A practical exposition of the X. Commandments with a resolution of several momentous questions…A practical exposition of the X. Commandements with a resolution of several momentous questions…

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.