And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD of hosts, [that] I will cut off the names of the idols out of the land, and they shall no more be remembered: and also I will cause the prophets and the unclean spirit to pass out of the land.
Ver. 2. I will cut off the names of the idols] Heb. of the fray bugs, gnatsabim terriculorum, scarecrows (as they are likewise called, 1Sa 31:9 1Ch 10:9 Psalms 115:4; in contempt, as Priapus in Horace - furum aviumque, Maxima formido -), or, grievous idols, as Psalms 16:4, because they tormented the minds of the superstitious, and put them to great pains to no purpose; as is to be seen in Popish pilgrims, who though used hardly, and lose much of their estates and other comforts, yet satisfy themselves in this, I have that I came for, viz. the sight of a dumb idol, as Calvin noteth on that place, Seek ye my face. Now of these idols and monuments of idolatry, these Balaam's blocks, the Lord here promiseth to rid the land, as he did under the Maccabees. And as in the primitive Church he did by the Christian emperors, styled therefore by the superstitious Iconomachi and Iconoclastae; and of late, by the renowned reformers, as at Geneva, Bern, Basle (where they were burnt all together on an Ash Wednesday of God's own making), and here in England by the command of King Edward VI; who the self-same day obtained a signal victory at Mussleborough Field.
And they shall no more be remembered] Unless it be with shame and detestation, as Eze 16:61 Psa 16:4 Hosea 14:8. Ephraim shall say, What have I to do any more with idols? He shall pollute the idols which he once perfumed, and say unto them, "Get you hence," Isaiah 30:22. I was an obstinate Papist (saith Latimer of himself) as any was in England, and a gross idolater, &c. But after that he came to a sight of his error, he so far forth abhorred idols, that being brought forth after he was condemned to die to see a procession, he ran as fast as his old bones would carry him to one Spencer's shop near Carfax, in Oxford, and would not once look toward it (Act. and Mon. fol. 1230).
And also I will cause the prophets] So they will needs be called and counted; when as they are no better than unclean spirits, See Geneva on " Zec 13:2 " or at least are acted and set on work by that unclean spirit, the devil, Mat 12:43 Mar 1:26 John 8:44 Rev 16:13 See Trapp on " Mat 12:43 " See Trapp on " Mar 1:26 " See Trapp on " Joh 8:44 " See Trapp on " Rev 16:13 " indeed, they are false prophets, Matthew 7:15, false teachers, "who privily bring in damnable heresies," 2 Peter 2:1, vanae orationis, cui nulla veritatis vel virtutis ratio subest, sunt artifices stulte loquaces et garruli, saith Montanus; they are loud and lewd liars, inspired by that unclean spirit, the father of lies, ut impurati impurent alios et seducant seducti (Junius in loc.), that being themselves defiled and seduced, they may defile and seduce others. For by corrupt teachers Satan catcheth men; as a cunning fisher by one fish catcheth another, that he may feed upon both.
And the unclean spirit to pass out of the land] This connection is worthy to be noted, saith reverend Calvin here, because it shows us the source of all errors, viz. the letting loose the reins to perverse teachers. I confess, saith he, we are apt enough of ourselves to run after falsities, such is the corruption of our natures. Sed interea ubi grassatur licentia quidvis docendi, necesse est corrumpi totam pietatem, et sic misceri omnia ut nihil differat lux a tenebris, &c. But where in matters of religion every man may think what he lists, and utter what he thinks, and defend what he utters, and publish what he defends, and gather disciples to what he publisheth, this libertas prophetandi, this liberty, or licentiousness, rather, of prophesying (alas, poor England!) must needs bane the Church, and bring in confusion. God therefore here gives us to know that a Church cannot stand unless false teachers be forbidden to turn the truth into a lie, and to prate at their pleasure against the word of God; and this, saith he, is diligently to be noted. Videmus enim ut hodie nebulones quidam, &c.; For we see how at this day certain vile persons take it up for a principle that the Church is not free unless every man may be suffered to preach or broach what he pleaseth; and that it is greatest cruelty to punish a heretic, and not to give him leave to blaspheme the truth. But the prophet here showeth that the Church of God cannot be kept in pure state, nor stand entire and safe, unless the rashness and impudence of such be restrained as dare pervert sound and sincere doctrine. Thus he.