A vindication of the Animadversions on Fiat lux

so the truth is, if you will speak congruously and at any consistency with your selves it must be so. For whereas you lay the foundation of all your worship of them, be it of what fort it will, in that figment, that the honour which is done to the image redounds unto him whose image it is, if the honour done to the image ⟨p. 498⟩be of an inferior sort and kind unto that which is due unto the exemplar of it by referring that honour thereunto, you debase and dishonour it, by ascribing less unto it then is its due. If then you intend to answer just expectation in this matter, the next time you speak of figures pray consider what your Thomas teacheth as the Doctrine of your Church, 3. p. q. 25. ae. 3. which Azorius says is the constant judgement of Divines, lib. 9. cap. 6. As also the exposition of the Tridentine Decree by Suarez Tom. 1. d. 54. §. 4. Vasquez, Costerus, Bellarmine and others. And

so the truth is, if you will speak congruously and at any consistency with your selves it must be so. For whereas you lay the foundation of all your worship of them, be it of what fort it will, in that figment, that the honour which is done to the image redounds unto him whose image it is, if the honour done to the image ⟨p. 498⟩be of an inferior sort and kind unto that which is due unto the exemplar of it by referring that honour thereunto, you debase and dishonour it, by ascribing less unto it then is its due. If then you intend to answer just expectation in this matter, the next time you speak of figures pray consider what your Thomas teacheth as the Doctrine of your Church, 3. p. q. 25. ae. 3. which Azorius sayes is the constant judgement of Divines, lib. 9. cap. 6. As also the exposition of the Tridentine Decree by Suarez Tom. 1. d. 54. §. 4. Vasquez, Costerus, Bellarmine and others. And

3. You may do well to consider the practice and usage of your Catholic people all the world over, especially in those places where you have preserved them from being disturbed in their Devotion, by the Arguments and exceptions of Protestants, as also the direction that is given them for the exercise of their Devotion in that prescription of Rites and prayers which is afforded unto them. Is not your bowing, kneeling, creeping, kissing, offering, singing, praying to the Cross and images notorious? yea your placing your trust and confidence in them; Yea, have you omitted any of the abominations of the heathen, that you have not acted over again to provoke the Lord to anger? And