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 thereupon he concludeth, that we should forgive one another. For if compassion go not always afore, surely we will not let a pins point go without examination and rigorous sifting of it, and without unmeasurable displeasure, as experience showeth in very deed to much. Therefore a body should not stir a straw, but we would be out of patience at it. And why? Because there is no pity in us. But if we be touched with mercy, surely we will easily forgive, and let many things slip and pass (unseen): and moreover we will not be •yghtly moved, but there will be a bridle too hold us back, and we will not refuse too admit them always too friendship, which have so offended. That therefore is the order which Saint Paul keepeth too bring us too charity, and too maintain us ⟨p. 236⟩in it: for it is the whole sum of this Lesson. Too be Gods children (say I), we must love one another, & be knit together in good agreement, that peace may be maintained among us. And how is that possible too be? For every man is too much medded too himself. Again, their minds are as far differing as may be. Their manners and conditions also are differing. Too be short, we have infinite causes too put us away, and too cut us of from all company. And surely if every man let himself loose, Charity shall never take place, but be banished far from us. What is too be done then? We must first rid away all scornfulness and pride (as is said afore) and afterward be cleansed from bitterness and frowardness, so as we fall not too be choleric and testy, but every man bridle himself and subdue his own affections. But this cannot be done, except we be gentle and kind hearted, namely because we be creatures fashioned after the image of God, and knit together with an unseparable bond. Yet would not all this suffice, until we have learned too know our own infirmities, and that every of us be angry with himself, because he seeth that he hath need too be quickened up, and that there be many vices in himself of the same sort that are in his neighbours: and that therefore we have need of this bond too hold us fast together: which will then be done, when we be merciful and pitiful. Now if common courtesy ought too move us too succour such as are in necessity: it ought also too be of force too reconcile us.¹

And thereuppon he concludeth, that vvee should forgiue one another. For if compassion go not alwayes afore, surely wee will not let a pinnes poynt go without examination and rigorous sifting of it, and without vnmeasurable displeasure, as experience sheweth in very deede to much. Therfore a body should not stirre a strawe, but wee would bee out of pacience at it. And why? Bycause there is no pitie in vs. But if wee bee touched with mercy, surely wee will easly forgiue, and let many things slip and passe (vnseene): and moreouer wee wil not bee yghtly moued, but there will bee a brydle too hold vs backe, and wee will not refuze too admit them alwayes too freendship, which haue so offended. That therefore is the order which Saint Paule keepeth too bring vs too charitie, and too maynteyne vs