A14239:48
A sermon preached before the Commons-House [sic] of Parliament, in Saint Margarets Church at…A sermon preached before the Commos-House [sic] of Parliament, in Saint Margarets Church at…
A sermon preached before the Commons-House [sic] of Parliament, in Saint Margarets Church at Westminster, the 18. of February. 1620. By James Usher. Professor of Divinity in the University of Dublin, in IrelandA sermon preached before the Commos-House [sic] of Parliament, in Saint Margarets Church at Westminster, the 18. of February. 1620. By Iames Vssher. Professor of Diuinitie in the Vniuersitie of Dublin, in Ireland
London: printed by I.Dawson for John Bartlett, 1624London: printed by I.Dawson for Iohn Bartlett, 1624
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
In vain therefore do the Romanists go about to persuade us, that their Images be no Idols: and as vainly also do they spend time in curiously distinguishing the several degrees of worship; the highest point whereof, which they call Latreia, and acknowledge to be due only unto God, they would be loth we should think that they did communicate to any of their Images. But here we are to understand, first of all, that Idolatry may be committed by giving not the highest only, but also the lowest degree of religious adoration unto Images: and therefore in the words of the Commandment, the very bowing down unto them, which is one of the meanest degrees of worship, is expressly forbidden. Secondly, that it is *the received doctrine of Popish divines, that the Image should be honoured with the same worship, wherewith that thing is worshipped whose Image it is: and therefore what adoration is due to Christ and the Trinity, the same by this ground they are to give unto their Images. Thirdly, that in the Roman Pontifical published by the authority of Clement the VIII. (to omit other testimonies in this kind) it is concluded, *that the Cross of the Popes Legate shall ⟨p. 36⟩have the right hand, upon this very reason, quia debetur ei latria, because the worship proper to God is due to it. Now whether they commit Idolatry, who communicate unto a senseless thing, that worship which they themselves confess to be due unto God alone: let all the world judge.
In vaine therefore doe the Romanists goe about to perswade vs, that their Images be no Idoles: and as vainely also doe they spend time in curiously distinguishing the seuerall degrees of worship; the highest point whereof, which they call Latreia, and acknowledge to be due onely vnto God, they would be loth wee should thinke that they did communicate to any of their Images. But here wee are to vnderstand, first of all, that Idolatry may be committed by giuing not the highest onely, but also the lowest degree of religious adoration vnto Images: and therefore in the words of the Commandement, the very bowing downe vnto them, which is one of ye meanest degrees of worship, is expresly forbidden. Secondly, that it is *