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 Saint Paul too stir us up the better hereunto, telleth us, that we be called unto an inheritance. In saying so, he showeth that there is a much holier atonement between us, than there is between the (natural) brothers of this world. For although they be borne of one father and one mother, so as they be but one blood: Yet notwithstanding, every man shifts for himself anon after, and the inheritance is parted among them, so as the brethren seem too be separated asunder, and the natural bond that was among them before, too be ⟨p. 159⟩half broken. But we have an inheritance that cannot be broken. A man cannot say, I have that which belongeth too me, I will get me away, and I will dwell alone by my self. For what is our inheritance? It is God himself. And moreover the heavenly life, which is purchased for us by our Lord Jesus Christ, and whereinto he himself is gone afore us, too gather us thither too him. Seeing then that we be all called too one selfsame inheritance, if any of us shrink aside from his brethren, it is all one as if he gave over his part in the Kingdom of heaven. But we would abhor such a blasphemy. If a man should demand of any of us whether he would renounce his part of paradise, it would make the hairs too stand up upon his head, I mean even of them that have no fear of God at all. No doubt but there are some so wicked and monstrous beasts, that they will flush out this blasphemy out of their mouth, that they renounce their salvation. But if ye ask it of a man that is well advised: he will always abhor and detest it. Yet notwithstanding, in very deed we go about too shut our selves out of the gate, and too bar our selves from coming in the kingdom of God, and we wipe away the hope of it that is given us by the Gospel, when we be not knit together among our selves. Were this thoroughly printed in our harts: surely there would be another manner of friendship and brotherliness among us, than there is: and men should see other manner of meekness, mildness, and pacientnesse. Now though we have hitherto bin misadvised, yet is it much better too take warning late than never. Wherefore let us learn by this doctrine of Saint Pauls, that whensoever we be provoked too displeasure, so as we seem too have some cause too reject one, too leave another, and too separate our selves from him or her:

Now Saint Paule too stirre vs vp the better heruntoo, telleth vs, that wee bee called vntoo an inheritance. In saying so, he sheweth that there is a much holyer attonement betweene vs, than there is betweene the (naturall) brothers of this world. For although they bee borne of one father and one moother, so as they bee but one blud: Yit notwithstanding, eueryman shifts for himself anon after, and the inheritance is parted among them, so as the brethren seeme too be separated asunder, and the naturall bond that was among them before, too be