The great necessity of unity and peace among all Protestants, and the bloody principles…

But to come more near yet unto that which is Idolatry most properly: An Idol (we must understand) in the exact propriety of the term, doth signify any Image; but according to the Ecclesiastical use of the word, it noteth such an Image as is set up for religious adoration. And in this later sense we charge the adherents of the Church of Rome with gross Idolatry: because that contrary to Gods express Commandment they are found to be worshippers of Images. Neither will it avail them here to say, that the Idolatry forbidden in the Scripture, is that only which was used by Jews and Pagars. The Apostle indeed in this place exhorting Christians from Idolatry, propoundeth the fall of the Jews in this kind before their eyes: Neither be ye Idolaters, saith he, as some of them were. 1 Cor. 10. 7. 8. And so doth he also add concerning another sin, in the verse following: Neither let us commit fornication as some of them committed. As well then might one plead, that Jewish or Heathenish Fornication were here only reprehended, as Jewish or Heathenish Idolatry. But as the one is a foul sin, whether it be committed by Jew, Pagan, or Christian: so if such as profess the Name of Christ, shall practise that which the word of God condemneth in Jews and Pagans, for Idolatry, their profession is so far from diminishing, that it augmenteth rather the heinousness of the crime. The Idols of the Heathen are silver and gold, the work of mens hands, saith the Psalmist, and so the Idols (of Christians, in all likelihood, mentioned in the Revelation, are said to be of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood; which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk. The description of these Idols (we see) agreeth in all points with Popish Images: where is any difference?

But to come more near yet unto that which is Idolatry most properly: An Idol (we must understand) in the exact propriety of the term, doth signifie any Image; but according to the Ecclesiastical use of the word, it noteth such an Image as is set up for religious adoration. And in this later sence we charge the adherents of the Church of Rome with gross Idolatry: because that contrary to Gods express Commandment they are found to be worshipers of Images. Neither will it avail them here to say, that the Idolatry forbidden in the Scripture, is that only which was used by Jews and Pagars. The Apostle indeed in this place exhorting Christians from Idolatry, propoundeth the fall of the Jews in this kind before their eyes: Neither be ye Idolaters, saith he, as some of them were.