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…

Here, have ye my opinion, what were best to be done: but if any man find no way to get out, I would counsel him to look, whether it were not possible for him, to abstain ⟨image 74⟩from all Idolatry, and to keep him self pure and undefiled toward God, as well in body, as in soul. Then, that he worshipped god privately, desiring him that he will restore his poor Church unto her right estate. Finally, that he do his diligence for to instruct and edify the poor Ignorant, as much as he may: if he abject that he can not do this with out danger of death. I grant it: but the glory of God where of we entreat now, ought to be more precious unto us then this vain and transitory life which (to say the truth) is nothing but a shadow.

Here, haue ye my opynion, what were best to be done: but yf anye man fynde no waye to get oute, I wolde counsell hym to loke, whether it were not possyble for hym, to absteyne ⟨image 74⟩from all Idolatry, and to kepe hym selfe pure and vndefyled towarde God, as well in body, as in soule. Then, that he worshipped god priuately, desiryng hym that he wyll restoore hys poore Churche vnto her ryght estate. Fynally, that he doo hys dilygence for to instructe and edyfye the poore Ignoraunte, as moch as he may: if he abiect that he can not do thys wyth out daunger of deth. I graunt it: but the glory of God where of we intreate now, oughte to be more precious vnto vs then this vayne and transitory lyfe whiche (to saye the truth) is nothyng but a shadow.

I know, what the most part will say unto me, alas it is very truth that we ought to ⟨image 74⟩prefer God before all things: but we have no such strength nor constancy, where we have father and mother which do retain us here, where we have charge of household, how can we well get away? Unto this I say, for as much as their infirmity doth let them, to follow the counsel which they do acknowledge to be most sure and healthful, that for as much as for the fear of men they do bow from the right way, they ought to confess their sin before God: and with tears and sighs to bewail it, accusing them selves in the stead of justifying. Then, I do admonish them that by custom they sleep not in their evil: but from day to day, endeavour