The Institution of Christian Religion

Neither is it to be believed that the heathen were so gross as to believe, that God was no other thing but stocks and stones. For they changed their images at their pleasure, but still they kept the same Gods in their mind: and there were many images of one God, and yet they did not according to the multitude of images feign them many Gods. Beside that they did daily consecrate new images, yet did they not think that they made new gods.¹ Let the excuses be read which Augustine sayeth were pretended by the Idolaters of his age. When they were rebuked, the common forte answered, that they did not worship that visible thing, but the deity that did in it invisibly dwell. And they that were of somewhat better religion, as he calleth it, did say that they did neither worship the image nor the spirit in it, but by the corporal image they did behold the sign of that thing which they ought to worship. Now then? All idolaters, whether they were of the Jews, or of the gentiles, were none otherwise minded than as I have said: being not contented with a spiritual understanding of God, they thought by the images he should be more sure and nearer imprinted in them. After once that such disordered counterfeiting of God well liked them, they never ended, till daily more and more deluded with new deceits they imagined that God did show forth his power in images. And nevertheless, both the Jews were persuaded that under such images they did worship the one true Lord of heaven and earth: and likewise the gentiles, their false gods, whom yet they feigned to dwell in heaven.

Neither is it to be beleued that the heathen were so grosse as to beleue, that God was no other thing but stockes and stones. For they changed their images at their pleasure, but still they kepte the same Goddes in their mynde: and there were many images of one God, and yet they dyd not according to the multitude of images faine them many Gods. Besyde that they did daily cōsecrate newe images, yet did they not thinke that they made newe goddes.¹ Lette the excuses be read whiche Augustine saieth were pretended by the Idolaters of his age. When they were rebuked, the common forte aunswered, that they did not worshippe that visible thing, but the deitie that did in it inuisibly dwell. And they that were of somwhat better religion, as he calleth it, did saye that they did neither worshippe the image nor the spirite in it, but by the corporall image they did beholde the signe of that thing whiche they oughte to worship. Nowe then? All idolaters, whether they were of the Iewes, or of the gentiles, were none otherwise minded than as I haue saied: being not contented with a spirituall vnderstanding of God, they thought by the images he should be more sure and nerer imprinted in them. After once that suche disordered counterfaiting of God well liked them, they neuer ended, till daily more and more deluded with newe deceites they imagined that God did shewe foorth hys power in images. And neuerthelesse, both the Iewes were perswaded that vnder suche images they did worshippe the one true Lorde of heauen and earth: and lykewise the gentiles, their false goddes, whom yet they fayned to dwell in heauen.