pay divine worship, but also to venerate and even to salute. Thus
from the instances collected in Forcellini's Lexicon we may select the
following: "Primo autem septimum Germanici consulatum adoravi". Stat
in præf i. 4 Silv. Imo cum gemitu populum sic adorat: Apulei. lib 2.
Metam. The doctrine of the catholic church on this subject is as usual
clear and decided. The twenty-fifth session of the Council of Trent
decreed as follows: "The holy synod commands all bishops, and others
sustaining the duty and care of teaching, that they should diligently
instruct the faithful concerning the legitimate use of images
according to the custom of the catholic and apostolic church received
from the commencement of christianity, and the consent of the holy
fathers, and decrees of the sacred councils, teaching them ... that
the images of Christ; of the Virgin mother of God, and other saints,
are to be had and retained especially in churches, and that due honour
and veneration are to be given them: not that any divinity or virtue
is believed to exist in them for which they are to be worshipped, or
that any thing is to be asked from them, or that confidence is to be
placed in images, as was formerly done by the Gentiles, who used to
place their hope in idol; but because the honour which is given to
them is referred to the prototypes which they represent; so that
by the images which we kiss, and before which we uncover our heads
and bow our bodies, we adore Christ, and venerate the Saints, whose
likeness they bear: this has been decreed against the opposers of
images by the decrees of councils, especially of the second synod of
Nice. And let the bishops diligently teach, that by the histories
of the mysteries of our redemption expressed in pictures or other
likenesses the people are instructed and confirmed in commemorating
and assiduously venerating articles of faith, and that from all sacred
images a great fruit is derived, not only because the people are
admonished of the benefits and gifts conferred on them by Christ, but