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 then, we have here two points too bear in mind. The one is, that in seeking atonement with men, we must always have ⟨p. 158⟩our eye upon God, and when we be come too it, we must be settled in it more and more. That is a thing which we must ever have a care of. Now in general it is true, that peace is too be desired, and that the very name of it is had in estimation among men. But yet for all that, we must not so shroud our selves under the shadow of peace, as too separate our selves from God, that in the end we make war against him, and he proclaim us too be his enemies. And for that cause it is said, that we must be at continual battle with the wicked. For inasmuch as they serve Satan, they will not cease to fight against God and our salvation. And therefore we must not be cold and negligent in that behalf, but zealous in setting our selves against them: insomuch that although they be in honour and credit, yet let us abhor them, as it is said in the Psalm: let them be unto us as stinking and loathsome things, and full of filth and uncleanness. Though they boast never so much of their greatness, yet let us assure our selves, it were much better that they were drowned with all their bravery in the bottom of hell, than that they should so exalt themselves against God. Ye see then that we must esteem the greatest men of the world, no better than Worms, when they dare so bend their horns against God: and consequently that we can have no peace with them, seeing we should be fain too forsake God for their pleasure. But (as I said afore) it were better that the world were turned upside down, than it should be so. Now then if we knit together in God, let us follow the rule that is given us here: that is too wit, too be so abased in our selves, as the world may perceive by our mildness, that there is no more loftiness in us too set us at odds. And like as kindheartedness bringeth patience, so also let us condemn mens vices, and yet labour always to draw the parties unto God, and too win them unto him, rather than too set them of through sharpness.

Now then, wee haue heere twoo poyntes too beare in mynd. The one is, that in seeking attonement with men, wee must alwayes haue ⟨p. 158⟩our eye vppon God, and when wee bee come too it, wee must bee setled in it more and more. That is a thing which wee must euer haue a care of. Now in generall it is trew, that peace is too bee desyred, and that the verye name of it is had in estimation among men. But yit for all that, wee must not so shroud our selues vnder the shadow of peace, as too separate our selues from God, that in the end wee make warre ageinst him, and he proclayme vs too bee his enemyes. And for that cause it is sayd, that wee must bee at continuall battell with the wicked. For in asmuch as they serue Satan, they wil not ceasse to fyght ageinst God and our saluation. And therfore wee must not bee cold and negligent in that behalf, but zelous in setting our selues ageinst them: insomuch that although they bee in honour and credit, yit let vs abhorre them, as it is sayd in the Psalme: let them be vntoo vs as stinking and lothsome thinges, and full of filth and vncleannesse. Though they boast neuer somuch of their greatnesse, yit let vs assure our selues, it were much better that they were drowned with all their brauerie in the bottom of hell, than that they should so exalt themselues ageinst God. Yee see then that we must esteeme the greatest men of the world, no better than Woormes, when they dare so bend their hornes ageinst God: and consequently that wee can haue no peace with them, seeing wee should bee fayne too forsake God for their pleasure. But (as I sayd afore) it were better that the world were turned vpsyde downe, than it should bee so. Now then if wee knit toogither in God, let vs followe the rule that is giuen vs heere: that is too wit, too bee so abaced in our selues, as the world may perceyue by our myldnesse, that there is no more loftinesse in vs too set vs at oddes. And lyke as kyndhartednesse bringeth pacience, so also let vs condemne mens vyces, and yit labour alwayes to drawe the parties vntoo God, and too win them vntoo him, rather than too set them of through sharpnesse.