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…

Again, if the world may be won too obedience, and we be able too do so much as too draw one or two too consent in one faith with us: then must we put our endeavour and labour thereunto. For we must shun these two extremities, namely of offending God, and of turning away from his pure word, too purchase mens favour: and also of being so high minded and full of stateliness, as too trust every man to himself, and to let others alone, and too pass for no man but himself: for these are two evil extremities which we must beware ⟨p. 192⟩of. But let us learn too join these two things as inseparable: namely that we yield God true obedience through faith, by holding our selves to the pure simplicity of his word: and again, that therewithal we despise not our neighbours, but endeavour to win them, that they may submit themselves quietly (unto God), and by that means al• of us both great and small may speak as it were with one mouth, through the holy Ghost reigning in our harts, and all of us have the knowledge that hath bin spoken of, namely that God is so the author of our salvation, that he hath also showed himself a father towards us, in adopting us, and in vouchsafing to have us to be all of his household: Which cannot be, except we live all in good concord, because he is the God of peace. And although we should be driven too fight against the whole world: yet let us be of good comfort, because the Angels of heaven are our companions in cleaving unto God. Should we then in these days separate our selves from an infinite multitude of men, which presume upon their riches, their greatness, their pomp, their credit, yea & their wisdom? (Yea: and let us esteem every whit of it but as trash, and for our own part, although they call us Schismatics, count us but as the offscourings of the world: let us hold us contented, in that we know that the Angels of heaven, the holy Patriarchs, the Hrophets, the Apostles, and the Martyrs agree with us: and too be short, that all Gods chosen people from Abel too his present day, do bear us sufficient company. And so may we despise all that shall be laid too our reproach, when we have Gods truth and the mark whereby we know our selves too be his children. For inasmuch as God cannot deny himself, he will continue always with his Church, whereof we be a parcel, if she stick unto his word.

Agein, if the world may bee wonne too obedience, and wee bee able too doo so much as too drawe one or twoo too consent in one fayth with vs: then must wee put our indeuer and labour theruntoo. For wee must shun these twoo extremities, namely of offending God, and of turning away from his pure woord, too purchace mens fauor: and also of being so hygh mynded and full of statelinesse, as too trust euery man to himselfe, and to let others alone, and too passe for no man but himselfe: for these are two euill extremities which wee must beware