A renunciation of several popish doctrines because contrary to the doctrine of faith of the Church of England

R. R. (Robert Rogers)

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A Renunciation OF SEVERAL Popish Doctrines, BECAUSE Contrary to the Doctrine of the Church of ENGLAND.

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ART. XV.

That it is lawful to set up and suffer *Images of the Sacred Trinity, of God the Father, of God the Son, Crucifixes, of God the Holy Ghost, or of Saints departed this life, in Temples, or Churches, where Gods people do usually meet to worship God.

THis I renounce: 1. Because 'tis contrary to the Doctrine of the Church of England in her excellent Homily against the peril of Idolatry, wherein she saith as followeth, p. 12. These costly decki•• of Churches and Images, have nothing profited those that are wise and of un∣derstanding. but have thereby greatly hurt the simple and unwise, occasi••∣ing them thereby to commit most horrible Idolatry. p. 13. Our Images 〈◊〉 been, be, and if they be publickly suffered in Churches and Temples, 〈◊〉 will be worshipped, and so Idolatry committed to them. Wherefore our I••∣ges in Temples and Churches be indeed none other but Idols, as unto 〈◊〉 which Idolatry hath been, is, and ever will be committed p. 15. That 〈◊〉 honouring of abominable Images is the cause, the beginning and end of 〈◊〉 evil; and that the worshippers of them be either mad-men, or most wicked men. p. 17. Although it be said now commonly, that Images be Lay-〈◊〉 Books, yet we see they teach no good lesson, neither of God, nor of go••∣ness, but all error and wickedness; and therefore God, as he forbiddeth 〈◊〉 Idols or Images to be made or set up, so doth command such as we find 〈◊〉 and set up, to be pulled down, broken and destroyed, Deut. 7th and 〈◊〉 Chapters, where 'tis observable, that all the occasions of Idolatry 〈◊〉Page 291 to be avoided. and therefore did God forbid marriages with the children of Idolaters, for they will turn away thy son from following me, that they may serve other gods; so will the anger of the Lord be kindled against you, and destroy thee suddenly. p. 18. To set up Images or Altars is a wicked∣ness and great offence, and abomination in the sight of the Lord. p. 19. It is impossible that we should be worshippers of Images, and the true servants of God also, as Paul teacheth, 2 Cor. 6. p. 21.

Upon 1 Joh. 5. ult. Tertullian saith, Keep your selves from Images and Idols; he saith not now, keep your selves from Idolatry, as it were from the service of them, but from the Images or Idols themselves, that is from the very shape or likeness of them; do ye think those persons which place Images and Idols in Churches and Temples, yea shrine them even over the Lords-Table, as 'twere of purpose to the worshipping and honouring of them, take good heed either to St. John's counsel, or Tertullian's; for so to place Images and Idols, is it to keep themselves from them, or else to receive or imbrace them?

P. 22. Origen saith, That in the Commonwealth of the Jews, the Carver of Idols and Image-maker was cast far off, and forbid∣den, lest they should have an * occasion to make Ima∣ges, which might pluck certain foolish persons from God, and turn the eyes of their souls to the contemplation of earthly things. And again in another part of his Book against Celsus he saith thus: It is not only a mad and frantick part to wor∣ship Images, but also once to dissemble or wink at it. Athanasius saith, that the invention of Images came of no good, but of evil; and whatsoever hath an evil beginning can never in any thing be judged good, seeing it is altogether naught. Lactantius saith, That no Religion is in that place where∣soever any Image is. For if Religion stand in godly things, (and there is no godliness but in heavenly things) then be Images without Religion.

