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 I play the fool in busying both my self and the Readers, in gathering these husks together: but that it behooved as it were to be represented in the persons of a few, what is wont to be done of most men every where and daily. Toward some we are to rough & unappeasable. But it were good to know what manner of Clemency they require at our hands: we being wrongfully hurt do forgive, and take no revengement, though it be in our hand to do it. This is not enough for them: but they will moreover be received into our bosoms, none otherwise than if they had always been most faithful unto us: what a thing is this? That being deceived, betrayed, ⟨p. 88⟩and cruelly misused, we should not be bold to look to our selves afterward. But it repenteth them. Verily, being very Crocodiles, they will with one little tear purchase credit of goodness. This therefore, is that our uncourteous rigour, that we do not wilfully yield our selves to them to cut our throats. But I let pass to speak of our private injuries. God shall be greatly offended: an open fault & of very ill example shall be committed, yea and some shall heap wickedness upon wickedness: being convicted they confess tone half of the fault themselves. And yet when they have confessed, if all things be not in as good state with them as if they had never done amiss, they cry out, that by our rigorousness they are driven to despair. I say that repentance being so holy a thing, cannot be esteemed upon cold signs. To go further with them, what repentance boast they of, who are so smally humbled with the acknowledging of their fault, that within three days after they dare with a brazen face vaunt themselves in the pulpit? It was the fashion of Monks to keep secrete ⟨image 100⟩what wickedness so ever was in their fellows for reverence of their order. Many would wish that this custom were brought into the Church of Christ. But I hold opinion that there can no better proviso be made for the honour of the Christian name, than if the Temple of God be clean purged from filthiness.

But I play the foole in busiynge both my selfe and the Readers, in gathering these huskes togither: but that it behooued as it were to be represented in the persones of a fewe, what is wonte to be done of most men euery where and dayly. Towarde some we are to rough & vnappeasable. But it were good to know what maner of Clemencie they require at our hādes: we being wrongfully hurte doo forgiue, and take no reuengement, though it be in our hande to doo it. This is not inoughe for them: but they will moreouer be receiued into our bosoomes, none otherwise than if they had alwaies bene most faithfull vnto vs: what a thing is this? That beinge deceiued, betrayed,