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Of the Beginning and Nature of Ido∣latry.
THE old Serpent, called the Divell and Satan,* 1.1 hath frō the beginning sought to draw men a 1.2 from the service of God, to the service of himselfe: and this hee hath done, as by other sinnes, so chiefly by idolatry, which therefore aboue all other, is b 1.3 called, and counted, the worship and service of Divils.
2 To bring men hereunto, he hath first laboured to separate them from the true
Church. For that being the house of the living God;* 1.4 the place where his honour dwelleth; the pillar and ground of truth: it is a mean c 1.5 to conserv men in the true service of God, and preserv them from Idolatry. And from the Church, Satan hath separated men, either by causing thē to be cast out for sin, as Cain was and his seed:* 1.6 or to with-draw and schism them∣selvs for some pretended cause or quar∣rell; as did the d 1.7 Israelites, and e 1.8 others after them: or to forsake the fellowship of the Saints for loue of the world, fear of affliction, or the like; as f 1.9 Na∣hor and his house accompanied Abram, from Vr, of the Chaldees unto Charran, and no further; but dwelling there, gaue himselfe to idolatry, from which Abram, and all that would goe with him, were g 1.10 called.
3 Again, the divill takes a contrary course to draw men to this sin; by com∣mingling and uniting his children and sy∣nagogue, with the Church and People of God; whereby even they also h 1.11 may be made flesh, drawn by examples and allure∣ments, to partake with idolatrous wor∣ship: as i 1.12 Israel and others, were mixt
with the Heathens,* 1.13 and learned their works, and served their idols; which were their ruin.
4 Idolatry is performed, either by mixing mens k 1.14 own inventions with the ordinances of God in the service of him: or by using and applying the rites and ser∣vices of the Lord, or other humane de∣vices; unto the honour and service of some l 1.15 creature, in heaven, earth, or under the earth: which is is with neglect and dishonour of the Creator, who is blessed for ever, Amen.
5 Again, as the service of God is out∣ward and inward; outward, by observing and doing the externall things comman∣ded, of assembling together,m 1.16 n 1.17 bow∣ing down, vocall o 1.18 praying, and preaching, administring and partaking of the sacrifices, sacraments, and other holy things; inward, p 1.19 by fear, faith, hope and loue: so is the service of idols or Divils, outward and inward, performed with body or with spirit, or with both; for whatsoever is due unto God, Satan seeketh to defrawd him of, and apply un∣to q 1.20 himself, by idolatry.
6 Idolatrie is a Greek word, com∣pounded
of Idol, which signifieth any similitude, image, likenesse, form, shape or representation, exhibited either to the body or minde; and latrie which signifi∣eth service. Wherupon Idol-latrie, or Ser∣vice-of-similitudes, is the performance of any religious dutie to that which hath a supposed similitude of God, but is not God indeed: or the performance of that unto the true God, which hath a simili∣tude, shew and resemblance of his service, but is not so in deed; because a 1.21 he requi∣reth it not at our hands, and therefore is but a b 1.22 will-worship, or voluntary Religi∣on; a thing devised and done, according to c 1.23 our own understanding. And these two sorts of Idolatrie, God hath forbidden d 1.24 in the first and second commandments.
7 The first commandement bindeth us e 1.25 to haue Iehovah the living and true God, for our God, and none other: and forbiddeth generally these foure things. 1 The having of strange gods, and not the true; as f 1.26 had the heathens. 2 The having of strange Gods with the true, as g 1.27had the Samaritans. 3 The having of no God at all, as h 1.28 foolish Atheists. 4 The not i 1.29 having of the true God aright,
but in hypocrisie onely; not in truth and sincerity. These, with a 1.30 al causes, occasions, provocations, &c. that any way moue draw or perswade unto these or any of them; yea, every b 1.31 appearance of them, are to be shunned and abhorred.
