A09453:492
A Reformed Catholic
A reformed Catholic: or, A declaration showing how near we may come to the present Church of Rome in sundry points of religion: and wherein we must for ever depart from them with an advertisement to all favourers of the Roman religion, showing that the said religion is against the Catholic principles and grounds of the catechism.A reformed Catholike: or, A declaration shewing how neere we may come to the present Church of Rome in sundrie points of religion: and vvherein we must for euer depart from them with an advertisment to all fauourers of the Romane religion, shewing that the said religion is against the Catholike principles and grounds of the catechisme.
Cambridge: printed by John Legat, 1598Cambridge: printed by Iohn Legat, 1598
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 graven images: the second forbids the adoration of them. Now the first part is notably expounded by Moses, Deutr. 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 ⟨p. 364⟩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 sin 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. 18. 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: & thus the Roman Catechism understands the words. As for the second part, it must be understood according to the meaning 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, & ⟨p. 365⟩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.
Secondly the commandement, Thou shalt not make to thy selfe any grauen image, &c. hath two seuerall parts. The first forbiddes the making of carued or grauen images: the second forbids the adoration of them. Now the first part is notably expounded by Moses, Deutr. 4. 16. Take good heede vnto your selves, that ye corrupt not your selves and make you a grauen image or representation of any figure in the likenesse of male or female. Marke the reason of this prohibition