Matthew Poole and continuators on Acts 17:29

29 Forasmuch then as we are the off-spring of God, we ought not to think that the G[illegible: 1 letter]dhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone graven by art and mans device.

Taking man in his natural principles, consisting of Soul and Body, he is not made of Gold and Silver, much less can God be made of them. Our Soul, in which we bear the Image of God, cannot be expressed by any Graving or Painting; much less God whose Image it is. There are two things to be considered in every Image, its matter, and its form or shape; The matter of an Image, let it be never so precious, is much inferior to Man; for, it lies in the earth (be it Gold or Silver) for man to trample upon, until he dig it up, and take it out▪ As for the form of the Image, it is that which men p[illegible: 1 letter]ease to give it, and man is a kind of Creator of it; howsoever it is his workmanship, and the work is more ignoble than the workman; at least not to be adored by him▪

This is spoken by the Apostle in a Poetical expression; according unto what he had cited. We are indeed the Children, and in our Souls bear the Image of God. But as many as have the spirit of Adoption, they partake of Gods Holiness, and imitate his Goodness, and are more like unto him, by whom they are begotten again unto a lively hope, 1 Pet. 1.3. and at the Resurrection they will appear unto all to be his Children, when they shall be acknowledged his Heirs, and Coheirs with Jesus Christ, Rom. 8.17.

According to mans will and pleasure, for the Image cannot determine its self to be made as it would.

Marginal references: Isa. 40.18.