Sermons of M. John Calvin upon the Epistle of Saint Paul to the GalatiansSermons of M. Iohn Caluine vpon the Epistle of Saincte Paule to the Galathians

And when we be of one country and language, then we see our selves somewhat nearer one another, and that increaseth ⟨p. 312⟩the affection which otherwise in general would be but cold. But when there befalleth any friendliness and familiarity of neighbourhood, that is yet more: according as we see that they which be of one Country will say, Seeing that God hath brought us thus near together, let us at leastwise endeavour too serve one another's turn. Again we see that the neighbours which dwell in one self same street, and communicate familiarly together, are as kinsfolk and near of alliance. Now then it is much more reason that they which are all of one house, and are gathered as it were into one little corporation or body, should be held as it were fast linked together by God: and that he should embrace them as if a father should hold all his children about him. For as much then as we ought too be so much the more moved too employ our selves with the better courage, seeing that God hath so knit us together, and brought us so familiarly near one another: Saint Paul saith that all the faithful, & all those that profess the same Gospel which we do, are as household folk of one self same house.¹ And in very deed the Church is called Gods house, and he sitteth over in the middest of us. When the Scripture speaketh so, it meaneth not that our uniting together must be in such a material Church or Temple as this is: but that although every man be at home in his own house, yet God hath in such wife gathered us together too him self, that we be as it were household fellows one with another, and we be not only Countrymen of one Realm or kingdom, but there is yet a certain nearer alliance, which ought to hold us more close together. Too be short, when as it is said that such as intend too be Gods children must dwell all together in one house: it is too show that there is as it were one common brotherhood among us. And although earthly brethren go asunder one from another, and every man gets him away by him self: yet must we always continue in the unity which God hath set among us. Sith we here this, must we not […] be worse than […], and crueller than the brute and wild beasts, if we be not moved too bestow Gods gifts too the relief of our neighbours, I mean of the faithful?

And when wee be of one countrey and language, then wee see our selues somewhat neerer one another, and that increaseth