Likewise Eusebius saith, speaking of the Images of Christ, of Peter, and of Paule,1 Hoc mihi videtur ex Gentili consuetudine obseruatum: quòd ita illi soleant honorare, ⟨p. 498⟩quos honore dignos duxerint. This seemeth to be the observation of the Heathenish custom: for with such Images they used to honour them, whom they thought worthy of honour. Therefore S. Augustine writing against Adimantus saith thus, Simulant see favere Simulachris: quod proptereà faciunt, ut miserrimae, 2& vesanae suae Sectae etiam Paganorum concilient benevolentiam. They would seem to favour Images: which thing they do, to the intent to make the Heathens to think the better of their most miserable, and lewd Sect. For of the Heathens Lactantius writeth thus: Verentur, ne Religio vana sit, si nihil videant, quod Adorent. 3They are afraid (as they also are of M. Hardinges side) their Religion shall be but vain, if they see nothing, that they may worship. Therefore Daniel saith,4 that Nebuchadnezzar the Heathen King appointed a solemn Dedication day, for his Golden Image, with all kinds, & sorts of Minstrelsy. And the Prophet Baruch thus openeth,5 and uttereth the Religion of Babylon, Sacerdotes Barba, Capiteque raso, & aperto, sedent, & corā Dijs suis rugiunt. The Priests being shaven both Head, and Beard, and sitting bare, roar out before their Goddes. Thus Heliogabalus, Adrianus, and Alexander Severus, being Infidels,6 and Heathen Princes, had in their Chapels,7 and Closets the Images of Abraham, of Moses, of Christ, and of others. Thus the Heretics called Gnostici, and Carpocratiani for that they savoured of the Heathens,8 had, and worshipped the Images of Christ, of Paul, of Pythagoras, and of Homer. By these few Authorities, and Examples it appeareth, that the first erection of Images came, not from God, but from the Heathens, that knew not God. And therefore Athanasius saith, The Invention of Images came not of good, but of il. 9As for the Jews, that had the Law, and the Prophets amongst them, and therefore should best know God's meaning in this behalf, they had no manner Image, neither Painted, nor Graven in their Temples, as Dion saith: and, as Origen saith, they could not abide any Painter, or Graver, to dwell amongst them.
Likewise Eusebius saithe, speakinge of the Images of Christe, of Peter, and of Paule,1 Hoc mihi videtur ex Gentili consuetudine obseruatum: quòd ita illi soleant honorare, ⟨p. 498⟩quos honore dignos duxerint. This seemeth to be the obseruation of the Heathenishe custome: for with suche Images they vsed to honour them, whome they thought woorthy of honoure. Therefore S. Augustine writinge againste Adimantus saithe thus, Simulant se fauere Simulachris: quod proptereà faciunt, vt miserrimae, 2& vesanae suae Sectae etiam Paganorum concilient beneuolentiam. They woulde seeme to fauour Images: whiche thinge they doo, to thintent to make the Heathens to thinke the better of their moste miserable, and lewde Secte. For of the Heathens Lactantius writeth thus: Verentur, ne Religio vana sit, si nihil videant, quod Adorent. 3They are afraide (as they also are of M. Hardinges sid•) their Religion shalbe but vaine, yf they see nothinge, that they may woorship. Therefore Daniel saithe,4 that Nabucodonozor the Heathen Kinge appointed a solemne Dedication daie, for his Golden Image, with al kindes, & sortes of Minstralsie. And the Prophete Baruch thus openeth,5 and vttereth the Religion of Babylon, Sacerdotes Barba, Capiteque raso, & aperto, sedent, & corā Dijs suis rugiunt. The Priestes beinge shauen bothe Heade, and Bearde, and sittinge bare, roare out before their Goddes. Thus Heliogabalus, Adrianus, and Alexander Seuerus, being Infidels,6 and Heathen Princes, had in their Chapelles,7 and Closettes the Images of Abraham, of Moses, of Christe, and of others. Thus the Heretiques called Gnostici, and Carpocratiani for that they sauoured of the Heathens,8 had, and woorshipped the Images of Christe, of Paule, of Pithagoras, and of Homer. By these fewe Authorities, and Examples it appeareth, that the firste erection of Images came, not from God, but from the Heathens, that knewe not God. And therefore Athanasius saithe, The Inuention of Images came not of good, but of il.
- 1[Greek or Hebrew].〈non-Latin alphabet〉.
- 2Augustin contrae Adimantum. ca 13.
- 3La••antius lib. 2. Cap. 2.
- 4Daniel. 3.
- 5Baruch. 6.
- 6Lampridius.
- 7Julius Capitol. Epiphanius.Iulius Capitol. Epiphanius.
- 8Augustinus ad Quoduul•deū. Irenaeus lib. 1. ca. 24.Augustinus ad Quoduul•deū. Irenaeus lib. 1. ca. 24.
- 9Athansius, [Greek or Hebrew] Dion. lib. 37.Athansius, 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 Dion. lib. 37.
