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…

I come to that let, which in our time hath kept many from coming any thing near to Christ. For they have seen the chief Doctors of the new springing Church, not only disagree among themselves in contrary opinions, but also sharply encounter one against another. Here a doubt entered into their minds, how much they were to be believed that at the first beginning dissented. Yea and fear came upon them, least they should unadvisedly leap so far, as from whence they might not retire. Specially that same unhappy contention as touching the Sacraments, it can scarcely be expressed how many mens minds it troubled. Howe singular a practise of Satan this was to caste a choke pear into fearful consciences, I my self have proved to mine own harm. But like as I afterward perceived my self to have been rather hindered by mine own fault, than withheld by any just cause, so I am not afraid to give the same judgement upon all other men. I confess there is in such ⟨p. 73⟩disagreements, that which may pierce those that be already meetly well confirmed: and much more those that be unskilful and novices. But I say: men ought to gather their wits about them, that they may continue in going toward him, who is never sought in vain. For it was not to the intent to deceive us, that he promised, that if we knock it shall be opened unto us: & that if we ask, it shall be given unto us. They which boast themselves to be detained still in Papistry, for the hatred they bear to the dissensions which they see in our part: have no colour of excuse. I speak of a thing to well known. There is no point of Religion whereof their school divines do not daily contend. How contrary their opinions be, how hatefully they sometime carp, and sometime gird one another, their own books bear witness. Yea rather they count it a glorious matter to profess diverse sects. And therefore the innumerable brawlings and bickerings of the Papists, do nothing offend these good men: and yet one silly disagreement among us, so woundeth them, that they ⟨image 85⟩utterly abhor from all the whole doctrine. Surely in one thing the Papists are to agreeable, that is in babbling who may babble most against the Gospel, no less lewdly than stubbornly maintaining their own wicked superstitions.

I come to that let, which in our time hath kept many from cōmyng any thing neare to Christe. For they haue séene the chiefe Doctors of the newespringynge Churhe, not onely disagrée among themselues in contrarie opinions, but also sharpely encounter one against another. Here a doubt entered into their mindes, how much thei were to be beleued that at the first beginnynge dissented. Yea and feare came vpon them, least they shoulde vnaduisedly leape so farre, as frō whence they mighte not retyre. Specially that same vnhappie contention as touchynge the Sacramentes, it can scarsly be expressed how many mens mindes it troubled. Howe singular a practise of Sathan this was to caste a chokepeare into fearefull consciences, I my selfe haue proued to mine owne harme. But like as I afterwarde perceiued my selfe to haue bene rather hindred by mine owne fault, than withhelde by any iust cause, so I am not afraide to giue the same iudgement vpō all other men. I confesse there is in suche