Sermons upon Deuteronomy

Hereby let us learn generally to mark well, that whensoever we see the wretched unbelievers rush out into disorder like brute beasts, we must learn to have the more stay of our selves that we follow them not. As for example; whereas it is said nowadays in general, that we must not follow the steppes of the Papists, because that all the things which they term by the name of Gods service, are but a heap of vain fancies, such as every man listed to forge of his own brain, and a horrible hotchpotch of things confounded together, for the doing whereof they have not so much as one syllable in Gods word to allow it, and yet they martyr themselves exceedingly in the doing of them: besides this, they become so brutish, as we ought to be even ashamed of them. For proof whereof, what a thing is it that they should go kneel down before puppets, as though GOD were present there? They say they worship not the images; but men see what reverence they yield unto them, and it is the first lesson that is taught in their Synagogues. And surely what excuse soever they make, when they kneel down before the image of S. Barb which never was▪ (for ye must understand that men have made a God of such a creature as never was in the world) or when they go to S. Catherine, or Saint ⟨p. 524⟩Christopher which are things of the same stamp and say nine Paternosters and an Avemarie to them: to whom speak they? Is it not a flat mocking of God, or rather a villainous blaspheming of him? The heathen therefore had much more than the Papists, wherewith to colour their abominations when they did things so far out of square as was pity to see, and yet thought they pleased God in so doing. When they drink till they be drunken upon the holiday,§10 they think that God is content therewith. Again, when they be well apparelled, they suppose it is a good service of God. To be short, they have such fond toys and gewgaws, as are worthy to be spit at as often as a man hears them spoken of. And whosoever hath but one drop of good understanding may perceive the fondness that is in them. Insomuch that when we consider the matter, we think it unpossible that men should be so brutish as §20we see they have bin.

Hereby let vs learne generally to marke well, that whensoeuer wee see the wetched vnbeleeuers rushe out into disorder lyke brute beasts, we must learne to haue the more stay of our selues that wee followe them not. As for example; whereas it is sayd nowadayes in generall, that wee must not followe the steppes of the Papistes, because that all the thinges which they tearme by the name of Gods seruice, are but a heape of vaine fancies, such as euery man listed to forge of his owne brayne, and a horrible hotchpotch of thinges confounded together, for the dooing whereof they haue not so much as one syllable in Gods woorde to allowe it, and yet they martyr themselues exceedingly in the doing of them: besides this, they become so brutish, as wee ought to be euen ashamed of them. For proofe whereof, what a thing is it that they should goe kneele downe before puppets, as though GOD were present there? They say they worship not the images; but men see what reuerence they yeeld vnto them, and it is the first lesson that is taught in their Synagogues. And surely what excuse soeuer they make, when they kneele downe before the image of S. Barbe which neuer was (for yee must vnderstand that men haue made a God of such a creature as neuer was in the world) or when they goe to S. Catherin, or Saint