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 he thinks it not enough too say, that Gods children must abstain from covetousness and whoredom, and from the things that come near unto them: but too the intent we may abhor them all the more, he sayeth, Let them not be once named among you. It is not without cause that he sayeth so, for (as I have said already, and as shall be declared more fully hereafter) as touching covetousness, it will be thought too be a virtue when a man worketh and scrapeth together on all sides: O that is a good thrifty fellow: men clap their hands at him, men soothe him: and although they count him but as a thief, and a robber, and a Cutthroat: yet notwithstanding so he have goods, every body will think he doeth well too maintain him self with such as be in credit. Lo how men are flattered in their covetousness. And again, as concerning whoredom, we see that if Gods word cried not out upon that vice continually without ceasing, it would be set at liberty, and every man would dispense with him self, so as there would be no more honesty among men. Saint Paul therefore perceiving it too be so hard a thing too keep men from them, saith, that not so much as the very names of them ought to be suffered to have their course, but that they ought to be driven from among us. And in deed if there be any plague in a town, every man will keep him self close in his house, and be afraid too go abroad where any peril is. Too be short, men will be ware enough too ⟨p. 242⟩keep them selves close, that the disease catch them not. Yea and general commandment also shall be given too keep the streets clean, that the air be not infected by them, and too take away the things that may feed or increase the mischief. But in the mean while, these deadly plagues assail us: and yet notwithstanding every man holds on his way still, and it should seem that we would fain be poisoned with them. Howbeit this warning ought not too be unprofitable for us, where Saint Paul forbiddeth us too name whoredom. True it is that that word must needs be in use still: for Saint Paul standeth not upon that Ceremony.¹ And in deed God sayeth expressly in his Law,² thou shalt not commit adultery. He thinketh it not enough too forbid whoredom: but too the intent we should abhor it the more, he showeth us what an enormity the breaking of the faith between man and wife is.