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…

But now let us see how well this doctrine is put in ure. A man shall find that they which are converted too the Gospel, take most liberty too do evil. It should seem that a number have learned nothing else by the Gospel, but to busy themselves about pretty slights too entangle other mens goods. For there are too be seen, which used greater simplicity in the time that they were blind wretches, and knew nothing of God, and of the pure doctrine of salvation, for they had at least wise some uprightness and plain dealing too the worldward. But they have so profited backward in Gods school, as they be far wilier than they were before, in making their own advantage, and in taking more liberty, and in bearing themselves on hand that all things are lawful for them. And therewithal they be so shameless in facing and bolstering out their doings, ⟨p. 222⟩that they do but make a pot at it, and bear themselves on hand that they have great wrong done them, when they be blamed for the things that are apparently known too all men, and whereof even little children may be judges. So much the more then are we too be condemned, seeing that Paul telleth us here, that although we enriched our selves by Craft and Extortion, and made no conscience too rake other mens goods too us, before we had good teaching: yet at leastwise we should be well advised too walk more uprightly with our neighbours, now that we be enlightened by Gods word. Ye see then that the thing we have to bear in mind upon this text, is, that our Lord Jesus Christs doctrine ought to rule us in such singleness, as every of us may forbear his craftiness and subtleties.

But now let vs see howe well this doctrine is put in vre. A man shall fynd that they which are conuerted too the Gospell, take most libertie too doo euill. It should seeme that a number haue learned nothing else by the Gospel, but to buzie themselues about pretie slyghtes too intangle other mens goods. For there are too bee seene, which vsed greater simplicitie in the tyme that they were blynd wretches, and knew nothing of God, and of the pure doctrine of saluation, for they had at least wyse some vpryghtnesse and playne dealing too the worldward. But they haue so profited backeward in Gods schoole, as they bee farre wylyer than they were before, in making theyr owne aduauntage, and in taking more libertie, and in bearing themselues on hand that all thinges are lawfull for them. And therwithall they bee so shamelesse in facing and bolstring out their dooinges, ⟨p. 222⟩