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

Thou shalt love thy neighbour. For he that shall love, must yield unto every one his right, he will do wrong to no man, he will hurt no man, he will do good to all as much as lieth in his power. for what else is spoken off in all the second Table? and this reason also doth Paul bring out in the Epistle to the Romans. Finally under the name of Neighbour are all men contained▪ for the nature that is common both to pore and rich doth join us and maketh us one: as Isaiah warneth Cha, 58.7. Despise not thine own flesh. But specially the Image of God ought to be a most holy band of knitting us together. and therefore ⟨p. 127⟩in this case there is no difference of friend and foe. neither may the ungraciousness of men wipe out the law of nature. This parcel, As thy self, meaneth thus much, As every man is bent by the affection of the flesh to love himself, so is commended unto us by God, the love toward our neighbours. They overthrow the words of the Lord, but expound them not, who gather thereof, (as all the Sorbonists do) that the love of our selves ought to be alway first in order, because the thing ruled ought to be inferior to that which ruleth or is the rule. They are Asses and have not a crumb of charity. for if the love of our selves were a rule, it would follow, that it were right and holy and allowed before God. but never shall we love our neighbours sincerely and according to the mind of the Lord, until we have amended and corrected that same love of our selves for the affections are contrary and disagreeing: when as the love of our selves engendereth as well the neglecting as the contemning of others, engendereth cruelty, is the Fountain and wellspring of covetousness rapines, deceits, and of all such like mischiefs, enforceth us to impatience, and armeth us with the desire of revenge. Therefore the Lord requireth this, that it may be changed into love.

Thou shalt loue thy neighbour. For he that shall loue, muste yeelde vnto euery one his right, he will do wrong to no man, he will hurt no man, hee will doe good to all as much as lyeth in his power. for what else is spoken off in all the seconde Table? and this reason also doth Paule bring out in the Epistle to the Romaines. Finally vnder the name of Neighbour are all men contayned▪ for the nature that is common both to pore and riche doth ioyne vs and maketh vs one: as Esay warneth Cha, 58.7. Despise not thine owne flesh. But specially the Image of God ought to be a most holy bande of knitting vs together. and therfore