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| Wide Scope of the Word Idolatry.
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II.
On Idolatry.
[Translated by the Rev. S.
Thelwall.]
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Chapter I.—Wide Scope of the Word
Idolatry.
The principal crime of the
human race, the highest guilt charged upon the world, the whole
procuring cause of judgment, is idolatry.163
| 163 [This solemn sentence
vindicates the place I have given to the De Idololatria in the
order adopted for this volume. After this and the Apology come
three treatises confirming its positions, and vindicating the
principles of Christians in conflict with Idolatry, the great generic
crime of a world lying in wickedness. These three are the De
Spectaculis, the De Corona and the Ad Scapulam. The
De Spectaculis was written after this treatise, in which indeed
it is mentioned (Cap. xiii.), but logically it follows, illustrates and
enforces it. Hence my practical plan: which will be concluded by
a scheme (conjectural in part) of chronological order in which
precision is affirmed by all critics to be impossible, but, by which we
may reach approximate accuracy, with great advantage. The De
Idololatria is free from Montanism. But see Kaye, p. xvi.] | For,
although each single fault retains its own proper feature, although it
is destined to judgment under its own proper name also, yet it is
marked off under the general account of idolatry. Set aside
names, examine works, the idolater is likewise a murderer. Do you
inquire whom he has slain? If it contributes ought to the aggravation
of the indictment, no stranger nor personal enemy, but his own self. By
what snares? Those of his error. By what weapon? The offence done to
God. By how many blows? As many as are his idolatries. He who affirms
that the idolater perishes not,164
| 164 Lit., “has
not perished,” as if the perishing were already complete; as, of
course, it is judicially as soon as the guilt is incurred,
though not actually. | will
affirm that the idolater has not committed murder. Further, you may
recognize in the same crime165
adultery and
fornication; for he who serves false gods is doubtless an
adulterer166
| 166 A play on the
word: we should say, “an adulterator.” | of truth, because all
falsehood is adultery. So, too, he is sunk in fornication.
For who that is a fellow-worker with unclean spirits, does not stalk in
general pollution and fornication? And thus it is that the Holy
Scriptures167
| 167 Oehler refers to
Ezek. xxiii.; but many other references might be
given—in the Pentateuch and Psalms, for instance. | use the designation
of fornication in their upbraiding of idolatry. The essence of
fraud, I take it, is, that any should seize what is
another’s, or refuse to another his due; and, of course, fraud
done toward man is a name of greatest crime. Well, but idolatry
does fraud to God, by refusing to Him, and conferring on others, His
honours; so that to fraud it also conjoins contumely. But if
fraud, just as much as fornication and adultery, entails death, then,
in these cases, equally with the former, idolatry stands unacquitted of
the impeachment of murder. After such crimes, so pernicious, so
devouring of salvation, all other crimes also, after some manner, and
separately disposed in order, find their own essence represented in
idolatry. In it also are the concupiscences of the world. For
what solemnity of idolatry is without the circumstance of dress and
ornament? In it are lasciviousnesses and drunkennesses;
since it is, for the most part, for the sake of food, and stomach, and
appetite, that these solemnities are frequented. In it is
unrighteousness. For what more unrighteous than it, which knows
not the Father of righteousness? In it also is vanity,
since its whole system is vain. In it is mendacity, for its
whole substance is false. Thus it comes to pass, that in idolatry all
crimes are detected, and in all crimes idolatry. Even otherwise, since
all faults savour of opposition to God, and there is nothing which
savours of opposition to God which is not assigned to demons and
unclean spirits, whose property idols are; doubtless, whoever commits a
fault is chargeable with idolatry, for he does that which pertains to
the proprietors of idols.E.C.F. INDEX & SEARCH
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