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…

For when our Lord Jesus exhorteth us too be merciful: it is not only too the intent we should relieve the hungry and thirsty with meat and drink, or help up a man again that is fallen in decay, or that we should succour every man according too our own ability, and the parties need: our Lord Jesus intendeth not that alone. True it is that all things are comprehended therein: but he will have us specially too show mercy, in forgiving the faults that are committed, and not too be so extreme as too shake of those utterly which are not altogether too be commended, or in whom we spy many vices. In deed we ought not too flatter one another: for true friendship will not bear that, because it would be but a foading of us too our own destruction. If a man be a friend too another, and suffer him to over come himself with meat and drink, so as in the end he killeth himself: is it too be said, that his flattering of him after that manner, and his foading of all his foolish appetites, ⟨image 255⟩is friendship? (No:) So then, if we see a poor man at the point too throw himself headlong into destruction, we do well show our selves too be rather traitors than friends too him, if we endeavour not too pluck him back.

For when our Lord Iesus exhorteth vs too bee merciful: it is not only too the intent wee should releeue the hungry and thirsty with meat and drinke, or help vp a man agein that is falne in decay, or that wee should succour euery man according too our owne abilitie, and the parties neede: our Lord Iesus intendeth not that alone. Trew it is that all things are comprehended therein: but he will haue vs specially too shewe mercie, in forgiuing the faultes that are committed, and not too bee so extreme as too shake of those vtterly which are not altoogither too bee commended, or in whom wee spye many vyces. In deede wee ought not too flatter one another: for trew freendship will not beare that, bycause it would bee but a foading of vs too our owne destruction. If a man bee a freend too another, and suffer him to ouer come himself with meate and drinke, so as in the end he killeth himself: is it too be sayd, that his flattering of him after that manner, and his foading of all his foolish appetytes, ⟨image 255⟩is freendship? (No:) So then, if wee see a poore man at the poynt too throw himself headlong intoo destruction, wee doo well shew our selues too bee rather traytors than freendes too him, if wee indeuer not too plucke him backe.