The temple A sermon preached at Pauls Cross the fifth of August. 1624. By…The temple A sermon preached at Pauls Crosse the fifth of August. 1624. By…

We are all by nature prone to Idolatry: when we were little children, we loved babies: and being grown men, we are apt to love Images. And as Babies be children's Idols, so Idols & Images be mens Babies. It seems that Idols are fittest for Babes, therefore so the Apostle fits his caution, ¹Babes keep your selves from Idols. As all our knowledge comes by sense, so we naturally desire a sensible object of devotion: finding it easier to see Pictures, then to comprehend Doctrines, and to form prayers to the Images of men, then to form man to the Image of God.

Wee are all by nature prone to Idolatrie: when we were little children, we loued babies: and being growne men, we are apt to loue Images. And as Babies be childrens Idols, so Idols & Images be mens Babies. It seemes that Idols are fittest for Babes, therefore so the Apostle fits his caution, ¹Babes keepe your selues from Idols. As all our knowledge comes by sense, so we naturally desire a sensible obiect of deuotion: finding it easier to see Pictures, then to comprehend Doctrines, and to forme prayers to the Images of men, then to forme man to the Image of God.

1. 11 John. 5.21.1 Iohn. 5.21.

Nor can they excuse themselves from Idolatry, by saying they put their confidence in God, not in the Images of God. For when the Israelites had made their golden Calf, and danced about it, one calf about another; they were not such beasts, as to ⟨p. 24⟩think that beast their God. But so can Superstition besot the mind, that it makes us not men, before it can wake us Idolaters. What do they say?