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…

To outward appearance, this that followeth is a juster cause of Offence: that as soon as the doctrine of the Gospel began to be published, as though the vein of some spring had been opened, the wickedness of many spouted forth, which had before seemed holy men. Howbeit it had been much more meet, that this should avail to the confirmation of the Faith. When Simeon assigneth this duty to Christ, to disclose the thoughts of many hearts, so little doth any man or none stand in denial thereof, that the sentence is to be rejoiced at. What absurdity then is found in the matter? Let us suppose it had never been ⟨image 63⟩spoken, to the intent that without prejudice, the thing that appeareth, may be esteemed so to be in deed. Whereas about thirty years ago, religion flourished every where, and all men without gain saying consented in the worship of God, which was then commonly received: now ungodliness and contempt of God gusheth forth everywhere. First and formest I say, it is no marvel if light do chase away darkness: for it is a common proverb of old time, that the dungeons of mans heart are so deep, & the nooks thereof so winding, that it surmounteth almost all bottomless pits: now if mans dissembling be deceitful in any case, he dallieth with wonderful lewdness toward God, where he ought to do it least. To the furtherance hereof cometh the wiliness of Satan: who partly by casting a mist of ignorance, and partly by disguising the service of God with visors of ceremonies, maketh a wonderful show of Religion where none is. All men that have eyes do see that it hath been so under the Popery. For there the consciences as it were bewitched ⟨p. 52⟩with the poisons of Circe, are brought in a maze by their long windlasses. fleeting from the earnest meaning of God. For that same unmeasurable heap of Ceremonies, is assuredly the den of thieves: because the hypocrites being wrapped in those disguisings, think they may do what they list without check. If such security do take away the difference between true and feigned Religion, it is no marvel. And if at any time they seem to approach any thing near God, they do not to any other end so much weary and disquiet themselves, than that the inward wickedness of the heart being by such remedies appeased, should be at rest inwardly.

To outwarde appearance, this that foloweth is a iuster cause of Offence: that as soone as the doctrine of the Gospell began to bee published, as though the veyne of some springe had bene opened, the wickednesse of many spowted foorth, which had before semed holy men. Howbeit it had bene muche more méete, that this shoulde avayle to the confirmation of the Faith. When Simeon assigneth this duetie to Christe, to disclose the thoughtes of many hartes, so little dooth any man or none stand in deniall therof, that the sentence is to be reioysed at. What absurditie then is founde in the matter? Let vs suppose it had neuer bene