John Calvin on the Teaching of the Unlearned

This passage by John Calvin is focused on the images of wood, stone, silver, and gold found in many churches.  He calls them idols and addresses the uselessness of them.

"Let papists, then, if they have any sense of shame, henceforth desist from the futile plea, that images are the books of the unlearned - a plea so plainly refuted by innumerable passages of Scripture. . . Very different from these follies is the doctrine in which God would have them to be there instructed. His [command] is, that the doctrine common to all should there be set forth by the preaching of the word, and the administration of the sacraments - a doctrine to which little heed can be given by those whose eyes are carried to and fro gazing at idols.  And who are the unlearned, whose rudeness admits of being taught by images only?  Just those whom the Lord acknowledges for his disciples; those whom he honors with a revelation of his celestial philosophy, and desires to be trained in the saving mysteries of his kingdom.

"Paul declares, that by the true preaching of the gospel Christ is portrayed and in a manner crucified before our eyes (Gal 3:1).  Of what use, then, were the erection in churches of so many crosses of wood and stone, silver and gold, if this doctrine were faithfully and honestly preached, i.e., Christ died that he might bear our curse upon the tree, that he might [atone for] our sins by the sacrifice of his body, wash them in his blood, and, in short, reconcile us to God the Father?  From this one doctrine the people would learn more than from a thousand crosses of wood and stone.  As for crosses of gold and silver, it may be true that the [covetous] give their eyes and minds to them more eagerly than to any heavenly instructor" (Institutes of the Christian Religion, John Calvin).