[A treatise declaring and showing that images are not to be suffered in churches]

¶ Finally as concerning (empire, the taking down & putting away of altars / the which have known the wicked abusions of the mass / may & will be soon satisfied & contented without any great busyness / they which do not know / can not be pacified with much busyness: unless they be taught first / how great abomination the mass is in the sight of god. Therefore this one thing we desire to be considered of them that fear & dread god / in what manner & for what end & intent / christ our saviour did institute his holy supper Truly to the intent / that this disciples (that is to say / they which will live accordingly to his doctrine and commandment) assembling ⟨image 44⟩together / should take that mystical breed & mystical drink in common / & everyone put other in remembrance of that incomparable charity of christ / by which he suffered doth for their salvation: & by the reason thereof / their faith & trust in god being increased / should be inflamed both with the hatred of sins / & also with love of all virtues / professing them selves to be one body & one breed in Christ. By this means only / holy men are nourished with christ the meat of life. Now compare unto these things / that which is done commonly in masses. Masses most specially are done for the belies sake: or else at the leastwise to purchase some merit afore god / which thing even it self alone / although all this busyness were commanded by god / should yet make it abominable to god. Besides this / there are said & ⟨image 44⟩done so many things / which do turn away our minds from christ which reigneth in heaven / unto the work of the priest. The congregation hereth no doctrine or exhortation in their mother tongue / that they might be edified thereby. There is no communion had / although the words which the priest rehearseth do make mention of it. And whiles the priest alone doth receive the breed & the cup of the lord: there is not / as Paul saith / the supper of the lord represented. There are said also many things which are plain repugnant to the scripture: for they do teach to trust unto the merits & intercession of saints. And (which thing is most highly to be abhorred) where as the oblation of Christ (by which only being made upon the cross / we are assoiled & sanctified for ever ⟨image 45⟩more) ought to be preached: