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 hereupon they would make us to be like those ancient heretics who condemned the use of the sacraments for the vices of men: as though we looked unto mens particular vices, and ⟨image 17⟩not rather to their common state and condition. I pass over this briefly, but as little as I have touched thereof is more then enough to convince so villainous an impudency. Notwithstanding if they be so blockish, that they will understand nothing thereof, the word of God ought to suffice us. As when the Lord saith by Jeremiah,¹ O Israel if thou return, return unto me. The which words show in what simplicity we ought to walk before God, without turning back again to any thing not allowed of him.² And this is the cause why saint Paul protesteth, that he was sent too convert the unbelievers from their vanities to the living God: as if he should have said, that it was nothing to make men to change an ill custom, with other hypocrisies: but they must roundly abolish superstitions, to the end that true religion may be established in her own purity and holiness: For without this, men cannot come directly to God: but they stagger & reel, not knowing which way to turn them selves. There are others who are come so far to forsake the mass: but they would retain certain patches of that which they call the service of God: to the end not to be accounted (as they say) altogether for profane people. And it may be, that there are which go that ways of a good affection: at the least I am content to believe so: but whatsoever purpose they have, yet this may we not say, that they therefore keep a straight rule, & a good measure therein. Some will say, we can well go to their baptisms: For therein there is no manifest Idolatry. As though the Sacrament were not there defiled diverse ways, so that it should seem that Jesus Christ were yet in Pilats house, to be boxed on the ear, & abused with all reproach and villainy. ⟨p. 11⟩To conclude, whereas they say, that it is to show that they are a people not without religion, if they should be demanded upon their consciences why they do it, they would answer that it were to please the Papists, and to make a show to the end to shun persecution. Othersome spy out their time not to come while mass is a saying: and yet they come to Church, to the end men might think they were there.