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…

Seeing then that he loveth us after such a sort, notwithstanding all the unworthiness that is in us: It is good reason that we should resemble him in so doing. And although we had no better prerogative than our natural birth: yet ought we too know that God hath not separated us asunder. Even the wretched Paynims had some understanding hereof. For they said, that mans life is too tend unto God, and too be fashioned like unto his image, and that the same is also the full perfection of all happiness. And again, they added that we cannot resemble God better in any thing, than in using gentleness one towards another, and in doing good, and in being pitiful. So then let us consider, that inasmuch as God hath made us his well-beloved children, us (I say) which were his enemies, and had nothing but filthiness in us, and were clogged with so many vices, that we were worthy too be loathed of him, and yet he hath not letted too love us, it is good reason that we should wink at many things that might offend us, and hinder our loving of our neighbours, and our holding with them.

Seeing then that he loueth vs after such a sort, notwithstanding all the vnworthinesse that is in vs: It is good reason that wee should resemble him in so dooing. And although wee had no better prerogatiue than our naturall birth: yit ought wee too knowe that God hath not separated vs asunder. Euen the wretched Paynims had some vnderstanding heereof. For they sayd, that mans lyfe is too tend vnto God, and too bee fashyoned lyke vntoo his image, and that the same is also the full perfection of all happinesse. And agein, they added that wee cannot resemble God better in any thing, than in vsing gentlenesse one towardes another, and in dooing good, and in being pitifull. So then let vs consider, that in asmuch as God hath made vs his welbeloued children, vs (I say) which were his enemyes, and had nothing but filthinesse in vs, and were clogged with so many vyces, that we were woorthie too bee lothed of him, and yit he hath not letted too loue vs, it is good reason that wee should winke at manie things that myght offende vs, and hinder our louing of our neyghbours, and our holding with them.

And now Saint Paul having spoken of God, addeth also the example of our Lord Jesus Christ.