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 Saint Paul inferreth further, that (as I have touched heretofore) we must keep the unity of the spirit, or the bond of peace. For he setteth here the unity of spirit, as a mark that is requisite in the Church and flock of God: insomuch that if we be at odds among our selves, we be at odds with God. And therewithal he showeth us the thing that we have seen briefly before: which is, that if we be not at one among our selves, God disclaimeth us, and telleth us we belong not unto him. This unity therefore is a thing that ought too be much set by now adays, seeing it is the mean in respect whereof we be acknowledged for Gods children. True it is that the wicked and the unbelievers have their confederacies, and are so linked one too another, as there is not a straiter alliance too be found in the world. For even their evil doings do bind them one too another, as though they were fast sowed together, because they perceive themselves too be hampered, insomuch that he which hath conspired in some mischief with another naughtipacke, will be afraid of him, and that fear is as a bond that cannot be broken. Howbeit Saint Paul presupposeth here, that the faithful are at one in God, as he will declare anon. For this cause he showeth them how the same unity may be kept. It is (sayeth he) the bond of peace. For when a fire is once kindled, it is not so soon quenched again. We imagine that when we cast our selves into a chafe, we can come too our selves again by and by, and all shall be whist and still out of hand again. No: for the devil doth so set in his foot, that the strife and contention turneth too a deadly sting, so as men are envenomed with it more and more, and although they show it not outwardly, ne cast up their rage and froth: yet notwithstanding some hartbyting and heartburning will lurk still within, when there hath bin any debate. And therefore (as I said) let us not think that when any trouble is stirred up, it will be pacified so soon as we would have it. In consideration whereof Saint Paul telleth us, ⟨image 176⟩that the Church shall perish every turning of a hand, through that fire, if we continue not in quiet, and shun all strife and debate.

Now heervppon Saint Paule inferreth further, that (as I haue touched heertoofore) wee must keepe the vnitie of the spirit, or the bond of peace. For he setteth heere the vnitie of spirit, as a marke that is requisyte in the Church and flocke of God: insomuch that if wee bee at oddes among our selues, wee bee at oddes with God. And therewithall he sheweth vs the thing that wee haue seene breefly before: which is, that if wee bee not at one among our selues, God disclaymeth vs, and telleth vs wee belong not vntoo him. This vnitie therfore is a thing that ought too bee much set by now adayes, seeing it is the meane in respect whereof wee bee acknowledged for Gods children. Trew it is that the wicked and the vnbeleeuers haue their confederacies, and are so linked one too another, as there is not a streyter allyance too bee found in the world. For euen their euill dooings doo bynd them one too another, as though they were fast sowed toogither, bycause they perceyue themselues too bee hampered, insomuch that he which hath conspyred in some mischeef with another naughtipacke, will bee afrayd of him, and that feare is as a bond that cannot bee broken. Howbeeit Saint Paule presupposeth heere, that the faythfull are at one in God, as he will declare anon. For this cause he sheweth them how the same vnitie may bee kept. It is (sayeth he) the bond of peace. For when a fyre is once kindled, it is not so soone quencht ageine. Wee imagin that when wee cast our selues intoo a chafe, wee can come too our selues agein by and by, and all shall bee whist and still out of hand agein. No: for the diuell dooth so set in his foote, that the stryfe and contention turneth too a deadly sting, so as men are inuenimed with it more and more, and although they shewe it not outwardly, ne cast vp their rage and froth: yit notwithstanding some hartbyting and hartburning will lurke still within, when there hath bin anie debate. And therfore (as I sayd) let vs not thinke that when anie trubble is stirred vp, it wilbee pacifyed so soone as wee would haue it. In consideration wherof Saint Paule telleth vs,