A37049:340
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.
Secondly: That way of Worshipping God is clearly condemned by the more particular scope of this Command; which is first, to discharge all gross thoughts of God or his Service; which scope, As it sayeth, God cannot dwell in Temples, So, neither can He be worshipped by mens hands, that is, by Images made with mens hands, as these in Athens did, Act. 17.24, 25. For they ignorantly worshipped the true God; 2. To show that he should not be served as Idolaters served their Gods by Images, Deut. 4, & 12.30, 31, 32. This binds us to the Word for all institute worship, but especially restraineth us from Idolaters, their way of worship as well as from their Idols, Thou shalt not do so to the Lord thy God: Note, that So set down, v. 4▪ relateth to Groves, Images, High places, &c. mentioned v. 3▪ which place doth not only discharge such Service to be given to Idols, but the giving of any such Service to God himself, who will have no such Service: And if it be clear, that worshipping him by Groves and High places be condemned, why not worshipping him by Images also? for the prohibition So, looketh to all.
Secondly: That way of Worshiping God is clearly condemned by the more particular scope of this Command; which is first, to discharge all gross thoughts of God or his Service; which scope, As it sayeth, God cannot dwell in Temples, So, neither can He be worshiped by mens hands, that is, by Images made with mens hands, as these in Athens did, Act. 17.24, 25. For they ignorantly worshiped the true God; 2. To shew that he should not be served as Idolaters served their Gods by Images, Deut. 4, & 12.30, 31, 32. This binds us to the Word for all institute worship, but especially restraineth us from Idolaters, their way of worship as well as from their Idols, Thou shalt not do so to the Lord thy God: Note, that So set down, v. 4▪ relateth to Groves, Images, High places, &c. mentioned v. 3▪ which place doth not only discharge such Service to be given to Idols, but the giving of any such Service to God himself, who will have no such Service: And if it be clear, that worshipping him by Groves and High places be condemned, why not worshiping him by Images also? for the prohibition So, looketh to all.
Thirdly: This Command hath a general prohibition in it, that leaveth no Image out, whether of God, Saint, or any other thing for any Religious use under whatsoever shape: For 1. It dischargeth the making of any Image of any thing, for any Religious use. 2. It dischargeth all Worship to be given them, whether outward by Bowing, or inward by Service, or whatsoever followeth on these; and therefore no distinction used by Idolaters can salve the matter, or avoid the strength of this Command, especially considering that it directeth men in ⟨p. 66⟩the manner how they should serve the true God, and doth not simply prescribe who is to be acknowledged as true God, which is done by the first Command.
Thirdly: This Command hath a general prohibition in it, that leaveth no Image out, whether of God, Saint, or any other thing for any Religious use under whatsoever shape: For 1. It dischargeth the making of any Image of any thing, for any Religious use. 2. It dischargeth all Worship to be given them, whether outward by Bowing, or inward by Servico, or whatsoever followeth on these; and therefore no distinction used by Idolaters can salve the matter, or avoid the strength of this Command, especially considering that it directeth men in ⟨p. 66⟩the manner how they should serve the true God, and doth not simply prescribe who is to be acknowledged as true God, which is done by the first Command.
Fourthly: If by this Command Heathenish Idolatry, or the Serving God by Images be condemned? then the serving of God by Images also amongst Christians is here condemned; But the Heathens serving God by Images, is here condemned, Ergo, &c.
If it be answered that Heathens did represent by their Images that which was not God, and that this was their fault? I Answer, 1. It is not like that all did so, nor that any at first did so; but some had a notion of the invisible God-head, as Rom. 1.28▪ though they changed it into an Image like to a corruptible Creature. 2. Yet here the Argument holdeth; If Heathens, who worshipped, suppose, Jupiter, Vulcan, &c. and their Images of Gold, Silver, &c. were holden for Idolaters, not only as worshipping Jupiter and Vulcan, and these Idols which were so represented, but also▪ as worshipping Gold and Silver, and such Images and things as they made use of to represent them; then also Christians must be said not only to worship what is represented, by those Images, but the Images themselves, and so to be guilty of Idolatry on that account: the Reason will hold alike in both; and if their Exception, that they worshipped not the Images, but what they represented did not exempt them from being found guilty of worshipping such Images in particular; neither will Christians upon that Plea be found exeemed from this guilt; for, a quatenus ad omno valet consequentia.
