The Temple .

That which was built by Salomon , was iustly called the Wonder of the world : a white and glorious Monument , set on the hill of Sion , inuiting passengers to see it , and amazing their eyes when they beheld it . It was of white Marble without , of Cedar and Gold within , all of the best , all beautifull , precious , durable . So magnificent was that holy Structure , that al nations haue admired it , Psalm . 48.2 . all times celebrated it Beautifull for situation , the ioy of the whole earth is Mount Sion . While the fauour of heauen was set vpon Ierusalem , the ioy of the whole earth was mount Sion . It is fit , hee that made the world a house for Man , should haue a house in this world made for himselfe : neither could it be too costly , seeing all the materialls that went to it were his owne . Euery rotten Cottage is too good for Satan , no Fabricke could be too sumptuous for God . While his people dwelt in Tents , Himselfe was content to dwell in a Tabernacle : in the flitting condition of Israel , hee would haue his owne house a moueable , that they might neuer remoue without him . But when their residence was setled in the promised Land , he would haue his Tabernacle turned into a Temple ; that they dwelling where he appoynted them , Hee might also dwell among them . The former was for motion , the latter for rest : the one for progresse , the other his standing house . All this while God had but one House at once : first the Tabernacle , then that gaue place to the Temple , and Salomons Temple being defaced , was supplied by Zorobabels . Now he hath many houses , euen so many as there bee nations , as there bee congregations , as there bee persons professing Christ . Wee haue houses of our owne , why should not God haue his ? A Prince hath more houses then one , why should the King of Heauen be abridg'd ? A King in his owne person can dwell but in one house at once , let God haue neuer so many , hee can at once fill them all . Hee hath a house of flesh , so euery Beleeuer is his Temple : a house of stone , so this materiall one is his Temple : a house neither of flesh nor stone , but immateriall , immortall in the heauens . And as Christ sayes , Iohn 14. that in his Fathers House there are many Mansions ; so in his Fathers militant Church there are many houses .

It were vaine to aske what God should doe with a house , when wee consider what we do with our owne : what , but dwell in it ? But how God doth dwell in it , seemes to be a question : seeing the Apostle saith , that hee dwells not in Temples made with hands . Actes 17.24 . Indeed he dwels not in them , as wee dwell in ours . Our house defends vs , God defends his house : our house comprehends vs , God comprehends his house . Wee are onely within our houses , and they are without vs : God is so within his house , that hee is also without it , elsewhere , euery where , yea his house is within him . When we are abroad , we cannot keepe our houses ; yea when wee are in them asleepe , they serue to keepe vs . God can neuer be absent from his , nor doth the keeper of this Temple euer sleepe . Now euery materiall Temple , wherein the Saints are assembled , the truth of the Gospell is preached and professed , the holy Sacraments duely administred , and the Lords Name is inuocated and worshipped , is the Temple of God .

Why is it called His Temple , but for the testification of his presence ? When Cain stood excommunicated for murdering his brother , and might not come to the place appointed for Gods seruice , he is said to be cast out from the presence of the Lord . Genes. 4.16 . Some haue interpreted the like of Ionahs flying from his presence ; Ionah 1.3 . that he fled from the place where the Prophets vsed to stand ready to besent of God . Leuit. 10.2 . Nadab and Abihu dyed before the Lord ; that is , before the Altar of the Lord . That which was done before the Arke or Altar , in the Tabernacle or Temple , was said to be done coram Domino . And yet too many come to the Temple with so little reuerence , as if they thought God were not at home , or did not dwell in his owne house . But the Lord is present in his Temple : in vaine shall wee hope to finde him elsewhere , if we do not seek him here . Math 18.20 . I will bee in the midst of you , gathered together in my Name : not any where , not euery where , but here . Indeed , no place excludes him , but this place is sure of him : hee fills all places with his presence , hee fills this with his gracious presence . Heere hee both heares vs , and is heard of vs : Bern. Audit orantes , docet audientes ; hee heares our prayers , and teacheth vs our lessons . No place sends vp faithfull prayers in vaine , no place hath such a promise of hearing as the Temple . It is the Lords Court of Audience , his Highnesse Court of Requests . There humble soules open their grieuances , from thence they returne loaden with graces . Why are many so voyd of goodnesse , but because they are negligent of the publike deuotions ? They seek not the Lord where hee may bee found , therefore deserue to misse him where they pretend to seek him . Why should they thinke to finde God in their Closets , while they care not to seeke him in his Temples ? When wee need the helpe of our friend , do we tarry till we meet him by chance , or till hee come to vs , or shall wee not rather go home to his house ? Peter and Iohn went vp into the Temple at the houre of Prayer : Actes 3.1 . they thought it not sufficient to pray in their priuate chambers , but ioyne themselues with the Congregation , as a Nauy Royall to transport their holy Merchandise to heauen . Psalm . 134.2 . Lift vp your hands in the Sanctuary , and blesse the Lord . Pure hands are accepted in euery place ; but especially in the Sanctuary . What followes ? The Lord that made heauen and earth , blesse thee out of Sion . Hee sayes not , the Lord that made heauen , blesse thee vpon earth : nor , the Lord that made earth , blesse thee out of heauen : but the Lord that made heauen and earth , blesse thee out of Sion . Blessings come originally from heauen , mediately through Sion . In the Temple let vs seeke , in the Temple wee shall finde those precious treasures and comforts of Iesus Christ .

