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 that is, because we consider not that on the one side the devil laboureth too seduce us, and we on the other side are so frail, as we never cease too give our selves too evil, except our Lord have armed and fenced us with his word. So much the more therefore doth it stand us on hand, too mark the order that is set down here: which is, that too live quietly together, and too keep our selves from contention and strife: first, we must not be blinded with excessive love of our selves, but rather endeavour too rid away all pride, that we may make account of our neighbours, and live meekly with them: for that will restrain us from being so bitter and testy in taking all things in ill part.

and that is, bycause we consider not that on the one syde the diuell laboreth too seduce vs, and wee on the other syde are so frayle, as wee neuer cease too giue our selues too euill, except our Lord haue armed and fenced vs with his woord. So much the more therefore dooth it stand vs on hand, too marke the order that is set downe heere: which is, that too liue quietly toogither, and too keepe our selues from contention and stryfe: first, we must not bee blynded with excessiue loue of our selues, but rather indeuer too rid away all pryde, that wee may make account of our neyghbours, and liue meekely with them: for that will restreyne vs from being so bitter and testie in taking all things in ill part.

And hereupon S. Paul telleth us, that when we be so purged within, both of spitefulness & of bitterness: we must abstain from Hastiness, & from wrath, and from roaring. For here he setteth down the sudden heats of choler wherethrough men overshoot themselves ere they be aware of it, and afterward fall into rages that cannot be stayed. For this cause it behoveth us too be mortified, for then will it be easy too allay the heat yea and even too quench it. But when we be so inflamed with wrath, all must needs be full of thundering, and there will be no measure of our anger. Ye see then that the thing in effect which we have too mark here, is that forasmuch as Gods children ought too live in peace and concord: they must, too the uttermost of their power bridle all their passions, yea and consider what cometh of wrath and anger, namely that fire is kindled, open war proclaimed, many words escape which a man would wish in again, and finally thereof springeth incurable mischief. Now then if we look well whereto all our moodiness leadeth us, or rather earyeth us away: namely that the devil taketh possession of us, and holdeth us in the the stocks, and that we have neither reason nor stay of our selves when we be so far out of patience: certes we would stand upon our guard, & not give place to the devil, as hath bin declared afore. Howbeit, that we may avoid strife & debate, let us learn to cleanse our hearts of bitterness and testiness. And too bring that too pass, let us