The orders from the House of Commons for the abolishing of superstition, and innovavation [sic], in the regulating of church affaires. 1. Concerning the communion table. 1 [sic]. Concerning the Sabbath day. 3. Concerning images. September, 1, 1641.

3. Concerning Images.

THat all Pictures, and Images of Christ, the Virgin Mary, and the like, in Churches, Chappels, or Chancels, should be taken away. Exod. 20. 4, 5.

To make a Picture for divine worship sake, either of God, or of Christ, of the Virgin Mary, or the like; this is diaboli∣call, being made for Religion sake, and utterly unlawfull, and where such Images are (as a father saith) there is no Religion.

Let none therefore, be offended at this worthy Order, yet if any amongst us, shall be offended herewith, it is no won∣der at all; for the People tooke offence many of them, at Christs own preaching. Joh. 6. But Christ preached still, untill He perfected the work; whosoever doth the will of God, hee needeth not to feare the peoples taking offence at it; But whoso∣ever

is offended at the full doing of the will of God, hee sinneth both against God, and against his Neighbor.

It is not unknown unto Us all, if we will understand, what a number of weighty, and perswasive Reasons, did together move this Honourable Assembly, to passe these Orders, not at all any way purposed to compell any mans Conscience. For it is most true, which the Emperour Maximilian the se∣cond was wont to say: That Princes beare rule over their sub∣jects Bodies, but not over their Consciences. But yet for all this, This Royall Assembly will not have their own Consciences ensnared, and therefore desire to serve the Lord God, & have passed these Orders, according to that cleare knowledge, wher∣with God hath enlightned them, and according to that his will, which he hath revealed unto them. For it is certain, 1. That God will not be honoured, by, through, or before Images, 1 Joh. 2. 1. secondly, He will that men break downe all Images; and wholly depend on Him, with all their hearts, Exod. 34. 13.

Whosoever therefore now in the feare of God, doth right∣ly consider hereof, He will not at all be offended at the re∣moving, and casting away of all Images, as before, but he will rather much praise the Name of God, that the publicke abomination, and great of∣fence is in time removed, and taken away.