A vindication of the Animadversions on Fiat lux

2. Many of the Ancients, do note it as an abomination in some of the first Heretics, that they had introduced the use of Images into their worship, with the adoration of them. Theodoret. haeret. sub. lib. 1. tells us, that Simon Magus gave his own image and that of Selene to be worshipped by his followers. And Iraeneus, Lib. 1. cap. 23. that the followers of Basilides used images and invocations: and cap. 24. that the Gnostics had images both painted ones and carved, and that of Christ, which they said was made originally by Pontius Pilate, and this they adored. And so doth Epiphanius also, Tom. 2. lib. 1. Haer. 27. Carpocrates procured the images of Christ and Paul to be made and adored them: and the like is recorded of others. Now do you think they would have observed and reproved this practice as an abomination in the heretics, if there had been any thing in the Churches usage that might give countenance thereunto? or at least that they would not have distinguished between that abuse of images, which they condemned in the heretics, and that use which was retained and approved among themselves. But they are utterly silent, as unto any ⟨p. 493⟩such matter, contenting themselves to report and reprove the superstition and idolatry of the Heretics in their Adoration of them. But this is not all.

2. Many of the Antients, do note it as an abomination in some of the first Hereticks, that they had introduced the use of Images into their worship, with the adoration of them. Theodoret. haeret. sub. lib. 1. tells us, that Simon Magus gave his own image and that of Selene to be worshistped by his followers. And Iraeneus, Lib. 1. cap. 23. that the followers of Basilides used images and invocations: and cap. 24. that the Gnosticks had images both painted ones and carved, and that of Christ, which they said was made originally by Pontius Pilate, and this they adored. And so doth Epiphanius also, Tom. 2. lib. 1. Haer. 27. Carpocrates procured the images of Christ and Paul to be made and adored them: and the like is recorded of others. Now do you think they would have observed and reproved this practice as an abomination in the haereticks, if there had been any thing in the Churches usage that might give countenance thereunto? or at least that they would not have distinguished between that abuse of images, which they condemned in the hereticks, and that use which was retained and approved among themselves. But they are utterly silent, as unto any ⟨p. 493⟩