HOMILY AGAINST PERIL OF IDOLATRY

from Short-Title Catalogue 13675.
Renaissance Electronic Texts 1.2.
© 1994, 1997 Ian Lancashire
University of Toronto

AN HOMILIE AGAINST
perill of Idolatrie, and superfluous decking
of Churches.

The first part.

[II.2.1-1]  IN what points the true ornaments of
[II.2.1-2]  the Church or Temple of GOD do con­
[II.2.1-3]  sist and stand, hath beene declared in the
[II.2.1-4]  two last Homilies, entreating of the
[II.2.1-5]  right vse of the Temple or house of GOD,
[II.2.1-6]  and of the due reuerence that all true
[II.2.1-7]  Christian people are bound to giue vnto
[II.2.1-8]  the same. The summe whereof is, that
[II.2.1-9]  the Church or house of GOD, is a place
[II.2.1-10]  appointed by the holy Scriptures, where
[II.2.1-11]  the liuely word of GOD ought to bee
[II.2.1-12]  read, taught, and heard, the Lords holy
[II.2.1-13]  name called vpon by publike prayer,
[II.2.1-14]  hearty thankes giuen to his Maiestie for his infinite and vnspeakable
[II.2.1-15]  benefits bestowed vpon vs, his holy Sacraments duely and reuerently
[II.2.1-16]  ministred, and that therefore all that be godly indeed, ought both with
[II.2.1-17]  diligence at times appointed, to repayre together to the sayd Church, and
[II.2.1-18]  there with all reuerence to vse and behaue themselues before the Lord.
[II.2.1-19]  And that the sayd Church thus godly vsed by the seruants of the Lord, in
[II.2.1-20]  the Lords true seruice, for the effectuall presence of GODS grace,
[II.2.1-21]  wherewith he doeth by his holy word and promises, endue his people
[II.2.1-22]  there present and assembled, to the attainement, aswell of commodities
[II.2.1-23]  worldly, necessary for vs, as also of all heauenly gifts, and life euerlasting,
[II.2.1-24]  is called by the word of GOD (as it is indeed) the Temple of the Lord,
[II.2.1-25]  and the house of GOD, and that therefore the due reuerence thereof, is
[II.2.1-26]  stirred vp in the hearts of the godly, by the consideration of these true or­
[II.2.1-27]  naments of the sayd house of GOD, and not by any outward ceremo­
[II.2.1-28]  nies or costly and glorious decking of the sayd house or Temple of the
[II.2.1-29]  Lord, contrary to the which most manifest doctrine of the Scriptures,
[II.2.1-30]  and contrary to the vsage of the Primitiue Church, which was most pure
[II.2.1-31]  and vncorrupt, and contrary to the sentences and iudgements of the most
[II.2.1-32]  ancient, learned and godly Doctours of the Church (as heereafter shall
[II.2.1-33]  appeare) the corruption of these latter dayes, hath brought into the
[II.2.1-34]  Church infinite multitudes of images, and the same, with other parts of
[II.2.1-35]  the Temple also, haue decked with gold and siluer, painted with colours,
[II.2.1-36]  set them with stone and pearle, clothed them with silkes and precious ve­
[II.2.1-37]  stures, fancying vntruely that to be the chiefe decking and adorning of
[II.2.1-38]  the Temple or house of GOD, and that all people should bee the more
[II.2.1-39]  mooued to the due reuerence of the same, if all corners thereof were glo­
[II.2.1-40]  rious, and glistering with gold and precious stones. Whereas indeed they
[II.2.1-41]  by the sayd images, and such glorious decking of the Temple, haue no­
[II.2.1-42]  thing at all profited such as were wise and of vnderstanding: but haue
[II.2.1-43]  thereby greatly hurt the simple and vnwise, occasioning them thereby to
[II.2.1-44]  commit most horrible idolatrie. And the couetous persons, by the same
[II.2.1-45]  occasion, seeming to worship, and peraduenture worshipping indeed, not
[II.2.1-46]  onely the images, but also the matter of them, gold and siluer, as that

[margin]
Ephes. 5.
Coloss. 3.
[margin]

[II.2.1-47]  vice is of all others in the Scriptures peculiarly called idolatrie or wor­
[II.2.1-48]  shipping of images. Against the which foule abuses and great enormi­
[II.2.1-49]  ties shall be alleadged vnto you: First, the authority of GODS holy
[II.2.1-50]  word, aswell out of the old Testament, as of the new. And secondly, the
[II.2.1-51]  testimonies of the holy and ancient learned Fathers and Doctours, out
[II.2.1-52]  of their owne workes and ancient histories Ecclesiasticall, both that you
[II.2.1-53]  may at once know their iudgements, and withall vnderstand what ma­
[II.2.1-54]  ner of ornaments were in the Temples in the Primitiue Church in those
[II.2.1-55]  times, which were most pure and syncere. Thirdly, the reasons and ar­
[II.2.1-56]  guments made for the defence of images or idols, and the outragious dec­
[II.2.1-57]  king of Temples and Churches, with gold, siluer, pearle, and precious
[II.2.1-58]  stone, shall be confuted, and so this whole matter concluded. But lest
[II.2.1-59]  any should take occasion by the way, of doubting by wordes or names, it
[II.2.1-60]  is thought good heere to note first of all, that although in common speech
[II.2.1-61]  we vse to call the likenesse or similitudes of men or other things images,
[II.2.1-62]  and not idols: yet the Scriptures vse the sayd two words (idols and ima­
[II.2.1-63]  ges) indifferently for one thing alway. They be words of diuers tongues
[II.2.1-64]  and sounds, but one in sense and signification in the Scriptures. The
[II.2.1-65]  one is taken of the Greeke word &Egr;&igr;&dgr;&ohgr;&lgr;&agr; an Idol, and the other of the La­
[II.2.1-66]  tine word Imago, and Image, and so both vsed as English termes in the
[II.2.1-67]  translating of Scriptures indifferently, according as the Septuaginta haue
[II.2.1-68]  in their translation in Greeke, &Egr;&igr;&dgr;&ohgr;&lgr;&agr;, and S. Ierome in his translation of the
[II.2.1-69]  same places in Latin hath Simulachra, in English, Images. And in the

[margin]
1.Iohn 5.
[margin]

[II.2.1-70]  new Testament, that which S. Iohn calleth &Egr;&igr;&dgr;&ohgr;&lgr;&agr;, S. Ierome likewise trans­
[II.2.1-71]  lateth Simulachrum, as in all other like places of Scripture vsually hee
[II.2.1-72]  doeth so translate. And Tertullian , a most ancient Doctor, and well lear­
[II.2.1-73]  ned in both the tongues, Greeke and Latine, interpreting this place of S.

[margin]
Lib. de coro­
nis militis.
[margin]

[II.2.1-74]  Iohn , Beware of Idols, that is to say (sayth Tertullian ) of the images
[II.2.1-75]  themselues: the Latin words which he vseth, be Effigies and Imago, to say,
[II.2.1-76]  an Image. And therefore it skilleth not, whether in this processe wee
[II.2.1-77]  vse the one terme or the other, or both together, seeing they both
[II.2.1-78]  (though not in common English speech, yet in Scripture) signifie
[II.2.1-79]  one thing. And though some to blinde mens eyes, haue heretofore
[II.2.1-80]  craftily gone about to make them to be taken for words of diuers sig­
[II.2.1-81]  nification in matters of Religion, and haue therefore vsually named
[II.2.1-82]  the likenesse or similitude of a thing set vp amongst the Heathen in
[II.2.1-83]  their Temples or other places to bee worshipped, an Idoll. But the
[II.2.1-84]  like similitude with vs, set vp in the Church, the place of worshipping,
[II.2.1-85]  they call an Image, as though these two words (Idoll and Image)
[II.2.1-86]  in Scripture, did differ in proprietie and sense, which as is afore­
[II.2.1-87]  said) differ onely in sound and language, and in meaning bee in deed
[II.2.1-88]  all one, specially in the Scriptures and matters of Religion. And
[II.2.1-89]  our Images also haue beene, and bee, and if they bee publikely suffe­
[II.2.1-90]  red in Churches and Temples, euer will bee also worshipped, and so
[II.2.1-91]  Idolatrie committed to them, as in the last part of this Homilie shall
[II.2.1-92]  at large bee declared and prooued. Wherefore our Images in Tem­
[II.2.1-93]  ples and Churches, bee in deed none other but Idoles, as vnto the
[II.2.1-94]  which Idolatrie hath beene, is, and euer will be committed.

[II.2.1-95]  And first of all, the Scriptures of the olde Testament, condemning
[II.2.1-96]  and abhorring aswell all Idolatrie or worshipping of Images, as also
[II.2.1-97]  the very Idoles or Images themselues, specially in Temples, are so ma­
[II.2.1-98]  ny and plentifull; that it weere almost an infinite worke, and to bee
[II.2.1-99]  conteined in no small volume, to record all the places concerning the
[II.2.1-100]  same. For when GOD had chosen to himselfe a peculiar and speciall
[II.2.1-101]  people from amongst all other Nations that knew not GOD, but wor­
[II.2.1-102]  shipped Idols and false gods, he gaue vnto them certaine ordinances and
[II.2.1-103]  Lawes to bee kept and obserued of his said people. But concerning
[II.2.1-104]  none other matter did hee giue either moe, or more earnest and ex­
[II.2.1-105]  presse Lawes to his said people, then those that concerned the true
[II.2.1-106]  worshipping of him, and the auoyding and fleeing of Idols and Ima­
[II.2.1-107]  ges, and Idolatrie: for that, both the said Idolatrie is most repugnant
[II.2.1-108]  to the right worshipping of him and his true glorie, aboue all other vi­
[II.2.1-109]  ces, and that hee knew the pronenesse and inclination of mans cor­
[II.2.1-110]  rupt kinde and nature, to that most odious and abominable vice. Of
[II.2.1-111]  the which ordinances and Lawes, so giuen by the Lord to his peo­
[II.2.1-112]  ple concerning that matter, I will rehearse and alleadge some that
[II.2.1-113]  bee most speciall for this purpose, that you by them may iudge of
[II.2.1-114]  the rest.

[II.2.1-115]  In the fourth Chapter of the Booke named Deuteronomie, is a nota­

[margin]
Deut. 4.
Numb.22.
[margin]

[II.2.1-116]  ble place, and most worthy with all diligence to be marked, which begin­
[II.2.1-117]  neth thus: And now Israel heare the Commandements and Iudge­
[II.2.1-118]  ments which I teach thee (saith the Lord) that thou doing them, maist
[II.2.1-119]  liue, and enter and possesse the land which the Lord GOD of your Fa­
[II.2.1-120]  thers will giue you. Yee shall put nothing to the word which I speake
[II.2.1-121]  to you, neither shall ye take any thing from it. Keepe yee the Comman­
[II.2.1-122]  dements of the Lord your GOD, which I commaund you. And by
[II.2.1-123]  and by after hee repeateth the same sentence three or foure times,
[II.2.1-124]  before hee come to the matter that hee would speacially warne them of,
[II.2.1-125]  as it were for a Preface, to make them to take the better heed vnto it.
[II.2.1-126]  Take heed to thy selfe (saith he) and to thy soule, with all carefulnesse,
[II.2.1-127]  lest thou forgettest the things which thine eyes haue seene, and that they
[II.2.1-128]  goe not out of thine heart all the dayes of thy life, thou shalt teach them
[II.2.1-129]  to thy children and nephewes, or posteritie. And shortly after, The Lord
[II.2.1-130]  spake vnto you out of the middle of fire, but you heard the voyce or
[II.2.1-131]  sound of his words, but you did see no forme or shape at all. And by
[II.2.1-132]  and by followeth, Take heed therefore diligently vnto your soules,
[II.2.1-133]  you saw no manner of Image in the day in the which the Lord spake
[II.2.1-134]  vnto you in Horeb , out of the middest of the fire, lest peraduenture,
[II.2.1-135]  you being deceiued, should make to your selues any grauen Image, or
[II.2.1-136]  likenesse of man or woman, or the likenesse of any beast which is vpon
[II.2.1-137]  the earth, or of the birds that flee vnder heauen, or of any creeping thing
[II.2.1-138]  that is mooued on the earth, or of the fishes that doe continue in the wa­
[II.2.1-139]  ters: least peraduenture thou lifting vp thine eyes to heauen, doe see the
[II.2.1-140]  Sunne and the Moone, and the Starres of heauen, and so thou, being
[II.2.1-141]  deceiued by errour, shouldest honour, and worship them which the Lord
[II.2.1-142]  thy GOD hath created to serue all Nations that be vnder heauen. And
[II.2.1-143]  againe: Beware that thou forget not the couenant of the Lord thy GOD,
[II.2.1-144]  which hee made with thee, and so make to thy selfe any carued Image
[II.2.1-145]  of them which the Lord hath forbidden to bee made: for the Lord thy
[II.2.1-146]  GOD is a consuming fire, and a iealous GOD. If thou haue children
[II.2.1-147]  and nephewes, and doe tarry in the land, and being deceiued doe make to
[II.2.1-148]  your selues and similitude, doing euill before the Lord your GOD, and
[II.2.1-149]  prouoke him to anger: I doe this day call vpon heauen and earth to wit­
[II.2.1-150]  nesse, that ye shall quickly perish out of hte land which you shall possesse,
[II.2.1-151]  you shall not dwell in it any long time, but the Lord will destroy you, and
[II.2.1-152]  will scatter you amongst all Nations, and ye shall remaine but a very few
[II.2.1-153]  amongst the Nations, whither the Lord will leade you away, and then
[II.2.1-154]  shall you serue gods which are made with mans hands, of wood and
[II.2.1-155]  stone, which see not, and heare not, neither eat nor smell, and so foorth.
[II.2.1-156]  This is a notable chapter, and entreateth almost altogether of this mat­
[II.2.1-157]  ter. But because it is too long to write out the whole, I haue noted you
[II.2.1-158]  certaine principall points out of it. First, how earnestly and oft he calleth
[II.2.1-159]  vpon them to marke and to take heed, and that vpon the perill of their
[II.2.1-160]  soules, to the charge which he giueth them. Then how he forbiddeth by a
[II.2.1-161]  solemne and long rehearsall of all things in heauen, in earth, and in the
[II.2.1-162]  water, any Image or likenesse of any thing at all to be made. Thirdly,
[II.2.1-163]  what penaltie and horrible destruction, he solemnely, with inuocation of
[II.2.1-164]  heauen and earth, for record, denounceth and threatneth to them, their
[II.2.1-165]  children and posteritie, if they contrary to this Commandement, do make
[II.2.1-166]  or worship any Images or similitude, which he so straightly hath forbid­
[II.2.1-167]  den. And when they, this notwithstanding, partly by inclination of
[II.2.1-168]  mans corrupt nature most prone to Idolatry, and partly occasioned by the
[II.2.1-169]  Gentiles and heathen people dwelling about them, who were Idolaters,
[II.2.1-170]  did fall to the making and worshipping of Images: GOD according
[II.2.1-171]  to his word, brought vpon them all those plagues which hee threatned
[II.2.1-172]  them with, as appeareth in the bookes of the Kings and the Chronicles, in
[II.2.1-173]  sundry places at large. And agreeable hereunto are many other notable
[II.2.1-174]  places in the old Testament, Deuteronomie 27. Cursed be he that maketh
[II.2.1-175]  a carued Image, or a cast or molten Image, which is abomination be­
[II.2.1-176]  fore the Lord, the worke of the artificers hand, and setteth it vp in a secret
[II.2.1-177]  corner, and all the people shall say, Amen.

