'Against the violent Excesses of a reforming Spirit': an 18th century Anglican defence of imagery
Returning to The Ornaments of Churches Considered, With a Particular View to the Late Decoration of the Parish Church of St. Margaret Westminster (1761), we now consider its account of imagery and the Elizabethan Settlement. I have previously noted how this work provided a thoroughly Laudian defence of imagery in churches. Today's extract is a similarly Laudian account of the moderation of the Elizabethan Settlement regarding images: rejecting that which was superstitious, retaining that which was edifying. The Elizabethan Settlement was contrasted with "warm Advocates for such a naked and unadorned State of Religion, as almost excluded every Thing which affected the Imagination and Senses". Significantly, a footnote at this point refers to Lutheran practice: Amongst those who embraced the Reformed Religion, the Lutherans manifested the greatest Inclinations for preserving in their Churches some of those exterior Forms and Ornaments, which make an Impression on the Sens