or mynding signes is not reproued by eny ground of feith, that is to seie not bi Holi Scripture, neither by long vse of the Chirchis bileeuyng, neither bi eny myraculose therto of God wirching. That this con|clusioun, namelich as for Holi Scripture, is trewe, y proue thus: If eny text or processe of Holi Scripture schulde reproue the seid firste gouernaunce, that is to seie, the seid hauyng and vsing of ymagis, thilk text or processe schulde be oon of these, of which the firste is writun Exodi xxe. capitulum. thus: Thou schalt not make to thee eny graued thing; and the same text word bi word in processe bifore and aftir is writun Deu|tron. ve. capitulum. in the bigynnyng; but so it is, that neither this text neither eny of the othere aftir to be rehercid textis of Holi Scripture reproueth or lettith ymagis to be had and to be vsid in the maner now spokun in this present firste conclusioun. Wherfore this present ie. conclusioun is trewe.
That this now spokun text writun Exodi xxe. capitulum. and Deut. ve. capitulum. reproueth not the bifore sett first gouernaunce aboute ymagis hauyng and vsing, y proue bi vj. [v. MS.; but the chapter contains six 'principal arguments.'] argumentis, of whiche the firste is this. Not withstonding that God seide tho wordis to the Iewis, Thou schalt not make to thee eny graued thing, ȝit he bade hem make two ymagis of cherubyn of gold, to be sett at the eendis of the cheest of witnes in the ynner partie of the tabernacle; as it is open Exodi xxve. capitulum.; but so it is, that God was not con|trairie to him silf in his comaundis and biddingis: Wherfore bi tho wordis, Thou schalt not make to thee eny graued thing, God vndirstode not forto weerne hem and for to forbede hem make eny graued ymagis, namelich into the entent and vce bifore seid; for ellis God had ben contrarie to him silf in hise biddingis.