[II.2.1-178]  Read the thirteene and fourteene Chapters of the booke of Wisedome,
[II.2.1-179]  concerning Idoles or Images, how they be made, set vp, called vpon, and
[II.2.1-180]  offered vnto, and how he praiseth the tree whereof the gibbet is made, as
[II.2.1-181]  happy, in comparison to the tree that an Image or Idoll is made of, euen
[II.2.1-182]  by these very words, Happy is the tree wherethrough righteousnesse
[II.2.1-183]  commeth, (meaning the gibbet) but cursed is the Idoll that is made
[II.2.1-184]  with hands, yea, both it, and hee that made it, and so foorth. And by
[II.2.1-185]  and by hee sheweth how that the things which were the good crea­
[II.2.1-186]  tures of GOD before (as Trees or Stones) when they be once altered
[II.2.1-187]  and fashioned into Images to bee worshipped, become abomination,
[II.2.1-188]  a temptation vnto the soules of men, and a snare for the feet of the
[II.2.1-189]  vnwise. And why? the seeking out of Images, is the beginning of
[II.2.1-190]  whoredome (sayth hee) and the bringing vp of them, is the destruc­
[II.2.1-191]  tion of life: for they were not from the beginning, neither shall they
[II.2.1-192]  continue for euer. The wealthy idlenes of men hath found them out
[II.2.1-193]  vpon earth, therefore shall they come shortly to an end: and so foorth
[II.2.1-194]  to the end of the Chapter, conteining these points, Now Idoles or
[II.2.1-195]  Images were first inuented, and offered vnto, how by an vngracious
[II.2.1-196]  custome they were established, how tyrants compell men to worship
[II.2.1-197]  them, how the ignorant and the common people are deceiued by the cun­
[II.2.1-198]  ning of the workeman, and the beautie of the Image, to doe honour vnto
[II.2.1-199]  it, and so to erre from the knowledge of GOD, and of other great and
[II.2.1-200]  many mischiefes that come by Images. And for a conclusion hee saith,
[II.2.1-201]  that the honouring of abominable Images, is the cause, the begin­
[II.2.1-202]  ning, and end of all euill, and that the worshippers of them be either
[II.2.1-203]  mad, or most wicked. See and view the whole Chapter with diligence,
[II.2.1-204]  for it is worthy to be well considered, specially that is written of the de­
[II.2.1-205]  ceauing of the simple and vnwise common people by Idols and Images,
[II.2.1-206]  and repeated twise or thrise lest it should be forgotten. And in the Chap­
[II.2.1-207]  ter following be these words: The painting of the picture and carued

[margin]
Sapi. 15.
[margin]

[II.2.1-208]  Image with diuers colours, entiseth the ignorant so, that he honoureth
[II.2.1-209]  and loueth the picture of a dead image that hath no soule. Neuerthelesse,
[II.2.1-210]  they that loue such euill things, they that trust in them, they that make
[II.2.1-211]  them, they that fauour them, and they that honour them, are all worthy
[II.2.1-212]  of death, and so foorth.

[II.2.1-213]  In the booke of Psalmes, the Prophet curseth the Image honourers,
[II.2.1-214]  in diuers places. Confounded be all they that worship carued Images,

[margin]
Psal.115.
[margin]

[II.2.1-215]  and that delight or glory in them. Like bee they vnto the Images that

[margin]
Psal. 135.
[margin]

[II.2.1-216]  make them, and all they that put their trust in them.

[margin]
Esay.42.
[margin]

[II.2.1-217]  And in the Prophet Esai , sayth the Lord: Euen I am the Lord, and
[II.2.1-218]  this is my Name, and my glory will I giue to none other, neither my
[II.2.1-219]  honour to grauen Images. And by and by: Let them bee confounded
[II.2.1-220]  with shame that trust in Idoles or Images, or say to them, you are our

[margin]
Esay.40.
[margin]

[II.2.1-221]  GODS, And in the xl. Chapter after he hath set foorth the incompre­
[II.2.1-222]  hensible Maiestie of GOD, he asketh, To whom then will yee make
[II.2.1-223]  GOD like? Or what similitude will yee set vp vnto him? Shall the
[II.2.1-224]  caruer make him a carued Image? and shall the Goldsmith couer him
[II.2.1-225]  with gold, and cast him into a forme of siluer plates? And for the poore
[II.2.1-226]  man, shall the Image maker frame an Image of timber, that hee may
[II.2.1-227]  haue somewhat to set vp also? And after this he cryeth out: O wretches,
[II.2.1-228]  heard ye neuer of this? Hath it not beene preached vnto you since the be­
[II.2.1-229]  ginning, and so foorth, how by the Creation of the world, and the great­
[II.2.1-230]  nesse of the worke, they might vnderstand the Maiestie of GOD, the
[II.2.1-231]  the Creatour and maker of all, to be greater then that it should be expres­
[II.2.1-232]  sed, or set forth in any Image or bodily similitude? And besides this prea­
[II.2.1-233]  ching, euen in the law of GOD written with his owne finger (as the

[margin]
Exod.20.
[margin]

[II.2.1-234]  Scripture speaketh) and that in the first Table, and the beginning there­
[II.2.1-235]  of, is this doctrine aforesaid against Images (not briefly touched) but at
[II.2.1-236]  large set foorth and preached, and that with denunciation of destruction
[II.2.1-237]  to the contemners and breakers of this Law, and their posteritie after
[II.2.1-238]  them. And lest it should yet not be marked or not remembred, the same
[II.2.1-239]  is written and reported not in one, but in sundry places of the Word of
[II.2.1-240]  GOD, that by oft reading and hearing of it, wee might once learne and

[margin]
Exod. 20.
Leuit. 26.
Deut. 5.
[margin]

[II.2.1-241]  remember it, as you also heare daily read in the Church, GOD spake
[II.2.1-242]  these words, and said, I am the Lord thy GOD. Thou shalt haue
[II.2.1-243]  none other GODS but me. Thou shalt not make to thy selfe any grauen
[II.2.1-244]  Image, nor the likenesse of any thing that is in Heauen aboue, nor in the
[II.2.1-245]  Earth beneath, nor in the water vnder the Earth, Thou shalt not bowe
[II.2.1-246]  downe to them, nor worship them: For I the Lord thy GOD am a iea­
[II.2.1-247]  lous GOD, and visit the sinne of the fathers vpon the children, vnto the
[II.2.1-248]  third and fourth generation of them that hate mee, and shew mercie vnto
[II.2.1-249]  thousands in them that loue mee, and keepe my Commandements. All
[II.2.1-250]  this notwithstanding, neither could the notablenesse of the place, being
[II.2.1-251]  the very beginning of the very louing Lords Law, make vs to marke it,
[II.2.1-252]  nor the plaine declaration by recounting of all kind of similitudes, cause
[II.2.1-253]  vs to vnderstand it, nor the oft repeating and reporting of it in diuers
[II.2.1-254]  and sundry places, the oft reading and hearing of it, could cause vs to re­
[II.2.1-255]  member it, nor the dread of the horrible penaltie to our selues, our chil­
[II.2.1-256]  dren, and posterity after vs, feare vs from transgressing of it, nor the great­
[II.2.1-257]  nesse of the rewarde to vs and our children after vs, mooue vs any
[II.2.1-258]  thing to obedience, and the obseruing of this the Lords great Law:
[II.2.1-259]  But as though it had beene written in some corner, and not at large
[II.2.1-260]  expressed, but briefely and obscurely touched, as though no penalty
[II.2.1-261]  to the transgressours, nor reward to the obedient, had beene adioy­
[II.2.1-262]  ned vnto it, like blind men without all knowledge and vnderstanding,
[II.2.1-263]  like vnreasonable beastes, without dread of punishment or respect of re­
[II.2.1-264]  ward, haue diminished and dishonoured the high Maiestie of the liuing
[II.2.1-265]  GOD, by the basenesse and vilenesse of sundry and diuers images of
[II.2.1-266]  dead stockes, stones, and metals. And as the Maiestie of GOD, whom
[II.2.1-267]  we haue left, forsaken, and dishonoured, and therefore the greatnesse of
[II.2.1-268]  our sinne and offence against his Maiestie, cannot bee expressed: So is
[II.2.1-269]  the weakenesse, vilenesse, and foolishnesse, in deuice of the images (where­
[II.2.1-270]  by wee haue dishonoured him) expressed at large in the Scriptures,
[II.2.1-271]  namely the Psalmes,the booke of Wisedome, the Prophet Esaias, Ezeki­

[margin]
Places of the
Scripture a­
gainst idoles
or images.
[margin]

[II.2.1-272]  el, and Baruch, specially in these places and Chapters of them: Psalme
[II.2.1-273]  Cxv. and Cxxxiiii. Esai.xl. and xliiii. Ezekiel the vi.Wisedome xiii. xiiii.
[II.2.1-274]  xv.Baruch.vi. The which places, as I exhort you often and diligently
[II.2.1-275]  to reade, so are they too long at this present to be rehearsed in an Homilie.
[II.2.1-276]  Notwithstanding, I will make you certaine briefe or short notes out of
[II.2.1-277]  them, what they say of these idoles or images. First, that they bee made
[II.2.1-278]  but of small pieces of wood, stone, or mettall, and therefore they cannot be
[II.2.1-279]  any similitudes of the great Maiestie of GOD, whose seate is heauen,
[II.2.1-280]  and the earth his footestoole. Secondarily, that they bee dead, haue eyes
[II.2.1-281]  and see not, hands and feele not, feete and cannot goe, & c. and therefore
[II.2.1-282]  they cannot be fit similitudes of the liuing GOD. Thirdly, that they
[II.2.1-283]  haue no power to doe good nor harme to others, though some of them
[II.2.1-284]  haue an axe, some a sword, some a speare in their hands, yet doe theeues
[II.2.1-285]  come into their Temples and robbe them, and they cannot once sturre to
[II.2.1-286]  defend themselues from the thieues: nay, if the Temple or Church bee
[II.2.1-287]  set afire, that their Priests can run away and saue themselues, but they
[II.2.1-288]  cannot once mooue, but tary still like blockes as they are, and be burned,
[II.2.1-289]  and therefore they can bee no meete figures of the puissant and mighty
[II.2.1-290]  GOD, who alone is able both to saue his seruants, and to destroy his
[II.2.1-291]  enemies euerlastingly. They bee trimly deckt in Golde, Siluer, and
[II.2.1-292]  Stone, aswell the images of men, as of women, like wanton wenches

[margin]
Baruch 6.
[margin]

[II.2.1-293]  (sayth the Prophet Baruch ) that loue paramours, and therefore can they
[II.2.1-294]  not teach vs, nor our wiues and daughters any sobernesse, modestie, and
[II.2.1-295]  chastitie. And therefore although it is now commonly sayd that they be
[II.2.1-296]  the lay mens bookes, yet wee see they teach no good lesson, neither of
[II.2.1-297]  GOD, nor godlinesse, but all errour and wickednesse. Therefore GOD
[II.2.1-298]  by his word, as he forbiddeth any idoles or images to bee made or set vp:
[II.2.1-299]  so doeth hee commaund such as wee finde made and set vp to bee pulled
[II.2.1-300]  downe, broken, and destroyed.

[II.2.1-301]  And it is written in the booke of Numbers, the xxiii. Chapter, that

[margin]
Num.23.
[margin]

[II.2.1-302]  there was no idole in Iacob , nor there was no image seene in Israel, and
[II.2.1-303]  that the Lord GOD was with the people. Where note, that the true
[II.2.1-304]  Israelites, that is, the people of GOD, haue no images among them,
[II.2.1-305]  but that GOD was with them, and that therefore their enemies can­
[II.2.1-306]  not hurt them, as appeareth in the processe of that Chapter. And as con­
[II.2.1-307]  cerning Images already set vp, thus saith the Lord in Deuteronomie.

