A17684:49
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…
A little book of John Calvins concerning offences whereby at this day divers are feared, and many also quite withdrawn from the pure doctrine of the Gospel, a work very needful and profitable. Translated out of Latin into English by Arthur Golding.A little booke of Iohn Caluines concernynge offences whereby at this daye diuers are feared, and many also quight withdrawen from the pure doctrine of the Gospell, a woorke very needefull and profitable. Translated out of Latine into Englishe by Arthur Goldinge.
London: printed by H. Wykes, 1567
No title page in the transcription: set from the catalogue record.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
But unto them that believe not, he is the stone which the builders refused, the stone for them to stumble at, and the rock for them to fall against. Behold how Christ offereth him self to all men, for a foundation to build them selves upon, that they may be the temple of God. Surely here is none Offence. Wherefore then should they be offended? forsooth because like a sort of blind Bayards, they rush wilfully against that thing, whereon they ought gently ⟨image 15⟩to stay them selves.
But vnto them that beléeue not, he is the stone whiche the builders refused, the stone for them to stumble at, and the rocke for them to fall against. Behold how Christe offreth him selfe to al men, for a foundation to builde them selues vppon, that they may be the temple of God. Surely here is none Offence. Wherefore then should they be offended? forsooth bicause like a sort of blind Bayardes, they rushe wilfully againste that thinge, whereon they ought gently ⟨image 15⟩to staye them selues.
Yet we see the malice, or at leastwise the corruption of men is such, that that thing which happeneth extraordinarily unto Christ, followeth as customably, as if it were most of all pertinent to his Office. Now come I unto them, who otherwise refusing not to embrace the Gospel of Christ, would nevertheless have it without Offences. I have to do with such as are Christians: Would they have Christ free from all Offence? then must they go forge thee a new one: For the Son of God cannot be any other, than of such sort as he is preached in the Scriptures. Or else they must alter all mens natures and dispositions, and go make all the world new again. We hear what the Scripture sayeth: This is incident, not only to the person of Christ, but also to all the whole doctrine: neither is it lasting for a time only, but it shall continue through the whole course of the doctrine. Howe preposterous then are they, who in these days reject the doctrine of the Gospel now springing up again, only in this respect, because they find