A09339:4465
A Golden Chain
A golden chain: or The description of theology containing the order of the causes of salvation and damnation, according to Gods word. A view whereof is to be seen in the table annexed. Hereunto is adjoined the order which M. Theodore Beza used in comforting afflicted consciences.A golden chaine: or The description of theologie containing the order of the causes of saluation and damnation, according to Gods word. A view whereof is to be seene in the table annexed. Hereunto is adioyned the order which M. Theodore Beza vsed in comforting afflicted consciences.
Cambridge: printed by John Legat, 1600Cambridge: printed by Iohn Legat, 1600
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
The difference.
Our dissent from them touching images stands in three points. I. The Church of Rome holds it lawful for them to make images to resemble God, though not in respect of his divine nature; yet in respect of some properties and actions. We on the contrary hold it unlawful for us to make any image, any way to represent the true God: or, to make an image of any thing in way ⟨p. 963⟩of religion, to worship God, much less the creature thereby. For the second commandment saith plainly, Exod. 20.4. Thou shalt not make to thy self any graven image, or the likeness of any thing in heaven, &c. The Papists say, the commandment is meant of the images of false gods. But, will they, nill they, it must be understood of the images of the true Jehovah; and it forbids usa to resemble God, either in his nature, properties, or works, or to use any resemblance of him for any sacred use: as to help the memory, when we are about to worship God. Thus much the holy Ghost who is the best expounder of himself, teacheth most plainly, Deut. 4.15,16. Thou sawest no image at all (either of false or true God) and therefore thou shalt not make any likeness of any thing. And again the Prophet Isaiah, chap. 40.18. reproving idolaters, asketh to whom they will liken God, or, what similitude will they set upon him. and v. 21. Know ye nothing? have you not heard? hath it not bin told you from the beginning? As if he should say, have ye forgotten the second commandment, that God gave unto your fathers? And thus he flatly reproves all them that resemble the true God in images. But they say further, that by images in the second commandment are meant idols, that is (say they) such things as men worship for gods. Answ If it were so, we should confound the first and second commandments. For the first, Thou shalt have no other gods before my face, forbids all false gods, which man wickedly frames unto himself, by giving his heart and principal affections thereof, to them: and therefore idols also are here forbidden, when they are esteemed as Gods. And the distinction they make that an Image is the representation of true things, an Idol of things supposed, is false.