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…

Ye see then that the thing which we have too remember in this strain, is that inasmuch as God hath appointed our tongues too such use as we have heard, that is too wit, too the service of our neighbours, and too the benefiting of them both in body and soul: we must employ them diligently thereunto. And therefore let us above all things keep us from infecting of those that were inclined too serve God, and from thrusting them out of the way by casting forth such speeches before them as may cool their goodness, & provoke […] ⟨p. 228⟩too evil, yea and make them more licentious and negligent. For evil speech corrupteth good manners many ways. There are some naughtipackes too be seen, that are […] •corners of God. And if they be warned too have any remorse of their doings: •ush say they, God passeth much for this. Again, othersome come not too such extremity, but yet will they lessen their faults, so as they shall be but venial sins with them. Othersome do cloak all things: and all others generally will say, Tush, we must not be so careful, God will not have us too live so sadly, for what a thing were that? It should not be lawful for us too laugh within a while. And their speaking after that manner, is too bury all fear of God by little and little. Ye see then that many sorts of such folk, yea many mo than needeth, do show themselves too much: and they be as many records, that lewd words are poisons too murder mens souls withal. And therefore let us stand upon our guard in that behalf. And first of all (as I said) let every man beware that he speak chastely, and use none other than honest speech. And therewithal let us shun all them as devils, which jest out the matter after that fashion, notwithstanding that for their mirth's sake they be welcome too us, and sometimes also fare well of free cost, (O, say we,) He is a good fellow, he will make all the company merry. Now whereas men are desirous too have such folk, too tickle their ears by casting forth their jests and dalliances, and such other like things: let us learn too shut them out of our doors. For we would not willingly hold up our throat too a dagger, when we saw it drawn: neither would go seek one too murder our bodies. And why then do we long sore too have our souls murdered, which is much worse?

Yee see then that the thing which wee haue too remember in this streyne, is that in asmuch as God hath appoynted our toungs too such vse as wee haue heard, that is too wit, too the seruice of our neyghbours, and too the benefyting of them both in bodie and soule: wee must imploy them diligently thereuntoo. And therefore let vs aboue all things keepe vs from infecting of those that were inclined too serue God, and from thrusting them out of the way by casting foorth such speeches before them as may coole their goodnesse, & prouoke