A17684:103
A little book of John Calvins concerning offences whereby at this day divers are…A little booke of Iohn Caluines concernynge offences whereby at this daye diuers are…
A little book of John Calvins concerning offences whereby at this day divers are feared, and many also quite withdrawn from the pure doctrine of the Gospel, a work very needful and profitable. Translated out of Latin into English by Arthur Golding.A little booke of Iohn Caluines concernynge offences whereby at this daye diuers are feared, and many also quight withdrawen from the pure doctrine of the Gospell, a woorke very needefull and profitable. Translated out of Latine into Englishe by Arthur Goldinge.
London: printed by H. Wykes, 1567
No title page in the transcription: set from the catalogue record.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Moreover to the intent they may have Christ, to their shepherd, it behoveth that they be gathered into ⟨image 60⟩his fold. Therefore when by giving ear to the voice of their shepherd, the elect do attain salvation, it is nothing else but a bringing of their election unto his appointed end, by the outward preaching of the Gospel. He commandeth the same doctrine also to be set before the reprobates: and why? is it to the intent to disannul that that he had determined of their damnation? Nay, rather that their wilful unbelief should make more apparent, what availeth the grace of the secrete election? For what brighter mirror can there be made wherein this grace may clearly appear, than when in the common doctrine, by the same calling of God, by the like instrument of calling, there is so great difference of men, that some obstinately refuse that, which othersome obediently embrace? Yet we see in the mean while, how the word which is spoken by the mouth of a man, although it amend not the hearts of the wicked, yet it striketh their consciences, and restraineth their malapertness as it were a bridle.
Moreouer to ye entent thei may haue Christ, to their shepeherd, it behoueth yt they be gathereded into ⟨image 60⟩his folde. Therfore when by giuyng eare to the voice of their shepeherde, the elect doo atteine saluation, it is nothinge else but a bringyng of their election vnto his appointed ende, by the outwarde preachynge of the Gospell. He commaundeth the same doctrine also to be set before the reprobates: and why? is it to the entent to disanull that that he had determined of their damnation? Nay, rather that their wilful vnbeliefe should make more apparant, what auaileth the grace of the secrete election? For what brighter mirrour cā there be made wherin this grace may cléerely appeare, than when in the common doctrine, by the same callinge of God, by the like instrument of callinge, there is so great difference of men, that some obstinately refuse that, whiche othersome obediently embrace? Yet we sée in the meane while, howe the woorde whiche is spoken by the mouth of a man, although it amende not the hartes of the wicked, yet it striketh their consciences, and restraineth their malapartnesse as it were a bridle.