P. 23. Epiphanius Bishop of Salamine in Cyprus, who lived 390 years after Christs ascension, writeth to John Patriarch of Jerusalem thus: As I entred into a certain Church to pray, I found there a linnen cloth hanging in the Church-door painted, and having in it the Image of Christ, as it were, or of some other Saint; (for I remember not well what Image it was) therefore when I did see the image of man hanging in the Church of Christ, contrary to the authority of the Scriptures, I did tear it, and gave counsel to the Keepers of the Church, that they should wind a poor man in the said cloth, and so bury him. And afterwards the same Epiphanius sending another unpainted cloth for that painted one which he had torn, to the said Patriarch, writeth thus: I will you, will the Elders of that place to Page 292 receive this cloth which I have sent by this bearer, and command them, that from henceforth no such painted cloths, contrary to our Religion, be hanged in the Church of Christ. For it becometh your goodness rather to have this care that you take away such scrupulosity, which is unfitting for the Church of Christ, and offensive to the people committed to your charge. Upon which the Homily notes as followeth.

That Epiphanius judged it contrary to Christian Religion and the authority of the Scriptures to have any Images in Christs Church.

That he rejected not only carved, and molten Images of Christ, or of any other Saint, but also * pain∣ted Images out of Christs Church.

That he regarded not whether it were the Image of Christ, or any other Saint, but being an Image would not suffer it in the Church.

That he did not only remove it out of the Church, but with a vehement zeal tare it in sunder, and exhorted that a Coarse should be wrapped and buried in it, judging it meet for nothing but to rot in the earth; following therein the example of good King He∣zekiah, who brake the brazen Serpent to pieces, and burned it to ashes, for that Idolatry was committed to it.

That Epiphanius thinketh it the duty of vigilant Bishops to be careful that no Images be permitted in the Church; for that they be * oc∣casions of scruple and offence to the people committed to their charge.

To these some other good Notes might be super-added, as 1. that Epi∣phanius * was out of his own Diocess, and yet he brake down the Image, and tare it to pieces. 2. That he gave no∣tice of it after he had done it, to the Patriarch of Jerusalem, whom it chief∣ly concerned to look to it. 3. That he willed him to will the Elders of that Church, upon the door of which the painted cloth was hung, to take that unpainted cloth he had sent, for that Page 293 for that painted one he had torn, and command them that from henceforth no such painted cloths be hanged in the Church of Jesus Christ.

But the Homily goes on, p. 24. and saith,

That whereas Images began at that time secretly and by stealth to creep out of private houses into the Churches, and that first in painted cloths and walls, such Bishops as were GODLY AND VIGILANT, when they espied them, removed them away as unlawful and contrary to Christian Religion, as did here Epiphanius; to whose judgment you have not only St. Jerome the Translator of his Epistle, and the writer of the History Tripartite, but also all the LEARNED AND GOD∣LY * CLARKS, yea the whole Church of that age, and so upward to our Sa∣viour Christs time by the space of a∣bove 400 years, consenting and agree∣ing.

And P. 25. St. Augustine saith,

Such as worship the dead are not CATHO∣LICK CHRISTIANS. He esteemeth worshipping of Saints Tombs and Pictures as good Religion as gluttony and drunkenness. He al∣loweth greatly Marcus Varro, affirming, that Religion is most pure without Images; and saith himself, that Images be of more force to crooken an unhappy soul, than to teach and instruct it; and that Images in Churches do by and by breed error and Idolatry.

P. 26. and p. 27. Jerome upon Jer. 10. saith,

That the errors of Images have come in and passed to the Christians from the Gentiles, by an heathenish use and custom.

Where note, saith the Homily,

That St. Jerome and Eusebius agree, that these Images came in among Christian men by such as were Gentiles and accustomed to Idols, and being converted to the faith, retained * yet some remnants of Gentility, not throughly purged.

We see (saith the Homily) Act. 15.

That the Jews be∣ing newly converted to Christianity, Page 294 would have brought in their Circumcision (whereunto they were so long accustomed) with them into Christs Religion; with whom the Apostle St. Paul had much ado, for the staying of that matter, for which there was more to be said than for Images (yea or humane Ceremonies) But a man may most justly wonder of Images so di∣rectly against Gods holy word and strait commandment, how they should enter in.

And P. 28.

Serenus Bishop of Masile, a godly and learned man, who lived about 600 years after Christ, seeing the people by oc∣casion of Images fall to most abominable Idolatry, brake to pieces all the Images of Christ and Saints that were in that City; and was therefore complained of to Gregory the first of that name Bi∣shop of Rome, who was the first learned Bishop that did allow the having of Images in Churches, that can be known by any writing or history of antiquity. But though he permitted that Images should be in Churches, yet he forbad worshipping of them, as appears by his Epistle to Serenus; yet blames him for breaking of them, upon whose authority they were set up in Churches; but they fell presently all in heaps to manifest Idolatry by worshipping of them, which Bishop Serenus (not without just cause) feared would come to pass. Now if Serenus his judgment, thinking it meet that Images, whereunto Idolatry was committed, should be destroy∣ed, had taken place, Idolatry had been overthrown; for to that which is not, no man committeth Idolatry. But of Gregories judg∣ment, thinking that Images might be suffered in Churches, so i• were taught that they should not be worshipped, what ruin of Re∣ligion, and what mischief ensued afterward to all Christendoth, ex∣perience hath to our hurt and sorrow proved, by the schism arising between the East and West Church about the said Images; next by the division of the Empire into two parts by the same occasion of Images, to the great weakning of all Christendom. Whereupon, last of all, hath followed the utter overthrow of the Christian Reli∣gion and noble Empire of Greece, and all the East-parts of the world *, and the increase of Mahomet's false Religion, and the cruel domi∣nion and tyranny of the Saracens and Turks in worshipping of them.

P. 30. and 31.

Constantine the fifth, after the example of Leo his Father, kept Images out of the Church, called a Council of all the learned men and Bishops of Asia and Greece,Page 295 who decreed, that it is not lawful for them that believe in God through Jesus Christ, to have any Images, neither of the Creator, nor of any creature, set up in Temples to be worshipped, but ra∣ther that all such things be by the Law of * God forbidden, and for the avoiding of offence, ought to be taken out of Churches. But Paul Bishop of Rome, and Stephen the third, refused to obey the Emperours Decree, and assembled another Council, and therein condemned the Emperour and his Council of Heresie, and made a Decree that the holy Images of Christ, and the blessed Virgin, and other Saints were indeed worthy of honour and worshipping.

And P. 33,

Not only the simple and unwise were ensnared with Images, but now the learned and Bishops fell to worshipping of Images. For 'twas decreed in the East also, in Irene's and Theodora's time, that Images should be set up in all Churches of Greece, and that honour and worship should be given to them; and now ye may see that come to pass, which Serenus feared, and Gregory the first forbad in vain, viz. that Images should in no wise be worshipped. Again, 'tis hard, yea impossible any long time to have Images pub∣lickly in Churches without Idolatry.

And P. 34.

At Eliberi, a notable City in Spain, the Spanish Bishops called and held a Council, and there decreed in Article 36. thus: We think that Pictures ought not to be in Churches, lest that be honoured or worshipped which is painted on walls.

And Canon 44, they say thus:

We thought good to admonish the faithful, that as much as in them lyeth, they suffer no Images to be in their houses; but if they fear any violence of their servants, at the least let them keep themselves clean and pure from Images;

if they do not so, let them be accounted none of the Church.

There was another Council in Spain called Concilium Tolletanum 12, which decreed against Images and Image-worshippers.

And P. 36.

The Bishop of Rome Excommunicated the Emperour, because he opposed his Images; and chose Charles King of France to be Emperour, because he succoured his Images. Then the No∣bles of Greece chose Nicephorus to be Emperour; he and Scaurus, the two Michael's, Leo and Theophilus, and other Emperour▪ oppo∣sed Images. And when Theodorus, Emperour, would have agreed with the Bishop of Rome at the Council at Lions, and have set up Images, He was by the Nobles of the Empire of Greece deprived, and another chosen in his place.

Page 296 And P. 40.