[margin]
Deut.7.
and 12.
[margin]

[II.2.1-308]  Ouerturne their altars, and breake them to pieces, cut downe their
[II.2.1-309]  groues, burne their images: for thou art an holy people vnto the Lord.
[II.2.1-310]  And the same is repeated more vehemently againe in the twelfth Chap­
[II.2.1-311]  ter of the same booke. Here not, what the people of GOD ought to doe
[II.2.1-312]  to images, where they finde them. But lest any priuate persons, vpon
[II.2.1-313]  colour of destroying images, should make any stirre or disturbance in the
[II.2.1-314]  common wealth, it must alwayes be remembred, that the redresse of such
[II.2.1-315]  publique enormities perteineth to the Magistrates, and such as be in au­
[II.2.1-316]  thoritie onely, and not to priuate persons, and therefore the good Kings
[II.2.1-317]  of Iuda, Asa, Ezechias, Iosaphat, and Iosias, are highly commended for the
[II.2.1-318]  breaking downe and destroying of the altars, idoles, and images. And the
[II.2.1-319]  Scriptures declare that they, specially in that point, did that which was
[II.2.1-320]  right before the Lord. And contrariwise, Hieroboam, Achab, Ioas, and o­

[margin]
1. King.16.
[margin]

[II.2.1-321]  ther Princes, which either set vp, or suffered such altars or images vnde­

[margin]
2 Chro.14.
15.31.
[margin]

[II.2.1-322]  stroyed, are by the word of GOD reported to haue done euill before the
[II.2.1-323]  Lord. And if any, contrary to the commaundement of the Lord, will
[II.2.1-324]  needes set vp such altars or images, or suffer them vndestroyed amongst
[II.2.1-325]  them, the Lord himselfe threatneth in the first Chapter of the booke of

[margin]
Numb.1.
[margin]

[II.2.1-326]  Numbers, and by his holy Prophets, Ezechiel, Micheas, and Abacuc , that he
[II.2.1-327]  will come himselfe and pull them downe. And how hee will handle, pu­
[II.2.1-328]  nish, and destroy the people that so set vp, or suffer such altars, images, or
[II.2.1-329]  idoles vndestroyed, he denounceth by his Prophet Ezechiel on this man­

[margin]
Ezech.6.
[margin]

[II.2.1-330]  ner: I my selfe (sayth the Lord) will bring a sward ouer you, to destroy
[II.2.1-331]  your high places, I will cast downe your altars, and breake downe your
[II.2.1-332]  images, your slaine men will I lay before your gods, and the dead car­
[II.2.1-333]  kases of the children of Israel will I cast before their idoles, your bones
[II.2.1-334]  will I straw round about your altars and dwelling places, your Cities
[II.2.1-335]  shall bee desolate, the hill Chappels layd waste, your altars destroyed
[II.2.1-336]  and broken, your gods cast downe and taken away, your Temples layd
[II.2.1-337]  euen with the ground, your owne workes cleane rooted out, your slayne
[II.2.1-338]  men shall lye amongst you, that yee may learne to know how that I am
[II.2.1-339]  the Lord, and so foorth to the Chapters ende, worthy with diligence to
[II.2.1-340]  be read: that they that be neare, shall perish with the sword, they that bee
[II.2.1-341]  farre off, with the pestilence, they that flee into holds or wildernesse, with
[II.2.1-342]  hunger: and if any be yet left, that they shalbe caryed away prisoners to
[II.2.1-343]  seruitude and bondage. So that if either the multitude, or plainnesse of
[II.2.1-344]  the places might make vs to vnderstand, or the earnest charge that GOD
[II.2.1-345]  giueth in the sayd places mooue vs to regard, or the horrible plagues, pu­
[II.2.1-346]  nishments, and dreadfull destruction, threatned to such worshippers of
[II.2.1-347]  images or idoles, setters vp, or maintainers of them, might ingender any
[II.2.1-348]  feare in our hearts, wee would once leaue and forsake this wickednesse,
[II.2.1-349]  being in the Lords sight so great an offence and abomination. Infinite
[II.2.1-350]  places almost might bee brought out of the Scriptures of the olde Testa­
[II.2.1-351]  ment concerning this matter, but these few at this time shall serue for all.

[II.2.1-352]  You will say peraduenture these things pertaine to the Iewes, what
[II.2.1-353]  haue wee to doe with them? Indeed they pertaine no lesse to vs Christi­
[II.2.1-354]  ans, then to them. For if we be the people of GOD, how can the Word
[II.2.1-355]  and Law of GOD not appertaine to vs? Saint Paul alleadging one
[II.2.1-356]  text out of the old Testament, concludeth generally for other Scriptures

[margin]
Rom 15.
[margin]

[II.2.1-357]  of the old Testament as well as that, saying, Whatsoeuer is written be­
[II.2.1-358]  fore (meaning in the old Testament) is written for our instruction: which
[II.2.1-359]  sentence is most specially true of such writings of the old Testament, as
[II.2.1-360]  containe the immutable law and ordinances of GOD, in no age or time
[II.2.1-361]  to be altered, nor of any persons of any nations or age to bee disobeyed,
[II.2.1-362]  such as the aboue rehearsed places be. Notwithstanding, for your fur­
[II.2.1-363]  ther satisfying herein, according to my promise, I will out of the Scrip­
[II.2.1-364]  tures of the new Testament or Gospel of our Sauiour Christ , likewise
[II.2.1-365]  make a confirmation of the said doctrine against Idoles or Images, and
[II.2.1-366]  of our duetie concerning the same. First the Scriptures of the new Te­
[II.2.1-367]  stament doe in sundry places make mention with reioycing, as for a most
[II.2.1-368]  excellent benefit and gift of GOD, that they which receiued the Faith of
[II.2.1-369]  Christ , were turned from their dumbe and dead Images, vnto the true
[II.2.1-370]  and liuing GOD, who is to be blessed for euer: namely in these places,
[II.2.1-371]  the xiiii. and xvii. of the Acts of the Apostles, the eleuenth to the Romanes,
[II.2.1-372]  the first Epistle to the Corinthians, the twelfth Chapter, to the Galathians,
[II.2.1-373]  the fourth, and the first to the Thessalonians the first Chapter.

[II.2.1-374]  And in likewise the said is Idoles, Images, and worshipping of them,
[II.2.1-375]  are in the Scriptures of the new Testament by the spirit of GOD much
[II.2.1-376]  abhorred and detested, and earnestly forbidden, as appeareth both in the
[II.2.1-377]  forenamed places, and also many other besides, as in the seuen, and fif­
[II.2.1-378]  teenth of the Actes of the Apostles, the first to the Romanes, where is set
[II.2.1-379]  foorth the horrible plague of Idolaters, giuen ouer by GOD into a re­
[II.2.1-380]  probate sense to worke all wickednes and abominations not to be spoken,
[II.2.1-381]  as vsually spirituall and carnall Fornication goe together.

[II.2.1-382]  In the first Epistle to the Corinthians the fifth Chapter, we are forbid­
[II.2.1-383]  den once to keepe company, or to eate and drinke with such as bee called
[II.2.1-384]  brethren or Christians that doe worship Images. In the fifth to the Ga­
[II.2.1-385]  lathians, the worshipping of Images is numbred amongst the workes of
[II.2.1-386]  the flesh. and in the first to the Corinthians the tenth, it is called the seruice
[II.2.1-387]  of deuils, and that such as vse it, shall be destroyed. And in the sixt Chap­
[II.2.1-388]  ter of the sayd Epistle, and the fifth to the Galathians, is denounced, that
[II.2.1-389]  such Image worshippers shall neuer come into the inheritance of the
[II.2.1-390]  Kingdome of heauen. And in sundry other places is threatned, that the
[II.2.1-391]  wrath of GOD shall come vpon all such. And therefore Saint Iohn in

[margin]
1.Iohn.5.
[margin]

[II.2.1-392]  his Epistle exhorteth vs as his deare children to beware of Images.
[II.2.1-393]  And Saint Paul warneth vs to flee from the worshipping ot them, if we

[margin]
1.Cor.10.
[margin]

[II.2.1-394]  be wise, that is to say, if wee care for health, and feare destruction, if we
[II.2.1-395]  regard the Kingdome of GOD and life euerlasting, and dread the wrath
[II.2.1-396]  of GOD, and euerlasting damnation. For it is not possible that wee
[II.2.1-397]  should be worshippers of Images, and the true seruants of GOD also,
[II.2.1-398]  as S. Paul teacheth, in the second to the Corinthians the sixt Chapter, af­
[II.2.1-399]  firming expressely that there can bee no more consent or agreement be­
[II.2.1-400]  tweene the Temple of GOD (which all true Christians be) and Images,
[II.2.1-401]  then betweene righteousnesse and vnrighteousnesse, betweene light and
[II.2.1-402]  darkenesse, betweene the faithfull and the vnfaithfull, or betweene Christ
[II.2.1-403]  and the deuill. Which place enforceth both that wee should not worship
[II.2.1-404]  Images, and that we should not haue Images in the Temple, for feare
[II.2.1-405]  and occasion of worshipping them, though they be of themselues things
[II.2.1-406]  indifferent: for the Christian is the holy Temple and liuely Image of
[II.2.1-407]  GOD, as the place well declareth, to such as will reade and weigh it.
[II.2.1-408]  And whereas all godly men did euer abhorre that any kneeling and wor­
[II.2.1-409]  shipping or offering should bee vsed to themselues when they were aliue
[II.2.1-410]  (for that it was the honour due to GOD only) as appeareth in the Acts

[margin]
Act.10.
Act. 14.
[margin]

[II.2.1-411]  of the Apostles by S. Peter forbidding it to Cornelius , and by S. Paul and Bar­
[II.2.1-412]  nabas forbidding the same to the Citizens in Lystra : Yet wee like madde
[II.2.1-413]  men fall downe before the dead idols or images of Peter and Paul , and giue
[II.2.1-414]  that honour to stockes and stones, which they thought abominable to be
[II.2.1-415]  giuen to themselues being aliue. And the good Angel of GOD, as ap­
[II.2.1-416]  peareth in the booke of S. Iohns Reuelation, refused to bee kneeled vnto,
[II.2.1-417]  when that honour was offered him of Iohn : Beware (sayth the Angel)
[II.2.1-418]  that thou doe it not, for I am thy fellow seruant. But the euill angel
[II.2.1-419]  Satan, desireth nothing so much as to bee kneeled vnto, and thereby at
[II.2.1-420]  once both to robbe GOD of his due honour, and to worke the damnati­
[II.2.1-421]  on of such as make him so low curtesie, as in the story of the Gospel ap­
[II.2.1-422]  peareth in sundry places. Yea, and hee offered our Sauiour Christ all
[II.2.1-423]  earthly goods, on the condition that he would kneele down & worship him.

[margin]
Matt.4.
Luke 4.
[margin]

[II.2.1-424]  But our Sauiour repelleth Satan by the Scriptures, saying, It is
[II.2.1-425]  written, thou shalt worship thy Lord GOD, and him alone shalt thou
[II.2.1-426]  serue. But we by not worshipping and seruing GOD alone (as the
[II.2.1-427]  Scriptures teach vs) and by worshipping of images, contrary to the
[II.2.1-428]  Scriptures, plucke Satan to vs, and are ready without reward to fol­
[II.2.1-429]  low his desire: yea, rather then fayle, wee will offer him gifts and oblati­
[II.2.1-430]  ons to receiue our seruice. But let vs brethren, rather follow the coun­
[II.2.1-431]  sell of the good Angel of GOD, then the suggestion of subtill Satan,
[II.2.1-432]  that wicked angel and old Serpent: Who according to the pride where­
[II.2.1-433]  by hee first fell, attempteth alway by such sacriledge to depriue GOD
[II.2.1-434]  (whom he enuieth) of his due honour: and (because his owne face is hor­
[II.2.1-435]  rible and vgly) to conuey it to himselfe by the mediation of gilt stockes
[II.2.1-436]  and stones, and withall to make vs the enemies of GOD, and his own
[II.2.1-437]  suppliants and slaues, and in the end to procure vs for a reward, euerla­
[II.2.1-438]  sting destruction and damnation. Therefore aboue all things, if wee
[II.2.1-439]  take our selues to be Christians indeed (as we be named) let vs credit the
[II.2.1-440]  word, obey the law, and follow the doctrine and example of our Sauiour
[II.2.1-441]  and master Christ , repelling Satans suggestion to idolatrie, and worship­
[II.2.1-442]  ping of Images, according to the trueth alleadged and taught out
[II.2.1-443]  of the Testament and Gospel of our sayd heauenly Doctour
[II.2.1-444]  and Schoolemaster Iesus Christ , who is
[II.2.1-445]  GOD to be blessed for euer,

[II.2.2-446]  YOU haue heard (welbeloued) in the first part of this Ho­
[II.2.2-447]  milie, the doctrine of the word of GOD against idols
[II.2.2-448]  and images, against Idolatrie, and worshipping of ima­
[II.2.2-449]  ges, taken out of the Scriptures of the old Testament &
[II.2.2-450]  the New, & confirmed by the examples aswell of the Apo­
[II.2.2-451]  stles as of our Sauiour Christ himselfe. Now although
[II.2.2-452]  our Sauiour Christ taketh not, or needeth not any testi­
[II.2.2-453]  mony of men, and that which is once confirmed by the certainty of his
[II.2.2-454]  eternall trueth, hath no more need of the confirmation of mans doctrine
[II.2.2-455]  and writings, then the bright sunne at noonetide hath neede of the light
[II.2.2-456]  of a little candle to put away darkenesse, and to increase his light: yet for
[II.2.2-457]  your further contentation, it shall in this second part bee declared (as in
[II.2.2-458]  the beginning of the first part was promised) that this trueth and do­
[II.2.2-459]  ctrine concerning the forbidding of images and worshipping of them, ta­
[II.2.2-460]  ken out of the holy Scriptures, aswell of the old Testament as the new,
[II.2.2-461]  was beleeued and taught of the old holy Fathers, and most ancient lear­
[II.2.2-462]  ned Doctours, and receiued in the old Primitiue Church, which was
[II.2.2-463]  most vncorrupt and pure. And this declaration shall bee made out of the
[II.2.2-464]  sayd holy Doctours owne writings, and out of the ancient histories Ec­
[II.2.2-465]  clesiasticall to the same belonging.

