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,…

And in deed a man might say that the Masses which are said aswell by those hedge Priests as which by those Canons and Chaplains, and all those are founded upon some particular devotion, which they set out every day to sale, are as Harlots of the Stews. The Parish Priests ⟨image 15⟩Mass is as a strumpet, that shroudeth her self under the name of her husband, to keep her self in the reputation of an honest woman. Although the similitude be not altogether fit: For a married whore, will always yet have some shame from giving over her self too all comers: but that same Parrish Priests Mass, is the most common idolatry of all others. So far is it off, that they that paint her out with this colour, keep here yet any trace of the supper of Jesus Christ: yea as if a thief were ever the better, when he shall be apparelled with the spoil of him, whose throat he hath cut, and shall be mounted up upon his Horse. We seek (say they) the supper of Jesus Christ. Seeing we cannot have it pure, in the tyranny in which we live, we must content our selves too take that which is left, waiting when God will put to his hand. Forsooth a goodly excuse. Forasmuch as they have no right and sound use of the Supper, by way of provision, they protest, that they account not Jesus Christ for their only everlasting Saviour, and they seek every morning a new sacrifice to blot out their sins. For all this is in the Parrish Priests Mass, aswell as in that of S. Nicholas, or in those that are said for the dead. They feign to worship an Idol, and yet boast themselves to seek Jesus Christ. And to the end, they may not fight against God without a sword and a Buckler. they bring forth the authority of this man here, and of that man there. As if the absolution of a man could exempt them, from being condemned of God. I spare to say that they notably belie them, whom they bring for their advocates. But admit it were so, that a holy man for a time thought it not so great an evil too ⟨p. 9⟩go to an high Mass: yet if afterwards he knew the error wherein he was, his latter judgement is so much the more to be believed, for the condemnation thereof, forasmuch as men may see, that the power of God hath compelled him thereunto, and he is plainly found to be overcome in that thing, which before he did hold and allow of.

And in deede a man might saye that the Masses whiche are saide aswell by those hedge Preistes as whiche by those Chanons and Chaplaynes, and all those are founded vppon some particular deuotion, whiche they sette out euery day to sale, are as Harlotes of the Stewes. The Parishe Priestes