This Temple is not without some enemies . Besides those prophane Polititians , that thinke with one Eustathius , that there is no vse of Temples : or those Massilians , who ( as Damascen reports ) did adde to other Heresies Templorum contemptum : or those Pseudo-Apostoli , that laughed at a Temple full of Suppliants , as a house full of fooles . Or those that bee of Ieroboams mind , who to settle himselfe in the kingdome of Israel , diuerts the people from Gods house at Ierusalem . In stead of that snowy & glittering Temple , they shall haue two golden representations . Sion is too farre off , these shall bee neere home : that is a tedious way of deuotion , these both compendious and plausible . Antiqu. lib. 8. cap. 3. As Iosephus brings him in perswading them ; My good people and friends , you cannot but know that no place is without God , and that no place doth containe God ; wheresoeuer we pray , he can heare vs ; wheresoeuer we worship , hee can see vs : therefore the Temple is superfluous , the iourney needlesse , God is better able to come to you , then you are to goe to him . Beside these , the Temple of God hath two kinds of foes .

1. The Anabaptists tell vs ; that the old superstition hath made those houses fitter for Stables then for Churches ; that they ought no more to be called Templa Dei , but Templa Idolorum ; as they pretend , the Passeouer was called in those corrupt times , Iohn 2.13 . not Pascha Dei , but Pascha Iudaeorum . By the same reason they would haue remoued all Princes , because some haue abused their gouernments . But we say , though euill men abuse good things , yet if a kingdome were not a lawfull State , Dauid and Iosias would neuer haue been Kings ; for good men doe not vse euill things . The Temple in Christs time was become a denne of theeues , yet euen then and there did hee send vp deuout and holy Prayers . It is a grosse ignorance that cannot distinguish betwixt a fault that proceeds ex natura facti , Th. 1. qu. 41. art. 6. and that which proceeds ex abusu boni : the former is malum simpliciter , the other is but malum per accidens . No man pulles downe his house , because vncleannesse hath been committed in one of the chambers . Let offenders be remoued from the Temple , not the Temple demolished because of offences . The Kingdome of God shall be taken from you , Math. 21.43 . saith Christ ; not quite taken away , but onely taken from the Iewes . When GOD threatned the like to Saul , 1 Sam. 15.28 . he did not meane to haue no more Kings , or to reduce it to the former state of Iudges : no , onely the kingdome shall lose Saul , but Israel shall not lose the kingdome . It is a Maxime in nature , Things dedicated to God , are not to bee transferred to the vses of men : a principle in Philosophy , Plato . Quae rectè data sunt , eripi non licet : and a prouerbe among our children , To giue a thing , and take a thing , is fit for the Deuils darling .

2. The Sacrilegious , to whom God is beholding , if they let his Temple stand ; but for the maintenance of it , they will bee so bold with him , as either to share halfe , or leaue him none . There bee many that pray in the Temple , who yet also prey on the Temple : as if a thiefe should doe homage to that house in the day , which hee meanes to robbe in the night . But alas , why should I touch that sore which is all dead flesh ? or speake against Sacriledge In orbe sacrilego , among them that delight in it ? Where Lawyers are feeed , hired , bribed to maintaine Sacriledge , God and his poore Ministers may euen hold their peace . Something would be spoken for Sions sake , but I take this place and time for neither the right Vbi nor Quando . We know , Abigail would not tell Nabal of his drunkennesse , till hee was awoke from his wine . Whensoeuer it shall please God to awake you from this intoxication , we may then find a season to speak to you . But God keepe you from Nabals destiny ; 1 Sam. 25.37 . that when this sinne shall bee obiected to your Consciences on your death-beds , your hearts doe not then die in you like a stone . One thing let me beg of you in the Name of him , whom you thus wrong : Howsoeuer you persist to robbe the Temple of the due Salary , yet doe not stand to iustifie it . By imploring mercy perhaps you may bee saued , but by iustifying the Iniury , you cannot but be lost . As the French King , Francis the first said to a woman kneeling and crying to him for Iustice ; Stand vp woman , for Iustice Iowe thee ; if thou beg'st any thing , beg mercy . So if you request any thing of God , let it bee mercy , for he owes you Iustice : and in this poynt , God be mercifull to you all .