All Images as well ours, as the Idols of the Gentiles are forbidden, and unlawful in Churches: 1 Of God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, Deut. 4. As in th• first part of this Homily, Isa. 40. *Act. 17. Hab. 2. 2. Of Christ, for he is God and man, and you cannot paint the Godhead.

P. 41. and p. 42.

Images are lies, therefore they are not Lay-mens Books.

And again,

If true Images of Christ, and Saints, could be made, yet they are unlawful to be made and see up in Churches to the great and un∣avoidable danger of Idolalry. Pri∣mitive Christians were complained of, that they had no Images in their Churches. Hence 'tis inferred there, that they took all Images to be un∣lawful in the Church or Temple o• God,

and therefore had non• Which is a good negative argument for matter of fact.

And P. 44.

The Primitive Church which is especially to be followed,〈◊〉 most incorrupt and pure, had pub∣lickly in Churches neither Idols 〈◊〉 the Gentiles, nor any other Images as things † directly forbidden 〈◊〉 Gods Word. But 'tis objected, Th•• Images are not absolutely forbidden to be made, but only that they should be made to be worshipped; and th•• therefore we may have Images, so 〈◊〉 worship them not, for that they 〈◊〉 things indifferent, which may be ab•∣sed, or well used. Answ. This 〈◊〉 yielded in part. Flowers are wroug•• in Carpets. Arras, and Pictures 〈◊〉 Princes printed or stamped in the•• Coyns, which when Christ did see in the Roman Coyn, we read 〈◊〉Page 297 that he reprehended it, neither do we condemn the art of Paint∣ing and Image-making as wicked of themselves; but we would grant them, that Images used for no Religion, or Superstition rather, we mean Images of none worshipped, nor in danger to be wor∣shipped of any, may be suffered. But Images placed publickly in Temples, cannot possibly be without danger of worshipping and Idolatry; wherefore they are not publickly to be had or suffered in Temples. The Jews, to whom the Law was first given, and should best know the meaning of it, would not suffer Images publickly to be in the Temple at Jerusalem, though no worshipping was requi∣red at their hands, but rather offered themselves to death, than to assent that Images should be once placed in the Temple; neither would they suffer any Image-maker among them. And Origen add∣ed this clause, lest their minds should be plucked from God to the contemplation of earthly things. And they are much commended for this earnest zeal in maintaining Gods honour, and true Re∣ligion.

P. 45.

And truth it is, that Jews and Turks, who abhor Images and Idols, as directly forbidden in Gods Word, will never come to the truth of our Religion while the stumbling-blocks of Images re∣main among us, and lie in their way.

And P. 49.

What meaneth it, that Christians after the use of the Gentiles, Idolaters, cap and knee before Images? is not this stooping and kneeling before them, adoration of them, which is forbidden so directly by Gods Word?

P. 50. Satan desiring to rob God of his honour,

desireth exceed∣ingly that such honour might be given to him; wherefore those which give the honour due to the Creator, to any creature, do ser∣vice acceptable to no Saints, who be the friends of God, but unto Satan, Gods and mans mortal and sworn enemy.

Obj. But they say, that they do not worship the Image as the Gentiles did their Idols, but God and the Saints, whom the Images do represent; and therefore that their doings before Images are not like the Idolatry of the Gentiles before their Idols.

Answ. 'Tis answered thus:

St. Augustine, Lactantius, and Clemens, do prove evidently, that by this their answer, they be all one with the Gentiles-Idolaters. The Gentiles (saith St. Augustine) which seem to be of the purer Religion, say, We worship not the Images, but by the corporal Images, we do behold the signs of the things which we ought to worship. And Lactantius saith, the Gentiles say, Page 298 we fear not the Images, but them after whose likenesses the Images be made, and to whose names they be consecrated. And Clemens saith, that Serpent the Devil uttereth these words by the mouth of certain men, We to the honour of the invisible God, worship visi∣ble Images, which surely is not false. See how in using the same ex∣cuses which the Gentile-Idolaters pretended, they shew themselves to join with them in Idolatry. For notwithstanding this excuse, Au∣gustine, Lactantius, and Clemens, prove them Idolaters. And the Scriptures say, they worship stocks and stones (notwithstanding this excuse) even as our Image-mongers do. And Ezekiel therefore calleth the gods of the Assyrians stocks and stones, although they were but Images of their gods. So are our Images of God and the Saints named by the names of God and his Saints, after the use of the Gentiles. What should it mean that they ac∣cording as did the Gentile-Idolaters, light Candles at noon∣time, or at midnight before them, but therewith to honour them? for other use is none of so doing; for in the day it needeth not, but was ever a Proverb of foolishness, to light a candle at noon-day. And in the night it availeth not to light a candle before the blind, and God hath neither use nor honour thereof. By which it appeareth, that * we do agree with the Gentile-Idola∣ters in our Candle-Religion.

And P. 52.

As the Gentiles, so our Image-maintainers have invented and spread many lying-tales, and written many Fables and Miracles of Images.

And P. 53.

Among the holy Relicks they have (they say) the tayl of the Asse on which our Saviour rode, which they offer to be kissed, and to be offered unto.

And P. 55.

The having of Images in Churches publickly, hath not only brought us to worshipping of them, but to worshipping of them with the same kind of worship wherewith they worship the Copy, as the Homily shews out of Nacla•tus Bishop of Clugium.

And P. 56. the Homily saith thus,

(Having shewed and proved that our Images have been, be, and will be worshipped, and by their own confession, that they ought to be worshipped) I will out of Gods Word make this general argument against all such makers, setters up, and maintainers of Images in publick places, thus: And first I will begin with the words of our Saviour Christ: Wo be to that Page 299 man by whom an offence is given. Wo be to him that *offendeth one of these little ones, or weak ones, Mat. 18. Better were it for him that a milstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the midst of the sea and drowned, than that he should offend one of these little ones, or weak ones. And in Deut. 27. God himself denounceth him accursed that maketh the blind to wander out of the way. And in Levit. 19. Thou shalt not lay a stumbling-block or stone before the blind. But Images have been, be, and as af∣terwards shall be proved, ever * will be offences and stumbling-blocks, es∣pecially to the weak, simple, and blind common people, deceiving their hearts by the cunning of the Artifi∣cer, as the Scripture expresly in sundry places doth testifie, and so bringeth them to Idolatry, and therefore wo be to the erector, setters up, and main∣tainers of Images in Churches, for a greater penalty remaineth for them than the death of the body.

Obj. If it be replied, that this offence may be taken away by diligent and sincere doctrine and preaching of Gods Word, as by other means; and that Images in Churches therefore be not things absolutely evil to all men, al∣though dangerous to some; and therefore that it were to be holden, that the publick having of them in Churches is not expedient, as a thing perilous, ra∣ther than unlawful, and utterly wicked.