8 The second commandement bind∣eth c 1.32 to the true worship of the true God, which is, onely, d 1.33 as himselfe command∣eth, and by the means, rites and services that hee ordaineth: and it forbiddeth. 1 Al e 1.34 inventions of our own to worship God by; voluntary religion, opinions and doctrins of men. 2 All imitations f 1.35 of Heathens or Antichristians in their God-services, to doe the like unto the Lord our God. 3 All imitation or counterfeit∣ing g 1.36 of Gods own ordinances and insti∣tutions; as to make Temples, like his Temple, Feasts like his Feasts, Altars like his, Ministers like his: which was the sin of Israel. 4 All h 1.37 neglect of Gods ser∣vices, or of the means and instruments by him ordained; all irreligious profanenes or hypocrisie. Together with all i 1.38 com∣munion with such kind of idolatry, all causes, occasions, and provocations ther∣unto.
9 And that Idols, are not onely false resemblances of things which are not; and Idol-latrie, not onely the giving of di∣vine honour to a creature, as unto God; (as Antichrists a 1.39 champions do pretend:) but that all religious images, or simili∣tudes, made by man himself, are Idols; and that all religious use and service of them is idolatrie, appeareth by the words of the Law. For every man is forbidden to make unto himselfe, any b 1.40 form, shape, or resemblance, of things in the heavens, earth or waters, of any c 1.41 similitude, shew, or like∣nesse; any d 1.42 frame, figure, edifice or structure, of man or beast, fowl or fish, or any cree∣ping thing; any e 1.43 Image, type, or shadowed representation▪ any f 1.44 imagined picture, fa∣brick, or shape; g 1.45 any statue, erected-monu∣ment or pillar; finally, any thing h 1.46 graven or carved, or i 1.47 molten; k 1.48 drawn-out, painted or poutrahed: So that it is not possible, for the wit or hand of man, to devise or make any image, or representa∣tion whatsoever, which commeth not within the compasse of the words and things fore-warned of God.
10 The latrie, or service of Idols for∣bidden, is also as large, under these
words, a 1.49 thou shalt not worship them, neither shalt thou serv them. For man being char∣ged to b 1.50 worship the Lord his God, and serv him onely; is bound to giue him all man∣ner of religious honour, and none at all unto images, or creatures. Worship is any reverend submissiue gesture, as c 1.51 bowing-down, d 1.52 kneeling, prostrating, with all other like lowly & louely behaviour, as e 1.53 kissing, f 1.54 lifting up of the eies, and all that appertain or lead unto this worship, as g 1.55 observing the time, comming to the place, and other the like. And hereby is meant, not exter∣nall worship onely: but as God is a Spi∣rit, h 1.56 and must be worshipped in spirit; so spirituall worship may be given to no idols: as in heart to loue, reverence or re∣gard them; for God i 1.57 will not giue his glo∣rie to another, nor his praise to graven images.
11 Service, is the practise or observing of any religious ordinance of what sort soever, inward or outward; and hereunto pertaineth, all Ministerie, Priestood, mini∣stration, k 1.58 about Temple, Altar, Sacrifi∣ces, &c: all gifts and oblations l 1.59 of things living or dead, as cattell, silver, gold, ves∣sels, instruments, &c. all m 1.60 purifications,n 1.61 clensings, preparations of things for
Gods worship; administring a 1.62 of Sacra∣ments, and partaking with them; b 1.63 eat∣ing of the sacrifices; c 1.64 building, repair∣ing, fortifying of any holy Citie, Temple, Altar, or other like, belonging to religi∣on; with all d 1.65 maner work, labor, industry of body or mind, to help forward such things; e 1.66 paying of tithes, offerings, con∣tributions, of what creature soever, for the maintenance of the Ministers, mini∣stration, or worship. Finally, whatsoever tendeth to the furtherance and upholding of any worship or religion, it is compre∣hended in this word service: that vayn is the distinction that Idolaters f 1.67 make be∣tween the service latria, and the service du∣lia; giving this to Saints and Images, the other not; when God by one word Ghna∣bad forbiddeth both; and g 1.68 bindeth us to giue dulia, as well as latria, unto God onely.
12 Many sorts of idolaters haue al∣waies been in the world, which haue de∣filed themselvs with innumerable idols; whose vanity and filthines, God manifest∣eth by titles and names giving unto them. For Idols are called h 1.69 Aelilim, that is, things of naught; because they haue nothing of
that which fools think they haue, that is, of the divine power and Godhead, or of true Religion: and so can neither help those that honour them, nor hurt those that abhor them; neither sanctifie any creature, nor pollute the same, to him that hath knowledge: in effect they are no∣thing, they can neither doe good nor evil. Wherupon the Apostle saith, a 1.70 an Idoll is nothing in the world: and therfore nothing to be esteemed.
13 They are called also b 1.71 Gillulim, as it were filths, dung, or excrements, because they are loathsome and abominable to God, and doe defile the consciences of men; proceeding as dung and excrements out of mans corrupt heart, and vain in∣vention: and in other plain termes are named c 1.72 Shikutsim, that is, lothsome things, or detestable, and d 1.73 Toghneboth, that is, abo∣minations.
14 And for the labour and misery that commeth by their means, they be called e 1.74 Ghnatsabim, that is, Sorrows; because with much labour, care and curiosity, they are invented, framed, erected; and yet bring nothing to man, but f 1.75 sorrow and misery. Briefly, as they are in every re∣spect
false, vile, vain, and worthlesse: so cary they the titles of a 1.76 Vanities, lies, un∣profitable, false-vanities, leasings; and * 1.77 A∣ven, that is, vain-iniquitie.
15 Though this be the nature and condition of idols with God; yet men loue to vanish in their own vanities, rob∣bing him of his honour, and deceiving themselvs; ascribing to idols a false con∣ceited holines, more or lesse, according to the folly of the institutor, or worship∣per. For all true holines is frō * 1.78 God alone, who as he is * 1.79 most holy, so halloweth he, or * 1.80 sanctifyeth his people and his worship, with all the Rites and Ordinan∣ces of the same. Hee by his Word and presence, giveth holines to persons, to places, to altars, to statues, to sacrifices, to means and instruments of all sorts, wher∣with his service is performed: and in the right use of these holy things, God is hal∣lowed and honoured of us; which right use he manifesteth in his * 1.81 Word. But Sa∣tan, who * 1.82 seeketh the possession of Gods throne and glorie, giveth or ascribeth * 1.83 to his own ministers temples, altars, images, instruments and ceremonies, a counterfeit holines, which is in deed most deadly
contagious filthines, as the evill spirit frō whom it proceedeth, is most filthy and a 1.84 impure: and in the use of these execra∣ble things, the b 1.85 Divill is hallowed and honoured as a God.
16 And the more to deceiv, this ser∣pent maketh man himself his instrument, to frame and set up his religion and ser∣vice, which bringeth to perdition. For the wisedom and prudence of the natural man, which is very c 1.86 foolishnesse and en∣mity unto God, the Divil doth abuse to d 1.87 devise and establish a carnal worship and politick religion; which exceedingly e 1.88 pleaseth the naturals: for highly doe they esteem of themselvs, and of all their own inventions. And Satan to confirm them, addeth lying f 1.89 signes and wonders, as fire from heaven to consume the sacri∣fices on the altar erected to his honour, who is g 1.90 Prince of this world, whom worldly men adore. Thus steppeth up Idolatry with her blind devotion; a h 1.91 work of the flesh, and of the Divill.
