A Christian Dictionary, Dictionary 1 · Part 76
I. M.
Image. sig:
Any shape or portraiture, drawne by Art, to represent something by it for ciuill vse, as Caesars Image was made, to represent Caesar. Math. 22, 20. Whose Image or superscription is this? This is an artificiall Image made for ciuill respects; as to distinguish Coines, or beautifie Houses, and it is lawfull.
2 Some shape or picture, made to the likenesse of God, or of some creature for Diuine worships sake. Exod. 20. 4. Thou shalt make thee no grauen Image. Deut. 4, 15. *Image of the true God vnlawful, aswel as the Image of a false God.This is a Diabolicall Image, being made for Religion sake, and is vnlawfull. Where such Images be, there is no Religiō (saith a Father.) The Scripture saith, that God spake with a voice, but shewed no Image to his people of himselfe. Deut. 4.
3 All mens deuises, commaunded as Gods seruice. Exod. 20, 4. This is also superstition.
4 Our likenesse & resemblance of God, in righteousnesse and true holinesse. After this Image Adam was created. Gen. 1, 26. Let vsus make man after our Image▪ and vntounto this are all the elect restored againe by Christ. Ephe. 4, 24. This is a spiritual or Celestiall Image.
5 Our likenesse and resemblance with God, in respect of rule and authority. 1. Cor. 11, 7. The man is the Image and glorie of God. Hitherto of accidentary Images.
6 A reall, essentiall, true, and liuely expressing of the very substance of another. In this signification, is Christ saide to be the Image of God his Father. Col. 1, 15. Heb. 1, 3. Also, the Law is said, not to be the very Image of the thinges. Hebr. 10. 1. And it is written of vsus, that as wee hauehave bornethe Image of the earthly, so we shall beare the Image of the heauenly man. 1. Cor. 15, 49. And the Reuelation of S. Iohn, speaketh of the Image of the beast which all men shal adore. Reuel. 14, 9. In all which places, is meant the very things and substances themselues, or the solid and true existence of the things. These bee essentiall Images, which hauehave the substance of the things wherof they be called Images.
7 Any manner or resemblance whatsoeuer, lawfull or vnlawfull; liuely or painted; true or immaginary. Gen. 5, 3. He begat a Childe in his own likenesse, after his Image. Psal. 73, 20. Thou shalt make their Image despised. Where the word [Image] signifieth, an immaginary vanishing shaddow, to set forth the lightnesse and vnconstancy of all earthly things, which seeme and make shew to be the true goodes and felicity it selfe, yet are nothing but a shaddow or vaine likenesse thereof: therefore, by the Apostle, are called; a shape, fashion, or figure. 1. Cor. 7, 31. Rom. 12, 2.
Image of God. sig:
Christ, in whom God is to be seene and beheld, as touching his substance and glorious properties; as a man is to be knowne by his Image or picture. 2. Cor. 4, 4. Which is the Image of God. This is a consubstantiall Image, respecting essence and substance.
2 Dominion and perfect holinesse. Gen. 1, 27. In the Image of God created he him. This Image is accidentall, respecting qualities.
3 Authority and power, which by Gods ordinance the man hath ouer his wife. 1. Cor. 11, 7. He is the Image of God.
Immortall sig: pro
That which is not capeable of death, or subiect to dye.
2 An euer-during Nature, which is so of it selfe, without possibility of perishing or dying. 1. Tim. 1, 17. To God Immortall, onelyonly wise. Thus is God onelyonly Immortall.
3 That, which being once dead, shall rise again neuer to die more, as mens bodies. 1. Cor. 15, 53. Mortality must put on Immortality.
4 That which shall neuer hauehave end, though it hauehave a beginning; as Angels, and mens soules; of which, though it be not in expresse wordes saide in Scripture, that they be Immortall, yet inumerable places, by good consequence, prooue them to be so, as 1. Cor. 15, 19. 2. Cor. 5, 1. Luke 16, 22, 23, 24, &c.
Imortality sig:
Such an estate and condition, wherein death hath no place, nor power. 1. Cor. 15, 5, 34. When mortall hath put on Immortality, then death shall bee swallowed vp into victory.
Importunitie. sig:
Continuance or constancy in Prayer, when we pray and faint not. Luke 11, 8. Yet doubtlesse, because of his Importunitie, hee will giuegive him what he needeth. Example of this Importunity is in Luke 18, 2, 3, 4. &c. The poore widdow.
Imposition of hands, or laying on of hands. sig:
Putting on of hands, which is an ancient Ceremony vsed of the Iewes in two cases; one, in consecrating publicke Sacrifices, as also Priestes and Leuites, to declare such to be offered to God. Leuit. 4, 4. And secondly, in solemne benedictions and Prayers. Gen. 48, 14, 17, 20. Iacob put his hands vponupon Manasses and Ephraim, and prayed for them. It was continued vnderunder the Gospell, by Christ and his Apostles in time of Prayer, and bestowing spirituall graces. Also in time of admitting Church-Officers; Ministers, & Deacons. Mat. 19, 15. Christ put his handes on little children and prayed. Acts 6, 6. The Apostles prayed, and laid their hands on the Deacons. Acts 8, 17, 18. Then they laid their hands on them & they receiued the Holy-ghost; and by a Metanimie of the signe, it dooth signifie the whole Ministry of the Church, and the order of Church-Gouernment. Heb. 6, 2. The Doctrine of Baptisme, and Imposition of hands. Touching the Papists Imposition of hands, in the Sacrament of Order (as they cal it) there is no ground for it in the whole Scripture.
Imputation. sig: pro
Accounting, reckoning, and allowing some thinges to another of fauour; as Merchants, who do not put the debt in their reckoning, which they will forgiue.
2 An action of God, freely accounting the righteousnesse of Christ to be his righteousnesse, who beleeues in Christ. Rom. 4, 3, 4. And it was Imputed (or counted) to him for righteousnesse. In this fourth Chapter to the Romans, this word [Imputed] (derided by Popish Heretickes) is seauen times repeated in the Doctrine of Iustification, and is ioyned vntounto faith; without which, there is no Imputation of Christs Iustice to vsus. Rom. 4, 23, 24. Our sins and punishment were Imputed to Christ (whoNote. bare our sins in his body, and was made sinne for vsus. 1 Pet. 2. verse last.) And his righteousnesse with the merit thereof (euen eternall blisse) is imputed and accounted to al beleeuers; whence ariseth Iustification of a Sinner before God. 2. Cor. 5. verse last. He that knew no sinne, was made sin for vsus, that we might be made the righteousnesse of God in him: Not our righteousnesse, but the righteousnesse of God; not in vsus, but in him (saith an ancient father.) The Papists, scoffing at this most necessary and deuine action, of Imputing righteousnesse to faith, apprehending Christ, calling it in their Notes printed at Rhemes, a new-no-Iustice, an vntrue Imputation, an immaginary thing, a putatiue righteousnesse, a fantastical apprehension. In these and such like taunts, they vtter so many blasphemies against Heauen, and all to maintaine and establish their owne righteousnesse of workes.