3. We say that no Image whatsoever, made use of for religious ends, and without the bounds of civil and politic uses is allowable, but is by this commandment condemned, as unsuitable to the Lords nature and revealed will, so by this, Images (otherwise lawful) when abused to Idolatry become unlawful, and are not to be suffered but orderly to be removed, we call that more then a civil or a common use, when religious worship or reverence is purposely intended to them, or ⟨p. 37⟩•here is; by some one occasion or other, danger least they may be so abused, and of this sort (viz. dangerous ones;) are, 1. Images in places of Worship, but it is not Idolatry to have dead mens Images on their Tombs or Monuments in Churches. 2. Images of such Angels, Saints, &c. which has been abused to Idolatry by being worshipped, or most readily may be so abused. 3. Images erected for helping our Prayers to be accepted, and which have Altars, Lights, or Temples appointed for •hem, (which will be clearer, when we come to speak of religious worship and Bowing,) thus peregrinations and vows to Images, touching of them with some apprehension of fruit and advantage thereby, especially when healing is expected from them; and so are they abused also, though help be expected not from the Image, but from him whom it is said to represent; and thus also when any Image once lawful cometh to be abused, it ought to be removed, as the brazen Serpent was by H• ze•iah, and under this Prohibition come in the Images of false gods, as Cupid, Venus, Apollo, Jupiter, &c. which were once abused; besides some of these Idols being nothing, the portraying of them maketh them appear something; and if it was the Lords way to command the breaking and destroying of all Idols and Images of false gods, can it be suitable to retain them in memory? that a generation following might have that occasion and help to Idolatry, (viz. the Images of old Idols) from Christians: and if it was Davids and the Saints way, Psalm 16. 4. not so much as to mention their names but with detestation, ought Gods people for sport or delight to look on these Images? zeal for God would abhor these curiosities, and what edification can be in them?
3. We say that no Image whatsoever, made use of for religious ends, and without the bounds of civil and politick uses is allowable, but is by this commandment condemned, as unsuitable to the Lords nature and revealed will, so by this, Images (otherwise lawful) when abused to Idolatry become unlawfull, and are not to be suffered but orderly to be removed, we call that more then a civil or a common use, when religious worship or reverence is purposely intended to them, or ⟨p. 37⟩•here is; by some one occasion or other, danger least they may be so abused, and of this sort (viz. dangerous ones;) are, 1. Images in places of Worship, but it is not Idolatry to have dead mens Images on their Tombs or Monuments in Churches. 2. Images of such Angels, Saints, &c. which has been abused to Idolatry by being worshipped, or most readily may be so abused. 3. Images erected for h•lping our Prayers to be accepted, and which have Altars, Lights, or Temples appointed for •hem, (which will be clearer, when we come to speak of religious worship and Bowing,) thus peregrinations and vows to Images, touching of them with some ap•rehension of fruit and advantage thereby, especially when healing is expected from them; and so are they abused also, though help be expected not from the Image, but from him whom it is said to represent; and thus also when any Image once lawfull cometh to be abused, it ought to be removed, as the brazen Serpent was by H• ze•iah, and under this Prohibition come in the Images of false gods, as Cupid, Venus, Apollo, Jupiter, &c. which were once abused; besides some of these Idols being nothing, the pourtraying of them maketh them appear something; and if it was the Lords way to command the breaking and destroying of all Idols and Images of false gods, can it be suitable to retain them in memory? that a generation following might have that occasion and help to Idolatry, (viz. the Images of old Idols) from Christians: and if it was Davids and the Saints way, Psalm 16. 4. not so much as to mention their names but with detestation, ought Gods people for sport or delight to look on these Images? zeal for God would abhor these curiosities, and what edification can be in them?
