IESVIT. [ C]

The reason is, because creatures represent God their Author, so rudely, remotely, darkely, imperfectly, that one∣ly spirituall men, and perfect Contemplants, can acknow∣ledge God in them: and so, such men onely, and that onely priuately to themselues, may worship God in and by them, which is all that Vasq. (so much accused) doth teach. But as for publique and promiscuous adoring of creatures, he * [ D] condemnes it as vndecent and scandalous, saying expresse∣ly, that Indiscriminatim creaturas adorandas propo∣nere, esset multis manifesta causa periculi. In which respect Saint Leo reprehends some Christians at Rome, that bowed vnto the Sunne mentally referring that bow∣ing, * vnto God the Author thereof; because Panyms seeing that outward action of adoring, might imagine, that Chri∣stians adored the sunne in their superstitious manner; the [ E] relation which the sunne hath to God as to his Creator, not being euident vnto sight. But the image of Christ, as I said, is apparantly so representatiue of Christ, that vpon sight thereof, our thoughts flye presently to him, and his picture Page  231 is no sooner in our eyes, than his person by imagination in [ A] our mind; neither is there any excellency appearing in the picture, worthy to bee adored, or sufficient to stay our thoughts and affections in it. So that no man can with any probabilitie suspect, that any reason besides reuerence to his Maiestie, makes vs bow our bodies to his image.