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…

we ought too be the more vigilant in keeping good watch, according too the increasing of the evilness of the time. If there be any fear of war, every of us will abate his countenance, and consider that it is not for him too hazard all at one chop, but that he must reserve some little sprinkling for a pinch, as well of victuals as of other things. Also if we have any other troubles, every of us will be forecasting enough in that behalf.

we ought too bee the more vigilant in keeping good watch, according too the increacing of the euilnesse of the tyme. If there be any fear of warre, euery of vs will abate his countenance, and consider that it is not for him too hazard all at one chop, but that he must reserue some little sprincling for a pinch, as well of vittelles as of other things. Also if wee haue any other trubbles, euery of vs will bee forecasting ynough in that behalf.

Let us bethink our selves (will we say) for necessity will drive us too it. But now we see well the evilness of the days, that is to say, that all is against us, and although we were the diligentest and circumspectest in the world, yet shall we not fail too be taken •ardie with many things, and too find our selves hindered when we should serve God: and yet notwithstanding, all this passeth and slippeth away, and we mind it not at all. Therefore let us bethink our selves, and learn too redeem the time, that is too say, the mo occasions there be too provoke us too naughtiness, and too pull us away from God, the more let every of us enforce and strain himself too do good. For we be wont too take the corruptness of the time for a cloak too cover our sloth and unlustinesse withal, and so we bear our selves always on hand, that it is lawful for us too play the unthrifts among vuthriftes, as the proverb sayeth. If a man tell us that we must live indifferently and uprightly: how shall I do then, will every man say? A man cannot buy a pennyworth of apples without some deceit: and how then may I deal in wares or merchandise? Again, if a man tell us that we must live soberly and •tayedly,: yea, (say we) but who doth it? If a man speak too us of patience and mildness, and such other things: Is it not apparent (say we) that every man behaveth himself clean contrariwise? Shall I be all alone in the world? Lo how we make vice our buckler against God, & against all the warnings that are given us, as who should say, that because it is common, therefore it ought too serve us for an acquittance or discharge. But contrariwise it is said here, that we must take so much the more pain too redeem the time, and the