It was Dauids earnest prayer , One thing haue I desired of the Lord , Psalm . 27.7 . and that will I seeke after ; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the dayes of my life , to behold the beautie of the Lord , and to enquire in his Temple . There are many that pray Dauids words , but not with Dauids heart . Vnum petij , one thing I haue desired , De praeterito , for the time past : & hoc requiram , this I will still seeke after , de futuro , for the time to come : I haue required it long , and this suite I will vrge till I haue obtained it . What ? to dwell in some of the houses of God all the dayes of my life , and to leaue them to my children after me : not to serue him there with deuotion , but to make the place mine owne possession . These loue the House of God too well , they loue it to Haue , and to Hold : but because the Conueyance is made by the Lawyer , and not by the Minister , their Title will bee found naught in the end : and if there bee not a Nifi prius to preuent them , yet at the great day of vniuersall Audite , the Iudge of all the world shal condemne them . By this way , the neerer to the Church , the further from God . The Lords Temple is ordained to gaine vs to him , not for vs to gaine it from him . If we loue the Lord , we will loue the habitation of his House , and the place where his Honour dwelleth : that so by being humble frequenters of his Temple below , we may be made noble Saints of his House aboue , the glorious kingdome of Iesus Christ .

These bee the enemies to the Temple , whereof the first would separate Dominum à Templo , the other Templum à Domino . they would take God from the Temple , these would take the Temple from God . Let mee conclude this poynt with two watch-words .

1. The first concernes vs of the Ministery , the wayters of the Temple . It hath been an old saying , De Templo omne bonum , de Templo omne malum : all good or euill comes from the Temple . Chrys. Where the Pastor is good , and the people good , hee may say to them , as Paul to his Corinthians , 1 Cor. 9.1 . Nonne opus meum vos estis in Domino , Are not ye my work in the Lord ? Where the Pastor is bad , and the people no better , they may say to him , Nonne destructis nostra tu es in seculo , art not thou our destruction in the world ? It is no wonder , if an abused Temple make a disordered people . A wicked Priest is the worst creature vpon Gods earth : no sinne is so blacke , as that shall appeare from vnder a white Surplesse . Euery mans iniquitie is so much the hainouser , as his place is holyer . The sinne of the Clergy is like a Rheume , which rising from the stomach into the head , drops downe vpon the lungs , fretting most noble and the vitall parts , till all the members languish into corruption . The lewd sonnes of Eli were so much the lesse tolerable , by sinning in the Tabernacle . Their sacrifices might doe away the sinnes of others ; no sacrifice could doe away their owne . Many a soule was the cleaner for the blood of those beasts they shed ; their owne soules were the fouler by it . By one and the same seruice , they did expiate the peoples offences , and multiply their owne . Our Clergie is no Charter for heauen . Such men are like the conueyances of Land , Euidences and Instruments to settle others in the kingdome of heauen , while themselues haue no part of that they conuey . It is no vnpossible thing , for men at once to shew the way to Heauen with their tongue , and lead the way to Hell with their foot . It was not a Iewish Ephod , it is not a Romish Cowle , that can priuiledge an euill doer from punishment . Therefore it was Gods charge to the executioners of his Iudgements , Ezek. 9.6 . 1 Pet. 4.17 . Iohn 2.16 . Begin at my owne Sanctuary : and the Apostle tells vs , that Iudgement shall begin at the house of God . and Christ entring into his Propheticall Office , began reformation at his Fathers house . Let our deuout and holy behauiour preuent this ; and by our reuerent carriage in the Temple of God , let vs honour the God of the Temple . It should be our endeuour to raise vp seed vnto our elder Brother , to winne soules vnto Christ . Nunquam cessate lucrari Christo , qui lucrati estis à Christo . If Christ , while hee was vpon the Crosse , saith Bernard , had giuen mee some drops of his owne blood in a Violl , how carefully would I haue kept them , how dearely esteemed them , how laid them next my heart ? But now he did not thinke it fit to trust me with those drops , but hee hath intrusted to me a flocke of his lambes , those soules for whom hee shed his blood , like whom his owne blood was not so deare vnto him : vpon these let mee spend my care , my loue , my labour , that I may present them holy Saints to my deare Lord Iesus .

