![]() ![]() In it also are the concupiscences of the world. After such crimes, so pernicious, so devouring of salvation, all other crimes also, after some manner, and separately disposed in order, find their own essence represented in idolatry. But if fraud, just as much as fornication and adultery, entails death, then, in these cases, equally with the former, idolatry stands unacquitted of the impeachment of murder. Well, but idolatry does fraud to God, by refusing to Him, and conferring on others, His honours so that to fraud it also conjoins contumely. ![]() The essence of fraud, I take it, is, that any should seize what is another's, or refuse to another his due and, of course, fraud done toward man is a name of greatest crime. For who that is a fellow-worker with unclean spirits, does not stalk in general pollution and fornication? And thus it is that the Holy Scriptures use the designation of fornication in their upbraiding of idolatry. Further, you may recognize in the same crime adultery and fornication for he who serves false gods is doubtless an adulterer of truth, because all falsehood is adultery. He who affirms that the idolater perishes not, will affirm that the idolater has not committed murder. By how many blows? As many as are his idolatries. ![]() You may ask, whom he has slain? If it contributes ought to the aggravation of the indictment, no stranger nor personal enemy, but his own self. ![]() Set aside names, examine works, the idolater is likewise a murderer. For, although each single fault retains its own proper feature, although it is destined to judgment under its own proper name also, yet it is marked off under the general account of idolatry. The principal crime of the human race, the highest guilt charged upon the world, the whole procuring cause of judgment, is idolatry. Includes the Catholic Encyclopedia, Church Fathers, Summa, Bible and more all for only $19.99. Please help support the mission of New Advent and get the full contents of this website as an instant download. ![]()
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