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…

And hereupon, S. Paul going forward with the same doctrine, saith, there is but one Lord. It is certain that hereby he meaneth one God, who hath sovereign dominion over us, and is our ⟨image 178⟩master too keep us in unity,¹ because he cannot abide that we should be at odds. In the Twelfth Chapter of the first Epistle to the Corinthians, S. Paul saith, that there is but one God, too show the service which we owe unto God, specially for granting us of his gifts wherewith too edify his Church. But his attributing of sovereignty unto God in this Text, is too do us too wit, that we cannot serve God, unless we be at unity among our selves. And why? For although a mortal man be variable, and change his mind from morning too night: yet will he not have any discord in his house: if there be any broil, or if there rise any strife, he cannot away with it. And what shall God do,² who is the God of peace (as he nameth himself in the Scripture) seeing he will have us too gather together under him, and telleth us,³ that he sitteth among us, and that we be his house? Think we that we can wind him into our troubles, contentions, skirmishings,⁴ hurliburlies, and heats with us? Then should he be fain too transfigure himself, and to change his nature. But let us not imagine that he will deny himself (as S. Paul sayeth) but he shall be fain too cut us of as rotten members, and too show that we belong not unto him, when he seeth that we come nothing near him. And therefore let us resort too the said sovereignty and dominion which God hath over us, too the intent too allay all strifes and variances that Satan shall endeavour too raise up among us. For if Servants, although they be discontented with another, & have heartburning, grudge, or such other things among them selves, do nevertheless bridle them selves for love of their master, and agree again among them selves: what shall we do, when as the case concerneth the pleasing of our God? So then S. Paul declareth in effect, that when we be so wayward and can bear with nothing, but will fall out for every small and light occasion: it is a token, not only that we despise men, but also that we rebel against God, and are loth to yield him any subjection. Thus ye see in effect what we have too consider upon that saying.