A17684:147
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A little book of John Calvins concerning offences whereby at this day divers are feared, and many also quite withdrawn from the pure doctrine of the Gospel, a work very needful and profitable.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.
If we cannot avouch unto Christ, his right & ⟨image 103⟩honour, otherwise than by taking upon us this reproach which they charge us with: it is verily the greatest honour to us that may be. Assuredly they are perverse & lewd, which thereupon conceive cause of Offence. For the taking away of difference of meats, the excuse is ready and easy to make. They say that the rain is let lose to the flesh to wax wan ton intemperately, because it is permitted to eat flesh as well upon the friday as the monday. As who would say, there were no riot or excess, save in eating of flesh. Furthermore, who knoweth not, that always the daintiest fare hath ever been of fish? and that at this day, the kitchens never smoke better, nor the tables are more busily laid, or furnished with more plenty and variety, than upon fish days? Away with those toys: that we allure simple souls with delicates. For the question in variance between us is not of delicate meats. But the Papists, whereas they can with all their hearts suffer the gull to be glutted upon the friday with all superfluity and sweetness of meats, (flesh only excepted:) affirm it ⟨p. 92⟩unlawful to touch pork or beef: & we leave to every mans conscience the liberty that God hath granted. Therefore we dare determine, that there is no more religion in vile inwards of beasts, than in a fish sumptuously sauced. Surely a spare and sober diet, as becometh us, we commend: neither shall any man find that our writings or sermons do even thus much bear with excess. But rather every side of a leaf of our writings shall witness with us, that we are somewhat above the Papists in enforcing men to temperance. And taking away the superstition of the day, we teach that it is lawful to use sparely and thriftily, such things as by Gods benefit we have in store. What sweetness of liberty is there so great herein, that it should enforce us to turn the world upside down? Surely if I were minded to delight my mouth, I would for one half year, choose me other manner of meats rather than flesh. My acquaintance know I am very much delighted in fish, and certain other things, from which I willingly abstain, least I should buy my delicates with the ⟨image 104⟩loss of my health. I confess it is a fondness, to confute such slender slanders.