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 yet this crime is not altogether washed away, inasmuch as our adversaries brag that we can abide no fasting, the which our Lord every where highly commendeth. First, forasmuch as our Books and sermons do cry out against this slander, we need to labour the less in confuting the same. But they will reply upon us, that we have disannulled the decrees that were long ago stablished for fasting. I confess so, & that we were compelled thereto for very earnest and weighty causes, so that they deal very lewdly with us, in imputing to us as a ⟨image 105⟩fault, a thing godlily and justly taken in hand. It was believed upon an old forworn opinion, that the Lenten fast proceeded of the institution of Christ. This error is light to seeming, but yet an error in deed, and such a one, as is in no wise to be borne withal. It is an easy matter to show without any trouble, how foolishly and unsavorly it was devised, and how rashly it was believed. For if Christ would by his example allure us to a yearly fast, why did he it but ones in all his life, and not yearly? why did he not by & by stablish the custom among his Disciples? why did not the Apostles immediately after his resurrection keep it as a rule prescribed of their master? And why should we more follow the fast of Christ, than the old people the fast of Moses? which of the Prophets or faithful men, took example at Moses to do the like? now put to that other part: namely that it is such an error, as cannot be winked at, without great damage to our faith. No man doubteth but that the doctrine of the Gospel was sealed with that miracle, to the intent the authority ⟨p. 94⟩thereof should be the certainer. And therefore the Evangelical history reporteth, that Christ was not a hungered by the space of .xl. days. That which Christ did by the power of his Godhead, to the intent to exalt the reverence of his doctrine above mans reach, while the Papists counterfeit the same as if it were subject to their own power, do they not (as much as in them lieth) darken the wonderful power of Christ, & cancel that holy seal wherewith the truth of the Gospel was ratified? In other fastings we easily show, that when men thought they pleased God, they did exhibit a gross worship unto Idols. In that days are appointed in honour of whom they should fast.

But yet this crime is not altogither wasshed away, in asmuche as our aduersaries brag that we can abide no fastyng, the whiche our Lord euery where highly commendeth. Firste, for asmuche as our Bookes and sermons doo crie out against this slaunder, we néede to labour the lesse in confutinge the same. But they wil replie vpon vs, that we haue disanulled the decrées that were longe agoe stablisshed for fastinge. I confesse so, & that we were compelled thereto for very earnest and weightie causes, so that they deale very lewdely with vs, in imputinge to vs as a