17 And this sin, so bewitcheth men given over therunto: as (through Gods just judgment,) it a 1.92 shutteth their eyes that they cannot see, their hearts that they cannot
understand. They haue no knowledge or discretion to argue, that if they can not giue life or sense or motion to a dead image; nor any naturall power therunto, to doe * 1.93 good or evill: how much lesse can they giue it spirituall life, or any reli∣gious power, vertue or operation? For example: a man maketh images of silver and gold, and buildeth for them a court or pallace. One image hee setteth on a throne, and calleth it his King: others he nameth Lords of the Councill, Iudges and Iustices of the Common-wealth. Vnto a Iudge he cometh and saith; Good my Lord hear the cause of your suppli∣ant, and doe me right from the violence of my adversary: an other while he sup∣plicateth to the golden King, falling down and saying, deliver me, for thou art my Le••ge. Would not this man be deri∣ded of all for his folly, and counted as witlesse as the image it selfe that he sueth unto? No lesse is their madnesse, that make images of Saints for religious use, building for them Churches and Chap∣pels. One idol they name Christ, an other S. Peter; and the rest, as they please to call them. And though they bee altogether
false representations, (as it the lot of images to be a 1.94 teachers of lies;) so that the picture of Christ, be in deed like Cai∣phas, and S. Peters, like Iscariot; resem∣bling no more the true visage of Christ, and of Peter, then K. Henry the S, his picture, is like the image of Iulius Caesar; neither is there any more holines in these statues, by any relation or reference, then the Divill can giue them, (for word of God to sanctifie them, there is none:) yet fall the fools down before these their fictions, and say, O Christ help me: S. Pe∣ter pray for me. But these stony Saints b 1.95 haue eyes and see not, haue ears and hear not: like them be they that make them, and whosoever trusteth in them.
18 Nor is there lesse impiety, in idols of other nature and esteem. For when among men, one is set up as Head of the Church, an other as Patriarch, an other as Primate, Arch-bishop, Metropolitan, &c. all of them as very good Lords spirituall; and these without calling and appoint∣ment from God: these be c 1.96 idoll Shep∣heards, not true Pastors of the flock; and the indignity and dishonour which they doe unto Christ, is more then if disloyall
subjects should choose, and set up from among themselvs, without publick Au∣thority, one to be Lord President, an other Lord Chief Iustice, and others in their severall rooms and offices, for to rule the realm, and to judge all the causes and occurrents of the same.
19 So is it in all other religious ordi∣nances of humane invention: as when Antichristians set forth new Sacraments to seal up Gods grace and remission of sins; what is it, but as if some falser should make conveyances of crown land, seal them with a signet of his own counterfeit making, and call it by the name of the Kings privie seal. When they make a new form or frame of Churches, as to be Pro∣vinciall, Nationall, Oecumenicall, with Arch-preists and Prelates to over-awe them: mought they not with as good right alter the form of the Common-wealth, making new Ditions and Iuris∣dictions, with Curions, Decurions, and other new Magistrates to controul them? When they make solemn daies of assem∣bly, and call them holy; when they make new books, canons, constitutions, cere∣monies, and call them Ecclesiasticall, sacred,
laudable; constraining men to keep and doe them: they deal with Christ and his Kingdom, as they that in a civill State should take upon them, without commis∣sion, to appoint new Terms, Sessions & As∣sises; to forge new Laws, Statutes, Court-rolls, evidences &c, and compell men to credit and obey them. Now therefore ô Kings be wise;* 1.97 be learned yee Iudges of the earth, serue the Lord with fear, and rejoyce with trembling; and purge your Realms of all idolatries, the humane ordinances of religion, which are after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For you would none of you suffer such inno∣vation or alteration in your Civill Poli∣ties, lest your Honours should be im∣peached: much lesse should ye suffer it, in the Politie Ecclesiastick, to provoke God to wrath. For he is a gealous God,* 1.98 and will visit this iniquity on Princes and on Subjects; on fathers and on children: blessed are they that watch, and keep their garments from pollu∣tion of the world herein.
Rev. 12.9.
Gen. 3.
1 Cor. 10 19.20. Rev. 9.20.
1 Tim. 3.15. Psal. 26.8.
1 Sam. 26 19.
Gen. 4.
1 King. 12.27.28.29.
Iude 19. Heb. 10.25
Gen. 11.3•• & 12.1 2.3.4, & 24 10, & 28.2, & 31.30 ••3.
Jos. 24.2.
Gen. 6.2.3
Ps. 106.28 35.36.
