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…

Nevertheless, admit that many do perversely abuse our doctrine: yet it ought to be seen how just cause there is of Offence. God hath created mankind under this condition, that man should perform the office of a head to the woman, and the woman again be an helper to the man: and so in a mutual bond he knit both the sexes together. Before man was corrupted, marriage was given and permitted to them for a great benefit. This benefit of God to be wrested from man being mortal, I say is not to be suffered. Now unto the first institution of God, is come a greater necessity, by reason of incontinence of the flesh. For the holy Ghost hath not in vain by the mouth of ⟨p. 97⟩Paul, appointed this remedy for the avoiding of fornication, that every man should have his wife, and every woman also have her own husband. Christ and the said Paul do not in vain give warning, that all are not apt and meet for single life. And would God the disease of incontinence were less known in this our nature grown out of kind. God, to the intent to remedy this vice, hath not only ordained marriage, wherein man may lawfully dwell with woman, but also with loud voice calleth unto the lawful use thereof, all that are burned of their own flesh. The Apostles, Martyrs, and other chiefest of the Saints used this benefit. A wonderful estimation of single life arose suddenly, and put marriage quite out of conceit and reputation. Notwithstanding, the abstinence from marriage was but at will for a time, until that superstition set open the gate to Tyranny. First therefore were the Priests prohibited marriage, at length the prohibition crept to the Deacons too. The Monks and Nuns, being entangled in the snare of their Oath, gave over the ⟨image 109⟩right that God had granted them. Hereupon the world began to think none hallowed to God, but only single folk. This cruel fury raged so far, that they noted the married life to be very reproachful as an unholy kind of life. First, although such a change had had good success to see to, yet we say it had his beginning of Devilish audacity. But the holier virtue that Chastity is, so much the wickeder and more detestable is forced singleness, which is most certain to be replenished with all kind of filthiness and uncleanness.

Neuerthelesse, admitte that many doo peruersly abuse our doctrine: yet it ought to be séene how iuste cause there is of Offence. God hath created mankinde vnder this condition, that man should performe the office of a head to the woman, and the woman againe be an helper to the man: and so in a mutuall bonde he knitte bothe the sexes togither. Before man was corrupted, mariage was giuen and permitted to them for a greate benefite. This benefite of God to be wrested from man beyng mortal, I say is not to be suffered. Now vnto the first institution of God, is come a greater necessitie, by reason of incontinencie of the fleashe. For the holy Ghost hath not in vaine by the mouthe of