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…

Least I may seem to frame an history, (which is no part of my present purpose) it sufficeth me lightly, & as it were by the way to touch the examples of Gods providence in preserving his Church, which are worthy to be decked and set out with glorious inditing. Albeit (to ⟨image 45⟩say the trueth) the order of this work, suffereth me not to touch the tenth part of them, neither is it a matter so greatly requisite: so be it that the Readers may by these few know this one thing which I intend: namely that how much the Church was more oppressed under the Cross, so much the more notable was the power of God in lifting it up. From the first entering of the people into the land of Canaan, their own unbelief was the only let why they possessed it not free from enemies and in quietness. Afterward it was assaulted with continual invasions of enemies. Furthermore, when their power was decayed and brought under foot, it lay open to the spoil and to be wasted. Moreover it oftentimes changed masters, which nevertheless conspired all in one, who might make most havoc of it. In so much that it may be a wonder how in so many and so cruel destructions hanging over it, it remained undestroyed. Surely after the Ark of the Lord was taken, there was not an inch breadth between it and utter despair: ⟨p. 34⟩it was scourged with an exceeding great slaughter: almost all the flower of their manhood perished: being scattered and dispersed, they minded nothing in the world but weeping and lamenting. Howbeit, while, for the grievousness of their evils, they sought not any remedy, first was given them a little breathing time: afterward upon the sudden beyond all hope or expectation, help shone upon them from Heaven. At such time as Saul was slain, the like destruction hung over their heads, when David in the twinkling of an eye restored things decayed. If continual success of peace and prosperity had followed them, the rare felicity of that people might have been set out with greater commendations, but so many helps which God wonderfully sent them, could not so well have been known. Afterward when ten Tribes had rent themselves from the body, such a break, specially among many enemies lying continually in the wind, to hurt them whensoever occasion served, seemed to threaten present destruction.

Least I may séeme to frame an historie, (which is no parte of my present purpose) it suffiseth me lightly, & as it were by the way to touch the exāples of Gods prouidence in preseruinge his Churche, whiche are woorthie to be decked and set out with glorious enditinge. Albeit (to