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…

1. I therefore which am a prisoner in our Lord, warn you too walk as becometh you, in the calling whereto you be called, 2. With all lowliness and meekness, with patience, bearing one with another in charity, 3. Being diligent too keep the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace. 4. Be ye one body and one spirit, even as ye be called in hope of your calling. 5. There is (but) one Lord, one Faith, one Baptism.

1. I therfore which am a prisoner in our Lord, vvarne you too vvalke as becommeth you, in the calling vvhertoo you bee called, 2. VVith all lovvelinesse and meekenesse, vvith pacience, bearing one vvith another in charitie, 3. Being diligent too keepe the vnitie of the spirit through the bond of peace. 4. Be yee one body and one spirit, euen as ye be called in hope of your calling. 5. There is (but) one Lord, one Fayth, one Baptim.

We have seen this morning how Gods children ought too be linked together, so as every man may help his fellow, and hearten and strengthen him, and all of us endeavour with one accord too serve God. Now for performance hereof, we have need to correct the vices that are in us. For on the one side we see how men are well near all inclined too loftiness, selfsoothing, and selfweening, whereof by and by breedeth scornfulness. For he that covets too advance himself, must needs abase his fellows, too make himself their superior. Then is it impossible that there should be agreement among us, until we have rid our selves of this pride and overweening, whereunto we be too much given. But if we be once knit together: then will we also be meek. For what is the cause that we be so stern towards our neighbours, and that there is nothing but rigour and roughness with us, but for that every of us coveteth too overmaster other? That then is the cause why there is no gentleness among us. And therefore ⟨p. 154⟩S. Paul hath matched meekness with lowliness: for lowliness is the mother of meekness. Last of all, he setteth down patience or sufferance, in bearing long with mens infirmities and vices. For if we will needs search out by parcel meal whatsoever we shall see to be amiss in every man: surely we shall have occasion to reject both great and small: for there is not that man which is not blemished with some evil. But have we once abated the pride that I spake of, and thereupon conformed our selves too meekness, and gentleness, so as we can find in our hearts too be warned and too bear with others: and none of us is so hindered by his infirmities, but that he can abide too make account of other men as of his brethren: then shall the Church by that mean abide always in good plight.