What is forbidden in the second commandment?
The second commandment forbiddeth the worshipping of God by images or any other way not appointed in his word.
Proofs
- The second commandment forbiddeth the worshipping of God by images (Deuteronomy 4:15β19; Exodus 32:5, 8)
- or any other way not appointed in his word. (Deuteronomy 12:31β32)
Additional Exposition
Section 1
Is it a sin to worship any creature?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: They served the creature more than the Creator, (Romans 1:25)
Or the image of any creature?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Cursed be the man that maketh any graven or molten image an abomination unto the Lord, (Deuteronomy 27:15)
May we not worship the host of heaven?
Answer: No.
Proof: Lest when thou seest the sun and the moon and the stars, thou shouldst be driven to worship them, (Deuteronomy 4:19)
Nor great and good men?
Answer: No.
Proof: Why do ye these things, we are also men of like passions with you, (Acts 14:15)
Nor good angels?
Answer: No.
Proof: Let no man beguile you of your reward, by a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, (Colossians 2:18)
Section 2
Is it a sin to plead for idols?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Will ye plead for Baal? (Judges 6:31)
Or pray to them?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: One shall cry to him yet he cannot answer, (Isaiah 46:7)
Or trust in them?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: They shall be greatly ashamed that trust in graven images, (Isaiah 42:17)
Or attribute any thing to them?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Lest thou shouldst say, My idol hath done them, (Isaiah 48:5)
Or give them any part of religious worship?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: If my heart hath been secretly enticed, or my mouth hath kissed my hand this were an iniquity, to be punished by the Judge, (Job 31:27)
Section 3
Is it a sin to worship the true God by images?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Take ye therefore good heed unto yourselves, for ye saw no manner of similitude, (Deuteronomy 4:15β16)
Can we form any image of God in our minds?
Answer: No.
Proof: To whom will ye liken God? (Isaiah 40:18)
Is it impossible then to form it with our hands?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: For we must not think that the Godhead is like unto gold or silver, or stone graven by art or manβs device, (Acts 17:29)
Do those therefore that attempt it put a great affront upon him?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: They change the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like unto corruptible man, (Romans 1:23)
Section 4
Doth this commandment forbid all superstitious practices in worship?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: In all things ye are too superstitious, (Acts 17:22)
And all sinful compliances with the invention of men?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Touch not, taste not, handle not after the commandments and doctrines of men, (Colossians 2:21β22)
Does it particularly condemn the idolatry of the papists in worshipping a consecrated host?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: For it is bread that we break, (1 Corinthians 10:16)
Is it enough that these things are not expressly forbidden?
Answer: No.
Proof: They offered strange five, which the Lord commanded them not, (Leviticus 10)