The Institution of Christian Religion

Wherefore if the papists have any shame, let them no more use this shift to say that images are lay mens books, which by many testimonies of Scripture are so openly confuted. And although I grant them so much, yet should they not much get thereby for defence of their idols. What monsters they trust in, in the place of, God is well known. The pictures and images that they dedicate to Saints, what at they but examples of extreme riot & uncleanness, whereunto if any would fashion himself, he were worthy to be beaten with staves? Surely the brothe• houses ⟨p. 25⟩can show harlots more chastely and soberly attired, than their temples show images of these whom they would have called virgins. Even as uncomely array give they to the martyrs. Let them therefore fashion their idols at least to some honest show of shamefastness, that they may somewhat more colourably lye in saying, that they are the books of some holiness. But if it were so, yet then would we answer, that this is not the right way to teach the faithful people in holy places, whom God would have there instructed with far other doctrine than with these trifles. God commanded in the churches a common doctrine to be set forth to all men in preaching of his word and in his holy mysteries: whereunto they show themselves to have a mind not very heedful, that cast their eyes about to behold images. But whom do the Papists call lay and unlearned men whose unskilfulness may bear to be taught only by images▪ forsooth even those whom the Lord knowledgeth for his disciples, to whom he vouch saveth to reveal the heavenly wisdom, whom he willeth to be instructed with the wholesome mysteries of his kingdom. I grant in deed as the matter standeth that there are at this day many which cannot be without such books. But whence I pray you groweth that dullness but that they are defrauded of the doctrine which only was mete to instruct them with? For it is for no other cause that they which had the cure of churches gave over their office of teaching to idols, but because themselves were dumb. Paul testifieth that Christ is in the true preaching of the gospel,¹ painted out and in a manner crucified before our eyes.

Wherfore if the papistes haue any shame, let them no more vse thys shyft to say that images are lay mens bokes, which by many testimonies of Scripture ar so openly confuted. And althoughe I graūt them so much, yet should they not muche get thereby for defense of their idoles. What monsters they trust in, in the place of, God is wel knowen. The pictures and images that they dedicate to Saynctes, what at they but examples of extreme riot & vnclennesse, wherunto if any would fashion himselfe, he were worthy to be beaten with staues? Surely the brothe houses