II. It is unlawful to worship God by an Image; for First, It is against the Homily of the Church; it runs thus, The Images of God, our Saviour, the Virgin Mary, are of all others most dangerous, therefore the greatest care ought to be had that they stand not in Temples and Churches. So that Image-Worship is contrary to our own Homilies, and doth affront the authority of the Church of England. Secondly, Image-worship is expressly against the Letter of Scripture, Lev. 26.1. Ye shall make no Graven Image, neither shall ye set up any Image of Stone to bow down to it. Deut. 16.22. Neither shalt thou set up any Image which the Lord thy God hateth. Psal. 97.7. Confounded be all they that serve Graven Images. Do we think to please God by doing that which is contrary to his Mind, and which he hath expressly forbidden? Thirdly, Image-worship is against the practice of the Saints of old. Josiah that Renowned King, destroyed the Groves and Images, 2 Kin. 23.24. Constantine abrogated the Images set up in Temples. The Christians destroyed Images at Basil, Zurick, Bohemia; when the Roman Emperors would have thrust Images upon them, they chose rather to dye than deflower their Virgin Profession by Idolatry. They refused to admit any Painter or Carver into their Society, because they would not have any Carved Statue, or Image of God: When Seraphion bowed to an Idol, the Christians excommunicated him, and delivered him up to Satan.
II. It is unlawful to worship God by an Image; for First, It is against the Homily of the Church; it runs thus, The Images of God, our Saviour, the Virgin Mary, are of all others most dangerous, therefore the greatest care ought to be had that they stand not in Temples and Churches. So that Image-Worship is contrary to our own Homilies, and doth affront the authority of the Church of England. Secondly, Image-worship is expresly against the Letter of Scripture, Lev. 26.1. Ye shall make no Graven Image, neither shall ye set up any Image of Stone to bow down to it. Deut. 16.22. Neither shalt thou set up any Image which the Lord thy God hateth. Psal. 97.7. Confounded be all they that serve Graven Images. Do we think to please God by doing that which is contrary to his Mind, and which he hath expresly forbidden? Thirdly, Image-worship is against the practice of the Saints of old. Iosiah that Renowned King, destroyed the Groves and Images, 2 Kin. 23.24. Constantine abrogated the Images set up in Temples. The Christians destroy'd Images at Basil, Zurick, Bohemia; when the Roman Emperors would have thrust Images upon them, they chose rather to dye than deflour their Virgin Profession by Idolatry. They refused to admit any Painter or Carver into their Society, because they would not have any Carved Statue, or Image of God: When Seraphion bowed to an Idol, the Christians excommunicated him, and delivered him up to Satan.
