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…

But if they find the hundred part in the writings of our men, they will not only condemn us all which shall be guiltless, but also they will count the whole doctrine to be worthy to be abstained fro. Nevertheless I do not here take upon me the case of such as by scribbling do allay their own itch. For it is to be wished, that such as are of that sort, should give over blurring of paper. But even as I grant not that the foolish toys of a few are partially to be cherished: even so all men see how unrightful a thing it is, that for weariness hereof, all the whole ⟨p. 78⟩doctrine of the Gospel should be made unsavoury. It is undoubtedly true that I have said before, that in the midst of the light of the Gospel, are more clearly perceived the things that erst lay hid in the dark night. But to wink willingly & carelessly at all manner of faults in the one party, whereas in the other ye search over narrowly for things to carp at: I say is the property of one that desirously coveteth & forgeth to him self stumbling blocks. For the Offence which is ministered to them by the living of some not correspondent to their profession, groweth not upon any other ground. If the life of them only which boast themselves to be followers of the Gospel were corrupt and dissolute, the cause of their Offence might be deemed more beautiful. But seeing that wickedness floweth generally, almost through the whole world, what shall we say, but that that old complaint of the Poet doth well agree to our age also. The age of our parents worse than the time of our grandfathers, hath engendered us lewder than themselves, who ere it be long shall leave ⟨image 90⟩a more sinful offspring after us. And to what purpose pertaineth that warning of Christ: that the latter age shall be like the time of Noah, and that there shall be an horrible flood of iniquity, wherewith the earth should be overwhelmed, but that such a pool of wickednesses, should sharpen the desire of hasting, to such as of their own accord are making haste toward Christ? For this purpose maketh also (as I said before) the just punishment for despising the Gospel. For they that have abused so holy a treasure, who can deny but they have deserved, that the Lord should cast them into a reprobate mind, to give over themselves to all kind of wickedness.

But if they finde the hundreth parte in the writynges of our men, they will not onely condemne vs all which shalbe giltlesse, but also they will counte the whole doctrine to be woorthie to be absteyned fro. Neuerthelesse I doo not here take vpō me the cace of such as by scriblynge doo alaye their owne itche. For it is to be wisshed, that such as are of that sorte, should giue ouer blurryng of paper. But euē as I graunt not that the foolishe toyes of a fewe are parcially to be cherisshed: euē so all men sée how vnrightful a thinge it is, that for wearinesse hereof, all the whole