A17729:26
A very profitable treatise made
A very profitable treatise made by M. John Calvin, declaring what great profit might come to all christendom, if there were a register made of all saints bodies and other relics, which are aswell in Italy, as in France, Dutchland, Spain, and other kingdoms and countries. Translated out of French into English by Steven Withers. 1561. Set forth and authorised according to the Queens Majesties injunctions.A very profitable treatise made by M. Ihon Caluyne, declarynge what great profit might come to al christendome, yf there were a regester made of all sainctes bodies and other reliques, which are aswell in Italy, as in Fraunce, Dutchland, Spaine, and other kingdomes and countreys. Translated out of Frenche into Englishe by Steuen Wythers. 1561. Set furth and authorised according to the Queenes Maiesties iniunctions.
printed by Rouland Hall, 1561
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Moreover, if it appear that those which were counted and esteemed for the most certain have been fraudulently invented and counter feyted: what may men think of those that are more doubtful? And would to god that Christen Princes would somewhat think upon this. For it were their office and duty not to suffer their pore subjects to be so deceived, not only by false doctrine, but visibly in making them believe (as the Proverb sayeth) that Rams bladders are lanterns: for they shall make account before God for their dissimulating, if seeing and beholding the same they keep silence: and it shall be dearly sold them to have permitted men to ⟨image 11⟩mock God, where as they might have remedied the same.
Moreouer, if it apear that those which were counted and estemed for the moste certayne haue bene fraudulently inuēted and counter feyted: what maye men thynke of those that are more doubtfull? And woulde to god that Christen Princes would somewhat thinke vpon thys. For it were their office and dutye not to suffer theyr pore subiects to be so deceiued, not onely by false doctrine, but visibly in makynge them beleue (as the Prouerbe sayeth) that Rammes bladders are lanternes: for they shall make accounte before God for their dissimulyng, yf seing and beholdyng the same they kepe silence: and it shall be dearely solde them to haue permitted men to ⟨image 11⟩mocke God, where as they myght haue remedied the same.
How soever it be, I trust that this little treatise shall serve all, giving every one occasion to think with himself that which the title importeth: that is, if there were a register made of all the relics of the world, that men should clearly see how they have been deceived and blinded heretofore, and what darkens and ignorance hath been throughout the whole earth.
How soeuer it be, I trust that this lytle treatise shal serue al, geuing euery one occasion to thinke with himselfe that which the tytle importeth: that is, yf there were a regester made of all the reliques of the worlde, that men should clearly see how they haue bene deceyued and blynded heretofore, and what darkennes and ignoraunce hath bene throughoute the whole earth.