The sermons of M. John Calvin, upon the Epistle of S. Paul too the…The sermons of M. Iohn Caluin, vpon the Epistle of S. Paule too the…

Also it is certain that the City of Geneva ought generally too be as a burning Cresset, too give light too such as are yet far of from the Gospel. But it appeareth how the world goeth with us: I report me too yesterday's dealing: I must needs speak of it. For if I concealed it in the pulpit, and in the mean while the Countryfolk can make report of it in the streets, yea & give judgment of it: were I not much to blame? Seeing then that the little children can sing of it, (as they say) should I not be too rank a traitor to God & his people,¹ if I, if I (I say) and my fellows should play the dumb dogs? If a goldsmith should make a Cross or a Chalice, he should be punished, as he deserveth. If some other man do make a thing that serveth too popish superstition, it shall not be abidden. If a merchantman sell beads, he shall have his punishment as he is worthy. But if a man sell Chasubles, Albs, & all other trinkets of the mass, that shall be suffered and borne with. Nevertheless this hath bin done. And in whose name? Even of them which ought too bridle others, and too punish them that had offended. And in what place? In the place which is dedicated and consecrated too God for the executing of Justis. Yet notwithstanding, it will perchance be said, that it was done through oversight: and I believe it. For had the party bin well advised, surely he would have kept himself from doing so unlawful and utterly unexcusable a deed. And therefore let us beware, let us (I say) beware, that we suffer ⟨image 185⟩not our selves too be blinded after that fashion by Satan, and so rocked asleep, as we consider not what is told us here, namely that if we have received any grace or gift at Gods hand, we must set more store by it, and put it too such use, as God may be glorified, and his Church furthered by it: or else we shall have a dreadful account too make, for giving cause so of offence too the weak. And it had bin better that that filthy trash had bin consumed a hundred times with fire, than too have bin so brought forth in open place, in the sight of all such as lye in wait for us a far of. For of a truth we know well enough that there are many which watch us, and seek nothing but too spy some cause too speak evil of us, not only too mock us for our labour, for we be worthy of that: but too blaspheme Gods name.

Also it is certein that the Citie of Geneua ought generally too bee as a burning Cresset, too giue lyght too such as are yit farre of from the Gospell. But it appereth how the world goeth with vs: I report mee too yisterdayes dealing: I must needs speake of it. For if I concealed it in the pulpet, and in the meane whyle the Countrifolke can make report of it in the stretes, yea & giue iudgment of it: were I not much to blame? Seing then that the little children can sing of it, (as they say) should I not be too rank a traytour to God & his people,