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…

Yet notwithstanding, too the intent that we ⟨image 174⟩on our side should not stick too resort too him familiarly, and too the end we should be heard of God his father for his sake, it is said, that he had compassion on us,¹ because he had felt what man and mans infirmities are, howbeit, without any spot of sin, as I said afore. Now then, how shall we do, if we have this foolish belief, that we be throughly perfect? Seeing that pride is so rooted in our nature, how shall we pity such as we see in misery, if we consider not first, that we be no better worth than they? So then, let us mark well, that too be kindhearted, gentle, and friendly, all pride must first be beaten down in us.

Yit notwithstanding, too the intent that wee ⟨image 174⟩on our syde should not sticke too resort too him familiarly, and too the end wee should bee heard of God his father for his sake, it is sayd, that he had compassion on vs,¹ bycause he had felt what man and mans infirmities are, howbeit, without any spot of sinne, as I sayde afore. Now then, how shall wee doo, if wee haue this foolishe beliefe, that wee bee throughly perfit? Seeing that pryde is so rooted in our nature, how shall wee pitie such as wee see in myserie, if wee consider not first, that wee bee no better woorth than they? So then, let vs marke well, that too bee kyndharted, gentle, and freendly, all pryde must first bee beaten downe in vs.

1. 1Hebr. 4. d. 15.

Furthermore let us mark also, that kind heartednesse is the mother of patience, and the continual bringer forth of that fruit: and that if we be too stern, it is a sign that there is cruelty in us, and that we be as wild beasts. And thereby also we be convicted of pride and overweening, & that we have not well learned the Lesson that S. Paul copieth us out here. In deed we ought too be grieved at the faults of our neighbours, & we must not feed them by our flattery, as the common fashion of the world is. But yet must our zeal be so measured, as we must bear with a great sort (for we our selves also have need too be borne withal) and not be hastier with other folks, then we would that they should be with us, but always keep this natural uprightness, of not doing that thing to our neighbour, which we would not have done too our selves, which is the sum of the Law and the Prophets as our Lord Jesus Christ sayeth. Ye see then how our zeal ought too be mingled with kind hartednesse: