A golden chaine: or The description of theologie containing the order of the causes of saluation and damnation, according to Gods word. A view whereof is to be seene in the table annexed. Hereunto is adioyned the order which M. Theodore Beza vsed in comforting afflicted consciences.

Our consent.

Conclus. I. We acknowledge the ciuill vse of images as freely and truly as the Church of Rome doth. By ciuill vse I vnderstand, that vse which is made of them in the common societies of men, out of the appointed places of the solemne worship of God And this to be lawfull, it appeareth; because the arts of painting and grauing are the ordinance of God: and to be skilfull in them is the gift of God, as the example of Bezaleel, and Aholiab declare, Ex∣od. 35.••0. This vse of Images may be in sundrie things. I. In the adorning & setting forth of buildings: thus Salomon beautified his throne with the image of lyons. And the Lord commanded his temple to be adorned with the ima∣ges

of palme trees, of pomegranates, of bulls, cherubes, and such like. II. It serues for the distinction of coynes; according to the practise of Emperours and Princes of all nations. When Christ was asked, Math. 22. whether it was lawfull to giue tribute to Cesar or no? he called for a pennie and said, Whose i∣mage or superscription is this, they saide, Cesars: he then saide, Giue to Cesar the things that are Cesars: not condemning but approouing the stampe or image vpon his coyne. And though the Iewes were forbidden to make images in way of representation, or worship of the true God: yet the Sycle of the san∣ctuarie, which they vsed, specially after the time of Moses, was stamped with the image of the Almond tree, and the potte of Manna. III. Images serue to keepe in memorie friendes deceased, whome we reuerence. And it is like, that hence came one occasion of the images that are now in vse in the Ro∣mane Church. For in the daies after the Apostles men vsed priuately to keep the pictures of their friends departed: and this practise after crept into the open congregation; and at last, superstition getting head, images began to be worshipped.

Conclus. II. We hold the historicall vse of images to be good and lawfull: and that is, to represent to the eye the actes of histories, whether they be hu∣mane, or diuine: and thus we thinke the histories of the Bible may be painted in priuate places.

Conclus. III. In one case it is lawfull to make an image to testifie the pre∣sence or the effects of the maiestie of God, namely when God himselfe giues any speciall commandement so to doe. In this case Moses made and erected a brasen serpent, to be a type, signe, or image to represent Christ crucified. Ioh. 3.14 And the Cherubes ouer the mercieseat serued to represent the ma∣iestie of God, to whome the Angels are subiect. And in the second comman∣dement it is not simply saide, Thou shalt not make a grauen image: but with limitation, Thou shalt not make to thy selfe, that is, on thine owne head vpon thine owne will and pleasure.

Conclus. IIII. The right images of the new Testament which we holde and acknowledge, are the doctrine and preaching of the Gospell, and all things that by the word of God pertaines thereto. Gal. 3. Who hath bewitched you that ye should not obey the truth, to whome Iesus Christ was before described in your sight and among you crucified. Hence it followes that the preaching of the word, is as a most excellent picture in which Christ with his benefits are liue∣ly represented vnto vs. And we dissent not from Origen, contra Cels. lib. 8. who saith, We haue no images framed by any base workeman, but by such as are brought forth and framed by the word of God; namely patternes of vertue, and frames resembling Christians. He meanes that Christians themselues are the i∣mages of Christians.