[II.2.2-466]  Tertullian , a most ancient Writer and Doctour of the Church, who li­

[margin]
Lib. contra
coronandi
morem.
[margin]

[II.2.2-467]  ued about one hundred and threescore yeeres after the death of our Saui­
[II.2.2-468]  our Christ , both in sundry other places of his workes, and specially in his
[II.2.2-469]  booke written against the maner of crowning, and in another little trea­
[II.2.2-470]  tise entituled, Of the souldiers crowne or garland, doth most sharply and
[II.2.2-471]  vehemently write and inueygh against images or idols. And vpon S. Iohns
[II.2.2-472]  words, the first Epistle and fifth Chapter, sayth thus, S. Iohn (sayth hee)

[margin]
1. Iohn 5.
[margin]

[II.2.2-473]  deepely considering the matter, sayth: My little children, keepe your
[II.2.2-474]  selues from images or idols. Hee sayth not now, keepe your selues from
[II.2.2-475]  idolatrie, as it were from the seruice and worshipping of them: but from
[II.2.2-476]  the images or idols themselues, that is, from the very shape and likenesse
[II.2.2-477]  of them. For it were an vnworthy thing, that the image of the liuing
[II.2.2-478]  GOD should become the image of a dead idoll. Doe you not thinke
[II.2.2-479]  those persons which place images and idols in Churches and Temples,
[II.2.2-480]  yea shrine them euen ouer the Lords table, euen as it were of purpose to
[II.2.2-481]  the worshipping and honoring of them, take good heed to either of S. Iohns
[II.2.2-482]  counsell, or Tertullians? For so to place images and idols is it to keepe
[II.2.2-483]  themselues from them, or else to receiue and embrace them.
[II.2.2-484]  Origenes in his booke against Celsus , sayth thus : Christian men and
[II.2.2-485]  Iewes, when they heare these words of the Law (Thou shalt feare the
[II.2.2-486]  Lord thy GOD, and shalt not make any image) doe not onely abhorre
[II.2.2-487]  the Temples, Altars, and Images of the gods, but if need be, will rather
[II.2.2-488]  die then they should defile themselues with any impiety. And shortly af­
[II.2.2-489]  ter he sayth: In the common wealth of the Iewes, the caruer of idols
[II.2.2-490]  and image maker, was cast farre off and forbidden, lest they should haue
[II.2.2-491]  any occasion to make images, which might plucke certain foolish persons
[II.2.2-492]  from GOD, and turne the eyes of their soules to the contemplation of
[II.2.2-493]  earthly things. And in another place of the same booke: It is not onely
[II.2.2-494]  (sayth he) a mad and franticke part to worship images, but also once to
[II.2.2-495]  dissemble or winke at it. And a man may know GOD and his onely son,
[II.2.2-496]  and those which haue had such honour giuen them by GOD, that they
[II.2.2-497]  be called gods: But it is not possible that any should by worshipping of
[II.2.2-498]  images get any knowledge of GOD.

[II.2.2-499]  Athanasius in his booke against the Gentiles, hath these words: Let
[II.2.2-500]  them tell, I pray you, how GOD may be knowen by an image. If it
[II.2.2-501]  be by the matter of an image, then there needeth no shape or forme, seeing
[II.2.2-502]  that GOD hath appeared in all materiall creatures which do testifie his
[II.2.2-503]  glory. Now if they say he is knowen by the forme or fashion: Is he not
[II.2.2-504]  better to be knowen by the liuing things themselues, whose fashions the
[II.2.2-505]  images expresse? For of surety, the glory of GOD should bee more eui­
[II.2.2-506]  dently knowen, if it were declared by reasonable and liuing creatures,
[II.2.2-507]  rather then by dead and vnmooueable images. Therefore when yee doe
[II.2.2-508]  graue or paint images, to the end to know GOD thereby, surely ye doe
[II.2.2-509]  an vnworthy and vnfit thing. And in another place of the same booke
[II.2.2-510]  he sayth, The inuention of images came of no good, but of euill, and
[II.2.2-511]  whatsoeuer hath an euill beginning, can neuer in any thing bee iudged
[II.2.2-512]  good, seeing it is altogether naught. Thus farre Athanasius , a very anci­
[II.2.2-513]  ent, holy, and learned Bishop and Doctour, who iudgeth both the first
[II.2.2-514]  beginning and the end, and altogether of images or idols, to be naught.

[II.2.2-515]  Lactantius likewise, an olde and learned writer, in his booke of the O­
[II.2.2-516]  rigine of errour, hath these wordes, GOD is aboue man, and is not
[II.2.2-517]  placed beneath, but is to bee sought in the highest region. Wherefore
[II.2.2-518]  there is no doubt, but that no religion is in that place wheresoeuer any
[II.2.2-519]  image is: For if religion stand in godly things, (and there is no godli­
[II.2.2-520]  nesse but in heauenly things) then be images without religion. These be

[margin]
Libr.2.
cap.16.
[margin]

[II.2.2-521]  Lactantius wordes, who was aboue xiii. hundred yeeres ago, and with­
[II.2.2-522]  in three hundreth yeeres after our Sauiour Christ .

[II.2.2-523]  Cyrillus , an old and holy doctour, vpon the Gospel of Saint Iohn hath
[II.2.2-524]  these wordes, Many haue left the creatour, and haue worshipped the
[II.2.2-525]  creature, neither haue they beene abashed to say vnto a stocke: Thou art
[II.2.2-526]  my father, and vnto a stone, Thou begottest me. For many, yea, almost
[II.2.2-527]  all (alasse for sorrow) are fallen vnto such folly, that they haue giuen the
[II.2.2-528]  glory of deity or Godhead, to things without sense or feeling.

[II.2.2-529]  Epiphanius Bishop of Salamine in Ciprus , a very holy and learned
[II.2.2-530]  man, who liued in Theodosius the Emperours time, about three hun­
[II.2.2-531]  dred and ninetie yeeres after our Sauiour Christs ascension, writeth this
[II.2.2-532]  to Iohn Patriarch of Hierusalem : I entred (sayth Epiphanius ) into a cer­
[II.2.2-533]  taine Church to pray: I found there a linnen cloth hanging in the Church
[II.2.2-534]  doore, paynted, and hauing in it the image of Christ , as it were, or of some
[II.2.2-535]  other Saint, (for I remember not well whose image it was) therefore
[II.2.2-536]  when I did see the image of a man hanging in the Church of Christ , con­
[II.2.2-537]  trary to the authoritie of the Scriptures, I did teare it, and gaue counsell
[II.2.2-538]  to the keepers of the Church, that they should wind a poore man that was
[II.2.2-539]  dead in the sayd cloth, and to bury him.

[II.2.2-540]  And afterwards the same Epiphanius sending another vnpaynted cloth,
[II.2.2-541]  for that paynted one which hee had torne, to the sayd Patriarch, writeth
[II.2.2-542]  thus, I pray you will the Elders of that place to receiue this cloth which
[II.2.2-543]  I haue sent by this bearer, and commaund them that from hencefoorth
[II.2.2-544]  no such painted clothes contrary to our religion, be hanged in the Church
[II.2.2-545]  of Christ . For it becommeth your goodnesse rather to haue this care, that
[II.2.2-546]  you take away such scrupulositie, which is vnfitting for the Church of
[II.2.2-547]  Christ , and offensiue to the people committed to your charge. And this
[II.2.2-548]  Epistle, as worthy to be read of many, did S. Ierome himselfe translate in­
[II.2.2-549]  to the Latine tongue. And that ye may know that S. Ierome had this
[II.2.2-550]  holy and learned Bishop Epiphanius in most high estimation, and therefore
[II.2.2-551]  did translate this Epistle, as a writing of authoritie: heare what a testi­
[II.2.2-552]  monie the said S. Ierome giueth him in another place, in his Treatie a­
[II.2.2-553]  gainst the errours of Iohn Bishop of Hierusalem , where hee hath these
[II.2.2-554]  wordes: Thou hast (sayth Saint Ierome ) Pope Epiphanius , which doeth

[margin]
All notable
Bishops were
then called
Popes.
[margin]

[II.2.2-555]  openly in his letters call thee an heretike. Surely thou art not to be pre­
[II.2.2-556]  ferred before him, neither for age nor learning, nor godlinesse of life, nor by
[II.2.2-557]  the testimonie of the whole world. And shortly after in the same treatie
[II.2.2-558]  saith S. Ierome: Bishop Epiphanius was euer of so great veneration and
[II.2.2-559]  estimation, that Valens the Emperour, who was a great persecutour, did
[II.2.2-560]  not once touch him. For heretikes, being princes, thought it their shame
[II.2.2-561]  if they should persecute such a notable man. And in the tripartite Eccle­
[II.2.2-562]  siasticall historie, the ninth booke and xlviii. Chapter, is testified, that Epi­
[II.2.2-563]  phanius being yet aliue did worke miracles, and that after his death de­
[II.2.2-564]  uils, being expelled at his graue or tombe, did roare. Thus you see

[margin]
Lib. 9.
cap. 48.
[margin]

[II.2.2-565]  what authoritie S. Ierome and that most ancient historie giue vnto the
[II.2.2-566]  holy and learned Bishop Epiphanius , whose iudgement of images in Chur­
[II.2.2-567]  ches and Temples, then beginning by stealth to creepe in, is worthy to
[II.2.2-568]  be noted.

[II.2.2-569]  First, hee iudged it contrary to Christian religion and the authoritie of
[II.2.2-570]  the Scriptures, to haue any images in Christs Church. Secondly, hee
[II.2.2-571]  reiected not onely carued, grauen, and moulten images, but also paynted
[II.2.2-572]  images, out of Christs Church. Thirdly, that hee regarded not whether
[II.2.2-573]  it were the image of Christ , or of any other Saint, but being an image,
[II.2.2-574]  would not suffer it in the Church. Fourthly, that hee did not onely re­
[II.2.2-575]  mooue it out of the Church, but with a vehement zeale tare it in sunder
[II.2.2-576]  and exhorted that a corse should bee wrapped and buried in it, iudging it
[II.2.2-577]  meete for nothing but to rotte in the earth, following herein the example
[II.2.2-578]  of the good king Ezechias , who brake the brasen Serpent to pieces, and
[II.2.2-579]  burned it to ashes, for that idolatrie was committed to it. Last of all, that
[II.2.2-580]  Epiphanius thinketh it the duetie of vigilant Bishops, to bee carefull that
[II.2.2-581]  no images be permitted in the Church, for that they be occasion of scruple
[II.2.2-582]  and offence to the people committed to their charge. Now whereas nei­
[II.2.2-583]  ther S. Ierome , who did translate the same Epistle, nor the authours of
[II.2.2-584]  that most ancient historie Ecclesiasticall tripartite (who doe most highly
[II.2.2-585]  commend Epiphanius , as is aforesayd) nor any other godly or learned
[II.2.2-586]  Bishoppe at that time, or shortly after, haue written any thing against
[II.2.2-587]  Epiphanius iudgement concerning images: it is an euident proofe, that in
[II.2.2-588]  those dayes, which were about foure hundred yeeres after our Sauiour
[II.2.2-589]  Christ , there were no images publiquely vsed and receiued in the Church
[II.2.2-590]  of Christ , which was then much lesse corrupt, and more pure then now
[II.2.2-591]  it is.

[II.2.2-592]  And whereas Images beganne at that time secretly and by stealth to
[II.2.2-593]  creepe out of priuate mens houses into the Churches, and that first in
[II.2.2-594]  paynted clothes and walles, such Byshops as were godly and vigilant,
[II.2.2-595]  when they spyed them, remooued them away, as vnlawfull and con­
[II.2.2-596]  trary to Christian religion, as did heere Epiphanius , to whose iudge­
[II.2.2-597]  ment you haue not onely Saint Ierome the translatour of his Epistle,
[II.2.2-598]  and the writer of the historie tripartite, but also all the learned and
[II.2.2-599]  godly Clarkes, yea and the whole Church of that age, and so vp­
[II.2.2-600]  ward to our Sauiour Christes time, by the space of about foure hun­
[II.2.2-601]  dred yeeres, consenting and agreeing. This is written the more large­
[II.2.2-602]  ly of Epiphanius , for that our image maynteiners now a dayes, seeing
[II.2.2-603]  themselues so pressed with this most plaine and earnest act and writing of
[II.2.2-604]  Epiphanius , a Bishop and Doctour of such antiquity, and authoritie, la­
[II.2.2-605]  bour by all meanes (but in vaine against the trueth) either to proue that
[II.2.2-606]  this Epistle was neither of Epiphanius writing, nor Saint Ieromes transla­
[II.2.2-607]  tion: either if it bee, say they, it is of no great force: for this Epiphanius ,
[II.2.2-608]  say they, was a Iew, and being conuerted to the Christian faith, and made
[II.2.2-609]  a Bishop, reteined the hatred which Iewes haue to images still in his
[II.2.2-610]  minde, and so did and wrote against them as a Iew, rather then as a
[II.2.2-611]  Christian. O Iewish impudencie and malice of such deuisers, it would
[II.2.2-612]  be prooued, and not sayd onely, that Epiphanius was a Iewe. Further­
[II.2.2-613]  more, concerning the reason they make, I would admitte it gladly.
[II.2.2-614]  For if Epiphanius iudgement against Images is not to bee admitted,
[II.2.2-615]  for that hee was borne of a Iewe an enemie to Images, which bee
[II.2.2-616]  GODS enemies, conuerted to Christes religion, then likewise
[II.2.2-617]  followeth it, that no sentence in the olde Doctours and Fathers soun­
[II.2.2-618]  ding for Images, ought to be of any authority: for that in the primitiue
[II.2.2-619]  Church the most part of learned writers, as Tertullian, Cyprian,
[II.2.2-620]  Ambrose, Austen, and infinite others more, were of Gentiles (which
[II.2.2-621]  bee fauourers and worshippers of Images) conuerted to the Chri­
[II.2.2-622]  stian faith, and so let somewhat slippe out of their pennes, soun­
[II.2.2-623]  ding for Images, rather as Gentiles then Christians, as Eusebius
[II.2.2-624]  in his Historie Ecclesiasticall, and Saint Ierome sayth plainely, that
[II.2.2-625]  Images came first from the Gentiles to vs Christians. And much more
[II.2.2-626]  doeth it follow, that the opinion of all the rablement of the Popish
[II.2.2-627]  Church, maintaining Images, ought to be esteemed of small or no autho­
[II.2.2-628]  rity, for that it is no maruell that they which haue from their childhoode
[II.2.2-629]  beene brought vp amongest Images and Idoles, and haue drunke in
[II.2.2-630]  idolatry almost with their mothers milke, hold with Images and Idols,
[II.2.2-631]  and speake and write for them. But in deede it would not bee so much
[II.2.2-632]  marked whether hee were of a Iewe or a Gentile conuerted vnto
[II.2.2-633]  Christes Religion, that writeth, as how agreeable or contrarie to
[II.2.2-634]  GODS word hee doeth write, and so to credite or discredite him.
[II.2.2-635]  Now what GODS worde sayth of Idoles and Images, and
[II.2.2-636]  the worshipping of them, you heard at large in the first part of this
[II.2.2-637]  Homilie.

