A37046:279
The law unsealed
The law unsealed: or, A practical exposition of the Ten Commandments With a resolution of several momentous questions and cases of conscience. By the learned, laborious, faithful servant of Jesus Christ, Mr. James Durham, late minister of the Gospel at Glasgow.
Glasgow: printed by Robert Sanders, 1676
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.
Concerning Images, two things are to be enquired. 1▪ If no Image be lawful▪ and if any be lawful, what these be? 2. If any use, especially religious, of Images be lawful? and if adoration of any kind •e to be given to them; We say for Answer,
1. That making of Pictures of Creatures, which are visible, or may be comprehended, or historical fancies (to speak so) such as the senses and elements use to be holden forth by (which are rather Hieroglyphics then real Pictures) these I say, ⟨p. 35⟩are not simply unlawful, but are so, when they are abused; (so Solomon made Images of Lions for his use, and thus the gift of engraving and painting as well as others which God hath given to men, may be made use of, when (as hath been said) it is not abused.) As▪ 1. When such Pictures are obscene and filthy, and against Christian modesty to behold, such break this Commandment, but more especially the seventh, because as filthy communication doth pollute the ears, so do they the eyes. 2. When men become prodigal in their bestowing either too much time, or too much expense on them. 3. When they dote too much on them by curiosity, and many other ways they may be abused: but especially in the fourth place, if they be abused to any religious use, then they become unlawful, as afterward shall be cleared▪
1. That making of Pictures of Creatures, which are visible, or may be comprehended, or historical phansies (to speak so) such as the senses and elements use to be holden forth by (which are rather Hieroglyphicks then real Pictures) these I say, ⟨p. 35⟩are not simply unlawful, but are so, when they are abused; (so Solomon made Images of Lions for his use, and thus the gift of engraving and painting as well as others which God hath given to men, may be made use of, when (as hath been said) it is not abused.) As 1. When such Pictures are obscene and filthy, and against Christian modesty to behold, such break this Commandment, but more especially the seventh, because as filthy communication doth pollute the ears, so do they the eyes. 2. When men become prodigal in their bestowing either too much time, or too much expence on them. 3. When they dote too much on them by curiosity, and many other wayes they may be abused: but especially in the fourth place, if they be abused to any religious use, then they become unlawful, as afterward shall be cleared