232 LIVES OF THE PURITANS, the sake of policy, but expressly forbad their imitation of them, and commanded them to destroy all the appurtenances of idolatry and superstition. And, in the time of the gospel, our Lord did not think it goodpolicy, either to wear the pharisaical robes himself; or to suffer any of his disci- ples to do it ; but condemned it as altogether superstitious. When I consider that Jereboam maintained his calves in Dan and Bethel, under the plausible name of policy, it makes me tremble to see the popish ornaments set forth under the same pretence. For if policy may serve as a cloak to superstition and papistry, then crowns and crosses, oil and cream, images and candles, palms and beads, with most of the other branches of antichrist, may again be introduced. 44 It is well known, that when Hezekiah, Josiah, and other fatuous princes, promoted the reformation of religion ac- cording to the word of God, they compelled not the minister's of God to wear the apparel of Baal's priests, but utterly destroyed all their vestments. Hezekiah commanded all the appendages of superstition and idolatry, to be car- ried out of the Temple, and to be cast into Kedron. Josiah burnt all the vestments and other things belonging to Baal and his priests, not in Jerusalem, but out of thecity. All this was done according to the word of the Lord, who commanded that not only the idols, but all things pertaining to them, should be abhorred and rejected. And if we com- pel the servants of Christ, to conform unto the papists, I greatly fear we shall return again to popery. " Our case, my lord, will be deplorable, if such compul- sion should be used against us, while so much lenity is used towards the papists. How many papists enjoy their liberty and livings, who have neither sworn obedience to the queen's majesty, nor discharged their duty to their miserable flocks! These men laugh and triumph to see us treated thus, and are not ashamed of boasting, that they hope the rest of popery will soon return. My noble lord, pity the discon- solate churches. Hear the cries and groans of many thou- sands of God's poor children, hungering and thirsting after spiritual food. I need not appeal to the word of God, to the history of the primitive church, to the just judgments of God poured out upon the nations for lack of true reforma- tion. Judge ye betwixt us and our enemies. And if we seek the glory of God alone, the enjoyment of true christian liberty, the overthrow of all idolatry and superstition, and
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