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…

Howbeit I know there be four sorts of men whom Offences withhold from Christ, or at least which under this colour are enemies to the Gospel. The fear ⟨p. 5⟩of Offences holdeth many back conceived of a certain natural modesty, in so much that they dare not ones take a taste of the Gospel. Other some being more slothful and unapt to be taught, do hinder them selves rather by dullness than by wilfulness. And there are very many, who being sotted with pride & the vain opinion of that wisdom which they are far from, are to themselves an occasion of Offence through their own arrogance. There are also which maliciously and of set purpose do gather together all Offences, and invent many new of their own brains, and that not so much for ill will they bear toward Offences, as for hate of the Gospel, to the intent they may by some means or other raise a slander of it. Yea rather whereas they themselves are the Authors of Offences, of very spite most impudently they turn the blame thereof all together upon the Gospel. With such slanders the books of Sadolet, Eckius, Pyghius, Cochlaeus, and such like, are to be seen throughly fraughted. The first and second sort are to be dealt withal somewhat more gently: but ⟨image 17⟩the third and fourth sort are to be entreated more sharply. For what point is it, I say not of humanity, (for what humanity can ye look for at this cruel beasts hands?) but of honesty, to object reproachfully against the Son of God, the things for which they them selves are altogether to blame? But we will look better upon these things afterward, my mind was only at the beginning, to admonish my readers what kind of men I purposed to deal with: to the intent they might thereby judge, what they had to look for in this little book. The weak and unskilful shall find here, wherewith to arm them selves for the overcoming of all Offences. The wicked shall find as much as shall suffice to disprove their abominable slanders. It is a great matter that I promise, but I trust I shall satisfy indifferent Judges. For it is not to be hoped that I should heal the diseases of all men. And I have already condemned him of great folly, if any man will endeavour to bring to pass, that Christ should not be a stumbling block to the wicked.

Howbeit I know there be fower sortes of men whome Offences withholde from Christe, or at least whiche vnder this colour are enemies to ye Gospell. The feare