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…

Now hereupon S. Paul addeth, that if we intend too keep the unity of spirit, we must live together in peace. For we know, that when any fire of strife is kindled, every man would have his enemies drowned in the bottom of hell. So soon then as we give the bridle too our affections, so as we fall too spiting of this man or that man, and there groweth any heartburning or grudge against us: then followeth partaking in the Church, too the breach of all concord. Therefore if we desire too be at one (as we •eedes must, if we will be Gods children) let us take good heed that Satan set no odds or variance among us, and let us be quiet, and endeavour too prevent troubles where we see any likelihood of them. And so ye see, what we ought too observe, if we mind too help our neighbours, and too bring too pass that God may be honoured among us with one accord.

Now hereuppon S. Paule addeth, that if wee intend too keepe the vnitie of spirit, wee must liue toogither in peace. For wee know, that when any fyre of strife is kindled, euery man would haue his enemyes drowned in the bottom of hell. So soone then as wee giue the brydle too our affections, so as wee fall too spyting of this man or that man, and there groweth any hartburning or grudge ageinst vs: then followeth parttaking in the Church, too the breache of all concord. Therfore if wee desyre too bee at one (as wee •eedes must, if wee will be Gods children) let vs take good heede that Satan set no oddes or variance among vs, and let vs bee quiet, and indeuer too preuent trubbles where wee see any likelyhood of them. And so yee see, what we ought too obserue, if wee mynde too helpe our neyghbours, and too bryng too passe that God may bee honored among vs with one accord.

And here we have too mark first of all, how Saint Paul in speaking of Lowliness, meekness, and patience, warneth us, that if we be not ware, and every man bridle himself, the devil shall always have easy access and entrance into us, too trouble us. And why? For as I said, every of us shall find the disease of ambition rooted in him, so as there is none of us but he would fain bear some countenance of superiority, at leastwise till God have laid his hand upon him, and by his holy spirit beaten down all pride in him, and made him leane. But take me all those that follow their own natural sway, & surely they are ever so high minded, as thy will not be contented, except they be exalted and much made of Saint Paul therefore thought good too warn us hereof, too the end we should learn too miske of