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

11 I am afraid lest I have laboured in vain.) This is a hard saying, and such a one as ought wonderfully to abash the Galatians▪ for what hope had they left if Pauls labour were in vain? But some do marvel that Paul was so greatly moved with the observation of days, that he calleth it the overthrow of almost the whole Gospel▪ but we if we way all things rightly, shall see the cause to have been just. The false Apostles did not only practise to put the Jewish bondage upon the necks of the congregation: but they cloyed their minds also with superstitions. Now this was no small evil that Christians were driven to be Jewish, but this plague was much more harmful, that they set up holy days, as meritorious works, against the grace of Christ: that they devised God to be served and pleased by this mean. If ye receive these things the service of God is corrupted, the grace of Christ made of none effect, the liberty of consciences oppressed. Do we marvel if Paul be afraid least he have laboured in vain? for what fruit should there be any more of the gospel? but whereas at this day such impiety reigneth in the Papacy, What manner of Christ is there, and what Gospel remaineth there? In exacting the observing of days, they are no less severe, as far forth as belongeth to bind the consciences, than Moses. They include the worshipping of God in holy days, no less than the false Apostles▪ and they apply to them also a devilish opinion of deserving (in them): Their causes than are like: but in this respect the Papists have the worse: because the Jews would have to be kept such days as have been appointed by the law of God: and they command such days, as rashly of ⟨p. 96⟩their own receiving they have appointed to be kept sacred & holy.

11 I am afrayde lest I haue laboured in vayne.) This is a harde saying, and such a one as ought wonderfully to abash the Galathians▪ for what hope had they left if Paules labour were in vayne? But some doe maruayle that Paule was so greatlye mooued with the obseruation of dayes, that he calleth it the ouerthrowe of almost the whole Gospell▪ but wee if wee waye all thinges rightly, shall see the cause to haue bene iust. The false Apostles didde not onelye practise to put the Iewishe bondage vppon the necks of the congregation: but they cloyed their mindes also with superstitions. Now this was no small euill that Christians were driuen to be Iewish, but this plague was much more harmefull, that they set vp holy dayes, as meritorious workes, astainst the grace of Christe: that they deuised God to be serued and pleased by this meane. If ye receaue these thinges the seruice of God is corrupted, the grace of Christe made of none effecte, the libertie of consciences oppressed. Doe we maruell if Paule bee afraide least he haue labored in vaine? for what fruit should there be any more of the gospel? but wheras at this daye such impietie raigneth in the Papacie, What maner of Christ is there, and what Gospell remaineth there? In exacting the obseruing of dayes, they are no lesse seuere, as farre forth as belongeth to binde the consciences, than Moses. They include the worshipping of God in holye dayes, no lesse than the false Apostles and they apply to them also a diuilishe opinion of deseruing (in them): Their causes than are like: but in this respect the Papistes haue the worse: because the Iewes would haue to be kept such dayes as haue bene appoynted by the law of God: and they commaund such dayes, as rashlye of