The Institution of Christian Religion

Forsooth an earthly silly man that breatheth out his •wn life in manner every moment, by his workmanship shall convey the name and honour of God to a dead stock. But forasmuch as Epicure in scoffingly jesting hath cared for no religion, let us leave the taunts of him and such as he is, and let the rebuking of the Prophet prick us or rather thrust us through where he sayeth,¹ that they are to much beastly witted that with one self piece of wood do make a fire and warm themselves, do heat the oven to bake bread, do roast or seethe flesh, and do make them a God before which they fall down humbly to pray. Therefore in an other place he doeth not only accuse them by the law, but also doth reproach them that they have not learned of the foundations of the earth: for that there is nothing less convenient than to bring God to the m•a•ure of five foot which is above all measure and incomprehensible.² And yet this same monstrous thing which manifestly repugneth against the order of nature,³ custom showeth to be natural to men. We must moreover hold in mind, that superstitions are in Scripture commonly rebuked in this phrase of speech, that they are the works of mens hand which want the authority of God: that this may be certain, that all these manners of worshipping that men do •evise of them selves are detestable. The Prophet in the Psalm doeth amplify the madness of them that therefore are endued with understanding, that they should know that all things are moved with the only power of God, and yet they pray for help to things dead and senseless. But because the corruption of nature carrieth as well all nations, as each man privately to so great madness, at last the holy ghost thundereth with terrible curse against them saying: let them that make them become like to them and so many as trust in them. And it is to be noted that a similitude is no less forbidden than a graven image, whereby the fond subtlety of the Greeks is confuted. For they think they are well discharged if they grave not a God, while in paintings they do more licentiously outrage than any other nations. But the Lord forbiddeth an image not only to be made by the graver, but also to be counterfeited by any other workman, because such counterfeiting is evil and to the dishonour of his majesty.