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…

But now let us come too the words that are couched here by S. Paul. He sayeth, that we be one body and one spirit, as we be called too one hope of our calling. First and formest he showeth us, upon what condition we be called of God: that is too wit, that there should be such a knot among us, as might show that we be in very deed the body of our Lord Jesus Christ. For it is not enough for us to be cast up together like a heap of stones: but we must be knit together with a hearty good will. And like as it is said, that ⟨image 177⟩there was but one hart and one mind among the faithful (in the primitive Church:¹) so must the same appear among us too at this day. Saint Paul then in telling us that we be one spirit, and one body, meaneth that we be made as it were all one man in Jesus Christ. For Jesus Christ can well find in his hart too communicate his name too all the company of the faithful, and that is too the end too draw us the more too the said affection of living together in concord and brotherly love, even with such atonement as we may be brethren, that is to say, so knit together, as the fingers of a hand: for without that, we can never show that we be desirous too attain too the kingdom of heaven. That therefore is the thing which he meant by the two words Body and Spirit.

But now let vs come too the woords that are couched heere by S. Paule. Hee sayeth, that we be one bodie and one spirit, as we bee called too one hope of our calling. First and formest he sheweth vs, vppon what condition we bee called of God: that is too wit, that there should bee such a knot among vs, as myght shewe that wee bee in very deede the bodie of our Lord Iesus Christ. For it is not ynough for vs to be cast vp togither lyke a heape of stones: but wee must bee knit toogither with a hartie good will. And lyke as it is sayd, that ⟨image 177⟩there was but one hart and one mynd among the faythfull (in the primitiue Church:¹) so must the same appere among vs too at this day. Saint Paule then in telling vs that wee be one spirit, and one bodie, meaneth that wee bee made as it were all one man in Iesus Christ. For Iesus Christ can well fynd in his hart too communicate his name too all the companie of the faythfull, and that is too the ende too drawe vs the more too the sayd affection of liuing toogither in concord and brotherly loue, euen with such attonement as wee may bee brethren, that is to say, so knit toogither, as the fingers of a hand: for without that, wee can neuer shewe that wee bee desyrous too atteyne too the kingdome of heauen. That therfore is the thing which he ment by the twoo woords Bodie and Spirit.