A Body of Practical Divinity

Resp. That was done by Gods special command, Num. 21.8. Make thee a Brazen Serpent; and there was a special use of it, both Literal and Spiritual; but what, doth the setting up this Image of the Brazen Serpent justify the setting up of Images in Churches? What, because Moses did make an Image by Gods appointment, may we therefore set up an Image of our own Devising? Because Moses made an Image to heal them that were stung, is it lawful therefore to set up Images in Churches, to sting them that are whole? This doth not at all follow. Nay, that very brazen Serpent which God himself commanded to be set up, when Israel did look upon it with too much Reverence, and began to burn Incense to it, Hezekiah defaced that Image, and called it Nehushtan, and God commended him for doing so, 2 Kings 18.4.

Resp. That was done by Gods special command, Num. 21.8. Make thee a Brazen Serpent; and there was a special use of it, both Literal and Spiritual; but what, doth the setting up this Image of the Brazen Serpent justifie the setting up of Images in Churches? What, because Moses did make an Image by Gods appointment, may we therefore set up an Image of our own Devising? Because Moses made an Image to heal them that were stung, is it lawful therefore to set up Images in Churches, to sting them that are whole? This doth not at all follow. Nay, that very brazen Serpent which God himself commanded to be set up, when Israel did look upon it with too much Reverence, and began to burn Incense to it, Hezekiah defaced that Image, and called it Nehushtan, and God commended him for doing so, 2 Kings 18.4.

Obj. 4. But is not God represented as having Hands and Eyes and Ears? Why then may we not make an Image to represent him by, and help our Devotion?