A17688:39
The mind of the godly and excellent learned man M. John Calvin what a…The mynde of the godly and excellent lerned man M. Ihon Caluyne what a…
The mind of the godly and excellent learned man M. John Calvin what a faithful man, which is instruct in the word of God, ought to do, dwelling amongest the papists.The mynde of the godly and excellent lerned man M. Ihon Caluyne what a faithfull man, whiche is instructe in the worde of God, ought to do, dwellinge amongest the papistes.
Ippyswiche: printed by John Oswen, 1548Ippyswiche: printed by Ihon Oswen, 1548
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
For the Paynims (say they) were not only deceived in using ⟨image 23⟩of perverse ceremonies: but also in as much as they had Gods devised & forged out of their fantasy. It is no marvel then (say they) if our lord do so greatly reprove their manner of doings: but this is not all one with that that is done among the Papists: For although the service of God be among them corrupt and faulty, yet always their intention is none other but to worship God. To be short, they arm them selves with this diversity that they think there is not so great peril to be partaker in any Idolatry the which is covered with the name of God, as in an other that were altogether without any cover. But unto this I answer that for as much ⟨image 24⟩as the world goeth about to serve God after a perverse and an unlawful manner, that then it doth worship an Idol: what cloak so ever they make. Then, they that invent superstitions which God condemneth and refuseth, might very well say, we will serve god but in as much as God accepteth not such service they do it rather to the devil.1 Wherefore saint Paul saith, that they which did transform the glory of god into any corruptible figure, did serve the creature and not the creator. But to the intent a man may understand more plainly, how feeble this defence is, let us take the examples of the scripture convenient unto this purpose.2 Mark the brazen Serpent ⟨image 24⟩which was not invented rashly by the foolishness of men but by the will of God. It was not only a memorial of the benefit which God had done to the people of Israel, but also an holy Sacrament of Jesus christ Afterward did they make of it an abominable Idol, & yet nevertheless, this was not done without a Godly show or pretence of the name of God. I demand now if that any of them in the same time had made as though he had worshipped it for to fashion him self unto the superstition of the people, whether that we would excuse him? I think there is no man that would not condemn him.3