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…

And it behoveth us to put it so much the better in ure, considering that thievery is more ry•e now adays in the world than ever it was, and yet notwithstanding a number of men do flatter themselves still in that behalf, because the belly will needs have the foredeele. When a man hath whereon too live (say they) and all things necessary besides: it is good reason that he should not exempt himself from Gods word: but that we should starve for hunger, what order were in that? what rigour were it? Forasmuch then as we be so inclined too seek too be provided for, by hook or by crook, without regarding what is lawful or unlawful: let us think the better upon the things that S. Paul telleth us here.

And it behoueth vs to put it so much the better in vre, considering that theeuerye is more ry•e now adayes in the world than euer it was, and yit notwithstanding a number of men doo flatter themselues still in that behalf, bycause the belly will needes haue the foredeele. When a man hath whereon too liue (say they) and all things necessary besydes: it is good reason that he should not exempt himself from Gods woorde: but that wee should starue for hunger, what order were in that? what rigour were it? Forasmuch then as wee bee so inclyned too seeke too bee prouided for, by hooke or by crooke, without regarding what is lawful or vnlawfull: let vs thinke the better vpon the things that S. Paule telleth vs heere.

And he proceedeth yet one degree further in this change, which he enjoineth unto all the faithful: which is, that he telleth them they must not only abstain from defrauding of other men, and from polling them of their goods: but also endeavour too succour such as have need. Although then that it seem over rough unto us too abstain from all evil, and that in stead of living at our ease, as we have bin wont to do, and of having many commodities,) we should be fain to scratch our living out of the earth with our nails (as they say) and too labour with great pain and travel, yea and too fare very hardly: if although (say I) that this seem right hard: yet must we go further, that when we have wherewith to get our living without using of wicked practices, we must now and then spare somewhat of that which God giveth us through his blessing, too relieve the needy withal. Therefore let us not look whereto we be inclined, but let us consider that of our own nature we be so froward and wedded too our own profit, that every of us will needs be always well stored, and that forasmuch as we have so little regard of them that are members of the body of our Lord Jesus Christ aswell as our selves, we must take pains to enforce our selves to do them good: for that is a labour that will bring us too another. We must (say I) enforce all our affections, and thereupon employ our selves earnestly and unfeignedly, that we may be able too protest that the bread which we eat, cometh too us from Gods hand, and that we be sustained by his goodness, as if it were by a father that cantleth out every of his children their pittance. Then let us be at that point. And moreover, let us not think it enough too abstain from all craftiness, and from winding in of men by our