set an
order in matters of religion, there shall not lack blanchers that will
say, "As for images, whereas they have used to be censed, and to have
candles offered unto to them, none be so foolish to do it to the stock or
stone, or to the image itself; but it is done to God and his honour
before the image." And though they should abuse it, these blanchers will
be ready to whisper the king in the ear, and to tell him, that this abuse
is but a small matter; and that the same, with all other like abuses in
the church, may be reformed easily. "It is but a little abuse," say
they, "and it may be easily amended. But it should not be taken in hand
at the first, for fear of trouble or further inconveniences. The people
will not bear sudden alterations; an insurrection may be made after
sudden mutation, which may be to the great harm and loss of the realm.
Therefore all things shall be well, but not out of hand, for fear of
further business." These be the blanchers, that hitherto have stopped
the word of God, and hindered the true setting forth of the same. There
be so many put-offs, so many put-byes, so many respects and
considerations of worldly wisdom: and I doubt not but there were
blanchers in the old time to whisper in the ear of good king Hezekiah,
for the maintenance of idolatry done to the brasen serpent, as well as
there hath been now of late, and be now, that can blanch the abuse of
images, and other like things. But good king Hezekiah would not be so
blinded; he was like to Apollos, "fervent in spirit." He would give no
ear to the blanchers; he was not moved with the worldly respects, with
these prudent considerations, with these policies: he feared not
insurrections of the people: he feared not lest his people would bear not
the glory of God; but he, without any of these respects, or policies, or
considerations, like a good king, for God's sake and for conscience sake,
by and by plucked down the brasen serpent, and destroyed it utterly, and
beat it to powder. He out of hand did cast out all images, he destroyed
all idolatry, and clearly did extirpate all superstition. He would not
hear these blanchers and worldly-wise men, but without delay followeth
God's cause, and destroyeth all idolatry out of hand. Thus did good king
Hezekiah; for he was like Apollos, fervent in spirit, and diligent, to
promote God's glory.

And good hope there is, that it shall be likewise here in England; for
the king's majesty is