2. The other concernes all Christians ; that they beware , lest for the abuses of men , they despise the Temple of God . For as the Altar cannot sanctifie the Priest , so nor can the vnholinesse of the Priest dishallow the Altar . His sin is his owne , and cannot make you guiltie : the vertue and comfort is from God , and this is still able to make you holy . When wee read , 1 Sam. 2.17 . that the sinne of the Priests was great before the Lord , for men abhorred the offering of the Lord : this we all confesse , was ill done of the Priests ; and I hope no man thinks , it was well done of the people . Say their sinnes , yea their very persons were worthy to be abhorred , shall men therefore scorne the Sanctuary , & cast that contempt on the Seruice of God , which belongs to the vices of man ? This were to adde our owne euill to the euill of others , and to offend God because he was offended . Cannot the faults of men displease vs , but wee must needs fall out with God ? Doe we not prouoke him iustly to abhorre our soules , when we so vniustly contemne his seruice ? Know , that he is able to sanctifie thy heart , euen by the ministery of that man whose heart hee hath not yet sanctified . The vertue consists not in the humane action , but in the diuine Institution . Wee say of the Sacraments themselues , much more of the Ministers ; Isti non tribuunt , quod per istos tribuitur : these doe not giue vs , what God doth giue vs by them .

But this age is ficke of such a wanton levitie , that wee make choyce of the Temple , according to our fancy of the Preacher : and so tye vp the free Spirit of God from blowing where he pleaseth , that he shall be beholding to the grace of the Speaker , for giuing grace to the hearer . So whereas Paul ties Faith to hearing , they will tie hearing to Faith ; and as they beleeue the holinesse of the man , so they expect fruit of the Sermon . This is to make Paul something , and Apollos something ; wheras Paul himselfe sayes they are both nothing . God onely giues the encrease , and who shall appoint him by whom he shall giue it ? Let the seed bee good , and the ground good , and the Lord will send fruit whosoeuer bee the Sower . But while you make hearing a matter of sport , Preaching is too often become an exercise of wit . Words are but the Images of matter , and ( you shall heare anon ) it is not lawfull to worship Images . It dangerously misbecomes the Temple , when any thing shall bee intended there , but the glory of God , and gaining of soules to Iesus Christ .

Thus much concerning the Temple ; the next poynt I must fall vpon is

Jdols .

Idol in Greeke signifies a resemblance or representation , and differs not from Image in Latine : both at first taken in a good sense : but the corruption of times hath bred a corruption of words ; and Idol is now only taken for the Image of a false god . Euery Idol is an Image , but euery Image is not an Idol but euery Image made and vsed for religious purposes , is an Idol . The Images of God are Idols ; wherwith Popery abounds . An old man , sitting in a chaire , with a triple Crowne on his head , and Pontificall robes on his backe , a Doue hanging at his beard , and a Crucifixe in his armes ; is their Image of the Trinitie . This Picture sometime ferues them for a god in their Churches , and somtime for a signe at thir tap-houses : so that it is a common saying in many of their Cities , Such a Gentleman lyes at the Trinity , and his seruants at Gods head . This they seeme to doe , as if they would in some sort requite their Maker : because God made man according to his Image , therfore they , by way of recompence , will make God according to mans Image . But this certainly they durst not doe , without putting the second Commandement out of their Catechismes , and the whole Decalogue out of their Consciences .

I intend no polemicall discourse of this poynt , by examining their Arguments : that businesse is fitter for the Schoole , then the Pulpit . And , O God , that either Schoole or Pulpit in Christendome should be troubled about it ! that any man should dare to make that a question , which the Lord hath so plainely and punctually forbidden ! Beside the Iniquity , how grieuous is the absurdity ? How is a body without a spirit , like to a spirit without a body ? A visible picture , like an inuisible nature ? How would the King take it in scorne , to haue his picture made like a Wesell or a Hedgehog ? And yet the difference betwixt the greatest Monarch , and the least Emmet , is nothing to the distance betwixt a finite & an infinite . If they alledge with the Anthropomorphites , that the Scripture attributes to God hands , and feet , and eyes : why therefore may they not represent him in the same formes ? But we say , the Scripture also speaks of his couering vs with the shadow of his wings ; why therfore do they not paint him like a Bird with feathers ? If they say , that he appeared to Daniel in this forme , because hee is there called the Ancient of dayes : wee answere , that Gods Commandements , and not his apparitions , be rules to vs : by the former we shall be iudged , and not by the latter . It is mad Religion , to neglect what he bids vs doe , and to imitate what he hath done : as if we should despise his Lawes , and goe about to counterfeit his thunder . God is too infinite for the comprehension of our soules , why should we then labour to bring him into the narrow compasse of bords & stones ? Certenly , that should not be Imaged , which cannot be Imagined . But Christ was a man , why may not his Image be made ? Some answer , that no man can make an Image of Christ , without leauing out the chiefe part of him , which is his Diuinitie . It was the Godhead vnited to the manhood , that makes him Christ : sure this cannot be painted . But why should wee make Christs Image without Christs warrant ? The Lord hath forbidden the making of any Image , whether of things in heauen , where Christ is ; or of things on earth , where Christ was ; to worship them . Now till God reuoke that precept , what can authorise this practice ?

Their Images of the Saints , employed to such religious purposes , make them no lesse then Idola●ers . It is a silly shift to say , the honor done to the Images , reflects vpon the represented Saints . When they cloath an Image , is the Saint ere the gayer or warmer ? when they offer to an Image , is the Saint ere the richer ? When they kneele to an Image , the Saint esteemes himselfe no more worshipped , then the King holds himselfe honoured , when a man speaks to his picture be fore his face . Therefore some of them are driuen to confesse plainly , that the Image is worshipped for it selfe . But could the Saints in heauen be heard speak vpon earth , they would disclaime that honour , which is preiudiciall to their Maker . As Caluin is not afraid to say of the blessed Virgin , that shee would hold it lesse despite done to her , if they should pull her by the haire of the head , or trample her in the dirt , then to set her in riuality with her Sonne and God and Sauiour . But they tell vs , that they worship not the Images of false Gods , as did the Pagans ; but onely the Images of Gods owne seruants , and choise friends . But will the iealous God endure this , that his honor be taken from him , vpon condition it be not bestowed vpon his enemies , but on his friends ? Idolatry is called Adultery in the Scriptures : and shall a woman quit her selfe from offence , because though she doe commit adultery , yet it is with none but her husbands friends ? Is this done in a good meaning , or in loue to Christ ? It is but a bad excuse of a wife , to say that shee exceedingly loues her husband , therefore must haue some other man to kisse and embrace in his absence , and all this in loue to her husband .

Wee are all by nature prone to Idolatrie : when we were little children , we loued babies : and being growne men , we are apt to loue Images . And as Babies be childrens Idols , so Idols & Images be mens Babies . It seemes that Idols are fittest for Babes , therefore so the Apostle fits his caution , 1 Iohn . 5.21 . Babes keepe your selues from Idols . As all our knowledge comes by sense , so we naturally desire a sensible obiect of deuotion : finding it easier to see Pictures , then to comprehend Doctrines , and to forme prayers to the Images of men , then to forme man to the Image of God .

Nor can they excuse themselues from Idolatry , by saying they put their confidence in God , not in the Images of God . For when the Israelites had made their golden Calfe , and danced about it , one calfe about another ; they were not such beasts , as to thinke that beast their God . But so can Superstition besot the mind , that it makes vs not men , before it can wake vs Idolaters . What doe they say ? Exod. 32.1 . Make vs gods that shall go before vs . Euery word is wicked , absurd , sensles . 1. They had seene the power of God in many miraculous deliuerances before their eyes ; the voice of God had scarce yet done thundering in their eares : he had said , I am Iehouah , thou shalt haue no other gods ; and this they trembling heard him speake out of the midst of the flames : and yet they dare speake of another god . 2. The singular number would not serue them , make vs gods . How many gods would they haue ? Is there any more then one ? 3. Make vs gods ; and were not they strange gods that could bee made ? In stead of acknowledging God their Maker , they command the making of gods . 4. This charge they put vpon Aaron , as if he were able to make a god ? Aaron might helpe to spoyle a man , either himselfe or them , but hee could not make a man , not one haire of a man , much lesse a god : and yet they say to him , Make vs gods . 5. And what should these gods doe ? Goe before vs ? Alas , how should they goe , that were not able to stand ? how goe before others , that could not moue themselues ? Oh the blockishnes of men , that make blocks to worship ! Otherwise , how could they that are the Images of God , fall downe before the Images of creatures . Wisd. 13.18 . For health , they call vpon that which is weake : for life , they pray to that which is dead : and a prosperous iourney they beg of that which cannot set a foot forward .

Yet as their sinne was bad enough , let not our vncharitablenesse make it worse . Let vs not thinke them so vnreasonable , as to thinke that Calfe a God ; or that the Idoll which they made to day , did bring them out of Egipt three moneths before . It was the true God they meant to worship in the Calfe , and yet ( at the best ) euen that Idolatry was damnable . So charitie bids vs hope of the Papists , that they doe not take that bord or stone for their God , yet withall wee find that God doth take them for Idolaters . They tell vs ( with a new distinction ) that they forbid the people , to giue Diuine worship to Images : but we say , they had better forbid the people to haue Images . A blocke lies in the high way , and a watchman is set by it to warne the Passengers ; Take heed , heere is a blocke . But how if the watchman fall a sleepe ? Whether is the safer course , quite to remoue the blocke out of the way , or to trust the passengers safetie vpon the watchmans vigilancie ? As for their watchmen , commonly they are as very Images as the Images themselues : and how should one blocke remoue another ? When Ieroboam had set vp his two Idols in Israel , hee rakes vp his Priests out of the common kennell ; the basest of the people were good enough for such a bastard deuotion : woodden priests were fit enough to wayt vpon golden Deities . So when Micah had made him a costly Idol , he hires him a beggerly Leuite . No otherwise did the Painter excuse himselfe , for drawing the Images of Peter and Paul too ruddy and high coloured in the face ; that howsoeuer they were while they liued , pale with fasting and preaching , yet now they must needs become red with blushing at the errors and ignorance of their successors ; for such with a lowd noyse they giue themselues out to be .