Ans. This will be answered by proving the third Article, which followeth,

That it is not possible, if Images be suffered in Chur∣ches, either by preaching of Gods Word, or by any other means, to keep the people from worshipping of them, and so to avoid Ido∣latry. And 1. concerning preaching, if it should be admitted, that although Images were suffered in Churches, yet might Idolatry by diligent and sincere preaching of Gods Word be avoided; it should follow of necessity, that sincere Doctrine might always be had, and continue as well as Images, and so that wheresoever; to offence, were erected an Image, there also of reason a godly and sincere Preacher should and might be continually maintained; for it is reason that the warning be as common as the stumbling-block, the Page 300 remedy as large as the offence, the medicine as general as the poy∣son; but that is not * possible, as both reason and experience teacheth. Wherefore preaching cannot stay Idolatry, Images being publickly suf∣fered. For an Image, which will last for many hundred years, may for a little be bought; but a good Preach∣er cannot with much be continually maintained. Item, if the Prince will * fuffer it, there will be by and by ma∣ny, yea infinite Images, but sincere Preachers were and ever shall be but a few in respect of the multitude to be taught. For our Saviour Christ saith, the Harvest is plentiful, but the workmen are but few, which hath been hitherto true, and will be to the worlds end. And in our time, and in our Country so true, that every Shire should scarce∣ly have one good Preacher, if they were divided. Now Ima∣ges will continue to the beholders, preach their Doctrine, that is worshipping of Images, and Idolatry, to which preaching man∣kind is exceeding prone, and inclined to give ear and credit, as ex∣perience of all ages and Nations doth too much prove. But a true Preacher to stay this mischief, is in very many places scarcely heard in one whole year, and some where not once in seven years, as is evident to be proved. And that evil opinion which hath been long rooted in mens hearts, cannot suddenly by one Sermon be roo∣ted out clean. And as few ••inclined to credit sound Doctrine, as many and almost all be prone to Superstition and Idolatry; so that herein appeareth not only a difficulty, but also an impossibility of the remedy. It appears not, that sound and sincere Preaching hath continued in one place above a hundred years; but 'tis evident, that Images, superstition, and worshipping of Images, and Idolatry, have continued many hundred years. For all writing and experience do testifie that good things do by little and little ever decay, until they be clean banished; and contrariwise evil things do more and more increase, till they come to a full perfection and wickedness. For ex∣ample, for preaching of Gods Word, most sincere in the beginning, Page 301 by process of time waxed less and less pure, and after corrupt, and at last altogether laid down, and left off, and other inventions of men crept in place of it. And on the other part, Images among Christian men were first painted, and that in whole stories toge∣ther, which had some signification in them, afterwards they were embossed, and made of timber, stone, plaister and metal. And first they were only kept privately in private mens houses, and then af∣terwards they crept into Churches, but first by painting, but after∣wards by embossing, and yet were they at first no where worshipped; but shortly after they began to be worshipped of the ignorant sort of men, as appeareth by Gregory the first Bishop of Rome, in his Epistle to Serenus Bishop of Marcelles. Of which two Bishops, Se∣renus for Idolatry committed to the Images, brake and burnt them; Gregory, although he thought it tollerable to let them stand, yet he judged it abominable that they should be worshipped, and thought (as is now alledged) that the worshipping of them might be stayed by teaching of Gods Word, according as he exhorts Serenus, to teach the people, as in that Epistle appeareth. But whether Grego∣ry's opinion, or Serenus his judgment were better herein, consider ye. For experience by and by confuteth Gregory's opinion. For not∣withstanding Gregory's writing, and others preaching, Images being once set up in Temples, simple men and women shortly after fell on heaps * to worshipping of them, and at last the learned also were carried away with the publick error, as with a vio∣lent stream or flood. And at the se∣cond Council at Nice the Bishops and Clergy decreed, That Images should be worshipped; and so by occasion of these stumbling-blocks, not only the unlearned and simple, but the learned and wise, not the people on∣ly, but the Bishops, not the sheep on∣ly, but the shepherds themselves, who should have been guides in the right way, fell to Idolatry, in worshipping of Images

And P. 69. the Homily saith thus:

The Romish Church is not only an Idolatrous Church, an Harlot, as the Scripture calleth her, but also a foul, filthy, old withered Harlot, (for she is of ancient years) Page 302 understanding her lack of nature and * true beauty, and great loathsome∣ness, which of her self she hath, doth after the custom of such Harlots, paint her self with gold, pearl, stone, and all kind of precious jewels, that Page 303 she shining with the outward beauty and glory of them, may please the foolish fantasie of fond lovers, and so entice them to spiritual fornication with her, who if they saw her but in simple apparel would abhor her, as the foulest and filthiest Harlot that ever was seen, Apoc. 17. But the true Church of God as a chaste Matron espoused to one husband, our Saviour Jesus Christ, whom she is content only to please and serve, and delighteth not to delight the fantasie of any other lovers or woers, is content with her na∣tural ornaments, not doubting by such sincere simplicity, best to please him, who can well skill of the difference between a painted visage, and true natural beauty. St. Jerome upon Jer. 10. saith thus: Though Images be decked with gold, yet good or profit is there none in them. And such deckings of Images are tokens of Antichrists Kingdom, who as Daniel saith, shall worship God with gorgeous things. Lactantius saith, that as little Girls play with lit∣tle Puppets, so be these deckt Images great Puppets for old fools to play with.

