A vindication of the Animadversions on Fiat lux

You next proceed to your plea from the Cherubims set up by Moses in the Holy place over the Ark; and thence you will needs wrest an argument for your Images and the worship of them. Although your Vasquez is ashamed of it, and hath cashiered it long ago, and that worthily, as not at all belonging unto thus matter: For 1. The Cherubims were not Images, to which you say, since the real Cherubims are not made of beaten Gold, those set up by Moses must be only figures; but it is of Images that ⟨p. 509⟩we are speaking precisely, and not in general of figures; figures may include Types and Hieroglyphics and any representation of things. Images represent Persons, and such alone are those about which we treat. And if a Person be not presented by an Image, it is not his Image. Now I pray tell me what personal subsistences these Cherubims with their various wings and faces did represent? Do you believe that they give you the shape and likeness of Angels? It is true, John the Bishop of Thessalonica in your Synod of Nice with the approbation of the rest of his company, affirms that it was the opinion of the Catholic Church that Angels and Archangels were not altogether incorporeal and invisible, but to have a slender body, of air or fire, Act. 5. But are you of the same mind? or do you not rather think that the Catholic Church was belied and abused by the Synod? And if they are absolutely incorporeal and invisible, how can an Image be made of them? Should a man look on the Cherubims as Images of Angels, would not the first thing they would teach him be a lie? namely that Angels are like unto them, which is the first language of any Image whatever. The truth is, the Mosaical Cherubims were mere Hieroglyphics to represent the constant tender love and watchfulness of God over the Ark of his Covenant, and the people that kept it, and had nothing of the nature of Images in them. 2. I say, suppose of them what you please, yet they were not set up to be adored, as your Images are; To which you reply, It is not to my purpose or yours that they were not set up to be adored; for Images in Catholic Churches are not set up for any such purpose, nor do I anywhere say so. No man alive hath any such thought, no Tr••• tion, ⟨p. 510⟩no Council hath delivered it, no practice infers it. And do you think meet to talk at this rate?