Selected quad for the lemma: spirit_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
spirit_n	law_n	life_n	sin_n	22,698	5	5.7840	4	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A91721	The Racovian catechisme vvherein you have the substance of the confession of those churches, which in the kingdom of Poland, and great dukedome of Lithuania, and other provinces appertaining to that kingdom, do affirm, that no other save the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, is that one God of Israel, and that the man Jesus of Nazareth, who was born of the Virgin, and no other besides, or before him, is the onely begotten Sonne of God.; Racovian catechism. English. 1652.	Smalcius, Valentin, 1572-1622.; Socinus, Faustus, 1539-1604.	1652 (1652)	Wing R121; Thomason E1320_1; ESTC R200387	94,429	183

the New Covenant by the word Spirit is sometimes designed the very Gospell of Jesus Christ partly because the things contained therein are such as were revealed by God himself and could not have been discovered by the wit of man partly because it respecteth the spirit of man and maketh us spirituall which the Law could not do Hence the Apostle Paul saith Rom. 7. 6. But now we are freed from the Law that being dead wherein we were held so that we serve in newnesse of the Spirit and not in oldnesse of the Letter And Rom. 8. 2. The Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus hath freed me from the Law of Sin and Death And ver 9. If any man have not the Spirit of Christ he is none of his And 2 Cor. 3. 6. the same Apostle calleth himself not a Minister of the Letter that is the Law but of the Spirit or New Covenant Secondly by the word Spirit is understood such a Gift of God as is by the Scripture called an Earnest or pledge of our Inheritance 2 Cor. 1. 22. chap. 5. 5. Ephes 1. 14. So that we thereby conceive a firm and certain hope of the Eternall life that is promised to us have a kind of taste and feeling thereof in our hearts Q. Do we not perceive a hope of Eternall Life by the very preaching of the Gospell A. Yes in some measure for from the preaching of the Gospell a hope of Eternall life therein promised may be acquired otherwise why should that Life be there promised But to fasten and rivet in our minds a firm and certain hope thereof by vertue whereof we may continue invincible in all temptations it seemeth requisite that that promise outwardly proposed by the preaching of the Gospell should be inwardly sealed in our hearts by God Quest Doth this inward sealing happen unto all to whom the outward preaching of the Gospell cometh Answ At no hand but onely unto them who believe the Gospell preached to them and so rightly use that outward means imployed by God in confirming the promise of Eternall Life For if that Gift of the holy Spirit which continued but for a time was given only to those that believed the Gospell much more are we to hold that that Gift of the holy Spirit which is perpetuall is not imparted to others but them who have sincerely believed the Gospell and from their hearts embraced it Q. Is there not need of the inward Gift of the holy Spirit to believe the Gospel A. By no means for neither do we read in the holy Scriptures that that Gift is conferred on any one but him that believeth the Gospel See John 7. 38 39. Act. 8. 21 13 14 15 16 17. Acts 15. 7 8. Act. 19. 1 2 6. Gal. 3. 14. Ephes 1. 13. Q. Since you have declared to me what the Gift of the holy Spirit is I desire you also to declare whether the holy Spirit be a person of the Godhead A. That the holy Spirit is not a person of the God-head is evident from the Scriptures wherein it is affirmed that he is given and sent by God 1 Joh. 3. 21. 22. 23 24. 1 Pet. 1. 12. yea in the name of Christ John 14. 26. That he speaketh not of himself but what he heareth glorifying Christ in that he receiveth of his and declareth it to his Disciples John 16. 13. 14. that he is the Advocate John 14. 16 17. compared with 1 John 2. 1. where you have the same Greek appellation in both place but in the latter the English Translators themselves render it Advocate That he maketh intercession for the Saints with groans inutterable Rom. 8. 26 All which with sundry other things that might be enumerated cannot possibly agree to him that is a person of the God-head and consequently the most High God CHAP. VII Touching the confirmation of the Divine Will Q. HOw Jesus declared unto us the Divine VVill hath been explained I would now have it also explained how he confirmed the same A. There are three things of Christ that did confirme the Divine Will which he declared first the absolute innocency of his life John 8. 46. 1 John 3. 5. Secondly his great and innumerable Miracles John 15. 24. John 21. 25. Thirdly his death 1 Tim. 2. 