A17662:144
The Institution of Christian Religion
The institution of Christian religion, written in Latin by master John Calvin, and translated into English according to the authors last edition. Seen and allowed according to the order appointed in the Queens majesties injunctionsThe institution of Christian religion, vvrytten in Latine by maister Ihon Caluin, and translated into Englysh according to the authors last edition. Seen and allowed according to the order appointed in the Quenes maiesties iniunctions
London: printed by Reinolde Wolfe & Richard Harison, 1561London: printed by Reinolde VVolfe & Richarde Harison, 1561
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
I know that it is a saying more than common among the people, ye images are lay mens books. Gregory so said, but the spirit of god pronounceth far otherwise, in whose school if Gregory had ben taught, he would never so have spoken. For whereas Jeremiah plainly sayeth that the stock is a doctrine of vanity:1 and whereas Habakkuk teacheth that the molten image is a teacher of lies: surely hereof is a general doctrine to be gathered, that it is vain and lying whatsoever men learn by images concerning God. If any man take exception, and say that the Prophets reprove them only which abused images to wicked superstition: ⟨image 33⟩I grant that to be true. But I add further that which is easy for all men to see, that they condemn that thing wholly which the Papists take for an assured principle, that images are in s•ede of books. For they do in comparison set images against God as things directly contrary & such as never can agree together. This comparison I say is made in those places which I have alleged. Sith there is but one true god whom the Jews did worship, it is a••sse & falsely done to forge visible shapes to represent God▪ and men are miserably deceived, that thereby seek for knowledge of God. Finally if it were not true that it is a deceitful and corrupt knowledge of God that is learned by images, the Prophets would not so generally condemn it. At least thus much I win of them when we show that it is vanity and lying that men do attempt to represent God with images, we do nothing but rehearse word for word that which the Prophets have taught.
I know that it is a saying more than common among the people, ye images are lay mens bokes. Gregory so said, but the spirite of god pronounceth far otherwise, in whose schole if Gregorie had ben taught, he would neuer so haue spoken. For wheras Hieremy painly saieth that the stocke is a doctrine of vanitie:1 and wheras Habacu• teacheth yt the molten image is a teacher of lyes: surely hereof is a general doctrine to be gathered, that it is vaine and lieng whatsoeuer men learne by images concerning God. If any man take excepcion, and saye that ye Prophetes reproue them only which abused images to wicked superstition: