Letter Censuring Cheapside Cross, Part 1
Cheap-ſide Croſſe cenſured and condemned BY A LETTER SENT From the Vicechancellour and other Learned Men of the famous Vniverſitie of Oxford, in anſwer to a queſtion propounded by the Citizens of London, concerning the ſaid CROSSE, in the yeere 1600, in which yeer it was beautified, As alſo a remarkable paſſage to the ſame purpoſe, in a Sermon preached to an eminent and very great Auditory in this City of London: by a very reverend, holy, and learned Divine, a while after the Croſſe was laſt repaired, which was Anno 1606.
2 CHRON. 31. 1.
All Iſrael that were preſent, went out to the Cities of Iudah and brake the Images in pieces, &c, untill they had ut, terly deſtroyed them all.
LONDON, Printed by A. N. for I. R. and are to be ſold at his Shop in Pauls Church-yard, 1641.
Reſolved on this queſtion (being propounded by the Citizens of London, Ianuary 23. 1600) viz.
Queſt. Whether the Croſſe in Cheapſide ſhould ſtand or be demoliſhed.
Anſ. By George Abbot, Vicechancellour of Oxford, for the yeere aboveſaid, as follows.
COncerning the queſtion of ſetting up againe the Croſſe or other Crucifix in Cheapſide, I am of opinion, Firſt, that the godly and diſcreet zeal of the worthy City is much to be cōmended, who, on juſt & apparent grounds making a conſcience of that which may be ſcandalous to many good Chriſtians, have not raſhly nor tumultuouſly proceeded therein, but are deſirous to be informed by Divines of the Univerſities (which are under the protection of Almighty God, and her moſt Sacred Majeſtie, Schools of the Prophets) what they may, and ought to doe, both unto the honour of Gods Name, and to the ſetling of ſuch their brethren as be in doubt.
Secondly, I am fully perſwaded, that the everlaſting God in his wiſdome hath offered unto this reverend Citie this occaſion, to make tryall of their piety and devotion, whether they doe love the intire ſervice of himſelfe withall their hearts, and ſouls, or no, for which matter, howſoever it ſeeme prima facie to contain nothing of much moment in it, yet now, ſince the expectation of the whole Realme, and Church of England is, what will become thereof, it cannot be ſuppoſed of leſſe conſequence, then that either our Religion which is eſtabliſhed according unto the Canon of the Scripture, or elſe that Papiſtry ſhould receive a wound, and blow thereby.
Being then orderly and fairly demanded my judgment therein, I doe purpoſe according to the ſeverall circumſtances in their ſeverall places, to touch divers things,
Praying that God would guide my Meditations and pen aright, to the glory of his Name, and good of their ſoules who deſire in this matter to be reſolved.
Firſt, in theſe Crucifixes are reſembled God the Father by an old man, the Holy Ghoſt by a Dove, which are both of them unlawfull in true Divinity, becauſe God is a Spirit, and he himſelfe forbids any ſimilitude or ſhape of himſelf, when he gave the law, intending that he filleth Heaven and Earth.
Confirmed by Origen, who ſaith, we doe deſcribe with no ſhape God who is without body inviſible. Ambroſe ſaith, God is infinite, unmeaſurable, &c.
The Heathens, and Numa in Plutarchs Lives, did forbid his people to ſhape out any of their Gods with the forme of a man.
And this teſtimony Clemens Alexandrinus authoriſeth. Nay, Thomas Aquinas part. 3. q. 25. a. 3. But unto God who is without any body, no bodily I-mages could be ſet up, becauſe as Damaſcen ſaith, it is a point of the higheſt folly or impiety to figure that which is divine, but becauſe God in the new Teſtament is made man, he may be adored with the bodily Image of himſelfe, this Aquinas ſaith.
So Chriſt (the Frier thinketh) in his humanity may be pictured, and not God.
Long ſince, ſome of the choiceſt learned Sorboniſts directly ſay, they deſire therefore that Images of the Trinitie ſhould be removed from all publike and private places, becauſe they are forbidden by the Scriptures by Councils, by many men of excellent worth and holineſſe.
