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…

But we be partly the cause of it, and we cannot wash our hands of it: for God setteth us in his room in that behalf, and giveth us his word, which hath authority too condemn evil, and yet notwithstanding all is suppressed and thrust under foot. Mark that for one point. But on the contrary part, when the wickeddest men in the world be rebuked, then perceive they their shame, whereas before, they discerned not white from black. And why? For if a man be in the dark, he seeth nothing at all, but staggereth and stumbleth: and though he be never so much berayed, yet he perceiveth it not. Therefore ⟨image 277⟩when Gods word is set afore men, and we show offenders their faults with such liberty as is requisite: it is as much as if we showed them a glass, (and said too them.) See what thou art, thou art as foul and filthy as may be: art thou not ashamed too see thy self? go wash thy muzzle. So then, warnings will always win thus much, howbeit not alike with all men: for (as I said afore) many are hardened, so as Satan possesseth them, and God hath given them up too such a wilful stubborn mind, that they be past all shame. Nevertheless whensoever any faithful man doth his duty, it will always do good, and some profit will come of it, insomuch that they which were erst as wood beasts, or as wild bullocks, will return, and a man shall see some honesty in them. Therefore let us win that point, if it be possible for us, or at leastwise let us strain our selves too win it. And so ye see what we have too gather upon those words of Saint Paul.

But wee bee partly the cause of it, and we cannot wash our handes of it: for God setteth vs in his roome in that behalfe, and giueth vs his woord, which hath authoritie too condemne euyll, and yit notwithstanding all is suppressed and thrust vnder foote. Marke that for one poynt. But on the contrarie part, when the wickeddest men in the world bee rebuked, then perceyue they their shame, whereas before, they discerned not whyte from blacke. And why? For if a man bee in the darke, he seeth nothing at all, but staggereth and stumbleth: and though he bee neuer so much berayed, yit he perceyueth it not. Therfore ⟨image 277⟩when Gods woord is set afore men, and we shewe offenders their faultes with such libertie as is requisite: it is as much as if wee shewed them a glasse, (and sayd too them.) See what thou art, thou art as fowle and filthie as may bee: art thou not ashamed too see thy selfe? go washe thy muzzle. So then, warnings will alwayes win thus much, howbeeit not alyke with all men: for (as I sayde afore) many are hardened, so as Satan possesseth them, and God hath giuen them vp too such a wilfull stubborne mynd, that they bee past all shame. Neuerthelesse whensoeuer any faythfull man dooth his dewtie, it wyll alwayes doo good, and some profit will come of it, insomuch that they which were erst as wood beastes, or as wyld bullockes, will returne, and a man shall see some honestie in them. Therefore let vs win that poynt, if it bee possible for vs, or at leastwyse let vs streyne our selues too win it. And so yee see what we haue too gather vpon those wordes of Saint Paule.