6. chap. 6. 13. All these three are united in that noted place of John 1 Epist 5. 8. There are three that bare record on Earth The Spirit the Water and the Bloud For by the Spirit without question the holy Spirit is meant by whose Vertue the Miracles of Christ were wrought Acts. 10. 38. As by Water is understood the Purity of his life and by Bloud his Bloudy death Q. What was the Innocency of Christs Life and how was the will of God confirmed thereby A. The Innocency of his Life was such that he not onely committed no sin neither was guil found in his mouth nor could he be convicted of any crime but he lived so transcendently pure as that none either before or after did equallize him so that he came next to God himself in Holinesse and was therein very like to him Whence it followeth that the Doctrine delivered by him was most true Q. What were his Miracles and how did they confirme the Divine will A. The Miracles were so great as none before him ever did and so many as that had they been set down in particular the world would not contain the Books And these Miracles do therefore make to the confirming of the will of God in that it is not imaginable that God would invest any one with such power as was truly Divine who had not been sent by him CHAP. VIII Of Christs Death Q. VVHat was the Death of Christ and how did it confirm the Wil of God A. Such a death as had all sorts of afflictions ushering it in and was of it self most bitter and ignominious so that the Scripture thereupon testifieth that he was made like to his brethren in all things Heb. 2. 17. Q. Why doth the Scripture witnesse that Christ was buried and that God was not forgetfull of him in the grave A. That it might appear that he was truly dead and yet not left therein so that the faithfull may thereby conceive a hope that though death seise upon them yet shall they not utterly perish Q. But what necessity was there that Christ should suffer so many tbings and undergo so bitter a Death A. Because those that are to be saved by him are for the most part subject to the same afflictions and Death Q. But what reason was there that the Saviour should endure the same afflictions and death with the saved A. There are two reasons thereof as Christ also saveth the Faithfull in a two-fold way for first by his example he moveth them to persist in the way of Salvation that they have entred into Next he standeth by them in every combate of temptations afflictions and troubles and at length delivereth them from

under contestation and where John the Baptist saith He shall baptise you with the Holy Spirit and Fire Hence it is that Christ in the progresse of his discourse with Nichodemus maketh no more mention of water but onely of the Holy Spirit CHAP. V. Concerning the promise of Eternall Life Q. YOu have declared to me the perfect Precepts of Christ declare also his Promises A. The greatest and that which compriseth in it self all others is Eternall life but there is yet another thing besides very conducible to the attainment of the first Q. VVhat may that be A. The Gift of the holy Spirit Q. VVere not the same Promises contained in Moses Law A. No neither of them for you shall no where find in the Law of Moses either Eternall Life or the holy Spirit promised to those that obeyed the Precepts of that Law as it is apparent that they are promised in the Law given by Christ Q. But it appeareth that there was some hope of Eternall Life in the People of God before Christ A. Nothing hinders but that you may hope for something although you have not the Promise of God for the same so that the thing be very desireable and such as it is very likely that God will give unto those that serve him But neither is any thing more desirable then Eternall Life nor more credible then that God will bestow it upon them that serve him as the reward that is suitable to his person without which the other things though proceeding from God are scarce worthy to be termed a Divine reward Q. And why so A. For two reasons first because not so much the good it self as the perpetuity thereof seemeth to have some Divinity in it Next because it is apparent that of other good things except Eternall Life even those and those chiefly are partakers who regard not the service of God yea blaspheme him Q. Shall they have Eternall Life who hoped for the same all bough it was not promised to them A. Yes but not all but those onely that served God with their whole heart and were obedient to him For nothing hinders but that God may performe more then he promised And Christ openly teacheth this when from the words of God he truly and subtilly collecteth that Abraham Isaack and Jacob shall arise from the dead and live Luke 20. 37 38. whom the Divine Author to the Hebrews imitating chap. 11. 