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…

Now furthermore S. Paul addeth (as we have seen already to the Galatians) that covetous folks are Idolaters. ¹Truly this matter were well worthy too be discoursed more at length,² and there is nothing spoken of it which may not be spoken again. Howbeit forasmuch as in handling the Epistle too the Galatians, I declared there why S. Paul calleth Covetous folks Idolaters: it shall suffice too touch the pith of the matter in few words. For as touching other vices, they do in deed make us too forget God. What are the inordinate lusts of our flesh everyone of them, but Idols? for every man is harried away after the things that he desireth, so as he setteth all his hart and mind upon them, and forgetteth God. Therefore it may well be said, that all wicked lusts are Idols that impeach the majesty of God, and provoke us too strive against him, yea and too shake of his yoke, and too betake our selves unto Satan. Nevertheless, Covetousness is justly called Idolatry, because it is certain that when a man doth once give himself thereunto, he •etteth his whole felicity therein. He is not like a Glutton, who hath some remorse and shame of his naughtiness: nor like a drunkard, a whoremonger, or a blasphemer. For there is yet some shamefastness in them. And why? Because they cannot so blind men, but that they will speak shame of them for it. And although the whole world clapped ⟨p. 247⟩their hands at them, and knew no whit of their lewdness: yet shall they themselves be enforced too have some hartbyting. Ye see then that all such as offend God any other way whatsoever it be, shall yet be held in awe by some fear, and have some remnant of discretion left in them too say, I do amiss, and how much so ever they soothe themselves, and fall a sleep, yea and even utterly harden themselves: yet shall they be compelled too feel some pricking within. But the covetous man doth so rejoice in his doings, that he thinks not himself faulty, neither before God, nor before man: but (which more is) glorieth in his wickedness. For when he hath fleeced one, and robbed another of his goods, and deceived one, and snared or entrapped another: thereupon when he casteth up his account, he will say, Blessed be God that hath prospered me so well.