The Institution of Christian Religion

But their foolish dullness proceeded so far, that here we have the nature of Superstition expressed, which when it hath ones shaken of the bridle, is §22wont to make no end of running a stray. For after that men ones begone to look to the intercession of Saints, by little & little there was given to every one his special doing, that according to the diversity of business, sometime one a sometime an other should be called upon to be intercessor: then they to them selves every one his peculiar Saint, into whose faith they committed themselves as it were to the keeping of safeguarding Gods. And not only (wherewith the prophet in the old time reproached Israel) Gods were set up according to the number of cities,¹ but even to the number of persons. ⟨image 304⟩But sith the Saints refer their desires to the only will of God, & behold it & rest upon it: he thinketh foolishly, & fleshly, yea & slanderously of them, which assigneth to them any other prayer, then whereby they pray for the coming of the kingdom of God: from which that is most far distant which they feign to them, ye every one is with private affection more partially bent to his own worshippers. At length many abstained not from horrible sacrilege, in calling now upon them not as helpers but as principal rulers of their salvation. Lo whereunto foolish men do fall when they wander out of their true standing, that is, the word of God. I speak not of the grosser monstrousnesses of ungodliness, wherein although they be abominable to God, Angels, & men, they are not yet ashamed nor weary of them. They falling down before the image or picture of Barbara, Catharine, & such other, do mumble Pater noster, Our father. This madness the Pastors do so not care to heal or restrain, that being allured with the swe•e savour of game they allow it with rejoicing at it. But although they turn from themselves the blame of so heinous an offence, yet by what colour will they defend this ye Loy or Medard are prayed unto to look down upon & help their servants from heaven? That the holy Virgin is prayed unto, to command her son to do that which they ask? In y• old time it was forbidden in the Council at Carthage, that at the alter no direct prayer should be made to Saints.