16. saith That God is not ashamed of them to be called their God for that he hath provided a city for them and hath decreed that they shall live for ever with him Q. If God will give Eternall Life to those men why did he not promise it A. God deferred so excellent a Promise till a fit time that it might the more evidently appear to all that so excellent a thing is his proper Gift flowing from his meer bounty Q. Are there not in the New Covenant besides Eternall Life Promises likewise made concerning this Life A. The Scripture testifieth that Picty even under the New Covenant hath the promise of this life as well as of the life to come 1 Tim. 4. 8. And likewise if any man for the sake of Christ and of the Gospell shall forsake all things that he shall receive a hundred fold even in this life with persecution and in the world to come life everlasting Mark 10. 29 30. Q. Is the New Covenant then equall to the Old as to the promises of this present life A. Since it appeareth from other places of the Scripture that a Christian ought to rest in those things that are necessary to the maintenance of his life it appeareth that the Promises of this life made under the New Covenant though in themselves very full and plenteous ought so to be taken as that a Christian shall not want any thing that is necessarily required to the maintenance of this life But under the Old Covenant it was lawfull not only to get and possesse more then the necessity of this life did require but also superfluities pleasures and other things without which we may be in this life so that this was done without injury to another Wherefore the promises of this life under the Old Covenant are not to be restrained but to be taken as the words sound Whence likewise it may be seen that Eternall Life was not promised under the Old Covenant otherwise the New would not have better Promises then the Old contrary to what the Divine Author to the Hebrews affirmeth chap. 8. 6. CHAP. VI. Concerning the Promise of the holy Spirit Q. DEclare to me the other Promise and explain what the Gift of the holy Spirit is A. The Gift of the holy Spirit promised in the New Covenant is two-fold the one perpetuall the other temporary which was visible as the first invisible Q. VVhat was that temporary and visible Gift A. The gift of doing Miracles which in the beginning was openly given to those that believed on Christ Q. VVhy did not that Gift alwayes continue A. Because it was granted to confirme the New Covenant which when it seemed to God to be sufficiently confirmed that Gift by his pleasure and counsell ceased Q. VVhat mean you by these words namely That the New Covenant was sufficiently confirmed A. I mean that those who were apt to believe the Gospell had sufficient ground for their Faith from what had been done for the confirmation of the Covenant to all suceeding times Q. But who are those that are apt to believe A. Such are endued with honesty of heart or are at least not averse therefrom For it is not in the will of God that those who are otherwise qualified should have no cause to reject the Gospel which would have come to passe had that confirmation been perpetuall For there would have been no man found so wicked who would not have acknowledged the doctrine of Christ for true and have embraced it not so much out of a love to piety and virtue as out of a desire of that soverain good which Christ hath promised to his followers namely Eternall Life Whereby it would have come to passe that in the Christian Religion which by the will and counsell of God is to distinguish the honest from the dishonest there would have been no difference between good and bad Q. Tell me therefore what is the Gift of the holy Spirit which continueth perpetually A. Before I unfold this I must demonstrate that under the New Covenant there is a certain Gift of the holy Spirit which continueth for ever in the Church of Christ Q. Yea I desire you to doe so A. Besides other testimonies it is evident from those words of our Saviour himself Luke 11. 13. that God doth and alwayes will give his holy Spirit to his Children that begge the same of him Q. What is the holy Spirit A. That you may the better understand what the holy Spirit is consider with your self First that in the Scripture of

42. Of whom the Evangelist saith that many of them believed on Christ but by reason of the Pharisees durst not to confesse him lest they should be cast out of the Synagogues Q. What is that Faith which is of necessity attended with Salvation A. It is a confidence through Christ on God whence it appeareth that that Faith on Christ comprehendeth two things first that we confide not only on God but also on Christ next that we be obedient unto God not in those things only which he hath commanded in the Law delivered by Moses and are not abrogated by Christ but also in those things which Christ hath added to the Law Q. Doe you then comprehend obedience under Faith A. Yes for the thing it self sheweth that none can be found who conceiveth in his mind a certain hope of Eternall Life which Christ hath promised onely to those that obey him who is not also obedient unto Christ in as much as Eternall Life is such a good as no man can wittingly and willingly despise it Besides James openly testifieth that as the Body without the Spirit is dead so Faith also without Works is dead James 2. 26. and a little above he had said that the Faith of Abraham was perfected by Works ver 22. For which reason likewise pious men and such as are obedient to God are called the Faithfull Q. But why doth Paul the Apostle oppose Faith to Works A. In those places where he opposeth Faith to Works he speaketh of such works as contain perfect and perpetuall obedience which was by God required under the Law but not of such works as comprehend that obedience which God requireth of us who believe on Christ Q. What is that obedience A. That putting off the Old man with his Works we desist from all our former sins which thing the Scripture calleth Repentance Next that according to our ability we perform the Will of God so as that we walk not after the Flesh but by the Spirit mortifie the deeds of the flesh In short that we contract the habit of no sin but gain to our selves the habits of all Christian Vertues CHAP. X. Of Free-will Q. DOth it lie in our power to obey God in that manner A. Yes for it is certain that the first Man was so created by God as that he was endued with Free-will Neither was there any cause why God after his fall should deprive him thereof And indeed the Justice of God doth not permit it nor is there any mention of such a punishment amongst those punishments that God inflicted on Adam for his transgression Q. Is not this Free-wil depraved by Originall sin A. There is no such thing as Originall sinne wherefore neither can it deprave Free-will For that Originall sinne cannot be proved out of the Scripture And the fall of Adam being but one act could not have such power as to deprave his own nature much lesse the nature of all his posterity But that this punishment was inflicted upon Adam neither doth the Scripture any where relate and it is altogether unsuitable to God who is the fountain of all equity so to do Q. But yet that there is Originall sin seemeth to be proved by that testimony Gen. 6. 5. All the thoughts of mans heart were only evill and that continually and Gen. 8. 21. The thought of mans heart is evill from his child-hood A. These testimonies speak of voluntary sin so quireth of them But a will to perform them is in all men by nature yet is not that ability so little that if a man will offer violence to himself he may not by the accession of the Divine Assistance obey the Divine Will But God denieth his assistance to that Originall sin cannot be proved thence For as for the first Moses sheweth that it was such a sin for which it repented God that he had made Man and he resolved to punish him with a Flood which certainly can by no means be affirmed of sin that is in man by nature such as they think Originall sin to be But in the other testimony he sheweth that the sin of man shall not have such power that God for it should punish the World with a Flood which also doth not agree with originall sin Q. What think you of David who saith Psal 51. 7. that he was conceived in sin and by his mother shaped in iniquity A. It is to be noted that David doth not here speak of all men but only of himself nor that simply but in respect of his fall using such an expression as you have Psal 58. 4. The wicked are averse or estranged from the womb as soon as they be born they go astray speaking lies Wherefore neither can Originall sin be evinced from this testimony Q. But Paul Rom. 5. 12. saith that all sinned in Adam A. It is not there said that all sinned in Adam But that Greek expression which in some Translations is rendred in whom is in our English Translation rendred for that agreeable to the Originall as appeareth by the collation of these places Rom. 8. 3. Phil. 3. 12. 2 Cor. 5. 