A17684:117
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A little book of John Calvins concerning offences whereby at this day divers are feared, and many also quite withdrawn from the pure doctrine of the Gospel, a work very needful and profitable.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.
It is therefore to preposterous an arrogance of the lower sort, if they begin to take highly upon them under pretence of the Gospel. For great men are not commanded to depart with their right, to the intent that men otherwise being abjects, should usurp the right of other men. But this doctrine doth not only prescribe unto any several person the bounds of his duty: but also ministereth chastisements unto us, wherewith to rebate the malapertness of lusty mates, and by the way it turneth the envy & blame of this evil from the Gospel. It cannot lightly otherwise be, when miserly wretches endowed with no riches, ⟨p. 63⟩no authority, no wit, nor no estimation, as soon as they have learned to prate of the Gospel, do steppe stoutly in, not without contempt of others, but that so great an unworthiness shall make men of good nature and that have any hart, to stomach the matter. Howbeit the folly of a great sort is so childish, that it ought rather to move us to pity them, than provoke us to stomach against them. Notwithstanding, let us grant there is that greatly offendeth us: shall our stomaching against so foolish a pride, light altogether upon the very author of all modesty?
It is therfore to preposterous an arrogancie of the lower sorte, if they begin to take highly vpō thē vnder pretence of the Gospell. For greate men are not cōmaunded to departe with their right, to the entent that men otherwise being abiectes, should vsurpe the right of other men. But this doctrine doth not onely prescribe vnto any seuerall person the boundes of his duetie: but also ministreth chastisementes vnto vs, wherwith to rebate the malapartnesse of lustie mates, and by the way it turneth the enuie & blame of this euill from the Gospel. It cannot lightly otherwise be, whē miserly wretches endewed with no riches, ⟨p. 63⟩no authoritie, no wit, nor no estimacion, as soone as they haue learned to prate of the Gospell, doo steppe stoutely in, not without contempt of others, but that so great an vnwoorthinesse shall make men of good nature and that haue any hart, to stomacke the matter. Howbeit the foly of a great sorte is so childishe, yt it ought rather to moue vs to pitie them, thā prouoke vs to stomacke against them. Notwithstandynge, let vs graunt there is that greatly offendeth vs: shall our stomackyng against so foolishe a pryde, light altogether vpon the very authour of all modestie?