The law unsealed

In the first Command, what immediately reflecteth upon God himself, is forbidden; here, what immediately reflecteth on his Ordinances and appointments, contradicting them and Him in them, is discharged; there is none of the Commands more frequently broken, and yet men most readily think themselves free of the breach thereof, and therefore ye should consider, that it is broken▪

In the first Command, what immediatly reflecteth upon God himself, is forbidden; here, what immediately reflecteth on his Ordinances and appointments, contradicting them and Him in them, is discharged; there is none of the Commands more frequently broken, and yet men most readily think themselves free of the breach thereof, and therefore ye should consider, that it is broken▪

1. In Doctrine, or doctrinally. 2. In practise. 3. In both, when the Doctrines vented and published against truth, have external practises following on them, as that doctrine of Image-worship hath, which we have spoken to already, and is the gross breach of this Command; and the Lord instanceth it as being the greatest, because where this is, all sorts of idolatry are: for it supposeth idolatry against the first Command, and that some esteem and weight is laid upon that Creature we worship, beyond what is its due; as if there were in it some divinity or ability to help, whereby it is thought worthy of such honour, whereupon followeth that external worship which is given to it upon that account; and so because Saints are thought able to hear and help, men pray to them; and because the Cross is thought holy, men worship it, &c. and as this idolatry is manifold among the Papists, so it is palpable when Prayer is made to Saints, Relics, Bread, the Cross, images, &c.

1. In Doctrine, or doctrinally. 2. In practise. 3. In both, when the Doctrines vented and published against truth, have external practises following on them, as that doctrine of Image-worship hath, which we have spoken to already, and is the gross breach of this Command; and the Lord instanceth it as being the greatest, because where this is, all sorts of idolatry are: for it supposeth idolatry against the first Command, and that some esteem and weight is laid upon that Creature we worship, beyond what is its due; as if there were in it some divinity or ability to help, whereby it is thought worthy of such honour, whereupon followeth that external worship which is given to it upon that account; and so because Saints are thought able to hear and help, men pray to them; and because the Cross is thought holy, men worship it, &c. and as this idolatry is manifold among the Papists, so it is palpable when Prayer is made to Saints, Reliques, Bread, the Cross, images, &c.