4. Q. Seeing you have shown that Free-will could not be depraved by Originall sinne explain how farre the power of Free-will extendeth it self A. There is commonly in men but little ability by nature to perform those things which God requireth none of them to whom he discovereth his Will Otherwise he could not justly chastise or punish the refractory both which notwithstanding he is wont to doe Q. What is that Divine assistance A. It is two-fold Inward and Outward Q. What is the Outward A. The Promises and Threatnings of God But the Promises have the greatest force by far Whence it cometh to passe that because Promises under the New Covenant are far more excellent then those under the Old it is an easier matter to doe the Will of God under the New then under the Old Q. What is the Inwards assistance A. It is the obsignation of what God hath promised in the hearts of such as obey him Q. If there be Free-will as you teach how cometh it to passe that so many opposeth it A. Because certain testimonies of the Scripture seem to them to take away Free-will Q. VVhat may those Testimonies be A. They are of two sorts the one out of which they think they can collect and deduce such a Doctrine the others wherein they suppose that Free-will is expresly taken away Q. VVhat are those out of which they endeavour to deduce such a thing A. Such as make mention of predestination wherein they think it is intimated that God did by an irrevocable and immutable Decree from all Eternity choose and designe certain men in particular and by name unto Salvation and reprobate the rest unto damnation not because he foresaw the obedience of the one and the disobedience of the others but out of his meere pleasure Q. VVhat think you concerning this matter A. Such an opinion

glory of God A. The things first in order Q. VVhich is the first of them A. Hallowed be thy name Q. Explain this Petition A. In this petition we desire God to assist us every way that we may celebrate his name with words hymns writings and by other means whatsoever Q. VVhat is the second A. Thy Kingdome come Q. Explain this Petition A. In this petition we do beseech God that he would induce us by such means as are best known to himself to consecrate and resign our hearts up to him but more especially by the discovery and obsignation of his truth and choicest promises in our hearts for then God truly reigneth when he exerciseth his Kingdome by the laws of the Gospel in our hearts and mind Quest What is the third Petition Answ Thy will be done as in the Heavens so in the Earth Quest. Explain the meaning of this Petition Answ In this Petition we beg of God that he would vouchsafe us his assistance in performing the obedience due unto him and what is to be expressed in our lives and actions for a man standing in need of much assistance to the performance of those things which God hath commanded him especially under the Gospell for they are such as far exceed his strength there is also in this Petition a tacite confession of our own weaknesse and of our confidence in God and hope which we conceive of his bounty when we dare to beg of him that he would make us no lesse ready to yeild him obedience then the Angels who are in Heaven Quest What are the Petitions that are referred to our use Answ The other three which follow in the same order Quest What is the first Answ Give us this day our dayly bread Quest Explain this Petition Answ Therein we desire God first that he would bestow upon us the gifts of his grace necessary to sustain and cherish our Spirituall life next that he would confer all those things that any wayes pertain to the maintenance of this life Quest What is the second Answ Forgive us our debts as we also forgive our Debtors Quest Explain this also Answ Therein we beg of God not onely to remit those sins which we have committed since we subjected our selves to the lawes of the Gospell but also much more those which we committed before the knowledge of the truth in as much as these are far more grievous and more easily exclud us from the possession of eternall life and cast us into everlasting damnation but whereas it is added As we forgive our debtors it is held that the forgivenesse of sins can at no hand be hoped for unlesse we forgive offences unto others and that from our hearts so that to be quite alienated from all desire of revenge Quest What is the third Petition Answ And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evill Quest Declare it Answ In this Petition we intreat of God to assist us that we be not over come in afflictions which are sent for the triall of our faith as often as we fall into them by the will or permission of God and that he would keep us from Satan suffering us not to be oppressed with those temptations which he useth as engines to subvert and overthrow us Quest Is it not lawfull to pray otherwise Answ Yes for he neither here or elsewhere forbiddeth it so that our prayer be not such as thwarteth the will of God openly prescribed to us But if we desire any such thing concerning which the will of God is not manifested then is that petition to be wholly submitted to the will of God Quest To what end therefore did Christ command that we should pray in the aforesaid manner