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…

We know that all Gods children not only should be peaceable themselves, but also procure peace too the uttermost of their power: and make atonement whereas was disagreement and strife, forasmuch as it is the mark that our Lord Jesus Christ hath given us. Now if we ought too reconcile those between whom there was any secret grudge: much more ought we too abstain from all moving of debate. For what authority or means shall we have too bring them together which are grieved one at another, and too set them at brotherly atonement, or too assuage their choler, when they be moved with some over vehement passion: if we our selves be full of strife and trouble, and given to crying, roaring and storming? So then, not without cause doth Saint Paul declare, that all bitterness, with testiness, and anger, and cursed speaking, ought too be put away from the faithful, even with all Spitefulness. For he setteth down spitefulness here, as the root that yieldeth the fruits which he speaketh of. And by that word he meaneth such a Churlishness ⟨image 252⟩as maketh every man too be given too himself, and too draw alone without regard of others. For it cannot be but that the man which loveth himself over much, must needs disdain his neighbours, and so shake them of, as no gentleness can be gotten at his hand. Then if we intend too avoid strife and quarrelling, we must begin at this point of putting away churlishness, and considering that God hath linked us together, endeavour every man too maintain peace and friendship, & regard those whom God hath so inhonored as too make them his children, or in leastwise created after his own image. That is for the first point.

WEe knowe that all Gods children not only should bee peaceable themselues, but also procure peace too the vttermost of their power: and make attonement whereas was disagreement and stryfe, forasmuch as it is the marke that our Lorde Iesus Christ hath giuen vs. Now if we ought too reconcyle those betweene whom there was any secret grudge: much more ought wee too absteyne from all mouing of dedate. For what authoritie or meanes shall wee haue too bring them toogither which are greeued one at another, and too set them at brotherly attonement, or too asswage their choler, when they bee moued with some ouer vehement passion: if wee our selues bee full of stryfe and trubble, and giuen to crying, roring and storming? So then, not without cause dooth Saint Paule declare, that all bitternesse, vvith testinesse, and anger, and cursed speaking, ought too bee put avvay from the faythfull, euen vvith al Spytfulnesse. For he setteth downe spytefulnesse heere, as the roote that yeeldeth the frutes which he speaketh of. And by that woord he meaneth such a Churlishnesse