[b]A bundle of ridiculous ceremonies!
(Thomas Watson, "The Ten Commandments")
"Flee from idolatry!" 1 Corinthians 10:14
It is idolatry, not only to worship a false god--but
to worship the true God in a false manner.
See the goodness of God to our nation, in delivering us
from popery, which is Romish idolatry--and causing the
light of His truth to break forth gloriously among us. In
former times, England was overspread with idolatry.
We had . . .
purgatory,
indulgences,
the idolatrous mass,
prayers to saints and angels,
and image-worship.
What is the popish religion, but a bundle of ridiculous
ceremonies! Their candles, beads, crucifixes; what are
these but Satan's policy, to dress up a carnal worship,
fitted to carnal minds! Oh! what cause have we to bless
God for delivering us from popery! It was a mercy to be
delivered from the Spanish invasion; but it is a far greater
mercy to be delivered from the popish religion!
"What have I to do any more with idols?" Hosea 14:8