Homily of the p•ril of Idolatry, Part 3. p. 71. But away with these coloured cloaks of Idolatry, of the books and scriptures of Images and Pictures to * teach Ideots, nay to make Ideots and stark fools and beasts of Chri∣stians. Ibid. Godly men will respect not only their own city, country, time, and the health of men of their age, but be care∣ful for all places and times, and the sal∣vation of all ages at the least, not lay such stumbling-blocks and snares for the feet of other country-men and ages, which ex∣perience hath already proved to be the ruin of the world. Wherefore I make a general conclusion of all that I have hitherto said. If the stumbling-blocks and poysons of mens souls, by setting up of Images will be many, yea infinite, if they be suffered, and the warning of the same stumbling-blocks and remedies for the said poysons by preaching, be few; if the stumbling-blocks be easie to be laid, the poysons soon provided, and the warnings and remedies hard to know and come by; if the stumbling-blocks be continually in the way, and poyson be ready at hand every where, and warning and remedies but sel∣dom Page 304 given; and if all men be more ready of themselves to stumble and be offended than to be warned; all men more ready to drink of the poyson, then to taste of the remedy, and so in fine the poyson continually and deeply drunk of many, the remedy seldom and faintly tasted of a few; how can it be but that infinite of the weak and infirm shall be offended, infinite by ruin shall break their necks, infinite by deadly venome be poysoned in their souls? And how is the charity of God, and love of our neighbours in our hearts then, if when we may remove such dangerous stumbling-blocks, such pestilent * poysons, we will not re∣move them? what shall I say of them which lay stumbling-blocks where there were none before, and set snares for the feet, nay for the souls of weak and simple men, and work the danger of their everlasting destruction, for whom our Saviour Christ shed his most precious blood? So the Homily.

