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…

Howbeit Saint Paul addeth here yet one circumstance more, which deserveth to be well noted: and that is, that he will have us to labour in the thing that is good. And why addeth he that? Let us consider what a number of trades, Crafts, or occupations there are in the world, which serve for nothing but corruption, and to toll in pence, as they say. Truly men are not aware of it. And why? Because all men are contented, that such as have wherewith, should be prodigal, too the intent that their money may fly abroad. Again, such as (too their own seeming) cannot get their living otherwise, are inventing of new devices every day, too angle the money out of fools purses, and of such as are so given too lightness. Again, they that have wherewith, will needs set out themselves, and be brave too the worldward. And that is the cause why the occupations and trades which serve but for pomp and superfluity, and for I wot not what niceness and allurements, and only too provoke folk too lewdness, will needs make men believe that there is nothing amiss in them. But Saint Paul hath therefore set down a distinction here. For it is not enough when a man can say, Oh, I take pain, I have mine occupation, or I have such a trade: that is not enough: but he must see whether the same be good and profitable for the common wealth, and whether his neighbours may fare the better by it. For ought not this too be the end whereto all trades, occupations, and states do tend, and whereto they ought too refer themselves: namely, that every man look too employ him self in some thing whereby he may do good? And for the same cause are we likened too the members of a body. Now then,¹ as who should say, that the hand should employ it self too the delighting of some other member, which notwithstanding should receive harm by it. By that means all the body should go too destruction. So then, inasmuch as we must always have before our eyes, that in what calling soever we live, God must go before us, as if he called us too him, and we follow the way that he showeth us by his word: surely he will never allow of any trade or occupation, which is not beehooffull and serviceable too the whole common wealth, and redounding also too the profit of all men.

Howbeeit Saint Paule addeth heere yit one circumstance more, which deserueth to be wel noted: and that is, that he will haue vs to labour in the thing that is good. And why addeth hee that? Let vs consider what a number of trades, Crafts, or occupations there are in the world, which serue for nothing but corruption, and to toll in pence, as they say. Truly men are not aware of it. And why? Bycause all men are contented, that such as haue wherwith, should bee prodigall, too the intent that their money may flye abrode. Agein, such as (too their owne seeming) cannot get their liuing otherwyse, are inuenting of newe deuyces euery day, too angle the money out of fooles purses, and of such as are so giuen too lyghtnesse. Agein, they that haue wherwith, will needs set out themselues, and bee braue too the worldward. And that is the cause why the occupatons and trades which serue but for pompe and superfluitie, and for I wote not what nycenesse and allurements, and alonly too prouoke folke too leaudnesse, will needs make men beleue that there is nothing amisse in them. But Saint Paule hath therfore set downe a distinction heere. For it is not ynough when a man can say, Oh, I take peyne, I haue myne occupation, or I haue such a trade: that is not ynough: but hee must see whether the same bee good and profitable for the common welth, and whether his neyghbours may fare the better by it. For ought not this too be the end wherto all trades, occupations, and states doo tend, and whertoo they ought too referre themselues: namely, that euery man looke too imploy him self in some thing wherby he may doo good? And for the same cause are wee lykened too the members of a bodie. Now then,