Sermons of M. John Calvin upon the Epistle of Saint Paul to the GalatiansSermons of M. Iohn Caluine vpon the Epistle of Saincte Paule to the Galathians

9 Let us not be weary of well doing: for in convenient season we shall reap without weariness. 10 Therefore while we have time let us do good too all men, but chiefly to them that are of the household of faith. 11 Ye see how large a letter I have written too you with mine own hand.

9 Let vs not bee vveerie of vvell dooyng: for in conuenient season vvee shall reape vvithout vvearinesse. 10 Therefore vvhile vve haue time let vs doo good too al men, but cheefly to them that are of the household of faith. 11 Yee see hovve large a letter I haue vvritten too you vvith mine ovvne hand.

We have seen the similitude whereby Saint Paul exhorted us to do good, so long as God giveth us time in this world. For while we be here, we ought to apply all Gods gifts too the service of him and of all his, yea and generally of all men. For after as God bestoweth any ability or gift upon any […] us he bindeth him too such as have need of him and as he is able too help. Therefore we must be fully resolved of this, that ⟨p. 307⟩none of us must be idle or unprofitable, but have an eye too the mean that God hath given us, too the end that every of us may make as it were a sacrifice of it unto him. And hereupon, too give us the better courage, Saint Paul saith that in so doing we do sow: and God will not suffer us too be disappointed, when we shall have endeavoured too occupy our selves about the things that he commandeth. We are of opinion that all is lost, if every man seek not his own profit, and be given wholly too himself. But it is clean contrary. For although that he which succoureth his neighbour forgo the thing that he bestoweth upon him: yet he putteth it in good keeping, as he doth which layeth his seed into the ground, that is, to reap fruit of it in convenient season. Contrariwise there is a way for all to perish: namely if we be too gripple of the riches of this world, so as we have no care nor regard but of our own profit: we shall gather corruption, that is too say, all shall perish, as in very deed the world and the fashion thereof must needs pass and vanish away. Thus ye see what all the treasure is which they can scrape together, that endeavour too make their hand in this world. For as their life is flyghtfull and transitory, so are all the goods that they shall have horded up, and all shall go too destruction. But if we can discharge our selves of earthly cares, and look up too the kingdom of God, although we seem too be diminished and made poor by doing good: yet shall not our treasure perish, but shall be well kept in Gods hand till the last day. Howbeit for as much as the Devil offereth us many occasions too cool us, or too make us turn head back again, Saint Paul addeth a very needful encouragement, which is, that we should not be weary of well doing. And afterward he addeth that we must be patient, in waiting for the seasonable time of gathering.