They shall fear, because of the Calves of Beth-aven

They shall fear, because of the Calves of Beth-aven.

You know what they were, those that Jeroboam set up in Dan and Bethel, the golden Calves.

Luther upon the place moves a Question, What a wonderful thing is it (says he) that Jeroboam should be so bold, to set up Calves to worship, when there's that eminent story of Gods revenging himself for the peoples worshiping a Calf that Aaron set up, that at one time cost the lives of twenty three thousand men which were slain, and yet that Jeroboam should presume to set up Calves again to worship? It was a strange bold attempt says Luther, it was a wonderful thing that he should be so bold, and that he should prevail with the people. Luther gives the Answer to this Question, thus:

The truth is, there is nothing so horrible and vile but people in a little time will be brought to yield to it, if great ones by their example, and by their endeavor labor to set it up, it will be set up be it never so vile, never so abominable, yet people will be brought to it: that is his Answer.

And truly we find it so, that set people seem to abhor things never so much, yet if they find it be the sway of great ones, and if it be once set up in a way of power they yield to it. One would think it an impossible thing that now God having cast so much odium upon our Prelates, one would think it impossible for the People of England ever to be brought to yield to them, and I make no question but many of you say so when you meet together; but do not deceive your selves, if so be that those had prevailed that sought to prevail against us, we should quickly have the spirits of people turned in a moment, and as much for Prelates and Ceremonies, and Altars (for the generality of the People I mean) as here they did to these Calves again, though they had that sad story in their ears continually, of so many thousands that were slain for Calves before.