A commentary of M. I. Calvin upon the Epistle to the GalatiansA commentarie of M. I. Caluine vpon the Epistle to the Galathians

Neither is that attributed to the persons, but the whole dependeth upon the rule of Gods government. This is a most forcible engine to hurl down all the pomps of ceremonies, with which alone the Papacy glittereth. For what other thing at this day doth dazzle the eyes of simple people to have in high estimation the kingdom of the Pope, or at the least wise to be moved with any reverence thereof, were it not for that pompous show of ceremonies, customs, gestures, and all kind of service, devised for this purpose to amaze ⟨p. 88⟩the unlearned? but by this place it is manifest that they are deceits counterfeited, with which the Church of God is deformed. I speak not now of greater faults, & which are more to be detested, of which sort is this, that they fain them to be the serving of God. Also that they imagine them to avail to deserve salvation. also that the observation of such trifles is exacted with more severity, than the observation of the whole law of God. I only touch that excuse, wherewith the new craftsmen,¹ cover so many abominations, as it were with a fair beautiful colour. Let them, I say, object, as they will, that there is this day more rudeness and ignorance in many, that in times past was in the Israelites: and that therefore they had need of many helps. they shall never prove thereby, that they must be governed with the like Schoolmastership, as was in force among the people of Israel. for on the other side I will always set this against them, that the ordinance of God is otherwise. If they say it is expedient or needful, I will say to them that they cannot better judge what is expedient, than God himself. let us rather hold this as a certainty, that that is not only very good but also very profitable. that God hath decreed. wherefore unto the unlearned there are helps to be sought, not such as it hath liked men of their own heads to invent: but such as God himself hath appointed, who without doubt hath let pass nothing that was meet to help the infirmity of his. Let this one Buckler suffice to fend of all Objections, It seemed good unto God otherwise, whose counsel may serve in stead of all reasons▪ except perhaps that men can devise better helps, than those which God himself hath provided: which afterwards he hath done away as little worth.

Neyther is that attributed to the persons, but the whole dependeth vpon the rule of Gods gouernmēt. This is a most forcible engine to hurle down all the pompes of ceremonies, with whiche alone the Papacye glittereth. For what other thing at this day doth dazell ye eyes of simple people to haue in high estimation the kingdome of the Pope, or at the least wise to be moued with any reuerence therof, were it not for that pompous shew of ceremonyes, customes, gestures, and all kind of seruice, deuised for this purpose to amase