Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

The first was general, and likewise had reference to other nations, with whom the Lord would not have his people to converse, nor to make any confederacies with them, least they should be corrupted by the superstitions of the Gentiles. For it often falls out (I know not how) that by little and little we learn the vices of those with whom we converse and are familiar. And as we naturally imitate their vices rather then their virtues,¹ so are we by and by infected therewith, and afterwards the infection grows to spread it self instantly. This is come to pass in this realm of France, which hath conversed with other nations:² for having been too diligent in framing themselves to follow their evil example, they have now fraughted themselves full of filthinesses. Yea, this inordinate desire of leagues & confederacies hath opened the door for the Turks to enter into Asia, and now hath given him passage into Europe: and howsoever they still retain their wonted frugality in meats and drinks, yet nothing remains to all countries which they have overcome by force, but the villainies and pollutions which they have left behind them. The same may well be said of our country of France, by having familiarity with divers other nations.

The first was generall, and likewise had referēce to other nations, with whom the Lord would not haue his people to conuerse, nor to make any confederacies with them, least they should be corrupted by the superstitions of the Gentils. For it often falles out (I know not how) that by little and little we learne the vices of those with whom we conuerse and are familiar. And as we naturallie imitate their vices rather then their vertues,¹ so are we by and by infected therewith, and afterwards the infection growes to spread it selfe instantlie. This is come to passe in this realme of France, which hath conuersed with other nations:² for hauing been too diligent in framing themselues to follow their euill example, they haue now fraughted themselues full of filthinesses. Yea, this inordinate desire of leagues & confederacies hath opened the dore for the Turks to enter into Asia, and now hath giuen him passage into Europe: and howsoeuer they still retaine their wonted frugalitie in meates and drinks, yet nothing remaines to all countries which they haue ouercome by force, but the villenies and pollutions which they haue left behind thē. The same may well be said of our countrie of France, by hauing familiaritie with diuers other nations.