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

29 As he than that was according to the flesh.) Here doth he confute the fierceness of the false Apostles, who did frowardly triumph over the Godly which reposed all things in Christ. For such kind of fierceness troubled the Godly, and therefore they had need of comfort, as also it was necessary to keep sharply under the false Apostles. He putteth them in mind than, that it is no marvel if the children of the law do at this day, that which their Father Ismael did in the beginning, who vexed Isaac the true heir, which had his birthright, and that his posterity with the like boldness now, for outward ceremonies, Circumcision, and the whole preparation of the law, are stout against the legitimate children of God, and do put them to grief: Again he useth the word Spirit as being contrary to the flesh: that is to say, the calling of God, as being contrary to the appearance of man. so he yieldeth the outward show to the followers of the Law and Works: but as for the thing it self, he challengeth it to them who leave on the only calling of God. and depend on his grace. Did persecute. There is no mention made in any place of persecution: only Moses doth say that Ismael was. with which participle he meaneth that he mocked his brother Isaac. For in that some of the Jews do expound it to have been but bare laughing, it is not agreeable. for what a rage had it been, so sharply to revenge harmless laughing? There is no doubt than but that in reproach, he provoked the Infant Isaac with taunts. But how far is that off from persecution? yet Paul doeth not amplify this in vain or without cause. For no persecution ought to be so grievous unto us, as while we see by the scoffs and taunts of the wicked our calling to be decayed and shaken. neither the blows, nor the whips, nor the nails, nor ⟨p. 111⟩the thorns brought so great vexation unto Christ, as that blasphemy, He trusted in God, what doth it avail him, seeing he is destitute of all help? For there is under that more poison, then in all persecutions else. for how much more is it, for the grace of the adoption of God to be made void than to have this frail life taken from us? Therefore Ismael persecuted not his brother with the sword: but that which was worse, he proudly set up himself against him by treading under feet the promise of God.

29 As he than that was according to the flesh.) Here doth he confute the fiercenesse of the false Apostles, who did frowardlye triumphe ouer the Godly which reposed all thinges in Christe. For suche kynde of fiercenesse troubled the Godly, and therfore they had neede of comforte, as also it was necessarye to keepe sharpelye vnder the false Apostles. He putteth them in mynde than, that it is no maruayle if the children of the law doe at this daye, that which their Father Ismaell didde in the beginning, who vexed Isaac the true heire, which had his byrthrighte, and that his posteritie with the like boldnesse now, for outward ceremonies, Circumcision, and the whole preparation of the law, are stoute agaynst the legitimate children of God, and doe put them to greefe: Agayne hee vseth the worde Spirite as being contrary to the flesh: that is to say, the calling of God, as being contrarye to the appearaunce of man. so hee yeeldeth the outwarde shew to the followers of the Lawe and Workes: but as for the thing it selfe, he challengeth it to them who leaue on the onely calling of God. and depende on his grace. Did persecute. There is no mention made in any place of persecution: onelye Moses doth say that Ismaell was. with whiche participle hee meaneth that he mocked his brother Isaac. For in that some of the Iewes doe expound it to haue bene but bare laughing, it is not agreeable. for what a rage had it bene, so sharpelye to reuenge harmelesse laughing? There is no doubt than but that in reproche, he prouoked the Infante Isaac with tauntes. But howe farre is that off from persecution? yet Paule doeth not amplifie this in vayne or without cause. For no persecution ought to bee so grieuous vnto vs, as while wee see by the skoffes and tauntes of the wicked our calling to be decayed and shaken. neither the blowes, nor the whippes, nor the nailes, nor