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 confess, that many having desired a state of living in vain, (as it must needs come to pass, where many come flocking to ask at ones) do depart. And I am not hard to believe, but that some are not so liberally helped, who notwithstanding were more worthy of relief: either because in men unknown so exact choice can not be had, or else because those that be the bolder sort in craving, take up the place before the fearful and shamefast do come: or because we do not ever judge rightly, or because that being near spent with giving out, we are compelled to send away either empty, or at leastwise slenderly relieved, such as come out of season. And yet such as should have somewhat more colour, have also come sieldomer, and speak more gently. The complaints of the other sort fly abroad everywhere. And what manner of ones be they? Bespread with most monstrous lies. Howbeit much more lewdly do they rail, which being either driven hence for their misbehaviour, or drawn hence ⟨p. 86⟩by false renying, do hawk for the favour of rich men by slanderous means, to the intent to fill their maw with liking their dishes. For this is not hidden, that there are many found which would desire to have the Gospel quiet for them, and free from all trouble: when as they are ashamed to confess the truth, how the fear of the Cross doth let them that they cannot satisfy the Christian profession. If there be any vices in the Churches of Christ, they covet to enquire them out, that they may not seem tied to their nest without cause. Verily (say they) if in us be reprehended cloaking of Idolatry, in other places also is nevertheless committed offence divers ways. And still they seek pretence by their lies, which it is most certain to be forged by such varlets, in favour of them. It liketh me to allege briefly two or three examples, to the intent that hereafter no man be deceived, except it be wittingly & willingly. There was one Cortese minister of the word in the county of Monsbergard: who being driven from thence, went to Neoconium: where finding colder entertainment ⟨image 98⟩than he hoped for, to the intent he might revenge him self, being furthered with the help of certain like him self, he did many and great displeasures to the godly brethren.

I confesse, that many hauyng desired a state of liuinge in vaine, (as it must néedes come to passe, where many come flockinge to aske at ones) doo departe. And I am not harde to beleue, but that some are not so liberally helped, who notwithstandinge were more woorthy of reliefe: either bicause in men vnknowen so exact choyse can not be had, or els bicause those that be the bolder sorte in crauinge, take vp the place before the fearefull and shamefaste doo come: or bicause we doo not euer iudge rightly, or bicause that beyng néere spent with giuinge out, we are compelled to sende away either emptie, or at leastwise slenderly relieued, suche as come out of season. And yet such as should haue somwhat more colour, haue also come sieldomer, and speake more gently. The complaintes of the other sorte flie abroade euerywhere. And what maner of ones be they? Bespred with most mōstruous lies. Howbeit muche more lewdely doo they rayle, whiche beinge either driuen hence for their misbehauiour, or drawen hence