A17648:145
A commentary of M. John Calvin, upon the Epistle to the Colossians. And translated…A commentarie of M. Iohn Caluine, vpon the Epistle to the Colossians. And translated…
A commentary of M. John Calvin, upon the Epistle to the Colossians. And translated into English by R.V.A commentarie of M. Iohn Caluine, vpon the Epistle to the Colossians. And translated into English by R.V.
London: printed by Thomas Purfoote, 1581
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
6 Let your speech. He requireth pleasantness of speech, which may by the commodity thereof allure the bearers. for he doeth not condemn only such speeches as are apparently wicked or ungodly, but also such as are of no account or idle. Therefore he biddeth that they be powdered with salt. Profane persons have their salts or witty sayings and conceits, but he spea•eth not of them: nay rather because pleasant and witty conceits are plausible, and for the most part win favour, he declareth after a sort the faithful from the use and custom of them, For he counteth it unsavoury, whatsoever it be that edifieth not. In the same sense is the word grace, put: that it may be contrary to scoffing, and all kind of fables and toys which either hurt or else are vain. That you may know how, He that hath accustomed himself unto circumspect speeches, shall not fall into many absurdities and inconveniences, into which those that are full of words, and babblers many times do fall: but by continual use he will get himself knowledge how to answer well and directly. As again it must needs be that blab tongue fellows do set out and offer themselves to be mocked and laughed at as oft as they be asked a question of any thing, wherein they suffer just punishment for their foolish babbling. Neither doth he say only What, but also How (we must speak): nor yet to all indifferently, but to every (and singular) person. For this is not the worst point of prudence and skill, to have a consideration of every one.
6 Let your speeche. He requireth pleasantnesse of speeche, which may by the commoditie thereof allure the bearers. for hee doeth not condemne only such speeches as are apparantlye wicked or vngodly, but also such as are of no accounte or idle. Therefore he biddeth that they be poudered with salte. Prophane persons haue their saltes or wittie sayinges and conceits, but he spea•eth not of them: nay rather because pleasaunt and wittie conceates are plausible, and for the most parte winne fauour, he declareth after a sort the faithfull from the vse and custome of them, For he counteth it vnsauery, whatsoeuer it bee that edifieth not. In the same sence is the worde grace, put: that it may be contrary to scoffing, and all kynde of fables and toyes which eyther hurt or else are vayn. That you may know how, He that hath accustomed himselfe vnto circumspecte speeches, shall not fall into many absurdities and inconueniences, into which those that are ful of words, and bablers many times doe fall: but by continuall vse hee will gette himselfe knowledge how to aunswere well and directly. As agayne it muste needes be that blabbe tongue fellowes doe sette oute and offer themselues to be mocked and laughed at as oft as they bee asked a question of any thing, wherein they suffer iust punishment for their foolish babling. Neyther doth he say only What, but also How (we must speake): nor yet to all indifferentlye, but to euery (and singuler) person. For this is not the worst poynte of prudencie and skill, to haue a consideration of euery one.