[II.2.2-638]  Saint Ambrose in his treatie of the death of Theodosius the Empe­
[II.2.2-639]  rour, saith, Helene found the Crosse and the title on it. Shee wor­
[II.2.2-640]  shipped the King, and not the wood surely (for that is an heathenish
[II.2.2-641]  errour, and the vanitie of the wicked) but shee worshipped him that
[II.2.2-642]  hanged on the Crosse, and whose name was written in the title, and
[II.2.2-643]  so foorth. See both the godly Empresse fact, and Saint Ambrose iudge­
[II.2.2-644]  ment at once: They thought it had beene an heathenish errour and va­
[II.2.2-645]  nitie of the wicked, to haue worshipped the Crosse it selfe which was
[II.2.2-646]  embrewed with our Sauiour Christs owne pretious blood. And wee
[II.2.2-647]  fall downe before euery Crosse peece of timber, which is but an Image
[II.2.2-648]  of that Crosse.

[II.2.2-649]  Saint Augustine , the best learned of all ancient doctours, in his xliiii.
[II.2.2-650]  Epistle to Maximus sayth, know thou that none of the dead, nor anie
[II.2.2-651]  thing that is made of GOD, is worshipped as GOD of the Catho­
[II.2.2-652]  lique Christians, of whom there is a Church also in your Towne. Note
[II.2.2-653]  that by Saint Augustine , such as worshipped the dead, or creatures, be not
[II.2.2-654]  Catholique Christians.

[II.2.2-655]  The same Saint Augustine teacheth in the xii. booke of the Citie of
[II.2.2-656]  God, the tenth Chapter, that neither Temples or Churches ought
[II.2.2-657]  to bee builded or made for Martyrs or Saints, but to GOD alone:
[II.2.2-658]  and that there ought no Priestes to bee appointed for Martyr or Saint,
[II.2.2-659]  but to GOD only. The same Saint Augustine in his booke of the ma­
[II.2.2-660]  ners of the Catholique Church, hath these wordes: I know that many
[II.2.2-661]  bee worshippers of tombes and pictures, I know that there bee many
[II.2.2-662]  that banquet most riotously ouer the graus of the dead, and giuing meat
[II.2.2-663]  to dead carkases, doe burie themselues vpon the buried, and attribute
[II.2.2-664]  their gluttonie and drunkennesse to religion. See, hee esteemeth wor­
[II.2.2-665]  shipping of Saints tombes, and pictures, as good religion as gluttonie
[II.2.2-666]  and drunkennesse, and no better at all. Saint Augustine greatly alloweth
[II.2.2-667]  Marcus Varro , affirming that religion is most pure without images, and
[II.2.2-668]  saith himselfe: images be of more force to crooken an vnhappy soule, then
[II.2.2-669]  to teach and instruct it. And saith further: Euery childe, yea euery beast
[II.2.2-670]  knoweth that it is not GOD that they see. Wherefore then doeth the
[II.2.2-671]  holy Ghost so often monish vs of that which all men know? Whereunto

[margin]
Lib.de ciui.
dei cap. 43.
In Psal.36.
& 113.
[margin]

[II.2.2-672]  Saint Augustine himselfe answereth thus. For (saith hee) when images
[II.2.2-673]  are placed in Temples, and set in honourable sublimity and begin once
[II.2.2-674]  to bee worshipped, foorthwith breedeth the most vile affection of errour.
[II.2.2-675]  This is Saint Augustines iudgement of Images in Churches; that by
[II.2.2-676]  and by they breed errour and idolatrie. It would be tedious to rehearse
[II.2.2-677]  all other places, which might bee brought out of the ancient Doctours
[II.2.2-678]  against Images and idolatrie. Wherefore wee shall holde our selues
[II.2.2-679]  contented with these fewe at this present. Now as concerning histo­
[II.2.2-680]  ries Ecclesiasticall, touching this matter, that yee may know why and
[II.2.2-681]  when, and by whom Images were first vsed priuately, and afterwardes
[II.2.2-682]  not onely receiued into the Christians Churches and Temples, but in
[II.2.2-683]  conclusion worshipped also, and how the same was gaine-said, resisted,
[II.2.2-684]  and forbidden, aswell by godly Bishoppes and learned Doctours, as
[II.2.2-685]  also by sundry Christian Princes: I will briefely collect into a compen­
[II.2.2-686]  dious history, that which is at large and in sundry places written by
[II.2.2-687]  diuerse ancient writers and historiographers concerning this matter.

[II.2.2-688]  As the Iewes, hauing most plaine and expresse commaundement of
[II.2.2-689]  GOD, that they should neither make nor worshippe any Image (as
[II.2.2-690]  it is at large before declared) did notwithstanding, by the example of the
[II.2.2-691]  Gentiles or Heathen people that dwelt about them, fall to the ma­
[II.2.2-692]  king of Images, and worshipping of them, and so to the committing
[II.2.2-693]  of most abominable idolatrie, for the which GOD by his holy Pro­
[II.2.2-694]  phets doeth most sharpely reprooue and threaten them, and afterwarde
[II.2.2-695]  did accomplish his sayd threatnings by extreame punishing of them (as
[II.2.2-696]  is also aboue specified: ) Euen so some of the Christians in olde time,
[II.2.2-697]  which were conuerted from worshipping of Idoles and false Gods, vn­
[II.2.2-698]  to the true liuing GOD, and to our Sauiour Iesus Christ , did of
[II.2.2-699]  a certaine blinde zeale (as men long accustomed to Images) paynt or
[II.2.2-700]  carue Images of our Sauiour Christ , his Mother Marie, and of the
[II.2.2-701]  Apostles, thinking that this was a point of gratitude and kindnesse to­
[II.2.2-702]  wards those, by whom they had receiued the true knowledge of GOD,
[II.2.2-703]  and the doctrine of the Gospell. But these pictures or Images came
[II.2.2-704]  not yet into Churches, nor were not yet worshipped of a long time
[II.2.2-705]  after. And lest you should thinke that I doe say this of mine owne head
[II.2.2-706]  onely without authoritie, I alleadge for mee Eusebius Bishoppe of
[II.2.2-707]  Cesarea , and the most ancient Authour of the Ecclesiasticall historie,
[II.2.2-708]  who liued about the three hundred and thirtieth yeere of our Lord in
[II.2.2-709]  Constantinus Magnus dayes, and his sonne Constantius Emperours, in the
[II.2.2-710]  seuenth booke of his history Ecclesiasticall, the xiiii Chapter, and Saint
[II.2.2-711]  Ierome vpon the tenth Chapter of the Prophet Ieremie : who both expresly
[II.2.2-712]  say, that the errours of Images (for so Saint Ierome calleth it) hath
[II.2.2-713]  come in and passed to the Christians from the Gentiles, by an Heathe­
[II.2.2-714]  nish vse and custome. The cause and meanes Eusebius sheweth, saying,
[II.2.2-715]  It is no maruell if they which being Gentiles before, and did beleeue,
[II.2.2-716]  seemed to offer this, as a gift to our Sauiour, for the benefites which
[II.2.2-717]  they had receiued of him, Yea and wee doe see now that Images of Peter
[II.2.2-718]  and Paul , and of our Sauiour himselfe be made, and tables to bee pain­
[II.2.2-719]  ted, which me thinke to haue beene obserued and kept indifferently by an
[II.2.2-720]  Heathenish custome. For the Heathen are wont so to honour them whom
[II.2.2-721]  they iudged honour worthy, for that some tokens of old men should bee
[II.2.2-722]  kept. For the remembrance of posterity is a token of their honour that
[II.2.2-723]  were before, and the loue of those that come after.

[II.2.2-724]  Thus farre I haue rehearsed Eusebius words. Where note ye, that both
[II.2.2-725]  Saint Ierome and hee agreeth heerein, that these Images came in a­
[II.2.2-726]  mongst Christian men by such as were Gentiles, and accustomed to idols,
[II.2.2-727]  and being conuerted to the fayth of Christ , reteyned yet some remnants
[II.2.2-728]  of Gentility not throughly purged: for Saint Ierome calleth it an errour
[II.2.2-729]  manifestly. And the like example wee see in the Actes of the Apostles,
[II.2.2-730]  of the Iewes, who when they were conuerted to Christ , would haue
[II.2.2-731]  brought in their circumcision (whereunto they were so long accusto­
[II.2.2-732]  med) with them, into Christs Religion. With whom the Apostles
[II.2.2-733]  (namely Saint Paul ) had much adoe for the staying of that matter. But

[margin]
Acts 15.
[margin]

[II.2.2-734]  of Circumcision was lesse maruell, for that it came first in by GODS
[II.2.2-735]  ordinance and commandement. A man may most iustly wonder of I­
[II.2.2-736]  mages so directly against GODS holy word and straite commande­
[II.2.2-737]  ment, how they should enter in. But Images were not yet worshipped
[II.2.2-738]  in Eusebius time, nor publikely set vp in Churches and Temples, and
[II.2.2-739]  they who priuately had them, did erre of a certaine zeale, and not by ma­
[II.2.2-740]  lice: but afterwards they crept out of priuate houses into Churches, and
[II.2.2-741]  so bredde first superstition, and last of all Idolatrie amongst Christians,
[II.2.2-742]  as heereafter shall appeare.

[II.2.2-743]  In the time of Theodosius and Martian , Emperours, who reigned about
[II.2.2-744]  the yeere of our Lord 460, and 1117. yeeres agoe, when the people of the
[II.2.2-745]  citie of Nola once a yeere did celebrate the birth day of Saint Felix in the
[II.2.2-746]  Temple, and vsed to banquet there sumptuously, Pontius Paulinus Bishop
[II.2.2-747]  of Nola caused the walles of the Temple to be painted with stories taken
[II.2.2-748]  out of the old Testament, that the people beholding and considering those
[II.2.2-749]  pictures, might the better abstaine from too much surfetting and riot. And
[II.2.2-750]  about the same time Aurelius Prudentius , a very learned and Christian
[II.2.2-751]  Poet, declareth how he did see painted in a Church, the history of the pas­
[II.2.2-752]  sion of Saint Cassian , a Schoolemaster and Martyr, whom his owne
[II.2.2-753]  schollers at the commandement of the tyrant, tormented with the prick­
[II.2.2-754]  ing or stabbing in front of their pointells or brasen pennes into his body, and
[II.2.2-755]  so by a thousand wounds and moe (as sayth Prudentius ) most cruelly slew
[II.2.2-756]  him. And these were the first paintings in Churches that were notable
[II.2.2-757]  of antiquity. And so by this example came in painting, and afterward
[II.2.2-758]  Images of Timber and Stone, and other matter, into the Churches of
[II.2.2-759]  Christians. Now and ye well consider this beginning, men are not so
[II.2.2-760]  ready to worship a picture on a wall, or in a window, as an imbossed and
[II.2.2-761]  gilt Image, set with pearle and stone. And a processe of a story, painted
[II.2.2-762]  with the gestures and actions of many persons, and commonly the sum
[II.2.2-763]  of the story written withall, hath another vse in it, then one dumbe
[II.2.2-764]  idoll or image standing by it selfe. But from learning by painted stories,
[II.2.2-765]  it came by little and little to idolatry. Which when godly men (aswell
[II.2.2-766]  Emperours and learned Bishops as others) perceiued, they commanded
[II.2.2-767]  that such pictures, images, or idols, should be vsed no more. And I will
[II.2.2-768]  for a declaration thereof, begin with the decree of the ancient Christian
[II.2.2-769]  Emperours, Valens and Theodosius the second, who raigned about foure
[II.2.2-770]  hundred yeeres after our Sauiour Christs ascension, who forbad that a­
[II.2.2-771]  ny Images should be made or painted priuately: for certaine it is, that
[II.2.2-772]  there was none in Temples publikely in their time. These Emperours
[II.2.2-773]  did write vnto the captaine of the armie attending on the Emperours,
[II.2.2-774]  after this sort, Valens and Theodosius Emperours, vnto the captaine of
[II.2.2-775]  the armie: Whereas we haue a diligent care to maintaine the religion
[II.2.2-776]  of GOD aboue, in all things, wee will grant to no man to set foorth,
[II.2.2-777]  graue, carue, or paint the image of our Sauiour Christ in colours, stone,
[II.2.2-778]  or any other matter, but in what place soeuer it shall be found, wee com­
[II.2.2-779]  mand that it be taken away, and that all such as shall attempt any thing
[II.2.2-780]  contrary to our decrees or commandement heerein, shall bee most sharply
[II.2.2-781]  punished. This decree is written in the bookes named Libri Augustales,
[II.2.2-782]  the Emperiall bookes, gathered by Tribonianus , Basilides , Theophilus , Di­
[II.2.2-783]  oscorus , and Satira , men of great authority and learning, at the comman­
[II.2.2-784]  dement of the Emperour Iustinian , and is alleadged by Petrus Crinitus , a
[II.2.2-785]  notable learned man, in the ix. booke and ix. Chapter of his worke, inti­
[II.2.2-786]  tuled, De honesta disciplina, that is to say, of honest learning. Heere you
[II.2.2-787]  see what Christian Princes of most ancient times decreed against ima­
[II.2.2-788]  ges, which then began to creepe in amongst the Christians. For it is cer­
[II.2.2-789]  taine that by the space of three hundred yeeres and more, after the death
[II.2.2-790]  of our Sauiour Christ , and before these godly Emperours raigned, there
[II.2.2-791]  were no images publikely in Churches or Temples. How would the
[II.2.2-792]  idolaters glory, if they had so much antiquity and authority for them, as
[II.2.2-793]  is heere against them?

