Four sermons of Master John Calvin entreating of matters very profitable for our time,…Foure sermons of Maister Iohn Caluin entreating of matters very profitable for our time,…

to have those purgations and medicines, whereby he would heal us? Now I mean always the doctrine of the Gospel when it is purely preached: as also the Sacraments when they are rightly ministered as it becometh: then also public prayers and other means which serve too the stirring of us up, and awakening of us, that we should not be poisoned with the temptations of the world. Now every man knoweth that nothing of all this is found in the papacy, but rather altogether contrary. Let us therefore take good heed, least that in such necessity, wherein we have need to be succoured, we reject not the helps that GOD in mercy hath offered unto us. There are others, which yet more plainly, vomit out the filth and disease of their stomach. Shall we go (say they) to a Church, wherein to our great offence, we shall see troubles and stumbling blocks which are altogether unknown unto us? If in those places where the Gospel is preached, there were such government and policy, as were most requisite too edify us, ⟨image 51⟩if we were sure that we should find none but angels there that should lead us into Paradise, we would run thither most speedily. But when we shall come thither we shall hear many things, and peradventure more then were meet that shall do nothing but offend us: Yea and there shall be people given too all kind of iniquity, who through their lewd and dissolute life defame the Gospel. Besides that, vanities, pomps, drunkenness and such like things shall there bear to much sway. And which is worse to be borne, many shall show them selves such obstinate and unruly contemners of God, that more ungodliness shall be found amongst them, then amongest the Papists. Furthermore amongest the Magistrates and those that sit at the helve of justice, there shall be found no less abuse and corruption then in other places: yea men shall find many amongest the preachers that might be amended. Some will be found negligent in their ministry, or rather they will be so given to seek their own profit, that they will have no great care of their office. And which is worst of all, there are amongest these some jesters and belly Gods which desire nothing but too make good cheer, and too make them selves companions of the wickeddest sort, that they may have liberty too live as they list.

to haue those purgations and medicines, whereby hee woulde heale vs? Nowe I meane alwayes the doctrine of the Gospell when it is purely preached: as also the Sacramentes when they are rightly ministred as it becommeth: then also publique prayers and other meanes which serue too the stirring of vs vp, and awakening of vs, that wee should not be poysoned with the temptations of the world. Now euery man knoweth that nothing of all this is found in the papacie, but rather altogither contrary. Let vs therefore take good heede, least that in such necessitie, wherein wee haue neede to bee succoured, we reiect not the helpes that GOD in mercie hath offred vnto vs. There are others, whiche yet more playnely, vomite out the filth and disease of their stomack. Shall we goe (say they) to a Churche, wherein to our greate offence, wee shall see troubles and stumblinge blockes whiche are altogither vnknowen vnto vs? If in those places where the Gospell is preached, there were such gouernment and polycie, as were moste requisite too edyfye vs,