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

Although a man be prevented.) As ambition is a very hurtful evil: so also doth importunate and overmuch rigour hurt greatly and that not seldom which is covered in deed with an honest colour of zeal, but it ariseth oft time of pride, and of disdain and contempt of our brethren. For many, as though by their brothers fault they had gotten occasion to triumph (over them) do vex and grieve them contumeliously & cruelly. and this they do, because they bend themselves more to taunt than to amend them. They are in deed to be reprehended that have offended: and many times severity and sharpness is needful. It is convenient than to persist in reprehending, even until a man come to importunity: but yet you must mingle your Vinegar with oil.¹ And hereupon he teacheth in this place that lenity must be used in the correcting of our brothers faults: and that those are Godly and Christian chidings, which savour of gentleness. That he may the easilier obtain that, he showeth to what end godly reprehensions are used: namely to raise up him which is fallen, that is, to restore him new. And that will never be wrought with violence, nor with an accusing spirit, nor yet with sternness either of ⟨p. 136⟩countenance or words. it remaineth (then), to bring with us a quiet and gentle spirit, if we mind to heal our brother. and, least any man should show forth gentleness in gesture only, he requireth the spirit. whereby he declareth, that they are meet to chasten their brethren, who have hearts addicted to lenity. He commendeth gentleness about correcting our brethren, with another argument, when he saith, Prevented, for they that are fallen unaware, or circumvented by deceit, to deal too hardly with such, were small humanity or gentleness. But we know that the Devil is alway ready to deceive: and that we are beguiled of him a thousand manner of ways. when as therefore we see any of our brethren fallen let us think that he is fallen into the snares of Satan: and let us be touched with compassion, and withal be the more ready to forgive. But there is no doubt but he maketh a difference between faults or falls, and inward wickedness, which is joined with a deliberate and obstinate contempt of God. Such a wickedness and malicious conspiring against God is to be taken up more severely. for what shall gentleness prevail there?

ALthough a man be preuented.) As ambition is a very hurtfull euill: so also doth importunate and ouermuch rigour hurt greatlye and that not sieldome whiche is couered in deede with an honest colour of zeale, but it ariseth oft time of pryde, and of disdayne and contempte of our bretheren. For many, as though by their brothers faulte they had gotten occasion to triumpe (ouer them) doe vexe and greeue thē contumeliously & cruellie. and this they do, because they bend themselues more to taunt than to amend them. They are in deede to bee reprehended that haue offended: and manye times seueritie and sharpenesse is needefull. It is conuenient than to persist in reprehending, euen vntil a man come to importunitie: but yet you must mingle your Vineger with oyle.