M. Hardinge. The .12. Diuision.
And nowe we are come to declare,* 1.1 howe Images maye be woorshipped, and honoured without any offence. That Godly woorship whiche consisteth in Spirite, and Trueth in wardely, and is de∣clared by signes outwardly in recognizinge the Supreme dominion,* 1.2 whiche properly of the Diuines is called Latria, is deferred onely to the Blessed Trinitie. As for the Holy Images, to them we doo not attribute that woorship at al, but an inferiour reuerence or Adoration: for so it is named:* 1.3 whiche is nothinge elles, but a recognizinge of some vertue or excellencie protested by outwarde signe, as re∣uerent kissinge, boowinge downe, kneelinge, and suche the like honour. VVhiche kinde of Adorati∣on or woorship, we finde in the Scriptures oftentimes geuen to creatures. The whole acte whereof is not withstanding referred, not to the Imagespara 1.4 principally, but to the thinges by them represented, as beinge the true and proper obiectes of suche woorship. For although the honour of an Image pas∣seth ouer to the original,* 1.5 or firste samplar, whiche the learned calle Archetypum, as S. Basile teacheth: Yet that highe woorship called Latria, belongeth onely to the blessed Trinitie, and not to the re∣uerent Images, least we should seeme to be woorshippers of creatures, and of maters, as of Golde, Siluer, Stoanes,* 1.6 VVoodde, and of such other the like thinges. For we adoure not Images as God,a 1.7 saith Athanasius, neither in them doo we put hope of our Saluation, ne to them doo we geue Godly seruice or woorship, for so did the Gentiles: but by suche adoration or reuerence, we declare onely a certaine affection and loue, whiche we beare towarde the originalles. And therfore if it happen their Figure and shape to be defaced and vndoone, we let not to burne the stockes, as very woode, and beinge of other stuffe, to conuert the same to any vse, it maye best serue for.
S. Gregorie praisinge muche one Secundinus,* 1.8 for that he desired the Image of our Sauiour to be sente vnto him, to the intent by hauinge his Image before his eies, he might the more be stirred to loue him in his hart: After a fewe woordes vttered in this sense, he saithe further: VVe knowe thou demaundest not the Image of our Sauiour to the intent to woorship it, as God: But for the re∣membrance of the Sonne of God, that thou mightest be enkendled with the loue of him, whose Image thou desirest to beholde. And verily we fal not downe before it, as before God. But we adoure and woorship him, whom through occasion of the Image, we remember either borne, or doone to deathe for vs, or sittinge in his throne. And whiles we reduce the Sonne of God to our memorie by the pi∣cture, no lesse then by writinge, it bringeth either gladnesse to our minde by reason of his Resurre∣ction, or comforte by reason of his Passion. Thus farre S. Gregorie.
And if men praye kneelinge before any Image, or triumphant signe of the Holy Crosse, they woorship not the VVoodde or Stoane Figured, but they honour the highest God. And whom they can not beholde with senses, they reuerence and woorship his Image representinge him, accordinge to auncient ins••itution, not restinge or staiynge them selues in the Image, but transferring the adoration and woorship to him, that is represented.
Muche might be alleged out of the Fathers concerninge the woorshippinge of Images: but this may suffise. And of al this one sense redoundeth, that what Reuerence, Honour, or VVoorship so euer