hites vesci_.
These sorts are simply and in themselves unlawful. And if meats sacrificed
to idols be so unlawful, then much more such things and rites as have not
only been sacrificed and destinated to the honour of idols (for this is
but one kind of idolatrous abuse), but also of a long time publicly and
solemnly employed in the worshipping of idols, and deeply defiled with
idolatry, much more, I say, are they unlawful to be applied to God's most
pure and holy worship, and therein used by us publicly and solemnly, so
that the world may see us conforming and joining ourselves unto idolaters.

_Sect._ 5. Fourthly, I fortify my proposition by approved examples; and,
first, we find that Jacob, Gen. xxxv. 4, did not only abolish out of his
house the idols, but their ear-rings also, because they were
_superstitionis insignia_, as Calvin; _res ad idololatriam pertinentes_,
as Junius; _monilia idolis consecrata_, as Pareus calleth them; all
writing upon that place. We have also the example of Elijah, 1 Kings
xviii. 30: he would by no means offer upon Baal's altar, but would needs
repair the Lord's altar, though this should hold the people the longer in
expectation. This he did, in P. Martyr's judgment, because he thought it a
great indignity to offer sacrifice to the Lord upon the altar of Baal;
whereupon Martyr(521) reprehendeth those who, in administering the true
supper of the Lord, _uti velint Papisticis vestibus et instrumentis_.
Further, we have the example of Jehu, who is commended for the destroying
of Baal out of Israel, with his image, his house, and his very vestments,
2 Kings x. 22-28. And what example more considerable than that of
Hezekiah, who not only abolished such monuments of idolatry as at their
first institution were but men's invention, but brake down also the brazen
serpent (though originally set up at God's own command), when once he saw
it abused to idolatry? 2 Kings xviii. 4. This deed of Hezekiah Pope
Steven(522) doth greatly praise, and professeth that it is set before us
for our imitation, that when our predecessors have wrought some things
which might have been without fault in their time, and afterward they are
converted into error and superstition, they may be quickly destroyed by us
who come after them. Farellus saith,(523) that princes and magistrates
should learn by this example of Hezekiah what they should do with those
significant rites of men's devising which have turned to superstition.
Ye