This ſhortly I ſpeak, but who liſteth to ſee more, the refutation of Bellarmines Cavils ſpeaking for thoſe Superſtitions, as alſo the judgement of the Fathers, let him read Doctor Reynolds, de Idolatria.
Being then that the Image of the Dove for the Holy Ghoſt was upon the Croſſe in Cheapſide, and the retayning thereof is unlawfull, yea, one of the higheſt points of Popery, whereof many learned men of their ſide are aſhamed, I hold it a matter queſtionleſſe in a reformed Church, that the Croſſe is in no ſort to be ſet up again, as it is was before with the Dove, leſt we ſhould ſeem to perſiſt in that palpable darkneſſe of Egypt.
And in this point I being undoubtedly and irrefragably reſolv…d, in that ſame burdenſome office of a Chriſtian Magiſtrate, which now under my Lord I doe beare, did upon ſound and mature advice this laſt Summer burn and conſume with fire in the Market place of Oxford, amongſt others, a Picture wherein was the Image of God the Father over a Crucifix ready to receive the ſoul of Chriſt.
The next conſiderable matter is for the Crucifix it ſelfe, what is to be judged of the Image, and whether it may be retained at all.
I doe not certainly finde when the firſt uſe in that kinde was taken up amongſt men, although Conſtantine did cauſe ſomewhat to be made, which repreſented the two firſt Letters of Chriſts Name, as they are written in Greek, and that which hee had made was to be uſed only in Standards, but in this ſort, and to that uſe, as now commonly is framed, if it had never been began, I think I may boldly ſay, that the Church had been freed of a great deal of Superſtition, which afterwards grew to little leſſe then blaſphemy.
It is very likely that they that firſt uſed it had this to ſay for it, that there might be an Hiſtoricall uſe to put us in mind of him that died for us, and in as much as ſenſible and viſible things do much affect us, this memoriall might ſtir our devotion to remember him, by whoſe ſtripes we are healed.
Now as this may be the only uſe thereof, much may be diſputed, and held not to be ſimpliciter malus, abſolutely evill: So in my opinion, there are far more repugnant, and direct reaſons which may make againſt it altogether, as
Firſt, the wiſdome of God, which directed us to all things fit for our ſalvation, hath given not the leaſt touch nor ſemblance, directly or by conſequence, of any ſuch matter, which might ſerve to direct us unto Piety: but hath only appointed the Word to be the meaſure thereof, and the Sacraments which are viſibly (but not ſo groſly as the Crucifix) preſented unto us as reſemblances of Chriſts paſsion.
Secondly, it implyeth great weakneſſe of faith when we cannot think of our Saviour, either by Meditation, or Prayer, or reading, or hearing the word, or by receiving of the Sacraments, but wee muſt flie unto ſuch means, as for the uſe whereof wee have no warrant, but on the other ſide there is much danger, leſt inconveniences ſhould grow thereby.
It was a true obſervation of Philo Judaeus, that the minds of women are the weaker, and they can preſerve nothing but that which is ſenſible, ſpeaking of Images which they deſire, but note hee aſcribeth it unto weakneſſe in them.
Thirdly, it was a very ready way unto Superſtition, which from a ſmall beginning creepeth on, neither hath it any way more increaſe then in Images, as the Church by lamentable experience hath too too much proved. Images (ſaith Cyprian) at firſt were made in honour of them that were dead, but afterwards they became ſacred to their poſterity, & were at firſt taken only for comforts, this was true among the Heathen, and ſo it was among the Chriſtians, who at firſt made them, but offered not to bring them into Churches, yet within a while that alſo was attempted, but to the great griefe and indignation of the godly.