If it be answered that Heathens did represent by their Images that which was not God, and that this was their fault? I Answer, 1. It is not like that all did so, nor that any at first did so; but some had a notion of the invisible God-head, as Rom. 1.28▪ though they changed it into an Image like to a corruptible Creature. 2. Yet here the Argument holdeth; If Heathens, who worshiped, suppose, Jupiter, Vulcan, &c. and their Images of Gold, Silver, &c. were holden for Idolaters, not only as worshiping Jupiter and Vulcan, and these Idols which were so represented, but also▪ as worshipping Gold and Silver, and such Images and things as they made use of to represent them; then also Christians must be said not only to worship what is represented, by those Images, but the Images themselves, and so to be guilty of Idolatry on that account: the Reason will hold alike in both; and if their Exception, that they worshipped not the Images, but what they represented did not exempt them from being found guilty of worshipping such Images in particular; neither will Christians upon that Plea be found exeemed from this guilt; for, a quatenus ad omno valet consequentia.
5th. Argument: If that Idolatry committed by the Israelites in the Wilderness, Exod. 32. and that which was set up in Israel by Jeroboam, and that of Manlisses, 2 Chron. 33. be to be condemned as Idolatry; then that which is practised amongst the Papists in worshipping of their Images, and God by them, is to be condemned as Idolatry: But the former is condemned in Scripture as gross Idolatry, because it falleth off, and declineth from the way of worship the Lord hath prescribed, and turned Gods People like to Idolaters in their way; therefore also the latter is to be condemned as Idolatry.
There is no exception which the Papists give in here against this Argument, but the like might have been given by the Israelites.
For
1. If they say, They worshipped not the true God before these Images, that is answered already.
1. If they say, They worshiped not the true God before these Images, that is answered already.
2. If they say, it was condemned because they represented him by such Images, that is not enough: For 1. The Command forbiddeth all Images of any thing: 2. The opposition mentioned, Deut. 4. Thou sawest no likeness, or Image, but heardst a Voice, hath no middle, but argueth against all alike: Hence these Images, Psal. 115. that had Noses and Mouths, but smelled not, and spoke not, were condemned as well as those complained of, Rom. 1.
2. If they say, it was condemned because they represented him by such Images, that is not enough: For 1. The Command forbiddeth all Images of any thing: 2. The opposition mentioned, Deut. 4. Thou sawest no likeness, or Image, but heard'st a Voyce, hath no middle, but argueth against all alike: Hence these Images, Psal. 115. that had Noses and Mouths, but smelled not, and spoke not, were condemned as well as those complained of, Rom. 1.
3. If they say, It was not lawful then, but is lawful now; this were to say, that the Gospel admitteth of more Carnal Ordinances than the Law, whereas its Service is more spiritual without all doubt.
From all which, we may clearly conclude, that in such Service there is a two-fold Idolatry committed: 1. In that, because of some holiness and venerability that is supposed to be in such Images, relics, &c. Religious worship (though inferior to what is attributed to God) as given to them for themselves, according to the Decrees of that second Counsel of Nice: 2. In that they pretend by such Service to worship the true God, though in an Idolatrous manner forbidden by him, besides what Aquinas and his followers maintain, who give to the Images of God, Christ, Mary, and the Cross, [Greek or Hebrew] it self, part 13. q. 25. a. 1, 2, 3. And Reason sayeth, it is a snare unto them that worship them, and • scandal to others; for, as Augustine (speaking against the expressions used by Heathens from Psal. •13. and from that of the Apostle, Rom. 1. (after he hath rejected their Images, and their interpretation, and excuses also) sayeth, he who worshippeth and prayeth towards an Image is an Idolater; for, who saith he, worshippeth and prayeth towards an Image, who is not affected with it as if it heard him?
From all which, we may clearly conclude, that in such Service there is a two-fold Idolatry committed: 1. In that, because of some holiness and venerability that is supposed to be in such Images, reliques, &c. Religious worship (though inferiour to what is attributed to God) as given to them for themselves, according to the Decrees of that second Counsel of Nice: 2. In that they pretend by such Service to worship the true God, though in an Idolatrous manner forbidden by him, besides what Aquinas and his followers maintain, who give to the Images of God, Christ, Mary, and the Cross, 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 it self, part 13. q. 25. a. 1, 2, 3. And Reason sayeth, it is a snare unto them that worship them, and • scandal to others; for, as Augustine (speaking against the expressions used by Heathens from Psal. •13. and from that of the Apostle, Rom. 1. (after he hath rejected their Images, and their interpretation, and excuses also) sayeth, he who worshippeth and prayeth towards an Image is an Idolater; for, who saith he, worshippeth and prayeth towards an Image, who is not affected with it as if it heard him?
In short then, the Idolatry that striketh against this Command, may be summed up in these particulars.
1. When by some visible sign, representation, or Image, the God-head is wronged as being thereby made like to it; this is ⟨p. 68⟩against Deut. 4.15, 16, 17, &c. where every Image made to represent the true God, is condemned as unsuitable to Him.
1. When by some visible sign, representation, or Image, the God-head is wronged as being thereby made like to it; this is ⟨p. 68⟩against Deut. 4.15, 16, 17, &c. where every Image made to represent the true God, is condemned as unsutable to Him.
2. When by our worship we tie the presence of the true God, to some Place, Image, Statue, or Relic, as if they had something in them, or communicated to them more divine than any other thing; or, as if God heard our Prayers better at Images, and by them; or as if there were a more special presence of God th •re, or a more special dispensation of grace gr anted by them; as Heathens supposed their Gods dwelt invisibly in their Images, and did answer them there. Now the supposing that there is in any thing something venerable and worthy of such respect, is the ground of all Idolatry; the inward leaning to it, and trusting in it, is against the first Command; but the outward expressing of this esteem and trust is against the second Command: Thus men sin in praying to things that are (though rational Creatures) as Angels and Saints; or to things that are not, as empty Images that have no Deity dwelling in them, or to lifeless Creatures, as the Cross, Bread, &c.
2. When by our worship we tye the presence of the true God, to some Place, Image, Statue, or Relique, as if they had somthing in them, or communicated to them more divine than any other thing; or, as if God heard our Prayers better at Images, and by them; or as if there were a more special presence of God th •re, or a more special dispensation of grace gr •nted by them; as Heathens supposed their Gods dwelt invisibly in their Images, and did answer them there. Now the supposing that there is in any thing somthing venerable and worthy of such respect, is the ground of all Idolatry; the inward leaning to it, and trusting in it, is against the first Command; but the outward •xpressing of this esteem and trust is against the second Command: Thus men sin in praying to things that are (though rational Creatures) as Angels and Saints; or to things that are not, as empty Images that have no Deity dwelling in them, or to lifeless Creatures, as the Cross, Bread, &c.
3. It is Idolatry, when Idolatrous worship, used in the Service of Idols, is given to God contrary to his Command; so Deut. 12.30, 31. Thou shalt not do so to the Lord thy God; and 2 Chron. 33.17. Their keeping up of Groves for the worship of God; and that invention of Jeroboam's Calves, are condemned as Idolatry.
3. It is Idolatry, when Idolatrous worship, used in the Service of Idols, is given to God contrary to his Command; so Deut. 12.30, 31. Thou shalt not do so to the Lord thy God; and 2 Chron. 33.17. Their keeping up of Groves for the worship of God; and that invention of Jeroboams Calfs, are condemned as Idolatry.
4thly. When any thing of that External worship, which is due to the true God, is given to any other, even though it be with a purpose not to shut him out altogether from his due, yet when it is in part given to any other thing, as to the Cross, Saints, Images, &c. it is called worshipping of them▪ see Exod. 32. compared with Psal. •06.19, 20. there they worshipped the Images of Gold and Silver, &c. yea, v. 37. Devils, though they intended to worship God in these Images.
