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…

Now hereupon he addeth, Mercifulness. Let us (sayeth he) have compassion one of another. And this compassion stretcheth very far, and is as it were the wellspring that moveth us too gentleness. We ⟨p. 235⟩will always grant that a mild spirit is a singular virtue, and one without the which we cannot continue in the world. And how may it be maintained among us? The only mean is this compassion, that is too say, (the disposition of mind which causeth us too think) that when we see any despised person, yet is he our neighbour, that is too say, our own flesh and bone. Yea, but yet is he despised, neither hath he any thing too be esteemed for. Yet notwithstanding, the miseries that are in him, may also fall upon me. Then if we consider that: surely our hearts will yearn too see the man that is brought too so great an afterdeale in respect of others: and whether he be weak of body, or have some infirmity of mind, it will grieve us and touch us with pity too rue his case. And so there would be no gentleness in us, if it were not for this compassion. Now then, put the case there be a poor man that is sore diseased, or that droopeth and draggeth his wings upon the ground: should he be held scorn of for that? (No:) but contrariwise, if we were not utterly merciless like wild beasts:¹ surely the very same ought to move our bowels (as the scripture teacheth us:) and too incline us unto pity, at leastwise if we did our duty. Again, if there be any impediment of wit or mind: (as for example, some silly soul hath much ado too understand one saying among a hundred, yea he is not able too discern white from black:) if I have not compassion of him, what letteth me to do it, but mine own cruelty, which maketh me too forget common kindness whereby God knitteth us all together? Ye see then, that if we have any drop of pity, too keep us from rejecting them that are allied unto us, and also from disdaining them in whom there is any cause of compassion and mercy: we shall not fail too be gentle and courteous towards our neighbours in all cases and at all times. To be short, like as the miseries which God knoweth too be in us, do move him too be merciful towards us: so the miseries that are in our neighbours, ought to be as spurs too prick us and provoke us to be pitiful unto them. Yea and there is yet more:

Now hereuppon he addeth, Mercifulnesse. Let vs (sayeth he) haue compassion one of another. And this compassion stretcheth very farre, and is as it were the welspring that moueth vs too gentlenesse. Wee