with instability of soul.] The silken The silken coverings placed over the altar are the ornaments of divers virtues where with the soul is adorned. The hanging wherewith the altar is beautified setteth forth the saints, as below shall be said. [The beginning and the end of the Mass take place at the right side of the altar: the middle portion at the left as shall be said when we treat of the changes of the priest. The ancients made their altars concave; as it is written in Ezekiel, that in the altar of God was a trench. And this, according to Gregory, lest the wind should scatter the sacrifices laid upon it. Also he saith in Ezekiel that the inner part of the altar was bent downwards in all its circumference.30 15. But the steps to the altar [spiritually set forth the apostles and martyrs of Christ, who for His love poured out their blood. The bride in the Canticles of Love calleth it a purple ascent. Also, the fifteen virtues are set forth by them: which were also typified by the fifteen steps by which they went up to the temple of Solomon: 7], and by the prophet in fifteen Psalms of degrees, therein setting forth that he is blest who maketh ascents in his heart. This was the ladder that Jacob beheld: 'And his top reached to the heavens.' By these steps the ascent of virtues is sufficiently made manifest, by which we go up to the altar, that is, to Christ: according to that saying of the Psalmist, They go from virtue to virtue.' And Job, I will seek him through all my steps.' Yet it is said in Exodus, Neither shalt thou go up by steps to my altar, that thy nakedness be not discovered thereon.'* For perhaps the ancients did not as yet use trousers. In the Council of Toledo, it is decreed that the priest, who for the sake of grief at the misfortune of another, strippeth the altar or any image of its garments [or girdeth himself with 38 This passage also is not found in the Venetian edition. mourning vest, or with thorns,*], or extinguisheth the lights of the church, shall be deposed. But if his church be undeservedly spoiled, he is allowed to do this for grief: or, according to some, he may on the day of the Passion of our Lord make bare the altars as a sign of grief. Which is, however, reprobated by the Council of Lyons. Lastly, altars which have been built at the instigation of dreams, or the empty revelations of men, are altogether reprobated. This passage also is not found in the Venetian edition, CHAPTER III OF PICTURES, and images, and curtainS, AND THE ORNAMENTS OF CHURCHES Use of Pictures and Curtains-Objections against the Use, answered Place of Pictures-The Saviour, how Represented -The Angels-The Evangelists-The Apostles-The Patriarchs-S. John Baptist-Martyrs-Confessors-Institution of Pictures-Of Crowns-Of Paradise-Of the General Ornament of Churches-Of Pyxes—Of Relicaries-Of Candlesticks-Of Cups-Of the Cross-Of Altar Cloths and VeilsThe Treasures of the Church, when Displayed, and why-Of Ostrich Eggs—Of Vessels for the Holy Mysteries-Of Chalices -General Observations on the Respect due to Church Ornaments, I. PICTURES and ornaments in churches are the lessons and the Scriptures of the laity. Whence Gregory : It is one thing to adore a picture, and another by means of a picture historically to learn what should be adored. For what writing supplieth to him which can read, that doth a picture supply to .him which is unlearned, and can only look. Because they who are uninstructed thus see what they ought to follow and things are read, though letters be unknown. True is it that the Chaldeans, which worship fire, compel others to do the same, and burn other idols. But Paynim adore images, as icons, and idols; which Saracens do not, who neither will possess nor look on images, grounding themselves on that saying, 'Thou shalt not make to thyself any graven image, nor the likeness of anything that is in heaven above, nor in the earth beneath, nor in the waters under the earth,' and on other the like authorities: these they follow incontinently, casting the same in our teeth. But we worship not images, nor account them to be gods, nor put any hope of salvation in then for Exodus xx, 4. 1 that were idolatry. Yet we adore them for the memory and remembrance of things done long agone.* the verse, Whence What time thou passest by the rood, bow humbly evermore ; Yet not the rood, but Him which there was crucified, adore. And again:* That thing, which hath his being given, 'tis fond for God to own : A form material, carved out by cunning hands, in stone. The form is neither God nor man, which here thou dost behold; He very God and Man, of whom thou by that form are told. 2. The Greeks, moreover, employ painted representations, painting, it is said, only from the navel upwards, that all occasion of vain thoughts may be removed. But they make no carved image, as it is written, 'Thou shalt not make a graven image.' And again: Thou shalt not make an idol, nor a graven image.'" And again, Lest ye be deceived, and make a graven image.'" And again: 'Ye shall not make unto you gods of silver:" neither shall ye make with Me gods of gold.' So also the Prophet. 'Their idols are silver and gold, the work of man's hand. They that make them are like unto them and so are all they that put their trust in them.' 10 And again: 'Confounded be all they that 3 Veneramur.—We here use the word adore in the sense given to it by the great and good Bishop Montague in his Just Treatise of Invocation': where he says, speaking of the Saints 'I do admire, reverence, adore them in their kind.' "Effigiem Christi, quum transis, pronus honora ; Nec Deus est, nec homo, quam præsens cernis imago; The later editions add— Nam Deus est, quod imago docet, sed non Deus ipse ; " Deut. V, ¡Lev. xxvi, 1. Psalm cxv, 4. worship graven images: and that put their glory in their idols.' 11 3. Also, Moses saith to the children of Israel, 'Lest perchance thou shouldest be deceived, and shouldest worship that which the Lord thy God hath created.' 12 Hence also was it that Hezekiah King of Judah brake in pieces the brazen serpent which Moses set up: because the people, contrary to the precepts of the law, burnt incense to it. 4. From these forementioned and other authorities, the excessive use of images is forbidden. The Apostle saith also to the Corinthians, We know that an idol is nothing in the world: and there is no god but One.' 1 For they who are simple and infirm may easily by an excessive and indiscreet use of images, be perverted to idolatry. Whence he saith in Wisdom, 'There shall be no respect of the idols of the nations, which have made the creatures of God hateful, and temptations for the souls of men, and snares for the feet of the unwise.'" 16 But blame there is none in a moderate use of pictures, to teach how ill is to be avoided, and good followed. Whence saith the Lord to Ezekiel, 'Go in, and behold the abominations which these men do. And he went in, and saw the likeness of reptiles and beasts, and the abominations, and all the idols of the house of Israel portrayed on the wall.'10 Whence saith Pope Gregory in his Pastorale. When the forms of external objects are drawn into the heart, they are as it were painted there, because the thoughts of them are their images. Again, He saith to the same Ezekiel, 'Take a tile, and lay it before thee, and describe in it the city Jerusalem.' 17 But that which is said above, " Psalm xcvii, 7. 131 Corinth. viii, 4. 12 Deut. iv, 19. 14 Wisdom xiv, 11. 16 A more solemn protest against the sin of idolatry can hardly be found than the above passage: and they who brand every return to, and every wish for the restoration of, Catholic practices, by so hateful a name, would do well to bear it in mind, 17 Ezekiel iv, 1. 10 Ezekiel viii, 10. |