Answ That we might know assuredly what things are alwayes and necessarily to be desired of God Quest What else hath the Lord Jesus added to his first precept Answ That we ought to acknowledge him likewise for a God that is such a one as hath divine soveraignty over us and to whom we are bound to exhibit Divine honour Quest Wherein consisteth the Divine honour due to Christ Answ That as we are bound to celebrate him with Divine adoration so we may in our necessities implore his aid now we adore him for his sublime majesty and implore his aid for his divine and Soverain Authority Quest What else pertaineth to the Divine honour of Christ Answ The Administration of his Supper of which you shall hear anon Quest Whence prove you that Divine Adoration is due to Christ Answ There are proofs thereof in many passages of the Scripture and namely John 5. 22. Christ himself saith the Father hath given all Judgement that is according the Hebrew phrase all government and rule to the Son that all should honour the Son as they honour the Father and Phil. 2. 9 10 11. wherefore God hath exceedingly exalted him and given him a name above every name That in the Name of Jesus every knee should bow of things in Heaven on the Earth and under the Earth and that every tongue should confesse Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father Quest But how prove that we may fly to Christ in all our necessities Answ First because he is both able and willing to help us next that we have incitements thereunto both from the Lord himself and also from his Apostles in fine because we have examples thereof in holy men Quest How prove you that Christ is able and willing to help us Answ We will speak of that below when we come to his Kingly and Priestly Office Quest But where hath the Lord or where have the Apostles proposed to us these incitements A. John 14. 13 14 and chap. 15. and chap. 16. 23 24 25. where the Lord himself saith whatsoever you shall ask in my name that is relying on my name and power or directing your prayers to me by name or so to the Father as that I onely be named in the prayers I will do it Rev. 3. 18. I councell thee to buy of me gold tryed in the fire c. and Heb. 4. 14 15 16. where that divine Author writeth after this manner Having therefore a great high Priest passed through the Heavens Jesus the Son of God Let us hold fast the confession for we have not a High Priest that cannot be touched with a fellow feeling of our infirmities but in all things tempted like unto us without sin Let us therefore with boldnesse make our addresses to the throne of Grace that we may obtain mercy and find favour to help in time of need and Rom. 10. 13. Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved Quest Where have you examples hereof Answ Luke 17. 5. the Apostles say Lord increase our Faith in like mannor Mat. 8. 25. Lord save us we perish and Acts 7. 59. where Stephen invocating breaketh out into these words Lord Jesus receive my spirit and again ver 60.

Lord lay not this sin to their charge Also 2 Cor. 12. 7 8. Lest I should be too much elevated with the excesse of Revelation there was given to me a prick in the flesh an Angell of Satan to buffet me that I might not be elevated whereupon I besought the Lord that he might depart from me also 1 Thes 3. 11. Now our very God and Father and our Lord Jesus Christ direct our way unto you besides this may be farther seen in all the Apostolick salutations wherein they wish Grace Mercy and Peace As from God the Father so also from his Son Jesus Christ unto the faithfull Quest But is not the first Commandment of the decalogue altogether changed by this addition namely that we ought to acknowledge Christ for a God and celebrate him with Divine honour Answ At no hand for the Commandment it self is not changed in as much as all the worship that is given to Christ redoundeth to the glory of that one God the Father but the reason and manner of worshipping is changed for before Christ God was worshipped immediately but under Christ mediately Besides that law forbiddeth us to have other Gods before the Lord God and Christ is not an other God but in that very worship which is given to him subordinate to that one God it is apparent that that law is no way changed since it is well known that subordinate things are not opposite to one another Quest Is Divine Honour and Worship so attributed to Christ that there is herein no difference between him and God Answ Yes very great for we adore and honour God as the first cause of our Salvation but Christ as the second or to speak with Paul God the Father as him of whom are all the things the Lord Christ as him by whom are all the things 1 Cor. 8. 