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…

Saint Paul correcteth a vice here which is very dangerous, and yet notwithstanding so common as can be among men, because they see not at the first what harm it bringeth, and therefore do take leave the easier too do it. For it will be said, that too hold pleasant talk, and in the mean while too think no man no harm, is a thing that may be abidden: as who should say, it were possible too poison our neighbours mind, and yet for all that, it should be no harm. And hardly may men be persuaded that it is so, notwithstanding that the holy Ghost have said it. I say that when there is any light or lewd talk, or tending too give liberty unto evil: it is all one as if talk were ⟨p. 226⟩ministered too poison mens souls. Now then it behoveth us so much the more too mark what is told us here: for Saint Paul termeth it filthy and lewd talk, which cannot but infect. Men will deny it (as I said afore:) but experience showeth sufficiently,¹ how it is not without cause said in another place, that evil words corrupt good manners. Though we weer never so modest, chaste, clean minded, and given too good: yet if we admit wanton talk, it pierceth even too the bottom of the hart, and we be attainted with it before we perceive it, insomuch as it marreth us utterly. And in very deed if a woman give ear too the messages that are brought her, tending too seduce her: a man may well say she is a harlot already, and the thing it self is manifest enough. Then is it certain that all unchaste and lewd speeches, are bawdy tricks: and although the parties that are so given too casting forth of such lewd talk, do it not always of that mind: yet of what intent so ever they do it, Satan is the author of it. And (as I said afore) if such unchaste and loose talk have full scope, needs must we be poisoned out of hand, and the mischief have his course. And therefore not without cause doth Saint Paul forewarn us, that no Unclean speech, or (as I said afore) no filthy speech proceed out of our mouth. And on the contrary part he setteth down, that we have sufficient matter too talk of one with another: that is too wit, too edify, that men may fare somewhat the better by our communication. Accordingly as even the heathen men can say, that it doeth one good too be in such a mans company. And why?

SAint Paule correcteth a vyce heere which is very daungerous, and yit notwithstanding so common as can bee among men, bycause they see not at the first what harme it bringeth, and therfore doo take leaue the easlyer too doo it. For it will bee sayd, that too hold pleasant talke, and in the meane whyle too think no man no harme, is a thing that may bee abidden: as who should say, it were possible too poyson our neyghbours mynd, and yit for all that, it should bee no harme. And hardly may men bee perswaded that it is so, notwithstanding that the holy Ghoste haue sayd it. I say that when there is any lyght or leaud talk, or tending too giue libertie vntoo euill: it is all one as if talk were