2. Images are not to be tolerated in Churches▪ 1. Because they are occasions of Idolatry, as the Homily of the Church of England a∣gainst the peril of Idolatry abundantly sheweth. Now occasions of Idolatry are to be avoided, as may be gathered from Deut. 7. 3, 4. Neither shalt thou make marriages with them, thy daughter thou shalt not give unto his son, nor his daughter shalt thou take unto thy son. Now mark the reason why the Israelites were forbidden to marry wives of the Idolaters daughters, which God cast out before them: for they will turn away thy son from following me, that they may serve other gods. Lo here you may see, that though it should be granted, that it were lawful in it self for any of Gods Church to marry with Idolaters, which is thought to be utterly unlawful: 1. Because 'tis expresly forbidden, Deut 7. 34. Ezra 9. 12, 13. not only to the Israelites, but also to the Christians, 2 Cor. 6. 14. Be not unequally yoked with unbelievers, for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with dark∣ness? Idolaters are * unbelievers; though they may make a kind of pro∣fession of faith in Christ, yet they vir∣tually deny him to be God by their worshipping of his Creatures with Re∣ligious worship, and by their wor∣shipping of him, not as he hath ap∣pointed, Page 305 but after their own inventions they make an Idol of him. And you know, that our Homily of Salvation of Mankind. p. 16. 17. saith, That he is not to be accounted a Christian man that denieth this truth, that faith alone doth justifie. And if they are not to be accounted Chri∣stians, then they are not to be accounted Believers. 2. Because 'tis not only acknowledged to be a sin, yea a great trespass, Ezra 9. 13. Ezra 10. 2, 10. but they that were guilty of it, entred into a Cove∣nant to put away their strange wives, and swore to perform their Covenant; and they performed it, Ezra 10. 3, 9, 12, 16, 19. Yet up∣on this account only it would be unlawful, because they will provoke to Idolatry, or occasion their serving of other gods, or the true God after an idolatrous manner, which God abhors. So though it should be yiel∣ded, that it were lawful in it self to set up and suffer Idolatrous Images in the publick places of Gods worship, yet they are not to be erected or tolerated in them, because they are scandalous objects, they are provocations to, and occasions of committing Idolatry, forbidden in the second and sixth Commandments, and also in Rom. 14. 13. Let no ma•• a stumbling block, or an occasion to fall in his brothers way. And Mat. 18. 6. and 'twas observed before, that Ima∣ges are directly forbidden in Gods Word, because they are occasions of * idolatry. Which plainly shews, that oc∣casions of idolatry are directly forbidden in Gods Word. And so saith Bishop * An∣drews, and A. B. Ʋsher, Cum quid pro∣hibetur, prohibentur illa omnia per quae p••venitur ad illud: When any thing is forbidden, all things which lead thereunto are also forbidden. Bonae legis non est solum tollere vitiae sed etiam occasiones vitiorum: It's the part of good Laws not only to take away vices, but also to take away the occasions of vices; and therefore to take away Images, if the Law∣makers really intend to prevent Idolatry, •nd so for other sins, •nd this was the wisdom and piety of good King Hezekiah, when the people fell to worshipping of the Brazen Serpent. which Moses at Gods command set up for the curing of the people that were stung with Serpents: He set not up declarations of the use of it, and preach∣ers against worshipping of it, but he took the best, surest and * readiest way to hin∣der the peoples idolatry, he brake it down, 2 King. 18. 4. So if Magistrates will prevent Idolatry and superstition in Page 306 their subjects, they must pull down Popish Images, Altars, and abolish all Popish Ceremonies and occasions of idolatry and superstition. Otho's shew∣ing his fair Wife Poppaea naked to lustful Nero, was not more active∣ly scandalous, than mens setting up and willing permitting of such Images as have been and may be abused to Idolatry in publick pla∣ces of Gods Worship, are, or may be. They shew that they have nei∣ther such zeal for God, nor love to their neighbours as they ought to have. 2. God hath commanded all Idols to be broken down, Exod. 23. 24. Thou shalt not bow down to their gods, nor serve them, nor do after their works, but shalt utterly overthrow them, and quite break down their ima∣ges. So Exod. 34. 13. Numb. 33. 52. Deut. 7. 25, 26. Deut. 12. 2, 3. 3. Good Kings have been highly commended for destroying the Ima∣ges and Altars of Idolaters, as Asa in 1 King. 15. 13. and Hezekiah, 2 King. 18. 4. and Josiah, 2 King 23. 24. 4. They do not only offend Papists, but professed adversaries without the Church; they do not only allure Papists to commit Idolatry, but they so offend Jews and Turks, that they will not embrace Christian Religion, because some who profess themselves to be Christians, set up Images and Pictures in their Churches. 5. We are all commanded to keep our selves from Idols, 1 Joh. 5. ult. The word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 in St. John's time, signified ge∣nerally an Image; for Idol and Image signifie the same thing, only one is a Greek word originally, and the other is a Latine word. If you will keep your selves from Image-worship, you must keep your selves from Images, especially in publick places of worship. 6. The Temples of God were not built to that end that the Images of the Creatures should be placed in them, but that they might serve for the publick performance of that worship which is appointed and ap∣proved of God: Mat. 21. 13. My house shall be called the house of prayer. 7. Images in Churches have a shew of evil, which ought to be abstained from; 1 Thes. 5. 22. A Papist, a stranger coming into one of our great Churches, where Images were, 〈◊〉 said aloud, Pro∣fecto hic est facies ecclesiae nostrae, how truly I determine not; but the learned * Lord Faulkland said of some of our late Bishops, that under the pretence of adorning our Churches, they have defiled our Church. Our 35 Ar∣ticle of Religion saith thus: Our Books of Homi∣lies contain a godly and wholsome Doctrine, and necessary for these times. And that against the peril of Idolatry speaks notably against setting and suffering Images in Churches.

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