1 Cor. 8.10. & 10.14. ad 21.
Mat. 15.8 Ier. 7.31. Ezek. 43.8.
Rom. 1.23.25.
Lev. 22.2 &c.
Psal. 95.6
Act. 4.24. & 20.7. 1 Cor. 10.16.18.
Ps. 2.11. & 5.7. Heb. 11.5.6.39. 1 Cor. 13.
Mat. 4.••.
Deut. 12.32.
Col. 2.23.
Hos. 13.2
Exod. 20.
Deut. 6.4.5.
Act. 14.11 12.15.
2 King. 17.33.
Psal. 14▪ 1
Isa. 29.1; Tit. 1.16.
Deut. 13.1.2▪3.6.7.13, &c. and 7.25.26.
1 Thes. ••▪ 22.
Ioh. 4.20▪ ad 24.
Deut. 12.32, & 4.1, 2, 5, 6, &c.
Psal. 119.113. Is••. 29.13. Col. 2.23.22
Lev. 18.2, 3. Deut. 12 30 31. Rev. 17.2.
1 Kin. 12, 28 — 32. Amos 4.4, 5, & 5.21, 22.23. Hos 8.14▪
Gen 17.14 Num 9.13, Ier. 3.10, & 4.14, & 12.2.
Hos. 4.1•• 17. Amos 5.5▪
Bellarm. de Imag. sanct. c. 5, Greg. de Va∣lent. l. 2. de Idol. c. 1.
Temunah Exod. 20.4
Semel. Deut. 4.16,
Tabnith. Deut. 4.16.
Tselem. Ezek 7.20, & 16.17.
M••s••ith. Lev. 26.1.
Matt••se∣bah. Lev. 26.1.
Ex. 20.4
Hos. 13.2
Eze. 8.10
Ex. 20.5.
Mat. 4.10 Deu. 10.20
Deut. 5.9▪
Ps. 95.6, Rom. 11.4.
Hos. 13.2
Eze. 18.6
Deut. 16.1, 6. 1 King. 12.32. Hos. 4.15.
Ioh. 4.24▪
Isay 42.••
Num. 8 22.24.
Num. 4.2•• ad 31, & 18.4.7.
Num. 7.3.5.
1 Chron. 23.28.2••▪ &c.
Exod. 12 26.27.
1 Cor. 10 18.
1 King. 6 Nehem. 3. 2 King. 12, •• ad 12.
Exod. 36 1, &c, and 39.32.
Nehem. 10.32—37 39. Ex. 30.16, & 35.5. &c.
Bellar. de eccles. tri∣umph. l. 1. c. 12.
1 Sam. 7.3, douléusa∣te autóimó∣noi, q.d. giv him onely your dulia.
Lev. 19.4 1 Chro. 16.26.
1 Cor. 8.
Lev. 26.3 Deut. 29.•• Eze. 6.4, 5▪
Ezek. 2 ••.8. Ier. 32.3
Eze. 7.•• & 11.21
Ps. 115 1 Sam. 3•• 9.
Psal. 16
••er. 14.22 16.19, 2.8.11.18.15.13.25
Hos. 10.8 4.15.
Ex. 39.30 1 Sam. 2.2 ••say 6.3.
Lev. 20.8 ••.26, & ••.8.12.15 •• & 22.2 32.
••en. 28.16 ••, &c.
••co. 29.29.••.36.37.••, & 40 9 ••.11, &c, ••o. 17.17.
Mat 4 9
1 King. 2.28-33 ••ct. 19 27.••.
Luk. 11.24.
Deut. 3•• 17. Rev. 9.2•• 1 Cor. 10.2.
1 Cor. 1.2 Rom 8 7▪
1 King. 12.18. Dan. 3.
Act. 19, 28.35.
Rev. 1•• 13.14.
Ioh. 12.3
Gal. 5.2
Isa. 44.••
Ier. 10.5.
Hab. 2.1••
Psa. 115•• 5—6.8.
Zach. 11••17.
Ps. 2.10.11
Exod. 20.5.