[II.2.2-794]  Now shortly after these dayes, the Gothes, Vandales, Hunnes, and
[II.2.2-795]  other barbarous and wicked nations, burst into Italy, and all partes of
[II.2.2-796]  the West countries of Europe, with huge and mighty armies, spoyled
[II.2.2-797]  all places, destroyed Cities, and burned Libraries, so that learning and
[II.2.2-798]  true Religion went to wracke, and decayed incrediblie. And so the Bi­
[II.2.2-799]  shops of those latter dayes, being of lesse learning, and in the middest of
[II.2.2-800]  the warres, taking lesse heede also then did the Bishops afore, by igno­
[II.2.2-801]  rance of GODS word, and negligence of Bishops, and specially bar­
[II.2.2-802]  barous Princes, not rightly instructed in true Religion bearing the rule,
[II.2.2-803]  images came into the Church of Christ in the sayd West parts, where
[II.2.2-804]  these barbarous people ruled, not now in painted clothes onely, but em­
[II.2.2-805]  bossed in stone, timber, mettall, and other like matter, and were not only
[II.2.2-806]  set vp, but began to be worshipped also. And therefore Serenus Bishop of
[II.2.2-807]  Massile , the head Towne of Gallia Nabonensis (now called the Pro­
[II.2.2-808]  uince) a godly and learned man, who was about sixe hundred yeeres
[II.2.2-809]  after our Sauiour Christ , seeing the people by occasion of images fall to
[II.2.2-810]  most abominable idolatrie, brake to pieces all the images of Christ and
[II.2.2-811]  Saints which were in that City, and was therefore complayned vpon
[II.2.2-812]  to Gregorie , the first of that name, Bishop of Rome, who was the first
[II.2.2-813]  learned Bishop that did allow the open hauing of Images in Churches,
[II.2.2-814]  that can be known by any writing or history of antiquity. And vpon this
[II.2.2-815]  Gregorie doe all image-worshippers at this day ground their defence. But
[II.2.2-816]  as all things that be amisse, haue from a tolerable beginning growen
[II.2.2-817]  worse and worse, till they at the last became vntolerable: so did this mat­
[II.2.2-818]  ter of images. First, men vsed priuately stories painted in tables, clothes,
[II.2.2-819]  and walles. Afterwards, grosse and embossed images priuately in their
[II.2.2-820]  owne houses. Then afterwards, pictures first, and after them embossed
[II.2.2-821]  images began to creepe into Churches, learned and godly men euer spea­
[II.2.2-822]  king against them. Then by vse it was openly maintayned that they
[II.2.2-823]  might be in Churches, but yet forbidden that they should be worshipped.
[II.2.2-824]  Of which opinion was Gregorie , as by the sayd Gregories Epistle to the
[II.2.2-825]  forenamed Serenus Bishop of Massile , plainely appeareth. Which Epistle
[II.2.2-826]  is to be found in the booke of Epistles of Gregorie , or Register, in the tenth
[II.2.2-827]  part of the fourth Epistle, where hee hath these wordes: That thou didst
[II.2.2-828]  forbid images to be worshipped, we prayse altogether, but that thou didst
[II.2.2-829]  breake them, we blame. For it is one thing to worship the picture, and
[II.2.2-830]  another thing by the picture of the story, to learne what is to be worship­
[II.2.2-831]  ped. For that which Scripture is to them that reade, the same doth pi­
[II.2.2-832]  cture performe vnto idiots or the vnlearned beholding, and so foorth. And
[II.2.2-833]  after a few wordes: therefore it should not haue beene broken, which was
[II.2.2-834]  set vp, not to be worshipped in Churches, but only to instruct the mindes
[II.2.2-835]  of the ignorant. And a little after, thus thou shouldest haue sayd, If you
[II.2.2-836]  will haue images in the Church for that instruction wherefore they
[II.2.2-837]  were made in old time, I doe permit that they may bee made, and that
[II.2.2-838]  you may haue them, and shew them, that not the sight of the story, which
[II.2.2-839]  is opened by the picture: but that worshipping which was inconueni­
[II.2.2-840]  ently giuen to the pictures, did mislike you. And if any would make ima­
[II.2.2-841]  ges, not to forbid them, but auoyd by all meanes to worship any image.
[II.2.2-842]  By these sentences taken heere and there out of Gregories Epistle to Sere­
[II.2.2-843]  nus (for it were too long to rehearse the whole) ye may vnderstand where­
[II.2.2-844]  unto the matter was now come sixe hundred yeeres after Christ : that the
[II.2.2-845]  hauing of Images or pictures in the Churches, were then maintayned
[II.2.2-846]  in the West part of the world (for they were not so forward yet in the East
[II.2.2-847]  Church) but the worshipping of them was vtterly forbidden. And you
[II.2.2-848]  may withall note, that seeing there is no ground for worshipping of I­
[II.2.2-849]  mages in Gregories writing, but a plaine condemnation thereof, that
[II.2.2-850]  such as doe worship Images, doe vniustly alleadge Gregorie for them. And
[II.2.2-851]  further, if Images in the Church doe not teach men according to Grego­
[II.2.2-852]  ries minde, but rather blinde them: it followeth, that Images should not
[II.2.2-853]  be in the Church by his sentence, who onely would they should be placed
[II.2.2-854]  there, to the end that they might teach the ignorant. Wherefore, if it bee
[II.2.2-855]  declared that Images haue beene and be worshipped, and also that they
[II.2.2-856]  teach nothing but errours and lies (which shall by GODS grace heere­
[II.2.2-857]  after be done) I trust that then by Gregories owne determination, all ima­
[II.2.2-858]  ges and image worshippers shall bee ouerthrowen. But in the meane
[II.2.2-859]  season, Gregories authority was so great in all the West Church, that by
[II.2.2-860]  his incouragement men set vp images in all places: but their iudgement
[II.2.2-861]  was not so good to consider why hee would haue them set vp, but they fell
[II.2.2-862]  all on heapes to manifest idolatrie by worshipping of them, which Bishop
[II.2.2-863]  Serenus (not without iust cause) feared would come to passe. Now if Sere­
[II.2.2-864]  nus his iudgement, thinking it meete that images, whereunto Idola­
[II.2.2-865]  trie was committed, should be destroyed, had taken place, idolatrie had bin
[II.2.2-866]  ouerthrowen: For to that which is not, no man committeth idolatrie.
[II.2.2-867]  But of Gregories opinion, thinking that images might bee suffered in
[II.2.2-868]  Churches, so it were taught that they should not bee worshipped: what
[II.2.2-869]  ruine of religion, and what mischiefe ensued afterward to all Christen­
[II.2.2-870]  dome, experience hath to our great hurt and sorrow proued. First, by
[II.2.2-871]  the schisme rising betweene the East and the West Church about the sayd
[II.2.2-872]  images. Next, by the deuision of the Empire into two partes by the same
[II.2.2-873]  occasion of images, to the great weakening of all Christendome, where­
[II.2.2-874]  by last of all, hath followed the vtter ouerthrow of the Christian religi­
[II.2.2-875]  on and noble Empire in Greece and all the East partes of the world, and
[II.2.2-876]  the encrease of Mahomets false religion, and the cruell dominion and ty­
[II.2.2-877]  ranny of the Saracens and Turkes, who doe now hang ouer our neckes
[II.2.2-878]  also & that; dwell in the West partes of the world, ready at all occasions to ouer­
[II.2.2-879]  runne vs. And all this doe we owe vnto our idolles and images, and our
[II.2.2-880]  idolatry in worshipping of them.

[margin]
Eutrop.li.de
rebus, Ro.23
[margin]

[II.2.2-881]  But now giue you eare a little to the processe of the history, wherein
[II.2.2-882]  I doe much follow the histories of Paulus Diaconus , and others ioyned
[II.2.2-883]  with Eutropius an olde writer. For though some of the authours were
[II.2.2-884]  fauourers of images: yet do they most plainely and at large prosecute the
[II.2.2-885]  histories of those times whom Baptist Platina also in his historie of Popes,

[margin]
Platina in
vitis Con­
stantiani &
Grego.2.
[margin]

[II.2.2-886]  as in the liues of Constantine , and Gregorie the second, Bishoppes of Rome ,
[II.2.2-887]  and other places (where hee intreateth of this matter) doeth chiefely fol­
[II.2.2-888]  low. After Gregories time, Constantine Bishoppe of Rome assembled a
[II.2.2-889]  councell of Bishoppes in the West Church, and did condemne Philippicus
[II.2.2-890]  then Emperour, and Iohn Bishoppe of Constantinople of the heresie of the
[II.2.2-891]  Monothelites , not without a cause in deede, but very iustly. When hee
[II.2.2-892]  had so done, by the consent of the learned about him, the said Constantine
[II.2.2-893]  Bishoppe of Rome , caused the images of the ancient fathers, which had
[II.2.2-894]  beene at those sixe councels which were allowed and receiued of all men,
[II.2.2-895]  to bee painted in the entrie of Saint Peters Church at Rome . When the
[II.2.2-896]  Greekes had knowledge hereof, they beganne to dispute and reason the
[II.2.2-897]  matter of images with the Latines , and held this opinion, that images
[II.2.2-898]  could haue no place in Christes Church, and the Latines held the contra­
[II.2.2-899]  rie, and tooke part with the images. So the East and West Churches
[II.2.2-900]  which agreed euill before, vpon this contention about images fell to vt­
[II.2.2-901]  ter enmity, which was neuer well reconciled yet. But in the meane
[II.2.2-902]  season Philippicus and Arthemius , or Anastatius , Emperours, commanded
[II.2.2-903]  images and pictures to bee pulled downe, and rased out in euery place
[II.2.2-904]  of their dominion. After them came Theodosius the third, hee comman­
[II.2.2-905]  ded the defaced images to bee painted againe in their places: but this
[II.2.2-906]  Theodosius raigned but one yeere. Leo the third of that name succeeded
[II.2.2-907]  him, who was a Syrian borne, a very wise, godly, mercifull, and valiant
[II.2.2-908]  prince. This Leo by proclamation commanded, that all images set vp in
[II.2.2-909]  Churches to bee worshipped, should bee plucked downe and defaced: and
[II.2.2-910]  required specially the Bishop of Rome that hee should doe the same, and
[II.2.2-911]  himselfe in the meane season caused all images that were in the imperiall
[II.2.2-912]  citie Constantinople , to be gathered on an heape in the middest of the citie,
[II.2.2-913]  and there publiquely burned them to ashes, and whited ouer, and rased
[II.2.2-914]  out all pictures painted vpon the walles of the Temples, and punished
[II.2.2-915]  sharpely diuers maintainers of images. And when some did therefore
[II.2.2-916]  report him to bee a tyrant, hee answered, that such of all other were
[II.2.2-917]  most iustly punished, which neither worshipped GOD aright, nor re­
[II.2.2-918]  garded the imperiall Maiestie and authority, but maliciously rebelled
[II.2.2-919]  against wholsome and profitable lawes. When Gregorius , the third of
[II.2.2-920]  that name, Bishop of Rome , heard of the Emperours doings in Greece
[II.2.2-921]  concerning the images, hee assembled a councell of Italian Bishoppes a­
[II.2.2-922]  gainst him, and there made decrees for images, and that more reuerence
[II.2.2-923]  and honour should yet be giuen to them then was before, and stirred vp
[II.2.2-924]  the Italians against the Emperour, first at Rauenna , and moued them to
[II.2.2-925]  rebellion. And as Vspurgensis and Anthonius Bishoppe of Florence testifie
[II.2.2-926]  in their Chronicles, he caused Rome and all Italie , at the least to refuse their
[II.2.2-927]  obedience and the payment of any more tribute to the Emperour: and so

[margin]
Treason and
rebellion for
the defence
of images.
[margin]

[II.2.2-928]  by treason and rebellion maintained their idolatry. Which example, other
[II.2.2-929]  Bishops of Rome haue continually followed, and gone through withall
[II.2.2-930]  most stoutly.

