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 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.

WEe haue seene this morning howe Gods children ought too bee linked toogither, so as euery man may helpe his fellowe, and harten and strengthen him, and all of vs indeuer with one accord too serue God. Now for performance hereof, wee haue neede to correct the vyces that are in vs. For on the one side wee see how men are well neere all inclyned too loftinesse, selfsoothing, and selfweening, whereof by and by breedeth scornefulnesse. For he that couets too aduaunce himself, must needes abace his fellowes, too make himself their superiour. Then is it impossible that there should bee agreement among vs, vntill wee haue rid our selues of this pryde and ouerweening, wheruntoo wee bee too much giuen. But if wee bee once knit toogither: then will wee also bee meeke. For what is the cause that wee bee so sterne towardes our neyghbours, and that there is nothing but rigor and roughnesse with vs, but for that euery of vs coueteth too ouermayster other? That then is the cause why there is no gentlenesse among vs. And therefore