Progression of Immodesty by John Calvin (1509-1564)

[Anna]

Calvin's words were prophetic, regarding the progression of immodesty among Christian women:

John Calvin (1509-1564)

John Calvin (cited in Men, Women, and Order in the Church: 3 Sermons by John Calvin, by Seth Skolnitzky. Presbyterian Heritage Pub.):

"So if women are thus permitted to have their heads uncovered and to show their hair, they will eventually be allowed to expose their entire breasts, and they will come to make their exhibitions as if it were a tavern show; they will become so brazen that modesty and shame will be no more; in short they will forget the duty of nature….

So, when it is permissible for the women to uncover their heads, one will say,

'Well, what harm in uncovering the stomach also?'

And then after that one will plead [for] something else: 'Now if the women go bareheaded, why not also [bare] this and [bare] that?'

Then the men, for their part, will break loose too.

In short, there will be no decency left, unless people contain themselves and respect what is proper and fitting, so as not to go headlong overboard."

(John Calvin's Commentary on Head Coverings)