An evident display of Popish practises, or patched Pelagianism Wherein is mightily cleared the…An euident display of Popish practises, or patched Pelagianisme Wherein is mightelie cleared the…

The conclusion of the Sycophants Slanders.

The conclusion of the Sycophants Sclaunders.

These be (Calvin) the things which thy adversaries do say of thy doctrine, and they admonish men to judge of this doctrine by the fruit. And they say, that thou and thy Disciples do yield many fruits of thy God: for they say you are for the most part quarrellers, desirous of revengement, long keepers and mindful of injuries, and filled with other vices which thy God ministereth. But if any man answer them, that it is not the fault of the doctrine, as that it is sound, and begetteth no such men, they answer, that it doth beget such men, and that is made evident thereof, because many after they yielded to this doctrine, become such, when before they were less evil. But now those that believed the doctrine of Christ, were made better: but by thy doctrine they say they are manifestly made worse. Furthermore, when you say that you have true doctrine, they say, that you are not to be believed. For, if your God do often say one thing, and think and will another, it is to be feared lest you imitating your God, do the same, and deceive the people. Truly Calvin, I did once favour thy doctrine, and defended it, albeit I did not sufficiently perceive it, because I did attribute so much to thine authority, that I thought it a grievous sin so much ⟨p. 271⟩as to think the contrary: but now having heard thine adversaries arguments, I have not what to answer. In deed thy Disciples endeavour to answer, and amongest the favourers which they have, they brag boldly the truth: but when they come to the adversaries, they quake, and seek help of thy books, but it is weak. For thy reasons be dark and almost of that sort, that the book being laid aside, they slip out of memory by and by, nor can they convince the adversaries. But the adversaries arguments are plain, sharp, and such as may easily be committed to memory, and be perceived of the unlearned, and such almost as were they that followed Christ. Hence it cometh that thy Disciples do more build upon thy authority, than upon reason. And when they cannot overcome their adversaries, they hold them for heretics and froward men. and they shun their company, and every where move all men to shun them: But I, who think it is not to be regarded who speaks, but what is spoken, do judge, that all are to be heard, and all things approved, and that which is good to be kept.