Porrum & cæpe nefas violare & frangere morsu,
Oh sanctas gentes quibus hæc nascuntur in hortis
Numina!——
Sat. xv. l. 8, 9, 10.
The Images of the Gods, says Seneca, are worshipped; these they pray unto and adore, and while they greatly admire them, at the same time despise the Workmen that made them[[435]]. Which also Sedulius their Poet scoffs at, saying,——Who worship Vanities ... despise their own Maker ... fear the Works of their own Hands.... What Madness! that Man should ugly Shapes adore, of Bulls, Birds, Dragons, the vile Half-Dog, or Half-Man, on Knees for Aid implore[[436]].——
[435]. Simulachra Deorum venerantur——fabros qui ilia fecêre, contemnunt.
[436]. Heu miseri vana colunt——ut volucrem, turpemque Bovem, torvumque Draconem, sem-hominemque canem supplex homo pronus adoret.
Yet among the Nations were some who thought it Impiety to represent their Gods by Images, as the Persians, Indian Brachmans, &c.[[437]] Yea, the Romans, for 170 Years, would not allow Images in their Temples, observing the Law of Numa. It was Tarquinius Priscus that followed the Vanity of the Grecians (a Nation of all others, excepting Egypt, most deluded by the old Serpent) set up the Images of their Gods, which even the Learned Varro bewailed and condemned. The Mahometans have a perfect Aversion to Images. The Jews hate all Images, will not allow any in their Houses, much less in Places of Worship. But to proceed:
[437]. Hospinian. de Origine Imaginum.