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

Therefore where as he sayeth that we must not be weary, it is because that such as have any good will or desire too do good, shall be plucked back by Satan's […], and by a numbe•• […] comberances and lets which he will cast in their way. If a man walk abroad for his own pleasure, he needeth not too be warned that he weary not himself. ⟨image 329⟩And why? For he chooseth some fair beaten path, he keepeth a measurable pace, and he goeth at his ease: for he is not stinted to go thus many leagues in a day, but returneth again as soon as his journey is not to his mind.

Therefore where as hee sayeth that wee must not bee weerye, it is bycause that suche as haue any good will or desyre too doo good, shall bee plucked backe by Satans 〈…〉, and by a numbe•• 〈…〉 comberances and lettes whyche he will cast in theyr way. If a man walke abroade for his owne pleasure, he needeth not too bee warned that he wearie not himselfe. ⟨image 329⟩And why? For he chozeth some faire beaten path, he keepeth a measurable pace, and he goeth at his ease: for he is not stinted to go thus many leagues in a day, but returneth ageine as soone as his iourney is not to his mind.

This warning therefore is for such as have long journeys to go, and not only one or two, but continual travellings. They shall perchance have hard passages, they shall have stony and shrubby ways, or ways that are miry and dirty, they shall have hills and dales. Such have need too be quickened forward, that they may be cheered and pluck up a good heart, that they tyre not nor quail not in the midst of their journey. Even so is it with us when God toucheth us with his holy spirit, so as we be disposed to serve him and to do good to such as seek succour at our hand. But on the one side we be plucked back by unbelief, because we be afraid that the earth will fail us: and if any man be too be relieved, we cast with our selves that the like want and penury may befall our selves. Thus ye see we be plucked back, we be snarled in that overcarefulnesse, and are unsatiable in our lusts, and think we shall never have enough. Hereupon also we be tempted too seek excuses. For we will allege [on the one side] that we cannot tell whither the party that complaineth have such need as he speaketh of, or whither he be so greatly too be pitied: and on the othersyde that the world is so wicked and ungracious, that a man cannot tell too whom too do good, and that oftentimes the good turn is lost, and there is such unthankfulness, that it were better too let those complainants to endure hunger and thirst, than to give them occasion too offend God, in beguiling men after that sort and in laughing them too scorn for their labour. There will always be found excuses and shifts enow too escape from welldoing, as experience showeth too much, specially considering that we be so lazy and faint by nature. So much the more therefore doth it stand us in hand too remember this lesson which Saint Paul setteth down ere, which is, too […] still without being weary, yea verily in doing good. This matter concerneth the enlarging of our hearts, and of the