The fourth Chapter. Of Idolatrie, forbidden by the first Commandement.
* 1.1 THe word Idolatrie is a Gréeke word, and a compound of 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and is nothing else, but The worshipping of idols. And 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 is deriued of this word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, which signifieth, * 1.2 A forme, or (as if ye did saie) A shape. But an idoll (as we now speake of) is euerie forme or figure, which men haue inuen∣ted vnto themselues, to resemble and expresse God. And as there be found out sundrie and manifold matters of these formes; so be there also diuers kinds of idols. Wherevpon, if the matter be stones, wood, or metall, whereby God is outwardlie counterfeited, to the intent he should be there worshipped; those be grosse and most manifold idols. There may be vsed also a spirituall matter, which then happeneth, when those formes and images are nothing else, but conceits of the hart and mind; which men doo frame to themselues to represent GOD him∣selfe; not as the scripture declareth him, but according to their owne opinion and rashnesse. Wherefore, according to the properties of the matter, * 1.3 an idoll is diuided into two kinds; the one is outward or visible, and hath recourse to the outward senses of men; but the other is in∣ward, that is, wrought in the inward parts of the mind. There be also two parts of religious worshipping. The one is inward, whereby we beléeue in God himselfe, trust in him, giue him thanks, submit our selues and all that we haue vnto him, and deuoutlie call vpon him in our praiers: in these actions (no doubt) consisteth the inward worshipping. But the other part hath outward tokens, wherein we giue a testi∣monie of this mind of ours, by prostrating the bodie, and bowing the knée, by vncouering the head, by speaking, and by exercising rites and ceremonies by God appointed. And this is an outward worshipping or adoration.
2 But we must note, * 1.4 that such outward kind of signes of bowing the bodie, or knées, and such other like, are doone also vnto creatures: I meane vnto princes and kings, which in earth doo represent vnto men the authoritie of God, and doo supplie his place in the administration of things. And verelie, then they are nothing else to be estéemed, but certeine sure testimo∣nies, whereby, as manie as are subiects, doo tru∣lie and from the hart confesse, that they in the name of God will be subiect and obedient vnto such powers, so farre as pietie and the word of God shall permit. But we must beware, lest in our inward iudgement we attribute more vn∣to them than is méet; or expect more of them than their power and might is able to per∣forme: for otherwise we should not scape idola∣trie. Wherefore, if anie, by bowing himselfe to his prince, would signifie that he can not erre; and that it is lawfull for him to doo what∣soeuer him listeth, to command anie thing what∣soeuer his pleasure is: doubtlesse such a one should be counted an idolater, and should com∣mit the crime aswell inwardlie as outwardlie.
And whether the Popes hirelings doo vse this trade, we may héereby easilie gather; * 1.5 in that they so cast themselues at his féet, to testi∣fie, that they will be subiect vnto him; as to the onelie vicar of Christ vpon earth, as to the vniuersall bishop of the church, as to him that can not erre in decrées of doctrines concerning faith; and finallie, as to whom onelie it is law∣full, as he list himselfe, to determine of religi∣on and christian discipline. * 1.6 Let this then be eue∣rie where a sure and firme rule; that these out∣ward submissions of the bodie doo then apper∣teine to idolatrie, when they shall be testimo∣nies, that the mind attributeth more vnto the creature than is méet; or which are onelie pro∣per vnto God. For they be not referred vnto God himselfe, or to the obedience of his com∣mandements; but to vaine formes and simili∣tudes, which we our selues haue imagined to our selues, and conceiued in our mind.
3 Héereby we may also gather, * 1.7 that the in∣uocations of saints, which are vsed by the Pa∣pists, are idolatrous. For they attribute vnto saints, those things which belong onelie vnto God; namelie, that they being absent, heare our praiers; or that they can be present at one time, either euerie where, or else in manie places at once: thereby to be able to succour those, which call vpon their names in diuerse parts of the world. Augustine in his epistle to Dardanus, * 1.8