2. The Greeks, moreover, employ painted representations, painting, it is said, only from the navel upwards, that all occasion of vain thoughts may be removed. But they make no carved image, as it is written, 'Thou shalt not make a graven image.' [Footnote 242] And again: 'Thou shalt not make an idol, nor a graven image.' [Footnote 243] And again, 'Lest ye be deceived, and make a graven image.' [Footnote 244] And again: 'Ye shall not make unto you gods of silver: [Footnote 245] {44} neither shall ye make with Me gods of gold.' So also the Prophet, 'Their idols are silver and gold, the work of man's hand. They that make them are like unto them: and so are all they that put their trust in them.' [Footnote 246] And again: 'Confounded be all they that worship graven images: and that put their glory in their idols.' [Footnote 247] [Footnote 242: Deut. v, 8.] [Footnote 243: Lev. xxvi. 1.] [Footnote 244: Deut. iv, 16.] [Footnote 245: Exodus xx, 20.] [Footnote 246: Psalm cxv, 4.] [Footnote 247: Psalm xcvii, 7.] 3. Also, Moses saith to the children of Israel, 'Lest perchance thou shouldest be deceived, and shouldest worship that which the Lord thy God hath created.' [Footnote 248] Hence also was it that Hezekiah King of Judah brake in pieces the brazen serpent which Moses set up: because the people, contrary to the precepts of the law, burnt incense to it. [Footnote 248: Deut. iv, 19.] 4. From these forementioned and other authorities, the excessive use of images is forbidden. The Apostle saith also to the Corinthians, 'We know that an idol is nothing in the world: and there is no god but One.' [Footnote 249] For they who are simple and infirm may easily by an excessive and indiscreet use of images, be perverted to idolatry. Whence he saith in Wisdom, 'There shall be no respect of the idols of the nations, which have made the creatures of God hateful, and temptations for the souls of men, and snares for the feet of the unwise.' [Footnote 250] [Footnote 251] But blame there is none in a moderate use of pictures, to teach how ill is to be avoided, and good followed. [Footnote 249: I Corinth, viii, 4.] [Footnote 250: Wisdom xiv, 11.] [Footnote 251: A more solemn protest against the sin of idolatry can hardly be found than the above passage: and they who brand every return to, and every wish for the restoration of, Catholic practices, by so hateful a name, would do well to bear it in mind.] {45}