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 too confirm this doctrine the better, he addeth yet one other reason: It is the light (sayeth he) that layeth all things open. Heretofore he told us,¹ that when we be once enlightened by Gods spirit and Gospel, we must be as lamps too give light into the world. For we have the word of life, which serveth, not only too guide us, but also too draw them into the right way, which have gone astray. Going forward herewithall, he saith, that it is the nature and property of light too discover. And therefore when we suffer naughtiness to nestle and to grow still deeper and deeper in huththermuthther; we show well that we be neither light, nor children of the light, that is too say, that we belong not awhit▪ neither too God, nor too Jesus Christ. Too be short, Saint Paul meaneth that we cannot give any proof of our christianity nor of our faith, but by hating and abhorring of evil, as much as is possible, that it may not have his full course and sway. But now let us think upon our selves again. For (as I said) there is none of us all which is not faulty in fearing men more than God, and in winking at others, to the end that they should wink at us, and not be inquisitive of our doings. Lo how we betray one another by our silence. But there is yet another vice that is worse and further cut of dsquare: namely that besides our dissembling, we do also help too feed the evil. And so by that ⟨image 278⟩means whoredom hath his full scope, because every man and woman plays the baud. Whereas I say, every one, I mean, that most men & women now adays do wink at all manner of lewdness and misorder, and stop their ears at the things which they might well hear, and every man seeks too conceal his fellows lewdness, men of mens, and women of women's. They might remedy a great sort of enormities that are committed: but they will rather go and very their Gowns and Cotes with other folks dung and filthiness, than discover their vices. Too be short, every body plays the bawd in effect, by concealing his neighbours vice, too the end that the other should do as much for him. In like case is it with all other sins.

Now too confirme this doctrine the better, he addeth yit one other reason: It is the lyght (sayeth he) that layeth all things open. Heretoofore he tolde vs,¹