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 we ought too profit our selves by it double. The one way is, by abhorring all diversities of opinions, and by looking well to our selves, that we have but one faith in our hart, and but one confession in our mouth. For if the faithful do contrary one another, it is certain that they show sufficiently, that they have not the Gospel on their side: at least the one part must needs err from the truth of God. It is true, that erewhiles it may well happen, that all of us shall not conceive one selfsame thing: and in that case S. Paul shows us a remedy, which is, that he which is not sure that God hath revealed the truth unto him, should hold himself in quiet, and pray God too lead him further. But yet in the mean while, it behoveth us too be fully resolved of the Articles of our faith, and too agree so together in them, that if every of us be demanded severally, he may show, that he holdeth none other thing, than that which is the general belief of the Church. That then is the first point which we have too mark, in S. Pauls telling of us that there is but one faith. Howbeit, this faith is not one, because men have found means in their brain too unite themselves together (by it:) for God must be fain too bring them too it, because they cannot come thither, nor abide in it one minute, except God strengthen them in his truth. Then must there needs be an interchangeable bond between faith and the Gospel: that like as the Gospel (whereof God is the author) is but one, so our faith also must be but one. Also as touching the doctrine, it is not enough ⟨image 179⟩for us too confess God altogether with one mouth: but it must also teach us too hold our selves so linked together all in one unity, as every of us do travel too his neighbours benefit, and consider wherein we may serve his turn, and apply our selves faithfully thereunto, bearing with them that are weak, honouring them that have received more largely of Gods gifts than we, and making none account of our selves, that we may attain too the highness whereunto God calleth us, which is, that we may be partakers of his glory, when we have so humbled our selves, and walked in this world with all lowliness and modesty. Thus much concerning that it is said in this text, that there is but one faith.

Now wee ought too profit our selues by it dubble. The one way is, by abhorring all diuersities of opinions, and by looking well to our selues, that wee haue but one fayth in our hart, and but one confession in our mouth. For if the faythfull doo contrarie one another, it is certeine that they shewe sufficiently, that they haue not the Gospell on their side: at least the one part must needes erre from the truth of God. It is trew, that erewhyles it may well happen, that all of vs shall not conceyue one selfsame thing: and in that cace S. Paule shewes vs a remedie, which is, that he which is not sure that God hath reuealed the truth vntoo him, should hold himselfe in quiet, and pray God too leade him further. But yit in the meane whyle, it behoueth vs too bee fully resolued of the Articles of our fayth, and too agree so toogither in them, that if euery of vs bee demaunded seuerally, he may shew, that he holdeth none other thing, than that which is the generall beliefe of the Church. That then is the first poynt which wee haue too marke, in S. Paules telling of vs that there is but one fayth. Howbeit, this fayth is not one, bycause men haue found meanes in their brayne too vnite themselues toogither (by it:) for God must bee fayne too bryng them too it, bycause they cannot come thither, nor abyde in it one minute, except God strengthen them in his truth. Then must there needs bee an interchaungeable bond betweene fayth and the Gospell: that lyke as the Gospell (wherof God is the author) is but one, so our fayth also must bee but one. Also as touching the doctrine, it is not ynough