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…

We shall see that there is neither faith nor loyalty among most men, but that all men are given too pilling and poling, without any respect of equity or uprightness. We shall see some rush out into whoredom and dishonesty, some into drunkenness, and some into other lewdness and loose behaviour. We shall see men rap out oaths, perjuries, and other cursed things.

Wee shall see that there is nother fayth nor loyaltie among most men, but that all men are giuen too pilling and pouling, without any respect of equitie or vprightnesse. Wee shall see some rushe out intoo whoredome and dishonestie, some intoo drunkennesse, and some intoo other leawdnesse and looce behauiour. Wee shall see men rap out othes, periuries, and other cursed things.

Again, we shall see secret conveyances, impoysonings, spytings, malicings, treasons, and wicked practices. Too be short, we shall see some so devilish, that they fling them selves headlong altogether, ⟨image 82⟩as though they meant too make war wilfully against God. These are things that may astonish us: And although we be dull, yet ought we too have some remorse, when we see things so far out of order in the world. Nevertheless S. Paul sayeth that if we consider what is done, and how all things are turned topsyturvy, and what liberty the world taketh too withstand God: it behoveth us too apply the same too our selves, and too conclude thus: the same should betide me, yea and even as much as I see in them that are most wretched. For when we look upon the diseases that are abroad, how some are eaten with cankers and other filthy diseases, and othersome have as terrible sicknesses as can be: we must pry upon them and say, as ill, yea & worse to, should light upon me, if God pitied me not. For all of us do carry the seed of them about us: & that not only in our bodies, (but also in our souls) for there may be some diversity of complexions, so as some shall be stronger and lustier than other some: but the soul of man is utterly corrupted and marred. So then the sins that reign in us, are all of them warnings to make us cast down our eyes, and too be ashamed before God and his Angels, yea and too make us hate and utterly abhor our selves. Thus ye see why S. Paul hath added here, that the devil worketh now still. He useth the word Now: as if he should say, my friends, if in looking upon your present state, you find any thing well, and that the same keepeth you from humbling of your selves throughly, and from feeling how miserable ye should have bin, if God had not showed pity and mercy towards you: see what is done about you, see how the unbelievers behave themselves, and you shall find them to be as wild beasts, and enemies of their own salvation: you shall find them stark mad against God, and against all right. Too be short, ye shall see so great enormities, as shall abash men, & make them too say, Alas, is it possible that it should be thus? And so ye see what ye be. Say not: fie on thee naughtipacke.