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 such as under this pretext do abase the authority of them, are to unequal and malicious. Paul doth not only grant that he wan teth eloquence, but also preacheth it openly and glorieth in it, ought his doctrine ⟨p. 9⟩doctrine therefore to be the less set by? Nay, rather, whereas is no flourishing of words to blear the eyes withal, there he warranteth the strength of the heavenly wisdom to shine the better. Neither doth he teach any other thing unto the .iiij. chapter of the first Epistle to the Corinthians, than that the faith is then verily, duly founded in the wisdom & pour of the holy Ghost, when the minds are not seduced with fineness of inditing & witty handling of the matter. And this doth every one of us know for a certainty, by the assured experience of our faith. Surely if the doctrine of John or Paul were painted with the colours of Demosthenes or Cicero, it might peradventure have more grace to allure the Readers, but of weight to move the consciences, and of worthiness to purchase it self authority, it should not have the hundred part that it hath. For the Majesty of God uttereth it self there lively: in so much that they are compelled, who so ever readeth it, (onlesse it be such whose minds the Devil hath astonied,) to think that it is even God that speaketh unto them. ⟨image 21⟩And therefore they are to dull witted, which take no taste nor savour in the Scriptures, because they find there no enticements of speech. But what if God will pierce the hart through & through, rather than with pleasant tinkling, delight the ears? For whereas Paul, saith that the treasure of the Gospel is bestowed in earthen vessels, to the intent the power of God may more clearly appear in the weakness of men, it agreeth very well to our present purpose. Thus much I may lawfully take upon me to say: that there are no disputations of the Philosophers so subtle, which are able more strongly to persuade: no thunderings of the Orators, that are able more vehemently to move affections: than is the simple & rude stile of the scripture. For who seeth not, how by the wonderful providence of God it is so provided, ye in a base kind of speaking, the effectual working of the spirit should nakedly much better show it self. They will needs have their ears delighted with the sweetness of Eloquence:

And such as vnder this pretext doo abase ye authoritie of them, are to vnequall and malitious. Paule doth not onely graunt that he wā teth eloquence, but also preacheth it opē ly and glorieth in it, ought his doctrine