FVLK. 6. S. Hierom in deede denieth that Iacob did worship his staffe or his scepter, or toward the toppe of his Sonnes scepter, but onely towardes the beds head as the Hebrue text is. For reuerent estimation of reli∣ques, the Holy land, and the monuments of Christs do∣ing and being, as he sometime vpon contention perhaps was immoderate, so for adoration of such things, after such Idolatrous manner as is vsed in the popish Church, he was farre off:
yea, he saith expresly, that hee dothe not allowe the adoration of any creature, and that, to adore any creatures, is plaine idolatrie. Has autem non dico martyrum reliquias, &c. But we doe worshippe and a∣dore, I saye, not the reliques of martyres, but neither the sunne truly, nor the moone, &c. not Aungelles not Archaungels, not Cherubin, not Seraphin, or any name that is named in this worlde, or in the worlde to come, least we should serue the creature rather than the creator whiche is blessed for euer. But we honour the reliques of martyres, that wee might adore him, whose martyres they are.
Doe you not heare how Hierome alloweth the ado∣ring of creatures? I see no cause therefore why wee may not be tryed by his iudgement, for adoration of holie things, and namely, reliques, and whatsoeuer you will name beside, seeing he maketh adoration proper onelie to God.
Finally, the Apostle saith, not that Iacob adored, in respecte of things to come, but, that by faith, he bles∣sed his sonne, concerning things to come, and worship∣ped God, whome no man can worshippe truely, but by faith. And Iacobs faith, was the more commendable, that being neere his ende, and in that infirmitie of bo∣die,