A09339:4693
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.
Secondly the commandment, Thou shalt not make to thy self any graven image, &c. hath two several parts. The first forbids the making of carved or graved images: the second forbids the adoration of them. Now the first part is notably expounded by Moses, Deut. 4.16. Take good heed unto your selves, that ye corrupt not your selves and make you a graven image or representation of any figure in the likeness of male or female. Mark the reason of this prohibition in the same place: for (saith he) ye saw no image in the day the Lord spake unto you in Horeb and v. 15. Ye heard the voice of the words but saw no similitude save a voice. Now the reason being understood of the image of God himself: the prohibition must needs be so understood. Again there is no question; that God directs his commandment against a •inne in speculation, but against some common and wicked practise of the Jews, and that was to represent God himself in likenesses and bodily forms. Isaiah. 40. 1•. And that was also the practise of the Gentiles, that were far more gross in this kind then the Jews. Rom. 1.23. This then is plain to any indifferent man, that the first part of the commandment forbids the making of graven images or likenesses of the true Jehovah: and thus the Roman Catechism understands t•• ⟨p. 1022⟩words. As for the second part, it must be understood according to them eaning of the first: and therefore it forbids us, to bow down to any image of God. Hence then it follows, that to worship God or Saints in, or, at images, and to worship images with religious worship is abominable idolatry. And common reason might teach us thus much. For they that adore and worship the true God in images, do bind the presence of God, his operation, grace, and his hearing of us, to certain things, places, signs, to which he hath not bound himself, either by commandment or promise: and that is, otherwise to worship God, and to seek for his blessings, then he hath commanded himself to be worshipped, or promised to hear us. Upon this ground, is plainly overthrown the excuse which they make, that they worship not images but God and Saints in images: for neither God nor the Saints do acknowledge this kind of honour, but they abhor it.