A17684:105
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A little book of John Calvins concerning offences whereby at this day divers are feared, and many also quite withdrawn from the pure doctrine of the Gospel, a work very needful and profitable.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 hereby we defraud the Son of God of his preeminence. But better it is that Heaven & Earth should be confounded together, than that the honour which his father hath given him should be diminished, and much less then be taken quite away from him, and he made Jack out of Office. Shall we then live at debate with the prince of life, to the intent we may enjoy peace among men? shall we make open war against God, to the intent we would not be compelled to be at variance with naughty packs? shall we willingly stand at defiance with Christ, by whom we are with the Angels reconciled to God? It is surely to unworthy a reward. And when Christ describeth the peaceable kingdom of Satan, he doth not teach us that it is therefore to be coveted: but rather he promiseth it as a great reward, that a stronger than he encountering with him, should bereave him of ⟨image 62⟩his usurped authority. For if we see them so courageous, which ambitiously fight for sovereignty or for their liberty, that they would not pass to abide any troubles: with how much more valiant courage, ought we to set our selves against the tempestuous troubles, which Satan stirreth up to disquiet the kingdom of Christ? the Son shall rise against his father: the father shall not spare the life of his son: one brother shall lay wait for another. Are these things told before, to the intent that men should shun the Gospel? and not rather that being warned in time, they might not conceive any fear at the strangeness of the matter? For I have not to do with any other, than such as abuse the name of Christ, to colour their painted peace. And yet I am not ignorant that troublesome persons in moving seditions, are the bellows of Satan wherewith he kindleth men (otherwise quiet of themselves,) in hatred against the Gospel. So in our age about the beginning of the Gospel springing up again, he armed barbarous men to proclaim open ⟨p. 51⟩war against laws, judgements, and all kind of civill policy. But as it is not unknown to us, what such kind of packing means, so if we do ask peace from the bottom of our heart, we shall by assured trial, feel it offered unto us of God by his Gospel, in such wise that we shall have it steadfastly also among men. To swerve from the Gospel, to the intent to prevent sedition, is a point of to much perverseness.
Moreouer hereby we defraude the sonne of God of his preheminence. But better it is that Heauen & Earth shoulde be confoūded together, than that the honour whiche his father hath giuen him should be diminished, and much lesse then be taken quite awaye from him, and he made Iacke out of Office. Shall we then liue at debate with the prince of life, to the entent we may enioye peace amonge men? shall we make open warre against God, to the entent we would not be cō pelled to be at variance with naughtypackes? shall we willingly stande at defiance with Christe, by whome we are with the Angels reconciled to God? It is surely to vnwoorthie a rewarde. And when Christe describeth the peaceable kingedome of Sathan, he doth not teach vs that it is therefore to be coueted: but rather he promiseth it as a greate rewarde, that a stronger than he encounteringe with him, shoulde bereue him of