A37049:346
A37049:346
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.
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.
5. When any thing of this worship, due to God, is given to Servants or means, as if something adorable, and to be worshipped, were in them, although they be not accounted God himself: Thus Cornel •us ••n •ed in worshipping Pet •r, Act. 10.25, 26. when he knew he was not God, and […] rejecteth it on this ground, that he was a Man and not God; and that therefore it was due to none but God▪ which Reason, taketh off all that can ⟨p. 69⟩be said by men for palliating this kind of Idolatry: Thus the scope of the Command, and the reason and ground of worship being considered, it is evident that all these are Idolatry.
5. When any thing of this worship, due to God, is given to Servants or means, as if somthing adorable, and to be worshipped, were in them, although they be not accounted God himself: Thus Cornel •us ••n •ed in worshipping Pet •r, Act. 10.25, 26. when he knew he was not God, and 〈…〉 rejecteth it on this ground, that he was a Man and not God; and that therefore it was due to none but God▪ which Reason, taketh off all that can ⟨p. 69⟩be said by men for palliating this kind of Idolatry: Thus the scope of the Command, and the reason and ground of worship being considered, it is evident that all these are Idolatry.
We would now further consider, first, the positive part of this Command, and next what is forbidden in it.
And 1. For the positive part of this Command, we conceive it doth reach, 1. To all external Ordinances, such as Doctrine, Worship, Government, and Discipline: We are here enjoined to keep all these pure, according to his word: Thus any error breaketh this Command, when it is vented and made public, as secret errors break the first.
And 1. For the positive part of this Command, we conceive it doth reach, 1. To all external Ordinances, such as Doctrine, Worship, Government, and Discipline: We are here enjoyned to keep all these pure, according to his word: Thus any errour breaketh this Command, when it is vented and made publick, as secret errours break the first.
2ly. It reacheth to all external Obedience, such as receiving the truths of God, submitting to the Government and Discipline of his House, entering therein as Church-Members, often hearing the Word, not only on the Sabbath, which is required in the 4th. Command, but at all occasions, when God shall give the opportunity, it being a special part of his worship; right using of the Sacraments, and worthy receiving of them, praying externally, internal prayer being required in the first Command; outward confession of sin, when called for; confession of the truth in times of trial, &c. and this obedience is to be extended to extraordinary duties as well as ordinary; as Vowing, Swearing, Fasting▪ &c. when they shall be required in providence; external Covenanting with •od, an Ordinance necessary for keeping pure public Service, &c. Also it is to be extended to secret duties, and to private duties in Families, and Christian fellowship, as well as to public, and to diligence in them all.
2ly. It reacheth to all external Obedience, such as receiving the truths of God, submitting to the Government and Discipline of his House, entering therein as Church-Members, often hearing the Word, not only on the Sabboth, which is required in the 4th. Command, but at all occasions, when God shall give the opportunity, it being a special part of his worship; right using of the Sacraments, and worthy receiving of them, praying externally, internal prayer being required in the first Command; outward confession of sin, when called for; confession of the truth in times of tryal, &c. and this obedience is to be extended to extraordinary duties as well as ordinary; as Vowing, Swearing, Fasting▪ &c. when they shall be required in providence; external Covenanting with •od, an Ordinance necessary for keeping pure publick Service, &c. Also it is to be extended to secret duties, and to private duties in Families, and Christian fellowship, as well as to publick, and to diligence in them all.
3ly. It reacheth to the right manner of doing duties; especially, it requireth▪ 1. That they be not done in Hypocrisy, for God will not be so worshipped in any duty. 2. That all our worship and duties be directed to God, in, and through the Mediator, and that none come to God but by him, who is the appointed High Priest▪ 3. That all our Obedience and Service be Spiritual.
3ly. It reacheth to the right manner of doing duties; especially, it requireth▪ 1. That they be not done in Hypocrisie, for God will not be so worshipped in any duty. 2. That all our worship and duties be directed to God, in, and through the Mediator, and that none come to God but by him, who is the appointed High Priest▪ 3. That all our Obedience and Service be Spiritual.
4ly. It taketh in all external gestu •es, and outward reverence in praying and hearing; &c. as, that the eye be fixed, and the carriage not light, but decent; that there be no laughing that the looks be staid and grave; these in a special manner, in worship, are to be looked unto.
4ly. It taketh in all external gestu •es, and outward reverence in praying and hearing; &c. as, that the eye be fixed, and the carriage not light, but decent; that there be no laughing that the looks be stayd and grave; these in a special manner, in worship, are to be looked unto.