Mornay uses the case of King Josiah, indicating that the covenant between God and the Jews stipulated that "the king and his entire people would worship God according to the prescription of His Law (i.e. the regulative principle of worship—ed.) as individuals and would act collectively to protect their worship."

Moreover, Mornay is not content with merely using this ancient covenant as an example. He insists that the same principles apply to his own day, arguing that Christian rulers stand in the place of the Jewish kings, and that it is their duty to ensure the fulfillment of God's Law.

Mornay proposes that if the ancient Jews were enjoined to resist godless rulers, the same must surely hold for Christians. Mornay stipulates that it is the duty of the people to safeguard pure worship. When dealing with this issue, then, Mornay insists that the question of idolatry is of prime importance, particularly because the violation of "pure worship" and the persecution of the true Church are the principal grounds for resistance...

Peter Martyr echoed this sentiment in 1554, writing "wherefore for as much as idolatry is the cause of captivity, pestilence, and famine, and overthrowing of publique wealthes, shall it not pertaine unto the Magistrate to repress it, and to keep the true sound religion?" (Commentary on Judges, 1564 ed., fold. 266v-267r).

From: War Against The Idols: The Reformation of Worship from Erasmus to Calvin by Carlos M. N. Eire (pp. 298-299, 300 [n89]), Cambridge University Press, 1986, emphases added (War Against The Idols is on sale at http://www.swrb.com/catalog/e.htm)

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