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

7 God is not scorned.) He did put this too, to do away exercises wherewith many are wont to be turned away. one he lays that he must bring up his household, another he saith he hath nothing left to bestow or give away. so it falleth out that but few do their duty, and they for the most part are not enow, where so many beside are slack. Paul showeth that these excuses are but vain, because the matter toucheth or concerneth GOD: which the world thinks not. neither is here touched only the living of man, but how much Christ and his Gospel is esteemed of us. This place is a testimony ⟨p. 142⟩that the fashion of despising faithful Pastors began not first in these our days. but such despisinges shall not fall out scot-free to the wicked. For what a man soweth. That is to say, that which holdeth us back from liberality, because we think that that is quite gone from us that passeth into another bodies keeping: besides that because we be always afraid for our selves in this life, Paul on the contrary side doeth compare this life to the time of sowing, and saith, while we do well we make a seed season. whereof is spoken in the second to the Corinthians: where he did use the same similitude. I would this were throughly persuaded us, how willingly we should bestow our selves and our goods upon our neighbours, bent always upon the hope of Harvest: as husbandmen who do nothing with better will then sow (their Corn). But whereas they abide nine months with a patient mind, to gather in a corruptible Harvest: we in the waiting for blessed immortality do faint and shrink.

7 God is not scorned.) Hee didde put this too, to doe awaye excercises wherewith many are wont to be turned away. one he laies that he must bring vp his houshold, another he saith he hath nothing lefte to bestowe or giue away. so it falleth out that but few doe their duetie, and they for the moste parte are not enow, where so many beside are slacke. Paule sheweth that these excuses are but vayne, because the matter toucheth or concearneth GOD: whiche the world thinkes not. neyther is here touched only the liuing of man, but how muche Christ and his Gospell is esteemed of vs. This place is a testimonye ⟨p. 142⟩that the fashion of despising faithfull Pastors began not first in these our dayes. but such despisinges shall not fall out scotfree to the wicked. For what a man soweth. That is to saye, that which holdeth vs back from liberalitie, because wee thinke that that is quite gone from vs that passeth into another bodyes keeping: besides that because we be alwayes afraide for our selues in this life, Paule on the contrarye side doeth compare this lyfe to the tyme of sowing, and sayth, while we doe well we make a seede season. whereof is spoken in the seconde to the Corinthians: where he did vse the same similitude. I woulde this were throughly perswaded vs, how willingly we should bestowe our selues and our goods vpon our neighboures, bent alwayes vpon the hope of Haruest: as husbandmen who doe nothing with better will then sow (their Corne). But whereas they abide nyne moneths with a patient mynde, to gather in a corruptible Haruest: we in the wayting for blessed immortalitie doe fainte and shrinke.