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 the rest of the inferior rabble every one with their several cognisances, being contented with these tokens they desire none other Church, than such a one as appeareth in disguisings like maskers and players of interludes. For ⟨image 117⟩what else is there to be said to these trifling fellows, when having so often, so pithily, and plenteously, been by us confuted, they persist still nevertheless in taking upon them the title of the Church?

and the reste of the inferiour rable euery one with their seuerall cognisāces, beinge contented with these tokens they desire none other Churche, than suche a one as appeareth in disguisinges like maskers and players of enterludes. For ⟨image 117⟩what els is there to be sayd to these trifelyng fellowes, when hauinge so often, so pitthely, and plentuously, bene by vs cō futed, they persist still neuerthelesse in takinge vpon thē the title of the Church?

I said at the beginning that none almost were here deceived, but such as being loth to come to Christ, do procure lets to themselves from a far of. The time hath been that this same scruple hath hindered many simple & godly souls: but at this day (I say) there are few that object the Offence, rising upon the name of the Church, against the wholesome doctrine, except it be such as maliciously and proudly vaunt themselves against Christ. Like lewdness is it, that they demand miracles at our hand, wherewith they being amazed, are at length compelled to yield unto God speaking by us. And I say, that seeing our doctrine beareth evident witness to it self, that it hath been confirmed by all the miracles which have been since the world was made: these men which forgetting the old miracles gape after new, forasmuch as they are so astonied at the manifest ⟨p. 106⟩power of God, and so blind in the clear light, are no less monsters themselves, than if we should see a man turned into a beast. Because divers are enriched with holy goods, and othersome have meetly well appeased their hunger for a time, the enemies of the Gospel report, that we were led to alter things for desire of spoil, than for any good zeal to Godward: and many which hawk for a pretence to put by the Gospel, give their assent to these malicious sayings. Surely for my part, if there be any that have spoiled the goods of the Church, to fill their own pouches, I excuse them not. And my Books are manifest witnesses, how much I abhor from such sacrileges. But as I am not minded to make my self a patron or advocate of the defaults of our part, if any be: so the slander is not to be borne with, that the malicious persons charge us withal, how we made our pray of all whatsoever was taken from those filthy Seagulls, that is to say, the chaplains of Ball and the Monks. Certainly whereas the popish impiety is abolished, there at leastwise part of the