A37049:284
A practical exposition of the X. Commandments with a resolution of several momentous questions and cases of conscience.
London: printed for Dorman Newman, 1675
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.
This Commandment is more largely set down than the former, partly to clear the Mandatory part of it, and partly to press it; in which two it may be taken up.
THis Commandment is more largely set down than the former, partly to clear the Mandatory part of it, and partly to press it; in which two it may be taken up.
The preceptive, or commanding part, is expressed in two things, v. 4. and v. 5. at the beginning. 1. That no Image be made: And 2. That it be not worshipped.
Next, it is pressed three ways: 1. From a reason. 2. By a threa inning. 3. By a Promise: The words are multiplied, that they may the more fully and clearly express what is intended.
Next, it is pressed three ways: 1. From a reason. 2. By a threa •ning. 3. By a Promise: The words are multiplied, that they may the more fully and clearly express what is intended.
1 That this Commandment is against all making of Images for Religious service, is clear from a threefold extent mentioned in the Prohibition. 1. The Image of nothing in heaven above, or the earth beneath, or under the earth; that is, the similitude of no Creature is allowed for this end.
2 Men are forbidden to make either similitude or likeness, that is, no sort of Image, whether that which is engraven in, or hewn out of stone, wood, silver, &c. or that which is made by painting, all kinds are discharged.
2 Men are forbidden to make either similitude or likeness, that is, no sort of Image, whether that which is ingraven in, or hewn out of stone, wood, silver, &c. or that which is made by painting, all kinds are discharged.
3 No sort of worship or service religious is to be given to them, wh •ther mediate or immediate, whether primarily as to themselves, or secondarily with respect to that which they represent. This is understood under the second part of the Commandment, Th •• shalt not bow down to them, nor serve or worship them: under which two, all external reverence is discharged, which is clear from the reason adjoined, because God is jealous, and he will not only not endure Idolatry, but whatever may look like it; as a jealous Husband will not abide any suspicious-like carriage in his Wife.
3 No sort of worship or service religious is to be given to them, wh •ther mediate or immediate, whether primarily as to themselves, or secondarily with respect to that which they represent. This is understood under the second part of the Commandment, Th •• shalt not bow down to them, nor serve or worship them: under which two, all external reverence is discharged, which is clear from the reason adjoyned, because God is jealous, and he will not only not endure Idolatry, but whatever may look like it; as a jealous Husband will not abide any suspicious-like carriage in his Wife.
That we may have the clearer access to the meaning and use of this Commandment; let us see 1. What is the scope of it. 2. Wherein it is differ •nt from the former.
The scope of this Commandment is not merely and only to forbid making and worshipping of Images, which is the most gross way of abusing the worship of God; but under that to forbid all manner of grossness in the external worship of God, and to command exactness and preciseness in it (as well as internal worship) according to the Rule pr •s •ribed thereunto by the Lord; and so this Commandment includeth all externals commanded in the Ceremonial Law, and doth forbid all will-worship and superstition in the worship of God, all hono •ring him by precepts taught by men, and not by himself, Isaiah 29.13. and Mat. 15.9. So then in the first Commandment the worshipping of the only true God is commanded, and the worshipping of any Idol is forbidden: here the true worship of that God is prescribed, and the contrary forbidden; the first Commandment showeth who is to ⟨p. 52⟩be worshipped, the second how he is to be worshipped, not in the manner that Heathens worshipped their Idols, nor in any other manner that men shall feign and devise to themselves, but in the manner he himself prescribeth.
The scope of this Commandment is not meerly and only to forbid making and worshipping of Images, which is the most gross way of abusing the worship of God; but under that to forbid all manner of grosness in the external worship of God, and to command exactness and preciseness in it (as well as internal worship) according to the Rule pr •s •ribed thereunto by the Lord; and so this Commandment includeth all externals commanded in the Ceremonial Law, and doth forbid all will-worship and superstition in the worship of God, all hono •ring him by precepts taught by men, and not by himself, Isaiah 29.13. and Mat. 15.9. So then in the first Commandment the worshipping of the only true God is commanded, and the worshipping of any Idol is forbidden: here the true worship of that God is prescribed, and the contrary forbidden; the first Commandment sheweth who is to
In sum, this Commandment holdeth forth these three things. 1. That God will not only be served inwardly in the heart, by good thoughts and intentions (which is prescribed in the first Commandment) but also outwardly in the confessing him before men, in external service and worship, in words and gestures suitable; for the forbidding this sort of external gestures, worshipping and bowing before Idols, doth include the contrary affirmative in all its kinds (according to the first Rule before-mentioned for the right understanding of all the Commandments.) Thus it taketh in all Ordinances of Word, Prayer, Sacraments, Ceremonies, &c. and failing in these, breaketh this Commandment, when even they are not rightly gone about.
2 It holdeth forth this, that in that external service and worship, God will not have men following their own humour, but will have them to walk by the Rule given, or to be given by him to them, and otherwise it is in vain whatever worship men perform to him, Mat. 15.9. Hence it is said here, Thou shalt not make to thy self, that is, at thy own pleasure, without my Command, otherwise what is by God's Command is made to him; and this is to be extended to all Ordinances, yea both to the worship it self, and also to the manner of that worship, all is to be done according to God's Command only.
3 It holdeth forth a spiritual service due to God, or that we should be spiritual in all external service, there should not be in us any carnal apprehensions of God, as if he were like any thing that we could imagine, Act. 17.29. as is fully clear from Deut. 4.15. &c. Also all rashness and carnality in external performances is here discharged under •o •ing to Images, &c.
So then, under these three, we take up the sum of this Commandment, whereby it differeth from the former, which may also be cleared from these reasons.
