The Institution of Christian Religion

With this butchery, the souls that have been touched with any feeling of God, have been more cruelly vexed. First they called them selves to account: then they divided since into arms, into bows, into branches, and into twigs, according to these mens rules: then they weighed the qualities, quantities, & circumstances. And so the matter went a little forward. But when they had proceeded a little further, than was on each side sky, & on each side sea, no haven, no safe road: the mo that they had passed over, the greater heap alway did thrust it self into their sight, yea they rose up as high ⟨p. 143⟩mountains, and there appeared no hope, not so much as after long con passings, any way to escape. And so they did stick fast between the sacrifice and the stone, and at last was found no other issue but desperation. Then these cruel butchers, to ease the wounds that themselves had made, laid certain gentle plasters, that every man should do as much as he could. But new cares again rose up, Yea new torments did slay y• silly souls, as to think: I have not employed time enough, I have not endeavoured my self with such diligence as I ought, I have passed over many things by negligence and the forgetfulness that cometh by negligence is not excusable. Then were there ministered other plasters to assuage such pains, as Repent thee of thy negligence: if it be not altogether careless, it shall be pardoned. But all these things can not close up the wound, and are not so much easement of the evil, as poisons covered with honey, that they should not with their bitterness offend the first taste, but enter into the bowels before that they be perceived. Therefore this terrible saying alway calleth upon them and soundeth in their cares: Confess all thy sins. And this horror can not be appeased buy by assured comfort. Here let the readers consider, how possible it is to bring into account all the doings of a whole year, & to gather together what sins they have done every day: forasmuch as experience proveth to every man, that when at evening he shall reckon up the faults but of one day, his memory is confounded therewith, so great a multitude & diversity presenteth it self. For I speak now of gross and blockish hypocrites that think they have done sufficiently, if they have noted three or sower of the greatest sins:

Wyth thys butcherye, the soules that haue beene touched with anye feelynge of God, haue beene more cruelye vexed. Fyrst they called them selues to accompte: then they deuyded synnes into armes, into boowes, into braunches, and into twigges, according to these mens rules: then they weyed the qualities, quantities, & circumstaunces. And so the matter went a litle forwarde. But when they had proceded a litle further, than was on eche syde skye, & on eche side sea, no hauen, no safe roade: the mo that they had passed ouer, the greater heape alway did thrust it self into their sight, yea thei rose vp as hye