To conclude , if it were as easie to conuince Idolaters , as it is to confound & tread downe their Idols , this labour of Confutation had bin well spared , or were soone ended . But if nothing can reclaime them from this superstitious practice , let them reade their fearefull sentence . Their place shall be without , Reuel. 22.18 . Esa. 1.31 . among the dogs , and those desperate sinners vncapable of forgiuenes . The strong , the Idol which they made their strength , shall bee as towe , and the maker or worshipper thereof as a sparke , and they shall both burne together in euerlasting fire , and none shal quench them . Now the Lord open their eyes to see , and sanctifie their hearts to yeeld , that there is no agreement betwixt the Temple of God and Idols : which is the next point , whereof I shall speake with what breuitie I can , and with what fidelitie I ought .

No agreement .

There bee some points which the wrangling passions of men haue left further asunder , then they found them ; about which there needed not haue bin such a noyse . But things that are in their owne natures contrary , and opposed by the ordinance of God , can neuer be reconciled . An enemy may be made a friend , but enmity can neuer bee made friendship . The ayre that is now light , may become darke : but light can neuer become darknesse . Contraries in the abstract are out of all composition . The sicke body be recouered to health , but health can neuer be sicknes . The sinner may be made righteous , but sinne can neuer become righteousnes . Fire and water , peace and warre , loue and hatred , truth and falshood , faith and infidelity , Religion and Idolatry , can neuer be made friends : there can bee no agreement betwixt the Temple of God and Idols .

God is Ens entium , All in all : an Idol is nothing in the world , saith the Apostle : now All and Nothing are most contrary . Idolatry quite takes away Faith , a fundamentall part of Christian religion : for an Idol is a thing visible , Heb. 11.1 . but Faith is of things inuisible . The Idol is a false euidence of things seene , Faith is a true euidence of things not seen . Besides , God can defend himselfe , saue his friends , plague his enemies : Hieron . but Idols nec hostes abscindere possunt quasi dij , nec se abscondere quasi homines ; they can neither reuenge themselus on prouokers , like gods ; nor hide themselues from iniurers , like men .

The foolish Philistims thought that the same house could hold both the Arke & Dagon ; 1. Sam. 5.3 . as if an insensible Statue were a fit companion for the liuing God . In the morning they come to thanke Dagon for the victory , and to fall downe before him , before whom they thought the God of Israel was fallen : and loe , now they find the keeper flat on his face before the prisoner . Had they formerly of their own accord , with awfull reuerence , laid him in this posture of an humble prostration ; yet God would not haue brooked the indignity of such an entertainment . But seeing they durst set vp their Idol cheeke by cheeke with their Maker , let them goe read their folly in the Temple floore , & confesse that hee which did cast their god so low , could cast them lower . Such a shame doth the Lord owe all them , which wil be making matches betwixt him and Belial . Yet they consider not , how should this God raise vs , who is not able to stand , or rise himself ? Strange they must confesse it , that whereas Dagon was wont to stand , and themselues to fall down ; now Dagon was fallen down , and themselues stood ; & must help vp with their owne god . Yea , their god seemes to worship them on his face , and to craue that succour from them , which he was neuer able to giue them . Yet in his place they set him againe ; and now lift vp those hands to him , which helped to lift him vp ; and prostrate those faces to him , before whom he lay prostrate . So can Idolatry turne men into the stockes and stones which they worship : They that make them , are like vnto them . But will the Lord put it vp thus ? No , the next fall shall burst it to pieces ; that they may sensibly perceiue , how God scornes a Competitor , and that there is no agreement betwixt Him and Idols . Now what is the difference betwixt the Philistims and Papists ? The Philistims would set God in the Temple of Idols , the Papists would set Idols in the Temple of God . Both agree in this , that they would make God and Idols agree together . But Manasseh found to his cost , 2 Chron. 33.7 that an Idol might not be indured in the house of God .

