The second tome of homilies of such matters as were promised, and entitled in…The second tome of homilees of such matters as were promised, and intituled in…

Thus far Lactantius, and much more, to long here to rehearse, declaring that as little girls play with little puppets, so be these decked images great puppets for old fools to play with. And that we may know what, not only men of our religion, but Ethnics also, judge of such decking of dead images, it is not unprofitable to hear what Seneca, a wise and excellent learned Senator of Rome and Philosopher, saith concerning the foolishness of ancient & grave men, used in his time in worshipping and decking of images: We saith (Seneca) be not twice children (as the common saying is) but always children: but this is the difference, that we being elder, play the children, and in these plays they bring in before, great and well decked puppets (for so he calleth images) ointments, incense, and odours. To these puppets they offer up sacrifice, which have a mouth, but not the use of teethe. Upon these they put attiring and precious apparel, which have no use of clothes. To these they give gold and silver, which they who receive it (meaning the images) lack, aswell as they that have given it from them. And Seneca much commendeth Dionysius king of Sicily, for his merry robbing of such decked and jewelled puppets. But you will ask, what doth this appertain to our images, which is written against the idols of the Gentiles? Altogether surely. For ⟨p. 152⟩what use or pleasure hath our images of their decking and precious ornaments? Did our images understand when they were made? or know when they be so trimmed and decked? Be not these things bestowed upon them, as much in vain, as upon dead men which have no sense? Wherefore it followeth, that there is like foolishness and lewdness in decking of our images, as great puppets for old fools, like children, to play the wicked play of idolatry before, as was among the Ethnics and Gentiles. Our Churches stand full of such great puppets, wondrously decked and adorned, Garlands, and Coronets be set on their heads, precious pearls hanging about their necks, their fingers shine with rings, set with precious stones, their dead and stiff bodies, are clothed with garments stiff with gold.

Thus farre Lactantius, and muche more, to long here to rehearse, declaryng that as litle girles playe with litle puppettes, so be these decked images great puppettes for olde fooles to play with. And that we may knowe what, not only men of our religion, but Ethnikes also, iudge of suche decking of dead images, it is not vnprofitable to heare what Seneca, a wyse and excellent learned Senatour of Rome and Philosopher, sayth concernyng the foolyshnesse of auncient & graue men, vsed in his tyme in worshyppyng and decking of images: We saith (Seneca) be not twyse children (as the common saying is) but alwaies children: but this is the difference, that we beyng elder, play the children, and in these playes they bryng in before, great and well decked puppettes (for so he calleth images) oyntmentes, incense, and odours. To these puppettes they offer vp sacrifice, whiche haue a mouth, but not the vse of teethe. Uppon these they put attyryng and precious apparell, whiche haue no vse of clothes. To these they geue golde and syluer, whiche they who receaue it (meanyng the images) lacke, aswell as they that haue geuen it from them. And Seneca muche commendeth Dionisius kyng of Sicile, for his merrye robbyng of suche decked and iewelled puppettes. But you wyll aske, what doth this apparteyne to our images, whiche is wrytten agaynst the idols of the Gentiles? Altogether surelye. For