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.

The difference.

Our dissent from them touching images standes in three points. I. The Church of Rome holds it lawfull for them to make images to resemble God, though not in respect of his diuine nature; yet in respect of some properties and actions. We on the contrarie hold it vnlawfull for vs to make any image, any way to represent the true God: or, to make an image of any thing in way

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of religion, to worship God, much lesse the creature thereby. For the second commandement saith plainely, Exod. 20.4. Thou shalt not make to thy selfe any grauen image, or the likenes of any thing in heauen, &c. The Papists say, the com∣mandement is meant of the images of false gods. But, will they, nill they, it must be vnderstood of the images of the true Iehouah; and it forbids vsa 1.1 to resemble God, either in his nature, properties, or workes, or to vse any resem∣blance of him for any sacred vse: as to helpe the memorie, when we are about to worship God. Thus much the holy Ghost who is the best expounder of himselfe, teacheth most plainely, Deut. 4.15,16. Thou sawest no image at all (ei∣ther of false or true God) and therefore thou shalt not make any likenes of any thing. And againe the Prophet Esai, chap. 40.18. reproouing idolaters, asketh to whome they will liken God, or, what ••••militude will they set vpon him. and v. 21. Know ye nothing? haue you not heard? hath it not bin told you from the beginning? As if he should say, haue ye forgotten the second commandement, that God gaue vnto your fathers? And thus he flatly reprooues all them that resemble the true God in images. But they say further, that by images in the second commandement are meant idols, that is (say they) such things as men worship for gods. Answ•• If it were so, we should confound the first and second com∣mandements. For the first, Thou shalt haue no other gods before my face, forbids all false gods, which man wickedly frames vnto himselfe, by giuing his heart and principall affections thereof, to them: and therefore idols also are here forbidden, when they are esteemed as Gods. And the distinction they make that an Image is the representation of true things, an Idol of things supposed, is false. a 1.2 Tertullian saith, that euery forme of representation is to be tearmed an Idol. And b 1.3 Isidore saith, that the heathen vsed the names of image and idol indifferently in one and the same signification. And Saint Steuen in his apologie, Act. 7.4.••. calls the golden calfe an Idol. c 1.4 Hierome saith, that i∣dols are images of dead men. Auncient Diuines accord with all this which I haue said. Lactantius saith, ••nst lib. 2. cap. 19. Where images are for religions sake, there is no religion. The Councill of Elibera•• can. 36. decreed, that nothing should be painted on the walls of Churches, which is adored of the people. d 1.5 Ori∣gen, We suffer not any to worship Iesus at altars, images and temples: because it is written, Thou shalt haue none other Gods. And e 1.6 Epiphanius faith, It is against the authoritie of the Scriptures to see the image of Christ, or of any Saints hanging in the Church. In the seauenth Councill of Constantinople, these words of E∣piphanius are cited against the Encratitae. Be mindfull be loued children not to bring images into the Church, nor set them in the places where the Saints are buri∣ed, but alwaies carie God in your hearts: neither let them be suffered in any com∣mon house: for it is not meete that a Christian should be occupied by the eyes but by the meditation of the minde.