How vaine then , are the endeuours to reconcile our church with that of Rome ; when God hath interposed this barre , there is No agreement betwixt him and Idols ? Either they must receiue the Temple without Idols , or we must admit Idols with the Temple , or this composition cannot be . There is a contention betwixt Spaine & the Netherlanders , concerning the right of that Country : but should not the Inhabitants well fortifie the coasts , the raging sea would soone determine the controuersie , and by force of her waues take it from them both . There is a contestation betwixt vs and the Pontificians , which is the true Church : but should not wee in meane time carefully defend the Faith of Christ against Idols , Superstition would quickly decide the busines , and take the possession of truth from vs both . A proud & peruerse stomach keeps them from yeelding to vs : God and his holy word forbids our yeelding to them : they will haue Idols or no Temple , we wil haue the Temple and no Idols : now till the agreement bee made betwixt the Temple and Idols , no atonement can be hoped betwixt vs & them .

I Paul say vnto you , Gal. 5.2 . that if ye be circumcised , Christ shall profit you nothing . He that would not endure a little leauen in the lumpe , what would hee haue said of a little poyson ? If Moses ioyned with Christ , the ceremoniall Law with the Gospell , were so offensiue to him ; how would hee haue brooked Christ and Belial , light and darknes , righteousnes and vnrighteousnes , the cup of the Lord and the cup of deuils , the Table of the Lord , and the table of deuils , the Temple of God and Idols ? In the tuning of an Instrument , those strings that be right we meddle not with , but set the rest higher or lower , so as they make a proportion & harmony with the former . The same God who of his gracious mercy , hath put vs in the right & vniarring harmony of truth , bring them home in true consent to vs , but neuer suffer vs to fall back vnto them . Hitherto the contention between vs hath not been for circumstance , but substance ; not for the bounds , but for the whole Inheritance : whether God or man , grace or nature , the bloud of Christ or the milke of Mary , the written Canon or vnwritten Tradition , Gods ordinance in establishing Kings , or the Popes vsurpation in deposing them , shall take place in our consciences , and be the rule of our faiths and liues .

We haue but one Foundation , the infallible word of God : they haue a new foundation , the voice of their Church , which they equalize in presumption of certaintie with the other . Wee haue but one Head , that is Christ ; they haue gotten a new head , & dare not but beleeue him , whatsoeuer Christ saies . Sponsus Ecclesiae nostrae Christus , Christ is our husband : they haue a new husband . While Rome was a holy Church , she had a holy husband : but now as Christ said to the woman of Samaria , Iohn . 4. ●8 . He whom thou now hast , is not thine husband : so he whom the Romanists haue now got , is an adulterer , he is no husband . So that here is Foundation against foundation , Head against head , Husband against adulterer , Doctrine against doctrine , Faith against vnbeliefe , Religion against superstition , the Temple of God against Idols ; and all these so diametrally opposed , that the two Poles shall sooner meet , then these be reconciled . Michael and the Dragon cannot agree in one Heauen , nor the Arke and Dagon in one house , nor Iacob and Esau in one wombe , nor Iohn and Cerinthus in one Bath , nor the cleane and the leprous in one camp , nor truth and falshood in one mouth , nor the Lord and Mammon in one heart , nor religion & superstition in one kingdom , nor God and Idols in one Temple . The silly old Hermite was sory , that God and the Deuill should be at such odds , and he would vndertake to make them friends : but the Deuill bad him euen spare his labour , for they two were euerlastingly fallen out . No lesse vaine a busines doth that man attempt , that would worke an agreement betwixt the Temple of God and Idols .

I take leaue of this point with a caution . Flie the places of infection , come not within the smoke of Idols , lest it smother the zeale of Gods Temple in your hearts . Reuolting Israel cals for gods ; but why should this god of theirs be fashioned like a Calfe ? What may bee the reason of this shape ? Whence had they the originall of such an Idol ? Most likely in Egypt : they had seen a blacke Calfe with white spots worshipped there . This Image stil ran in their minds , and stole their hearts , & now they long to haue it set vp before their eyes . Egypt wil not out of their fancies : when they wanted meat , they thought of the Egyptian flesh pots : now they want Moses , they thinke of the Egyptian Idols . They brought gold out of Egypt ; that very gold was contagious : the very Eare-rings and Iewels of Egypt are fit to make Idols . The Egyptian burdens made them run to the true God , the Egyptian examples led them to a false god . What meane our wanderers by running to Rome & such superstitious places , vnlesse they were weary of the Church of God , & would fetch home Idols ? If it were granted , that there is some little truth among them , yet who is so simple as to seeke his corne among a great heap of chaffe , and that far off ; who may haue it at home , winnowed and clensed to his hand ?

The very sight of euill is dangerous , and they bee rare eyes that doe not conuey this poison to our hearts . I haue heard of some , that euen by laboring in the Spanish galleys , haue come home the slaues of their superstitions . Egypt was alwayes an vnlucky place for Israel , as Rome is for England . The people soiourned there , and they brought home one Calfe : Ieroboam soiourned there , and he brought home Two calues : Iudg. 17. an old woman ( in all likelihood ) had soiourned there , and shee brought home a great many . The Romish Idols haue not the shape of calues , they haue the sense and meaning of those calues : and to fill the Temple full of Calues , what is it but to make Religion guilty of * Non-sence . Pulls ?

Consider it well , ye that make no scruple of superstitious assemblies ; it will bee hard for you to dwell in a Temple of Idols vntainted . Not to sinne the sins of the place we liue in , is as strange , as for pure liquor tunn'd vp in a musty vessel , not to smel of the caske . Egypt will teach euen a Ioseph to sweare : a Peter will learne to curse in the high Priests Hall . If we be not scorch'd with the fire of bad company , we shall be sure to be black'd with the smoke . The soundest body that is , may be infected with a contagious ayre . Indeed a man may trauel through Ethiopia vnchanged , but he cannot dwell there without a complexion discoloured . How hath the common practise of others brought men to the deuillish fashion of swearing , or to the bruitish habit of drinking , by their owne confessions ? Superstition , if it haue once got a secret liking of the heart , like the plague will hang in the very clothes ; and after long concealement , breake forth in an vnlook'd for infection . The Israelites , after all their ayring in the wildernesse , will still smell of Egypt . We read God saying , Math. 2.15 . Out of Egypt haue I called my Sonne . That God did call his Sonne out of Egypt , it is no wonder : the wonder is that hee did call him into Egypt . It is true , that Egypt could not hurt Christ : the King doth not follow the Court , the Court waits vpon the King : wheresoeuer Christ was , there was the Church . But be our Israelites so sure of their sonnes , when they send them into Egypt , or any superstitious places ? It was their presumption to send them in , let it bee their repentance to call them out .

The familiar societie of orthodox Christians with mis-beleeuers , hath by God euer been most strictly forbidden : and the neerer this coniunction , the more dangerous , and displeasing to the forbidder . No man can chuse a worse friend , then one whom God holds his enemy . When Religion and Superstition meet in one bed , they commonly produce a mungrell generation . 2 Sam. 3.3 . If Dauid marry Maachah , their issue proues an Absolon . If Salomon loue idolatrous women , here is enough to ouerthrow him with all his wisdome . Other strange women only tempt to lust , these to mis-religion ; and by ioyning his heart to theirs , hee shall disioyne it from God . One Religion matching with another , not seldome breed an Atheist , one of no religion at all . I doe not say , this is a sufficient cause of diuorce after it is done , but of restraint before it is done . They may be one flesh , though they be not one spirit . The difference of religion or vertue makes no diuorce here , the great Iudges sentence shall doe that heereafter . And the beleeuing husband is neuer the further from heauen , though hee cannot bring his vnbeleeuing wife along with him . The better shall not carry vp the worse to heauen , nor the worse pull downe the better to hell . Quod fieri non debuit , factum valet . But now , is there no tree in the Garden , but the forbidden ? none for me to loue , but one that hates the truth ? Yes , let vs say to them in plaine fidelitie , as the sonnes of Iacob did to the Shichemites in dissembling policie ; Gene. 34.14 . Wee cannot giue our sister to a man that is vncircumcised : either consent you to vs in the truth of our Religion , or wee will not consent to you in the league of our Communion .

Saint Chrysostome calls this a plaine deniall of Christ . Hee that eateth of the meate offered to Idols , Gustu negauit Christum , hath denied Christ with his tasting . If hee but handle those things with delight , Tactu negauit Christum , hee hath denied Christ with his touching . Though hee touch not , taste not , yet if he stand to looke vpon the Idolatry with patience , Visu negauit Christum , hee hath denied Christ with his eyes . If he listen to those execrable charmes , Auditu negauit Christum , hee hath denyed Christ with his eares . Omitting all these , if he doe but smell to the Incense with pleasure , O doratu negauit Christum , hee hath denied Christ with his smelling It is said of the Israelites , Commisti sunt inter gentes , Psalm . 106.35 They were mingled among the Heathen . What followed ? Presently , they learned their works . The reason why the Rauen returned not to Noahs Arke , is giuen by some , because it met with a dead carkase by the way . Why doe we pray , Deliuer vs from euill ; but that wee imply , ( besides all other mischiefes ) there is an infectious power in it to make vs euill ? Let vs doe that wee pray , and pray that wee may doe it . Yea Lord , free vs from Egypt , estrange vs from Rome , separate vs from Idols , deliuer vs from euill , For thine is the kingdome , the power , and the glorie , for euer and euer . Amen .

Thus farre we haue taken a literall suruey of the Text ; concerning the materiall Temple , externall or obiectuall Idols , and the impossibilitie of their agreement . Now to come neerer home to our selues in a morall Exposition : here first