A17646:212
A commentary of M. I. Calvin upon the Epistle to the GalatiansA commentarie of M. I. Caluine vpon the Epistle to the Galathians
A commentary of M. I. Calvin upon the Epistle to the Galatians: and translated into English by R.V.A commentarie of M. I. Caluine vpon the Epistle to the Galathians: and translated into English by R.V.
London: printed by Thomas Purfoote, 1581
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
13 Ye are called into liberty.) Now he teacheth after what wise we must use liberty. I showed in the first Epistle to the Corinthians, that liberty was one thing, & the use of it another thing for liberty is in the conscience and respecteth God: but the use thereof is in outward things, and hath to do with men and not with God only. therefore after he hath exhorted the Galatians that they should suffer no part of their liberty to be abridged, now doth he bid them to be moderate in using it. And he prescribeth a rule of the lawful use thereof. namely, that it be not turned into a pretence or occasion of licentious life. For no liberty is given to the flesh, which rather ought to be holden captive under subjection: but it is a spiritual good thing, which godly minds only can comprehend. But by love. He declareth the way how to bridle liberty, that it run not into a wandering and licentious abuse: namely if it be ruled of charity. Let us always bear in mind that he now entreateth, not how we are free before GOD, but how we may use our liberty amongest men. for an upright conscience doth not allow of any bondage: but the bondage or abstaining from the outward use (of a thing) hath no danger (in it). This is than the sum, if we serve another by love, we will make a reckoning of edification. and so shall it be brought about that we shall not be wanton, but shall use the grace of GOD, to his honour, and the salvation of our neighbours.
13 Ye are called into libertie.) Now he teacheth after what wise we must vse libertie. I shewed in ye first Epistle to the Corinthians, yt libertie was one thing, & the vse of it another thing for libertie is in the conscience and respecteth God: but the vse thereof is in outward thinges, and hath to doe with men and not with God only. therefore after hee hath exhorted the Galathians that they should suffer no part of their libertie to be abridged, now doth he bid them to be moderate in vsing it. And he prescribeth a rule of the lawfull vse thereof. namelye, that it bee not turned into a pretence or occasion of licentious life. For no libertie is giuen to the fleshe, which rather ought to be holden captiue vnder subiection: but it is a spirituall good thing, whiche godly myndes onely can comprehende. But by loue. He declareth the waye how to bridle libertie, that it runne not into a wandring and licencious abuse: namelye if it be ruled of charitie. Let vs alwayes beare in mynde that hee now intreateth, not howe wee are free before GOD, but howe wee may vse our libertye amongest men. for an vprighte conscience doth not allowe of any bondage: but the bondage or abstayning from the outwarde vse (of a thing) hath no daunger (in it). This is than the summe, if wee serue another by loue, wee will make a reckoning of edification. and so shall it bee brought about that we shall not be wanton, but shall vse the grace of GOD, to his honour, and the saluation of our neighbours.