Protestants have long observed that the Reformers are properly called such because they believed they were merely trying to restore the Church to her ancient beliefs and practices. Therefore, they labored to demonstrate there was nothing new in their teaching. Accordingly, Calvin's prefatory address to Francis I is in large part a recitation of ancient support for reformation arguments. However, he begins with what I think is a much more profound assertion.
"First, by calling it 'new' they do great wrong to God, whose Sacred Word does not deserve to be accused of novelty. ...That it has lain long unknown and buried is the fault of man's impiety." Here, Calvin is saying that if a doctrine or practice can be demonstrated to be genuinely Biblical, it cannot be called "new," even if NO precedent can be found in Church history. If Calvin is correct (and I believe he is), we must hold our confessional positions sincerely but lightly, always ready to correct them by the light of God's Word.
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