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 here we see how he continueth his matter, which is, that we must be so linked together according too the doctrine of the Gospel, as Jesus Christ may reign over us, and we know that the heavenly father hath given us him, with condition that we should all link together under him, and maintain a brotherly unity among us. But yet afore all things, we must be subject too him that hath all sovereign dominion, and consider that forasmuch as the heavenly father hath set him in that degree, we must all aim at him, and continue in his obedience unto the end. And therewithal let us understand, that that cannot be done, without love, that is too say, unless every of us rid himself of the cursed affection of seeking too much our own profit. For in deed it is easy too perceive, that that affection doth so blind us, that it makes us too despise our neighbours. So much the more therefore doth it behove every of us too endeavour too give over his own right, and too know that God hath not so distributed his gifts, that every man may be a world or a Church of himself, but that forasmuch as every man hath need of his neighbours, the same is the very mean whereby he will hold us together. And that ought also too provoke us so much the more too do what we can one for another. Although then that there be but one fountain from whence we draw all spiritual gifts, namely even our Lord Jesus Christ: yet notwithstanding, God maketh the fullness of the grace which he hath put in Jesus Christ, too flow forth as it were by channels, that we may receive every man his portion, as is expedient for us. And so ye see in effect what we have too remember here.

And heere wee see how he contineweth his matter, which is, that wee must be so linked toogither according too the doctri•e of the Gospell, as Iesus Christ may reigne ouer vs, and wee knowe that the heauenly father hath giuen vs him, with condition that wee should all linke toogither vnder him, and maynteyne a brotherly vnitie among vs. But yit afore all things, wee must bee subiect too him that hath all souereine dominion, and consider that for asmuch as the heauenly father hath set him in that degree, wee must all ame at him, and continew in his obedience vntoo the end. And therwithall let vs vnderstand, that that cannot bee doone, without loue, that is too say, vnlesse euery of vs rid himself of the cursed affection of seeking too much our owne profit. For in deede it is easye too perceyue, that that affection dooth so blynd vs, that it makes vs too despyze our neyghboures. So much the more therfore dooth it behoue euery of vs too indeuer too giue ouer his owne ryght, and too knowe that God hath not so distributed his giftes, that euery man may bee a world or a Church of himself, but that for asmuch as euery man hath neede of his neyghboures, the same is the very meane wherby he will hold vs toogither. And that ought also too prouoke vs so much the more too doo what wee can one for another. Although then that there bee but one fountayne from whence wee drawe all spirituall giftes, namely euen our Lord Iesus Christ: yit notwithstanding, God maketh the fulnesse of the grace which he hath put in Iesus Christ, too flowe foorth as it were by chanelles, that wee may receyue euerye man his portion, as is expedient for vs. And so yee see in effect what wee haue too remember heere.