Wesley Corpus

43. For what cause do they show this regard to relics? A. By the veneration of them they obtain the help of the saints (Concil. Trid, Sess. 25, de Invocat.) whom the relics relate to ; and many benefits are thereby conferred by God upon mankind; for by these the dead have been raised, the infirm cured, and devils cast out. (Catech. Rom, ibid.; Breviar. Rom., ibid.) REPLY. We read of Hezekiah, (2 Kings xviii. 4) that he “brake in pieces the brazen serpent that Moses had made:” And the reason was, because the children of Israel did burn incense to it. The brazen serpent was of God’s own institu tion; (Num. xxi. 8;) by looking up to which, the people were formerly cured. And though it was preserved as a memorial of that divine operation; yet, when abused to idolatry, he cut it in pieces. And were these truly relics of saints, and did work those miracles they pretend, it would be no reason for that reverence and worship they give to them; but the reverence and worship given to them should, according to good King Hezekiah’s practice, be a reason to give them a decent interment. Q. 44. What kind of reverence or worship is required to be given to images and pictures in the Church of Rome? A. They kiss them, uncover the head, and fall down, before them; offer incense, and pray to them, and use all such pos tures of worship as they would do to the person or persons thereby represented, (whether Christ, the Virgin Mary, or other saints,) if they were present: And whosoever doth think otherwise, is accursed. (Concil. Trid., Sess. 25, de Invocat. Catech. Rom., par. 4, c. 6, n. 4.) And accordingly, the Priest is to direct the people to them, that they may be worshipped. (Ut Colantur, Catech. Rom., par. 3, c. 2, n. 24.) REPLY. On the contrary, the Second Commandment teaches us, “Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above,” &c.