Two and twenty sermons of Master John Calvin In which sermons is most religiously…Two and twentie sermons of Maister Iohn Caluin In which sermons is most religiously…

And that this is true, we see at this day how all things are out of order. This is sure, that the true virtue which should be in youth, is modesty: and that the younger sort ought to know that since they are not furnished with wisdom and discretion as the elder sort are, they ought to hear them, and not to be given over to their own will and wit. This is the most principal wisdom that ought to be in young men. But what? they are at this day past all shame. By this we may see that the world is even as it were utterly desperate, and that we are grown to the fullness of all mischief and iniquity. For we shall see these beastly and graceless boys and wenches, which scarcely are able too wipe their own noses, as we say, yea and that might yet be under the rod ten years, like peevish wretches as they are, that when so ever they shall be spoken unto, will make no reckoning of whatsoever is said, but pout and mow at it, counterfeiting the very Apes and Monkeys, as daily we may see. And when we see such extreme pride in this people, what shall we say but that Satan hath even possessed them? and that they will show themselves as in deed they are, to weer, without all amendment? So then, this point is so much the more to be well considered of, when as he saith: Wherewithal shall a young man address his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. True it is, that a great many which have need here to be told this gear, care not for filling of their ears with any such matter, they have knowledge enough too keep them selves from the Church: For they have the thing which they desire when they may be at the Tavern, playing and Dancing. But what? It is certain that this doctrine will not leave them uncondemned when as God crieth unto them, as he witnesseth by Solomon,¹ where he bringeth in Wisdom saying, I have cried out, and put forth my voice in the streets, I have bidden both great & small, to the end that men might hear me, and none hath vouchsafed too receive me, ne yet to give me lodging. When God declareth unto us, that our life shall be well ordered if we keep his ⟨image 18⟩word, surely as many as fly from this doctrine and admonition, shall render an account at the last day, because God hath called them.

And that this is true, we see at this day howe all things are out of order. This is sure, that the true vertue which should be in youth, is modestie: and that the younger sorte ought to knowe that since they are not furnished with wisdome and discretion as the elder sorte are, they ought to heare them, and not to be giuen ouer to their owne will and wit. This is the moste principall wisedome that ought to bee in young men. But what? they are at this day past all shame. By this we may see that the worlde is euen as it were vtterly desperate, and that we are growen to the fulnesse of all mischiefe and iniquitie. For wee shall see these beastly and gracelesse boyes and wenches, which scarsely are able too wype their owne noses, as we say, yea and that might yet be vnder the rod ten yeeres, like peeuish wretches as they are, that when so euer they shalbe spoken vnto, wil make no reckoning of whatsouer is said, but poute and mowe at it, counterfaiting the very Apes and Monkeyes, as dayly wee may see. And when we see such extreame pride in this people, what shall wee say but that Satan hath euen possessed them? and that they will shewe themselues as in deede they are, to weere, without all amendment? So then, this point is so much the more to be wel considered of, when as hee saith: Wherwithall shall a young man addresse his way? by taking heede thereto according to thy worde. True it is, that a great many which haue neede heere to be tolde this geere, care not for filling of their eares with any such matter, they haue knowledge inough too keepe them selues from the Church: For they haue the thing which they desire when they may be at the Tauerne, playing and Dauncing. But what? It is certaine that this doctrine will not leaue them vncondemned when as God cryeth vnto them, as hee witnesseth by Solomon,