6. Quest What think you of those men which doe not invocate Christ nor think that he must be adored Answ That they are no Christians since indeed they have not Christ for though in words they dare not deny him yet in reality they do Quest You have shewed that next to God Christ ought to be worshipped tell me whether any one else is to be worshipped Answ None for neither is there any Divine testimony from whence it may appear that to any other but Christ Divine soverainty over us is given and whereas at this day in the Church of Rome some divine Authority is attributed to the Virgin Mary and to the Saints that is wholly built upon their own opinion Quest Can they not justly be excused since they doe it to this end that they may thereby give worship to God Answ No for in the worship of God it is not enough to ground our selves upon opinion though never so specious but thereunto there is need of the very truth it self otherwise that worship ought justly to be accounted for Idolatry Quest I perceive that none but God and Christ is to be worshipped but may we not invocate the Virgin Mary and the Saints not that they themselves may bestow any thing upon us but impetrate it by their prayers unto God and Christ Answ It is no wayes lawfull for the reason a little before declared as also because in those things that concern the worship of God one ought to be most certainly perswaded that the things which are done may be done according to the will of God But no testimony can be produced out of the sacred Scriptures from whence it may appear that the Virgin Mary and the other Saints either have any care of those things that are done by us or any knowledge or at least are able to hear our Prayers of which things never the lesse he ought to be perswaded who would addresse his prayers to them Quest I suppose I now perceive what force this precept hath in the Christian Religion come therefore to the second Answ The second is this Thou shalt not make to thy self any Graven Image c. Quest What is the meaning of this precept Answ That no Image is to be made to the end it should be adored and worshipped nor any such Image as may occasion such adoration and worship Quest What are those Images which men make to the end they should be adored and worshipped Answ Such as are made out of an opinion and shadow of Religion Quest In what manner is such adoration performed Answ Not onely when Images themselves are worshipped but when the worship is performed before them and when they are religiously cloathed but much more when Tapers are lighted before them Incense burned Vowes made to them and Pilgrimages undertaken to them Quest But they say these things are not exhibited to the Images themselves nor the Images themselves adored but those whom they represent Answ This shift availeth them not for in that prohibition there is no mention of such a difference that this should be done for the Images sakes or not but the people are enjoyned not to do the thing at all But that this evasion is not to be admitted the example of the Calf which the Israelites made in the Wildernesse and of those Calves which Jeroboam made for the Israelites in the Land which the Lord had given them to possesse For it is certain that the worship that was given to those Calves was in the intention of the Israelites not given to Calves themselves but to the Lord God of Israel whom they thought to be represented by them neverthelesse that worship was repugnant to the will of God as appeareth sufficiently out of the sacred Story Quest How will you prove that the Israelites worshipped God in the Calf that was made in the Wildernesse Answ That appeareth from the fact of Araon and the People From the fact of Aaron because being inforced by the prayers of the people to make them a God that might goe before them he framed that Calf But it is certain that Aaron had no other God besides the Lord which is also apparent from hence namely in that Aaron when he was about to dedicate that Calf saith of him Tomorrow is a solemnity to the Lord Exod. 32. 5. From the fact of this people because they said of the Calf that he was the God which brought them out of the Land of Aegypt for this whole action of bringing them out of the land of Aegypt by the hand of Moses was performed under the expresse name of the Lord himself Quest How will you prove the same concerning those Calves that Jeroboam made for the People A. First because those calves were proposed to the people by Jeroboam to be worshipped with these words behold thy God O Israel that brought thee up out of the land of Egypt 1 Kings 12. 28. Besides it is evident from the very history yea therein expressed that those calves were therefore framed by Ieroboam lest the people should go to Ierusalem to worship the Lord for they would never have desisted to go to