Epiphanius comming into a Church, and ſeeing a veile or hanging that had one of the Pictures of Chriſt or ſome Saint, tore it, as being in the Church contrary unto the Scriptures, and after in ſteed thereof of he ſent a new veile thither, but that which was then ſo reſiſted by Epiphanius, did in proceſſe of time (as the purity of the Profeſſours of the Goſpel decayed) grow ſtronger, ſo that by the time of Gregory the Great, Images grew to be ordinary in Churches, yet notwithſtanding hee that was ſo earneſt for the having them, could not like that they ſhould be worſhipped, but even then there were that repugned the opinion of receiving of them into Churches, and ſo defaced the Images themſelves.
Gregory diſliked the worſhipping of them, but thoſe that came after him they mayntained the Adoration and worſhip given unto them, appeareth by the ſecond Councill of Nice, among many, no doubt, this of Chriſt hanging upon the Croſſe was one of the principall, whereby Superſtition went ſo far, as that it was and is mayntained that the reverence and adoration due unto God himſelfe (called Latria) is to be given to the reſemblance of Chriſt on the Croſſe, which is directly laid down by Thomas Aquinas, yea, and practiſed in their Miſſall.
The perpetuall uſe of their adoration, may be gathered by their Roods in Churches, Crucifix…s in windowes, the ſame alſo in their Service Books, and on the backſides of them, where Mary and John ſtand by Chriſt, by the like in Rings now growne a faſhion, beſides in ſtones and metals, before which many of them doe ſay a large part of their devotions, yea, the moſt ſuperſtitious Papiſts are ready to give veneration thereunto, whereſoever they ſee it ſolemnly ſet up.
I remember in that Colledge where I firſt lived, a young man was taken praying and beating his breſt before a Crucifix in a window, which cauſed the Maſters and Fellows to pull it down, and ſet up other glaſſe. Which example makes me nothing doubt but that the Croſs in Cheapſide hath many in the twilight and morning early which doe reverence before it.
Beſides Campian, whoſe act is famous, or rather infamous for it, and I am informed, that ſo much hath been ſignified by the neighbours, or inqueſt making preſentments, concerning the circumſtances of this cauſe. By all which I do conclude, that it is a Monument of their Superſtition, a great inducement, and may be a ready way unto Idolatry, and that there can be no tolerable uſe of this matter, which may be able for to countervail the dangers and obloquie ariſing upon the reteyning of it, and ſo much the rather, becauſe it is perceived, that many evill affected men doe make their advantage from hence to inſinuate into the minds of their credulous hearers, that it is a token of the returne of their faith againe into into this Land, ſince their Monuments are not extinguiſhed in the chiefeſt ſtreet of our greateſt City.
Upon which conſiderations I make no doubt but the religious Magiſtrates are ſufficiently warranted by the Word of God to remove it away, for the Scriptures have laid before our eyes what ought to be done to remaynders of Idolatry, Yea ſhall overthrow their Altars, Pillars, graven Images, &c.
But the deeds of Hezekiah being well looked into doth put it out of all controverſie, for when hee ſaw the foule abuſe of the brazen Serpent, hee cauſed it to be defaced, and yet it hath other manner of warrant for it then this, it being commanded by God, erected by Moſes, a figure of Chriſt, in divers of which moſt materiall circumſtances this Crucifix is moſt defective.Divers learned Miniſters then living do report. Though the judgement of both Univerſities was conſulted with about the Croſſe, and both deſired it might be taken down, yet they could not prevaile with B. Bancroft, but he would have it re-edified, only with much adoe they overſwayed the Biſhop to leave off the picture of Chriſt on the Croſſe, that was ſet on the top of it.
And here I pray the Reader to obſerve, that I ſay the Magiſtrates are to redreſſe ſuch enormities, for I doe not permit inferiour men to run headlong about ſuch means, and to rend, breake, and teare as well within as without the Churches, which was that that Luther reprehended, but the advice and conſent of Superiour powers is to be had herein, that all things may be done decently and in order. In which reſpect I hold it neceſſary that the Biſhop of Canterbury, and the Biſhop of London be ſought unto, who doubtleſſe upon the ſober intention of the Governours of that City will be pleaſed religiouſly and gravely, according unto their manifold wiſdome which God hath given unto them, to looke into the matter, & give inſtructions what is fitteſt to be done.