[II.2.2-931]  After this Leo , who raigned xxxiiii. yeeres, succeeded his sonne Con­
[II.2.2-932]  stantine the fifth, who after his fathers example, kept images out of the
[II.2.2-933]  Temples, and being moued with the councell which Gregorie had assem­
[II.2.2-934]  bled in Italie for images against his father: he also assembled a councel of
[II.2.2-935]  all the learned men and Bishops of Asia and Greece , although some writers
[II.2.2-936]  place this Councell in Leo Isauricus his fathers latter dayes. In this great

[margin]
A councell
against ima­
ges.
[margin]

[II.2.2-937]  assembly they sate in councell from the fourth of & the; Idus of February, to the
[II.2.2-938]  sixt of the Idus of August, and made concerning the vse of images this
[II.2.2-939]  decree. It is not lawfull for them that beleeue in GOD through Ie­
[II.2.2-940]  sus Christ , to haue any images, neither of the creator, nor of any crea­
[II.2.2-941]  tures, set vp in Temples to bee worshipped: but rather & that; all things by the
[II.2.2-942]  Law of GOD, and for the auoyding of offence, ought to bee taken
[II.2.2-943]  out of the Churches. And this decree was executed in all places where
[II.2.2-944]  any images were found in Asia or Greece . And the Emperour sent the de­
[II.2.2-945]  termination of this councell holden at Constantinople , to Paul then Bishop
[II.2.2-946]  of Rome , and commanded him to cast all images out of the Churches:
[II.2.2-947]  which hee (trusting in the friendship of Pipine a mighty prince) refused
[II.2.2-948]  to doe. And both hee and his successour Stephanus the third (who assem­
[II.2.2-949]  bled another councell in Italie for images) condemned the Emperour and
[II.2.2-950]  the councell of Constantinople of heresie, and made a decree that the
[II.2.2-951]  holy images (for so they called them) of Christ the blessed Virgine, and
[II.2.2-952]  other Saints, were in deede worthy honour and worshipping. When
[II.2.2-953]  Constantine was dead, Leo the fourth his sonne raigned after him, who
[II.2.2-954]  maried a woman of the citie of Athens , named Theodora , who also was

[margin]
Or Eirene.
[margin]

[II.2.2-955]  called Irene , by whom hee had a sonne, named Constantine the sixt, and
[II.2.2-956]  dying whilest his sonne was yet young, left the regiment of the Empire
[II.2.2-957]  and gouernance of his yong sonne to his wife Irene . These things were
[II.2.2-958]  done in the Church about the yeere of our Lord 760. Note here I pray
[II.2.2-959]  you in this processe of the story, that in the Churches of Asia and Greece ,
[II.2.2-960]  there were no images publiquely by the space of almost seuen hundred
[II.2.2-961]  yeeres. And there is no doubt but the primitiue Church next the Apo­
[II.2.2-962]  stles time was most pure. Note also, that when the contention beganne
[II.2.2-963]  about images, how of sixe Christian Emperours, who were the chiefe
[II.2.2-964]  Magistrates by GODS law to bee obeyed, only one, which was
[II.2.2-965]  Theodosius , who raigned but one yeere, held with images. All the o­
[II.2.2-966]  ther Emperours, and all the learned men and Bishoppes of the East
[II.2.2-967]  Church, and that in assembled councels condemned them, besides the
[II.2.2-968]  two Emperours before mentioned, Valence and Theodosius the second,
[II.2.2-969]  who were long before these times, who straightly forbade that any ima­
[II.2.2-970]  ges should be made. And vniuersally after this time, all the Emperours
[II.2.2-971]  of Greece (onely Theodosius excepted) destroyed continually all images.
[II.2.2-972]  Now on the contrary part, note ye, that the Bishoppes of Rome , being
[II.2.2-973]  no ordinary Magistrates appoynted of GOD, out ot their diocesse, but
[II.2.2-974]  vsurpers of Princes authority contrary to GODS word, were the
[II.2.2-975]  maintainers of images against GODS word, and stirrers vp of se­
[II.2.2-976]  dition and rebellion, and workers of continuall treason against their
[II.2.2-977]  soueraigne Lords, contrary to GODS Law, and the ordinances of
[II.2.2-978]  all humane lawes, being not onely enemies to GOD, but also rebelles
[II.2.2-979]  and traitours against their Princes. These bee the first bringers in of
[II.2.2-980]  images openly into Churches, These bee the mayntayners of them in
[II.2.2-981]  the Churches, and these bee the meanes whereby they haue mayntay­
[II.2.2-982]  ned them: to wit, conspiracie, treason, and rebellion against GOD
[II.2.2-983]  and their Princes.

[II.2.2-984]  Now to proceede in the history, most worthy to bee knowen. In the
[II.2.2-985]  nonage of Constantine the sixt, the Empresse Irene his mother, in whose
[II.2.2-986]  handes the regiment of the Empire remained, was gouerned much by
[II.2.2-987]  the aduise of Theodore Bishoppe, and Tharasius Patriarche of Constanti­
[II.2.2-988]  nople , who practised and held with the Bishoppe of Rome in maintaining
[II.2.2-989]  of images most earnestly. By whose counsell and intreatie, the Empresse
[II.2.2-990]  first most wickedly digged vp the body of her father in law Constantine the
[II.2.2-991]  fift, and commanded it to bee openly burned, and the ashes to be throw­
[II.2.2-992]  en into the sea. Which example (as the constant report goeth) had like
[II.2.2-993]  to haue been put in practise with Princes corses in our dayes, had the
[II.2.2-994]  authority of the holy father continued but a little longer. The cause why
[II.2.2-995]  the Empresse Irene thus vsed her father in law, was, for that hee, when
[II.2.2-996]  hee was aliue, had destroyed images, and had taken away the sumptu­
[II.2.2-997]  ous ornaments of Churches, saying that Christ , whose Temples they
[II.2.2-998]  were, allowed pouerty, and not pearles and pretious stones. After­
[II.2.2-999]  ward the sayd Irene at the perswasion of Adrian Bishoppe of Rome , and
[II.2.2-1000]  Paul the Patriarch of Constantinople and his successour Tharasius , assem­
[II.2.2-1001]  bled a councell of the Bishoppes of Asia and Greece , at the Citie Nicea
[II.2.2-1002]  where the Bishop of Romes legates, being presidentes of the councell, and
[II.2.2-1003]  ordering all things as they listed, the councell which were assembled be­
[II.2.2-1004]  fore vnder the Emperour Constantine the fifth, and had decreed that all
[II.2.2-1005]  images should bee destroyed, was condemned as an hereticall councell
[II.2.2-1006]  and assemblie: And a decree was made, that images should bee put vp
[II.2.2-1007]  in all the Churches of Greece , and that honour and worshippe also should
[II.2.2-1008]  bee giuen vnto the said images. And so the Empresse sparing no dili­
[II.2.2-1009]  gence in setting vp of images, nor cost in decking them in all Churches,

[margin]
A decree
that Images
should bee
worshipped.
[margin]

[II.2.2-1010]  made Constantinople within a short time altogether like Rome it selfe.
[II.2.2-1011]  And now you may see that come to passe which Bishoppe Serenus feared,
[II.2.2-1012]  and Gregorie the first forbade in vaine: to wit, that images should in no
[II.2.2-1013]  wise bee worshipped. For now not onely the simple and vnwise (vnto
[II.2.2-1014]  whom images, as the Scriptures teach, bee specially a snare) but the
[II.2.2-1015]  Bishoppes and learned men also, fall to idolatrie by occasion of images,
[II.2.2-1016]  yea and make decrees and lawes for the maintenance of the same. So
[II.2.2-1017]  hard is it, and in deede impossible any long time to haue images publike­
[II.2.2-1018]  lie in Churches and Temples without idolatrie, as by the space of little
[II.2.2-1019]  more then one hundred yeeres betwixt Gregory the first, forbidding most
[II.2.2-1020]  straightly the worshipping of images, and Gregory the third, Paul , and
[II.2.2-1021]  Leo the third, Bishoppes of Rome , with this councell commaunding
[II.2.2-1022]  and decreeing that images should bee worshipped, most euidently ap­
[II.2.2-1023]  peareth.

[II.2.2-1024]  Now when Constantine the young Emperour came to the age of twen­
[II.2.2-1025]  tie yeeres, he was dayly in lesse and lesse estimation. For such as were a­
[II.2.2-1026]  bout his mother, perswaded her, that it was GODS determination
[II.2.2-1027]  that she should reigne alone, and not her sonne with her. The ambiti­
[II.2.2-1028]  ous woman beleeuing the same, depriued her sonne of all Imperiall dig­
[II.2.2-1029]  nitie, and compelled all the men of warre, with their Captaines, to sweare
[II.2.2-1030]  to her that they would not suffer her Sonne Constantine to reigne during
[II.2.2-1031]  her life. With which indignitie the young Prince being mooued, recoue­
[II.2.2-1032]  red the regiment of the Empire vnto himselfe by force, and being brought
[II.2.2-1033]  vp in true religion in his fathers time, seeing the superstition of his mo­
[II.2.2-1034]  ther Irene , and the Idolatrie committed by images, cast downe, brake,
[II.2.2-1035]  and burned all the idoles and images that his mother had set vp. But
[II.2.2-1036]  within a few yeeres after, Irene the Empresse, taken againe into her sonnes
[II.2.2-1037]  fauour, after shee had perswaded him to put out Nicephorus his vncles
[II.2.2-1038]  eyes, and to cut out the tongues of his foure other vncles, and to forsake
[II.2.2-1039]  his wife, and by such meanes to bring him into hatred with all his sub­
[II.2.2-1040]  iects; now further to declare that shee was no changeling, but the same
[II.2.2-1041]  woman that had before digged vp and burned her father in lawes body,
[II.2.2-1042]  and that shee would be as naturall a Mother as shee had beene a kinde
[II.2.2-1043]  Daughter, seeing the images, which shee loued so well, and had with so
[II.2.2-1044]  great cost set vp dayly destroyed by her sonne the Emperour, by the helpe
[II.2.2-1045]  of certaine good companions depriued her Sonne of the Empire: And
[II.2.2-1046]  first, like a kinde and louing mother, put out both his eyes, and layd him
[II.2.2-1047]  in prison, where after long and many torments, she at the last most cruelly
[II.2.2-1048]  slew him.

[II.2.2-1049]  In this historie, ioyned to Eutropius , it is written, that the Sunne was
[II.2.2-1050]  darkened by the space of xvii. dayes most strangely and dreadfully, and
[II.2.2-1051]  that all men sayd, that for the horriblenesse of that cruell and vnnaturall
[II.2.2-1052]  fact of Irene , and the putting out of the Emperours eyes, the Sunne had
[II.2.2-1053]  lost his light. But indeede, GOD would signifie by the darkenesse of
[II.2.2-1054]  the Sunne, into what darkenesse and blindesse of ignorance and idola­
[II.2.2-1055]  trie, Christendome should fall by the occasion of Images. The bright
[II.2.2-1056]  Sunne of his eternall trueth, and light of his holy worde, by the mystes
[II.2.2-1057]  and blacke cloudes of mens traditions being blemished and darkened, as
[II.2.2-1058]  by sundry most terrible earthquakes that happened about the same time,
[II.2.2-1059]  GOD signified, that the quiet estate of true religion, should by such ido­
[II.2.2-1060]  latry be most horribly tossed and turmoyled. And here may you see what
[II.2.2-1061]  a gracious and vertuous Lady this Irene was, how louing a neece to her
[II.2.2-1062]  husbands vncles, how kinde a mother in law to her sonnes wife, how lo­
[II.2.2-1063]  uing a daughter to her father in law, how naturall a mother to her
[II.2.2-1064]  owne sonne, and what a stout and valiant Captaine the Bishops of Rome
[II.2.2-1065]  had of her, for the setting vp and maintenance of their idoles or images.
[II.2.2-1066]  Surely, they could not haue found a meeter patrone for the maintenance
[II.2.2-1067]  of such a matter, then this Irene , whose ambition and desire of rule was
[II.2.2-1068]  insatiable, whose treason continually studied and wrought, was most
[II.2.2-1069]  abominable, whose wicked and vnnaturall crueltie passed Medea and
[II.2.2-1070]  Progne , whose detestable paracides haue ministred matter to Poets, to
[II.2.2-1071]  write their horrible tragedies.

[II.2.2-1072]  And yet certaine Historiographers, who doe put in writing all these
[II.2.2-1073]  her horrible wickednesses, for loue they had to images, which the maintey­
[II.2.2-1074]  ned, doe prayse her as a godly Empresse, and as sent from GOD. Such
[II.2.2-1075]  is the blindnesse of false superstition, if it once take possession in a mans
[II.2.2-1076]  minde, that it will both declare the vices of wicked princes, and also com­
[II.2.2-1077]  mend them. But not long after, the sayd Irene being suspected to the prin­
[II.2.2-1078]  ces and Lords of Greece of treason, in alienating the Empire to Charles
[II.2.2-1079]  king of the Francons , and for practising a secret marriage betweene her
[II.2.2-1080]  selfe and the sayd king, and being conuicted of the same, was by the sayd
[II.2.2-1081]  Lords deposed and depriued againe of the Empire, and caried into exile
[II.2.2-1082]  into the Iland Lesbos , where she ended her lewde life.

[margin]
Another
councell a­
gainst ima­
ges.
[margin]

[II.2.2-1083]  While these tragedies about images were thus working in Greece , the
[II.2.2-1084]  same question of the vse of images in Churches began to bee mooued in
[II.2.2-1085]  Spaine also. And at Eliberi , a notable citie, now called Granate , was a coun­
[II.2.2-1086]  cell of Spanish Bishops and other learned men assembled, and there, after
[II.2.2-1087]  long deliberation and debating of the matter, it was concluded at length
[II.2.2-1088]  by the whole councell, after this sort, in the 36. article.

