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…

And at length all their complaints come to this point, that we disannul at this day, the custom which hath been received these eight hundred or these thousand years. But if the old Proverb be to be believed, which also hath been commonly used among them: an evil custom is nothing else, but the ancientness of error. And we know that the longer of continuance an evil is, the more hurtful it is. In times past this sentence of Cyprian was counted worthy to be ⟨image 113⟩rejoiced at: that we ought not to look what other men had done or said before us, but whatsoever Christ hath commanded, who is the first of all, that is to be followed. No man also will deny, but this was well and advisedly spoken of Augustine: that Christ attributeth not to him self the name of custom, but the name of truth. Now no man dare stir though never so lightly, the stinking herb Camarina of corrupt custom, which hath rested a long continuance of years. Yea rather forebroken rigorousness in maintaining chief absurdities is waxed so strong, that they not only refuse the reproving of them, as coming out of season, but also do persecute it cruelly with fire and sword. That same Heathen man sayeth, that like as the custom of right speaking is to be fetched at learned mens hands: so the custom of well living is to be fetched at the hands of good and honest men. Shall the lewd and corrupt custom of men, carry us away forcibly as some violent tempest without judgement or choice, who have Christ to direct us? To the intent I may conclude ⟨p. 102⟩this place briefly, if that thing may take place with us, which out of all controversy ought to be a grounded principle among all godly men: that the doctrine of Christ is not subject to the prescription of years, this surmised stumbling block shall hinder no man, at leastwise from the desire to search. And when it shall be fully agreed upon, that we have from Christ that which we bring forth, who will be so overthwart as wilfully to fleet unto men, from the eternal wisdom of God, and the voice of the heavenly Master.

And at length all their complaintes come to this pointe, that we disanull at this day, the custome which hath bene receiued these eight hūdred or these thousand yéeres. But if the old Prouerbe be to be beleued, whiche also hath bene commonly vsed amonge them: an euil custome is nothinge els, but the auncientnesse of errour. And we knowe that the longer of cōtinuance an euill is, the more hurtfull it is. In times past this sentence of Cyprian was counted woorthie to be