HEre Maſter Vicechancellour at large proveth that it was but omiſsion in our firſt Reformers, and that our further reformation would not condemne or checke them,Take notice of the blinde zeale of the Prelate in this buſineſſe. but commend, the preſent due occaſion being offered, that it would be as the fact of Theodoſius and Joſias, that the further they went the more they did ſtill raze remnauts of Idolatry, and eſtabliſhed Gods true ſervice, then he ſaith, Man hath not ſought for this opportunity, but God hath rather put it upon the Citie, in as much as the Crucifix being worne out with time was ready to fall, there was a neceſsity impoſed for taking it down.
Now it is a greater matter to re-edifie a ſcandalous thing then to continue it, in as much as the one implyeth a winking connivance or permiſsion only, but the other intendeth an allowance and ratification, which giveth greater advantage unto the adverſary.
This he confirmed by Marcus Biſhop of Arethuſe in Conſtantines time the Great, and Julianus perſecuted him after that he refuſed contribution to the rebuilding of overthrowne Idols Temples, Saying, that it was ungodly to afford one halfpenny to a wicked maker thereof.
And out of that Author he citeth one more example of Nudas a Perſian Biſhop, pulling downe a Pyren or Temple dedicated to the fire the Perſians god, and refuſing to build it again at Iſdigerdes the Kings command.
Theodorets ſaying of him, I doe admire him, and thinke him worthy of a garland, for in my opinion it is equall impiety to adore the fire, and to build a Temple to it.
My advice therefore and judgement in the name of God is, that the Crcifix ſhould not be erected there, but that upon this opportunitie advantage ſhould be taken to give ſuperſtition a further blow, which will be very joyous to all that are already ſincerely affected, and if there be any who truly love the Goſpel, and are not yet ſo fully perſwaded in this point, they alſo will in mildneſſe yield to reaſon, if the Superiour power ſhall be pleaſed to give countenance to this deed of the City.
But if it ſhould be miſliked of hollow-hearted Papiſts, or maligned by profeſſed Recuſants, it muſt be expected and not wondred at.
Now if it ſhall be demanded what ſhould be ſet up inſteed of the other Monument. I thinke beſt to be ſome Pyramis or matter of meere beauty, and not any Angell or ſuch like whatſoever, for although in truth that deſerveth no reprehenſion, yet by avoyding of that the mouthes of the Adverſaries may be ſtopped, who would otherwiſe ſtorme and ſay, that the Creator is taken down, and ſuch a Creature is ſet up in the place where hee ſtood; and whereas it is ſaid, that evermore it will be called the Croſſe in Cheap-ſide, yet it may be poſſible that time may weare out the appellation, or if it doe not, the name ſhall hurt no more then the name of Chriſtmas or Candlemas doth, from which a godly man may make that uſe as to prayſe the Lord, that the matter of theſe Superſtitions are removed, and the name onelyonly remaynes as a memoriall of Gods goodneſſe, who hath done ſo great good things for us. And by reaſon of the ſickneſſe and weakneſſe of him who more learnedly and judiciouſly might have reſolved this point, have I not after that hot and haſty humour of ſome men who are moved rather by fancie then reaſon, but after Chriſtian and ſetled looking into the cauſe, and ſatisfying of my owne conſcience, fully therein ſet down my judgement upon the demand propoſed unto me, ſuppoſing that this ſhall alſo give acceſſe unto the honour of God, her Majeſty, the Church of England, and that noble Citie, if it be ſo ſet up again as a matter of meere beauty or Pyramide.
But referring the di…ection, execution, and compleating of all to thoſe honourable perſonages unto whom under our ſacred Sovereigne the Lord hath committed the ordering of ſuch affairs. God Almighty bleſſe us, that wee may ſtill go forward in true Religion, and his holy Spirit direct our thoughts, words and actions, to the honour of his holy Name. AMEN.
George Abbot, Vicechancellour, An. 1600.