[margin]
Doctours of
the councell
against ima­
ges.
[margin]

[II.2.2-1089]  Wee thinke that pictures ought not to bee in Churches, lest that which
[II.2.2-1090]  is honoured or worshipped be painted on walles. And in the xli. Canon
[II.2.2-1091]  of that councel it is thus written: Wee thought good to admonish the
[II.2.2-1092]  faithfull, that as much as in them lieth, they suffer no images to bee in
[II.2.2-1093]  their houses, but if they feare any violence of their seruants, at the
[II.2.2-1094]  lest let them keepe themselues cleane and pure from Images, if they
[II.2.2-1095]  doe not so, let them be accounted as none of the Church. Note here, I
[II.2.2-1096]  pray you, how a whole and great countrey in the West and South parts
[II.2.2-1097]  of Europe , neerer to Rome a greater deale then to Greece in situation of
[II.2.2-1098]  place, doe agree with the Greekes against Images, and doe not onely
[II.2.2-1099]  forbid them in Churches, but also in priuate houses, and doe excommu­
[II.2.2-1100]  cate them that doe the contrarie: And an other councell of the learned
[II.2.2-1101]  men of all Spaine also, called Concilium Toletanum Duodecimum , decreed

[margin]
Yet another
councell a­
gainst ima­
ges.
[margin]

[II.2.2-1102]  and determined likewise against Images and Image worshippers. But
[II.2.2-1103]  when these decrees of the Spanish councell at Eliberi came to the know­
[II.2.2-1104]  ledge of the Bishop of Rome and his adherents, they fearing lest all Ger­
[II.2.2-1105]  many also would decree against Images, and forsake them, thought to
[II.2.2-1106]  preuent the matter, and by the consent and helpe of the prince of Francons
[II.2.2-1107]  (whose power was then most great in the West parts of the world) assem­
[II.2.2-1108]  bled a councell of Germanes at Frankford , and there procured the Spa­
[II.2.2-1109]  nish councell against Images afore mentioned, to bee condemned by the
[II.2.2-1110]  name of the Foelician heresie, (for that Foelix Bishoppe of Aquitania was
[II.2.2-1111]  chiefe in that councell) and obtained that the actes of the second Nicene
[II.2.2-1112]  councell, assembled by Irene (the holy Empresse whom ye heard of before)
[II.2.2-1113]  and the sentence of the Bishop of Rome for images might be receiued. For
[II.2.2-1114]  much after this sort do the Papists report of the history of the councell of
[II.2.2-1115]  Frankford . Notwithstanding the booke of Carolus Magnus his owne wri­
[II.2.2-1116]  ting, as the title sheweth, which is now put in print, and commonly in
[II.2.2-1117]  mens hands, sheweth the iudgement of that Prince, & of the whole coun­
[II.2.2-1118]  cell of Frankford also, to be against Images, and against the second coun­
[II.2.2-1119]  cell of Nice assembled by Irene for Images, and calleth it an arrogant, foo­
[II.2.2-1120]  lish, and vngodly councell, and declareth the assembly of the councell of
[II.2.2-1121]  Frankford , to haue beene directly made and gathered against that Nicene
[II.2.2-1122]  councell, and the errours of the same. So that it must needs follow, that
[II.2.2-1123]  either there were in one Princes time two councels assembled at Frank­
[II.2.2-1124]  ford , one contrary to the other, which by no history doth appeare, or els
[II.2.2-1125]  that after their custome, the Popes and Papistes haue most shamefully cor­
[II.2.2-1126]  rupted the councell, as their maner is to handle, not onely councels, but
[II.2.2-1127]  also all histories and writings of the olde Doctors, falsifying and corrup­
[II.2.2-1128]  ting them for the maintenance of their wicked and vngodly purposes, as
[II.2.2-1129]  hath in times of late come to light, and doth in our dayes more and more
[II.2.2-1130]  continually appeare most euidently. Let the forged gift of Constantine , and
[II.2.2-1131]  the notable attempt to falsifie the first Nicene councell for the Popes Su­

[margin]
The forged
gift of Con­
stantine .&c.
[margin]

[II.2.2-1132]  premacie, practised by Popes in Saint Augustines time bee a witnesse
[II.2.2-1133]  hereof: which practise in deed had then taken effect, had not the diligence
[II.2.2-1134]  and wisedome of S. Augustine and other learned and godly Bishops in
[II.2.2-1135]  Affrik , by their great labour and charges also, resisted and stopped the
[II.2.2-1136]  same. Now to come towards and end of this history, and to shew you the

[margin]
Nicene coun­
cell like to be
falsified.
[margin]

[II.2.2-1137]  principall point that came to passe by the maintenance of images. Where­
[II.2.2-1138]  as from Constantinus Magnus time, vntill this day, all authority imperiall
[II.2.2-1139]  and princely dominion of the Empire of Rome , remayned continually in
[II.2.2-1140]  the right and possession of the Emperours, who had their continuance
[II.2.2-1141]  and seate Imperiall at Constantinople the Citie royall. Leo the third,
[II.2.2-1142]  then Bishop of Rome , seeing the Greeke Emperours so bent against his
[II.2.2-1143]  gods of golde and siluer, timber and stone, and hauing the king of the
[II.2.2-1144]  Francons or Frenchmen, named Charles , whose power was exceeding
[II.2.2-1145]  great in the West Countreys, very applyable to his minde, for causes
[II.2.2-1146]  hereafter appearing, vnder the pretence that they of Constantinople were
[II.2.2-1147]  for that matter of images vnder the Popes ban and curse, and therefore
[II.2.2-1148]  vnworthy to bee Emperours, or to beare rule, and for that the Empe­
[II.2.2-1149]  rours of Greece being farre off, were not ready at a becke to defend the
[II.2.2-1150]  Pope against the Lumbardes his enemies, and other with whom hee
[II.2.2-1151]  had variance: this Leo the third, I say, attempted a thing exceeding
[II.2.2-1152]  strange and vnheard of before, and of vncredible boldnesse and pre­
[II.2.2-1153]  sumption: For he by his Papall authoritie doeth translate the gouerne­
[II.2.2-1154]  ment of the Empire, and the crowne and name Imperiall, from the
[II.2.2-1155]  Greekes, and giueth it vnto Charles the great, King of the Francons , not
[II.2.2-1156]  without the consent of the forenamed Irene , Empresse of Greece , who also
[II.2.2-1157]  sought to be ioyned in mariage with the said Charles . For the which cause
[II.2.2-1158]  the said Irene was by the Lords of Greece deposed and banished, as one that
[II.2.2-1159]  had betrayed the Empire, as ye before haue heard. And the said princes of
[II.2.2-1160]  Greece did, after the depriuation of the said Irene , by common consent, elect
[II.2.2-1161]  and create (as they alwayes had done) an Emperour, named Nicepho­

[margin]
These things
were done a­
bout the 803
yeere of our Lord.
[margin]

[II.2.2-1162]  rus , whom the Bishop of Rome and they of the West would not acknow­
[II.2.2-1163]  ledge for their Emperour; For they had already created them another:
[II.2.2-1164]  and so there became two Emperours. And the Empire which was be­
[II.2.2-1165]  fore one, was diuided into two parts, vpon occasion of idols and images,
[II.2.2-1166]  and the worshipping of them: euen as the kingdome of the Israelites
[II.2.2-1167]  was in old time for the like cause of idolatrie diuided in King Roboam his
[II.2.2-1168]  time. And so the Bishop of Rome , hauing the fauour of Charles the
[II.2.2-1169]  great by this meanes assured to him, was wondrously enhanced in power
[II.2.2-1170]  and authority, and did in all the West Church (especially in Italy) what
[II.2.2-1171]  he lust, where images were set vp, garnished, and worshipped of all sorts
[II.2.2-1172]  of men. But Images were not to fast set vp, and so much honoured in
[II.2.2-1173]  Italie and the West: but Nicephorus Emperour of Constantinople , and his
[II.2.2-1174]  successours Scauratius , the two Michaels , Leo , Theophilus , and other Em­

[margin]
Or, Staura­
tius.
[margin]

[II.2.2-1175]  perours their successours in the Empire of Greece, continually pulled
[II.2.2-1176]  them downe, brake them, burned them, and destroyed them as fast. And
[II.2.2-1177]  when Theodorus Emperour, would at the Councell of Lions haue agreed
[II.2.2-1178]  with the Bishop of Rome , and haue set vp images: he was by the Nobles
[II.2.2-1179]  of the Empire of Greece depriued, and another chosen in his place, and so
[II.2.2-1180]  rose a ielousie, suspicion, grudge, hatred, and enmity betweene the Chri­
[II.2.2-1181]  stians and Empires of the East countries and West, which could neuer
[II.2.2-1182]  be quenched nor pacified. So that when the Saracens first, and af­
[II.2.2-1183]  terward the Turkes, inuaded the Christians, the one part of Christen­
[II.2.2-1184]  dome would not helpe the other. By reason whereof at the last, the no­
[II.2.2-1185]  ble Empire of Greece , and the city imperiall Constantinople , was lost, and
[II.2.2-1186]  is come into the hands of the Infidels, who now haue ouerrunne almost
[II.2.2-1187]  all Christendome, and possessing past the middle of Hungary , which is part
[II.2.2-1188]  of the West Empire, doe hang ouer all our heads, to the vtter danger of all
[II.2.2-1189]  Christendome.

[II.2.2-1190]  Thus wee see what a sea of mischiefes the maintenance of Images
[II.2.2-1191]  hath brought with it, what an horrible Schisme betweene the East and
[II.2.2-1192]  the West Church, what an hatred betweene one Christian and another,
[II.2.2-1193]  Councels against Councels, Church against Church, Christians against
[II.2.2-1194]  Christians, Princes against Princes, rebellions, treasons, vnnaturall
[II.2.2-1195]  and most cruell murders, the daughter digging vp & burning her father
[II.2.2-1196]  the Emperours body, the mother for loue of idols most abominably mur­
[II.2.2-1197]  dering her owne sonne, being an Emperour, at the last, the tearing in sun­
[II.2.2-1198]  der of Christendome and the Empire into two pieces, till the Infidels,
[II.2.2-1199]  Saracens, and Turkes, common enemies to both parts, haue most cru­
[II.2.2-1200]  elly vanquished, destroyed and subdued the one part, the whole Empire
[II.2.2-1201]  of Greece, Asia the lesse, Thracia, Macedonia, Epirus, and many other great
[II.2.2-1202]  and goodly countreyes and Prouinces, and haue wonne a great piece of
[II.2.2-1203]  the other Empire, and put the whole in dreadfull feare and most horrible
[II.2.2-1204]  danger. For it is not without a iust and great cause to bee dread, left as
[II.2.2-1205]  the Empire of Rome was euen for the like cause of Images and the wor­
[II.2.2-1206]  shipping of them torne in pieces and diuided, as was for Idolatrie the
[II.2.2-1207]  kingdome of Israel in old time diuided: so like punishment, as for the like
[II.2.2-1208]  offence fell vpon the Iewes, will also light vpon vs: that is, left the cru­
[II.2.2-1209]  ell tyrant and enemy of our common wealth and Religion the Turke, by
[II.2.2-1210]  GODS iust vengeance, in likewise partly murder, and partly leade
[II.2.2-1211]  away into captiuity vs Christians, as did the Assyrian and Babylonian
[II.2.2-1212]  Kings murder and leade away the Israelites, and left the Empire of
[II.2.2-1213]  Rome and Christian Religion be so vtterly brought vnder foot, as was
[II.2.2-1214]  then the kingdome of Israel and true Religion of GOD, whereunto the
[II.2.2-1215]  matter already (as I haue declared) shrewdly enclineth on our part, the
[II.2.2-1216]  greater part of Christendome within lesse then three hundred yeers space,
[II.2.2-1217]  being brought into captiuity and most miserable thraldome vnder the
[II.2.2-1218]  Turke, and the noble Empire of Greece cleane euerted. Whereas if the
[II.2.2-1219]  Christians, deuided by these Image matters, had holden together, no
[II.2.2-1220]  Infidels and miscreants could thus haue preuayled against Christen­
[II.2.2-1221]  dome. And all this mischiefe and misery, which we haue hitherto fallen
[II.2.2-1222]  into doe we owe to our mighty gods of gold and siluer, stocke and stone,
[II.2.2-1223]  in whose helpe and defence (where they can not helpe themselues) wee
[II.2.2-1224]  haue trusted so long, vntill our enemies the Infidels haue ouercome and
[II.2.2-1225]  ouerrunne vs almost altogether. A iust reward for those that haue left
[II.2.2-1226]  the mighty liuing GOD, the Lord of hosts, and haue stooped and giuen
[II.2.2-1227]  the honour due to him, to deade blockes and stockes, who haue eyes and
[II.2.2-1228]  see not, feet and cannot goe, and so foorth, and are cursed of GOD, and
[II.2.2-1229]  all they that make them, and put their trust in them.

[II.2.2-1230]  Thus you vnderstand (welbeloued in our Sauiour Christ ) by the
[II.2.2-1231]  iudgement of the old learned and godly Doctours of the Church, and by
[II.2.2-1232]  ancient histories Ecclesiasticall, agreeing to the verity of GODS word,
[II.2.2-1233]  alleaged out of the old Testament and the new, that Images and Image
[II.2.2-1234]  worshipping were in the Primitiue Church (which was most pure and
[II.2.2-1235]  vncorrupt) abhorred and detested, as abominable and contrary to true
[II.2.2-1236]  Christian Religion. And that when Images began to creepe into the
[II.2.2-1237]  Church, they were not onely spoken and written against by godly and
[II.2.2-1238]  learned Bishops, Doctours, and Clarkes, but also condemned by whole
[II.2.2-1239]  Councels of Bishops and learned men assembled together, yea, the sayd
[II.2.2-1240]  Images by many Christian Emperours and Bishops were defaced, bro­
[II.2.2-1241]  ken, and destroyed, and that aboue seuen hundred and eight hundred
[II.2.2-1242]  yeers agoe, and that therefore it is not of late dayes (as some would beare
[II.2.2-1243]  you in hand) that images and image worshipping haue beene spoken and
[II.2.2-1244]  written against. Finally, you haue heard what mischiefe and misery
[II.2.2-1245]  hath by the occasion of the said Images fallen vpon whole Christendome,
[II.2.2-1246]  besides the losse of infinite soules, which is most horrible of all. Where­
[II.2.2-1247]  fore let vs beseech GOD, that we, being warned by his holy word, for­
[II.2.2-1248]  bidding all Idolatry, and by the writing of old godly Doctours and Ec­
[II.2.2-1249]  clesiasticall histories written, and preserued by GODS ordinance for
[II.2.2-1250]  our admonition and warning, may flee from all Idolatry, and so escape
[II.2.2-1251]  the horrible punishment and plagues, aswell worldly, as euer­
[II.2.2-1252]  lasting, threatned for the same, which GOD our hea­
[II.2.2-1253]  uenly Father graunt vs, for our onely Sauiour
[II.2.2-1254]  and Mediator Iesus Christs sake.
[II.2.2-1255]  Amen.