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…

Whereby it cometh to pass, that their sermons obtain no more credit or estimation, than if a player should play an interlude upon a stage. And yet such men make complaint, that they are had in contempt among the common people, or else in ⟨image 76⟩scorn pointed at with the finger. I do rather wonder at the sufferance of the people, that women and children bedaub them, not with dirt and dung. They extol the worthiness of the ministry with full mouth: but they remember not that the cause why no honour is given to their ministry, is by reason that they themselves defile it with their filthy living. For as it was truly said of one in old time: be amiable to the intent thou may be beloved: so it behoveth them that will be had in estimation, that they purchase them reverence by their gravity and holy conversation. And would God the Church might be purged and disburdened of such a sort of rakehells. But it falleth out far otherwise for the most part. For whereas they know themselves to be worthily despised, their evil conscience may abridge their liberty. Finally, forasmuch as they may perceive that for the shamefulness of their evil living, they are underlings to all men, either shame and fear restraineth them that they dare not hiss, at such times as they ought earnestly to exact that which they ⟨p. 65⟩perform not themselves: or else they are compelled to bear with offenders & to flatter them. Besides this, they are slothful bellies, who to the intent that having taken their farewell of all painfulness, they may settle themselves to idleness and pleasures, could find in their hearts to let Heaven & Earth to be confounded together. Many of them also for hatred of virtue, do willingly bear with the vices, as well of themselves as of other men. And the people to requite them with the like good turn, do love, embrace, & cherish them and none other, and to the intent to have them as patrons of their faults, maintain them with their defence. Notwithstanding they cease not to object, that the corrupt living of the pastors, is a stumbling block that they come not to Christ. Surely it is to frowardly and impudently: neither is any man worthy to be excused, whom other mens sins withhold from coming unto Christ.

Wherby it cometh to passe, that their sermons obteine no more credite or estimation, than if a player shoulde playe an enterlude vpō a stage. And yet such men make complainte, that they are had in contēpt amonge the common people, or els in