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…

This also hath some colour: that our doctrine is disagreeable to antiquity and the consent of all ages. And therefore the Papists brag themselves most therein, specially when with blowing of trumpets they sound those high names of the Fathers, and the Church. Because it is known well enough, how odious and suspected a thing newness in Religion is: under the same pretence they fray the unskilful from our doctrine. And I confess surely, that if any new thing be brought, it is not to be heard. But of this crime there is no better or certainer purgation, than that we will nothing to be admitted, onlesse it be proved by clear & substantial testimonies of the Scripture. And herein it appeareth that the Papists are duller than Oxen & Asses, which at leastwise know their stall: who having ⟨image 111⟩forged to themselves a newcome God, have so forgotten the true and everlasting God, that they have no sight at all in the antiquity of the heavenly Oracles. Notwithstanding, they allege that we pretend Scripture falsely, who endeavour to subvert all the consent of the aū cient Church. It is a common old stale slam der of theirs, but yet so foolish, that I would be ashamed to bestow much time in confuting it: besides that, a long volume were needful for the matter. And our books do abundantly bear witness, that if the allegations of the old men be sought, our case is by them more furthered than hindered. Albeit it be manifest enough, that the doctrine of the ancient Fathers, is no more agreeable with the corruptions of Papistry, than a sheep is like a Wolf, yet notwithstanding they pick out certain sayings of theirs, and sometime also words, as perversely as lewdly, wherewith to deceive the rude, and such as are not exercised in the reading of them. As often as we object the testimonies of the Fathers against them: although they see themselves overwhelmed ⟨p. 100⟩with the weight and number of them: yet because they think themselves to be out of all danger of gun shot, they carelessly despise us, and laugh at us. For the Sea Apostolic is so great, that it easily swalloweth up all the Doctors that ever were. Neither is any thing readier with them than this exception: that they pass nothing for any determinations of the Fathers, as long as the holy sea of Rome hath decreed otherwise.

This also hath some colour: that our doctrine is disagreable to antiquitie and the consent of all ages. And therefore the Papistes bragge thēselues most therein, specially when with blowynge of trumpettes they sounde those highe names of the Fathers, and the Church. Bicause it is knowen well inough, how odious and suspected a thynge newnesse in Religion is: vnder the same pretence they fray the vnskilfull from our doctrine. And I confesse surely, that if any newe thinge be brought, it is not to be heard. But of this crime there is no better or certainer purgation, than that we will nothinge to be admitted, onlesse it be proued by cléere & substātiall testimonies of the Scripture. And herein it appeareth that the Papistes are duller than Oxen & Asses, whiche at leastwise knowe theyr stall: who hauinge