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…

Therefore when Saint Paul biddeth us discover men, it is not meant that we should defame one another after that manner: but that the wretched man which had his eyes blindfolded by Satan, should be made too perceive his own misery and naughtiness, that he ⟨p. 260⟩might be ashamed of it: and that the woman which had given over her self too all unchastity, might be made too recover some honesty, and too return again into the right way, by being put too shame in having her faults and vices laid afore her. The manner then of discovering, is not too backbite one another, or too taunt and upbraid one another by this and that, and too play the hypocrites, who will strain at a gnat,¹ and swallow up and Ox or a Sheep at a morsel: that is too say, which will make conscience in very small and light matters, and not see a number of great enormities, which they suffer too pass hard by their noses, without being any whit offended at them. We must not do so: but when we see the mischief fed and increased by our unfaithfulness, let us provide for it. and let every man be compelled too think better upon himself and upon his vices, that he may amend them. This in effect is the carefulness which Saint Paul enjoineth us here: and it is the very mean to rid away the plagues that Satan would have maintained still by silence and dissimulation. Therefore whensoever we perceive any impostume lying hid, let us beware that the matter settle not so long within, till the disease become uncurable: but let us purge it out of hand, and let admonitions serve as it were for lancers, and letting of blood, and for such other means and helps too take away the rotten matter that might mar and infect the whole body. And so ye see in effect how we ought too put this doctrine in ure.

Therefore when Saint Paule biddeth vs discouer men, it is not ment that wee should defame one another after that manner: but that the wretched man which had his eyes blyndfolded by Satan, should bee made too perceyue his owne miserie and naughtinesse, that he ⟨p. 260⟩myght bee ashamed of it: and that the woman which had giuen ouer hir self too all vnchastitie, myght bee made too recouer some honestie, and too returne agein intoo the ryght way, by being put too shame in hauing hir faultes and vyces layd afore hir. The manner then of discouering, is not too backebyte one another, or too taunt and vpbrayd one another by this and that, and too play the hipocrytes, who will streyne at a gnat,