A reply unto M. Hardinges answerA replie vnto M. Hardinges ansvveare

And now we are come to declare,¹ how Images may be worshipped, and honoured without any offence. That Godly worship which consisteth in Spirit, and Trueth in worldly, and is declared by signs outwardly in recognizing the Supreme dominion,² which properly of the Divines is called Latria, is deferred only to the Blessed Trinity. As for the Holy Images, to them we do not attribute that worship at all, but an inferior reverence or Adoration: for so it is named:^* which is nothing else, but a recognizing of some virtue or excellency protested by outward sign, as reverent kissing, bowing down, kneeling, and such the like honour. Which kind of Adoration or worship, we find in the Scriptures oftentimes given to creatures. The whole act whereof is not withstanding referred, not to the Images^para principally, but to the things by them represented, as being the true and proper objects of such worship. For although the honour of an Image passeth over to the original,⁵ or first sampler, which the learned call Archetypum, as S. Basil teacheth: Yet that high worship called Latria, belongeth only to the blessed Trinity, and not to the reverent Images, least we should seem to be worshippers of creatures, and of matters, as of Gold, Silver, Stones,⁶ Wood, and of such other the like things. For we adore not Images as God,^a saith Athanasius, neither in them do we put hope of our Salvation, ne to them do we give Godly service or worship, for so did the Gentiles: but by such adoration or reverence, we declare only a certain affection and love, which we bear toward the originals. And therefore if it happen their Figure and shape to be defaced and undone, we let not to burn the stocks, as very wood, and being of other stuff, to convert the same to any use, it may best serve for.