thing which it behoveth us to do when we be in the country of Idolaters. Besides this, every man must purge and cleanse his own house from all filthiness. So as if a man be a householder, he must look well about him that he hold well his children and servants in the fear of GOD and in the pureness of religion. For if a man suffer his house to be defiled, and all things there to go to havoc: he shall be sure to make account thereof to God. Not that a man can hold his wife and servants continually tied to his sleeve to turn them to the christian faith when he listeth: but my meaning is, that he must not suffer any superstition or idolatry. For why? Seeing that GOD hath given him sovereignty in his own house; it behoveth him to deal in such wise as GOD be honoured there, and as no filthiness be mingled with the pure religion, but that all be rid quite and clean away.

Heere is this moreouer, that Moses sayeth not heere, yt the Iewes shall destroy and breake the ydolles in all places wheresoeuer they become: but that GOD commaundeth them to doe it in the lande that is giuen them to inherite. Wherein we see that the holy Ghost commaundeth not all the faithfull in generall to pull downe and to breake all ydolles in the worlde: but onely where they themselues haue authoritie. And it is a point well worth the noting. For if we be among ydolaters, it lyeth not in vs to ridde the Lande from the superstitions that reigne in it. What is to bee doone then? Euerie man must reforme himselfe in his owne heart, so as all ydolles may be thrust out from thence. When I see Gods seruice corrupted any where, I must forbeare to haunt that place or to communicate in companie with those ydolaters. I must cutte off all the wicked affections that are in my fleshe, and I must shew moreouer that I am not minded to forsake my GOD, nor to falsifie the faith that I haue plighted vnto him by defiling my selfe with the ydolatries that are about mee. Therefore euerie man must first and formost reforme his owne heart, and secondly separate himselfe from all things that may defile him. And that is because GOD hath giuen vs a charge of our owne persons, and made vs as it were keepers of his temples, to the intent that euery of vs shoulde looke narrowly to ourselues. That is a thing which it behoueth vs to doe when wee be in the countrey of Idolaters. Besides this, euerie man must purge and clense his owne house from all filthinesse. So as if a man be a housholder, hee must looke well about him that he hold well his children and seruauntes in the feare of GOD and in the purenesse of religion. For if a man suffer his house to be defiled, and all thinges there to goe to hauocke: he shalbe sure to make account thereof to God. Not that a man can holde his wife and seruants continually tyed to his sleeue to turne them to the christian faith when he lysteth: but my meaning is, that he must not suffer any superstition or ydolatrie. For why? Seeing that GOD hath giuen him souereigntie in his owne house; it behoueth him to deale in such wise as GOD bee honoured there, and as no filthinesse be mingled with the pure religion, but that all be ridde quite and cleane away.