The Apologie, Cap. 3. Diuision. 1. & 2.
It is a worlde to see, how welfauouredly, and how towardly, touching Religion, these men agree with the Fathers, of whom they vse to vaunte, they be their owne good.
The Olde Councel Eliberine made a Decree, that nothinge, that is honoured of the people, should be painted in the Churches.
M. Hardinge.
The woordes of that prouincial Councel be these: It is thought good, that paintinges be not in the Chruche:* 1.1 that what is woorshipped or Adored, it be not painted on Walles. This expresse prohi∣tion of paintinge, and that nought be painted in Churche Walles, that is woorshipped or Adored, maie seeme bothe to presuppose a former vse of suche paintinges, and also to allowe the other sorte of images. VVhether it doo or no,* 1.2 it forceth not greatly. The seuenth general Councell assembled at Nice against the Imagebreakers, hath not onely allowed the‡ 1.3 Deuoute vse of Images cōmonly vsed in the Churches of Christen people: but also condēned al those that throwe them downe, and maineteine y• contrary opiniō. Now we are taught that a prouinciall Councell ought to geue place to a Generall.
The B. of Sarisburie.
The paintinge of Images in Churche walles was forebidden in the Councel holden at Eliberis, or Granado in Spaine: Ergo, saie you, sutche Images were v∣sed before that Councel. Al this maie wel be graunted without preiudice. But yée sée plainely, they were forebidden in that Councel. One saithe, Ex malis moribus bonae Leges ortae sunt: Of il manners came good Lawes. Menne vsed, yée saie, before y• time to painte Images in Churche walles. But this vse was naught. And there∣fore the Councel Decreed against it: & that, as it maie be geathered by the woordes, for feare of Idolatrie.
But you saie, the Seconde General Nicene Councel allowed wel the deuoute vse of Images. And a General Councel ought to take place before a Prouincial: For that in a General Councel there are many Bishoppes: in a Prouincial, there are but fewe. Thus, I sée, ye weigh your Religion, not by Truthe, but by Compa∣nie. How be it, this Rule is very loose, & maie soone deceiue you.
Good Christian Reader, let no man beguile thée by the coloure of Councelles. Reade this Seconde Nicene Councel throughout, if yu be hable. Thou wilt saie, there was neuer any Assemblie of Christian Bishoppes so vaine, so péeuishe, so wicked, so blasphemous, so vnwoorthy in al respectes to be called a Councel. The blessed Bishoppes there agreed togeather with one consente, that Images in Churches are not onely to be allowed, but also deuoutely, and reuerently to be ho∣noured, and that with the same Honoure, that is dewe to God him selfe. One of them saithe, Venerandas Imagines recipio, & Adoro, & id perpetuò docebo: I re∣ceiue, and woorship the Reuerende Images:* 1.4 and this wil I teache, while I liue. An other saith, Sacras Imagines perfectè Adoro: qui verò secùs consitentur, eos anathematizo: