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

8 But although we.) Here he assaileth them with great boldness, to defend the authority of his doctrine. And first he affirmeth the doctrine by him preached, to be that only gospel, which to impair were great wickedness. Or else the false Apostles might answer him and say: We also wish the Gospel to remain pure and uncorrupt, neither judge we less honourable of it than thou. As at these days the Papists exclaim, that the gospel is holden holy among them, and that they embrace the name thereof with great reverence: but when you come to the trial of it, then do they turmoil the pure & plain ⟨p. 10⟩doctrine of the Gospel as they were wood. Therefore Paul not content with that general testification, doth define what manner of thing that Gospel is, and what it containeth, and he pronounceth his doctrine to be the true Gospel, lest it should be sought else where. For what shall it profit to give our consent to the Gospel, and wot not what it meaneth? Among the Papists peradventure it might serue,¹ where Fides implicita is in force: but among Christians there is no faith, where there is no knowledge. Therefore lest the Galatians, being otherwise ready to obey the Gospel, should waver hither and thither, and being in doubt should not find where to set fast footing, Paul biddeth them bide in his doctrine. Further he will have such credit given to his preaching, that he pronounceth a curse upon all them that dare speak against it. Yea and he beginneth with him self, because it was needful, for so he preventeth the reproach wherewith his ill willers would have burdened him: (as thus) Thou wilt have received without controversy whatsoever cometh from thee, because it is thine. Therefore to show that he maketh no account of him self in this case, he taketh even from him self power, whereby he might dare do any thing against this doctrine. He doth not by this means make other his inferiors or subjects: but with him self he bringeth all others into frame, as meet it is, to be subjects to the word of God. But to the intent that with greater force he might cast down the false Apostles, he climbeth up even to the Angels: neither doth he simply deny them to be heard, if they bring any other thing, but he saith they ought to be cursed.

8 But although we.) Here he assayleth them with greate boldnesse, to defende the authoritie of his doctrine. And first he affirmeth the doctrine by him preached, to be that only gospell, which to empeyre were great wickednesse. Or else the false Apostles might aunswere him and say: Wee also wishe the Gospell to remayne pure and vncorrupt, neither iudge we lesse honourable of it thē thou. As at these dayes the Papists exclaime, that the gospell is holden holy among them, and that they embrace the name thereof with great reuerence: but when you come to the triall of it, then doe they turmoile the pure & plaine