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 therewithal on the other side,¹ let every of us look well to himself, for we shall yield account of the benefits that God hath bestowed ⟨image 184⟩upon us, and the more a man hath received, the more blamed shall he be, if he endeavour not too discharge himself of his duty in serving of his neighbours, as I said afore. For the end of all Gods gifts is always too edify one another, that Gods Temple may gr•we among us, and be still reared too his full perfection. And so ye see how we ought too bestow the spiritual gifts that we have received at Gods hand. For the same cause also it is said, that such as know the Gospel,² ought too show by the conversation of their whole life, that they be the children of light, and not as blind wretches that wander in darkness. Wherefore let us learn to make Gods gifts available in such wise, as he may be glorified by them. And in that respect is mention made expressly of measure, too the intent we should not allege for our excuse, that this man or that man gave us no good example. For when it standeth upon commendation, then every of us bears himself on hand, and would persuade all the world too believe, that he is very excellent. And yet in the mean while we consider not, that God hath bound us double, in vouchsafing too show so large bountifulness towards us, as too set us in higher degree than our neighbours. Therefore let us bethink us better of it, both generally and particularly, than we have done. Generally, for that we have the Gospel freely preached here among us, and for that we ought universally too be as a burning Cresset, too show the way of salvation.³ And particularly, by discharging every man his own duty, that we give no cause of stumbling too our neighbours, but rather endeavour too draw them too us, which are aloof from God and his truth, and also take pain too confirm and put forward them whom God hath set already in a good trade, and in the right way. But alas: Men discharge themselves ill of that. For according as any man hath the excellenter gifts, so will he needs overmaster all others, and be worshipped as an Idol: and so in the mean while the union is broken, in manner of all hands.