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

Fourteen years after.) Scarcely can any man affirm for a certainty whether he mean that going up which Luke mentioneth Act. 15.2. nay rather the order of the History leadeth us to the contrary part: for there it is showed that Paul came four times to Jerusalem, of his first coming is already said: his second coming was when he and Barnabas brought the alms collected in the Congregations of Graecia, and Asia, as it is read Act. 12.25. of the which that I should rather understand this present place, many reasons move me, or else it must needs be that the one of them must tell an untruth. Moreover the conjecture doth more move me that Peter was reprehended at Antiochia what time as Paul did abide there, and that was before he was sent to Jerusalem of the Churches, to dispatch the dissension arisen about ceremonies. Beside that it is not agreeable to reason, that Peter would have used such simulation, if that controversy had been ended, and the decree of the Apostles published. Paul in this place writeth that he came to Jerusalem: & after he addeth that Peters simulation was reproved by him: which [simulation] he would never have used but in doubtful things:¹ furthermore he would scant at any time have enterprised that ⟨p. 23⟩voyage taken by the common consent of the faithful, letting pass the cause, and suppressing so memorable an end. And it appeareth not sufficiently at what time this Epistle was written: but that the Greeks do conjecture it to be sent from Rome: and the Latins from Ephesus. But I suppose that it was not only written before that Paul saw Rome: but also before the council was held where the Apostles gave sentence as touching the use of ceremonies. For where as the adversaries did falsely pretend the name of the Apostles, & did lean chiefly thereupon to burden Paul withal: what great negligence had it ben to pass over the decree every where published & among all men, wherewith they were confounded? Surely this one word would have stopped their mouth, ye object to me the Apostles: but all men know what they have judged: therefore I hold you convict of a shameless lie. You put upon the Gentiles necks necessity of keeping the law, as though ye did so by their commandment, but their writing is extant, whereby they set the consciences at liberty from it.