Part
II.
The Second Discourse on the
Resurrection.
2893
For instance, then, the images of our kings here, even
though they be not formed of the more precious materials—gold or
silver—are honoured by all. For men do not, while they
treat with respect those of the far more precious material, slight
those of a less valuable, but honour every image in the world, even
though it be of chalk or bronze. And one who speaks against
either of them, is not acquitted as if he had only spoken against clay,
nor condemned for having despised gold, but for having been
disrespectful towards the King and Lord Himself. The images of
God’s angels, which are fashioned of gold, the principalities and
powers, we make to His honour and glory.
2893
From St. John Damascene, Orat. 2,
De Imagin.
, tom. i. p.
389, ed. Paris, 1712.