A17684:121
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A little book of John Calvins concerning offences whereby at this day divers are feared, and many also quite withdrawn from the pure doctrine of the Gospel, a work very needful and profitable.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.
As concerning the Guides themselves, Christ knew already, that it redounded most to the slander of the doctrine, if they live filthily. To the intent to turn away this stumbling block, he exhorteth men to observe that which they command, although they do not with the least of their fingers touch the burdens, which they lay upon other men's shoulders. It was at that time the office of the Scribes, to instruct the people in the law of God, as long as they were in the chair of Moses, they were the interpreters of Gods law: and at home or in place of open assembly, they were full of fraud, pride, cruelty, perjury, and adventured licentiously upon all things. Nevertheless Christ willeth, that the authority of the word of God, remain unto it untouched. This admonition was not peculiar to one age, but rather at this day also the heavenly voice crieth in our ears, that howsoever the pastors lead a life not altogether agreeable to their profession, yet it is lewdly done, to misreport the Gospel any whit therefore. As surely, it is an unseemly matter, to measure by the perverse ⟨image 78⟩living of men, the rule which God hath prescribed for us to live well by. Verily they shall one day come to reckoning, and they shall feel how that saying was not denounced for nothing: that it should now be better for a man to be drowned in the bottom of the sea, with a millstone about his neck, than to offend any one of the least. Howbeit, in the mean while it behoveth us to hie us toward the mark, the same way which the Lord hath paved.
As concernyng the Guides thēselues, Christe knew alreadie, that it redounded moste to the slaunder of the doctrine, if they liue filthely. To the entent to turne away this stumbling blocke, he exhorteth men to obscrue that whiche they commaunde, although they doo not with the least of their fingers touche the burdens, whiche they lay vpon othermens shoulders. It was at that time the office of the Scribes, to instruct the people in the law of God, as longe as thei were in ye chayre of Moyses, they were the interpreters of Gods lawe: and at home or in place of open assemblie, they were full of fraude, pryde, crueltie, periurie, and aduentured licentiously vpon all thinges. Neuerthelesse Christ willeth, that the authoritie of the woorde of God, remaine vnto it vntouched. This admonitiō was not peculiar to one age, but rather at this day also the heauenly voice cryeth in our eares, yt howsoeuer ye pastours leade a life not altogither agreable to their professiō, yet it is lewdly done, to misreport the Gospell any whit therefore. As surely, it is an vnséemely matter, to measure by the peruerse